With the spots appearing over the horizon, the group quickly understood that their time for relaxing wouldn't come. David and Killian were the next two to jump over the railing, starting their descent into the cauldron.
It was better to be caught on the flank of a hill than on the edge of a cliff; they surmised.
As the realization of danger set in, the rest of the group followed suit, quickly jumping or climbing over the railing, trying to get as far away from the cliff's edge as possible before the harpies were upon them.
Already, the people who used ranged attacks were starting to line up for shots as best they could, given they were on the move down a steep slope of grass and semi-mature trees.
The only one who was in range, though, was Aapo. His rifle, which he had brought from home, a gift from his mother, fired with a muffled bang as the muzzle flash slightly blinded the ones near him.
