p-Mayard thought quickly and said, “Now, my friends, you know my feelings about frivolously using Magick. But my nephew Rhiann does need some practice and you have been a wonderful host. How about some entertainment, Rhiann? Maybe a Dancing Lights or Fairie Fire Spell?”
Rhiann smiled, stood up, conjured, and uttered a few phrases. Harmless Magick Fire danced off the Gnomes’ beards and around the room. Both Norman and his spouse laughed and then invited p-Mayard and Nineteen names to join the repast. Mayard’s doppelganger and the Gnomes exchanged many stories, much to the delight of Rhiann and Iyaca. From that moment negotiations were easy. Burgomaster Norman Twenty-four names insisted on providing an armed escort to accompany Rhiann and p-Mayard to the Copper Mountain mines. Longbeard Nineteen-names volunteered to lead the Gnomish guards. Volunteering facilitated his escape from the boring guard duty at the perimeter.
p-Mayard and Rhiann spent another day in Gnome-town whilst Longbeard Nineteen-names gathered and equipped his most trusted sentries. Madam Darktop’s meals again were the highlight of the day, though Storming Norman, Longbeard, and p-Mayard sneaked away to the tavern for a few rounds before bed. Madam Darktop was wise to their escapades and summoned Rhiann to the sitting room, where he met a fellow traveler, a Dwarfish nobleman named Albie Kirkey.
benjamintowe 