Chapter 61
New
Chaperone
Getting sticky.
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Howl's hut looked warm and cosey from the outside. Nestled in a small clearing near the FruitBat's orchard. Smoke billowed from its cobblestone chimney - the materials were obviously stolen from the main footpath through the Graveyard. While the thatch roof was supported by walls of gravestones and lids taken off tombs.
Moss crept forward through the blue grass, watching for movement in the windows.
The flicker of a fire danced on the window frame, coaxing weary travelers to enjoy the heat.
Must be a big fire. The keeper thought, considering how much light was shining on the surrounding trees. He crawled through the few dark patches, heading for the window furthest from the door. If Happy Howl spotted him and came charging out, Moss wanted to be gone before the door opened.
Moss couldn't remember coming here during his Supa session. But considering the slash marks on his back, he was sure Happy would.
As he reached the wall the keeper had to snake around a cellar door to reach his view spot. The wooden door was rotten and covered in thick foliage. Deep rust covered its hinges and the chain holding it together.
Satisfied no monster was leaping out of there. Moss moved like a LeoPent over the trimmed grass towards the window.
It's strange that he lets the bush grow, but tends to the grass.
With his claws on the windowsill, Moss did his greatest impression of a FortSnail as he rose up.
I just need to find out where Po and my scrips are then sneak in.
If he spotted any fur or claws, his plan was to become a statue and activate his UnseenRunt.
But as the inside of Happy Howl's hut came into view. Moss forgot all manner of stealth.
So much gold.
Gold shone on every surface. Stacked high in neat piles on shelves, counters and in the corners. A large dining table was set with golden plates, cutlery and goblets. A layer covered the floor, so he could barely see the wood beneath. It was difficult for him to make out details due to the blinding light. It felt like he was looking into a star or the Divine's HiddenEye. A fireplace burned against one wall, while candles flickered across the room. Reflecting on the shiny metal and creating the intense light.
Hoping to spot a coconut amongst the hoard, Moss had to squint and get closer.
He stood. Then fell as the grass beneath him opened up.
"Aaahhhh!" The keeper yelled as the earth consumed him.
The drop was short. His body bounced against the side of a dark tunnel as it curved and then spat him out into a room. A hard floor caught his head like a swift kick.
Dazing him and making his, already sore, head swim. He felt his eyes grow heavy as he slipped in and out of consciousness.
It took all Moss's will to stop himself from writhing around in pain.
For he knew where he was from the smell alone. Rot.
The mad HowlerBear's lair. But if I stay still, he'll hopefull-
From the shadows he heard a sweet giggle. Then a gravelly voice.
"Welcome back little keeper."
The last thing he saw were its claws reaching towards him.
The keeper awoke.
He sat at a long table with half melted candles burning in the centre. They did little to fight the shadows of the decrepit basement he was in. But they showed a few horrors closeby. As his vision came back after being knocked out, he almost wished the candles weren't there.
The remains of young HowlerBear sat across from him. Her flesh was mottled with green and black mould. Patches of loose skin were poorly sawn over areas to cover the horrible sight. Yet most of the deep claws marks were visible and festering.
Bugs crawled in her sockets. Her head tilted forward, causing the sludge and maggots to spill out onto the table.
"Oh Pia, you've made a mess." A little hero girl said in a soft voice. "Let me get that for you." Her blonde curls bounced as she got off her chair and wiped the table clean.
Moss could see the red eyes of a dweller beneath her stitched skin, also sawn in place to cover her face. Loose thread poked through her scalp where the hair came down in ringlets. She came back around and sat beside Moss, giving him a serious stare for a flicker before returning to her happy smiles and giggles.
"Isn't Twiglett such a treat? You're lucky to have such a kind friend, Pia." A harsh voice said from the head of the table.
Happy Howl's tall frame was hunched in the basement. His neck and back bent, yet the back of his head grazed the floorboards above. Moss could see the gold lighting up gaps in the floor. And illuminating the remains of the mad HowlerBear.
Chunks were missing from his body. An entire shoulder was replaced with bright green flesh that contrasted with the black fur that had survived. He was patched together just like the young one they called Pia. Except Happy was very much alive.
