Chapter 412 The Sophos Village (1/2)

When our guide finally appeared before us, I did a quick double take as he was remarkably similar to Formo in appearance. The impression was somewhat reinforced when he arrived riding on the back of a tremendously fearsome worm monster.

[WHAT HO! ARE YOU THE DASTARDLY CREATURES WHO THROTTLED MY CREATION?]

I take that as my cue to step forward then.

[Ah, yes. h.e.l.lo there! We come in peace! Had we realised that the creature we were battling had belonged to one of the Sophos, we'd have left it well enough alone.]

This particular member of Formo's people shares much the same appearance as Formo himself. The Sophos are quite small, with thin, gangly arms and legs that support an unimpressive torso which in turn supports a truly impressive nonce.

Without eyes or perhaps even ears, the Sophos have an impressively bulbous head that they can't seem to hold up properly, resulting in a hunched posture that makes them look even smaller than they ought to. They appear completely hairless and somewhat wrinkly, which I can easily tell, since they don't appear to wear any clothes other than a loincloth.

[WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE CORE FORGE IS THAT?!]

I can't help but look around frantically to see what he's screaming about, but the guy doesn't have eyes! How the h.e.l.l am I supposed to know what he's looking at?! His head didn't even move!

[I'm not sure what you mean?!]

[YOUR PET! HOW IN THE BLAZES DID YOU GET YOUR GRUBBY MANDIBLES ON ONE?!]

[Are you referring to Tiny? I mean. He's a big 'ol Gorilla. There's a few of them in the forest expanse, I'm sure. We can't be far from it, I'd be happy to take you.]

[NO, YOU BLITHERING NUMBSKULL! THE LIGHTNING FIST APE IS AS COMMON AS MUD AFTER IT RAINS ON A MUD FARM! I'M TALKING ABOUT THE SHADOW CREATURE!]

[Crinis? Uh. Just got lucky I suppose?]

[GIVE HER TO ME!]

[Nope.]

A brief silence descends between myself and the Sophos, who looks down at me (maybe) imperiously from atop his powerful worm mount. I get the feeling he never considered the possibility I might say no to that request.

[IT WOULD SEEM TO ME, THAT YOU OWE ME REPARATIONS AFTER DESTROYING MY CREATION.]

Even if the volume hasn't changed, it feels as if his tone has become a little less demanding.

[You may be right about that,] I'm happy to admit.

[IF YOU GIVE ME CONTROL OF YOUR PET THEN I SHALL CONSIDER THE DEBT ERASED.]

[No chance.]

Silence descends once more.