We woke to find Baw Baggins had survived his mushroom adventure. Apparently he’d spent the night inside his barrel surrounded by fairy lights and tiny penguins. He seemed quite pleased about it.
Ryan, the elf we’d rescued from the tavern, wasn’t having such a good morning. He’d sobered up, discovered someone had somehow managed to foul his bed, and immediately blamed Baw. Strangely, Baw wasn’t entirely sure it hadn’t been him.
Ryan told us he’d once worked for the Baron before being dismissed after someone slipped into the chateau and tried to kill him. He reckoned introducing us to the Baron might earn him his job back, so we agreed to let him lead the way.
Along the way we learned more about this cursed place. The Baron controls access to the next level and possesses the Elixir that can hold back the land’s corruption. Daisy’s own corruption has worsened too. His ears and eyes have changed, but at least he can now hear and smell things the rest of us miss.
The Baron’s chateau was far grander than the town below, though getting inside meant passing magical security. Every enchanted item had to be inspected.
Wanting to be completely honest, I removed absolutely everything.
Apparently taking all your clothes off isn’t how most people interpret “empty your pockets.”
The guards were surprisingly understanding.
Ryan, on the other hand, refused to be searched. No amount of persuasion would change his mind, and after a spectacular tantrum he stormed off, convinced we’d betrayed him. One of the guards quietly warned us he’d lost his mind long ago and was becoming dangerous.
Before we continued, I finally learned something about Quack’n’Cogs. The little duck isn’t just magical, he’s powered by something divine. Even the guards couldn’t tell which god was behind it.
They also confirmed something we’ve suspected all along.
The land is always listening.
Every lie leaves its mark.
At last the great doors opened.
The Baron wasn’t a distinguished noble sat upon a throne.
He was an enormous toad-like creature with bloodshot eyes and rows of razor-sharp teeth, feasting happily on a banquet of rotten food.
He looked up.
Smiled.
And welcomed us inside.
I’m beginning to think this adventure is only getting stranger.
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