Page 90 of Made

The fact that the monster was chained was evidence enough that someone with immense power intended for him to stay put. But the purpose was a mystery to both Cerberus and the sephalia.

“Was it, perhaps, some kind of punishment? Did you anger one of the gods?”

All three heads sighed in unison. “We’d like to answer you truthfully, but it’s been so long we don’t remember.”

“Well, as to being lost, we’d both much prefer to be elsewhere - anywhere else really - but our brother has been sent on quest to save the woman he loves. We’re accompanying him, hoping to keep him alive and well.”

“We see. Who sent you on this quest?”

“Cardinals.”

One of the heads nodded independently.

“I’ll tell you what,” Keir said. “Help us, all three of us, return to the barge unharmed, and I will free you.”

“KEIR!!!” Killian’s voice was shot with alarm, all trace of drunkenness gone in an instant of panic. “YOU CAN’T!”

“Why not?” he asked Killian.

Killian stepped close to Keir as if he could speak without Exscruffenrox hearing. “Because whoever put it here has a world of power more than we do.”

“It was probably Hades.”

“Probably.”

“I’m betting that whatever happened has been long forgotten by the jailer as well.”

“’Tis a very risky bet, brother. One that could cost you your life.”

“It could be a thousand years before anybody reports he’s off the chain. If ever.”

“Like I said, risky, risky, risky business.”

Keir turned back to Exscruffenrox. “Do you have the ability to help us find our brother and get back to the barge?”

All three heads jerked up at attention, pointed ears pointed at the sky. “This is as much as we know.”

“Unsure what you mean?” Keir said.

“We can tell you what happens when the boatman arrives. The damned souls are pushed onto shore then sucked inside. We’ve never been inside.”

“Oh.”

“But we believe we can still be of help. If for no other reason than that we can’t be harmed by what’s there.”

“How do you know?”

“Because many have tried.”

“Really?”

“Yes. We suggest they return the way they came.”

Keir and Killian looked at each other as if to say,Ohhhhhh. The monster’s purpose wasn’t to prevent entry. It was to prevent escape. In that case, removing him from his post might be a problem.

“But even if someone escaped… They wouldn’t be in corporal form. Right?”

After a slight pause, Exscruffenrox said, “They would be as you are now.”

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