Digby Chapter 19

Read Table of Content | +Kyla Scurchio
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      "Ouch! That hurts!" I growled as the healer worked on my back.
We had gone back to Digby for some recovery before heading to Furoma. Zugzwang had less damage than me so he sat in a chair in the corner as I was patched up.
"That Lycan did quite a number on you sir." said the plump little healer. "If I'm not mistaken you will scar here."
Zugzwang laughed "At least now he'll appeal more to the ladies. Scars always make the man." he winked at me.
"Good luck explaining yours." I said throwing a spare pillow at him. "I think if the women hear about
that Ravenous Zombie it might make them run in the opposite direction." He smirked.
"That may be so, but they might think you'll turn into some sort of hybrid vampire, Lycan, half breed. So, guess you’re stuck with me, mate."
     "Well hate to break your heart Zuggy, but you're just not pretty enough for me." It felt good to laugh for once; the Mousoleum had us feeling pretty gloomy for a while, even after we had left. The healer put the last bit of cloth over my wounds and had me sit up to fix the cut on my head.
"Keep these bandages on for a couple days, and the medicines I've put into place should do quick work of healing you sir. But if you keep coming back to me in this condition I'm afraid I'll need to stock up on more of my herbs."
     "Well, tell me how much I owe you, you've been a great help."
We headed straight to my father’s chambers after I was patched up and properly dressed. I was given spare clothing since my only pair had been shredded. I knocked upon the iron door when we reached the top.
     "Come in." said my father quickly. We opened the door and slipped inside; Zugzwang made his way quietly to the corner and slumped into the spare chair.
"This is everything I have on the Mousoleum. I really wouldn’t suggest you or the king sending people there. It was beyond words. That place is nothing but evil."
"Not to mention dark magic's were at play." chimed in Zugzwang casually.
My father looked at him, "Indeed. Well," he said turning back to me, "we can't let the mice overrun that place or risk them escaping. We will have to send hunters there."
"I know," I sighed, "guess I hoped we could have avoided it."
"The hunters know what they are getting into Plank, don't worry too much about them, besides, this is completely voluntary they are free to leave as they please."
"Not if they are dead." I mumbled. Father just stared at me. "Yeah, it’s that bad." I said reading his expression. I then proceeded to remove my shirt and show him my back. I heard him gasp. He reached out his arm then quickly dropped it, before awkwardly backing away again.
"What happened, son?" he asked quietly.
      "Lycan mouse. If it hadn't been for Z, I would have probably turned out worse than this." I said putting my shirt back on. "These mice are different in each region. The ones in the Mousoleum, are just out for vengeance, they are hungry for blood and death." I took out my journal to show the drawings of the mice there.
      "And these are just the ones we found, if we are right, there may also be more monster mice on the loose there too. And with that quake that happened who knows what else was released. "
We were interrupted by an explosion from the floors below. The drill shuddered lightly before another explosion followed the first.
"Oh for crying out loud, not again!" boomed my father. Just then Oliver came crashing through the door.
     "Sir! Sir! Another demolition mouse has been sighted on the third floor!" Oliver panted.
"Thank you Oliver, but I heard." he put his hands over his face and sighed. Oliver slipped out of the room and my father took a seat at his desk.
"Demolition mouse?" I asked.
     "Ever since you two left the mice from the caverns below have found their way up, and they are destroying everything. We've tried catching them but they aren't attracted to any of our cheeses." he said exasperated.
    "I think I know what may help." I pulled out the old limelight recipe he had given me and placed it on the desk before him. "We collected jars of sludge from the lab, and they have loads more just pouring into the river. If you asked, I'm sure they will supply you with the sludge. Once you start attracting and catching them, they shouldn’t give you as much trouble."
He finally flicked me a smile. "Thanks son."
I slipped my notes into a small envelope that night. I would send a runner in the morning before I set off again. Not knowing when I'd be back I decided to test my limelight theory and add it to the notes as well.
     "I sounded my horn and was successful in the hunt! I caught a subterranean mouse.  This mouse also dropped loot, consisting of 2 living shards."
I slept well that night; a dreamless, deep sort of sleep. A pack of demolition mice could have set off some dynamite and I wouldn't have even noticed. The only problem with deep sleep was, morning came before I even knew what happened.
"Plank, wake up. Time to go, Mate." I felt Zugzwang shake me.
"Oh go away!" I grumbled. I was far too comfortable to want to get up.
"Sorry, no can do Plank." he chuckled before ripping the pillow out from beneath my head. My eyes snapped open.
"Was that really necessary?" I asked glaring at him. He laughed again.
     "Come on, it’s already well past sunrise." he said as I crawled out of bed and stretched. Rummaging around, I managed to repack all my things before settling down to write one more note to the King.
"Dear King, we are leaving Digby once again today. I have left the recipe for Limelight (courtesy of the Digby scientists) with my Father, so it should take care of their dirt dwellers problem. I do not know however, when I will return next. Furoma is the furthest any one has been from your gates in many years. I hope for a quick and safe return, but I am no fool. After what I have seen in the Mousoleum, I expect things will no longer be easy. -P”