His paws reached out to a bowl on the table. The skin around his claws was flared and weeping. Dripping blood over the steaming roots that he delicately collected. Placing one on Moss's plate before serving the others.
"All that running around will make you a hungry monster." Happy said to him. His snout was exposed to the air. No lips or cheeks covered his fangs, giving him a perpetual smile.
So that's how he got the name.
The keeper's stomach grumbled. The roots smelt amazing and he had been surviving off potions for shifts now. Most keepers couldn't afford fresh food that was grown on the upper floors. That was for the well paid dwellers.
It felt odd having a meal in a mad monster's lair, but he didn't want to aggravate his host. He bit into the soft vegetable. A soft moan escaped his hood, reminding him of Pittons.
Bang.
The bear slammed the table, shaking all its contents and Moss.
"The monster of the lair eats first!" Happy snapped at him.
The keeper dropped the roots immediately and began apologising.
Happy raised a single claw to hush him. "I see you are enjoying it." He said, as if he hadn't just assaulted the furniture. "It's a treat from the FruitBat's orchard, they grow right through the walls making it easy for my dear wife to harvest them. Isn't that right, Tillow?" Happy said, indicating to the other end of the table.
Another Howler sat there, nibbling at the root but more fixated with a gold coin in her hand.
Again, the fur covering them was stitched on. But this time, green flesh could be seen through it. In fact, it was such a poor attempt that made the goblin beneath look like they were wearing poorly fit bear clothes.
Did he just call that goblin his wife?
The table shook again as Happy slammed it. Everything jumped into the air, including Moss.
The little girl took no notice, while the goblin squealed.
"Agoo baboo gada laga."
The bear's growls had rumbled through the room. But as the goblin spoke its gibberish, he grew quieter and quieter. "You're right, Tillow. You worked very hard to prepare this meal. I do apologise. Enjoy your treat." Happy said.
"Baga boboba la goab." Tillow replied.
To Moss's surprise, both Happy and the little girl laughed.
Can they understand goblin speech?
Happy's long arm reached into the shadow and came back with a brown sphere on a golden plate.
As he placed it in front of Moss, he had to stop himself from snatching her away.
Po. I've found you. I'm so sorry for leaving you here.
"What a treat you have brought us this evening, Moss. Desert from the dessert. I'm happy I invited you to our table. And after such a great meal prepared by my wife and cooked by Twiglett. I must apologise for my daughter's rudeness."
He turned his fangs towards the corpse. Glaring with dark sunken eyes. "Youths these shifts have no manners." He waited for her apology, and when nothing came he struck the corpse.
Slashing down her side and severing an arm.
Moss froze at the sudden violence. But Twiglett just giggled and got down from her chair. She skipped around the table once again, picking up the arm.
A fat tongue poked through a mouth hole in her face mask. Stretching it against the thread as she licked the arm and stuck it back on. "All better."
Moss saw it now. The red eyes. The slithers of blue beneath her hair. Her tiny stature and fake voice.
She's a keeper.
"All better." Happy repeated.
As Moss watched the keeper girl skip back around to her place, he realised the goblin was no longer staring at her piece of gold, but at him.
A green finger pointed at him accusingly. "Laga looba booba goba."
Howl's claws scraped grooves into the table, matching many more before it.
"Yes, darling. I was getting to that." He turned his giant rotten girth towards him. "Now Moss, I think you have something to say to my wife."
"I do?" He mumbled out.
The claws scraped deeper. "It's why we're all here. It's what this evening's all about."
Holy Pools, just say something or they'll be wearing your cloth next.
"I think my fall might have banished the memory away."
Twiglett giggled. "You chased her through the Graveyard silly. Kept screaming about your quest for gold."
Moss clicked his claws with feigned realisation. "Ah, that's right. Tillow I am so sorry for chasing you. It was completely unacceptable behaviour and I will never do it again."
The goblin snarled, turning in her chair to face away from the table.
"Darling?" Happy said, reaching across the table to comfort her, but she shrugged him off.
His fangs returned to Moss. A single claw extending towards him. The keeper tried to shuffle back but he was wedged in against the table.
The point pierced his cloth and skewered his shoulder.
A sharp pain shot through him as blood spilled out.
"Say you're sorry in words she can understand or you will be served as the next course." Happy snarled at him.
