There were only two exits that Rustica could see from her vantage. One was hidden behind a tower of piled books and the other was swarmed by the sentient tomes that were hellbent on pummeling them to death. She'd been leading them previously towards the archway on the main floor, one that was sure to go down deeper into the dungeons. However, could they manage that now?

Rigo was stuck to her hip, trembling and terrified as he kicked out randomly to send a tome or two spiraling away. Ansgrim did his best to avoid the punches, but not being the strongest of the group, took several expertly aimed leather spines to the face. His eyes were glossy over and the general delay in reaction betrayed that the toll was hardest on him alone. Rotharde, however, was sweeping his cleaver. Sweat poured from his brow. His body would give out eventually, exhausted from heaving around more than one of those giant swords they'd pocketed since coming down here. Rustica could see it in the minor trembles of his legs. Despite the increasing exhaustion, he still swung, took out a boot or two, and kept fighting. Dirigo was nowhere to be seen, long gone from the assault, whereas poor Hewlette cowered beneath Ansgrim's shadow and barked in warning and fear at any thesauruses that flew too close. At least Prince and Rigo's slime was safe in their pouches - at least hopefully...

Again Rustica looked to the abandoned area with the piles of books that weren't enchanted and had no pages in this fight. It was up a small staircase, on a landing filled only with tables and those abandoned tomes. If the enraged encyclopedias didn't wish to defend it, obviously there was nothing there to protect... an exit maybe? Her breath hitched as Rigo sent another book tumbling through the air. This was the end of their journey, and that was okay. Hopefully, at least, that path led up and out.

"Follow me!" Rustica shouted over the fluttering pages and leather slaps. She bolted towards the staircase, Rigo glued to her hip. They passed Ansgrim who stumbled and threw himself after them. Hewlette whined but also obeyed, galloping beside them as the books took shots at her as well. Rotharde was slower, still fighting, still swinging his mighty sword, but Rustica could see he was backing towards them in a steady retreat. It was for the best - better to get out while they were all still alive than risk anything further. All of them leaped over the piles of forgotten books and dashed into the shadowed archway. Just as Rustica suspected, it had a steady incline. A way out...

Their labored breaths raked at their sides and echoed in the constricted passage. Their strides were haphazard as the weight of their journey settled upon their backs and officially took its toll. The greenhorn Rigo seemed the most haggard, but he was still pushing. Rustica was proud.

"I hate books..." Rotharde blurted between heaving breaths.

"I'm reconsidering my stance on them..." Ansgrim muttered in response.