Chapter 1

  The Plot Unplanned

  I was silent, lying in my treasure chest. I had eaten well that day, and was resting. Three adventurers had stumbled upon me, and fell to my claws. It was far more than I could ever eat. I was content to rest, and take a well-deserved nap.

  A sound broke me from my relaxation. It was the sound of foot falls from up the dungeons corridors. I was full, so I wasn't interested in this. I was well hidden in my cozy chest. My body was that of a violin. My tail, which I had disconnected and turned into the bow, lay against me. It was a trick I had learned as an elder mimic.

  I relaxed again. Most adventurers didn't bother to pick me up unless they were greedy, looking to sell me for money, it was the last mistake they ever made. I typically waited for them to rest nearby, and would feast, after they fell asleep.

  I was in the highest level of the dungeon. Most adventurers thought this area safe of monsters, and it was, for the most part. Monsters didn't like to be near the entrance in case a flood of powerful adventurers stormed in. They were deeper, where they could prepare, and wait.

  As a mimic, I could hide in plain sight, so I remained on this level. I didn’t have to worry about other monsters attacking me here. I also found most of the humans, elves, and dwarves that came in would camp here. That or split up, taking different routes through the winding cave like passages. This was perfect. I would either kill them in their sleep, or hunt them down.

  I was not a large mimic, but I was deceptively strong. I had once taken on a barbarian, a cleric, and a knight all at once. I was smaller then many of my kin, but I was twice as fast for it. My sharp claws were like the blade of the assassin’s, and my teeth like the spiked mace of a dwarf.

  I heard the noise approaching my spot. I just kept still, figuring them to open the chest, loot the gold and jewels next to me and leave. Bandits and thieves hid their treasures here to escape the law. That’s why the dungeon had so much gold.

  The lid creaked as it was opened. I could not open my eyes, less I give myself away. I remained still. I heard the breath of this adventurer, and their heartbeat quickened at the sight of treasure. I had exceptional hearing. By the heartbeat and breathing, I could tell a lot.

  This was a male human. He was of medium age as well. I could smell blossoms and honey from the man. It wasn't an unpleasant smell, and made me think of the nobles I heard adventurer's mention.

  I nearly pissed myself when his hand, instead of grabbing the gold, grabbed me. I was so shocked I didn't move. I could have ended him right there, but I was stunned into stillness. Why would he pick up an old violin over the gold and jewels?

  He placed me into a cloth bag. Then the gold and gems went next to me. I felt them clink against my side as he drew the top shut.

  I lay there, cradled by the soft fabric, wondering what to do. I wasn't hungry, so there was no need to leap out and kill this man right now.

  I figured I would ride along with him for now. He would sleep at night, and I would creep out and feast. I would be hungry by then. I didn't know when my next meal would come to this dungeon. Adventurers had become few and far between recently with all the death here.

  This way, I had a guaranteed meal later. And if I was out in the world, I could be found easier, and eat better. I laughed internally at this brilliant plan and relaxed once again.

  The gentle bumps of the man walking caused my tail to strike me in the face repeatedly, which was an annoyance, but I dealt with it. I was not going to ruin my chance at food. I was an elder mimic, and I was better than that.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

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  Philia (φιthan)(Greek): Denotes a strong bond of friendship or affection, often used to describe love between equals.

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  I knew we had exited the dungeon shortly after, when sun beamed down from the small opening in the top of the bag on me. I still had my eyes closed, but the warmth felt foreign to me, and the light pierced my eyelids. I was a creature of dark caves and stagnant air. This outside world was not mine, and I had to be more cautious than usual. I kept reminding myself what the reward was for this bold action, and reassured myself it was worth the risk.

  The man hummed a tune as we moved along. I could feel it through the bag, vibrating through his back. It was a merry tune I heard a thousand other adventurers hum and sing in the caves. It meant little to me, but I liked how this man hummed it. It had a liveliness to it. I was scared leaving my safe home, but the humming seemed to help a bit.

  I had never been outside the cave, and had no idea where we were. I was born in that dungeon, and lived my whole life there. Nervousness encased me, and caused me to feel nauseous. I had never been this anxious in my life.

  The path we took was steep. I could tell by how the bag leaned as we bounced along. We were making our way farther and farther from my home, and the safety of things I knew. This was the worst idea I had ever had.

  The outside air smelt odd. It was scented of life and flowers. My nerves calmed slightly at that, I didn't mind it at all. I enjoyed the smells, as well as the sweet scent of my meal transporting me to my dinner table. The fresh air and humming was strange, but somewhat calming. Though, I still feared for myself.

  To calm my mind, I began to devise how I would do the task. I would need to do it at night, when we were alone. I heard tales from adventurers camping near my box talk of assassin’s who killed at night. I could make it look like that. Then the next person who found me would think nothing of it.

  As I got lost in thought of the man’s sweet flesh and plans to eat, I was broken from my concentration by a growing din of noise. It was voices, but a lot of them.

  My heart sank. Oh no, the market, I thought. I heard about this a lot in the caves. Humans and elves would speak of the market. A large place full of goods to be bought, sold and traded. There were a lot of people here, and that made it dangerous for me. If they found out what I was, I was dead.

  I knew I could take on one or two, even three if it came to it. A crowd of people, plus guards, I had no chance. I would have to wait out the day, and hope he left in the evening.

  A dreadful thought floated into my mind that I had not considered before. What if this man lived here? What if he never left? I would starve, or die in an attempt to eat. Mimics were patient creatures, but our hunger drove us. We had to eat.

  I heard the noises around me like a den of draugrs, and I knew I was in the thick of this. I'd bide my time, but I had a feeling I had doomed myself with this stupid plan.

  Smells of many kinds wafted over me as we traversed the large group of people. Smells of sweet flowers, spices, and more unknown ones hung around the air here. No stench of decay lingered here. This place was not mine, it was a whole new world. I was scared and did everything I could not to tremble.

  A door creaked, and I felt the bag get dark. The warmth of the sun suddenly removed. The voices were now more echoed as if back in my cave. However, the echoes here had a soft quality to them. The floor made a soft creek as the man carrying me walked.

  I heard him speak for the first time now. I knew it was him, because it was the loudest voice, and I could feel it vibrate through the bag against his back.

  “Rations and a drink, I think. And could you get me a block of cheese,” he said. His voice matched the smell of him, sweet and calm. I liked his voice, it made me less nervous, though, I didn’t know why.

  I felt him move the bag from his shoulder. My butt hit solid floor as he placed the bag down, and I internally cursed him. He was gentle, but not enough.

  His hand came into the bag to grab the gold. I felt it as it searched. It glided over me in its attempt to find the coin bag nestled against the curve of my hip. I nearly took a bite of his hand when it ran over my mouth, but I controlled that impulse. The amount of people around me now, I would surely die.

  Then, something I didn’t expect happened. His fingers gently ran over my stomach, where the bottom of my strings were attached. It was, a gentle touch, almost loving. He gave me a small, soft pat and then grabbed the coins. I was confused and scared. Why had he done that? Did he know, and was teasing me? I thought a thousand bad things to happen now, but none came.

  I sat in the open bag, and listened to this strange man drink and talk for an hour. All the while wondering what was to become of me. I had messed up horribly this time. I should never have left my cave.