G followed Gerkag and the Rock Gnome children into the secret rooms connected to the tavern's cellar, with Bitsy close behind, squeezing through one of the doorways. They bypassed the front rooms and headed toward the one with a large table in the center. G hadn't made it halfway down the hall when Crewton, now weighing over 50 kilos, came barreling down the corridor and leapt into his arms. G fell backward under the weight, the dog joyously licking his face and pushing up his goggles.

"Whoa there, Crewton, I'm happy to see you too, buddy!" G exclaimed, gently pushing the dog back to sit up. Despite the chaos outside, Crewton's joy brought a brief moment of peace. G marveled at how this simple reunion lifted his spirits.

Smiling, G said, "Alright, buddy, time to let me up." Crewton stopped suddenly, his gaze fixed on the darkness behind G, growling.

"Hey, it's okay," G reassured, kneeling on one knee and embracing his friend again. "She's with us now." Bitsy's paw moved forward slightly into the soft light in the hall. Crewton ceased baring his teeth and looked at G, then back at Bitsy, who stood like a giant shadow behind him. "Yeah, it's fine; she won't hurt you." G stood again and waited for Crewton to sniff at Bitsy. The dog then turned and trotted down the hallway, seemingly unbothered by the Grurenderer behind him. Noticing a yellow hair bow wrapped around some hair behind the dog's head, G shrugged and followed the group into the room.

As G and Bitsy entered, several gasps echoed through the room. "What is that?" asked Kargan.

A hiss came from behind Kargan and Gerkan, where Phanu had been a moment earlier. She had vanished, not invisibly, but as if she'd simply ceased to exist. Though G's see-invisible spell revealed nothing, he still heard her hissing. Bitsy stepped forward, prompting G to place a hand on her head to halt her. When he did, he mentally heard something from Bitsy, "Vermin!"

"No, no, she is not vermin. Just stop. She's my friend," G declared loudly. "Phanu, this is Bitsy. Can everyone just chill out?"

A response came from the shadows in the corner: "I am not cold and do not intend to chill outward."

G sighed. "I didn't mean it literally, just... calm down. We are all friends here, and we have much bigger problems." Phanu stopped hissing at Bitsy, who sat down next to G. Crewton, sniffing around her, seemed to accept her quicker than G had anticipated.

The Rock Gnome kids were all along the one side, sitting at the table, all eight of them. He looked back at Kargan, who reached for the bottle on the table and poured himself another drink. Wait a second, there were only seven kids, not eight.

G looked back at the gaggle of children and noticed something off. Among the seven children, there were two girls. He recognized Niamh. Tocai analyzed her, then moved on to the other non-gnome child.

Name: Unknown

Race: Unknown

Description: Unknown

G paused as he noticed the girl playing with a hair bow that was very similar to the one in Crewton's hair. She was attempting to remove a smudge from its yellow ribbon. He walked over and tilted his head, waiting for her to look up as he towered above her. Finally, she glanced up and smiled—a fiery-haired rock gnome with bright blue eyes that sparkled with curiosity. She stood about three feet tall, her round, rosy-cheeked face framed by wild curls of fiery red hair.

She was dressed in a simple green tunic and trousers made of sturdy fabric, with practical boots laced up to her knees.

As G approached, a bright smile lit up her face, revealing a gap-toothed grin that added to her youthful charm. She had a mischievous glint in her eye and exuded an aura of adventure.

"I don't think I remember you. What's your name?" G asked. It dawned on him that she wasn't a typical rock gnome, and he caught a scent that reminded him of the bubble bath Crewton had smelled of earlier.

The girl's voice was more substantial than he had anticipated and crystal clear, "I'm Esprit, just visiting."

Tocai spoke into G's mind, "That is a French name."

Her smile widened, and a real, magical twinkle appeared in her eyes as Esprit looked at Tocai hanging from G's belt.

