An ally!

The trio searched the room carefully, but they found little of interest aside from the heaps of junk.

"Weird," Myria said. "This seems like just any old storeroom. I mean, it's almost like someone is living down here."

"Maybe someone is," came a new voice from the doorway. All three women jumped at the sound and spun around in unison.

They saw a man standing there, leaning against the doorframe. He was of average build and wore a simple, clean robe. He wasn't too shabby looking, either, Myria noted. He was in his late 30s, perhaps, clean-shaven, with neatly trimmed hair. Surprisingly well-kept for a man living in a cave full of sex-crazed monsters.

"Who are you?" Cecilia demanded, stepping forward and partially unsheathing her sword.

"Calm down, milady," the man said. "My name is Tarquin. I live down here. Well... not here, exactly, but in the next cavern over."

"You live here?" Dew asked. "Why on earth?"

"It's a good place for magical research," Tarquin said. "You look like a mage, lady elf. I'm sure you can appreciate that."

"I... suppose," Dew said.

"Look," Myria said, "it's great to find someone who doesn't want to kill or **** us, but maybe we can go somewhere a little more comfortable? You said you live here, yeah?"

"Certainly," Tarquin said. "Follow me, ladies."