Chapter Three Hundred and Thirteen - Knightlight

Chapter Three Hundred and Thirteen - Knightlight

Chapter Three Hundred and Thirteen - Knightlight

The room beyond the end of the floor was the same room that we found at the entrance of the dungeon. There was even the dungeons exit at one end, just casually waiting for us.

There were a few small changes though. The bedrooms wallpaper now had a small pattern along the bottom that looked like entwined roots. The bed in the corner was undone and messy, and there were more toys scattered across the floor.

Otherwise, it was pretty much the same as the room we had entered through. Which was of course impossible unless the dungeon was doing some very silly things with physics.

Lieutenant Petalwrought pulled out a small box from a pocket tucked on the inside of his armour. It clinked, glass tapping against glass within the small wooden box.

Youre each going to want to drink one of these, he said as he undid the clasp holding the box in place and opened it.

Within were twin rows of glass vials with cork stoppers. He plucked one out, and turned around to show it to us.

These will keep you awake in the next part of the dungeon. We don't usually allow the use of these, since staying awake through your own will is a good test of a knights resolve, but we are not here to test that.

I used Insight on the vial he was holding, just out of curiosity.

Potion of Wakefulness, new

May I? Lucille asked. She pinched the bottle the lieutenant held, brought it close to her eyes, then opened and sniffed near the neck of it. It should be safe, she said. Unless the person who made it is far better at poison-making than I am at detecting them. What are the side-effects, lieutenant?

Occasionally the potion will work too well, he said. You might have a difficult time sleeping tonight. Thats not too unusual. The potion will keep you awake, but it wont sharpen your senses. You might have an unpleasant evening. Otherwise, I would suggest a more fibrous diet tomorrow.

We each took a vial, then downed them one at a time. There were lots of grimaces going around, and a few grossed-out coughs.

It also tastes exceptionally vile, Petalwrought remarked as he took his own.

I shuddered at the taste. It was like the worst sort of cough medicine, but somehow a hundred times more bitter, and it was sticky on the way down, clinging to my throat and burning a bit. Once it hit my tummy, I felt a wave of wiggly energy sweep through me. I wasnt sure if I felt more awake or not.

Lieutenant Petalwrought closed up his box, still with a couple of vials left, then tucked it away while he spoke. This next floor is a maze. It isnt an overly difficult one, most of the time. The path out will be illuminated by small lights affixed near the floor. They are usually spaced apart in such a way that you can always see the next one. Its the spaces between the lights that is dangerous.

Can we make our own light? Amaryllis asked.

Some of this floor's adversaries shy away from light, while others are attracted to it. On the average I would recommend we light our way. There are two monsters in the room. One has never been seen; they attack with long, multi-jointed limbs that are relatively fragile. You can break them easily, but they have a lot of pulling power. They will ambush you in the dark, trying to grab you and drag you away. Their main body will never approach the lights, however.

Creepy, I said.

Indeed, he said. The other enemy are large... large teddy bears. Wearing a knights armour and raiment. They will attack you more honestly and are attracted to any lights within the maze.

Cute, I added.

The lieutenant chose not to comment. Well be going in with a three-two formation. Ill be at the head with two knights, our guests in the centre, and the other two knights will take care of the rear. We will be staying very close to each other. Do not stray.

We nodded, then Lucille raised a hand. At the lieutenants nod, she asked her question. Any types of magic or abilities we should avoid?

Not really, no, though you dont want to use any abilities that will hamper the others visibility too much, or slow the group down, he said.

Bron grunted. What about them arms in the dark? Any way of knowing theyll be coming at us?

They are quiet, though you might hear a scuff or shift before they appear. Generally, the arms will go for members that are separated from the group, or who are on the edges. Any other questions?

Was it getting darker?

Thered be no retracing our steps if we had to.

This is spooky, Awen muttered.

I nodded. Yeah, I whispered back. This didnt feel like the kind of place made for loud voices and laughter.

We started towards the nightlight, then stopped when the lieutenant raised a fist.

I aimed my ears at the dark. The hairs on the back of my neck rose as something shifted. The sound was an echo, distant... maybe. Or maybe it was coming from just around the corner and we had no way to know that a corner was even there.

Onwards, the lieutenant said.

We reached the next light with a collective sigh.

Safe. For now.

The light flickered, barely noticeable with all the lights we held, but still there.

Were perhaps moving a little too slow, the lieutenant said. Next light?

I see it, Bron said. Left a ways, and forwards. Somethings near it, I think. Cant rightly tell.

The next light was down a long, narrow corridor. The lieutenant went ahead, and since he couldnt walk with his knights by his sides, they were split up so that theyd be mixed in with the rest of us.

The hallway was so narrow I could touch both walls without having to stretch my arms out far. It made the lights we were collecting feel too bright, especially as the wallpaper had a slight reflective quality here.

The images were all of plush animals, some of them being held by long hands with too many fingers and joints. Roots clung to some of them, like nooses around their necks.

We crossed a few openings as we pushed forward. Long passages into the dark that our lights couldnt illuminate the whole of.

We were nearly at the next nightlight when something crossed before it.

There was no missing that the light had dimmed for a moment. It brought all of our attention up and forwards, and onto the large form waddling past the light.

The corridor widened, which was probably for the best.

The creature pacing next to the nightlight saw us coming with its giant beady eyes. It was a teddy bear, like the lieutenant had said. Bands of iron encircled its big belly, and it had an open helmet squeezed onto its plush head.

A long sword was held by its side in a plush hand. It looked as sharp as any sword Id seen.

Two of us will take it on, the lieutenant said. The rest of you pay close attention to the dark. It wouldnt be beyond a grasper to use the distraction to grab someone.

The lieutenant and one of the knights stepped up.

That left the rest of us just outside of the safety of the nightlights glow, in the near-dark that seemed harder and harder to ward off.

Thats when I started to hear a shuffling, a shuffling that was growing louder by fits and starts.

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