G sighed, realizing things just got more complicated. Great, now I have to worry about the god Breamus's daughter showing up unannounced. This complicates things even more, and he really didn't have time for this. "Why are you here?"

"Oh, my father said I could come play with Crewton since you were away, and you weren't going to send him to my house for a while. I missed him," Esprit explained. At the mention of his name, Crewton's ears perked up, and he trotted over to sniff the bow still in her hand.

"Yeah, I bet. Is your father here now?" asked G.

Esprit looked around the room. "No, I think he is off on business somewhere," she said, the last part all in French, and Tocai translated it automatically for him.

"He doesn't know you're here, does he?" G said, thinking of the dread of the Aevum Malum. Dr. Reamus or the god Breamus had to have known was in the forge tunnels.

Esprit looked at the ground suddenly with a worried frown on her face. She scrunched up her face, then looked at G defiantly. "No, I don't need to tell him where I am all the time."

"Yeah, I think it might not be safe here. You should probably get going back to wherever you came from. You should go home," G said, not even wanting to contemplate what Breamus, God of Mischief, would do to them if something happened to his child. He tried to make it sound as pleasant as possible, but Esprit didn't look happy about that at all.

Esprit's face scrunched up again. "No, I don't have to listen to you," she said with a rebellious tone.

G nodded and smiled on the outside, while on the inside, he was shouting at himself, We don't have time for this!

"I'll tell you what, if you go home right now, the next time I send Crewton back, I'll let him stay for the whole day," G offered.

She stood there, angry, looking at him as she crossed her arms.

"Okay, how about two days? And I will promise not to tell your father you were here without his knowing," he added, raising an eyebrow. He wasn't even sure Dr. Reamus wasn't aware, but getting her father involved in her little adventure would certainly not be her idea of fun.

Her nose twitched as she went from angry to irritated. "You have to send him back with his goggles, too." She pointed at the goggles on G's forehead. "He is cute wearing those," said the small girl, half-smiling.

G nodded. "Agreed, but you have to leave right now."

Esprit went over and gave Crewton a big hug around his huge neck. Then she stood, turned, and waved to G before fading from sight. Crewton whined at the empty air for a moment, then huffed and went over to sniff around Bitsy again.

The room was quiet for a few moments, and then Kargan cleared his throat. "What did I just witness?" asked the hobgoblin mercenary.

G shrugged and turned back to the table. "I believe that was Dr. Reamus's daughter."

Kargan stared at G as he pulled a seat out and sat down. "Breamus's daughter? Are you sure?"

G nodded. He had thought about that bubble bath smell for a long time with Crewton. Dr Reamus probably had his daughter taking care of Crewton when G unsummoned the dog. "I think so. We have more urgent issues, so we need to leave now."

"Why?" asked the hobgoblin as he grabbed the liquor bottle.

"I might have let something loose under the city when I repaired this for my familiar," G said, pulling Tocai, the Elemental Storm Orb, from his belt sling and placing it on the table. He then placed the sphinx's metallic head next to it. "And this is part of a construct. It's complicated, but I agreed to take the head along."

Kargan whistled softly as he examined the orb sitting on the table, its motes of magic swirling inside. "You made this?" he asked in amazement.

"Yes, well, kind of. There was a broken one there, and I remade it into this," said G.

Phanu appeared out of the shadows in the corner near the table, looking at the glowing orb. "That is a forge orb, a dwarven forge orb," she said with a bit of awe.

G looked at her, noticing she wasn't wearing her old lady disguise and her dark elf features were not covered. Her hood was back, revealing a strikingly beautiful face, if one liked the look of disdain that seemed to be permanently etched upon it. "You're a Shadow elf."

Kargan looked at Phanu, suddenly suspicious. Gerkan, who was still off to one side, shifted his weight. Bitsy's ears perked up.

Phanu met G's gaze for a moment before speaking. "I was once a sister. I am no longer; the guild and I had a difference of opinion."

