Cat Core 2, Chapter 33.

Chapter 33.

“Matron, something’s going on over at Ben’s place,” Tipp said.

“What’s going on, and why do you think it’s any of my business,” Shara replied. She was getting ready for a rest when the initiate had stuck his head into her tent.

“I don’t know, but there are lots of wagons outside and they're being loaded up,” Tipp said.

“Very well, my rest can wait a bit longer, let’s see what’s gotten you so excited,” Shara said.

It wasn’t normal, the shop and tavern usually received lots of goods, and didn’t need to ship things out. A few grumbling adventurers were walking from the shop, but she didn’t stop to ask them what was happening, she preferred to hear it directly from Ben. The shop was a bustle of activity as the staff worked on packing up all the goods into large shipping crates. She had Tipp, who had been tagging along, wait outside. This much activity and so many unwatched valuables might be too big a temptation for her fledgling rogue.

“Matron, come to say your farewells, or do you need some last-minute item before we’re gone?” Ben asked.

“What is this all about, you have a thriving business, why quit what should be a perfect location?” Shara asked.

“It is a perfect location, but it won’t be shortly, I’m sorry to say,” Ben answered, shaking his head.

“Why is that? Quit being evasive and tell me the whole story,” Shara demanded.

“You hadn’t heard? Sorry, I thought everyone knew. I forget you set your camp away from most of the other adventurers and I don’t suppose you’re the sort for idle gossip. Where to start, our friendly local dungeon has proven to not be so friendly and the guild is closing it down,” Ben told her.

“Why? I know there were a lot of deaths inside, but it turned out most of those were due to those creatures we cleared out,” Shara said.

“I know that, and I was going to explain that to the investigators when they left the dungeon,” Ben replied.

“Are they still inside, I’ll go tell them myself, a paladin of the light’s word should still hold respect among the guild investigators,” Shara argued.

“They would undoubtedly lend your arguments a lot of weight, but sadly, the investigators are dead, murdered by the dungeon,” Ben advised.

“No, the dungeon wouldn’t do that, it must be those creatures. Perhaps there were more in the cavern that we missed,” Shara argued, worried something bad was about to happen to her friend. An even more disturbing thought entered her head, what if Florence truly was mad? Perhaps the dungeon felt some bond with her but was a complete bloodthirsty monster with other parties. No, she didn’t want to believe that, and Florence had never given her any cause to believe she was anything other than what she claimed to be.

“It’s too late, a powerful adventurers guild kill team left just a few minutes ago to destroy the core. I’m sorry, I know you had high hopes of using this dungeon to train your charges, you’ll have to come up with another plan now,” Ben said.

“Maybe not, let me see what I can do,” Shara said, summoning her horse as soon as she left the building.

“Matron, what’s going on?” Tipp asked.

“I’ve got to go inside the dungeon to try and save it. The guild thinks the place is mad and wants to destroy it. A kill team is heading inside, and I’ve got to speak with them before they make a huge mistake,” Shara explained.

“I’ll get the party together and we’ll join you,” Tipp offered.

“No, gather them and stand ready near the tents, but don’t go near the dungeon entrance. Wait for me to return,” Shara ordered. Tipp looked confused, and Shara didn’t blame him one bit.

“Yes, Matron, please don’t hesitate to call on us if you need assistance,” Tipp said, surprising her with his discipline. A few short weeks ago, the halfling rogue would have argued until she demanded that he stop.

Her horse, Beauregard, galloped toward the dungeon entrance, it wasn’t far, but time was critical. Leaving her horse tied to the entryway, Shara moved as fast as she could inside the tunnel. Florence had done some work out here, the entrance was nicely decorated and there were even signs guiding potential adventurers toward their destination, surely this wasn’t the work of a mad killer, was it?

The tunnel led toward the lovely lawn and gazebo that Florence had created, instead of the tranquil surroundings and starter defender to challenge new adventurers, Shara found a scene of carnage. Bodies were strewn about the lawn, and there was no sign of the defenders that would normally be stationed here. The mailbox trap was disabled as well.

This was odd, even if a kill team had entered here, they were typically few in number, usually four or five of the most powerful adventurers that the guild had a contract with. Where did all the bodies come from? To make things even more confusing, there was no glow of loot. If the kill team swept through, they would have no trouble dispatching Florence’s defenders, but they wouldn’t delay their task to loot a few coppers and trinkets, their time was much more valuable than that.

Things didn't look any better inside the house, more carnage greeted Shara. She even checked the side rooms; they too were in the same state as the rest of the house. The kitchen was an even stranger sight. The room was charred like a fireball or two had gone off inside it, and if she wasn’t mistaken, the corpse of a troll and a displacer beast was lying there among the charred human and orc corpses.

The second floor was new, and since she hadn’t been there before, Shara called forth her armor and weapons. Similar sights to the floor above met her gaze and when she used mana to enhance her hearing, Shara thought she could hear fighting.

“Don’t worry Florence, I’m on my way,” Shara said, running as fast as she could through the dungeon, hoping she wouldn’t be too late to save her friend.