Just a Harmless Little Heist....

It was evaporated and dispersed before it touched the lava.

Alistair tried again, this time freezing the water as it approached the lava. Sydney looks around for any tunnels or outcroppings.

She manages to solidify a portion of the lava, but more pools up over it, too much for her to handle.

Sydney takes flight, looking for somewhere to go.

It's dripping from the ceiling and rising from the floor. There's no where to go.

Sydney hovers for a moment, realization sinking in, before skimming back to the others and landing. "There's nowhere."

Their bubble of non-lava is getting smaller. It's uncomfortably hot. Aliond wraps his wings around the entire group. It's a tight squeeze, but he's heat-proof.

Brandice is in tears, because she believes it's her fault they're in this mess. Clyde's holding both her and Siegfried, and wishing he was unconscious like the knight.

Aliond swims through the lava with his tail, managing to find a lava-filled tunnel which finally lets out in a cavern. He drops everyone on the ground well away from the lava pool, then moves away, whimpering and shaking, pain wracking his body as the lava clings under his scales.

Alistair takes a deep breath, steadying herself, then walks after Aliond. Hold still. she instructs before beginning to work across his scales, patch by patch, drawing the lava out. Of course, she keeps her distance so as to avoid getting burned until this is finished.

He collapses, shaking, when she's finished.

She makes her way to him, and heals the worst of the burns before slumping to the ground next to him. I'll heal the rest as soon as I can.

The others gradually make their way over also; Kajaise thoroughly exhausted from the fight, plus keeping them all, including a dragon, in mid air. Clyde is frustrated beyond belief that he doesn't have his magic, that something is wrong with Brandice, and that Siegfried won't wake up. Brandice is still refusing to talk or look up from the ground. Sydney is more than a little sore, but quickly makes the assessment that she's in the best shape. Therefore, she makes use of her night vision explores cautiously around the cavern, being sure not to stray too far from the others.

The cavern is big and stretches out for hundreds of yards. Aliond slowly extends his wing over Alistair.

Sydney looks for any possible exits or water and food sources, mushrooms or animals in particular.

Alistair expresses gratefulness mentally, not having the energy for anything else.

Long tunnel that could be a possible exit, one cold water spring, no food. Aliond passes out.

Sydney doesn't worry over finding no food, takes a few mouthfuls of water, and walks back to the others. "Found water and a possible exit," she murmured before letting herself down on the ground and wrapping her wings around herself. "I'll stay watch."

Alistair doesn't argue with this. She checks on Aliond, to make sure he's gonna be all right, before dropping into a dead sleep. Kajaise has already dropped off. Brandice says nothing. Clyde nearly says he'll stay up also, but a wave of weariness washes over him and he simply says, "Wake me if there's anything suspicious." before dozing off.

Aliond sleeps with Alistair, holding her under his wing.

Alistair sleeps long and hard. At some point, Clyde wakes up and tells Sydney to go to sleep so he can take his turn at staying watch.

Neither Aliond nor the scholar wake.

Clyde makes a few attempts to talk to Brandice during his watch, but she remains uncooperative. Knowing her, he finally leaves her be. Sydney takes over watching again not too long later, as she doesn't need nearly as much sleep as humans. While she watches, she works to hollow out a sort of cup with a couple rocks to carry water with.

Aliond has dark and troubled dreams.

Alistair and Kajaise are sleeping so deeply they're virtually unconscious, therefore they have no dreams. Clyde struggles with some, however, which reinforces Brandice's decision not to go to sleep.

Aliond wakes later.

Sydney glances at him when he wakes. She pauses a moment, then whispers, "Thank you for helping us."

He nods his large head gently.