Room10b
“Since I’m stuck making nice with the monsters,” Lamia says. “Allow me.”
She reaches for the black mirror which rushes over them. For once the transition is not frigid. It feels as if they move through a thick, wet fog which is the temperature of a hot bath.
As the transition ends, they stand in the clearing as before but the mirrors are gone.
“The trail back has vanished,” Safir says.
The trail back to the black door has vanished, presumably along with the black door.
Chirps and hoots echo through the underbrush all around them. Glowing eyes peek at them from beneath enormous leaves.
“I guess I had better get on with it,” Lamia says.
She approaches a bush from which an oval pair of eyes stares.
“Hello friend, my name is Lamia. Why don’t you come out and see me?”
She stretches out her hand toward the bush and beckons to the creature hidden in the shadows. The eyes do not wink out as before and after a moment the leaves rustle as the creature forces its way through.
The small monster which enters the clearing is only as tall as Lamia’s waist and half as broad making it look like a barrel. It waddles as it walks toward them. It is covered with short brown fur and its head is oversized in relation to its body. Large oval eyes glow yellow in the dim light and its mouth is wide and curving, giving the monster the appearance of having a wide, silly grin.
As comical as its face is, the long claws on the monster’s fingers and toes demonstrate that it can cause harm.
The monster hesitates as it emerges from the brush and curls its lip revealing a frightening amount of triangular teeth.
“Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you.”
Lamia squats to be level with the monster and holds out her hands in welcome.
The monster inches forward until it is within reach of the girl.
“Be careful,” Conrad says.
Lamia places her hand in the coarse fur of the creature’s head and scratches the tuft which grows there.
The tiny monster purrs like a cat and crunches its eyes in pleasure. Its mouth drops open revealing multiple rows of the shark teeth and a long tong lolls out, extending almost to the center of the creature’s chest.
It flops onto the ground, baring its belly, purring all the while.
“I think he likes it,” Lamia says and rubs the creature’s belly eliciting a chorus of loud purrs and moans.
After a moment the monster gets up, licks Lamia’s hand and wanders back into the foliage. Rustling sounds are heard all around as other, unseen creatures slink away.
“Great, you made a friend,” Jora says. “Now what?”
“I guess we move onward,” Lamia says.
What choice should the adventurers make?