Sammy the Not So Nimble (5)

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Copyright 2008 C.K. Goh. All rights reserved.

All characters in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

This story is the intellectual property of C.K. Goh. Any reproduction or unauthorised use of the material contained herein is prohibited without the expressed written permission of C.K. Goh.

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Chango stopped abruptly, only then did he realise Saminora was pulling hard on his legging.

"Phew, close one. I think there's a trap in your next step, cunningly hidden this one," said the rogue.

"You think? So you are just guessing?" Phancenolara asked, sceptical.

"Well... It's gut feeling, and that tile there, you see, it looks different."

"The tiles look the same to me. You don't really know, do you?"

"Don't be nasty Phancy," Hondrel said quickly, seeing the halfing was about to retort.

"Feel free to walk onto that tile, nobody is stopping you," Saminora told Phancenolara in a cold voice.

"I may just do t..."

"Come on," Chango, already side stepped the tile in question and got to the chests, beckoned the rest over.

With the prospect of treasure, everyone hurried over. Phancenolara followed Chango's path like the rest, an act that Hondrel observed but did not comment on.

Good thing the rogue didn't notice that, halflings were notorious for their taunting skill and the last thing Hondrel wanted was for the comrades to jump on each other. They were in this together, they need to stick together.

Saminora picked the locks in no time at all, and she opened both chests for all to see.

In one of the chests there were odd pieces of armour, a rag, a torn cloak, a dented helmet, a blood stained leather armour. Nothing useful and nothing worth looting. The other chest contained a few gold coins, which they split equally, as well as a dwarven made battle axe, which none of them could wield except Chango.

Phancenolara took the scroll and a potion laying at the bottom of the chest, she passed the potion to Hondrel and studied the scroll herself.

"It's a Cage Monster spell Hondrel, better suited for mage instead of cleric," said Phancenolara.

"Yes I agree, and sadly this is not a Potion of Restoration, smells like Potion of Haste. Perhaps you will find it handy, Sammy?"

"Running away faster is always a good thing," Saminora said cheekily while she pocketed the potion.

Everyone seemed to be in a better mood after they looted the chests, the door to the next room was just beside the chests.

"Let's have a look at what's waiting for us behind the door, shall we?" Hondrel knew it's time to go on.

"A minute," Chango strapped the massive battle axe to his back, bent and lifted one of the chests they just emptied. "Learn to trust your comrades, Phancy." He threw the chest onto the tile Saminora warned them not to step on.

The chest smashed to pieces at the bottom of the pit trap that slided open.

Without another word Chango moved to the door and positioned himself directly behind it, the battle axe back in his hands. He waited for the others to get into their positions.

Hondrel gave Saminora a pat on her shoulder and took up his place. The rogue went over to her position and faded into the shadow.

Finally the mage took her place and said softly, "Sorry Sammy, I should not have doubted you."

Chango smiled and yanked open the door.

(the end)

Edited 13th August 2012, fixed typo and added link.
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