The following day, the air was crisp and fresh, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth. Ferret also caught the lingering stench of death and decay from the fallen soldiers on the field, so he was grateful to set off for the tower.
Thankfully, the army of light decided not to risk the Forest of Shadows and remained on the grasslands. It looked safe enough for Ferret, as anything hungry had easier pickings on the field of the fallen. He had to take long detours a few times to avoid spider webs hanging between trees. To a giant spider, a goblin was just about snack size.
As the sun beat down on his back, Ferret trudged through the rugged terrain of his tribe's lands. His feet ached, and his throat was dry from the long journey, but he pressed on towards the marked tower at the distant edge. Perched precariously on an outcropping of rock, the building stood tall and proud against the horizon. Its battlements jutted into the sky like jagged teeth, casting a foreboding shadow over the tallest trees. Beyond the outcropping lay a vast expanse of swamp, its murky waters and tangled vines, a dangerous and forbidden territory for Ferret's people. For it was here that the Hags dwelled, feared creatures said to possess dark magic and a thirst for human flesh. With a shudder, Ferret quickened his pace, eager to reach his destination before nightfall.
The goblins always avoided these kinds of ruins. Necromancers and cultists left undead or demons, or assassins left traps and poisons, assuming the places weren't just haunted.
Besides, he assumed someone had locked the front door.
Ferret searched around the base of the jagged stone outcropping, where a rusty drain emptied its putrid contents into the murky swamp. With a sense of dread in his gut, he crawled up the narrow pipe. His breath laboured as he finally reached a set of rungs, and with shaky hands, he hoisted himself up. But before he could take a breath of relief, a pack of ravenous giant rats, their razor-sharp teeth gnashing for a taste of flesh, ambushed him. Ferret swung his stick wildly, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone as he beat them back, his heart racing with adrenaline-fueled fury.
The hatch at the top opened into a basement full of old boxes and crates. It smelt of mould and age. A set of stairs leads up to another cellar. "This guy enjoyed being underground."
Contrary to the cramped, confined lower level, this room was a grand and spacious chamber. The floor bore intricate carvings etched deeply into its surface, forming a massive circle. Within it were twisted symbols, their meaning unknown and unsettling. An unnatural chill crept up Ferret's spine as soon as they entered. He even knew a demon summoning a circle when he saw it. "Well," he said with a shudder, "that doesn't look good."
Ferret didn't want to get involved in demon magic. A good bargain led to vast, excellent knowledge, wealth, or power. But to make such bargains required great wisdom or cunning, both of which he lacked.
He headed up the stairs, passing entryways and living quarters. The walls had changed from the carved rock of the outcropping to the fitted stone of the tower itself.
He eventually came to what must be the wizard's laboratory. Shelves and boxes holding all manner of items lined the walls. Piles of multi-coloured stones next to a plethora of bottles. Scientific instruments of brass and silver. Maps covered the walls without shelves, star charts and circular mathematical constructs. Ferret recognized them from the Book of Elf Magic. They must be spell diagrams. He looked at them eagerly, wishing he was able to read them.
Instead of sturdy stone, they made the floor out of rough, worn wood. Its surface was pockmarked and splintered, with patches of moss clinging to the edges, hinting at years of exposure to the damp swamp air.
A misstep on this treacherous surface would have dire consequences. The thought of a foot slipping or a leg buckling sent a shiver down Ferret's spine as the floor was far below.
A large table, obviously carved from a single slab of stone, displayed a giant skeleton in the centre of the room. By the horns, he guessed the Minotaur. "Sucks to be you." He chirped to the nasty thing.
Ferret walked carefully across the rickety floor through the maze of towering bookshelves, his eyes scanning the endless titles. But he didn't hesitate or second-guess himself. Without breaking stride, he made a beeline for the most significant book in the library, perched on a marble pedestal like a sacred text. This was where he would find the answers he needed.
Before he touched it, a voice called out.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The voice had a heavy accent, but Ferret could easily understand the goblin's speech. "It's booby-trapped."
Ferret traced the voice to a small cage. Inside was a creature much like a goblin, with sharp features, a long nose, and pointed ears. The similarities ended there, as it was only about six inches tall and had bat wings and a barbed tail. It also needed the goblins' efficient green colouring. He had seen warlocks dealing with things like this before.
"Kkzzzzt?" Ferret said.
