1.04

“How does a rat tail help us?” Sharampf asked.

“I’m not sure it does,” said Fenrick.

“Pass me the tail, I think I can figure this out.” Bodwyn felt the stirring of some magic within, from his patron. It was about to help him.

Fenrick handed the tail to Bodwyn. Bodwyn’s eyes suddenly glazed over as he rolled the tail between his fingers. Everyone stood in silence for a moment, unsure of what to expect next.

Bodwyn took in his surroundings. He stood in the room, but things weren’t the same as a few moments ago.

The others weren’t in the room with him, and everything had a warbled look to it, as though it was all underwater.

Sharampf lay on the bed. His bag loosely held with one hand.

“I’ll show you what happened.” The voice boomed up from within Bodwyn.

“What do I do? Nothing’s happening.” Bodwyn walked around the room, but found nothing.

“Patience!” Bodwyn swallowed his next words and stood there in silence.

A sudden squeak sounded through the room and Bodwyn watched as a large rat scurried down from the rafters.

The rat clambered onto the bed and pulled the bag from Sharampf’s grip. Sharampf stirred a moment, rolled over and stayed asleep.

The rat climbed the crossbeams that made the interior of the wall, and it let out a sudden cry. Bodwyn watched as some of its tail fell, cut by a rusty nail. The rat continued along the beams and squeezed through a hole in the roof.

“Follow it.”

“Hey, what are you doing?” Fenrick asked. The party jumped in surprise as they watched Bodwyn suddenly run out of the room.

Bodwyn followed the rat into the mess hall and watched as is ran to a short, cloaked figure. The rest of the group had to apologise as Bodwyn almost ran into a few people.

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Bodwyn watched as the figure then got up and walked out of the tavern. Bodwyn’s vision returned to normal.

“What was all that?” Mamzo asked.

“I watched as a rat came into Sharampf’s room, took my bag, and came down into the mess hall. The rat gave my bag to a cloaked figure and then they left. We need to keep looking.”

“That’s some handy magic. Where to next?” said Sharampf.

“This way.” Bodwyn led the group outside. A column of bright light shot up from a building tucked away in the back corner of Cobbleson. “Over there.” Bodwyn pointed at a light only he could see.

Bodwyn bound through the town, followed by his newfound companions. A silent anxiety clawed away at his insides. Within moments, Bodwyn reached the building engulfed in the revealing light. He reached for the door, but someone grabbed his wrist.

“Let me scout ahead, who knows what’s on the other side.” Mamzo approached the wall. Mamzo raised a foot, and then another, and started to walk up the wall.

“That’s neat,” said Bodwyn. The four of them watched as the goblin ascended the wall and disappeared onto the roof.

For a moment, Mamzo looked out over Cobbleson. He’d grown to love it here. Maybe it could even become his new home? It was certainly peaceful. He then climbed down a chimney.

“Seems like a cool fella,” said Bodwyn. “Reckon he’ll join our group?”

“What do you mean, join our group?” Fenrick raised an eyebrow.

“Well, I just thought…” Bodwyn turned to look at Fenrick and Sharampf.

“Are you saying we’re friends? That we’re gonna go on an adventure?” Excitement trickled into Sharampf’s voice.

“Kinda?” said Bodwyn. Bodwyn’s voice hit an unnatural high pitch.

“I hardly think that makes us a group.” Fenrick crossed his arms.

“Do you really think we’re friends?” Sharampf seemed a little too keen in Fenrick’s opinion.

“Sure. We’ve been in a scrap, we got drunk tog-”

“I went to bed.” An impossible to read smirk spread across Fenrick’s face.

“Coz you’re old,” Bodwyn continued. “And now we’re looking for lost things together. It sounds like the perfect start for any adventuring group.”

“Ooo, I’m in. I’ve gotta travel around and show my invention anyway. Could be fun. I’ve never really had any friends.” Sharampf whispered that last part to herself.

“What about you Fenrick? You joining us?” Bodwyn asked. Both he and Sharampf waited in anticipation for Fenrick’s answer.

“Sorry kids, I plan on staying here for a while. Getting too old for that sort of life.”

Mamzo made it to the bottom of the chimney and slowly stepped into the fireplace. The interior was poorly lit, the windows were boarded up. Particles of dust slowly danced in the slivers of light.

Mamzo cautiously walked around the dusty room. It was obvious the place had been abandoned for a long time.

Something scurried in the dark and Mamzo jumped at the sound. He continued to press forward through the darkness when another noise scurried behind him. Mamzo whirled around, eyes wide, but he saw nothing.

“Hello?” called Mamzo.

“Who, who are you?” a timid voice came from the darkness.

“I’m going to use one of my daggers so I can see. I mean no harm.” Mamzo reached for a dagger.

“I’ll hurt you if you try.” The voice warbled in fear.

Mamzo raised a dagger. It grew bright.