Dauntless Dungeon

by Devan Johnson

  “Please help me! Let me go!” Kheeta pleaded through tears as the Mimic bit down again, its teeth piercing the skin of her arm; she could feel the blood trickling down her fingers and knew that she’d lose her entire hand before too much longer.

  One of the creatures went to make what Kheeta assumed was going to be a snarky reply, but as it opened its mouth it was knocked off the rock by a crossbow bolt. The other creatures screeched and began to scurry on all fours towards a hole in the ground not too far away.

  “Oh no you don’t!” Called out a smooth voice and two more crossbow bolts found their marks, leaving both the fleeing creatures dead.

  “Help me please!” Kheeta called out still trying to painfully wrestle her hand out of the closed and snarling Mimic.

  “Here allow me,” the smooth voice answered and after a moment the chest began to loosen its grip. “With these little buggers you’ve got to go for the hinges in back, it’s pretty much their only weak spot.” As the voice finished his tip, the chest snapped back open and Kheeta fell over, her bloody hand cradled against her chest. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at her mauled hand. I don’t think it’ll ever work again! She panicked as a few salty tears fell on to the torn flesh and fur.

  “Here let me wrap that for you,” Kheeta looked up from the bloody dirt and saw a man roughly five feet tall standing before her, his hand extended. She took it and he helped her to her feet before immediately grabbing her injured hand and turning it over. “This is going to sting a little.”

  “What is—” Kheeta’s question was lost in her howl as he poured a clear liquid over her hand.

  “That will help clean and heal the wound… Gremlins can be nasty little creatures.” He explained as he began wrapping a white cloth, that he had pulled from his satchel, around her hand.

  “Is that what those things were? They were so creepy!” Kheeta replied wincing as he tied the cloth tight, small traces of red beginning to seep through already.

  “Yeah, unfortunately we have quite the infestation of the little cretins, though using a Mimic as a trap is quite new.” She shot the man a disapproving look, is he really going to admire them right now?.

  “You could try to not sound so impressed, they almost ripped my arm off.” She pointed out with frustration as the pain made her wince once again.

  “Oh, it was your hand, not your arm; and for creatures as simple minded as Gremlins to conceive a plan that advanced is impressive.” The man answered sounding offended that Kheeta had taken offense.

  “Well regardless, thank you for saving me, my name’s Kheeta.” She responded slowly, rubbing her sore hand and silently praying that the pain would leave her soon.

  “Kheeta, that’s a unique name… mine’s Calisto.” The man replied extending his hand in greeting, causing Kheeta to take note of his appearance. His skin wasn’t dark, but kissed by the sun. He had curly brown hair that hung to his eyes and two curved horns that protruded a few inches above his brow. His face held soft features, and a scraggly goatee; but the most curious thing about him were his legs. Whereas, from the waist up he appeared to be a human male, like in the books that Kheeta loved to read, from the waist down he had the visage of a goat. Thick brown fur covered legs that ended in cloven hooves. He seemed to take notice of her curiosity, because a sly smile split his face. “What, never seen a Satyr before?” Kheeta chuckled awkwardly, her tail swishing back and forth quickly with anxiety. “Here,” the man said as he tossed her a small necklace with a red gem stone. “Mimic’s usually have some loot inside of them, you can have that one… considering.”

  As she opened her mouth to say thank you, it was her stomach that spoke causing her cheeks to warm intensely as clear her throat. “I know that you just saved me, and I have no right to ask anything more but… you wouldn’t happen to have any food, do you?” Kheeta’s nerves were beyond frayed as she looked at the strange man.

  “Well, aren’t you quite needy?” He said playfully “I’m only joking,” he added after her expression turned to full on panic. “I live in Tohmar, a small village not far from here, come with me and my wife can make you some food.”

  “Thank you, Calisto, you’re really too kind.” Kheeta thanked as she began following the Satyr down the hill towards a village in the distance…

  “So no Kitsune has ever left? In 200 years?” Calisto asked incredulously.

  “No, I’m the first and even then, I ran away.” Kheeta answered as they reached the entrance to town.