"But.." Moss cried. "We don't speak the same tongue."
"Then you will learn." Happy removed his claw and picked up a knife. It hovered over Po. "But first, a sacrifice."
Moss crept forward through the blue grass, watching for movement in the windows.
The flicker of a fire danced on the window frame, coaxing weary travelers to enjoy the heat.
Must be a big fire. The keeper thought, considering how much light was shining on the surrounding trees. He crawled through the few dark patches, heading for the window furthest from the door. If Happy Howl spotted him and came charging out, Moss wanted to be gone before the door opened.
Moss couldn't remember coming here during his Supa session. But considering the slash marks on his back, he was sure Happy would.
As he reached the wall the keeper had to snake around a cellar door to reach his view spot. The wooden door was rotten and covered in thick foliage. Deep rust covered its hinges and the chain holding it together.
Satisfied no monster was leaping out of there. Moss moved like a LeoPent over the trimmed grass towards the window.
It's strange that he lets the bush grow, but tends to the grass.
With his claws on the windowsill, Moss did his greatest impression of a FortSnail as he rose up.
I just need to find out where Po and my scrips are then sneak in.
If he spotted any fur or claws, his plan was to become a statue and activate his UnseenRunt.
But as the inside of Happy Howl's hut came into view. Moss forgot all manner of stealth.
So much gold.
Gold shone on every surface. Stacked high in neat piles on shelves, counters and in the corners. A large dining table was set with golden plates, cutlery and goblets. A layer covered the floor, so he could barely see the wood beneath. It was difficult for him to make out details due to the blinding light. It felt like he was looking into a star or the Divine's HiddenEye. A fireplace burned against one wall, while candles flickered across the room. Reflecting on the shiny metal and creating the intense light.
Hoping to spot a coconut amongst the hoard, Moss had to squint and get closer.
He stood. Then fell as the grass beneath him opened up.
"Aaahhhh!" The keeper yelled as the earth consumed him.
The drop was short. His body bounced against the side of a dark tunnel as it curved and then spat him out into a room. A hard floor caught his head like a swift kick.
Dazing him and making his, already sore, head swim. He felt his eyes grow heavy as he slipped in and out of consciousness.
It took all Moss's will to stop himself from writhing around in pain.
For he knew where he was from the smell alone. Rot.
The mad HowlerBear's lair. But if I stay still, he'll hopefull-
From the shadows he heard a sweet giggle. Then a gravelly voice.
"Welcome back little keeper."
The last thing he saw were its claws reaching towards him.
The keeper awoke.
He sat at a long table with half melted candles burning in the centre. They did little to fight the shadows of the decrepit basement he was in. But they showed a few horrors closeby. As his vision came back after being knocked out, he almost wished the candles weren't there.
The remains of young HowlerBear sat across from him. Her flesh was mottled with green and black mould. Patches of loose skin were poorly sawn over areas to cover the horrible sight. Yet most of the deep claws marks were visible and festering.
Bugs crawled in her sockets. Her head tilted forward, causing the sludge and maggots to spill out onto the table.
"Oh Pia, you've made a mess." A little hero girl said in a soft voice. "Let me get that for you." Her blonde curls bounced as she got off her chair and wiped the table clean.
Moss could see the red eyes of a dweller beneath her stitched skin, also sawn in place to cover her face. Loose thread poked through her scalp where the hair came down in ringlets. She came back around and sat beside Moss, giving him a serious stare for a flicker before returning to her happy smiles and giggles.
"Isn't Twiglett such a treat? You're lucky to have such a kind friend, Pia." A harsh voice said from the head of the table.
Happy Howl's tall frame was hunched in the basement. His neck and back bent, yet the back of his head grazed the floorboards above. Moss could see the gold lighting up gaps in the floor. And illuminating the remains of the mad HowlerBear.
Chunks were missing from his body. An entire shoulder was replaced with bright green flesh that contrasted with the black fur that had survived. He was patched together just like the young one they called Pia. Except Happy was very much alive.
His paws reached out to a bowl on the table. The skin around his claws was flared and weeping. Dripping blood over the steaming roots that he delicately collected. Placing one on Moss's plate before serving the others.
