Ria watched Rokil brush himself off. It was bad enough that she fell in, but him too? She shook her head slightly. It didn't matter now. She concentrated on feeling her forest. They were surrounded by trees and she could sense roots above their heads, halfway up the gaping pit. She willed them forward.

  Rokil whipped his head from sides to side, looking for the source of the sudden sound. He saw Ria staring intently at a spot above his head. He slowly raised his head, up, up, up. His eyes grew wide as a root of one of the many trees stretched across the wide expanse of space, from one end of dirt to the other. It now formed a sort of handle.

Ria cleared her throat. "Are you going to keep staring or do you want to get out of here?"

Rokil flashed her a smile. "Climb on."

He bent down and Ria hastily climbed onto his shoulders.

~~~~~
Ilbo paced back and forth. They should be here already. His black beady eyes searched the gray sky. He started at the rustling of leaves and turned to look into the forest beyond. Perhaps the two lost their way? Landed in the wrong clearing? He shifted his attention back to the pit before him. He ensured the hole was deep enough that even both of his keep shouldn't be able to escape. If he believed in gods, he would've sent a silent thanks for the soft dirt; no one can possibly climb crumbling ground.

  Ilbo headed into the forest to search for the rest of the escorts.
~~~~~
Ria stretched her tanned arms. Just a little further. She willed her arm to reach the root. There! She grabbed hold, the cool bark a sigh of relief, a kiss to her skin. She brought her other hand up and slowly pulled herself onto the sturdy root. She looked down at Rokil.

"I'll find a vine to pull you up. Give me a few minutes."

He nodded at her and she climbed out of the trap. Rokil watched her graceful form leave. His eyes turn upward in silent prayer to Helios, god of sun and all things light, for her safekeeping. If that vile creature wanted her for any reason, she must be important-an important enemy, at that, which likely will mean an ally to him. That is, if they both make it out alive.