Timewaster's Guide Archive

These are really fun to read.

Mine's a bit short, but oh well.

***



"Dad? I'm scared."

"It's okay. We'll be fine. Just keep holding my hand."

"We should just set up camp like last night."

"Do you really want to spend another night in bedrolls, have biscuits for breakfast again, when there's a proper inn an hour away?"

"I still don't like the dark."

"The dark can't hurt you."

"I think... I think I see one! Behind that tree. In the shadow."

"Hold up the lantern. See? Just a twisty-like branch."

"But what if it hid."

"Doram, look at me. You're wearin' your charm, right? Then none of those unholy Fey can get you."

"But Liya told me an Ice Dryad can kill you with one touch. One touch!"

"Ice—Ice Dryads? That's what you're worried about?"

"Uh-huh."

"Son, it's high summer. No Icies in summer, not in these parts."

"Never?"

"Never."

"For sure?"

"Certain as larks in the morning."

"But then... why are we wearing charms?"

"Ha! I always said you're a clever boy."

"Dad, why?"

"No Icies don't mean no Fey, but the Pantheon protects their devout."

"Protects from what?"

"It's just a few rumors. Just in case."

"Which Fey though?"

"We won't see any, don't worry over it."

"But which one?"

"You have to promise me you won't get scared again."

"I'll be a brave little boy."

"Good. It's just Goblings anyhow."

"Liya said Goblings have yellow cat eyes and they can kill by looking at you!"

"Liya's a silly little girl. Goblings kill with knives, not looks. And they can't even see in the dark too well neither."

"Oh... big knives?"

"Plain old knives."

"What about knives that grow out of their hands?"

"You like scaring yourself or something? Plain old knives."

"Oh. You know what I think? I think Goblings—dad what's that?"

"Probly just another—lift the lantern, now—twisty... wait. Is it... moving?"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Hush up, get back here! If it's really a Gobling, we have to be real quiet now."

"I want to go home."

"I said be quiet! And cover that lantern."

"...what about whispering?"

"Only if you have to. Follow me now."

"It's so dark."

"Once we're out from under the trees..."

"Dad! Where'd you go? Hold my hand! Dad? Daddy?!"