The fearless Mr. Kimble
Hello everyone, it’s Animeman73 again. Time for more of the #BASwordtember challenge from Inessa Burnell.
On Day 15 the word/subject is: Carving. Ooh all sorts of possibilities here. Let me show what I created as the goodness continues.
The stone chamber door got pulled open letting in air and sunlight. Three figures stood on the threshold to the empty room.
“So lemme see if I get this straight doc?” One of the people asked, his voice thick with a commoner accent.
“You mean to tell me this here is a temple belonging to the lost Sharrin Empire?”
With the beanpole men was a chubbier man who wore thick spectacles. “Indeed Mr. Kubriak.” The walrus-mustached man commented.
“The Sharrin Empire were one of the most powerful civilizations in this part of the world.” He explained. “But the stories recovered from ancient texts stated this. The Empire collapsed due to governmental corruption.”
“Sounds about right. I know corruption will bring down any civilization every time.” The man known as Mr. Kubriak snorted in derision.
The third person with them asked. “Professor, what exactly are we looking for here?”
“If my hunch is right, it’s here we’ll find a lost tome of rites for the followers of the God Sssilvan.”
The third man gulped down his fear. “Um, professor isn’t that the God of those cannibalistic snake worshipers?” He asked, his nasal voice evident.
“What’s the matter Kimball?” Mr. Kubriak chimed in. “You feeling chicken?”
“Stick it Kubriak!” the man snapped. “I just don’t think it's a good idea to go snooping around in the Ancient Temples of Snake Gods, okay? Sites like this are libel to have curses on them, and I want nothing to do with that.”
“Mr. Kimball,” The professor said to the other bean pole shaped man. “Aren’t you curious about the ancient Sharrin Empire.”
“Nope,” he responded. “I got into this because the pay was good and I need to support my family somehow.”
“This is why I warned that you should never get married. Only one you should ever look out for is yourself friend.” Mr. Kubriak chimed.
“Says a fellow who’s too lazy to take responsibility for himself!" Kimball replied in a cross tone.
“Gentleman, if we could kindly stop with the arguing there’s more important things to do here.”
The three looked over the chamber. “This place looks like it's seen no use for years.” Kubriak observed.
“It’s eerie, it feels as though something is watching us.” Kimball muttered in discomfort.
“Careful you two, make sure to watch for booby traps.” The professor warned.
The three searched for anything hidden. “Nope, nothing.” Kubriak said sounding disappointed.
“Likewise,” the Professor added.
“Great, it had to be me.” Kimball moaned.
The two men approached and found a small opening. “Don’t this remind you of that sword carving we found in that ruin up north?”
The professor nodded as his face brightened. ” Oh yes, yes indeed it does.”
The professor’s smile turned giddy. “By the gods this is it! We may have found the means to enter this temple. Stay right here lads.”
The professor scampered out of the room. Kubriak smiled. “Ooh this may be the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Kimball groaned. “Kubriak are you still on about finding that Serpent’s gem thing in there?”
“Kimball that thing is worth a fortune. If I could find it, I could sell that to a collector and I’d be set for life.
"The Professor can have the scrolls and histories. Me, I only do research so I can find the money.”
“That may be great for you. But I have a family to think of! Maybe taking that construction job in the city of Venmeir isn't so bad an idea after all.”
“You serious?” Kubriak squawked. “You’d give up a chance at a fortune?”
Kimball nodded his confirmation. "Some old scrolls say that Serpent’s Gem thing has a nasty curse. There are some things in this world we shouldn’t trifle with.
“Ancient Gods and their curses are among those things.”
At that moment the professor returned with the sword carving. He walked up to the hole Kimball had mentioned. He examined it close. “Yes, yes, this should fit!” he whispered out loud.
He took the sword carving that had a guard with heads that resembled snakes. He turned the carving so the protrusion faced the hole. He pushed it in, and everyone heard the audible click.
The professor grunted as he tried to turn it. “Here professor,” Kubriak called. “Let me give you a hand with that.”
The two men began to turn it grunting from the exertion.
Kimball started backing towards the entrance. His instinctive warning of danger growing in his mind.
Finally, they turned it all the way. There was the sounds of gears shrieking to life and turning. The wall ahead of Kimball moved forward a bit then slid up into the ceiling.
Before them stood a dark torch lit passage. Then came the sound of evil laughter from all around.
That was all Kimball could take. “That does it!” he roared. “If you guys want the treasures and want to get yourselves cursed that’s your business.”
The man then turned around and said, “Me, I’m taking that construction job in the city. No amount of digging is worth getting cursed, I quit!”
With that Kimball ran out of there as fast as he could. He grabbed his things and got on his horse. He rode off into the forest, away from the dig site and towards a safer line of work.
Author’s note: For the end of this I picture the theme from Benny Hill playing.
Swordtember story #14