Suddenly the rain started coming down in buckets, drenching all in the party.

“We must find shelter, or we’ll all catch our deaths of cold,” said the lieutenant. “Get the mystic up here.”

A private peeled out of the column and ran to the back of the formation. When he returned he said, “He’s no where to be seen. The last in he column said a short while ago the mystic left saying he was going to do some scouting.

Just then the mystic came out of the forest a hundred yards or so in front of the column, carrying a giant torch in his left hand.

“This way,” the mystic yelled. “The cave is a quarter of a mile this way.” With that he disappeared back into the forest

Someone in the middle of the column mumbled under his breath, saying “Damn mystics, always a big mystery about everything.”

Thus began the journey of the lost column led by the mystic to their salvation out of the rain, and also to their complete annihilation in the cave. Of course, everyone in the column disappeared except for The Mystic Of Cascadia.

[ From this point on describe the destruction of the column caused by the many branches that lead into the mountain from the mouth of the cave. ]