As soon as the wave of foul air hit the pack, they couldn't help but wrinkle their noses and turn to look through the open gate. Saras' unsanctioned appearance was put to the side immediately.

"What manner of..." Janius murmured as he took the front with Kaleeth so they could lead with their shields. "It must be a cesspit down here."

Fendros stepped up to the lever of the lift. "I'll go back up. If there are more automatons, my arrows aren't going to be especially helpful." He looked specifically to Sabine and nodded his head to one side. "Go on."

After the pack and Saras were off the platform, Fendros pulled the lever with another ratcheting rip and the machinery rumbled it upwards again.

"Saras, while you're here," Janius whispered. "Do you know what is making that smell?"

[hr]
Without stopping to retrieve his daggers, Gallus listened attentively to Peiter, nodding a couple of times. When he was finished, he paused to look at the tree they were throwing at and let out his own sigh, albeit a thoughtful one. The answer to Peiter's problems was not obvious.

"I understand, I think. Mostly." Gallus looked to the ground and itched at the back of his head. It wasn't until he took a short breath and squinted one eye that he had a better answer. "Say, if you just completed a task with someone and you made mistakes because of your arm..." Gallus curled his lips for a moment, selecting his words carefully. "...How would you prefer that they react?"