Chronicles of the Dragon Cave from A to Z: "X" is for X-Dwarf Files

Forty-five days have passed but I remember it as clearly as if it were only month and half ago. Alex Cavanaugh asked for volunteers to become his Ninja Minions. I applied in behalf of my dwarves. You should have seen them. When they first heard they got the job, they went nuts. None of us had the slightest idea what we had gotten ourselves into and dwarves failed to read the small letter in the contract. An error easily understandable due to the fact there wasn't any contract.

There was a day I had absolutely no idea who Alex was, but that has changed. In five months I've learned three vital things about him. One, he is known as Captain Ninja. Two, he has clones. And three, he likes Kate Beckinsale. I discarded the third for being totally useless information to my current interests, but the first two made me see the need to train my dwarves. Ninjas are tough. Their legendary resilience and fortitude are stuff of legend. Even though it was a temporary job, I had high expectations on my dwarves. They promised to do their level best and they trained hard to be able to keep up with such a tireless leader.

Finally, my dragon minions became ninja minions. They wanted to have a picture taken of the whole group, to have something to remember this unique alliance by. Here it is Exhibit A.

No, nobody noticed when SAM got in the frame. Fireworks were too loud and I don't use to check ninjas' feet unless they are about to kick me. Anyway, you can see everyone is so cheerful and enthusiastic. (You can't see Captain Ninja is cheerful but you can tell by the aura. You can see auras, right?) One hundred and fifty dwarves here, eager to go wherever their mission would take them.

Tassin was in charge of sending me their daily reports and I mailed to Alex whatever they would find. After the first week my task-master's notes sounded a bit "stressed". After the second week, he kind of insinuated some dwarves were thinking on an honorable way out, like Hara-Kiri or Sepukku. After the third week, he reported the status of ninety dwarves was MIA. I was extremely concerned by the news. I had taken into consideration the need to replace one or two dozens but not more than half my staff.

Earlier this week Tassin sent a note saying they were all accounted for and included a picture of the group as proof. Here it is Exhibit B.

Probably it is just the light or the angle, but they look different to me; stiffen and lifeless. I understand their clothes are different (they can't wear the same clothes everyday) but what's with those oddly braided beards? Do you think Tassin is hiding something from me? If that's a ninja clone, do you think it possible those are cloned dwarves too? Will they come back to their old lively selves after their vacation? Will I have to charge Alex for damaged dwarves or will he have to charge me for unauthorized use (and possible hair clogging) of his cloning machine? What's your opinion on this case?

I am framing the first picture and hanging it on my wall as a memento of my brave devoted staff, just in case.