  “Well if that’s the case, you better brace yourself because Tohmar is a Centaur and Satyr community… and we are a sociable race, so by tomorrow you’ll have ten new friends.” Calisto warned her with a sly smile.

  “Oh yay… people.” Kheeta said her tone trailing off and her tails swishing anxiously, bringing another chuckle from her goat friend.

  As the large wooden doors to the village opened the pair was greeted with a raucous roar of activity. After years with the quiet and studious Kitsune, the sudden deafening noise nearly made Kheeta jump out of her fur, causing it to stand on end and fluff. Calisto turned so he could see the awe on his new companions’ face, and instead broke into even harder laughter than before. Her ears flattened in embarrassment as she tried to smooth down her fur, in vain, before she was presented with a hairbrush from Calisto’s satchel. “Wow girl, you’ve gotta work on those nerves.”

  “Shut up,” Kheeta responded embarrassed by her over-reaction. “I’m not used to all this commotion and all these people…” Her eyes were darting back and forth down each street in turn. Everywhere she looked the cobblestone roads had Centaur and Satyr-folk lining it; selling wares and traveling around, all talking and yelling to be heard over one another.

  “Oh sweetie, this isn’t anything compared to Dravenmoore…” Kheeta stopped to stare at Calisto as he continued walking, her mouth dropped agape, “it’s easily twice this size.”

  “In one city? That’s crazy! No one could live like that... All those people crammed together...” Kheeta was starting to spin out of control as anxiety reached its cold incorporeal hand for her heart.

  “Well, for right now let’s just focus on getting you back to my place for a little lunch.” Calisto said trying to calm the fox-girl down, as he led her down a street towards the residential district.

  Kheeta decided to focus on something besides the amount of people around her to try and calm down and collect herself. She looked around and took note of the architecture; it was mostly log buildings, with cobblestone roads and red tile thatching on the rooftops. On top of which, strange creatures that appeared to be small balls of bright and colorful fur, with no discernable features aside from two saucer-like eyes sat in long, crowded rows. “Calisto what are those?” Kheeta asked gesturing to vibrant fluff-balls that had begun to float off of the rooftops and into the air.

  “Oh, those are Paloofs.” Calisto replied, as if that alone was enough information.

  “And a Paloof is?”

  “Well they can be many different colors, they eat pollution and release clean oxygen; so they’re pretty common in big cities.” Calisto turned to see the sideways glances his guest was giving the creatures. “They’re practically harmless, they don’t have mouths or claws and kids play with them all the time, they’re actually really kinda frizzy.”

  “So I’m assuming they’re all over Dravenmoore then?” She asked only to get a snort and head nod in reply. Everything is so much different from The Den… You can do this Kheeta, Celia believes in you, she thought to herself as they came to an abrupt halt.

  “We’re here,” Calisto announced as he gestured to a small log cabin behind him. There was an apple tree out front, large red orbs hanging from its branches, as well as two swing sets revealing the presence of children.

  “Dad! Tell Tianara she needs to stop saying that she’s better than us!” A small voice called out from the cabin.

  “Yeah!” Another voice joined in as the front door to the cabin burst ope
n with a loud bang; and two five-year-old satyrs began running full speed to their father.

  “Whoa guys what’s going on?” Calisto said with a chuckle, tussling one of the boy’s hair and hugging the other as they reached him, nearly out of breath.

  “Tianara keeps saying that she’s better than us…” The taller boy explained frustration dripping from his voice, obviously this was something he had to listen to a lot.

  “Well it’s true… I am better, in fact I’m the best in the whole town! I have four legs and horns so that makes me the best…” A blonde-haired centaur girl, no more than nine years old, chimed in as she exited the front door as well. True to her word, the girl was a white horse from the waist down and a human female from the waist up, save two twisted goat horns protruding from her forehead.

  “Now Tianara, you need to be nicer to your brothers. Stop telling them that you’re better than they are… no one is better than anyone else.” Calisto scolded in a dad-like baritone voice before continuing, “Go tell your mother that we will be having a guest over for lunch.” The girl scoffed as he finished and flipped her hair over her shoulder with a huff of attitude, turning to relay her father’s message reluctantly. “Well, those were my children, Tianara, Grett, and Zohk,” He said to Kheeta gesturing to the kids in turn. “I know that they can seem like a little much sometimes, but in reality they’re pretty good kids.” He smiled embarrassedly and then continued, “if you’ll follow me I’ll introduce you to my wife and some home-cooked food.”

