Time for rafting

After the break, you felt... well not better, but somewhat more human. Your body was complaining, and you did not look forward to seeing the myriad bruises you'd gained. Your face was pretty tender, but luckily your nose wasn't broken. The grogginess of the nonconsensual nap was fading but you knew wouldn't fully fade until you had a full rest or two.

These motivated the decision to pick up the fallen goat man's push pole and drift into the still black waters of the underground lake. Any progress that wouldn't strain you was far preferable, and you still weren't eager to meet with the arachnoids, much less in your current state.

The raft cut through the lake lazily, the uneven bed causing the pole to catch at times. It wound further along than you expected, and you were left with your thoughts as the minutes turned to hours. The only consistent companion the pattering of cavewater into the basin, and the lapping waves along the head of the raft. You spotted pale white eyeless fish, with spindly legs that descended into the depths when you got near.

You found yourself wondering about the next steps. The stories never included the empty spaces between amazing locales and daring acts. You knew that the current area was only one leg of your journey, the Furrow rarely allowed someone to take a lazy tour of one of its realms. You should be able to find another doorway, identical to the entrance, somewhere within the cave structure. No one knew how to reliably find them, there was no guaranteed trick. But what tended to work more often than not was to prove yourself, for lack of a better explanation.

The Furrow most often offered a way forward after the traveller successfully navigated some challenge. Slay a big impressive monster in the base of a crumbling fortress, or unlock a doorway decorated with arcane sigils and traps, and a doorway tended to follow. Though that could easily be survivors bias, because it was certain that the adventurers who attempted that and it didn't turn out so well aren't going to be telling their contrasting stories. You didn't know what would satisfy those requirements here, but suppose you may know it when you see it.

Your attention was rallied as the obsidian sheet of black water ahead was broken with something new- a steadily growing light.