A few hours passed. I’d have to wake them soon. Eladren rolled over on her back letting out a deep snore that echoed around us. Even in her sleep she can’t keep quiet. Tiptoeing over I turned her back on her side. Her body squirmed for a moment before settling back into slumber. I can’t have the little beast alerting everything in the dungeon. Speaking of little beast, our new companion was sprawled out next to her making soft squeaks in its sleep.

Shaking my head I stood up and began scanning our surroundings. There was no sign of Sahuagin or elementals at least. That was good. This would all be so much easier if she had some kind of magical or fighting skills. My worries would be lesser. Then again, if she had any of the gifts those elven wizards had she wouldn’t need my help. Her village didn’t sound likely to have any grand magicians considering they thought feeding the dungeon would protect them. Idiots. Still, I wonder what led them to that belief.

A yawn came from behind me, “There’s my baby!” Eladren said waking up the bat. “We have to come up with a name for you.”

The bat yawned as she rubbed its belly.

“How about Lunch?” I said bending over them showing my teeth. Eladren glared at me as the bat squealed.

“Ignore him. Hmmm, how about Lock? Since you have this cute little marking.”

“A bit on the nose don’t you think?” I said scoffing.

“Says the mimic with one around their neck like a treasure chest.”

She stared at me with a flat expression. My hand went to my neck. Damn this thing.

“Name it whatever you like,” A spark of anger and embarrassment entering my voice as I spoke.

“Food time, Lock!” She grabbed something from a small parcel in her bag and broke it apart. Reaching out her hand she offered some to me.

“I can’t take that,” I responded.

“Oh, come on. Yes you can. I promise its not dangerous. Look, he’s eating it.”

I looked over at the bat. It was making quick work of the food it had been handed. “That’s not why. I can manage on my own. Besides, I only need to eat every few days and you gave me something before.”

“Need and should are two different things,” she said taking my hand and forcing the food into it. “Eat.”

“You’re very stubborn did you know that,” I said back taking a bite.

“Yup,” she responded smiling.

Why did she care if I ate or not? Its not as if it effected her any. Our bodies weren’t the same. I was made to run on as little of anything as possible whether that be food, sleep, or drink. Its part of what made me so useful to him. However, this was an order. I didn’t have much of a choice. Even without the key, the look she was giving me would have done me in I fear.

The density was surprising. It wasn’t sweet like the honey cake she gave me before. This was a blend of salty, sweet, and earthy. Looking at it closer, I could see bits of dried berries mixed in. Its better than the dungeon rats I had been subsisting on.

“Did your mother make this too,” I asked.

“I don’t think so. I think this was from a dwarven merchant who came through the village a while ago. It keeps for a few years so she bought some to prep for winter.”

That explains the earthiness of it. While I’m not sure of nowadays, dwarves mostly lived in the mountains and surrounding valleys. Their food tended to be hearty and warm.

“Hm, I’m surprised they came through your village. Dwarves and elves used to not get along because of land disagreements.”

“Wow, you are ancient,” she said laughing. I cocked an eyebrow at her. No need to point it out. “Those disputes were settled before the elders were even born as far as I know. Still, they don’t often come through. Mostly because the elders don’t like outsiders,” she continued.

“I see,” I replied.

I let Eladren gather her things and put out the fire before we continued down the bank of the river. She still needed a break from the water and I’d prefer avoiding waking up elementals by accident.

“You know, dwarves helped build those pillars up where you entered.” Eladren’s face lit up with excitement.

“Really? No wonder they were so impressive. I’ve heard their cities are massive!” She put her arms out.

Stars were glittering in her eyes. The longing she had for the world was evident on her face. Yet, she was stuck down here with me and from the sounds of it, she was just as trapped back home. The thought made my brow furrow.

“Good, you can go there and get out of my hair once we reach the portal,” I said. She lightly punched the side of my arm.

“Soooo,” Eladren said pausing before continuing, “we talked about why I’m down here, but how’d you end up here? Did you spawn up when the dungeon was created?” She flailed her hands up dramatically.

“No,” I replied keeping my eyes on the path ahead of us.

“Oh, how then?” She said slightly picking up her pace and leaning in front of me. “If you get to ask questions then so do I.”

“Nosy.”

“Mhm.” A smile crossed her lips. Bratty elf.

“I was created, before.”

“Created? Before wh-AAAAA!”

Eladren went sailing upside down to the top of the cavern. A Sahuagin trap, damn it. Lock went flying towards her.

Whoosh.

A net came out from behind one of the rock formations bringing him down to the ground.