While Snow and Storm and the other were making plans, Star Dancer continued to watch the battle. Torrential looked back at where she was. It was an instant, but for her it was like an eternity. That single sight of his eyes made her feel all the emotions that she associate with him - love, fear, and wonder.

Then suddenly, Torrential face was filled with agony, and Dancer screamed at the sight of an umbrella impaling him. That got the attention of the archers. Snow Tail realized this and cursed under her breath. She leaped over the log before Storm could reply and attacked the nearest ghoul. The pair tumbled on the ground as an arrow barely missed her wing. Of the other ghoul, the mercenary could not tell. In those moments, she was wrestling for her life, her nose filled with the foul stench and unnatural breath of the creature. Her stomach turned and her began to get lightheaded, the decades of rot being a powerful weapon. They struggled in the mud, the creature snapping at her throat, while keeping Tail's hidden claws from slashing him. 

Dancer did not move, her attention focused solely on Torrential as he struggled with the horror. Then suddenly a light came, and her sight faded into darkness. 

Snow Tail and her opponent was thrown into the air. She opened her eyes at the clear blue sky, ears still ringing from the thunderclap of Torrential. On top of her was the ghoul, no longer moving. Tail automatically jammed one fist into the corpse, while the other decapitated the head. She tossed it far away. 

"What a rude awakening," she muttered. "And how long was I out?" She looked around trying to find Dancer, Storm, or Torrential. And was on the alert for any nasty visitors. But the undead ponies lay still, though Tail avoided them. "The Cult loves to play some nasty tric-"

On the shore some distance she saw Torrential. All other considerations had to wait. She flew in her direction, and was thankful neither wing was damaged. "I bet Torrential's clothing had something to do with that." She stopped some distance, and trotted so he could see her and approached carefully. "Master Torrential. Are you alright?", she asked. To her, it looked really bad.

----
Looking at the map, Lens recalled a fellow Scholar who spoke to her during lunch one day. It was after a successful operation for the order: 

****
"I swear that was no Laughing Cult base we raided to take those artifacts back," said Hopeful the Archeologist. "No motley, the lack of undead in their mist, and the general lack of dark humor. And there was something curious about the underground complex… it was ancient, I felt it down to my bones. The place was far older than even the pre-tribal period…

"The stonework of the place looks similar to the monoliths near Woodwatch. Not very well known - only the foals really went near them to play. I was with a friend who took me to see them while traveling one time, before going to the University. In fact, it was what got me into archeology." 

"I thought it was Daring Do that did that," said Lightwing, who was eating with them. "What foal didn't want to be an archeologist after reading those?" 

Hopeful smiled. "Ok, ok, yeah the books certainly helped. But the allure of the monoliths…" she shook her head. "Guys, I have a feeling the monoliths, the complex, and that Ancient Cult were all linked somehow. Alas, we had to destroy the place to get out…"
****
Lens put the map into her cloak. [i]I wonder if the Noxferus knows the secrets of those Monoliths, and about the cults that worship those great old ones. [/i]

She listened to the Noxferus and blushed by his sly nudge towards her current state. "I would like to make the exchange alone, but the Director deems either Tome too priceless to let a single pony handle them. As such, I will be accompanied by three others - all trusted by the Director - to safely transport the Prophecies there, and escort the Marvels back. 

She sighed. "I wish such an arrangement could be avoided. The fewer ponies that know of you, the better it would be to protect your anonymity. It was the reason I came here myself instead of another. In any case, your conditions are satisfactory." She gave a bow. "We shall meet at the appointed time. Thank you, Master Noxferus." The solemn gesture was punctured by another burp. "Sorry," Lens quickly added.