The Man in Black hazarded a glance toward the sorcerer and replied, “We all want the same thing, wizard. Klarje and the Gnomes kicked your ass too. Beeyo, you are not the only one of us to lose a father to Klarje and the Gnomes. The chance has come for all of us to gain a measure of vengeance. My watcher in the woods saw a heavily laden wagon headed for Dry Creek. Mayard Klarje, Longbeard Nineteen-names, and, yes, Madam Cecelia Darktop are in the party. Twelve heavily-armed gnomes and two youths accompanied them.”
The redheaded stranger chided, “Why have we not attacked them. We could have used the supplies they carry.”
Straight Arrow added, “They may pick up more support from the garrison at Dry Creek and the mines.”
The man in Black sat back in his chair and took a deep breath. He said deliberately, “We are talking about Mayard Klarje and two veteran Gnomish fighters backed up by a dozen more armed Gnomes. We’ll need everyone here to overcome them. I want Klarje to suffer.”
Bailiwick said, “As do I, but from my earlier experience, it is essential to silence the threat of the sorcerer first. Klarje is capable of powerful spells. Narg’s charges had nigh won the battle after they incapacitated Klarje. I controlled the other leaders easily. Gnomes don’t resist my Hold Spell. Eliminating Klarje early in the fight is essential. Knowing he’s failed his group will be suffering enough for him.”
The Man in Black asked, “If your spells don’t affect him, how do you suppose we eliminate him. The Gnomes will protect him.”
Bailiwick said, “I have a gift for him. It took great effort and the deaths of several assistants to prepare it. It’s from the fruits of my thievery from Thynna’s stores of spell components.”
benjamintowe 