Return of the Penguins

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER NINE

As Trelio, Krolith and Kolan watched Larros’s trial, a large bell suddenly rang in the corner of the chamber. There was a lot of shouting and the room started to quickly empty.

“What’s going on?” Krolith asked an Orc.

“War! Dark Elves invade!” said the Orc, before rushing away.

“They are after the key,” whispered Trelio.

“We’d better get it quick and get out,” said Kolan.

They were virtually the only creatures left in the chamber, apart from two guards and Larros hanging in a cage from the ceiling.

“There are two of them and three of us,” said Kolan, stating the obvious.

“We’ll try the non-violent approach first, but if that doesn’t work be ready for a fight,” said Trelio.

“What do you have in mind?” asked Kolan.

“We just say we are here to replace them as guards,” said Trelio.

“We’ll need some weapons then,” said Krolith.

Looking around there were many discarded clubs and swords just lying in corners of the chamber. Grabbing one each, the trio went up to the guards.

“We are here to relieve you. You are needed to fight the Elves,” said Trelio.

“Good. We hate not fighting! Hurt him for us!” said the guard, glancing at Larros.

With that, and a small amount of glee, the two Orc guards ran off quickly, glad to see the back of boring guard duty.

“Well, that was easy,” said Kolan.

“What do we do about him? We can’t just smuggle him out,” said Krolith.

“I have an idea,” said Trelio.

With that he bought out his wand and slowly started chanting. Gradually, Larros, still in his cage, started changing into an Orc.

“What are you doing to me?” asked Larros.

“We are getting you out. But first you need to look like an Orc,” said Trelio.

“Who are you?” asked Larros, as Krolith opened the cage to let him out.

“You stole some things from us. We’ll let you go if we get them back,” said Kolan.

“Oh. Well, the King has taken most of the things. He was particularly interested in a hexagonal metal object. I just took that because I liked how it looked!” said Larros.

“It is a powerful magical key. It almost got you killed. It was safe in the Vault. Now everyone is after it,” said Trelio.

“The Orc king has it, in his throne room. With all the Orcs away fighting we should be able to get it back fairly easily,” said Larros.

“Well, let’s go then!” said Kolan.