Due the narrow path, the party of adventures had to go single file. The mountainside they were on, sloped steep to the valley on the left. On the right, it rose towards the ridge of the vulcano crater. The only straitght and level part, where exactly where the path snaked alongside the vulcano. No trees covered for the wind, it was harsh land, where only grass and grey boulders grew. The prettiness of the sight, wasn't what they had on their mind. Endless horison of ridges and heavens. Green valley below in its lustfulll shine of green and blue, from the river it followed. They had noticed something else along the path in front of them. Getting closer, it seemed like a little cluster of trees. The valley below was frutile, up here, not so much.

"We should make shelter for the night, as we reach the trees", said Velvet Rider

"If we are lucky, we can get a fire going. It seem dry up here and wood should be easy to light", Death Monger said

"Let's just be careful, its strange to me that trees grow exactly here where nothing else comes to life", said Quax

"Let's just get there and check it out", said Pixie

The two others of the party didn't say a word.

At the edge of the cluster, they recognized the pinetrees. It was rather dense, considering where it grew. Each tree was approximately 8-10 yards tall, providing some shelter for the wind. A circular center of the cluster showed the remains of campfires extinguished long before now. Each tree had a bulge on the side of the trunk. almost at the top. Quax noticed the circular basket ball sized globes laying scattered, partly submerged the perimiter between trees.

"Look how smooth these are carved" he said as he touched one.

It started move, first a bit, then more as the dirt around it got lifted and fell to the ground. The other globes came to life. Ants. Getting out of the dirst and turning, 10-15 ants looked at them, antennas scanning and dark lifeless eyes focusinig on the invaders.

"CONTACT" Death Monger shouted his usual War Cry.

The adventures each reached for their weapon or readied spells to cast. Death Monger reached behind his head and firmly gripped the handle of his giant sword. Velvet Rider had her arms straight from her torso, palms close and began to move her fingers. With a Swooosh, something came fom above. A giant ball of spit, hit her hands covering them. She couldnt move her fingers as the spit hardened into a bowling ball shape and as equal heavy. Spiders came to life in the trees. Balls of web were shot, aimed at the adventures. They fought back as hard they were able to, with sword, axe, bow and spells. Death Monger dealt a tough blow to an ant which in return drenched him in acid. Cranky Mofo and his hammer did what he could do and were also met with acid and web. A spider succeeded in placing web on his right arm. Iit hardened. The weight made it difficult to make full use of his weapon. Ants sprayed him and blinded him. Ants layed diying and spiders dead. They were still an overmatch for the party of adventures. One by one ,they fell to the ground. The remaining spiders came and spun them tight. No movement were possible. The remaining ants approached the now paralyzed adventures. Each got picked up and the ants walked, with an adventurere on their backs, in single file out of the little forrest. The ants walked to what appeared to be a hole in the ground. Each adventurer was thrown into the pit of darkness and the ants returned to the pine trees.