Tired of Death, Neil Hartley [best classic books to read TXT] 📗

equipped to do. She opened her mouth again but Dreth raised a thin finger to forestall her.
"Excellent!” he beamed, subtly forcing Darkblood down into its sheath. “I would expect nothing less from a pair of such frightening guardians. Quite right, not to let strange creatures make their way through your cavern without any explanation. No doubt when I finally report to the management this will earn you a commendation!”
The female beholder closed her mouth for a moment and then opened it once more. Dreth spoke again before she could say anything.
"No doubt you’re wondering what I’m talking about.” He folded his arms and nodded. “Let me tell you why we're here, and why we're heading to the center. A Guardian Golem has gone berserk and is rampaging through the dungeon; he’s been attacking hard working denizens, not unlike yourselves. I’ve even been forced to consort with mere adventurers to help bring him to task.”
“A guardian?” asked Bob, eye swiveling left and right.
“Yes, he’s coming this way even now,” said Cuthbert, stepping forward. “He piled through a whole tribe of Ogres just up the way,” he gestured back towards the caverns, nearly knocking Sprat into the chasm as he did so.
“He is?” squeaked Bob's wife. “This way?”
"Under the circumstances, I'm sure that you would want to let us pass as quickly as possible, and to take refuge yourself as well. After all, we wouldn't expect you to try to actually stop a berserk Golem. That would be beyond even your abilities..."
Bob swelled up at this, expanding like a balloon being pumped too energetically. “I will have you know we are Advanced Level guardians! We’re quite capable of dealing with a Golem here and there.”
“Now dear,” his wife floated next to him. “You know Golems are resistant to magic, your rays would have little effect, and if it’s a Guardian Golem...” She paused a moment and looked at her husband.
Bob coughed and deflated a little. “Well, I suppose they aren’t weak enemies, and I wouldn't want to put you in the way of something as dangerous as that. Still...”
“Look, let's go back to the hole and stay out of the way until this has blown over.” Mrs. Beholder rubbed up against him.
“Before you do so, any directions would be appreciated. We’re a little off course...” Dreth smiled a skull grin.
“You know, I wouldn't mind seeing the center myself,” said Bob.
“Now Robert, let's let these nice undead go. You know we don't exactly get on well with Von and his creatures anyway.” She started to drop away into the chasm.
Bob sighed. “I suppose so.” He turned to Dreth. “Follow the path until you come to the bridge, you can’t miss it. Watch for the plank in the middle though, it's a bit loose. Once you are over, turn left and take the tunnel with the large green rock next to it.”
“Thank-you,” said Dreth. “Your actions will be noted.”
“Come on Robert!” echoed a voice from below.
Bob winked several eyes and bobbed up and down. “Have to go, good luck to you!” He turned about and dropped out of sight into the crevasse before any of them could say anything more.
“Damn, I wanted to ask him about what’s ahead,” said Dreth, standing on the edge and peering into the depths.
“Von and his creatures,” said Percy. “Apparently.”
“Let's get a move on,” Redthorne stood up from behind his rock. “I feel too exposed here, and I dislike depths.”
“Nice couple though,” Cuthbert said conversationally as they moved off. “Must remember to ask them to our next party.”


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The rest of this book has been removed for entry into the Bookrix competition. Once the competition is over I shall re-add the content.
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Publication Date: 08-26-2008

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