Belboz's Dark Designs?

"Don't worry, Elashi." Val said. "We'll be back as soon as we find some more... pieces. How many do we need now?"

"Twenty eight." Chuc said without much hope.

"Do they all have to be humans?" Fredric said. "Can we recruit, like... goblins and fairies or something?"

"Yes, yes go right ahead." Belboz said impatiently. "Hurry up and get going already."

He snapped his fingers again and Val, Chuc and Fredric found themselves back in the cave where their boat had washed up.

"I can't believe this." Val said. "Where are we supposed to find that many humanoids? We better hurry up and start searching."

"Are you telling me," Chuc said. "That you really think Belboz wants to play human chess? Are you that naive?"

"What are you saying?" Val said with some alarm.

"I'm saying we had better give up on Elashi, and get out of here with our own lives while we still can." Chuc said. "There's only one thing Belboz wants, and it's certainly not something any of us three want to give him."

"No way!" Fredric said. "That's disqusting! An old man like that?"

"Like it or not, it's the truth. He's probably giving it to her as we speak, good and hard." Chuc sneered. "Maybe he'll be nice and let her go afterward, eh?"

"Shut the hell up, you bastard!" Val yelled, punching Chuc in the face. The young mage went down as Fredric rushed in to grab Val.

"Let me go!" Val yelled. "I'll kill him!"

"Heh." Chuc said, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Looks like someone's in love. But there's no way we can take on a mage that strong. Open your goddamn eyes!"

"You little coward." Val spat. "I'll save Elashi, with or without you!"

"Calm down, both of you!" Fredric said. "This is no time or place to be fighting each other."

"You're right." Val said, relaxing. "Beating the crap out of Chuc would just reduce me to his level."

"Maybe you're wrong, Chuc." Fredric said. "Maybe... Belboz really wants to play chess?"

"Hmph." Chuc said, standing up. "I'll go with you, since without my light spell you'd both be doomed. But don't expect me to rush into certain death for you."

"Fine." Val said. "I wouldn't want a coward like you to get in my way."

They started back, their path lit by Chuc's magic until they arrived at the same branch in the cave passage. The path to the right was no longer illuminated - apparently Belboz had blocked the way back into his lair somehow, giving more credibility to Chuc's suspicions.

1. Proceed to the left.
2. Proceed to the right.
3. Meanwhile, back at Belboz and Elashi...

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