A number of minutes passed slowly without any sign of activity from the men outside. Glaran systematically clenched and unclenched the muscles in his body to prevent them from cramping up, his eyes not moving from the cave entrance. He wondered why there had not been a call to surrender. It was clear to him that these men knew they were inside, otherwise they would have blundered into the cave by now. He cursed himself softly. Clearly he had not covered their tracks well enough. From the fact that they seemed to know who was in the cave, he surmised that these were mercenaries sent by the princess' father. Why risk your own if you could buy a disposable life, after all?<br/><br/>After another few antagonizing moments he heard the sound of twigs snapping just before his nostrils were assailed by the smell he had feared from the beginning. "Fire," he said in a harsh whisper. A few moments later they could see a thick blanket of black smoke rolling into the cave. It would not be long before they'd be unable to breathe.<br/><br/>"I'd suggest coming out," said a pleasant voice from outside the cave. Despite its pleasantness there was no mistaking the cold undertone of the words.