Moss tossed his rubbish bag onto the blue grass. In the past few seasons he’d managed to fill it with a SnailWagon load of junk. It was the same this time, but the rubbish was shining bright. As was the wheelbarrow he’d ‘borrowed’ from Happy’s garden.
“Aye you did well lad. “Tink patted him on the back. “They’ll sell their kids for this shiny junk.” He prodded the bear claw running along the keeper’s arm. “I wonder if I could do that with my tools.”
Lui whistled. “Thinking of replacing that soft tool of yours?”
“Can’t mate, your cousin would never forgive me” Tink winked at him. “It’s her favourite.”
They laughed with nervous energy.
“Wendy told me it was called a monster graft. So I doubt it would work with metal, but you could always try.” Moss shrugged. “Though I doubt you’ll want to use Lover’sFruit on an experiment.”
“Aye, and there definitely wasn’t any of that special jam left?”
“Special?” Lui exclaimed before Moss could answer. “A bag of crushed Twilight FairyWings is special. An apology and a hug from your Pa are special.”
“Bloody hell, alright.” Tink snapped but Lui wasn’t done.
“This is Lover’sFruit we’re talking about, and they used it to make their special homemade jam. Which they didn’t even eat. A terrible waste and a sin to dwellers who don’t get that gift. Childless monsters would have swam through a lake of Holy water for a lick of the stuff.”
The gnome rounded on the mole, getting on his tip toes to get his face. But only managing to reach his hips. “So it is special to them you dumb inbred. That’s what the words for.”
The keeper hopped between them. “Calm your flames. For Pool’s sake, we’re trying not to draw any attention right now.”
They grumbled for a flicker but apologised.
Lui lounged on the pile of gold and began strumming the air like it held a lute. They’d banned him from playing since his talents would only draw attention. The Mole wasn’t happy about it.
“Dragons must be losing their scales, this is a terrible bed.” He flicked the coins.
Moss laughed but didn’t feel it. He was nervous. From his pocket he produced the Oracles map. It was the other side he was interested in now, the one with his description – Stitchless. He’d checked it several times in the last few flickers alone. Ensuring Tink’s handwriting was legible. He’d held onto the QuestScroll this whole time. A constant reminder to watch his back from hidden dangers.
But right now, the real threat would be coming from straight ahead. The keeper watched the entrance to the dungeon for any movement.
It had been almost two full shifts since the last raiders came through. His claws naturally went to his mouth in moments like this, until he remembered where one of them came from. Moss grimaced at the memory of the insane HowlerBear.
And chose to relieve his anxiety by pacing around instead.
Holy hells they could be coming through any flicker. Let’s go through it all again.
Lui used every scrip we had to buy the FairyDust, enough for all of us. While Tink checked the path down the staircase in the broken tomb I found. Marking a faster route into the Second floor and close to his corridor. Which he then checked to ensure the back tunnel into the Quarter wasn’t closed off. But he did note that it was empty either.
Oh Pools this isn’t helping.
Desperate for a distraction, he asked Wendy for his stats.
Wendy, am I still banned from knowing my stats?
Have I been banned?
Banned. From records. No one is banned. Except one. But they do not need to ask. Here we are. No wait, this can’t be right. Yes, this is definitely yours. Yet so wrong. No, it is just different. It has change tremendously is what I meant. Oh Moss….
What? What is it?
My apologies. I was just admiring your numbers. Such large figures for a keeper. You’ve been working hard and I had noticed, like a ghost at the mill. Grinding away.
Moss – Keeper custodian – Rank 52
Heath – 12/13
Mana – 42/42
[Abilities]
Lick – 27 (Wool)
VenomClaw – 15 (Cloth)
Body boulder – 21 (Wool)
Key bearer – 3
HolySense – 9
[Attributes]
Might – 1
Agility – 2
Sense – 8
Wit – 4
Spirit – 5
[Conditions]
Maddness – 10 (Rag)
Luck – 1
Looks like you upgraded two abilities and neither you or me noticed. How silly of us. But the shame is mine to bear, for this is my job after all. Would you like to hear the fine print?
