“Where do you think they could've gone?

”Bramaboxa and Dulcicloxia were now waiting, along with their cart, on the side of the road. More than one person passed by, but none seemed to notice them.

“I don't know brother, they told us they'd be back in an hour, tops. It's been four, now.”

“Twilight passed and night has fallen.” Dulci said, a bit melancholic. “Do they want to abandon us? Already? After all the talks of needing us?”

“Maybe they found two better oxen for their carriage. Maybe they bought horses.”

“Don't you dare jest, please.”

Brama snorted “As if mere animals could rival two mighty daemons, even incarnated ones.”

“Then they just got lost. They’re old. I think that’s something that may happen.”

“We don't have a way to check, do we?”

“No we don’t, brother.”

“I guess we'll have to wait some more then, right?”

“I hope one of the rats comes back, at least.” The brown ox sighed, bored. “I need some company.”

“Am I not enough brother? Do you despise me so much?

“I wouldn't if you just stopped mumbling ‘they'll never be back and we’ ll be stolen’!”

“I mean, there is a chance”

“Yes but you are not using your predictive powers. And we’re under an invisibility charm. You are just having an anxiety attack.” stated Brama, a bit fed up by his twin brother’s antics.

“…maybe. But it’s justified by the situation!”

Dulci mood meekly.

“I really hope they won't take much longer.”

— - - - - - - - - -

“Hello hello, Partocio, do you have my money?” said the Mayor, entering the house of the young man without even knocking.

“Let's drop this charade, Mayor, please.” The son of the cartographer was livid. He rose from his seat, ready to confront the man.

“I'll do what you ask of me. I will. Just tell me the truth about it, because I want to at least come back alive, and I don't believe that another suspicious death in the mines will work in your favor.”

“Oh, the little kitty cat is showing his little claws?” the noble smirked deviously. “It's almost endearing, I must say. Slap him.”

The armored guard took two steps and hit the young man right in his face, making him fall. The Mayor looked at him, with a pitiless gaze.

“Now, with this slight settled, I may be inclined to give you, little worm, a bit more context about what I need. You see, I have actually misplaced something in the mine. Something your colleagues reported, but did not manage to bring me.”

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Partocio spit some blood on the ground, and looked back.

“What is it?”

“It's a big chunk of magic stone. Big as your head. It will be worth a lot of money after getting refined and polished, but I don't have guards to spare, so you will suffice just as well. Why pay someone if you have someone who will work for free?”

“And after that… we're done?”

“And after that you only have to pay the monthly tithe and your interests,yes. You, as every other person in this town, are my investments. Don't you dare forget this, and don't even think of running. We'll catch you as we did with all the others”

“Wait . What do you mea-”

“Isn't it weird that production did not diminish even after some of you tried to escape?” the Mayor interrupted him, raising a hand.

A strike could just be heard from the adjacent room.

“Who goes there?” The noble caught the collar of the shirt of the young man. “Were you trying to ambush me? Are you hiding someone?

“No I'm not! I swear!” cried the poor sod.

“Kick that door in, Mutt.”

The hulking guard gave a strong stomp to the door, breaking the hinges and entering the room, hand on the hilt of his sword.

No one was inside. There were only a couple empty barrels, some brooms, and two closed crates.

“No one here, boss.”

“Hm. I was sure I heard something. Well. No matter. You have until the day after tomorrow to get the stone. Otherwise I believe you and my guard will have a long, nice talk. Capische?”

Partocio sighed.

“I understand, sir. I’ll get what you want”

Merrienny smiled.

“See that you do, lad, see that you do.”

— - - - - - -

“I’ll strangle that sad sack of piss” bellowed Lazar exiting from the closet, his wife in tow, his face distorted by rage.

“Calm down love”, Liliane took one of his hands “no killings unless provoked personally. You promised me.”

“That’s pretty personal for me” rebutted the angry old man.

“Come on. Let’s go fetch that pebble and then be on our way. I'll make you some herbal tea on the road.”

Lazar took a deep breath.

“You know well I really enjoy your tea, dear.”

They young man had managed to get up, and was staunching the blood from his split lip with a handkerchief.

