Donner and Thalia: The Lair of the Rat God (Episode 1)

Chapter 9

9.

After three quick raps to Vibrus's door, Donner and Thalia waited outside on his porch.

"Are you sure he's going to be up for this? I mean, you know Lenny, he can be a little-" Thalia paused as she raised her eyebrows.

"A little what?" Donner asked, ignoring the obvious.

"He can be a little clumsy. Are you sure that's who we want in a dungeon with us?" Thalia asked.

"He'll be fine, he's a natural at magic, we'll just have him hang back, and in case a fireball is needed, he'll be right there. You heard him. He can always hit his target, well almost hit the target. That is the best we're going to get for free. And your light can illuminate the place. He'll have a clear sight to it and deal with whatever's down there."

"And what do you think is going to be down there?" Thalia asked.

"Most likely more rats, most likely bigger rats, they'll probably be huge. Lenny will have big targets. It'll be fine." Donner said, shrugging off his friend's concern.

"There will be bigger rats than the ones we've already seen, and you see that as a positive?"

"When accounting for all the variables, yes, in a way I do," Donner said with confidence in his voice.

Thalia shook her head, "You're going to get us all killed, maybe not doing this but, maybe someday."

"It will be fine, they're just rats," Donner said before turning back to the door as he heard it open.

"Hello, friends," Lenny smiled, "I was just in the middle of studying. What's going on?"

Donner stood proudly in front of his friend, chest out, "Wizard Leonard, we need your assistance," Donner said with a severe tone in his voice.

"I'm in," Lenny smiled.

"What?" Thalia asked.

"It's an adventure, right. I'm in, whatever you need, what's the contract?"

"No contract, this is freelance, I think I know how to solve the rat problem once and for all. We found a dungeon!" Donner, despite Thalia's concern, couldn't hold back his excitement.

"A dungeon, that's awesome! I've been looking for a chance to see what I can do. If you need a Wizard to back you up, I'm your man," Lenny threw his hand out to be grabbed by Donner's in a firm handshake. "I'm so tired of practicing on targets. I'd love to a chance to see how good I am in the field. And hey, clearing a dungeon will be a great thing to tell my teachers about at the Anastasia Academy next season."

"Glad to have you, Lenny," Donner turned to Thalia, "See, I told you he would help, we're going to be fine," he said with that robust confidence he had been carrying since his first Knight Contract completion.

"I wasn't worried he wasn't going to help," Thalia put her hand to her face, "You two are insufferable," she rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders, "Do you think we have a prayer to do this?"

"Prayer," Donner looked away for a second, thoughts wheeling around in his mind, "That gives me an idea, follow me," Donner said as he leaped from the porch and began running down the street towards the Church.

In the modest home by the Church, Paul was preparing decorations for the church's coming Life Day celebration. Donner went up to the ladder against the church. Paul was standing on the Church roof, hanging wreaths on the steeple. "Hey, Paul, can I borrow you for a second,"

"Sure, I'm almost done," Paul said as he finished hammering the last reef over the steeple of the church. He followed Donner down the ladder and stood in front of the three, smiling.

"No," Paul said.

"No, to what?" Donner asked.

"No, to whatever you're about to ask me," he said as he crossed his arms.

"How do you even know what we were about to ask?"

"Let's see, someone who thinks he's a Knight, someone who thinks he's a Wizard, and someone who," he gave Thalia a once over, "Someone who I, frankly, don't understand why she lets herself be dragged in on these rambunctious schemes."

"Just hear me out, we need you," Donner said.

"So, you are going on some adventure? What is it today, pulling weeds? Chasing away more rats?"

"It's a dungeon, Paul, and it's connected to the Rats, remember what you said, about the Cult of the Rat, they're here, they're close, I think they're planning something."

"Go to the town hall, let the real Knights handle this," Paul said.

"First off, legally, I technically am a real Knight, or at least I will be once the capital sends a Pigeon with my official license. Second, I went to the town hall. I tried to do the responsible thing, Paul, I tried. They will not be any help unless we have the coin, which we don't. We have to do this ourselves, and we need your help."

"Do you know how dangerous this sounds?" Paul said.

"It is dangerous, that's exactly why we need you, one of us could get hurt, you're a cleric you've studied restorative magic, you can heal us," Donner said.

"I study restorative magic just because my dad makes me, I'm only observant to Thixmir for things like Life Day or the Harvest Festival," Paul said.

"Remember when you healed little Suzy's dog after he broke his leg, they said it would have to be amputated if they didn't just have to put him down, you have a talent for it. We all have our talents, and if we work together, we can take care of whatever this Cult is planning before they hurt anyone, and we would need real clerics to save us."

Paul turned and rubbed his temple; he mumbled a confession just soft enough for none of the other three to hear.

"What was that?" Donner asked, "Paul, talk to us," he said.

"I hate rats," Paul said.

"What do you mean?" Donner said, "No one likes rats. Why is that a big deal?"

"I said I hate rats!" Paul raked his hands over his face. "They're gross, and disgusting, and dirty, and I hate them. I hate being around them, I hate looking at them, I can't stand rats, so excuse me if I don't want to jump in some cave that's going to be full of them!" Paul clenched his fists and cringed at the very thought of that oh so disgusting creature.

"Well, if you don't want to see our town overrun with those foul creatures, you can hold your nose, close your eyes, and help us," Donner said.

Paul sighed, he took three quick breaths, "Fine, I'll help you, okay, I'll help," a nervous smile came across his face, "Someone needs to make sure you three don't get killed," he said.

"Glad to have you aboard, Brother Paul," Donner said as he reached out to shake Paul's hand.

Paul reluctantly took it and nodded, "So when do we throw ourselves into this maw of danger you've found for us?"

"Tomorrow night," Donner said, "We have a fullparty, everyone here combined has enough talent to get us through this," heturned to Thalia, "We go tomorrow at sunset, are you ready," he looked back athis three friends. They all nodded, and at that moment, Donner knew they were afoursome that nothing could beat.

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