The standoff was a little tense. While the criminals may have the advantage in weaponry, it was only brief - after their shots were fired all bets were off.
“I’ll take the big one,” Jack said, licking his lips. “You get the furred bastard.”
Lauren frowned and looked between the wolfman and Gregor. “Which one?”
“The one that isn’t on our side,” he replied through clenched teeth.
The woman narrowed her eyes. “I’m pretty sure he is on their side.”
Gregor bared his fangs. “Can I kill one of them, ser Grugg?”
“Uhmm.” The cyclops frowned. It was probably bad form to execute the people they wanted to question. “Only if criminal shoot first?”
Bart tried to make himself look less threatening. “Lauren, if you want to see Kurt again, you’ll lower your weapon.”
Her eyes widened. “You know where he is?”
Jack seethed. “Think a little clearer. You’re clearly being duped.”
“More like, you are,” the ratman grinned. “Ser Wizard is not here, but is on his way, and he knows more than three spells.”
The wolfman winced.
Lauren wavered. “Maybe this could be over, Jack. We could be away from this place.”
“You know what they will do to us if we hand ourselves in.” He was becoming nervous now, his finger tightening around the trigger.
“Not any worse than what Grugg will do to you,” Grugg growled.
Bart cleared his throat. “What the Detective means is that you will be secure at Galeden, you will be safe from their reach.”
“Don’t talk him down,” Gregor hissed. “I almost have an excuse to kill him.”
“Will I get a chance to see Kurt again?” Lauren slowly lowered her crossbow.
The shapeshifter nodded. “I will make sure of it.”
Jack narrowed his eyes and worked his jaw. “Fine.” His crossbow lowered. “Take us in. I’m so sick of the mud and gloom, anyway.”
“Deputy,” Grugg nodded to the ratman for him to go cuff the suspects.
Bart shifted back into his normal form, drawing confused eyes from the pair of humans. “We were about to set the monster on fire by the roots. Any reason we shouldn’t do that?”
Jack placed his weapon gently on the floor as the ratman approached, and his eyes went over to the side. “The bar… you’ve removed the bar.”
Laurens eyes widened, and she started to step backwards.
“What’s wrong with that?” Grugg asked. That was how they got in through to the other room - they wouldn’t be able to otherwise. And they were standing right here.
A grumbling vibration came from the chamber on the other side of the door.
As a group, they turned to stare at the shaking doors.
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“Just as I had expected.” Hessler smiled at the two women.
“I’m sure you will get the answer you seek.” Peony gave him a wry smile. “It doesn’t take much to persuade the others, and I’m sure this is right up their street.”
Claudia could do nothing but nod. Not only because the danger and mystery of it was sure to pique their interest - but she was also getting hungry and wanted this all over with. In fact, just telling the others that food would be the reward was enough for them to get into all sorts of trouble.
“I’ll expect an answer by the end of the week, as I am then leaving Galeden.”
“Noted. Where are you staying, I will send a message as soon as I’ve had a chance to sort out current affairs?”
If only… the clothesmaker drummed her fingers on the table as the other two spoke. Maybe it was just the day being such a drag and mentally exhausting, but things felt strange. A sense of foreboding? They had been rather settled into detective work without worrying about big picture stuff like Nightshade bringing those artefacts into functioning. Now that they had resurfaced, there was a weight that told her things were about to start getting… more intense.
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“You’re looking pale,” Peony said, drawing her out of her thoughts. “We have an hour or two more, then I’ll take you to this nice restaurant around the block. Secret place, though, so no telling the boys.”
Claudia grinned. Now that was something to look forward to.
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Grugg looked back at the large shape that had burst out from the doorway. Hard to see in the darkness that had enveloped the bottom of the ramp as they had started run up it. Something large and deep brown - part of the plant.
“Ser Wizard!” Gregor called out, flinging the flask of oil down toward the monster.
Bart stopped and swiveled around, his feet out in a wide stance as he stuck a finger out and narrowed his eyes.
Behind him, Grugg put a large hand on his shoulder softly and activated the Moonchaser Orb. A wave of white light flooded down the chamber, outlining the thrown object as it arced down toward their enemy.
“Spark!”
A mote of amber light shot from the wizard’s outstretched finger, careening into the darkness to strike the oil. With a burst of flame, it shattered and ignited, covering the monster stomping up their way in sticking flammable liquid. They soon caught fire themselves and yelled out in a deep groan that echoed up through the passage.
“It’s like a big potato,” Jack said, sweating heavily as he stood at the top of the passageway. “Or seed thing. I’m not a plant guy.”
“Just here to protect it?” Gregor asked, crossing his arms and trying to not look out of breath.
“We’ll talk when you’ve got us somewhere safe,” the woman interjected. “And when I can see Kurt again.”
