Thebes nodded at Rareth’s suggestion. “Saddam and Athena, with me. Memnon, Knossos, Carthage, take some of the load and follow Rareth.” Half of the Sacred Band took bundles of equipment from Nirann and deftly followed the Datius up the sheer rock face. The other half, along with the scientists and 595, turned their backs to the wall and surveyed the incline they’d just climbed. Another screech sounded from somewhere up one of the sides of the canyon, a little closer than before.

“Clear.” Knossos confirmed once the first group had reached the top. “You four, go.” Thebes pointed at the scientists and spook. 595 and the Rothian droid practically flew up the wall, but the Human boffins were a little more ponderous. “Wow. Pretty.” 595 commented when she saw the enormous lake, surrounded by softly glowing trees and sheer cliffs on all sides. “There’s a waterfall on the other side of this lake; we might be able to scale up to the water channel above.” She remarked. Fascinating! I wonder why they dammed this fjord…” Dr Wetherall looked about in wonder.

595 turned away from the stunning vista and scanned the canyonsides looming over the way they’d just come. She couldn’t see any movement. Once the second group were safely up the wall, Saddam and Athena turned from rearguard duties and began scaling. Memnon turned to provide overwatch in addition to the agent. Finally, Thebes made his way up to complete their ascent as a group. “So...which way? I’m certainly not swimming to the other side.” 595 asked. “It looks like the left-hand side has a wider strip of land, but denser tree coverage. Right is the opposite.” Carthage assessed. “Lots of unknowns either way. These trees are messing with my optics.”