Moss almost spun on the spot, until he remembered he was frozen during the connection with his Chronicler. Two improved abilities is huge. Maybe going on a Supa bender and crushing all the jobs boards was a blessing after all.
Please, tell me everything. Moss thought to Wendy.
VenomClaw:
Cloth rank – With VenomClaw activated, monster claws will now pierce into hardened flesh or armour with ease. Allows the user to bypass protection up to BlancMetal.
That’s so useful. I’ll no longer have to tear armour off the dead or look for gaps. It can be a real issue when so many bodies are piled on top of each other. Which other ability was improved?
Let me see. Oh it’s your maddness, it’s improved to Rag rank.
Oh Pools, it must have been from consuming all that Supa. I knew it was bad, damn that kobold.
Maddness:
Rag rank – Indecision is an issue for the overthinkers and concerned. No longer shall you fret over ‘little details’. Instead, you will operate more on gut feeling and instinct. Logical analysis will only slow you down in the wildness of this realm.
That doesn’t sound so bad.
“Hey guys.” Moss said to his team as the mass of heavily geared raiders came into view. “This plan of ours. Would you say it was a… logical one?”
“The fuck you mean ours?” Tink spat out. “This was all you.”
Drums boomed from the dungeon entrance, followed by a warhorn.
Lui reached into his pocket for the sparkling bag. “Too late to think this through. Hallowed Eve’s come early.”
The gnome reached and grabbed a handful of the magical dust, then snorted it one go. ”let the party begin!” Tink yelled.
The mole followed suit. But after his session with Supa, and worsening maddness, Moss only took a pinch.
Lui slapped Moss on the back. “You might want the dragons share.” He pointed towards the heroes as they drew their weapons. “I think they know we’re here.”
The raiders screamed their warcry and charged.
“Banish me.” Moss said, snatching the bag and emptying it into his hood.
***
Sir Talon the Third of his name looked over the graveyard. It had taken him a few seasons to settle into the idea that this section of the dungeon was supposed to frighten them. Monsters and demons eat their dead, they wouldn’t bury them. It was fashioned after Man’s sacred spaces. Areas of death. Where the realms magical structure was sparse, allowing wraiths, ghosts and the undead to enter.
Its blue-grass was merely a feature they’d got wrong. But are these manifestations of their twisted Flow? Or is there a conscious mind behind these decisions?
A young man in ill fitting uniform snapped him from his pondering with a petty salute to the Divine. “All raid groups have been accounted for Sir. You can give the order to march on when ready, Sir.” Said his Squire.
He held his sword’s pommel with a loose grip while surveying the party’s surrounding area. Standing tall with pride to be seen with the raider’s commander, and his loving father.
My boy. If only your Mother could see you now. She’d share my joy and admiration, I’m certain of it. For years we spoke of the man you’d grow into, the legend you’d weave with each step. But though your future is bright, the fluff of youth still clings on with entitled whispers in your words. I’ll have to sever that before it thickens with age.
“Are you giving me permission to order my raid?” Sir Talon asked the squire.
“No, Sir. I… I simpl-”
He silenced him with a glance.
“Sorry, Sir.” The squire mumbled, shoulders slumping.
“Order and the Divine’s grace will get us through this. So tell me, does this graveyard seem in order?”
The Squire gazed once again, triple checking before giving his answer. “Yes, Sir. All accounted for and secure.”
The commander removed the edged mace from his hip, Talon. A Rare weapon crafted from the bone of a BronzeDragon. He pointed it down the muddled stoneway – that he assumed was the monster’s attempt at a path – towards three warped figures.
“And what of those three monsters watching us?”
Sam visibly slumped.
A good lesson for the lad. Now to build him back up.
“Do not fret, they’re small and of little threat. Advance the vanguard.” He commanded.
The Squire’s smile almost brought the commander to tears. A happiness he hadn’t seen in the young man for seasons.
“Of course, Sir.” He snapped at salute. Then sprinted off, screaming for Beorn like a church girl after too much wine.
Sir Talon enjoyed the moment for a second before growing serious.
This was no normal raid. He didn’t seek loot and glory like the others. He’d brought a sizable force for a specific objective which even his Captains weren’t aware of.
Once we’re in deeper, I’ll inform them of the High Priests command.
