Plan? What Plan?

"Come! Feel the sting of Quito!" yelled the youth as he perched atop the makeshift barricade made of smashed furniture, gathered stones and other debris. He held a small bow and let loose an arrow that bounced and skittered along the stone floor of the hallway. The blond-haired boy frowned as he realized the arrow never reached its intended target.

His companion, a rough-looking Halfling decked out in leather, with a bandoleer of crossbow bolts strapped across his chest, shook his head and growled in frustration. He reached up and grabbed the boy's breeches and pulled him back down behind the cover of the barricade as several spears, a couple of hatchets, some fist-sized rocks and a half-eaten apple smashed against their defensive position.

"Are you trying to get yerself killed?" growled the Halfling as he aimed a small crossbow over the barricade.

"It's my battle cry," the boy said proudly, "it's supposed to strike terror into the hearts of my enemies! I want them to know who it is that makes them tremble with fear!"

"The only thing you are making them do is laugh hysterically. Ain't no one that I've heard of, who has died from laughing too hard, lad."

The boy shrugged and tried to argue, "Do you ever laugh? Have you ever laughed? It's practically paralyzing."

The Halfling huffed and rolled his eyes at the youth.

"This is how you strike fear into the hearts of your enemies," snarled the Halfling as he pulled the level and the bolt in his crossbow took flight.

One of the goblins, who was slowly advancing towards the barricade, collapsed and fell to the ground, gurgling; a bolt protruding from its throat. The rest of the advancing goblins fell to the floor or retreated, yammering in their native tongue to themselves.

The Halfling smirked at the boy as he grabbed another crossbow bolt from his bandoleer and placed it on the groove atop his crossbow. Reaching for the small crank, he began to pull the drawstring back for another shot.

The boy watched him for a bit before speaking.

"Why do you use a crossbow?"

"Hits harder," the Halfling grunted, "punctures through armor better."

"I don't think those goblins are wearing armor," accused the boy.

"They have a tough skin; it acts as a natural armor."

Quito shrugged and pulled another arrow from his quiver, knocked it to his bow and looked out past the barricade. He quickly stood and yelled," Come…"

"Don't," interrupted the Halfling, "just don't."

With his concentration lost, the boy's arrow flew high and lodged itself in the ceiling, wedged between two stones.

"Damn," cursed the youth.

"Get down," yelled the Halfling as he, once again, pulled the boy back behind the protection of the barricade. More makeshift missiles from the goblins struck against their position, harmlessly. The boy peeked back over the top of the barricade.

"They must be running low on ammunition. More stones this time," he glanced up to one of the wall sconces that held a bright, burning torch and asked, "How long do torches burn for?"

"Long enough. You always seem to focus on the wrong things," grumbled the Halfling.

"Yeah, I suppose I do," replied the youth before changing the subject, "I wonder how Delman and Aziath are doing?"

"I'm sure they are doing fine," the Halfling said letting the bolt fly as another goblin fell dead, "Just stick to the plan, lad."

"We had a plan?" asked the boy, surprised.

"Surprisingly, yes. Not a very good one, but we had one," explained the Halfling.

"Oh. So, what's the plan?" asked the boy, still peering over the barricade.

The Halfling stopped reloading his crossbow and looked to the boy incredulously.

"Are you serious?"

The boy nodded emphatically, not taking his eyes away from their attackers.

"Fine. You are I were to distract the goblins, while Delman…." His voiced was drowned out by a huge roar coming from behind the goblins. The noise from the goblins grew louder. Their yelping and yapping were quickly replaced by the sounds of their bare feet slapping against stone.

"Is….is this part of the plan?" the boy stammered, still staring out over the barricade.

The Halfling peered over the top of their makeshift defensive position and his eyes grew wide. He could see a large dark shape, with glowing red eyes heading towards them; the goblins scattering, doing their best to get away from the beast. The Halfling swallowed and said, "Time to go."

"Is this part of the plan?" the boy asked nervously.

"Uh…yes. Yes, it is," the Halfling lied as he gathered up his crossbow and took off running away from the approaching monstrosity. He looked back briefly and saw the boy standing there, doing nothing.

"Run!" he yelled.

The boy took off and ran past him, his longer legs leaving the short-legged Halfling behind.

"I don't think I like this plan, Manda!" he screeched as he ran past.

I don't either, he thought, what in all the gods' names have you gotten us into this time Delman? He spared a glance back over his shoulder and saw the beast smash through their makeshift barricade; debris and those few unfortunate goblins who couldn't get out of the way fast enough, flying in every direction. The light from the torch disappeared, shrouding the hallway behind him in darkness. He turned his focus back to the boy.

"Take a left at the next intersection," he yelled, hoping the boy was listening.

"Ok," he heard in response as the boy turned right.

"Oh, for the love of the goddess," he hollered in frustration," not that way! That leads deeper into the dungeon you fool!"

He truly felt that the boy wouldn't live to see another day and he feared that it would be the end of him too. Oh, how he would rather be sitting at home next to his hearth, sipping on some spice tea, eating the small pastries that his mother had taught him to bake. The sun would be setting and a cool breeze would be wafting through the open window, where he could peer out at his garden, watching the bumblebees hovering around.

How he missed his life of comfort, his life of no worries, of no danger, of no worrying about the actions of some dumb human boy that he was placed in charge of. He missed his simple, uncomplicated life. If only he had known what awaited him in the wide, open world, he would never have left.

Another angry roar came from behind him and brought him back to his present situation. He pushed himself to move a bit faster as he skidded around the corner to the right. He should leave the boy to his doom but then Delman would be extremely irate with him. Delman was his ticket to fortune, he could care less about the fame. He needed this one last score to be able to retire and the kid was putting that in jeopardy.

For a moment, he let a single thought hang in his mind. Was this part of your plan, Delman? He was answered by another roar from the beast behind him.