"Nothing says 'we expect you to die' quite like being assigned to Team 12."
***
"Here are the rules, since I know most of you can't be trusted to remember complex instructions."
Professor De Clare began counting on her fingers with exaggerated care. Each gesture slow and deliberate. Treating us like particularly dim children.
Which, to be fair, was probably accurate for at least half the room.
"First. You'll be dropped into the Thornwick Goblin Warren in teams of four. The warren has been divided into sections. Each team will be assigned their own hunting ground. You won't encounter other teams unless something goes very wrong."
She paused. Let that sink in.
"Which it will. For some of you."
Comforting.
"Second. You have six hours to clear your assigned section and retrieve the objective markers. Six hours. Not seven. Not eight. If you're still underground when the time expires, you'll be retrieved." Another pause. "Assuming there's anything left to retrieve."
