Qorinae keeps his sword drawn as they clear the entrance and head into the mine. Once inside, he slowly, carefully advances as far as the light of the setting sun allows him to see, looking for any signs of inhabitation, or instability.
Malakai stays with the others silently working as he contemplates how to best kill the dwarven traitor who did this. He goes through several options and decides upon using Exile on him as soon as possible.
"Let's try to pull the boards back over the hole from the inside, or find some brush we can pull over the hole. And maybe have the bear lay down near it?
Shall we explore what we can in a couple of hours, hopefully after most of the hobgoblins have gone to sleep?"
Once inside the mine, Guilford will cast light on his dagger and hold it aloft like a torch.
"I don't mind doing a little searching before we rest. We could at least make sure the area we plan to use for our camp is secure. I'll try to stay out of the way, but close enough to lend a spell if needed."
The party slips down into the dark hole, and the boards are easy enough to replace at least well enough to fool anyone who isn't checking closely. The tunnel is about 5' in diameter and round, with a slightly flat floor. there is no light beyond that which passes through the cracks in the boards above. The tunnel extends in the direction of the main mine proper, sloping downward slightly, and there is no sound in the air. The smell of wet earth is potent, and the temperature is noticeably cooler already.
Ralf places a hand on Guilford's shoulder as if to stop him. "Light makes us visible and easy target. Let those seeing in the dark go first, we stay back."
He turns to FireFox. "Cikneja, weshjook should go far in front. You can mindspeak with? If no, have it turn quietly back and then run to us when enemy is ahead. Need to know before they can see light or smell us; if it freezes in place, we walk into bad situation."
Guilford looks back at Ralf, and nods quickly. He allows his spell to dissipate.
"My apologies, friend Ralf, I'm a bit anxious I suppose."
Now completely unable to see, he places a small hand on Bourbon's right flank. He can feel the heavy breathing of the bear as it's side slowly rises and falls with each breath. "I'll stick near you as well, Guildfor." He whispers as the man let's his spell fade back into black. "Bourbon has better vision than my own, but more importantly he can often smell when things are coming. I'll trust his leading if you wish to do the same."
"This looks like your moment to take the lead," Qorinae says to Malakai, even the light filtering through the cracks not permitting him to see more than a few feet beyond the entrance.
Malakai smiles in the darkness.
"Now yea get tae see what a true dwarf can do."
Malakai leads the way keeping his axe ready, and making sure that the others are following close behind. He seems to stand taller now that he is once again safely underground, and he almost seems happy. He continues on the path until he either hears hobgoblin voices or finds a fork in the path.
Ralf grunts at Guilford's reply. "Am remembering wise man saying never apologize, is sign of weakness. Is wasted anyway; light was good idea. We are needing it to see, aiwa? Am only saying we stay farther back, let those not needing light scout ahead. Hobs are less likely to spot them than us."
He gives the wizard a sideward glance and something vaguely akin to a smile flits briefly across his face. "And 'anxious' not always is bad thing. Can be keeping you alert."
FireFox sounds confused. "Even weshjook...I mean, Fox, can't see in the total darkness, altho he can *sniff* them out. I guess I could have him go along with Malakai. Unfortunately he's only trained to freeze when there's danger, but Malakai should be able to see that clearly, and then warn us. Sound good?"
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/special-abilities#TOC-Scent
"Dwarf is only of us to see in darkness? Will have to change that..." Ralf mutters quietly to himself, before raising his voice slightly to answer FireFox. "Is having to do, cikneja."
Guilford re-lights his dagger.
"Yes, we'll just need to give Malakai and Fox here a good head-start."
Polo is thankful to have the light back, though he shields his eyes as they adjust. He keeps one hand on the flank of his companion who also seems stunned momentarily by the light. Once adjusted again, it's nice to be able to see where he steps as well as there the tunnel bends and dips, and is careful to watch the shadows. Even if they don't smell any goblins, there may be other things in this tunnel.