In the span of a few more minutes I was faced with that very problem. I'd reached the top and I hung there, completely drenched in sweat, as I debated about what to do next.
There was only one thing I could do. I'd have to jump for it.
Slowly I began to turn from hugging the rocky side of the dungeon wall to facing the portal that lay in the floor above. It was at least 8 feet away. If I missed, I'd go plummeting back into the depths and the murderous throng would be on me in seconds, but I was out of options. There was only one path and that was forward.
My leg muscles bunched tight and I sprang outward over the abyss as I let all my nerved up tension loose. One hand slipped off the frame of the trapdoor, but my other caught the side lip of the dungeon portal.
I lifted up at the elbow and got my other hand on the portal ledge and then, to the tune of a collective groan from below, I pulled myself up and out of the dungeon. I lay gasping for air on the floor, grateful that there were no guards present. I could hear voices though.
I'd gotten this far, now what?
I needed a distraction if I was to get out of the palace. With a grin I kicked my foot out and a pile of rope laying near the portal fell into the darkness of the dungeon. There were exclamations from those below and then the rope grew taunt as the dungeon dwellers began to climb free of their prison.
I got shakily to my feet and looked for a suitable place to hide. As I went along the corridor I couldn't but debate with myself as to what the difference was between that of a Lion Man and that of the cannibalistic dungeon dwellers coming up the rope behind me. They were both the creation of dark actions.
Just who were the good guys anymore?
I ducked into a room and closed the door and barred it. The single lantern within the room revealed that I had struck it rich. I was in an armory.
Quickly I went to the sword racks. Although the swords were roughly made and without much beauty or finesse they were nevertheless fully functional. I grabbed one up, but then put it aside as another idea took hold.
I stripped off my torn clothes and donned the clothes and leather armor of a soldier, complete with helmet. I sorted through some knives and took a few. A war ax struck my fancy and I slipped it into my belt along with some knives. I took up my sword and then grabbed another.