456 Held Hostage (1/2)

Zero wasn't answering and he couldn't reach Truen in the party call. What happened to them? Mii was also offline and the entire party appeared to be dead.

Quickly, he checked the summoning bond he had with Zero and felt a little relief when it was still there. Still, there was no pulse from Zero through their connection and that made Bob worry. What was going on and where were they?

”Eek!” there was a nasal squeal and the sound of someone falling from their chair before running away. The light was too bright and Bob was having a hard time adjusting to it. He couldn't tell who was there.

”The dragon is awake!”

There was a snort before an arrogant voice said, ”See those shackles that they're wearing? I made them myself so relax. Unlike Thomas, my stuff works. Technicians are unreliable.”

Understanding dawned on Bob as he listened to the gnomes talk. They were finally in gnome territory but he didn't speak. Now that they were hostages to lure Truen and Zero out, the dragon had to play it smart. His master tasked him to protect Jermine so he couldn't afford to offend the gnomes. He was completely at their mercy with these shackles on.

Why were they immediately on bad terms with the gnomes? That was one thing he couldn't understand. From memory, gnomes weren't always this hostile. They were peace-loving folks with no desire for war. Wasn't this why they chose to isolate themselves and live in the desert?

The alchemist gnome called Wesley walked forward. He took a look at Bob who glared at him.

”You're quite a young dragon,” Wesley stated. ”I thought they were extinct!”

Bob smirked. ”I could say the same about gnomes. We thought that they were completely wiped out until we came across Gnaway.”

The name ”Gnaway” made Wesley stiffen. ”Nonsense! How can you know anything about Gnaway? You're lying!”

Bob played it cool. It was easy to rile this gnome so he might get the answers he wanted if he led the gnome towards it.