"Do you think we're small enough now that the cat could eat us?" Brandon asked.

"Damn it, Scrote, why do you have to say things like that?" Fabian said. "Well, I've battled ferocious ogres and trolls before. I should be able to hold my own against an oversized kitty cat."

A centipede had skittered past them and at their present size it looked like a large python with legs. Fortunately it had shown no interest in them.

Fabian had fashioned a torch out of a broken twig he had found near the entrance to the hole. Its tiny light didn't make much of a dent in the blackness of the hole, but it was certainly better than nothing. He noticed a small tuft of white fur entangled on a long, gnarled root that protruded from the ceiling. "We're on the right track. Let's keep going."

They walked a few minutes further when they saw a glint of light up ahead. "What's that?" Brandon asked.

"That would be that gnome's stupid bracelet," Fabian said as he edged closer. "It's reflecting our own torchlight back at us."

It was currently almost as big as they were. "That thing's going to be a little unwieldy to carry with us, don't you think?"

"You don't say," Fabian sneered. "Let me guess, you got top marks in all of your classes. The other kids bowed before your mighty intellect."

"I did okay, I guess," Brandon shrugged. "I mean, I'd say I was squarely average."

"Never mind, you complete moron," Fabian said. "Under ordinary circumstances I'd figure out a way to pocket that thing for sure. I don't believe that gnome when he says it's not valuable. It's got to be worth something or have some kind of magical properties. But that thing's going to slow us down right now. I say let's move on and find the cat. We'll pick up the bracelet on the way back."

"Did we bring anything with us to lure a cat with?" Brandon asked. "You know, like a little piece of meat, or some catnip or something?"

"No," Fabian said as he studied the ground for any signs of their quarry.

"Gee, you really didn't prepare very well for this expedition, did you?" Brandon said.

"Shut up, Scrote.  I don't need to waste time preparing. I'll rely on my incomparable wit and wisdom to resolve any issues that might arise. And if there's anything physically gruelling or dangerous, I've got you. So I'm plenty prepared, as any fool can plainly see."

They walked on for awhile in silence.

"This is a really long hole," Brandon spoke up. "It seems like we've been going for hours now. What sort of animal do you suppose made it?"

"How the heck should I know?" Fabian said. "Do I look like a zoologist? Why don't you shut your trap unless you've got something useful to say, such as I see the cat right up ahead?"

"You do?" Brandon asked. "Where? I don't see it."

"I don't actually see the cat, you cretin. I was using that as an example of an acceptable thing for you to say,"

"Oh, okay, sir. I think I understand. You have to admit this is a really long hole though."

"I've been inside longer holes," Fabian said. "But yeah, this thing does seem to be extending a mighty long way."

"Do you hear a noise up ahead?" Brandon asked.

Fabian strained his ears. "Maybe a faint rumbling sound or something. Why don't you go on ahead a little bit and see if it's anything dangerous?"

"Okay, sir. May I borrow the torch?"

"No, you may not. You think I'm going to sit here alone in the dark, Scrote? You'd better think again."

"Could we make a second torch? I think I see another root sticking out of the wall here. Maybe we could break a piece off and ignite it."

"Roots can get to be pretty strong. It might be hard to break one. But physical labor is your department, so you're welcome to try."

Brandon walked over to the root and broke off a section quite easily. "That didn't take much physical labor."

"You're dumb and strong," Fabian said. "Those are good qualities in a lackey. Keep it up, Scrote. You're doing good."

"Gee, thanks, sir. Could I get a light?"

"I suppose, but don't you be starting any fires down here," Fabian said as he lit Brandon's torch. "Now go see what's making that noise."

Brandon gulped nervously and crept forward slowly. "It's getting louder," he called out over his shoulder.

"Yes, sounds tend to get louder the closer you get to them," Fabian yawned. "Stop being a pussy and go check it out."

The tunnel began to get narrower and Brandon was beginning to feel claustrophobic. He steeled himself and continued onwards. The noise started to resolve itself into distinct sounds. He could hear some sort of ratcheting noise, as well as the sound of clinking metal. He was pretty sure he heard some voices. It was also becoming apparent that there was a bright light up ahead.

The tunnel abruptly opened up into a large cavern. The ground dropped away in a steep cliff, which Brandon almost tumbled over, but caught his balance at the last moment. Closer investigation revealed that a narrow trail wound its way down the wall of the cavern. Looking out into the cavern, Brandon saw that it was lit by numerous torches, which in turn were reflecting off what appeared to be thousands upon thousands of gems and rubies embedded in the walls. The ratcheting sound appeared to be emanating from a long conveyor belt, and he could see a group of dwarfs striking the walls with pickaxes.

"Uh, sir," he called out behind him. "I think you're going to want to see this."

Fabian headed down the tunnel and peered into the cavern, making sure to keep Brandon's body in front of him in case something dangerous leaped out at them.

"Oh," he said when he could see there was no imminent threat. "It's a dwarven mine. Oh my. Look at all those beautiful gems." He began to drool involuntarily.

"Do you think Oogums went down there?" Brandon asked.

"Huh?" Fabian said as he snapped out of his reverie.

"Oogums. The cat we're looking for."

"Oh yeah," Fabian said. "The cat. Yes. It probably did go down there. Cats are attracted to shiny objects." In his head he was trying to calculate how much a few of those gems would be worth. Certainly more than the reward for the cat. "Let's head on down there. But quietly, for crying out loud. We don't want those dwarfs to hear us."

"But shouldn't we ask them if they've seen Oogums?" Brandon asked.

"They're probably the ones who stole Oogums so they could ransom him for the reward money. No, we'd better get down there stealthily and check out the lay of the land."

It took them a little while to make their way down the narrow trail, but Fabian was careful to be sure they made as little noise as possible, and the dwarfs didn't show any sign that they had noticed intruders. "Those are the biggest damn dwarfs I've ever seen in my life," Fabian whispered as they reached the bottom of the cavern.

"Don't forget we're still shrunken down," Brandon whispered back.

"I knew that," Fabian said, although in truth he had completely forgotten. His face fell in dismay as he realized that even the smallest of the gems was much too large for him to carry at his current diminutive size. "Damn it, I guess we're going to have to go after that cat after all. Scrote, go question one of those dwarfs. I'll wait here in the shadows until we're sure they're not hostile."

"I thought you didn't want to talk to the dwarfs," Brandon said.

"Are you second-guessing my carefully laid plans?" Fabian asked. "I look at life like a giant chess match, and trust me, I'm several moves ahead of you at all times. You are but a mere pawn, Scrote. Now do as I say, and for Balthazaar's sake, don't tell them I'm here. Pretend you were hiking alone in the woods and got lost and ended up here. You look dumb enough to do something like that. They'll believe you."

"Okay, sir, if you say so," Brandon said and started to turn.

Before he could do anything a bright light shone upon them and a voice shouted out "Thieves!" A net descended on them and closed up tightly.