Maxwell's Daemon

Chucky glanced at a couple of the pages of the other, heavily damaged book. He gasped and stared, and then closed the pages. He then declared, "We have to get out of here. The gold and other trinkets are not important. I did not quite know what I was looking for, but this book is the very thing we came for. We are going to need both your and my special expertise, and that of a few more besides."

"Whatisit? Tellmehuhhuhhuh?"

Chucky stared at him with a wild expression, eyes widened, breath quickening, and with the colour draining from his cheeks. "We have to get out of here, fast. I saw some of the pictures. I did not look long, but the power ... the beauty ... but in one picture - I, I, don't want to think about it! There are lots of notes and comments in the margins. And some beings are not going to be happy that we have even part of this book. Lucky's life may depend on these pages!"

Flucky was wondering if it were worthwhile to keep such a dangerous book when gold and other treasures were there for the taking, but mention of Lucky put an end to those thoughts. If this book could help, then he would guard it with his life, and better yet, a flamethrower.

The two gnomes quickly but carefully trotted out the way they came in, until the came to the cave exit, where they met a strange creature. He was no bigger than they were, and was apparently unarmed, but had a stern look. His skin was black as charcoal, with closely-cropped hair the colour of ivory. His face seemed to be human, with his most distinguishing feature being a set of droopy jowls. He was almost dignified, in his way, but there was a red flash in his dark brown eyes that did not appear to be natural. It only appeared when he moved his head. The creature was clothed in a richly ornamented outfit of black, and trimmed with red.

"I cannot let you out," the creature informed the gnomes. "Orders of Maxwell."

"Who is Maxwell? What are you?" Chucky asked. "What right does he have to demand this?"

"After the fall of Minestus, there have been a lot of hands trying to grab things from the caves that should not be doing so. Maxwell has sent me to ensure that the artifacts of the cave are only used by those authorized to do so, and to trap the right creatures inside, and keep the wrong creatures out. As for me, I am one of his servants, a daemon."

"A demon?"

"No, a daemon. I am not one of those with pitchforks and a pointed tail. However, I do have powers of my own. I would recommend that you get back in the cave."

"Someonehas destroyedthelibrary! Wearejusttryingto rescuewhatsleft."

"Orders are orders. I am to ensure that certain beings stay out, and that certain beings stay in. You are one of those who needs to stay in."

"Getawayfromthe exitorIllfryyou!"

"Go ahead."

Flucky blasted the daemon with his flamethrower. The daemon began to glow a ruddy red, and the gnomes could see the white teeth from the daemon's grin. Flucky turned off the flamethrower, and made a little whimpering noise. Chucky stared at the daemon.

The daemon's red glow faded, and he turned to Flucky. "Do you want to see another daemon-stration of my power? I will not hurt you, I promise."

The gnomes stared at him, and

1. fled back into the interior of the caves.
2. accepted his offer, as they apparently were not going anywhere.

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