The Dungeoneers (The Dungeoneers, #1)

by Jeffery Russell

“I get to take me rest for a bit now,” Clink said as he climbed up and positioned himself on the wagon bench. “Advantage of having a two ale bladder, I s’pose. Up before everyone else so I got me work done early.” He gestured at the oxbears. “These are the ladies that’ll get us where we’re going. That’s Left Butt on the right and Right Butt on the left. I was standing in front of the wagon when I named ‘em so the names made a bit more sense at the time, even though I was looking at their heads.” Durham considered that. “You could switch them, maybe.” “That’d just confuse the poor dears. See, Right Butt don’t see so good out of her right eye. She hears Left Butt on that side and it spooks her just enough to keep her moving. When she’s nervous she flicks her tail back and forth. It gives Left Butt a tickle now and then and that spooks her just enough to keep her moving. If I swapped ‘em around we’d never get anywhere.” “I meant maybe you could switch their names.” “Last thing we needs is two oxbears having an identity crisis. They don’t mind if you call ‘em Arby and Elbe, though, if that makes peace with your propriety.” Durham nodded, as if this was somehow valuable information. “I’m surprised you didn’t call them Left Ass and Right Ass.” Clink shook his head. “Too obvious. I feel that the avoidance o’ the overt pun adds an element o’ mystery lending depth an’ obscurity to the name’s humor.” “Arby and Elbe it is, then,” said Durham.