The Watcher said, “Many share your feelings. What are your orders?”
The Man in Black answered, “Send runners to the Kobold encampments to the north and east. Beeyo oversees the northern warrens. Getting Kobolds to work together isn’t easy. Beeyo has taken advantage of his ilk’s enmity for Dwarves and Gnomes to gather a sizable force. His plan was to attack Gnome-town but I convinced him that Dry Creek was a more realistic target. His encampment is about an hour’s ride from here. Beeyo hates the Burgomaster of Gnome-town. One of Storming Norman’s twenty-four names is ‘Narg’s bane.’ Narg was Beeyo’s father. Narg allied with the sorcerer Bailiwick. The renegade sorcerer Bailiwick was banished from Thynna. Storming Norman, Longbeard Nineteen-names, and Mayard Klarje led the raid that resulted in Narg’s death and the scattering of his forces. Bailiwick barely escaped. Get word to Beeyo and Bailiwick that our elusive quarry is nigh within our grasp.”
The Watcher said, “I’m less familiar with that area. How will I find them?”
The highwaymen’s leader said matter-of-factly, “They’ll find you. You’d best travel under my banner. They might kill you anyway.”
The Watcher in the Woods said, “That’s not very reassuring, boss.”
The Man in Black said, “Seriously, make lots of noise. Don’t hide your position. There will be no Gnomes to rob or sorcerers to evade in those woods. Now get going. Choose my fastest men.”
The Watcher answered, “On my way.”
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