G nodded. "There are two of your sisters below in the sewers who tried to capture me."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Phanu's eyes narrowed as she looked deeper at G. "I doubt that. You would not have survived if that were the case, or you'd be captured."

"No, I am certain," said G. "Look, we can talk about it later. We need to leave. When I remade this orb, something was set free. The Guardian called it Aevum Malum, evil eternal. It's what caused all the dwarves to abandon this city. It's free, and it is coming after this orb and probably the city as well."

Kargan looked at Gerkan, who appeared shocked and nodded back to Kargan. "Are you certain? That it is free? It's been dormant and sealed away for longer than I've been here, many centuries longer."

Turning to the rest, G said, "Yes, I'm certain," his voice tinged with urgency. The thought of releasing such a malevolent entity weighed heavily on him. "I think the original founders of this city created the seal in a way that it would open if anyone ever reassembled this orb or brought another orb to the Guardian. The Guardian was there to test anyone who entered to ensure they were capable of doing the work. I had to recreate a broken enchanted key to get inside." G pulled the cube out and placed it on the table. "It isn't far behind me, and we need to leave before it figures out where I am." G picked the cube and orb back up and reattached the orb to his belt, securing the sphinx's metallic head on his back where he had been carrying it.

G glanced across the room and noticed a crude target board with fluffy pins all over it. "What's this?" he asked, pointing at the board.

One of the boys, grinning, held up a small, intricately carved blow-dart pipe. G took it from the boy and examined it closely

Gnomish Dark Pipe - A masterfully crafted blow dart pipe made from dark polished wood, engraved with swirling patterns.

Damage: 1-3 Durability: 10 of 10 Range: 30 meters

The Gnomish Dark Pipe is not your ordinary blow dart weapon. While its damage output might seem modest at first glance, its true power lies in the deadly payloads it can deliver. Darts alone may not be very dangerous, but Gnomish darts are renowned for their various payloads of poisons and other magical substances.

But that's not all. The magic infused within the pipe enhances the propulsion of the dart, granting it an extraordinary boost in distance. With a flick of the wrist, the dart can soar through the air with uncanny speed and precision, reaching targets that would be out of reach for conventional blow dart pipes.

The pipe itself is lightweight and perfectly sized for Rock Gnomes, enabling them to make quick and precise shots with ease. Its surface is adorned with intricate engravings, hinting at the craftsmanship and magic imbued within. A faint, shimmering aura surrounds it, indicating its enchanted nature.

Special Ability: +1 to attack and damage when used in stealth.

In the hands of a skilled user, the Gnomish Dark Pipe becomes a potent tool for covert operations. Its special ability grants a significant advantage when utilized in stealth, allowing for silent takedowns and precise strikes against unsuspecting foes. Whether employed for espionage, assassination, or simply for self-defense, this remarkable weapon exemplifies the ingenuity and cunning of its Gnomish creators.

"What is this?" G asked, intrigued, handing it back.

Niamh stepped forward with a frustrated expression, stomping her foot and glaring at her older brother. "Esprit gave all of us gnomish dark pipes, but my older brothers took mine because 'girls don't fight!'" she said angrily. "They've been practicing with that target ever since."

G raised an eyebrow at Kargan, who just shrugged. "It's probably best they can defend themselves. Those little pins pack a punch."

G looked back to Niamh. "It's okay, we'll work it out later."

G looked at the rest of the Rock Gnome kids. "Gather your things. Keep it light, very light."

To his surprise, the Rock Gnomes didn't hesitate as they ran out the door and down the hallway to their rooms. They showed their readiness to pick up and leave in a hurry, yet again. What kind of life did these kids have to lead to become so adept at fleeing at a moment's notice? G couldn't help but wonder about the constant upheaval and danger they must have faced daily. The resilience etched into their young faces spoke volumes about their past, a childhood spent in the shadows of the goblins, always on the edge of survival. How many times had they been forced to abandon their makeshift homes, clutching their few possessions as they ran from one threat or another?

