Free Bound to the Abyss by James Vernon Page B

confused as Ean. “I have no idea what that was all about,” Zin said, his eyes locked on the mine entrance. “But let’s not press our luck.” Not waiting for a response, the imp started heading back the way they came.
    After a few moments, Ean jogged to catch up, slowing down once he reached his friend and matching his pace. “After not catching its meal and being riled up by all of those blasts from the Magus, why wouldn’t it at least try to come after us?”
    The imp waved his question off with a clawed hand. “Who knows, and who cares? I’m just happy not to be a meal.” He shuddered and continued walking.
    There had to be something more to what happened than simple indifference by the beast. They returned to the house without answers. Zin crawled into his sleeping spot beneath the bed, while Ean climbed onto the mattress and burrowed into his sheets. Staring up at the ceiling, he couldn’t stop thinking that there was more to the monster’s retreat than apathy. But the answer continued to elude him as he drifted off to sleep.
    ***
    Waking up early, Ean headed downstairs to see if there was news about the Hero. Cleff informed him about the Magus’s embarrassing departure. While Ean had been making his way back home the night before, the Magus had run all the way back through town. He didn’t even stop to collect his things from the inn as he ran out of the village and towards the pass out of the valley. As unfortunate as it was that the Magus hadn’t taken down the beast, Ean was glad that there hadn’t been another death.
    Later that morning, while Ean was busy cataloguing and organizing Cleff’s various bottles and containers of potions and plants, a villager stopped by the house. Cleff greeted him at the door, while Ean hovered behind in case Cleff needed his aid. The villager was only there to deliver a message, saying that the Mayor had called for an emergency village meeting. The entire village was to meet in front of the inn before midday.
    Ean worked twice as fast at finishing his chores so that he could make his way down to the inn early. It was rare for the Mayor to gather the whole village for a meeting. Usually the man preferred to make all of the decisions himself. That was, after all, the best way to ensure that any decision made was the most beneficial to him.
    After finishing up his work, Ean jogged up the road to the front of the inn, which was already packed with people. It seemed like the whole village was already there. The Mayor wore an arrogant smirk as he gazed over the gathering crowd. Bran stood at his side looking confident as usual. Krane stood on the opposite side of the mayor with a superior scowl. What a threesome, Ean thought. I’m surprised the porch doesn’t collapse under the weight of so much pride.  
    Ean was stuck on the edge of the crowd, his small frame no help for how packed the villagers were gathered around the front of the inn. The Mayor cleared his throat and stepped forward. The crowd grew silent as they waited for him to speak.  
    “My fellow villagers! Thank you so much for meeting together here on such short notice. These are troubling times, I know, but I believe I have come up with a solution to rid ourselves of the beast that has taken over our mine!”
    Ean pushed himself as close as possible in order to listen as the Mayor continued on. He received a few dirty looks for his efforts but ignored them.
    “The worry I have felt for the well-being of our fellow villagers has kept me awake most nights, and I have spent many days thinking about what can be done. Our fallen Heroes had strength, skill and courage, so I keep asking myself the question: Why did they fail?
    My friends, I have found the answer to that question: Ignorance. They did not know what they faced--the monster’s habits, strengths or weaknesses. Everything the gods put on this earth has a weakness; we just need to know how to find it, which brings me to the solution of our problem: