The Black Fountain

One of them named Fred spoke in a whisper. "I can’t stand his constant bickering. Him and that new guy. Besides I have a bad feeling about the battle ahead." The other whose name was Pedrick spoke with him also. "As do I. I think we should escape now." Goater was tempted to tell them of the secret room, but decided not to. He had a plan.

The soldiers, aligned in ranks on the castle grounds, in full armor, stood outside the castle. Gonz and Verd surveyed them and made sure all of the preparations were made. Gonz stood at the door of the castle and began to shout orders to the troops. "Okay you lousy bunch of louts! Listen up. Your mission is simple. Take the path through Serta Forest to Getrau’. Once there seize their fort and take all captives. I want them all alive. As soon as you have completed these simple tasks take them back here. I expect a messenger as soon as you arrive. Now be off with you!" The soldiers marched off toward Serta Forest. But one of them remained. Goater hid behind a bush.

Gonz and Verd turned toward the castle as soon as the army was out of site. Goater slunked behind them closely, but not so close as for them to see him. Verd and Gonz walked down the Great Hall with Goater hiding in the shadows behind them. Gonz and Verd retired to their study to check over the documents. Goater slid past the door and quietly as possible went to the bedchamber. Once inside he pressed the stone and looked down the secret hallway. He felt a hollow presence as he walked down the dark halls. It was almost hypnotic to him. He reached the end of the passage and forgot one important element. The key! He remembered now how Gonz had used a key to open the door. He jiggled the door handle and pulled as hard as he could, but in vain. He ran back down the hall to the bedchamber. Upon entering he noticed that Gonz and Verd were in the bedchamber! In panic, Goater ran back down the hallway and stopped at the door. Behind him he heard the sounds of two men’s footsteps. He did not know what to do. He once again tugged at the door with all of his might. He felt the door start to shift and come open. He gave it a mighty tug, Verd and Gonz right behind him. And with that, the door flung open and he rushed inside, closing it behind him. He needed to stall for time. He removed his armor silently and placed it in a corner. He used the quaterstaff at hand and looked under the door. Goater saw two pairs of feet standing before the door, and heard the sound of jangling keys. Goater did the only thing at mind and stuck his spear under the door causing the pair outside to topple over in a big heap outside. The key, as Goater noticed slid under the door. In awe Goater picked it up and pocketed it. Outside he heard angry shouts from Gonz to Verd and from Verd to Gonz. "You idiot! Now how will we get in!" "You were the one to topple over like a big buffoon!"

Goater laughed to himself as the two fought each other again. Goater turned to find that the lights had not been lit, so used a match from his armor to light the torch.