Too Many Curses (29 page)

"What's it about?"

"A castle. One filled with magic and wonders."

"And curses?" asked the monster.

"Indeed."

"Oh, I don't know. Doesn't sound very interesting. Are there any barbarians in it?"

"No, but there's a monster," she said. "He lives under a bed."

"Is he important?"

"Very. You could even say he's the hero."

The monster laughed. "Oh, I can't wait."

Nessy lay back on her new bed and listened to the crackle of the fire. Sir Thedeus was wrong. She did worry, about all the little things that had to be done tomorrow, and all the other things she didn't even know about yet but were out there waiting for her.

But worrying was her job.

She fell asleep with a slight smile on her face.

"Good night, Nessy." The monster closed his eyes and vanished into the deep, comforting darkness.

The bedroom torches dimmed and, with a gentle rumble, the castle drifted off to sleep with its mistress.