They halloo'd from the outer bank of the moat, and a little window popped open above the drawbridge. A voice called out, demanding their business at Castle Arzxzkil.
They stated that they had come seeking the hospitality of the lord of the castle, and the voice said "Alright, alright, hold on a minute", and shortly thereafter the drawbridge began to squeak and creak and rattle its way down, revealing an open gateway and a curious elongated creature like a human-sized earthworm with arms and legs working away at a crank-wheel.
"Come on then" it said, and headed off into the jumble of outbuildings, leaving the team to follow along as they might.
It led them through a labyrinth of passages, alleys, through and under stone-built shacks, into a largish barn-like space, at the end of which sat a fairly huge toad-like humanoid, dressed in rather fine armour. "Supplicants for your hospitality, O Lord Arsxzkil" said the worm-guy.
"Bah!" exclaimed Arsxzkil, "more parasites come to take advantage of my enforced generosity! Is there no end to them? Come on then. I suppose you'll want me to feed you too!"
"Yes please," said Olaf, "and also, will you show us about your very fine tower?"
"Why do you want to see around my tower? What business is that of yours?" demanded Arsxzkil.
"Merely as a matter of hospitality" said Olaf.
Arsxzkil's face swelled visibly. "Bah! All right then! follow me, and keep up!" and he turned about abruptly and headed off, his great armoured feet splatting and clattering against the flagstones.
More to come later