As G watched them leave to gather their belongings, he realized he now felt like they did, having to leave everything behind yet again to flee. The thought weighed heavily on him, adding another layer of urgency to their escape. This time, he wasn't just running from danger; he was also running for the lives of these children who had already endured more than their fair share of hardship. Their shared plight forged a bond of empathy in him, driving him to ensure their next refuge would be a place of safety and stability.

Gerkan spoke, "The dark spirit is loose then? Our gods are not with us. We cannot withstand such a creature here. I'll gather my things. It is time to leave Mirbor." He stood and left the room. He obviously already knew about the creature trapped below the city. G wondered just how much the residents of Mirbor knew about the danger that had lurked beneath their feet. Had they always lived with this silent dread, aware of the malevolent force sealed away, or was it a well-kept secret among only a few? The realization that the threat was not only real but also known added a new dimension to the urgency of their situation.

Phan's voice cut through his thoughts, sharp and unyielding. "I have a duty to fulfill my contract, Elf. I cannot leave until this is completed."

G shook his head. "If the queen stays here, she is going to die, and if you stay, you will die with her. I felt that creature, and I saw the wards. You aren't going to live if you stay here. No one will. The dwarves had gods and magic; they chose to trap it and flee. They built this city using magic from the orb that this creature inhabited." G remembered the behemoth he had seen at the gate, and that wasn't even a god. He had to learn more about their need for gods to protect them from things like this. "We have to do something else; you all probably won't like it. We have to take the ship."

Kargan grabbed the bottle he had just taken a swig of back off the table and drank it dry in one long go. "Ahh," he chuckled, "I thought you said we had to take the ship for a moment there." He half-heartedly smiled, burping, putting the empty bottle back on the table.

"I did," G said, thinking about telling them about Breamus, then decided, "Breamus said we need to take the ship or keep the queen from having it, or Ryan, or Ryan's demon Patron, probably all of them."

"Breamus, again? And his daughter? G, friend, you are cursed indeed," said Kargan sarcastically as he dug through a cabinet, looking for another bottle.

Phan spoke with a darkly severe look, "Breamus? He visited you? When?"

"Once when I first arrived and a couple of days ago in the forge below the city," said G.

Phan rolled her eyes and through her clenched teeth. "Breamus is a curse on the worlds. When he shows up, great and terrible things happen. Even being in the same age when he shows himself can mean the destruction of all you know." She spit on the floor in disdain.

"Well, it's a bit late to worry about that now. How about we deal with what we can," said G, half believing it. Could Dr. Reamus be the cause of all this? G was starting to suspect as much. He felt like Breamus was some sort of Maestro conducting a dark symphony, orchestrating events from the shadows. It was almost like talking to two different people in the same body when G talked to the man, god, god of mischief, or whatever he was.

Gerkan came back just as the Rock Gnome kids started filing into the room, carrying bags over their shoulders. Gerkan moved around the room, taking round disks from his bag on his belt and placing them against certain pieces of furniture one at a time. First, the magical table shrunk into the disk as he touched it to the surface.

G watched him as he moved to the next piece, a large ornate cabinet. "What are those?"

Gerkan didn't slow as he went to the next piece. "They are elven travel disks. They are used by elves when they travel so they can take their belongings with them. I bought them from a trader several years ago just in case I needed to leave in a hurry." It took him less than a minute to take every piece of furniture in the room. One of the table sets went all at once into a disk.

"I'll be right back," he said, turning left toward the bedroom suites the Rock Gnome kids had used.

Kargan looked at G as they all stood there waiting. "Do you have a plan then? Riclos is still a prisoner."

G nodded and frowned. "I intend to rescue him if I can. I will create a distraction, and you all will get on the ship and take it down the tunnels away from here."

"Have you forgotten we can't steer or pilot the vessel?" asked Kargan.

