Chapter 29
Escape
They quickly made their way back to the pub, for they knew trouble was soon to follow. As they approached the Broken Lamien, a loud commotion was coming from inside. Worry fell over their faces.
“It does not sound like our companion has fared much better in making friends,” said Urganox.
“Let us hurry. From the commotion inside, I do believe he may be in need of our help right about now,” Lot said as he found another speed to his step.
The three travelers burst through the front doors of the pub and were taken by surprise. The noise, which a moment ago seemed to be that of tempers flaring, was not that of anger at all, but of song. Every Dainty in the bar had a tankard of drink held high in the air and was swaying back and forth to the rhythm of the song. To their surprise, the conductor of this orchestra was none other than their old pal, Red.
The pub sang in unison, “Four bottles of beer on da wall, four bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it round, three bottles of beer on da wall. Three bottles of beer on da wall . . .”
Even with the Royal Guards of Pizenchaffe surely on their heels, they took a moment to absorb the situation. Red never ceased to amaze Locmire. The Pirate was considerably talented at making light of dire situations.
“Take one down and pass it round, no bottles of beer on da wall,” finished Red.
The tiny drunken Dainties rang out in applause and cheers. Red stepped down from the table he had been standing on and was immediately embraced by dozens of small arms.
“Looks like he made a lot more friends than we did,” said Lot.
“It seems so,” replied Locmire.
“He is a likable person. Strange, but likable,” Urganox added.
Red caught the eyes of his companions and yelled across the pub, “Ahoy! Come on over and enjoy a drink wiff me and me friends.”
The trio pushed their way through the crowd to where Red sat.
“Ahh, me mates. Sat yur bottums down and have a cold drink. Best in Pizenchaffe it is.”
Four Dainties sitting at Red's table hoisted their drinks high in the air and toasted one another.
“Red, we must go, now,” said Locmire.
The drunkenness upon on Red’s face suddenly disappeared. It seemed he had not drank a single drop, even though his breath said otherwise.
“Me will asks questions later, but thar be somethin ye needs to know.”
“Yes,” replied Locmire.
“See dis lil Dainty here,” He said pointing at Oggy. “Me tinks him be da Dainty we be's lookin fur.”
Locmire turned to Oggy. “Are you Oggius Stonefist?” he asked.
“Yes I am. And who might you be, stranger?” he returned.
“I am Locmire of Fogarth, and I have come to seek your assistance. Our time is limited so I must ask that you come with us immediately. I would explain more to you, but it seems that we have crossed King Rottenback. I fear our time of leisure is limited.”
Red added, “It be’s vury important, friend.”
“All right,” Oggy said reluctantly. “I will go with you, but only to hear you out.”
Suddenly the front doors of the pub burst open again. It was Golgar. He made his way over to Locmire. Sweat was rolling down his brow. It seemed that he had run all the way to the Broken Lamien. His arms were full of the weapons that he had previously confiscated from Locmire and his group.
“You must leave now. The King sends his army. Not just a few of his guard, but all of them,” Golgar panted.
He met eyes with Oggius. An awkward stare occurred between the two Dainties.
“I am sorry, my King. I was only fulfilling my duties. You are still the true heir to the throne, to me and many others,” Golgar said as he bowed to Oggius.
“Off your knees, Golgar. I am not your King, you need not bow to me,” said Oggy.
“I hate to cut this short, but we really need to be going right about now,” said Lot as he motioned to the door.
Dozens of tiny warriors were piling into the pub, all armed and very angry.
“My King,” said Golgar. “Follow me. I know of a way out. It leads into the depths of Pizenchaffe. They do not dare follow us there.”
Oggy nodded.
“Follow us! Golgar knows of a way out,” Oggius exclaimed.
Olaf, Erimack, and Zulp said together, “We follow you as well, our King!”
“Very well,” said Oggy.
The party made their way to the back of the pub. The sounds of the guards were drowning out the merry little Dainties who were still very wound up after Red's song. They were frantically searching for the surface walkers who had just attacked the King and his trusted guards. In the last room of the pub, Golgar pulled loose a plank from the floor. It hid a large square shaft that led down into the darkness. A wooden rung ladder was fixed to the side of the shaft.
“Follow me,” Golgar said.
Golgar made his way down the shaft, and the rest of the group followed closely behind. Lot had an uneasy feeling about this forgotten shaft and where it may take them. As he began to descend the wobbly wooden ladder, a sudden feeling of worry fell over him. He was not sure, but he felt like Thaddeus was very angry over something. He did not know that Thaddeus's party members were on the verge of war with one another. Even though Lot had experienced these visions before, it was odd having a face to go along with the mysterious voice. It was strange to realize that these flashes which had haunted him all of his life were linked to his newly discovered brother. He thought to himself, I cannot believe it. I have been connected to my brother all along, but never opened my mind enough to know him. He stood with a foot on the top rung of the ladder for a brief moment, hoping to learn more of Thaddeus and his present situation, but nothing else came to him. The sounds of angry guards snapped him out of his trance, and he quickly descended the ladder, pulling the trap door shut behind him.
Locmire's Quest: Book One A Tales from Calencia Novel Page 48