บท 45: Light at the End of the Tunnel...

Dreth pushed a black leaf out of the way and peered through the undergrowth. "Where?" he whispered to Smudge, who was now perched on his shoulder.

"Over there," the Fearie replied, nodding her head as her arms were still bound to her sides.

Dreth leaned forward. "Ah yes, I see it now. It appears to be somewhat busy."

"Busy? That can't be. We usually leave it open, to let victim… I mean visitors wander in."

"Well, there seems to be a gathering there now." He tried to get a better view of the entrance to the Black Garden, a large archway carved into the dark rock of the cavern.

They were crouched behind a bush with large dark leaves. Suspicious blood-red colored berries hung from the thin branches. Around them the underground garden stretched out into the gloom. Plants and trees, all of which were twisted and unhealthy looking in some way, covered the floor. Overhead a canopy of rotting foliage blocked the view of the roof. Various insects crawled around in the vegetation, attempting to eat each other.

"You're right," Smudge said after a few moments of study.

"What's going on?" Percy appeared next to them.

"I thought I told you to stay back with the others?" hissed Dreth.

"I wanted to see," complained the zombie, trying to get a better view.

"Be quiet!" Dreth smacked his hand. "There's a load of monsters guarding the gate, the Management must be looking for us."

"Do we know any of them?"

Dreth looked again. "There are a load of goblins…"

"Oh, better not let them see us, they aren't going to let us pass," said Percy.

"Oh really? Would that be because of a certain consumed member of their royal family?" Dreth said sarcastically.

Percy rolled his eyes. "You eat one small goblin princess and you never hear the last of it," he complained. "She didn't even taste that nice."

"There are some trolls too, though I don't recognize any of them, and at least one beholder, but it isn't Bob. Some kind of shadowy hooded figure as well. Probably a mage, to make sure we don't get by with magic." Dreth moved back into the cover of the stunted bush they were hiding behind. "I don't suppose there's another way out nearby? Some handy secret exit?" he asked Smudge.

The small figure shook her head. "Nope, what you see is what you get," she said.

"Maybe we can go somewhere else," Percy said.

"Like where? Anyway, if this entrance is guarded, the others will be too. No, we're just going to have to find a way through." Dreth started moving carefully back through the dark plants, pushing aside small shrubs that snapped at him with flowers lined with teeth.

"Well, I may have a suggestion," Percy said.

Dreth looked at him. "This should be good, go on."

Percy smiled. "An ambush! A classic ambush," he expounded, pounding one fist into the other hands' palm. "We draw them into a trap and have at 'em."

Cuthbert clapped his hands. "Great idea! We lure them in and Dreth hacks them apart. It'll be fun, and we get to eat the losers."

Dreth scratched his re-growing skin and tried to scowl. "I'm not getting into a massive brawl again, at least until my parts have grown back properly. If you want to fight, go ahead." He gestured towards the entrance.

"Oh no. We're only here for the ideas," said Cuthbert, shaking his head.

"And the body parts," piped up Sprat.

"How about you use the wand?" Emerald suggested. "Everyone seems to think it has enough power."

Dreth considered this. "Possibly," he replied, "but I'd rather leave it for an emergency."

"Look, it's easy," Redthorne said, impatient now the goal was so close. "We set up a distraction and slip past whilst they are, er, distracted. They're dungeon monsters right, how bright can they be?"

"You're treading on thin mice there wizard," said Percy, trying to look menacing. "We're dungeon monsters too you know."

"Exactly," said the mage, crossing his arms.

"Are you going to stand by and let him insult us like that?" the zombie complained to Dreth.

"I think I'm with the wizard on this one," Dreth replied. "And it's ice, not mice."

"Bah, some dungeon guardian you are, siding with the enemy." Percy kicked at the ground with his clockwork leg and looked sulky.

"Hey! What about me?" asked Smudge. "I demand to be released. I don't want to go outside, there are things out there that will eat me."

"I'm not sure we can trust you," said Dreth thoughtfully.

"Come on Dreth, old buddy," the Fearie said. "I had to do what those dark elves said, they threatened my hive. You can understand that, can't you?" Smudge batted tiny eyelashes at him. "Come on, be a sport, untie me. I won't tell, honest."

"Weeell…" Dreth looked at her thoughtfully.