Bab 112: Within the Burrow

Rick had been prepared to be saddened by the sight within the cavern. He regretted having put such a promising youth in such a dangerous position.

However, the cave lit up by the glowing moss covering the ceiling didn't have the scene of tragedy Rick had been expecting. Instead, it looked like a field hospital.

All over the floor were platforms, a dozen rectangular tables of dirt carved out of the ground. And while most of those tables were empty except for bloodstains, some had a bed of leaves and branches with beasts on them.

It looked like several of the beasts that had been kidnapped for the magic ritual had gathered for treatment here. The bitter smell permeating the tunnels was probably the smell of medicinal herbs. Although most such herbs were a lot more effective when used for potions, they were still helpful in their raw state or simply dried and turned into powder or paste to apply to wounds.