78 Chapter 78 - Diabolical Creation (1/2)
When Gren found Noir and Choco, they were trying to open up a door.”What are you two doing going off on your own?”Noir pointed towards the door before pointing at her nose and pretending that she was disgusted.”There's a bad smell behind the door?”Gren didn't smell anything but he also didn't have a dog's nose like the kobolds did.
The door's hinges were almost rusted through.One good hit with a hammer would probably break them... there was an easier solution though.Gren stored the door away before placing it off to the side.
”Hey, Shenzi, you should come and see this!”It looked like it used to be a place to store food.Decomposing crates were sitting in a corner and the shelves had what must have been food at one time.Off to the side of the storage room was a dead body that was decaying--a clear sign that it had been sitting for a long time.
Shenzi took off her helmet to hold her nose while examining the body.”It's hard to tell what killed this man but my guess is that it's related to the injury on their arm.I might be wrong and the bone was broken after their death but it looks like it was snapped in two.”
”You're not sure about it?”Gren was surprised to see that the great tracker didn't have all of the answers.
”I'm a hunter.The dead bodies I've seen tend to be fresher and it's easier to tell how they died because there are usually monster tracks nearby.”Shenzi was still looking around for any clues that might be able to explain what happened to the man.”If his death is not related to his broken arm then I don't know what else could have caused it.”
Gren realized that they were going nowhere with the body.”I don't think we'll find anything here.It might be better to search that hatch we found.”He wasn't sure how long it would take for the officials to check the cellar so he put the door back in its place.”We don't know what's down there so we all have to stick together.You two can't go running off again.If you find something then make a noise but do not leave our side.Got it?”
The kobolds agreed so the four of them returned to the damaged hatch.”So, who's going first?”All eyes were on Gren.”Me?”
”Well, you do have that shield on your back and you're the most experienced mercenary here.”What Shenzi said was technically true but she had more experience in combat...”Besides, you wouldn't let any of us women go first into a scary pit, would you?”
”Shut it.You're only playing the woman angle now when it's convenient.I've seen you pretending to be a man in the guild so that you can get attention.”Gren had also experienced a lot of attention but it was mostly from the older women in the guild.His room was filling up with things that they had crocheted for him but the stubble he was growing on his face helped to curb that trend.
”I don't do it for the attention that it brings me.Those poor women are starved for male attention since there are so few men around them.”That's something that Gren had also noticed which is why he was happy to see that Midna had found someone.”We all know it is just pretend but sometimes that's enough to bring us happiness.It's much like how you and your wives pretend that you're an adult in order to bring the four of you happiness.
Gren could swear that he felt a dagger being stabbed into his back with that comment.Ever since he had freed them from the bonds of slavery they were all taking turns teasing him.Well, that was better than what it was like before; everyone seemed reserved with him back then.There were still some things that need to be worked on but over time the former slaves were regaining their humanity and they've started having fun.
Gren made sure his light was on and that his armor was on properly to help stall for time before taking the first step down.”You're going to be right behind me, right?”
”Yes.”
Gren took the second step.”And you're ready to help if I get attacked?”
”Yes.Now, quit stalling.”
Gren took the third step.
”If you say one more thing, I swear to my ancestors that I will kick you down the stairs.”