Chapter 324: Don't you lie!
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Chapter 324: Don't you lie!
"Who taught the damned ghouls how to backfill?" The tunnel that led to the crypts had been filled with layers of stone and earth. Not a barrier to workers with high STR and the Dig skill, but annoying. The ghouls came out of the ground from small crevices and crypts constantly. It was suspicious that they had filled an exit in.
Rolly noticed a lot of boot tracks around the hole. "It's almost as if someone came out here and threatened to wipe them out every night."
Layla looked at Billy, who was ignoring her. "Yeah, I'm sure no one did that! Ok, how are we getting in? Dig a new tunnel or look in the crypts for a hole they use?"
Ozzy had taken a few steps into Hungrytown and was sniffing the air.
Rolly stood next to him, doing the same. "I smell coffee."
The Butcher started walking. "I feel like a cup of joe; let's go explore some. If it's a trap, I don't care. I had coffee in Wolfsburg, and it was good, but this smells better." He neglected to mention the bags of beans he had hidden in his bag. Some things were too precious to mention around the Baron. Moving through Hungrytown was slow; the ground was uneven and filled with open graves, broken headstones of stone or wood, and crypts that choked off the open space. Squirmie flew overhead, and Rolly jumped easily from crypt to crypt, pointing out a path as they moved toward the scent. The ghouls were wary, staying back and not attacking.
Their numbers had been thinned considerably by Billy's wrath, and they were cowardly creatures that preferred to attack in overwhelming numbers. They didn't like this group of living creatures, not at all. Seven of them moved through their domain, and all of them had the taint of Butchery. The Baron and Baroness were known to them and hated. The two predators' reputations were fierce; they hunted the Beast Woods and the menagerie and killed any ghoul that wandered into those areas. Two others were less fearsome until the undead got close and saw the radiance and fire. Worst of all was the Butcher. Even Bone Gnawer feared him. The Ghoul Lord had returned but was weak. The Butcher had returned and was stronger. So while the packs of ghouls slowly gathered, none pressed for the attack. They slithered away and warned those below that more dark ones would be needed to keep their hold on Hungrytown.
After half -hour of walking, the scenery changed. They were near the city's edge, where jumbled stone walls formed a perimeter. High on the walls and built against them were rotting stone mansions, tall and thin with empty windows and broken walls. They were separate from the little town below them. A wooden palisade of old planks ran around the town, separating a corner of the city from the endless graveyards. Two wooden gates were open, a muddy track running between them. Inside was a collection of ramshackle buildings that mimicked the mansions above them. Tall and thin, they averaged four stories tall, often reached by ladders and rickety bridges strung between them. The main difference between the brooding gothic mansions and the village made of sticks was apparent at a glance; the village was alive. Lanterns were lit along the main road and on the porches, every house seemed to have. Children played in the dirt, kicking a ball of rags around. Thin women showing too many ribs gathered up their children and took them back to the safety of their homes. The adults lined up in front of their houses holding pitchforks, torches, and rusty knives. Here and there, they saw an axe or sword, but for the most part, these people were poorly armed and scared. Yet the gate was open, and no one moved against the group as they entered. From deep inside, the sound of music could be heard; the twang of a banjo and the thump of a washtub. The smell of brewed coffee was everywhere.
Billy looked around. "Tough crowd."
Billy and Layla were rooted to the spot, unable to move. Layla whispered to him, "Bloody hell! That is one scary old woman."
"Damn right. I wonder if she'd consider working for ACME?"
"I worry that we may be working for her. I don't think she has much respect for our positions."
"No, no, she doesn't. And I'm ok with that right now."
Suzette stepped forward. "No one likes ghouls, ma'am. But I don't like seeing hungry kids. Can we at least offer you the food we've brought?
The woman smiled at her. "Of course, you can, child. None of you four is pure as the driven snow, but who is? Treat my people fairly, leave deceit at the gate, and we'll get along fine. Bring that food along to my kitchen. I have some things we can add to it and then put it all on the table for these hungry children."
She turned to Ozzy and raised an eyebrow. "And what took you so long to come to visit? You aren't so big that I can't take you over my knee if I choose. Next time I invite you over for morning coffee, don't take so long." His three friends were treated to the sight of Ozzy having nothing to say. He finally recovered and said, "Yes, ma'am. Sorry, ma'am."
She nodded. "Toss it on the wind and forget about it. I forgive you. Now let's go cook. I can see that all of you know how. Food on the table and then coffee and some talk." Then all nodded.
People came forward to help carry the food in much better spirits. The old woman turned to Billy and Layla. "Your choice. You can leave, or you can come to dinner. But you aren't coming as Baron and Baroness; you've done nothing good for this town in an age and caused much pain. No Baron, Baroness, or anyone who hurt my children will be allowed in my gate. If William and Layla want to come, leave your egos at the door, and tell no lies."
They both nodded, dumped weapons, shields, and fancy cloaks into Ozzy's bag, and joined the group. She looked at them and nodded again. "Oh, and you'll be doing the dishes. I hope those lilly white hands can stand a little lye soap."
