Murphy spoke slowly, "Do not be frightened. Do not be afraid."
"Calm yourself, and do as I command."
At his words, Rodrick found that his frantically beating heart actually began to slow.
The fear that had threatened to consume him began to recede from his body, bit by bit.
His breathing steadied, his legs stopped trembling, and even the cold sweat on his forehead felt as if it had been dried by the night wind.
Rodrick swallowed, moistening his dry throat, then slowly bent into a deep bow.
"Sir."
"Please, give me your orders. Whatever it is, I will see it done."
Murphy looked at him and nodded. "Take me to the Nightmare World."
'Nightmare World?'
Rodrick looked up at Murphy, an unmistakable flicker of confusion in his eyes.
'For a great figure like a Third-Level Wizard, isn't entering the Nightmare World a simple matter?'
'Why would he need a mere First-Level Wizard like me to lead the way?'
The thought had just surfaced in Rodrick's mind,
