When the tomes and other surface artifacts were brought into the dungeon, the scene had been similar to a triumphant army parading the spoils of war through its home city. Dozens rats were sent scurrying ahead of the procession like baying dogs, and curious minions flocked to see what the commotion was about. More minions than Arc even knew existed; the dungeon was becoming a very crowded place, indeed.

Scrooge took the opportunity to let anyone who'd turn their head in his direction see his “findluck”, a beat-up silver candelabra – although not to touch it, of course. The way he was arrogantly acting as if the entire expedition had been his sole accomplishment, Arc was sorely tempted to sneak up behind him and whisper some profound yet unsettling advice.

There really were a lot of minions, though. Dozens of them crowded the returning team, more than Arc even knew lived in the Dungeon. They followed them all the way back to the shrine room, and didn't stop at the door.

Arc clung to the wall wherein Kat's gem lay hidden, futility trying to avoid the rising tide of minion bodies. “This... It's getting way too crowded! Kat, you've got to do something!”

{Like... Enabling Minion Superposition?}

Arc sighed; sometimes he forgot just how uncommon Kat's sense was. Although this time he at least got an idea to file away for future use, for now she still needed to be walked through this. “I was thinking like giving them more space first. Making the room bigger, for instance.”

{Kat could do with a larger shrine... But warping space occupied by living beings is... Messy.} An image flashed across Arc's mind, one he decided he'd very much not want to see become reality. “Well, then you need to get them out of here first!” {Okay!}

{Minions! Listen to Master!} Arc was starting to be able to tell the difference between Kat's normal and “shouting” voices. The latter seemed to resonate more with physical space, if that made any sense. Arc suspected it was something inherent to the 'Domain Kat' keeps mentioning... One more question for a later date.

All the minions – well, most of the minions anyways – immediately stopped their bickering and looked up. Some of the ones on the top of the pile started supplicating, but it appeared only a few were actually aware of Kat's physical location. Arc was a bit thankful for that: since he was next to Kat, looking at her meant looking at him as well.

{Master will read the retrieved texts, but later! Must make room first! Now, SHOO!}

The minions scampered as fast as the limited space of the tunnels allowed. Arc had already guessed Kat's speech didn't involve any actual sound waves, but the fact that the rear of the mob didn't block the front's escape more or less confirmed it.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Only three minions remained: Arc, Rocky, and... Pantimus. The latter hadn't been causing Arc much trouble lately, but he had assumed that was because of the pains he'd taken to avoid the 'Chief' (as most minions respectfully referred to him). Now that the pecking order had been established in the Dungeon, Arc's instincts weren't screaming as loudly anymore, but Pantimus was still bigger than him.

Much bigger now: it seemed the chief had undergone a bit of a growth spurt. (At least, Arc sincerely hoped he wasn't the one to have shrunk!) He wasn't as tall as Big Green, maybe a length and a quarter, but he was stockier. He definitely had stubby little horns now, too, although the undergarment on his head had been replaced with-

Oh crap, was that laurel made of spider legs?!? Did spiders that big actually live in the Dungeon? Or maybe... Deeper. Arc realized he'd assumed any potential threat would come from the surface; he'd never considered something coming from below.

Arc was actually grateful when Pantimus interrupted his thoughts this time.

“Thenso. What about, allthis?” The Chief was clearly impatient, and somehow was able to turn even crossing his arm and tapping his clawed feet into a threat. “I could eviscerate you with both arms tied.”, it said.

“Holies bringwe, For Master.” It was Rocky who answered first. “Scribblies abovefrom pastken have. Master Learn, Master Teach.” Arc quickly spoke next before he could lose his train of thought: “Ka- err, Master wanted to know more about her origin. We found some books in a ruined building we think her, uh, Icon came from, and she was going to read them – well, sort of read them aloud for us. Only the Shrine room's too small to fit all the minions, so we need to make it bigger first.”

Pantimus gave Arc a curious stare, perhaps unsure whether to mete out a punishment for the interruption, or a reward for having the chutzpah to do so. Frankly, Arc was as surprised as he was. He'd just suddenly started talking there... Did Kat do something again?

After a short pause, Pantimus gave his judgment. “For Master? Goodis. Tribute, workers and, bringwe willdo.” Arc felt relieved as the chief nodded in approval.

But his heart suddenly skipped a beat as Pantimus kept speaking.

“Youfor Chief help but, mefor help youdo then.”