Leap Across the Pit to the Open Door

Tame took a step back, gathering himself before springing forward and leaping the corner of the open pit and leaning safely on the other side. The huge alligator rumbled and when he looked back, Tame caught a flick of its tail as it slipped back into the dark water. “I wonder what that thing eats down here?”

He shrugged and filed the question away for a later time before turning back to the partially open door. The smell of cooking was stronger now. It smelled like the bakery he picked up doughnuts at sometimes while in town. The flickering orange light cast long shadows from the door, but nothing seemed to be moving that he could see. Tame creeped up to the door, his ears swiveling to focus. Unlike the rest of the hallway so far, he could hear the faint snapping and crackling noise of a large wood fire and some other rapid clicking sound. Whatever was making it didn’t sound close, so he peeked around the edge of the door.

Tame narrowed his eyes against the brighter light. A fire, contained in an enormous fireplace, was burning steadily across from him. An equally enormous cauldron sat in the flames, supported on blackened metal rods, steam wafting up from its contents. From where he was, Tame could see that the room was a giant kitchen that could be capable of supporting an army of cooks and servers. Counter tops, and even much of the floorspace, seemed to be covered in every assortment of dish, pot, pan, tray, bowl, plate, and things he couldn’t name, all of them piled up dangerously. Most of them looked like they were in serious need of a date with the kitchen sink.

He didn’t see anything moving around, but the rapid clicking sound continued just outside of where he could see without poking his head directly in the room.

Author's Note

Try to Sneak in Quietly

Knock First to see if Anyone is there