Shadows of Metphire: The Goblin Gauntlet (Ableth the Rogue part 5)

 The cool, fresh air from the outside began to mix with the stale, earthy scent of the cave, a welcome sign that freedom was close at hand. Ableth the Rogue could taste the promise of escape on her lips, the crisp night air a stark contrast to the dank, musty atmosphere of the tunnels. But just as they rounded the final bend, the echo of approaching goblins reverberated down the tunnel, growing louder with each passing second. Ableth's heart skipped a beat as she realized the danger ahead.

She quickly motioned for Barf Bittergut to stop, and the two of them pressed themselves against the rough stone walls. The coarse surface of the cave dug into their backs, a grim reminder of the harsh reality they faced. The goblins were coming from the very exit they were heading toward, their guttural voices and clattering weapons filling the air with a sense of impending threat. The stench of unwashed bodies and the acrid smell of poorly maintained weapons wafted through the tunnel, a nauseating herald of their approach.

To make matters worse, a sudden crash reverberated through the cave from behind them. The goblins trapped in the chamber, where Ableth had wedged the door shut, were now making progress in breaking it down. The door shuddered under the force of their blows, each impact growing more powerful as the goblins became increasingly desperate to escape. The heavy thud of a battering ram or some crude goblin-made device signaled that it was only a matter of time before they burst through.

Ableth quickly scanned her surroundings, her sharp mind racing to find a way out of this tightening trap. The exit was blocked, the way back was soon to be overrun, and she could almost feel the walls closing in around them. Barf, his eyes wide with fear, looked to her for guidance, trusting in her abilities to find a way out of this dire situation. The air was thick with tension, the silence between the echoing sounds of the goblins' advance heavy with unspoken fears.

They were caught between two groups of enemies with no clear path to safety. Ableth knew they must act quickly, but every choice seemed fraught with peril. As the sounds of the goblins drew nearer, both ahead and behind, Ableth's mind raced through potential strategies—finding a hidden passage, setting a trap, or even creating a distraction. The pressure mounted, but her resolve hardened; she refused to let this be the end.

Her eyes darted around the dimly lit tunnel, searching for any sign of a hidden passage or a weakness in the walls. The flickering light of distant torches cast eerie shadows, playing tricks on her vision. She strained her ears, listening for any subtle change in the echoes that might indicate a secret chamber or a side tunnel.

Barf, sensing her urgency, began to search as well, his small hands running over the stone walls, feeling for any irregularities. His breath came in short, nervous gasps, but his movements were precise, driven by the same desperate hope that fueled Ableth.

As the goblins' voices grew louder and the pounding on the door behind them more insistent, Ableth made a decision. They couldn't stay here, trapped like rats in a maze. They had to move, to take a chance, no matter how slim.

"Barf," she whispered, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. "We need to create a distraction. Something to draw their attention