Tunnel Rat

Chapter 114: Partner Perspective

Char, aka Charlotte, aka 'Partner', Princess Stabbypants', 'Charred-Earth', and 'Heart-taker' was delighted to do nothing but watch as events unfolded. She had been concerned when Grandfather gave a mission to Tallsqueak. He wasn't even in the Guild! What was the old rat up to?

The annoying newcomer was fast becoming a thorn in her foot. Her head was still sore from his attack on her when all she was doing was playing a game of 'surprise' with him. Who the hell used a wrench when playing surprise!? She had argued for half a bell that giving him a point in the contest wasn't right. Correspondingly, she shouldn't have to lose a point! But Grandfather had insisted and pointed out that it was her fault for attacking him in the first place. Grandfather was totally unreasonable at times.

Luckily, she had overheard the conversation, and followed behind Tallsqueak as he made his way through the caverns where gatherers from the Hollow were busy bringing in a harvest of tasty fungus. She hadn't had a plan in mind, just follow and do something to regain that stolen point. Her patient skulking had paid off. She had learned his secret!

Away from the rest of the Hollow, he unveiled his secret while fighting an assassin spider. He was some sort of aberration, like the over-muscled Larry. No wonder the two could stand to be around each other. The bony plates, elongated tail and horrible claws had nearly made her squeal when he deployed them. The ugly mutations were effective, and he nearly killed he powerful spider.

He hadn't even suspected she was around until she had struck. Which was why it was totally unfair that she hadn't been given the kill. She had hated having to sit there while he considered what to do with her. Her plans were already forming for how she would attack and humiliate him when he confused her by taking only half the credit for the kill. She had no idea what his plan was. Anyone else would have drawn her blood and scored the experience and a second point on her.

Then she realized that they had a 24 hour truce and were grouped together until then. That had been his plan! He was going to use her skills and stealth to further his own missions. Well, two could play at that game. Her hasty offer of 'You delay the enemy while I loot' had obviously caught him off guard, and in his confusion he took the deal. Most likely he would flee battle quickly, but all she needed was a moment or two in the cave to pick it clean.

The Cave of Death was small, and the mushrooms were few. She harvested all of the two varieties of mushrooms there, taking care not to actually touch the poisonous type, and then raced out of the cave and up the wall to hide before the guards made their way back. It would be tricky getting away, but she could do it.

Of course, nothing said she had to meet up with Tallsqueak immediately. "Oh, so sorry, I couldn't find you. A day has passed. No partnership, No split. So sad." She could hear him whining already. It would be so sweet.

That daydream burst as the wounded DeathMonger limped out of the tunnel, and clumsily climbed above it. Somehow Tallsqueak had managed to hurt the mage spider enough to make it flee. Whatever respect that might have gained him was lost when he stumbled out of the tunnel and got ambushed like the total neophyte that he was. She had hoped the spider would yell "surprise", but spiders don't keep score.

She expected to see him die, especially after he was struck twice with the deadly poison. But it was the Deathmonger that died, clawed to death by his mutant claws. She watched as he wisely fled the Brute, but then stupidly trapped himself in the Cave of Death. Again Char was surprised as Tallsqueak killed the Brute. She saw the stone crack and the tunnel collapse. The spider's back legs had kicked feebly for some time before it died. She felt like she needed a scorecard to keep track of what he did right and what he screwed up.

Not that anything would save him. Two doses of Black Widow Venom should have put him down already. She watched in the group screen as his health went up and down as he drank down health potions. He got lower, lower, lower...and then he just wasn't there. Tallsqueak has left the game. What did that mean? Dead? She decided it meant dead. Maybe she'd ask grandfather about it. Grandfather knew everything. But not for a day. Grandfather got weird about honoring deals and keeping your word to people in the Hollow.

Then it had suddenly been time to go, as more spiders arrived. Very angry spiders! At least two full hunting packs. She raced to safety, hoping she was unseen. Just in case, she should warn the workers in the far fields and have them pull back to the Hollow for a couple days. Spiders did stupid things when they were pissed off. Luckily, they were pissed off at Tallsqueak. He was the one that killed the two Widows. Totally his fault. She should get Justin and Brutus to Guard that entrance to the hollow. It was their job after all. What else had she been helping to train them for?

Larry decided that it was time for Larry to go home. It was many bells until he got another meal, and most of the Hollow was off to their pillows. No one was left to read to Larry. No one for Larry to tell stories to. Cheese-Master was doing cheesy stuff in the basement. Larry could hear him singing. No Tallsqueak. Larry knew when Tallsqueak was near, his friend smelled different. Everyone smelled different, but Tallsqueak was different-different. He smelled like an old cave, and hinge oil, and magic all mixed together. SneakyGuy was sneaking around. He thought Larry didn't hear him, but Larry had big ears. Larry should go find Larry's pillow.

Larry started walking home. Larry's house was past the blue house and past the yellow house. Not as far as the people making hot metal. He turned into a smaller cave, then turned again, and finally got on all fours to creep where it was low. Larry's house was bigger, but only after the long, long low part. His house was just like it was this morning. Larry had three pillows, one from his old house when he was smaller, and two new ones. He had a board with a drawing of Justin on it. He had made it when his hands could hold a paintbrush. It showed Justin in his new armor, and Larry next to him. Larry was so small then. Now he was bigger than Justin. Someday he would get armor like Justin and stand guard with him.

Larry put his book about Hamster Huey on his shelf, next to his picture of Justin and his lucky rock. Some days he tried to do what Cheese-Master said and throw his lucky rock in the air and catch it. He didn't catch it a lot, but more than he used to. Larry sat down on his bed of soft stuff that people had given him for his house and tried to sleep. Tomorrow was a big day. Larry would save Hamster Town again. Larry would be a hero. Like Justin.