Rhiann rode beside p-Mayard on the wagon. Cecelia 21-names Darktop and Iyaca Vassi rode upon stout halvsies. Cecelia’s steed Nuffin had carried her many times. The well-fed and rested brace of phi gamms effortlessly pulled the laden wagon along the well-maintained road that led out of Gnome-town westward into the foothills of the Copper Mountains. Halvsies also handled their burdens up the gentle grade easily. Large workhorses carried the troupe’s supplies. Longbeard 19-names rode his favorite halvsie Shadowdancer ahead of the column. Four Gnomes with at least seven names walked in front of the wagon. Two others walked on each side of the wagon where the width of the road allowed, and four others stayed behind the wagon. One of the rear guard rode a halvsie and another constantly watched the rear from a perch in a small halvsie-pulled cart. Longbeard’s handpicked charges mostly carried axes and warhammers, but two in the front and one rear guard carried bows. The Gnomes sang and made no effort to hide their movement. Keeping two laboring phi gamms and a rolling wagon quiet was impossible. The Gnomes’ detection skills paled in comparison to the Shapechanger. In his Mayard guise the doppelganger sniffed and glanced around. Twice he caught glimpses of Kobold scouts hidden in the brush above the road. The goblin-like kobolds shied away from the heavily guarded wagon. p-Mayard also caught the more ominous glimpse of a large man hidden off the road and elbowed Rhiann to make him aware of the observer.
Rhiann asked, “Is he a highwayman? Is he going to rob us?”
p-Mayard chuckled, “In all likelihood he is a lookout or scout. Are you all right, Boss? They aren’t going to rob us going to the mine. The miners value the goods we carry on the wagon, but they haven’t paid up for them yet, so we don’t have any gems or money.”
Rhiann said, “It’s unnerving to know we are watched.”
p-Mayard answered, “Boss, you are as timid as a Thynna tower guard. We’ve traveled this road many times. These highwaymen know the power of your spells. I just look like you, so they see you sitting on this wagon seat. But you are you, though you are the spitting image of your great nephew Rhiann, and your Magick is still your Magick. I must again compliment on the effectiveness of your mimicking spell. You could even fool me. I’d swear you were Rhiann, but I know he’s frolicking in the Hanging Gardens with that winsome Decima. Bottom line… if the highwaymen see you on the wagon, they are not going to attack.”
benjamintowe 