G reached inside his robes and summoned the box containing the Astral Compass from his inventory, the one thing Breamus had given him to help on his quest. "I think the Guardian can with this. When we were on that ship, Riclos mentioned he didn't think the captain, Crustatian, or whatever his name was, made the ship. It was made by others. I believe the Guardian Sphinx and this compass can pilot or at least steer the ship."

G was wildly speculating based on hints given by Breamus about taking the ship. But for some reason, G also felt this was correct. He could see how it could work since he had recreated the Orb of Storms for Tocai. His improved skills in enchanting added to his assessment as he thought about the solution for a problem revolving around enchanting. He could see how this Astral Compass fit with a Sphinx's mana spirit and how that ship could be fit with them. The ship already floated, and he was almost certain it would work with this mana spirit attached.

As he considered the situation, G decided not to mention his quest to steal the ship. They already had enough to worry about without knowing the full extent of his plans. If they knew, it might complicate things further and add unnecessary tension. Best to keep that part to himself for now and focus on getting everyone to safety.

He could see how it would work when he closed his eyes and focused on the Guardian Sphinx's head on his back. He took his mind off the head, this ship, and the vision faded. Huh, was the Guardian telling him this, or was this tied to him?

"Tocai, ask the Guardian about him controlling the astral ship. Can he do that?" asked G noting that the head hadn't spoken since they entered and thought perhaps it knew something it didn't, or perhaps he just didn't want to talk.

Tocai's voice echoed in G's mind, "The Guardian confirms he should be able control the astral ship. He was originally designed to operate constructs but believes he can do this at least enough for it to move."

G nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "Good. Then that's our plan. We need to get to the ship and get out of here before Aevum Malum catches up with us."

Kargan sighed but nodded in agreement, speaking with a sound of authority in his voice G hadn't heard before. "Alright, let's move quickly. Everyone, gather your things and prepare to leave."

Kargan looked at the box containing the Astral Compass in G's hand as Phan stood across from G. "I will go with you to free this Riclos, and we will kill the Queen," said Phan.

G nodded and then turned to Bitsy. "Come here, girl," he called. Bitsy padded over, her massive frame moving silently despite her size. G reached into his robe, summoning the armor he had created for her in the dwarven forge from his inventory.

He laid out the pieces on the ground: sturdy metal plates designed to cover her paws, front shoulders, chest, and head, all connected with a series of leather straps. G patted Bitsy's side, and she sat down obediently, sensing the importance of the moment.

G began by placing the paw armor on Bitsy's front legs, ensuring each piece fit snugly over her massive paws. He then moved to her shoulders, strapping on the protective plates with precision. The chest armor was next, wrapping securely around her torso and connecting to the shoulder plates with leather straps. He cinched the straps tight so the armor wouldn't slide or fall off.

Bitsy shifted slightly, but G soothed her with calm words and gentle pats. "Almost done, Bitsy. Just need to make sure it's all secure."

He continued by fitting the headpiece over Bitsy's head, making sure it didn't obstruct her vision or movement. Finally, he secured the entire setup with a broad leather strap across her back and another under her stomach, ensuring the armor was held firmly in place.

Surprisingly, the entire process didn't take long once Bitsy stopped moving. G stepped back to admire his work, giving Bitsy an encouraging pat. She looked formidable, the armor giving her an even more intimidating presence.

"Alright, Bitsy," G said.

G sighed as Gerkan came back in. "One last thing, when I do this, the protection of these rooms will disappear. Follow and be ready."

They followed him into the room with the fountain. G refreshed his travel spells for 200 mana, then nodded to Gerkan. He took out a disk and placed it against the fountain, and a half-second later, the fountain's water stopped moving in mid-air and folded up into the disk like a vacuum pulling up a pile of dust. In its place was a lighter patch of stone, a ghostly reminder of where the fountain once stood.

G immediately felt the dread; Aevum Malum was out there. It was no longer below. They had to go. Now!