  “Oh food sounds absolutely perfect right now,” Kheeta replied her mouth beginning to salivate at the mere thought. With that said, they entered the homely log cabin, revealing the inside to be even more comfortable and warm than Kheeta had imagined.

  “Dear? The children tell me that we’ll be having compa…” The woman speaking trailed off as Kheeta rounded the corner and they made eye contact. The woman had long blonde hair like her daughter Tianara, and she like her daughter, was a white centaur. Her long-pointed ears poked out from the silky-smooth hair that framed her now confused face. At first Kheeta was taken back by the woman’s perplexed expression, and then it dawned on her… Most people have never seen a fox-girl in real life because the stupid Kitsunes have been hiding in The Den for two-hundred years!

  “Hi, I’m Kheeta,” she introduced awkwardly, approaching the woman with her hand outstretched. “Calisto saved me from a Mimic and said that you’re the one whose gonna save me from starvation?” She joked, trying to alleviate the awkward tension that seemed to be crushing her; to her relief the Centaur woman laughed. “He said your cooking is the best,” Kheeta quickly added shooting a glance over to the Satyr.

  “He’s a good man,” the woman replied turning to smile at her husband, “and I’m a lucky woman… The name’s Merigohl, and I’d be happy to make you a plate, just take a seat anywhere at the table.”

  Kheeta did as she was instructed and pulled out one of the oak-backed chairs and sat down, a plate of food timing itself in synchronization. “Thank you so much.” Kheeta said as she looked at the roasted rabbit, a fresh baked roll, and green veggies on her plate hungrily.

  “Your welcome,” Calisto replied sitting down with his food next to her, as Merigohl placed hot cups of tea next to each of them. “You know Kheeta, you still haven’t told me why you want to get to Dravenmoore, I doubt you have family in town or anything,” he smirked.

  “Well, I want to attend Dauntless Dungeon and become the best Quester I can.” She answered her eyes shining with determination and excitement.

  “I have an idea then,” Calisto interjected a smile splitting his face as the gears in his head began to turn. “I’ll make you a deal… it’s an eight-day journey to Dravenmoore by foot, and that’s only if you stay on the road path, plus enrollment will be over by then. Luckily for you, its only three days by cart, and tomorrow our family will be making that same journey to deliver some fresh medicine to the Dravenmoore apothecary… you could accompany us if you’d like.”

  “That would be amazing!” Kheeta said excitement overflowing now and her tail quickly swishing every which way, almost knocking the milk pitcher off the table.

  “Of course, you’d have to do something for us in exchange for the ride…” He added as he placed a fork full of potatoes and corn into his mouth. “Think of it like your first quest… just not official.” Calisto said as he finished the last of his rabbit. “I need to go into Glittermoore Cave to get the Barachus berries and Taudastl Caps needed for a tonic, but the problem is that the cave is rather over run with vermin and I could use some help clearing them out.”

  “So, the quest is to go with you and retrieve your supplies and then as a reward you’ll take five days off my travel time and get me there in time?” Kheeta summarized to herself, awkwardly, out loud. “Well, unless I sprout wings, there’s not much chance of me making it in time, so…”She joked, “looks like you have yourself an unofficial Junior Quester!” She proclaimed raising her chin high in pride. “I only have one question…”

  “What’s that?” Merigohl replied as she joined the adults at the table, a warm cup of tea in her hands; as the children rolled around in the other room fighting.

  “Is there any more of that food?” Kheeta asked trying to peer over the counter at the pans only to discover, to her dismay, that it was gone, bringing a pout from her as her ears drooped and everyone began to chuckle at their odd guest.

  3 Quests and Caves

  Kheeta awoke bright and early, as excitement drove her from her warm bed on Tianara’s floor, and into the kitchen where she found Calisto and Merigohl quietly talking. “Oh, hello there Kheeta,” the Satyr greeted warmly, a large smile spreading across his face. “I was going to let you sleep until the cart was loaded, if you’d like to get a little extra sleep, feel free.” His fatherly nature brought a smile to her face as well, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a parent in The Den offer to let their kid sleep in, she thought with wonder.