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Chapter 324: Don't you lie!
"Who taught the damned ghouls how to backfill?" The tunnel that led to the crypts had been filled with layers of stone and earth. Not a barrier to workers with high STR and the Dig skill, but annoying. The ghouls came out of the ground from small crevices and crypts constantly. It was suspicious that they had filled an exit in.
Rolly noticed a lot of boot tracks around the hole. "It's almost as if someone came out here and threatened to wipe them out every night."
Layla looked at Billy, who was ignoring her. "Yeah, I'm sure no one did that! Ok, how are we getting in? Dig a new tunnel or look in the crypts for a hole they use?"
Ozzy had taken a few steps into Hungrytown and was sniffing the air.
Rolly stood next to him, doing the same. "I smell coffee."
The Butcher started walking. "I feel like a cup of joe; let's go explore some. If it's a trap, I don't care. I had coffee in Wolfsburg, and it was good, but this smells better." He neglected to mention the bags of beans he had hidden in his bag. Some things were too precious to mention around the Baron. Moving through Hungrytown was slow; the ground was uneven and filled with open graves, broken headstones of stone or wood, and crypts that choked off the open space. Squirmie flew overhead, and Rolly jumped easily from crypt to crypt, pointing out a path as they moved toward the scent. The ghouls were wary, staying back and not attacking.
Their numbers had been thinned considerably by Billy's wrath, and they were cowardly creatures that preferred to attack in overwhelming numbers. They didn't like this group of living creatures, not at all. Seven of them moved through their domain, and all of them had the taint of Butchery. The Baron and Baroness were known to them and hated. The two predators' reputations were fierce; they hunted the Beast Woods and the menagerie and killed any ghoul that wandered into those areas. Two others were less fearsome until the undead got close and saw the radiance and fire. Worst of all was the Butcher. Even Bone Gnawer feared him. The Ghoul Lord had returned but was weak. The Butcher had returned and was stronger. So while the packs of ghouls slowly gathered, none pressed for the attack. They slithered away and warned those below that more dark ones would be needed to keep their hold on Hungrytown.
After half -hour of walking, the scenery changed. They were near the city's edge, where jumbled stone walls formed a perimeter. High on the walls and built against them were rotting stone mansions, tall and thin with empty windows and broken walls. They were separate from the little town below them. A wooden palisade of old planks ran around the town, separating a corner of the city from the endless graveyards. Two wooden gates were open, a muddy track running between them. Inside was a collection of ramshackle buildings that mimicked the mansions above them. Tall and thin, they averaged four stories tall, often reached by ladders and rickety bridges strung between them. The main difference between the brooding gothic mansions and the village made of sticks was apparent at a glance; the village was alive. Lanterns were lit along the main road and on the porches, every house seemed to have. Children played in the dirt, kicking a ball of rags around. Thin women showing too many ribs gathered up their children and took them back to the safety of their homes. The adults lined up in front of their houses holding pitchforks, torches, and rusty knives. Here and there, they saw an axe or sword, but for the most part, these people were poorly armed and scared. Yet the gate was open, and no one moved against the group as they entered. From deep inside, the sound of music could be heard; the twang of a banjo and the thump of a washtub. The smell of brewed coffee was everywhere.
Billy looked around. "Tough crowd."
Billy and Layla were rooted to the spot, unable to move. Layla whispered to him, "Bloody hell! That is one scary old woman."
"Damn right. I wonder if she'd consider working for ACME?"
"I worry that we may be working for her. I don't think she has much respect for our positions."
"No, no, she doesn't. And I'm ok with that right now."
Suzette stepped forward. "No one likes ghouls, ma'am. But I don't like seeing hungry kids. Can we at least offer you the food we've brought?
The woman smiled at her. "Of course, you can, child. None of you four is pure as the driven snow, but who is? Treat my people fairly, leave deceit at the gate, and we'll get along fine. Bring that food along to my kitchen. I have some things we can add to it and then put it all on the table for these hungry children."
She turned to Ozzy and raised an eyebrow. "And what took you so long to come to visit? You aren't so big that I can't take you over my knee if I choose. Next time I invite you over for morning coffee, don't take so long." His three friends were treated to the sight of Ozzy having nothing to say. He finally recovered and said, "Yes, ma'am. Sorry, ma'am."
She nodded. "Toss it on the wind and forget about it. I forgive you. Now let's go cook. I can see that all of you know how. Food on the table and then coffee and some talk." Then all nodded.
People came forward to help carry the food in much better spirits. The old woman turned to Billy and Layla. "Your choice. You can leave, or you can come to dinner. But you aren't coming as Baron and Baroness; you've done nothing good for this town in an age and caused much pain. No Baron, Baroness, or anyone who hurt my children will be allowed in my gate. If William and Layla want to come, leave your egos at the door, and tell no lies."
They both nodded, dumped weapons, shields, and fancy cloaks into Ozzy's bag, and joined the group. She looked at them and nodded again. "Oh, and you'll be doing the dishes. I hope those lilly white hands can stand a little lye soap."
