The Man in Black leaned back in his rough wooden chair and stretched. The leader of the Fearsome Foursome acknowledged a knock at his door. A young brigand announced the arrival of one called the “Watcher in the Woods.” The highwaymen’s leader preferred not knowing the names of his henchmen and vice versa. Nameless faces were more easily forgotten. The Watcher entered.
The Man in Black said icily, “Why have you left your post? I specifically asked you to watch the road toward Dry Creek. What’s so important that you couldn’t wait for a courier?”
The Watcher answered timidly, “I thought you ought to know… he’s back.”
The Man in Black sat up straight and said, “What? Are you saying?”
The Watcher said, “Mayard Klarje. I saw him riding on a wagon pulled by phi gamms. He was escorted by a dozen armed Gnomes. The wagon was laden with goods. They have to be headed for the mines.”
The Man in Black said, “You did well to let me know. I’ve long awaited my chance for a go with him.”
The Watcher said, “There’s more. Longbeard many-names is at the head of the column and the Burgomaster’s mate rides with them.”
The Man in Black now stood briskly. “What? That is good news! The only thing better would be for the scumbag Burgomaster himself to be along! Our friends will certainly want to hear about this good fortune.”
The Watcher said, “I’m not sure it’s good fortune. It is Mayard Klarje, the foremost sorcerer of his generation, and he is accompanied by a solid force of armed Gnomes. There are two youths with them. Must be pages of some sort. They were plainly dressed and unexceptional. One may be the waif you spared. Would be about the right age.”
benjamintowe 