Thorn comes and helps with the needles.

"Thank you. Ow."

Abyssia has de-needled herself. Their caster seems fine.

The giant tree leaves behind a small pile of acorns that ooze Ghyran and look faintly golden-hued, once it dissolves.

"So, that went well, all told. Even though the dungeon threw a couple ambushers at us."

"Yeah," says Thorn. "Though Ken had a very close call. I'm glad nothing hit his eyes."

"Eh. I'm a tank and I'm atoning. Eyes grow back, don't they? Ow!"

Dalton has pinched his ear.

"Seriously though, I have a potion that'd restore an eye on me, unless, like, I've lost half my face. Tank expenses."

"Good job as a rearguard, by the way," Dalton comments. "Exactly what you were supposed to do, kept things from getting very bad."

"Glad you didn't have to use that, Ken. And thanks much, Dalton." says Thorn. "On to clear the third level?"

Bys looks around. Everyone seems fine, if grumpy.

"I think so, yeah. But watch yourselves. Do you two know anything about level three?

"Water theme," Ken says. "It's warmer on level three but some of the treasure is in or across ponds, there's swampy bits, and it's foggy. There's these weird things called croc-a-miles or something. Could get nasty quickly if we don't stick together like glue."

"I'll watch our backs as best I can in the fog. Fighting in a swamp is not my idea of a good time, but I'll deal."

They proceed to the third level.

Crocodiles are not the only new enemy here. There are also Walking Catfish, which have legs that double as fins and are... Really tough, though their rushdown strategy suffers from their slow speed. The group ends up retreating through rooms they previously cleared while kiting the things several times.

Thorn keeps an eye out for treacherous terrain and ambushers and lays down fire support in between the two.

There is plenty of both treacherous terrain and ambushes.

"I'm getting fed up with this," Bys says after the third time she stabbed a crocodile through the top of its head. "How much money do you think we have?"

"Dunno," Ken says. "I want to keep going, honestly. We're already down here and we've still got steam in us."

"I don't like this sucking terrain, all it takes is one catch at your boots and you're down on the ground for a crocodile to eat your face. I'm with Bys on this."

"Dalton?" Ken asks.

"Maybe we're just used to it," he says. "We definitely need to stick together... But a good policy is if some of the party wants to abort, you listen. Don't risk losing your head over coppers and all."

Ken sighs dramatically. "Alright, alright. Let's head back up."

"Thank you." 

Hopefully there'll be some amount of money for them left after Dalton's crystals. 

They trudge back up through the dungeon. It doesn't throw anything else at them.

Their loot is in total worth 1 gold, 7 silver, 5 copper. Split four ways, it's 5s 4c 9cp each. After paying Dalton his 2s bonus, Thorn and Abyssia get 8s, 9c, 6cp together.

When they're alone again, Bys says, "Please hug me."

Thorn very tightly hugs Bys. 

"Good thing we got out when we did, huh?"

She hugs back. Nodnod. "It's not just the muck.

I don't want to delve with those two again. The crystal guy seems alright but..."

"Yeah, I agree. I think there might be... circumstances... but it's not an excuse. We'll go with the spear girls next time, if there is a next time. Cool down by doing our errands and having lunch?"

"I agree that there are probably circumstances. I- It's stupid but I wouldn't mind, except he reminds me of... A guy."

"You don't have to tell me, but you can if you want to."

"You can probably guess. And well, I broke his fingers about it, and then didn't really trust anyone until I learned who you are, so there you go."

"Aww. That's surprisingly sweet, that I was able to get inside your guard like that."

"Helps that I actually LIKE women..." She mutters into Thorn's neck, blushing.

She laughs, and kisses her cheek. "Yeah, that would help. Lunch and reloads?"

Ooh a kiss. That cheers her up.

"Yeah, let's do it. I want something with yam actually, but maybe it's just positive association with that place we went yesterday..."