“It’s not stopping,” Bart called up, in between the faster group and Grugg.
The cyclops flexed out his hands and then gripped his club tight. He quite liked potatoes, so it seemed unfair he had to fight a giant one. Although, now it was cooked a little, it would be more easily mashed. He licked his lips.
Gregor slid down the stone slant of the tunnel to be closer to the Detective. “I’m not going to waste a shot on this thing, but I’m here to assist, ser Grugg.”
Bart looked up at the pair of humans. “Shame you dropped your crossbows, huh?”
“It won’t make it all the way up here,” Jack said, wiping his forehead with the back of his arm. “Not without destroying all the flower parts.”
“Perhaps the village can be saved now,” Lauren said quietly.
The wizard worked his jaw and looked back down the tunnel, cursing himself that he didn’t have any more useful spells to hand.
Grugg grunted. There wasn’t a lot of room in here for swinging his weapon around. Then again, perhaps they didn’t need to fight the creature if he could bring some of the tunnel down. Not a great idea while he was in it, maybe. Narrowing his single eye at the large monster stomping up toward them, it seemed as though the flames had slowed it somewhat. Fire had spread down beyond it, which must be the broken or lengthened roots dragging behind the main body.
Three large steps forward, in a short sprint, and he was in range now. Lashing out with the metal end of the large club, he struck the thick body of the plant with a crack. He then hopped away as he drew the weapon back, the steel tip causing sparks as it scratched along the wall.
From the dark recesses not illuminated by flames, a hand shot out. Large and with terribly long fingers, reaching out toward the cyclops.
The crack of the whip echoed up through the tunnel as it wrapped around the extended limb and pulled the grasp away. Grugg took the opportunity to step back in and level a side swing into where he thought the elbow joint might be, but the impact instead tore the appendage straight from the main body and Thud continued on to strike the stone walls, sending a small cloud of dust into the air.
“Don’t bury us, Ser Grugg,” the ratman grumbled, as he drew his whip back in.
“No promises,” he chuckled back, his blue eye glowing against the darkness.
“Remarkably strong for detectives.” Jack pulled a face. “Are you sure that’s what you are?”
Bart raised an eyebrow to him and moved his beard to reveal the badge affixed to his robes. “Sanctioned by the Crown.”
The man whistled. “Could have you mistaken for hired muscle, or adventurers, were it not for that badge.”
“We’re very effective.” The wizard looked back down at the pair fighting. “Somehow.”
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Unhappy stepped up into the house. Nobody was around.
They stepped around the living room to inspect the suspect and case board. There was nothing on there about an investigation that required all of them to be out of the house and not training. The Private Eyes were getting too soft.
Stepping over to the front door, they raised a hand and rapped gently upon it.
“Knock Knock.”
Ah, Unhappy? Everything okay?
The voice of Barry came muffled as his mouth remained on the outside of the premises. Although the house was protected by a number of wards the supposed wizard had installed, it allowed the door to speak freely to be heard by those inside.
“I Am Wondering Where The Weaklings Are Today.”
Special mission from the Investigator. Can’t say more than that, but they’re safe.
Of course they would be safe. They had been trained well enough for their current needs. There was always more room to grow, however. Unhappy moved away to enter the kitchen. They didn’t quite like being upstairs, even when Sister was around, but sometimes it was nice to explore.
The cupboards held food and produce that were of no interest, other than being fuel for those that needed training. Water sprung from the tap. Hydration was important. The blue beetle watched from above to…
Unhappy tilted their head to the side to regard the odd insect. Was it supposed to be here? The training dummy knew little about this kind of thing, but it seemed out of place in a kitchen.
How peculiar.
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Another heavy thunk reverberated up the stone passage, and there was a wet, slumping sound. The flames brightening up the lower half of the tunnel had all but petered out now, leaving the shadowed figures of Grugg and Gregor panting in near darkness.
“Think dead now?” The cyclops prodded the mound of smoldering vegetation.
“I’d hope so, ser Grugg.” Gregor affixed his whip to his belt. “Let’s get to the top and then cave the tunnel in to be sure?”
With a grunt of acknowledgement, the pair walked up to join the three waiting patiently for them.
“Surprised you didn’t try to run,” the ratman murmured.
“We’re safer with you than against you,” the woman shrugged. “Even if you did kill the monster."
“Especially if you killed the monster,” Jack added. “Perhaps, though, you’d like to explain how you changed into Linel?”
Bart raised an eyebrow. “The wolf-man? Killed him and absorbed his form. I’m a shapeshifter.”
“Ah.” Jack returned a blank look. “Then the Nightshade are going to be even less happy.”
Grugg grinned. “When Nightshade ever happy?”
“It’s not that,” Lauren shuffled awkwardly. “Linel was the son of the local boss here.”