Ch. 10 Sarah

The mood toned down at the mention of the border. Sarah looked at Perish with a cautious expression. "You finally want to do this now?"

Perish looked down and responded, "It's not for me; it's for him." Sarah looked over at Kaz curiously. She was not sure what this kobold was up to, but she did not want to see her best friend get hurt. Sitting down, Sarah placed her hands in her lap and took a deep breath.

"I could try to disguise Perish, but Kaz is not as easy. I don't know how we would even begin sneaking you through."

"If only I were brighter, then maybe I could think of something." Kaz cursed himself for his lack of imagination.

Trying to comfort him, Sarah smiles towards Kaz. "Don't hate yourself; I am impressed. You are very well learned for a kobold. I've never seen one who speaks so fluently."

"Thanks, but we need to think of something. We can't stay here now that the village knows about Perish and her hut. It's only a matter of time before they come after her again."

"My garden…" Perish mumbles to herself.

Sarah looks over at Perish, and an idea comes to mind. "If we knew some magic, we could use that to disguise you."

Kaz perked up and looked at Sarah. "That could work, but how would we learn something like that?"

"I don't know how we would learn it by ourselves, but I know someone who knows a little magic maybe he could teach us."

Perish looks at her and shakes her head. "Oh no, not Peter…"

Sarah giggles a little and nods. "What's wrong with Peter? He seemed to like you last time you guy met up."

Perish moans in distaste. "He always wants to study me when he sees me, and I hate it when he touches my fur. It's like he is not looking at me like a person."

Kaz was not sure who this Peter was, but if he knew magic, maybe he could teach him some of it. He thought about showing the book to him but decided against it. If the book could be traced back to that mage, it could put them in a bad light with Sarah and Peter.

"I agree with Sarah. We should meet Peter and see what he can do for us."

Perish looked defeated but nodded her head. "You asked for it." Sarah stood up and walked to a trap door. She opened it and motioned for the two to enter. Perish did so, and Kaz followed. It looked like a small root cellar with different dried foods and fruits. Sarah poked her head out, and before closing the door, said one last thing.

"Stay here while I get Peter. He is going to be so excited!" Sarah closed the cellar, and it became dark. Kaz's eyes took a moment to adjust to the new setting, and she saw Perish's eyes light up as her vision changed as well. A few minutes passed, and they heard the door open from upstairs. Kaz was excited to meet Peter and began to climb the stairs, but Perish stopped him. He looked at her, and she had her finger to her mouth.

Waiting for something to happen, they decided to listen carefully to see who it was.

SKILL ACQUIRED- Listen Lv 1

The voices became more evident; it was that of two older men. They seemed to be moving things around, looking for something. Perish began to show her teeth, and Kaz could tell why immediately. The sound of a muffled girl could be heard being dragged into the room. Kaz could tell it was Sarah. He was not sure what to do. If they had her, then it meant they were probably looking for them. Did they get noticed on their way into the village?

MISSION ACQUIRED- Save Sarah

- Sarah is in danger and requires assistance.

- Defeat the bandits who have her

- Reward- 5 Character points

- Failure - -2 Ego -1 Body +1 Presence

A new mission finally showed up, and this one seemed just as dangerous as the last one. He may have Perish on his side now, but if they made too much noise or the bandits alarmed the guards, it could mean more danger for Kaz and the girls. He needed to think of a plan, but it seemed as if time was running out. He quickly pulled out his crossbow and loaded it. Waiting for the trap door to open, he aimed up. Perish looked ready to pounce anyone who opened the door as well. If they were going to do this, they needed to do it quickly.

"Ah, ha! So this is where you were hiding them, little girl." The trap door swung open quickly, and a head poked in to see what was down there. A grin on the bandit's face was quickly changed to horror as Kaz unleashed the bolt right into the man's left eye. He jerked backward and clutched his eye as he fell to the ground. Swords could be heard being unsheathed, and Perish Leaped out of the trap door and into the small room. To her surprise, there were three more men up there—two with blades drawn and one holding the room that had Sarah attached to it. Sarah looked at Perish with tears in her eyes as the presumed bandit leader grinned at her.

"Look what we have here, boys, a werewolf in our midst. Don't let her bite you, or I'll kill you myself." The bandit leader tugged at the rope sending Sarah scooting over in front of him. He knelt and pulled out a dagger holding it to her neck. "If you value your friend's life, you will surrender to us right now."

Perish was reluctant to retract her claws, but she saw no other choice. There was nothing she could do. Kaz reloaded his crossbow and quietly climbed the stairs to see what was up there and was noticed by one of the bandits. He cursed his low stealth skill.

"Boss, there's another one down there. Looks like a Kobold." Kaz lifted his hands in the air and slowly got up into the room.

The leader laughed. "So that was what got my friend here. I was told there was only one monster living out in the woods, and yet there are two here. This girl must be a witch then setting up a plan to take out this town. Why else would she help monsters?"

The leader looked at Kaz and noted he was much larger than a regular kobold. He smirked and looked around for a second. "Where there's one kobold, there are more. Where's your tribe scaly?"

Kaz hissed at him and responded. "There were killed I am all that remains of my people."

"You should have died with the rest. No worries, I will make that happen soon enough. Boys, tie them up and prepare them for the guillotine."