"All that running around will make you a hungry monster." Happy said to him. His snout was exposed to the air. No lips or cheeks covered his fangs, giving him a perpetual smile.
So that's how he got the name.
The keeper's stomach grumbled. The roots smelt amazing and he had been surviving off potions for shifts now. Most keepers couldn't afford fresh food that was grown on the upper floors. That was for the well paid dwellers.
It felt odd having a meal in a mad monster's lair, but he didn't want to aggravate his host. He bit into the soft vegetable. A soft moan escaped his hood, reminding him of Pittons.
Bang.
The bear slammed the table, shaking all its contents and Moss.
"The monster of the lair eats first!" Happy snapped at him.
The keeper dropped the roots immediately and began apologising.
Happy raised a single claw to hush him. "I see you are enjoying it." He said, as if he hadn't just assaulted the furniture. "It's a treat from the FruitBat's orchard, they grow right through the walls making it easy for my dear wife to harvest them. Isn't that right, Tillow?" Happy said, indicating to the other end of the table.
Another Howler sat there, nibbling at the root but more fixated with a gold coin in her hand.
Again, the fur covering them was stitched on. But this time, green flesh could be seen through it. In fact, it was such a poor attempt that made the goblin beneath look like they were wearing poorly fit bear clothes.
Did he just call that goblin his wife?
The table shook again as Happy slammed it. Everything jumped into the air, including Moss.
The little girl took no notice, while the goblin squealed.
"Agoo baboo gada laga."
The bear's growls had rumbled through the room. But as the goblin spoke its gibberish, he grew quieter and quieter. "You're right, Tillow. You worked very hard to prepare this meal. I do apologise. Enjoy your treat." Happy said.
"Baga boboba la goab." Tillow replied.
To Moss's surprise, both Happy and the little girl laughed.
Can they understand goblin speech?
Happy's long arm reached into the shadow and came back with a brown sphere on a golden plate.
As he placed it in front of Moss, he had to stop himself from snatching her away.
Po. I've found you. I'm so sorry for leaving you here.
"What a treat you have brought us this evening, Moss. Desert from the dessert. I'm happy I invited you to our table. And after such a great meal prepared by my wife and cooked by Twiglett. I must apologise for my daughter's rudeness."
He turned his fangs towards the corpse. Glaring with dark sunken eyes. "Youths these shifts have no manners." He waited for her apology, and when nothing came he struck the corpse.
Slashing down her side and severing an arm.
Moss froze at the sudden violence. But Twiglett just giggled and got down from her chair. She skipped around the table once again, picking up the arm.
A fat tongue poked through a mouth hole in her face mask. Stretching it against the thread as she licked the arm and stuck it back on. "All better."
Moss saw it now. The red eyes. The slithers of blue beneath her hair. Her tiny stature and fake voice.
She's a keeper.
"All better." Happy repeated.
As Moss watched the keeper girl skip back around to her place, he realised the goblin was no longer staring at her piece of gold, but at him.
A green finger pointed at him accusingly. "Laga looba booba goba."
Howl's claws scraped grooves into the table, matching many more before it.
"Yes, darling. I was getting to that." He turned his giant rotten girth towards him. "Now Moss, I think you have something to say to my wife."
"I do?" He mumbled out.
The claws scraped deeper. "It's why we're all here. It's what this evening's all about."
Holy Pools, just say something or they'll be wearing your cloth next.
"I think my fall might have banished the memory away."
Twiglett giggled. "You chased her through the Graveyard silly. Kept screaming about your quest for gold."
Moss clicked his claws with feigned realisation. "Ah, that's right. Tillow I am so sorry for chasing you. It was completely unacceptable behaviour and I will never do it again."
The goblin snarled, turning in her chair to face away from the table.
"Darling?" Happy said, reaching across the table to comfort her, but she shrugged him off.
His fangs returned to Moss. A single claw extending towards him. The keeper tried to shuffle back but he was wedged in against the table.
The point pierced his cloth and skewered his shoulder.
A sharp pain shot through him as blood spilled out.
"Say you're sorry in words she can understand or you will be served as the next course." Happy snarled at him.
"But.." Moss cried. "We don't speak the same tongue."
"Then you will learn." Happy removed his claw and picked up a knife. It hovered over Po. "But first, a sacrifice."