Answers(Beholder,Centaurs)

The two-headed giant stood cowering before the Beholder. He knew that the master’s anger would be taken out on somebody; the giant only hoped that it wouldn’t be him. “Bring me Ugh and Mondew...” boomed an angry voice within the giant’s heads.

“Um, the human killed Mondew,” whispered the giant in a quivering voice.

“Better her than me,” replied the cold voice. “But somebody will answer for this embarrassment. Bring me Ugh.” With this last command the room went dark and the head disappeared beneath its covering.

The two-headed giant returned to the black cavern within an hour, a quaking Ugh stood at his side in the black marbled chamber. “Leave us” ordered the hollow voice. As soon as the giant shut the large doors the black drape fell and seven red eyes glared at the cowering apish form before them. The one large eye looked as though it was on fire with the rage it held within.

Before the Beholder could send a thought, Ugh fell prostrate onto the cold floor sniveling and begging for mercy. “Not my fault. Girl tricked Ugh. Please, master, no happen again.”

“No it will not happen again!” the one eye seemed to grow until the whole cavern was filled with its presence. Without warning a high pitched tone was heard from inside of Ugh’s brain. Clasping his hands over his ears he writhed on the ground screaming in agony. Slowly gray matter began leaking out of his ears and finally with a loud ‘pop’ the overseer’s head exploded. The torches along the walls dimmed of their own accord and the room once again fell into an eerie silence. What was left of Ugh merged with the marble floor leaving no trace of the grotesque scene.

The boulder like form of the giant once again appeared in the Beholder’s presence but this time he had Slith with him. Slith was a small purple lizard-like creature that monitored all of the comings and goings into “the pit.” Just like before, the giant was asked to leave.

“How did this happen, Slith?” The voice was calm now that the Beholder had rid itself of his anger. His one large eye stared unblinking at the puny lizard while the other seven eyes looked in all directions at the end of their tentacles.

Slith cleared his throat nervously before answering, “It seems that the human had help from another slave who I regret to report has also disappeared.”

“Who is this missing slave?” the voice spoke more sharply now, causing beads of sweat to form on the lizard/man.

“Lith, an elf, your Magnificence.”

“An elf? I’ve not sent any elves to the pit, they’re too dangerous to keep around.” An uncomfortable silence filled the room as the Beholder pondered on this bit of information. “I know how the human escaped “the pit” but how did she get out of the mountain?”

“Well, it seems that there is a small mole tunnel that leads to outside, your Excellency.”

“Did the elf take her through it?”

“No, a cat did. We have since sealed this hole and have a crew dispatched to see if there are any other weaknesses in the mountain.”

“You do your job well, Slith. I cannot find fault with you at this time. You may go back to your station.” The torches flickered as the heavy black drape once again concealed the roaming eyes. Slith let out an audible sigh and exited the room.


* * * * *

“I can’t believe she escaped. Has that ever happened before?”

“No and that’s what troubles me,” replied Tavalox morosely as he pawed at the dirt.

“Maybe Viatoris had something to do with this. Maybe . . .”

“Don’t be a fool of a mare,” Interrupted Tavalox with a look of disdain marring his face, “you know that his kind don’t interfere mortals. They merely guide us but they do not interfere.”

Salmurk stared at the ground at a loss for words. He hated the thoughts of that miserable human being alive. The thoughts of her made him want to vomit. Never had he felt such vehemence towards another creature. “Why does she upset me so?” he asked not realizing that he had spoken the words aloud.

“You must let go of the past, dear friend, before you become like the creatures that lurk within the mountain, consumed with bitterness and hatred.” The wise chief placed a gentle hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Come let us seek out Glottack and see what the stars have to say.” The two centaurs made their way through the peaceful village past young foals playing a game of cantor count.

Finding Glottack by the stream they approached him with their concerns. “Glottack, what have you seen?”

“There is much confusion in the universe right now. Worlds are converging together that should never meet. The Dog and The Cat are on the move and their pawn is on rocky ground. The One Eye is on the cusp and must decide which path to take. The two young stars are finding their destiny but are followed by a tail that should not be there. A mist has moved to the west, blinding those around her and protecting those within her realm.” Glottack shifted his gaze from the water and looked into the eyes of his chief, “The time is growing closer. What part do you wish us to have in this?”

“What nonsense” huffed Salmurk his haunches twitching with impatience. He had never understood the symbolic message of the star gazers, perhaps that is why he and Serataom have always had a hard time seeing eye to eye.

“No, Salmurk, it is truth, you just fail to see it as such. You would rather ignore the future in order to live in the past.” Glottack glared at his brother-in-law. Ever since the war with the humans Glottack had been on the verge of an emotional melt-down. The human girl’s presence seemed to have pushed him even further over the edge.

“And you would rather help our enemies then see that your kind thrives!” retorted Glottack hotly.

“Enough!” barked Tavalox swishing his long black tail in agitation. “We will not have this discussion right now. Salmurk, send a messenger with a goat to the mountain as a sacrifice to the Beholder. Glottack, find Rufus and send him into town. I want a constant vigil on the girl. He is to report on her every move. I don’t trust her.”

“And what of the war that is coming?”

“That is for the humans to worry about. What do I care if they kill each other?”

“But, Tavalox, this is not just a war of the humans, it is . . .”Tavalox raised a weary hand to silence the young stallion. He did not wish to listen any longer to prophecy and signs.

“I tire. We will talk of this matter again but not today.” Turning he cantered back to the village and the solitude of his hut.

“You are no better than the humans you protect” sputtered Salmurk as he trotted away to find a messenger to send to the mountain.

Glottack shook his head sadly, setting off in the direction of the forest’s edge in search of Rufus.