> Keep our composure.
> "This way."
> Start carefully making our way to the gap, avoid roots like death itself. Because they probably are death.
>You proceed toward the gap's location, walking along the slope of a knoll with Maribel following along quietly. It is a little difficult to approach the gap, as drawing closer to the roots gives you a feeling of unease akin to approaching obviously unsafe masonry. While they are passive and doing nothing, the dread they instill is very real, and you know they can harm you. Maribel, for her part, glance at them idly, clearly not bothered by them as you are.
>The roots are more numerous here. Some of them protrude further from the ground and display their thickness; you imagine they must be as large around as barrels. Others remain mostly buried, somewhat obscured by the grass. There doesn't seem to be any pattern to them, they don't seem to be radiating out from anywhere or going in any particular direction. Thankfully, they do not crowd the knoll so much that you cannot pass, there typically a few yards worth of space between them. You would like to think of this as enough room to pass between them comfortably, but it is still unpleasant and leaves you feeling vulnerable.
>Part of the way up the hill, close to a root whose upper third stands out from the ground like some odd wooden ridge, you can feel the gap. Its is quite widely scattered, but with your pliers it should be easy enough to bring it together and open it.
>_
