[Gary Smith]

PART 2

As I pass through the exit my eyes take in the glorious splendor of this wondrous cavern. Crystals everywhere, sparkling in the faint glow of the pool in the room. But past experience has made me wary so I make my way slowly across the cavern, pausing to bite a bit off one of the crystals (having a hardened stomach helps you know). As I sneak across the cavern with all the skill of a falling boulder I hear a deep-throated laugh. I spin round with my sword at the ready to be confronted by the sight of a huge Genie just floating there. He doesn’t seem to be saying much so I approach him slowly and carefully waiting for this treacherous species to act. This one surprises me by just talking, he can sense that I am on my guard but still he goes ahead, got to admire his spirit. It seems he wants me to answer a simple question for him. But with genies simple questions are usually the cause of disaster so I tell him no and swing my sword for a decapitating blow. When I finnish my spin he (it?) is nowhere to be seen.

Still moving carefully and scanning for danger I hear the faint sounds of a scuffing of boots in the corridor beyond. Hearing the quiet chattering of goblin voices I give my battlecry and rush round the corner swinging my sword in wild style. Unfortunately these goblins are obviously experienced (and or scared) and as I go round the corner 2 arrows hit me, one in the shoulder and one just grazing my cheekbone. I roar in pain and swing my sword in wild arcs and luckily catch 2 goblins with the one swing. Their heads go flying from their bodies bounce off the wall and smack the 2 bow wielding goblins in the head knocking them out cold. The rest of the goblins chitter amongst themselves and start to run but my blood is up and I cleave them down from behind. After licking the blood off my blade I loot the corpses. As I’m bending over counting my ill gotten gains I feel a right pain in the ass. The two goblins I knocked out are back up and are firing wildly at me. I give a rueful laugh that is half pain and walk slowly towards them deflecting arrows with my sword. They seem to loose their nerve but I just pick out a few of my gold coins and hurl them at the fleeing figures. 2 gold coins strike the back of each goblins skull and the audible crack sounds through the corridors. I just smile and go back to looting the corpses.

I move down the corridor with a few coins jingling in my newly acquired belt pouch. I reach a 3-way intersection. To the left is a closed door; same to the right and in front of me is another archway. Being the curious sort, and right handed, I go to the right and listen at the door. I hear a slight fluttering of wings and swear and then think what the hell and charge in with my sword waving. I then realise my mistake when I hit the table with my sword and embed it into it. As I turn towards the mephit a funny feeling comes over me and when it passes I see I have a few minor wounds on my body. I growl and try to pull my sword out but its embedded to far. I then notice a sign saying “Magic Sword!!!” and an arrow pointing. I grip the sword and I can feel the energy pulsing through my body as I swing at the mephit which seems to dissolve under the swords magic.

There is a potion on the table and not thinking I drink it and a feeling of well being passes through my body and me wounds start to heal. I look at first the potion and then the sword with frank appraisal laughing as I consider my newfound luck. I smile again when I find some more of the same in another chest. It is only after pocketing this that I am aware of the golem standing in the room. And boy does he smell bad, sewage if my nose isn’t mistaken. I get curious and go to stand before this thing and it speaks to me telling me it is blind and that do I wish it to open the sewers? Well I don’t know but it seems it might be the only way out of here so I agree and it wants its stone back. I moan in exasperation as I go out of the door with something else to do other than escape this rotten hellhole!