  “Thank you for the offer,” she responded, clasping her hands behind her and giving a small bow. “But as your Quester, it is my job to assist you… I should definitely help with the cart.” She tried to make her tone sound as serious and professional as she could, causing both of her hosts to raise an amused eyebrow. She walked over to the small hill of supplies near the door and grabbed up an armful. “Besides, I used to help my mom at our store, I’m a master at loading stuff up.”

  Calisto stopped her as she went to slide a box onto the cart getting a puzzled look in return. “You ever seen a spatial cart?” He asked receiving only more confused expressions in reply. He chuckled softly, “I’ll take that as a no. I have a friend at DD, that’s short-hand for Dauntless Dungeon, he gave me this one. Normally a family like mine could never afford something this extravagant but he was extremely appreciative when I gave him medicine for his wife, saved her from the plague, who knew that newt tail and Mimic drool could have such restorative properties!”

  He had left on a tangent, mumbling to himself and Kheeta still hadn’t quite grasped what he meant by ‘spatial cart’, it looks like any other cart to me, she thought to herself dryly.

  Seeing her expression, he snapped back on topic, “basically it’s a cart…” he said pulling a lever near the seat “but it’s bigger on the inside.” The metal that lined the cart began to glow and hum before a sudden and loud pop filled the yard. Where the cart had been only moments before, a large covered wagon now stood.

  Peering inside revealed an alchemist set along one wall, and three hammocks that swung overhead. Those are probably for the kids, and he can even work on the road with that equipment, this is so cool! Kheeta thought to herself excitedly.

  “The best part is it’s the same weight as the cart, because of the enchantment, anything inside is rendered weightless.” Calisto beamed ear to ear with pride as he looked upon his traveling abode.

  “That means I get to help pull it,” a small voice chimed in. They turned to see Tianara trot
ting out of the house followed closely by her mother.

  “Yes, yes, I have both of our harnesses right here,” Merigohl chuckled softly stooping to help the small girl. “Remember though, if you start getting tired you tell us, I don’t want you nearly getting drug behind like last time.” The small horse-girl blushed and Merigohl turned her attention to Kheeta. “Kheeta sweetie, go ahead and climb inside, the boys are just grabbing some toys, and then they’ll join you.”

  Kheeta’s eyes grew wide the realization that her hostess would be pulling them, and flustered butterflies raced from her stomach to her chest as she began to fidget. “Uhm…. maybe, since I’m your quester, I should walk near you. You know, in case there’s danger.” Her tail swished back and forth, and her ears twitched ever so slightly, giving away her embarrassment.

  “You wanted to get there fast though,” Merigohl replied with a frown. “You aren’t used to going long distances, Tianara and I not only are, we’re literally built for it.”

  “Come on Mom lets go!” Tianara whined pulling on her mother’s hand.

  “Alright, if you’re sure that it’s okay…” Kheeta surrendered crawling into the cart, the butterflies simply intensifying. Before she could comment on the interior two brown blurs came tumbling through the door. Kheeta let out an alarmed yip and her fur stood on end in surprise as she realized what the blur was. Zohk and Grett were fighting over a small doll of a knight in golden armor.

  “Give him here!” Zohk the smaller one commanded, his twin pulling as hard as he could on the knight’s legs.

  “No! I had it first Zohk!” Grett hollered back butting his small budding horns against his brothers.

  Should I stop this or…? Kheeta thought to herself awkwardly as the two brothers continued their scuffle mere feet in front of her. “Boys! Stop fighting over that darn doll or I swear we’re leaving all the toys here!” Calisto yelled loudly, his voice seeming deeper and more authoritative than it had before. To her surprise both the faun boys immediately stopped their fighting and went to sit on opposite sides of the cart, Grett clutching his toy triumphantly, and a sour pout staining Zohk’s face. After a few awkward moments the door to the cart swung back open and Calisto came through clutching a bag in his hand. “What’s that?” Kheeta asked gesturing to the cloth sack.