The phi gamms lumbered into a large cleared area on the approach to Dry Creek. The field had been cleared and set with tobacco plants to produce the smokes enjoyed by the rustic miners and herdsmen in the area. The twin suns sank in the west and lent an orange haze to the cloudless sky. The guards breathed a sigh to have better vision. In the distance wisps of smoke rose into the sky from the homes and establishments in the settlement Dry Creek. On the far side of the two-hectare field a stout guard tower looked out onto the road. The tower stood twenty feet tall with a wall walk surrounding an enclosed area at the top. The merlons were gnome-height and width. Two guards faced the approaching wagons.
Longbeard nineteen-names muttered, “Guard duty at Dry Creek. About the only assignment more boring than guard duty at Gnome-town. There hasn’t been an attack here since Burgomaster Storming Norman was Captain of the guard and led an attack against the rogue sorcerer Bailiwick and the Kobold leader Narg. Remember, Mayard?”
On the wagon Mayard’s doppelganger the Shapechanger uncomfortably shifted and said, “Uh…yeah.”
He leaned over and whispered to Rhiann, “Boss, you never told me this story. You’ll have to bail me out if he presses me.”
Rhiann recalled Burgomaster Storming Norman’s tale from his visit whilst p-Mayard was busy imbibing ale at the Gnome-town tavern and had figured the robust Gnomish leader had embellished the tale. He whispered back to p-Mayard, “Just play along.”
Longbeard laughed and continued, “The kobolds took such a beating that they aren’t going to attempt further attacks. Still the Burgomaster insists on keeping a garrison here. Mostly blokes with four or fewer names draw the duty. They get experience in the local pub and get to meet the miners and hear their stories. So it’s not boring all the time. The grub in the pub is pretty good, too. The guards will bunk in the barracks with the assigned garrison. The inn has enough beds for the rest of us. Madam Darktop, I’ll assure you receive the best room.”
benjamintowe 