Chapter 324: Don't you lie!"Who taught the damned ghouls how to backfill?" The tunnel that led to the crypts had been filled with layers of stone and earth. Not a barrier to workers with high STR and the Dig skill, but annoying. The ghouls came out of the ground from small crevices and crypts constantly. It was suspicious that they had filled an exit in.Rolly noticed a lot of boot tracks around the hole. "It's almost as if someone came out here and threatened to wipe them out every night."Layla looked at Billy, who was ignoring her. "Yeah, I'm sure no one did that! Ok, how are we getting in? Dig a new tunnel or look in the crypts for a hole they use?"Ozzy had taken a few steps into Hungrytown and was sniffing the air. Rolly stood next to him, doing the same. "I smell coffee."The Butcher started walking. "I feel like a cup of joe; let's go explore some. If it's a trap, I don't care. I had coffee in Wolfsburg, and it was good, but this smells better." He neglected to mention the bags of beans he had hidden in his bag. Some things were too precious to mention around the Baron. Moving through Hungrytown was slow; the ground was uneven and filled with open graves, broken headstones of stone or wood, and crypts that choked off the open space. Squirmie flew overhead, and Rolly jumped easily from crypt to crypt, pointing out a path as they moved toward the scent. The ghouls were wary, staying back and not attacking.Their numbers had been thinned considerably by Billy's wrath, and they were cowardly creatures that preferred to attack in overwhelming numbers. They didn't like this group of living creatures, not at all. Seven of them moved through their domain, and all of them had the taint of Butchery. The Baron and Baroness were known to them and hated. The two predators' reputations were fierce; they hunted the Beast Woods and the menagerie and killed any ghoul that wandered into those areas. Two others were less fearsome until the undead got close and saw the radiance and fire. Worst of all was the Butcher. Even Bone Gnawer feared him. The Ghoul Lord had returned but was weak. The Butcher had returned and was stronger. So while the packs of ghouls slowly gathered, none pressed for the attack. They slithered away and warned those below that more dark ones would be needed to keep their hold on Hungrytown.After half -hour of walking, the scenery changed. They were near the city's edge, where jumbled stone walls formed a perimeter. High on the walls and built against them were rotting stone mansions, tall and thin with empty windows and broken walls. They were separate from the little town below them. A wooden palisade of old planks ran around the town, separating a corner of the city from the endless graveyards. Two wooden gates were open, a muddy track running between them. Inside was a collection of ramshackle buildings that mimicked the mansions above them. Tall and thin, they averaged four stories tall, often reached by ladders and rickety bridges strung between them. The main difference between the brooding gothic mansions and the village made of sticks was apparent at a glance; the village was alive. Lanterns were lit along the main road and on the porches, every house seemed to have. Children played in the dirt, kicking a ball of rags around. Thin women showing too many ribs gathered up their children and took them back to the safety of their homes. The adults lined up in front of their houses holding pitchforks, torches, and rusty knives. Here and there, they saw an axe or sword, but for the most part, these people were poorly armed and scared. Yet the gate was open, and no one moved against the group as they entered. From deep inside, the sound of music could be heard; the twang of a banjo and the thump of a washtub. The smell of brewed coffee was everywhere. Billy looked around. "Tough crowd."Billy and Layla were rooted to the spot, unable to move. Layla whispered to him, "Bloody hell! That is one scary old woman.""Damn right. I wonder if she'd consider working for ACME?""I worry that we may be working for her. I don't think she has much respect for our positions.""No, no, she doesn't. And I'm ok with that right now."Suzette stepped forward. "No one likes ghouls, ma'am. But I don't like seeing hungry kids. Can we at least offer you the food we've brought?The woman smiled at her. "Of course, you can, child. None of you four is pure as the driven snow, but who is? Treat my people fairly, leave deceit at the gate, and we'll get along fine. Bring that food along to my kitchen. I have some things we can add to it and then put it all on the table for these hungry children."She turned to Ozzy and raised an eyebrow. "And what took you so long to come to visit? You aren't so big that I can't take you over my knee if I choose. Next time I invite you over for morning coffee, don't take so long." His three friends were treated to the sight of Ozzy having nothing to say. He finally recovered and said, "Yes, ma'am. Sorry, ma'am."She nodded. "Toss it on the wind and forget about it. I forgive you. Now let's go cook. I can see that all of you know how. Food on the table and then coffee and some talk." Then all nodded. People came forward to help carry the food in much better spirits. The old woman turned to Billy and Layla. "Your choice. You can leave, or you can come to dinner. But you aren't coming as Baron and Baroness; you've done nothing good for this town in an age and caused much pain. No Baron, Baroness, or anyone who hurt my children will be allowed in my gate. If William and Layla want to come, leave your egos at the door, and tell no lies."They both nodded, dumped weapons, shields, and fancy cloaks into Ozzy's bag, and joined the group. She looked at them and nodded again. "Oh, and you'll be doing the dishes. I hope those lilly white hands can stand a little lye soap."
