He looked out across the deep cavern, his eyes picking out the objects of intrerest, avoiding the ones of nonimportance. Swiftly, he pulled a slingshot from his side pouch, aimed, and with a single stone brought down a hawk from the sky. He made no effort to retrieve it but remained where he stood, watching, as it lay dead upon the rocks.

After a while, a small wolfish animal stole from beneath a nearby bush and began making its way towards the fallen bird. Again, Mavyn raised his weapon, and with another well placed shot sent the creature yelping away.  

The sun rose high over the cliffs; Mayvn edged himself back into the shade of the outcrop. He was thirsty, but he could not risk leaving his kill unattended. Then suddenly his patience was rewarded, large shadows moved and circled across the ground. He smiled to himself; the red-tailed scavengers had finally arrived.

Quietly, he waited until a large aggresive male dipped low toward the prey. Moving swiftly, he took a noosed rope and began circling it above his head. Then, with little effort, he swung the rope out and watched as it fell over the male's repulsive head. Firmly holding the now tightened rope, Mayvn began his decent down the jagged granite towards the vulture-like creature.

He knew what he was about to do was dangerous. With his free hand, he scooped up a fistful of dirt and threw it at the screaming beast. The Kawe reared back wildly, flapping its wings. Again and again, Mayvn hurled sand at it, until the overly agitated creature drew back its head and disgorged a bellyful of acid.

Mavyn leaped to the right to avoid the vile-smelling copper colored substance. It plastered into the ground, sending a spray of globules into the air, spattering his buckle and leather loincloth. For a second time, the creature ejected the bile hitting the rope, burning it through.

He allowed the freed Kawe to fly away; he had recieved from it what he wanted.

Resolutely, he moved to the mass that bubbled in the warm desert sand and carefully stepped over it, placing his feet on ether side. The chain that linked his shackles fell into the acidic mixture and began to melt. When it had sufficiently disolved, he jumped away and pulled against the links with the strength of his legs. The freeing force sent him to the ground. He bent his knees and joyfully wept, a small tear slid down his cheek and came to rest on the broken chain.