“I must thank you again. You don't need to do this. You saw how bad that man can get. I can-”

“Preposterous, young lad.” Lazar cut in, stern. “Let these two geezers take care of such simple business. We just need you to write down” he took some parchment and carbon from his wife's satchel “the way into the mines, to reach the third level safely”.

“Sure, let me jot it down for you. There is a warehouse near the entrance, you can find lamps and helmets in it. I believe you will need it.”

He started drawing a simple scheme of doors and turns, and when he finished, he gave back the map and the carbon to Lazar.

“Ok,I think we can go now. We'll see you soon, lad, don't you worry.”

Lazar ruffled the hair of the young man, and the couple got out of the house, in silence.

— - - - - - -

“Hi beings! Did you miss us?” Liliane said, stroking the heads of the oxen.

“It was boring. We were bored. We were promised adventures and, at least, an explanation. We got none. Mooo. Shame on you.” replied Brama.

“We did some light shopping but also had some minor setback, and we actually have a new mission now,” began Lazar, while putting a couple bags on the cart, “so. We require your help: we have to get to the mines. They’re three miles away, but then you can come with us inside, if you'd like.”

“Are you nuts?” mooed the brown ox, shaking his head “Are you crazy in the coconuts, old man? What makes you think that an ox would feel comfortable inside a tight space?

“You are not an ox, though, are you? You are a mighty daemon!” Lazar answered, mockingly.

“Who is incarnated in this material form, and is therefore influenced by it.” said the black one. He really seemed nervous at the idea of an enclosed underground space. “No mines for us. Please?”

“No worries”, said Liliane, gently, “we would never force you if not in extenuating circumstances. You just have to pull the cart and accompany us there. You can wait outside, we should not take that long.”

“Will you tell us where this journey is going to end? We're a bit sick of being clueless. You promised.” Dulci seemed really upset about this.

“That we did. I'm sorry for withholding information, it wasn't done on purpose. We'll tell you everything after this whole matter is settled, so at worst, the day after tomorrow. Sounds good?”

“I think I can live with that. What do you say, brother?” asked the three dotted ox to its twin.

“If you say so. I'm not going to insist more, these two geezers already said their piece. But we won't wait more than two days.

“Good, then. Shall we go?”

“Wait, wait.” Dulci seemed suddenly worried.” Where are Spyce and Thyme? We did not see them the whole day after you left us”

“They are still reconnecting with their colony, they came to check on us while we were spying an evil dude and told us they would meet us tomorrow at midday. They have a lot of catching up to do, being away for so long…”

“Mooo” replied Dulci

“Yes brother, I know, but please speak clearly for everyone to understand.”

“I am upset. The rats are nice. They groomed my fur. I hope they are well.”

“I know they are”, said Lazar. “ Let's take care of this, and then we'll be all together. And we will finally speak of what's to come. Ready?”

The mines were on a side of the mountain marred by… Something, like an enormous slab of stone was just sheared away like a tree branch.

It made the entrance, at the base of such a scar in the earth, very visible.

The warehouse was exactly we're Partocio told them, near that same entrance. It wasn't locked, so they could get in easily, take two oil lamps, the helmets, and enough oil for a couple days. They donned the helmets, lit the lamps, and started their slow descent into the mines.

“What do you think will be down there?” said Lazar, while tightening the string of his helmet.

“Probably some small earth sprites, or an elemental, at worst.” Liliane stopped near a supporting pillar, lighting one of the lamps that hung there. ”Still, I don't remember this mountain being like it is today.”

“Yes, it seems like there was some kind of explosion or a freak rockslide.” Answered Lazar, a bit distressed by what he was seeing. He had a bad premonition. “Let's be on guard”

“Do you have the map for the interior?”

“Do you think I'm that senile?” quipped Lazar.

“You know I do.”

“I know you do.” the old man grunted. “Let's go.”

They walked in the dim light of the lamps, passing by some carts, pikes and shovels in the corridors of the mines. There was an eerie silence, going this deep inside a mountain. You could only hear the sound of your own steps, and their echoes on the wall.

Lazar led the couple, being the one with the map. They took various turns, while the ground was gently sloping into a soft descent.

“I think we're on the right track,” he said, turning left.

Someone grunted in response.

“Liliane? Is everything all right?”

He turned around to see if his wife was ok.

But he didn't see Liliane. What he saw was a gigantic mole, standing on its hind legs, sniffing the air.