Free Critical Failures II (Caverns and Creatures Book 2) by Robert Bevan Page B

some time.”
    Cooper wasn’t accustomed to praise, and it felt a little uncomfortable. He could feel the blood rushing to his big leathery cheeks. “It was nothing.”
    Frank gave Cooper a friendly slap on the cheek. “You’re all right.” The little gnome stepped back to the center of his table and clapped his hands above his head. “Nothing’s changed here,” he said. “All of you go about your business. Go make some coin.”
    “What about the Horsemen?” asked a nearby dwarf.
    “ Horsemen ,” Frank spat out the word as if it was a lump of shit in his mouth. “Eric’s just run off to find some hole to cry in. You’ve got nothing to fear from the Horsemen . Just keep your guard up, try to blend in, and watch one another’s backs. You’ll be okay.”
    And that was that. Everyone grabbed what supplies they required for the day’s work ahead, and exited the Inn.
    “Hey listen, Frank,” said Tim when most of the crowd had gone. “About the –”
    “Don’t even say it,” said Frank. “I know you’ve got to go look for your sister. Take your elf friend with you, and I’ll throw in a couple of guys to snoop around for information.”
    “Thanks.”
    “But I’m going to need the healer and the big bastard for another assignment.”
    “Fuck that,” said Cooper. “I’m going to help Tim.”
    “We’ll be okay,” said Tim. “You go do whatever it is Frank needs you to do. We need brains right now more than brawn.”
    Cooper pursed his lips.
    Julian slapped Tim lightly on the arm. “Hey.”
    “What?” said Tim. “Oh shit. I’m sorry Cooper. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not thinking straight. I’m worried about Katherine.”
    “I know,” said Cooper. “We’re all worried. Go find her. I’ll go with Frank.”
    “All right, Tim,” said Frank. “You’ve got yourself, the elf, a talking bird, and your sister’s wolf. I’m sending Gorgonzola and Tony the Elf with you as well. They’ll be able to help you out with finding information. Bring some of your sister’s shit with you, too. See if you can get that big wolf of hers to pick up her scent.”
    “That’s a good idea,” said Tim. “Thanks for your help.”
    “Don’t sweat it. Go on. Get moving.”
    “Good luck!” Dave called out as Tim’s search party left the tavern.
    “Stuart,” said Frank. The bald guy with the hot wife stood at attention. “I need you to take the dwarf and the big guy out on werewolf duty.”
    “What?” said Stuart and Cooper simultaneously.
    “Look,” said Frank. “I know you two aren’t the best of friends right now, but we need to do this. Think of it as a team building exercise. You and he have the fastest feet of anyone here.”
    “I’m not fast at all,” said Dave.
    “I’d guessed as much,” said Frank. “But there’s a good chance they’ll need some healing. That’s where you come in.”
    “Listen, Frank,” said Cooper. “I know I look like a big bad motherfucker. But I’m still only a second level barbarian. Dave’s only a second level cleric. And Stuart’s…” Cooper noticed that Stuart was still unarmed and wearing his pajamas. “What the fuck are you, Stuart?”
    “I’m a fourth level monk.”
    Cooper laughed out loud. “A monk? Who plays a monk?”
    “It’s not as bad a class as people make it out to be if you know how to play it right.”
    “You guys play nice together,” said Frank. “Keep in mind what we’re working for. A chance, however small, to go home. Now get going.”
    “Come on,” Stuart said bitterly. “Let’s get suited up.”
     

Chapter 10
     
     
     
    Tim stood in the alley next to the Piss Bucket Tavern. He had Butterbean’s head nearly all the way inside Katherine’s backpack.
    “Are you sure you’re doing that right?” asked Julian.
    “I don’t know. I’ve never done this before.”
    “This is a waste of time,” said Tony the Elf. “That’s her animal companion, right? If he had any idea where she was, we