Burrowing beneath the ground was a dirty, tiring job, but it was no sweat for the likes of Terrus. Soil and stone were casually pushed aside as he was clearing a path before him; crawling in the near dark, his wings lighting the tunnel some. His magic aided in a pinch, a rather large pinch at that, but he did a good portion of the work with his hands. Frequently, the Fae stopped, bringing his face close to the floor or walls, sniffing at the thick soil and clay. In his most recent stop, he caught a whiff of something really peculiar - a group of people above.
"'Urry up," A voice spoke softly from behind; his twin brother, Arborus, was crawling with him. "We can't be dawdlin' about all day. We've gotta find th-"
"Shh!" Terrus swiftly hushed him. "Methinks we just 'ave." He pressed his ear against the cieling of the tunnel, listening to any sounds from above.
"WHO EVER YOU ARE COME OUT! I KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN FOLLOWING US!" Someone had shouted.
Terrus relayed the message to Arborus who gave a quizzical look as a partial reply. "Who coulda-"
"Dunno."
"'Ow did they-"
"Dunno."
There was a moment of silence as they both pondered for a moment before Terrus broke it and looked at his brother. "D'ya think it migh' be..."
Arborus shrugged. "Per'aps. Only one way to find out."
Terrus nodded knowingly and began burrowing up towards the surface. He used his magic to keep the topmost level of soil firm in order to mask their actions. He dug a small pocket and moved aside to allow his brother room enough sit next to him. Small bundles of grass roots hung from the cieling and Arborus slowly ran his finger across and through them, feeling the grass above, sensing what the grass had felt. Terrus watched silently, waiting for his brother's situation report. Arborus held up his fingers, indicating how many pairs of feet he felt, then twirled a circle with his forefingers and signed another number, indicating how widespread the group was. Terrus nodded, acknowledging the information, then made a series of hand-signs and gestures, Arborus following with his own as they communicated in total silence.
I go up. Go down. Circle back. Go up. Split focus. Strike. Go down. Flank. Strike. Again. Again. Terrus said.
I hold firm. Keep them rooted. Split focus. Strike underneath. Await orders. Arborus returned.
They nodded in tandem, confirming their plan. Both had set their packs (Arborus's holding a few books, scrolls, some ink and parchment along with his whittling knife; Terrus's holding a few smithing tools, fire starter kit, and rations for the two of them) down in preparation, then Terrus began digging intersecting tunnels that would be necessary for their attack as Arborus sat quietly, waiting for the go order. It only took a few short moments before Terrus was finished, then met eyes with his brother. Arborus nodded, followed by Terrus, indicating acknowledgment.
Terrus slowly poked his head, a patch of grass resting atop his helmet that served as light camouflage, and peered at what he presumed was the head of the group. Their focus was set all around them, but not below. Terrus grabbed a stone from his pouch and, knowing he hadn't the time nor the space to ready his sling, he winged the stone right at the back of a blue-scaled, spear-wielding group member's head. The stone connected with a dull thud, and the thud was followed by a sharp whistle from Terrus.
Arborus, hearing the loud whistle, pressed his hands firmly against the root cieling, then began clenching his fists. At the same time, the grass above was growing around their legs and feet, then wrapped around and kept them planted firmly to the ground.
Terrus immediately sank below again, ensuring a hasty retreat, then reappeared behind the group. He threw another stone at the shorter of the hooded men and made another sharp whistle.
Arborus made a pulling motion with one of his hands, causing one of the legs of a member of the group to sink into the ground as the grass. Arborus couldn't help but snicker as he saw a grey-scaled leg flailing around aimlessly. He pulled another, a red-skinned leg this time, as Terrus was flanking swiftly and hucking pebbles with great fervor.
