“Let me outta here! This place reeks!”
It’s shrill voice carried far across an otherwise quiet evening in the Eversong Woods. The branches of trees older than even he swayed gently in the breeze rolling in from the western coast, and the clip-clop, clip-clop of his charger’s hooves against the white cobblestone path made for sleepy listening. When combined with the rocking motion of a relaxed pace, Erandith could have found himself drifting off.
And he likely would have, had it shut it’s mouth for more than five seconds.
“What you got against the little guy?!” the imp screeched, the enchanted sack that contained it doing little to muffle the high-pitched noise. “All I did was have some fun!”
“You killed a stablehand.” Erandith grumbled miserably in response, “I’d hardly call that a party.”
“Ah, c’mon. It was an accident!” it cried, “He snuck up on me! I was just walking around, looking for some magic. Next thing I know he’s screaming ‘HAIR!’ and ‘FIRE!’ and ‘HELP!’”
He stared dull-eyed at the road ahead. Sun above, these creatures get more intolerable with each encounter.
“How was I supposed to know he wasn’t FLAME RESISTANT?! I am!”
“This isn’t whatever horrid, fel-barren rock that you call home.” the Knight snapped back, twisting in the saddle to glare at the writhing bag. “Whatever chaos you sprang from doesn’t hold sway, here.”
“I was miserable back home until Red brought me here – it was the BEST!” it squeaked gleefully. “But I didn’t get to do any of the torturing…”
The wretched creature went quiet for a few moments, much to Erandith’s surprise. His elven ears perked up as if hope were made visible. Turning back to the road, he-
“I know!” it suddenly exclaimed. It’s voice rose as the Knight’s ears drooped. “You could be my NEW master!”
“Oh no,” Erandith started, “I know what you’re-“
“Azalop and Shiny Guy! Think about it!” it bargained, “Red was weak – and I mean WEAK - but you and me? We could take this world, make it better! You want power? What about SHINY treasures, huh?! You like that? I’ll help you get it all! We could-“
His gauntlet rattled as it struck the cloth-covered lump at the back of his horse, cutting the creature off mid-sentence. It took a few moments before, on cue, it piped up again.
“Was that REALLY necessary?!” it exclaimed.
Erandith turned back to face the road as a small, satisfied smile crept onto his tired face. “The only world you need concern yourself with is inside that sack.” he said, “At least, until we return you to the Magistrix.”
“GAH!” the imp screeched, “You’re so DULL. It’s INSUFFERABLE!”
The clop-clop of his charger’s hooves trotting against the stone were like music to his ears. The finest lute or harp player in Quel’Thalas could not best the majesty of the quiet peace now returned to the enchanted woodland. He exhaled deeply as his eyes closed, enjoying the moment of respite.
But it didn’t last long.
“Do you have any more olives? I’m STARVING!” the imp cried.