Lurdens worked in many areas, too easily escapable for Prince Phobos' prisoners. It was here that many metals were taken. Some gems were found. And very few treasures. When the pick hit the stone for that final dig, the rock almost fell away to reveal todays treasure. Green emitted eerily from the rocky crevice a lurden had just created, and the easily excitable creatures stopped their work, taking interest as the founder examined the seven pointed star with eyes too filled with idiocy to be greedy.

...

"Thanks for helping tonight, Caleb." Caleb looked up at the girl approaching, and as he passed, turned to face her and walked backwards.

"Hey, what are friends for?" The words flowed relaxed now as he referred to Hay Lin as a friend. He was quite fond he supposed; he didn't herald any dislike for the child. Though his kindness had yet to show an opening door to the keeper. He'd climb through a broken window if that's what it took. "I am getting paid, right?" He started a smile to let her in on the joke, but fell backwards over something, breaking the plates he'd been carrying.

He looked up at Hay Lin, who stifled a grin. "Uh, I don't think that order was to-go."

"I'll have the chicken-" The woman began gagging. In fact the entire room started to fill with loud coughing and Caleb inwardly told himself to breath from his mouth; it didn't help much - he could taste the bitter smell on his tongue.

"What's that smell?" People began calling out, "It smells like something died!"

Caleb grimaced, recognising the scent as Hay Lin turned to him scowling, "No, it smells like something died, came back to life, and then died.. Again!"

"I know that smell. It's dirty, it's vile..." Caleb gave the petite girl's elbow a tug and she followed him into the kitchen. He slammed open the back door to reveal Blunk rooting through the dumpster. "It's Blunk!"

"Blunk new pad! Groovy, huh?" Caleb knew that he, of all people should avoid judging the passling, but he could not help it. It was a miracle that anything could survive under Blunk's living conditions. Self-appointed living conditions. The thing in front of him chose to live like this.

"I think you mean gravy. You smell disgusting!"

"Thank you. Blunk tries. Flip-top tongue-scraper!" The passling licked the cell-phone and Caleb could see the slime rolling down the screen, causing his throat to silently beg for him to gag.

"Blunk, you're driving customers away! You need a bath!"

"Bath bad!" Blunk ducked under the garbage pile and Caleb decided it may be time to take lead from Hay Lin. He wanted to spend as little time as possible out here with the smuggler, and Hay Lin looked like she could persist all night if she had to.

"No," Caleb was glad when Hay Lin stepped back, letting him take the reigns, though due to Will's reception (or lack thereof) to him, the guardians did seem rather casual when consulting him or Will as leader. "Soapy water bath good! Stinky Blunk bad! Come on, dýsosmos, this won't hurt a bit!"

"Let Blunk go!" Caleb had grabbed onto Blunk's collar; avoiding any skin to skin contact with the most likely disease-ridden creature,but Blunk draped a sausage link around Caleb's neck. "Give Caleb treasure! Meat necklace!"

Caleb instantly dropped the slimy toad, and pulled away the uncooked sausages. He was going to need a shower now. He'd already needed one that morning, though this time he'd want it hot. To burn off the germs hopefully. "Akatháristes!"

...

Will dropped a few books in her locker and wondered if Caleb's books had been read. He had turned up at her house a few days ago and apologised and it almost angered Will that she had simply taken it well, not even making a remark about Cornelia. Though she supposed if she had, she'd have probably become a rather obvious shade of red and he'd know that she felt left out.. Not that she did. She turned to the other Guardians. "Hey, don't forget guys, practice today by the river."

"Before we have practice, I need your help."

"With your hair, makeup, and fashion sense?" Cornelia giggled and Will sighed inwardly. She would never get totally used to Cornelia. "I thought you would never ask."

"Blunk's traveling around in a garbage dumpster stinking up the neighborhood," Will's eyes shot to Hay Lin to look for signs of a prank. Traveling? What was he doing - rolling it down hills like a cart? "And my mom and dad have the health inspector coming! So we need to give him a bath!"

"He's willing to take a bath?" Will walked around the corner, not entirely used to the girls who were following her like dogs. She had been one of them a month or so ago and never noticed until now how frustrating it was that everyone relied on one person to know where to go. She wished Cornelia would be that person for her.

"Well..." Hay Lin left too large a gap between this and her actual answer and Will blew a strand of cherry red away from her face. This would mean going to the silver dragon. "No."

"Okay, we'll do it before practice."

Will bit her lip as Cornelia sighed in disgust, wondering if she should have said no instead. What she said went, and though Cornelia tried not to disagree now, she still saw the hawty glares and rolls of eyes. "Ugh! Why can't we have regular problems? Like are my shoes so retro they're not cool, just plain old? We have to give a sponge bath to a barf-toad!"

The bell went just as the group of five belted out with laughter and Will smiled happily, waving as Matt gave her a flashy grin walking by in the corridors.


dýsosmos - smelly/stinky

akatháristes - gross/yuck