"I'm a homunculus and not an imp." The creature answered peevishly. "who taught you to speak demonic?"
"It's the only phrase I know," Ferret said.
"Well, your pronunciation is terrible," the homunculus said. "And before I forget, screw you, too."
Ferret pointed a long finger at the caged creature. "Tell me where all the magic is."
"That all depends." A crafty look came over it. "What kind of deal can we make?"
Ferret resolved not to make deals with demons, no matter how small. "I don't make deals with demons."
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The declaration drew a sigh from the tiny creature. "Once again, I'm not a demon. I'm a homunculus."
Ferret made what he thought was a warding sign against evil.
"That doesn't work on me because I'm not a demon." its voice had risen into a shrill yell. The little creature rubbed its face, and Ferret heard it mutter about dealing with idiots.
Eventually, it looked up again with an insincere smile. "Greetings. I think perhaps we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Fizzit."
"What kind of name is Fizzy?" Ferret asked.
"Fizzit." it corrected. "It's demonic, so you have to roll the R."
"I knew it!" Ferret cried out as he backed up, pointing a finger at him. "Demon." He made another ward against evil, also incorrectly.
Fizzit decided that ignoring this little stupidity was the best approach, for he continued with, "I'm guessing you're breaking into a wizard's tower to steal magic. I'll tell you where the best magic is and which spell books were safe." he gave the goblin a slick look. "I can even help you learn magic. All you have to do is free me from this cage and take me along for the ride."
"And why would you do that for me?" Ferret asked dubiously.
"I'd like to say I sense a great destiny for you, but I just want out of the cage."
Ferret had no reason to reject the offer and released the homunculus from the enchanted cage.
Before either of them could speak, there was a loud knocking on the tower's door.
"Friends of yours?" Fizzit stood on the top of the cage, stretching his tiny wings.
"I killed the wizard who had this." Ferret waved the now useless map. "So, these are competitors or accomplices looking for revenge after the same thing. Neither is particularly good for me."
"For us." the homunculus fluttered over and perched on the goblin's shoulder. "I said I would help you, making us partners." With me as senior partner, he added silently.
Fuelled by adrenaline, Ferret snatched up the books that Fizzit frantically pointed to. The sound of splintering wood filled the air as the front doors to the tower burst open. The stink of the swamp washed in.
"Look yonder." The sweet voice of an elf. "A foul creature of the Broken Lands. Best kill it before it raises an alarm."
"Bloody hell!" Ferret swore. "That's a bit rough." The goblin clutched a well-worn book to his chest as he sprinted across the rotting wooden floor. Behind him, a massive figure in gleaming armour charged forward, only to stop as he took in the poor condition of the floor. He brandished a long sword that glinted menacingly in the dim light. "The beast is getting away!" The man's voice echoed through the hallway, filled with rage and determination.
Ferret flipped him the sign of the twin-forked comet and charged for the stairs. "I'll be in the sewer before these slow idiots can catch me."
A yelp escaped his lips as a sharp object hissed in his ear. His eyes darted around the room, spotting an arrow of exquisite elvish craftsmanship lodged in a nearby bookcase. The projectile had barely missed him, grazing his skin with its razor tip.
Seeing the homicidal elf already drawing a bead with another arrow, Ferret dived across the floor, rolling into cover under the large stone table.
"Let's see you get me here," he taunted.
"I'm not sure this is a good id..." but before Fizzit finished his thought, the wooden floor beneath them suddenly gave way. Accompanied by a loud crash of broken wood and debris, they tumbled into the cellar. Ferret clung to the table for dear life as they dropped, and even the minotaur skeleton seemed to be caught off guard by their unexpected descent.
The stop at the bottom was abrupt and jarring, causing Ferret to gasp for air as the dust settled around him. The minotaur skeleton lay in countless pieces, its massive form smashed by the fall. Fizzit, still perched on Ferret's shoulder, let out a tiny, high-pitched giggle.
"Let's see them follow that," he said, peering up through the large hole in the ceiling they had fallen through. "That was a lucky escape."
"I'm not so sure," Ferret said slowly. The opposite is true.
Fizzit looked around the dark cellar. Other than the light from the floor above, the large chamber was lit by a series of banefully glowing red lines carved on the stone floor.
They had fallen into the magical circle. The esoteric symbols twisted unsettlingly under their gaze.
"This is not good," Fizzit said.
