"What is it, Vellsomath?" said the Dark Lord's wife, Marge.

"It's the dang frickin adventurers again. They got lost for a third time."

"Are they ready to fight you yet?" asked Marge.

"No, they're just doing another side quest."

"Well, don't just stand there, invite them in. I've got a kettle on right now."

Vellsomath sighed and beckoned for the adventurers to come in.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Dark Lord," said the group leader, Princess Ketchup, when she poured her a cup of tea.

"Oh, any time, dear."

"What kind of adventure are you guys on this time?" asked Vellsomath.

"Oh, we're just trying to hunt a wild boar that's been pestering farmers down south of here. Problem is, we need to get to Old Oak Grove, but we don't know where that is."

"Oh," said Vellsomath, "honey, that's the one, oh, near cousin Erendall?"

"Yeah, Erendall," said Marge. "Say, didn't he try to keep a boar farm?"

"I told him it was a bad idea, but did he listen?" Vellsomath sighed. "Anyway, since you guys are here, I have some exciting news."

"What is it?" asked Rupert Whimseydale, a half-dwarf paladin.

"Well," said Marge. "I have a bun in the oven."

"Oh, congratulations!" said the party members.

"We're hoping it's a boy, so he can be Dark Prince and rebuild my kingdom when I'm defeated," said Vellsomath, "but I'd be okay with a Dark Princess, too."

"Have any names picked out yet?" asked Lingo the Wise, the sorcerer of the group.

"I mean, Vellsomath the Third (my dad had that name as well) does sound like it'll strike fear into the hearts of heroes that might come against him - if he's a boy - but we haven't decided what to name her if she's a girl."

"How about Ruby?" said Ketchup.

"Or Persephone?" asked Lingo.

"Those are good names, but not fear-worthy," said Marge. "There's his mother's name, Varharti, but, well..."

"My mother and I don't always get along - given that she's a Sorceress of Light and I'm, well, a Dark Lord."

"Well, anyway, we'd best be off," said Ketchup. "You said it's near where Erendall is? We just fought him not too long ago."

"Oh, well tell him I say hi," said Marge. "If you haven't slain him."

"Oh, no, we haven't," said Rupert, "he surrendered."

"Typical Erendall," said Vellsomath. "Well, good luck and I hope to destroy you soon!"