Rhiann reached into his pocket and removed a thick blue nu hide pouch. The hidden Omega Stone warmed at his touch. Faint gray auras surrounded the sack. Touching the stone inexplicably reassured the young sorcerer. He probed the pouch and removed an exquisite emerald and large chuck of deep blue lapis lazuli. The young sorcerer said, “We’d never dream of shortchanging you, Burgomaster Darktop. Your hospitality reigns supreme. My uncle is … uh, negotiating for companions to accompany us to the Copper Mountains. We have business with the armorer Roswell.”
Rhiann extended the emerald and lapis lazuli to the stout Gnome’s strong hand. Storming Norman was only a finger length shorter than Rhiann. He towered over five feet tall and was easily twice Rhiann’s girth. His arms bulged with muscles. A long thick red beard extended nigh to hidden navel. He wore well-made leather armor and carried a heavy Warhammer. He was seldom without the weapon. Norman projected a charismatic aura and exuded confidence.
The Burgomaster said, “Ah, you have your uncle’s gift of gab and share his ability to kiss a**. The mark on your chin has a proper resting place. Young Klarje, your uncle has aided me many times, as I have oft abetted him. He is wise to recruit guards. The way to the mines remains perilous. It’s only two years since the fearsome foursome smote young Iyaca’s parents. Iyaca’s parents hailed from a little hamlet called Plano, near the northernmost fringes of the Veldt and not far from Low Gap. The Vassis were sorcerers of modest ability. They went to Thynna to hope to learn more and better themselves through further knowledge of Magick. The Council of Thynna denied them entry. They and their son Iyaca found passage with a merchant caravan headed for the Samm Hills. The caravan stopped off here for a bit. The fearsome foursome’s lot fell upon the caravan and killed everyone but young Iyaca. They toyed with his life. Eventually they left him alive and orphaned. Miners returning from the Copper Mountains found the boy and brought him to me. I’ve put a big price on the fearsome foursome’s heads in hopes some of their own might turn against them, but Waylon, Willie, Kris, and their leader the man in black have too much of a stranglehold on the brigands’ world. Scumbags all! Young Iyaca is a fine page. He learns quickly and serves well. I’d prefer he be with his own folk, but we seldom see sorcerers, other than your wayfaring Uncle Mayard. He certainly isn’t a good option for caring for a youth, present company excepted, of course.”
benjamintowe 