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

Chapter 10

10.

The four had agreed to meet on the edge of Hasbeek the next night. The moon was gibbous now, not as much light as the full moon when they brought the little girl's kitten home, but it was enough to light their way to the house with the mark on it.

Donner was the first there. He was in his most comfortable work clothes, save for his apron. He wanted something at least a little sturdy, but also something he could move in. He had his sword hanging at his hip as he waited on a downed tree for his party to arrive.

Thalia was the first one to meet him. Donner's jaw dropped as she saw her clad in a black leather outfit, professionally made no doubt, a fancy ware Donner didn't think known to the humble residents of the Hillshade.

"What are you wearing?" Donner asked, "That looks expensive," he said as he couldn't help his eyes from moving up and down her lithe, young body in the tight clinging outfit.

"It's a stealth suit, made for moving undetected, my Uncle got it for me," she said. "I never showed it to anyone because, well," she took a deep breath. Donner saw that she was reluctant to speak of why she had such a fantastic outfit, "I guess I was saving it for a special occasion, also I have these," Thalia reached behind her back and pulled out two ebony daggers, curved black blades with reverse points on the back of them.

"Again, I have to ask, why have we never met your uncle?" Donner was stunned as he looked at her blades, the blacksmith in him admiring their craftsmanship and quality "He sounds so amazing, why would he give you all this?"

"He's not. I don't want to talk about it. But I figure if we're going to do something this dangerous, I better be prepared," Thalia said.

Next, Lenny joined them, he was wearing a crimson red robe with silver fringes going down his chest, Donner looked over his two, well-dressed friends, "Well now I just feel underdressed, where did you get a set of Wizard Robes?" he asked.

"My mom made them for me, and Thalia's mother helped with the embroidery, isn't it awesome, she's hoping I can wear these when I go to the academy," Lenny said as he gave his Friend's a turn to look over the elegance of his traditional Wizard's wear.

Donner smiled, "All that's left now is-"

"I'm here," Paul said, "Ready to get killed, apparently," he said as he reluctantly joined the party. He was wearing the same clothes he was wearing earlier that day. He wasn't as excited as Lenny, or as determined as Thalia to prepare.

Donner stood up to greet him, "Paul, I'm glad you decided to join us, I got something for you," Donner reached to his belt and pulled the blacksmith hammer hanging from it. "Clerics always use maces, so I figured since you don't own a weapon you might want one, here you can borrow this," Donner said as he presented the Hammer to his friend.

With reluctance, but also with thankfulness as he didn't have any kind of weapon of his own, Paul took Donner's gift, "If it can survive someone like you using it, it must be a quality hammer," he said.

"You don't need to worry," Donner said, "Lenny and I can take care of the hairy stuff, but just in case, I thought you would want something to defend yourself with," Donner smiled, then put his hand in the middle of the group.

"I know this might be scary, and it might be dangerous, but I'm glad you all are helping me. I wouldn't even try to do this if I didn't have your help. Let's make a promise, right here, and now, we're going to go into this dungeon, find out what's happening, and stop whatever machinations we may face inside."

"I'm with you to the end, Sir Donner," Lenny smiled and put his hand on top of Donner's.

"You sure know how to show a girl a good time," Thalia said, joining her hand with Lenny and Donners.

"You promise that this means we don't have to deal with rats anymore when we're done, right?" asked Paul, his hand trembling as he joined it with the circle.

Donner looked over at his team. Lenny, an ace Wizard; Paul, the best support a guy could ask for; and Thalia, growing up, Donner always enjoyed having Thalia at his side.

"The Cult of the Rat has no chance against ourmight," Donner said, trying to rally his troops. "Let's etch our names in thehistory books," he smiled as he pounded his hand up, breaking the circle inhonor of the triumph they would earn tonight.

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