Excerpt: Always Darkest Before The Dawn

Chapter 5: The Audition
The girls looked over the area and smiled. Maurice had been a true friend to them since they first entered the towers. It would be a very sad when they finally left to have to leave him behind.
“Thank you Maurice,” said Sara. “We will begin to set up for the judging.” Sara, Erika, Proty, and Bill walked to the other side of the restaurant to the judge’s table. They looked at the windows and noticed two knights in shining armor riding on Pegasus in a jousting tournament in the sky.
The girls looked at the different people and creatures that were waiting to be auditioned and tried to get a good idea in advance of who they might choose.
“I will fly around the room and get a view of all the people,” said Proty.
“You better tell people not to shoot at the raven,” suggested Erika.
“Good idea,” said Sara. “Bill, would you do the honors?”
Bill nodded and then let loose another ear splitting whistle.
“Attention everyone,” said Sara. “We will begin the judging in just a few minutes. In the meantime, my pet raven will be flying around the room for exercise. Please do not shoot at him or grab him. Thank you!” Proty then took off and fly around the room looking at the various people.
Five minutes later Denbar came in with about thirty more people. Maurice showed them where to sign in and then led them to the refreshment table. Sara, Erika, and Bill were already seated at the judge’s table. Denbar came over to the girls.
“Found some more people for you to audition. Some jugglers, a fire eater, a knife throwing act, and seven belly dancers. Actually the dancers are for me!”
“Denbar, we are not judging entertainers. These are companions to travel with us,” explained Sara.
“Oh. Well, it will be fun to watch anyways won’t it?” he asked.
“I would not mind watching the belly dancers,” said Bill.
“A true man after my own heart,” said Denbar.
“Boys,” said Sara rolling her eyes.
“Still gross!” agreed Erika.
Proty flew down to the judges table and took a drink from a water glass.
“Any luck?” asked Sara.
“A few good prospects out there,” said Proty. “I saw a woman in robes, could be a mage or a healer. I also saw a woman in the garb of a knight. She could be a paladin.”
“Well let’s begin and see what happens,” said Sara. “Ladies and Gentlemen and humanoids of all kind. To be fair to everyone, we will select people at random and not go in order of this list.”
Just then a large blue dragon wandered into the restaurant. He looked around a moment and approached the judges’ table.
“Am I too late?” asked the blue dragon.
“Late for what?” asked Sara.
“Why to audition of course! I am Zuph The Dragon. I want to audition for the role of the dragon in chapter 17 of this book.”
“Role of what dragon?” asked Sara.
“What do you mean by ‘this book’?” asked Erika.
“The book your father is writing,” said Zuph The Blue Dragon. “This very story that we are all in. He has a scene that requires a dragon and I want that part.”
“Mousider,” said Maurice. “I am sorry but you have to leave.”
“Leave? Why?” asked Zuph The Blue Dragon.
Maurice pointed to a sign over the doorway, which read:
No Dragons Allowed

“Plus you are in violation of the fourth wall rule,” added Bill.
“Okay,” said Zuph The Blue Dragon. “If you feel that strongly about it.” He slowly sauntered away with his head low.

“That was very strange,” said Erika.
“Yeah, I do not know what to make of that,” said Sara.
“Best just to ignore it and move on,” said Bill.
Sara looked at the list and chose an unusual name.
“Cajun Rayne, you may start,” announced Sara.
“We’re down here,” called a female voice. A small stage was set up near the other end of the restaurant. On the stage was a five piece heavy metal band. The lead singer was a girl.
“We are Cajun Rayne!” she said. The drummer click off a four beat and the band launched into a song.
“Hold on!” yelled Sara. “We are not auditioning music acts!”
“What?” said the lead singer for Cajun Rayne. “This is not Metal Dreams?”
“No,” said Sara.
“We are sorry,” She said. The band began to pack up its instruments.
“Look everyone,” said Sara. “This an audition for a new traveling companion to accompany my sister and I around the different towers in order to get to the Fifth Tower. We are looking for someone who can offer some type of skill or skills that will help us survive and get out of situation is the need comes up.”
“If this is not something you can contribute to,” said Erika, “then we aske that you leave, please.”
After this announcement about thirty people got up and made their way out. Those included most of the people that Denbar brought with him.
“Girls, girls, keep in touch!” called Denbar to the belly dancers.
“Okay,” said Sara, “moving along.” She looked at the list again. “Here Erika, you pick one.
“All right,” Said Erika looking at the list. “Serena Katrina?”
A young woman in robes and a staff came forward.
“This is the one I mentioned to you,” said Proty.
“My name is Serena Katrina. I am a druid from the city of Vislo.”
“Ah a healer,” said Denbar. “A good thing to have in any adventuring party.”
“Sounds promising,” said Sara. “Here’s a question for you to answer: Let’s say you are in a situation in which thirty zombies are headed in your direction and they are chanting, ‘Must have free gift, must have free gift.’ What do you do?”
“Why I would give them the free gift,” answered Serena.
“Oh wrong answer!” said Denbar. “Any smart person would know to simply kill the zombie before they got too close. Just chop off their head.” Then he suddenly looked at Bill. “Err… no offense Bill.”
“I am sorry that I failed your question,” said Serena.
“Actually you answered correctly,” said Sara. “That’s exactly what we did in that situation.”
“WHAT?!” roared Denbar. “Since when does one reason with a zombie?”
“You’re treading on thin ice Bud,” said Bill.
“Harumph!” said Denbar.
“Thank you Serena,” said Erika. “We might call you back.”
Serena Katrina of Vislo bowed to the girls and went and sat down.
“Okay next person--.” Began Sara but she was interrupted when a tall, slender man with blond hair, blue eyes started to walk into the restaurant.
“Am I on time for the audition?” he asked which was then followed by, “Whoops!” He had stepped on a pressure plate and a large ceiling tile fell down and walloped him on the head.
“Looks like he set off a trap,” said Bill.
“That is impossible!” said Maurice. We do not have traps in here.
Denbar had his hand over his eyes.
“It does not matter,” he said. “That is Roondar, one of the worst thieves in all the realms. The only way he is able to find traps is by setting them off.” He stood up to check on Roondar who was climbing to his feet.
“Oh my,” he said. “What just happened?”
“You set off a trap genius,” said Denbar.
“But I said there are not any traps in here!” exclaimed Maurice.
“And I said it does not matter,” said Denbar. “Wherever Roondar goes a trap is always handy for him to set off. Oh and never go to the bathroom with him either. I almost died. I will not say more.” He sat back down.
“I do not think we went him for assistance,” said Sara.
“Definitely not!” agreed Erika.