INDEED, IT IS NOT
As the voice reverberates through their minds, they whirl around to face a monstrous figure. Towering tall with deep red skin and cloven hooves, it exudes a terrifying aura. Ferret's eyes widened at the sight of impossible wings that seemed to stretch beyond the confines of the chamber. A pair of massive horns jut out from the forehead of a human face of unearthly perfection.
Cruel and beautiful, the thought filled Ferret's shocked mind as he beheld the demon. Beautifully cruel.
THANK YOU
Ferret tried to gather his wits, but fear had driven every rational thought away, so he said the first thing he thought of.
"Kkzzzzt!"
WELL, THAT'S RUDE. The dreadful voice echoed in Ferret's mind, yet the demon didn't move its lips. It regarded him through slitted eyes, leaning close until Ferret felt the heat radiating from its skin.
WE HAD BETTER GET ON WITH THIS. WHAT DO YOU WANT IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR SOUL?
"My soul?" he stammered.
Despite not speaking, the demon managed to convey a sigh.
YES, YOUR DEEPEST DESIRE, IN RETURN FOR YOUR SOUL. It looked at the huddled form distastefully. However, YOUR PARTICULAR SOUL IS NOT WORTH MUCH BUT LET SEE WHAT YOU HAVE.
"Screw you." Ferret shot back. "My soul is worth as much as anyone else's." The minor act of defiance drew a wry smile from the terrible demon. Ferret realized he was still clutching an enormous book to his chest. The suitcase with other purloined books lay on the floor only feet away.
"OK then," he said, getting to his feet. He brushed the shards of wood from his rags before looking up at the towering demon.
He looked the terrible creature right in the eyes. He saw only one way of getting out of this alive.
"Here it is." he pushed his shoulders back, drawing a breath. I can't believe I'm doing this. "I want to be a great wizard."
The demon's yellow eyes blinked.
YOU WANT WHAT?
But Ferret would not be put off, instead yelling at the demon. "I want to be the greatest wizard of all time!" Anger and rage filled him as his voice echoed across the large chamber.
Ferret flinched, expecting the terrible demon to strike him down for his impudence. All it did was silently stare at him.
He stared so long that Ferret wilted under its intensity. He stared so long that it felt like his mind, body, and soul were being sorted and weighed. It started so long that Ferret began to get bored.
The goblin considered running on the circle's edge when the demon spoke.
YES, I CAN DO THAT.
Unexpected joy filled Ferret. "You mean it?" Tears formed in his eyes. "I'm going to be a real wizard?"
YES, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT CHAOS YOU UNLEASH ON THIS WORLD.
Ferret couldn't help but bounce around in joy. He saw several heads looking down at them through the gap in the ceiling. It was the adventurers.
He cackled as he pointed a finger, ready to unleash a torrent of magical energy.
"Zap!" he yelled. Nothing happened. Ferret looked at his fingertips, somehow expecting to see smoke trickling out.
"What is this?" he demanded of the demon; his fear vanished under the wave of outraged anger. "Where's my magic?"
The demon's smile was both smug and cruel.
I GAVE YOU THE ABILITY TO BE A WIZARD.
"What the hell..."
ALL YOU NEED IS STUDY AND HARD WORK.
It was difficult for a demon to appear pious, but this one achieved it.
THROUGH APPLICATION AND WILLPOWER, YOU MIGHT EVEN BE A GREAT WIZARD.
"Study? What kind of shite is that?" Ferret was beyond outrage. To have his dream within reach before being yanked away was unfair.
DIDN'T ANYONE TELL YOU NOT TO BARGAIN WITH DEMONS?
Then Fizzit was tugging at his clothing. "Come on. We have to get away."
The goblin realized the sight of him talking to the demon would unlikely improve the adventurer's opinion of him. They ran for the sewer pipe, Ferret pausing only to scoop up his stolen book suitcase.
The demon watched him depart without comment, a thoughtful look on his face.
"Bloody double-crossing demons." Ferret cursed as he crawled down the pipe.
"Indeed," Fizzit said as he fluttered ahead. "What is the world coming to when you can't trust a demon? Hopefully, the sight of it might make the adventurers pause."
"Bloody adventurers." Ferret continued to grumble. "Kill everything that moves and loot everything else. They can go through a goblin warren faster than you can say, wandering monster."
"Well, when we're out of here, you can sit down and tell me all about it."