Tired Of Death

Dreth looked down at the baby in his arms. It was s.u.c.k.i.n.g its thumb. He tried to frown, remembered he had no flesh, and made a tutting noise instead.

"Well, that was pretty cool," said Cuthbert, leaning down and jabbing one of the bodies.

"Are they dead?" asked Percy.

"Not yet," said Cuthbert, pulling out a rusty dagger.

"Leave them, dark elves will give you stomach ache." Dreth, walked over to Redthorne and nudged him with his foot. The wizard g.r.o.a.n.e.d.

"I don't think I can get stomach ache, can I?" Cuthbert looked at Percy, who shrugged.

"Never been a problem for me," said the other zombie.

"Wizard. Wake up!" Dreth poked Redthorne again.

The mage stirred and clutched at his head. "Ow. What was that?" he m.o.a.n.e.d.

Dreth ignored the question. "Get up. We need to get out of here, and I want to know what you know about my curse."

Redthorne staggered upright. "And then I suppose you will kill me."

"Don't be stupid," said Dreth. "I don't care what you do, just tell me what you know and I will let you go."

"Give me the baby first," said the wizard.

Dreth handed the baby to Cuthbert. "Hold this, and don't eat any bits." He turned back to Redthorne. "If you tell me the information, I'll give you the baby, unharmed."

The wizard stroked his beard. "Deal, but we have to get out of here first," he replied.

"Fair enough," said Dreth. "Assuming we can find the exit."

"Hey boss, look who I've found!" Percy said from near the doorway. He held up the small ragged and unconscious figure of Smudge. "Can I eat her? Please?"

"Maybe later," said Dreth bending over one of the fallen elves and taking the scabbard and robes.

The zombies watched as he sheathed Darkblood and donned the garments. Smudge came to just as he was clipping the cloak on.

"Welcome back Fearie," said Dreth. "How are you feeling?"

"Is that you Dreth? You look terrible," replied Smudge.

"Not as terrible as you will if you don't tell us how to get out of this dungeon," he replied. "You said your home was the Black Garden, and it was near an entrance. How do we get there?"

"I don't know."

"Fine," Dreth looked at Percy. "You can eat her."

"Wait! Wait!" The Fearie waved her hands as the zombie grinned and lifted the small form to his mouth. "I remember now!"

"Ohh," Percy m.o.a.n.e.d in disappointment as Dreth motioned for him to stop.

"So, how do we get out of here?" asked Dreth. "Start talking!"

~ * ~

The mirror cleared to reveal the image of the Overlord, sitting at his desk, hands resting with fingers interlocked in front of him. His face was one of utmost calm.

The Dungeon Master fell to his knees in terror.

"I hear," the steady voice came through the portal, "that Dreth is still at large." The bespectacled figure leaned forward, pushed his glasses further up his nose and picked up a piece of paper.

He read the doc.u.ment for a moment more and then looked back at the Master. "Furthermore, he has in his possession the woman, and…" there was a hint of a twitch in the lips here, " and he has reached the center of the dungeon and found the treasure!!" The Overlords' skin began to smolder, and there was a definite reddish tinge to the otherwise unassuming visage. The table began to smoke where his hands were touching it and the paper he was holding bust into flame and was quickly reduced to ash.

"G…great and merciful Overlord, I can fix this. It's not too late," quailed the Dungeon Master from his groveling position on the floor.

"Issue a general alert, NOW!" shouted the Overlord. "I want Dreth cut into little pieces and locked in a magically sealed rune box, do you understand me? I don't care what it takes." The wooden surface of the desk smoldered and then ignited.

"At once your magnificence! It shall be done!"

"If it isn't, your still living hide will be used to refurnish my chair." With the final threat the image winked out, leaving the Dungeon Master shaking in dread.