p-Mayard stood and said, “Thank you for your hospitality Jack. It’s nice of you to forego the cost of the rooms. I’m sure the Burgomaster will be glad to hear of your generosity. He said you’re overdue for a visit to Gnome-town.”
p-Jack Taylor choked on his ale and sputtered, “Why… uh, OK. Give him my regards. Please tell him the business of running this joint is playing havoc with my social life. Wish him good health.”
Longbeard Nneteen-names smiled and added his thanks. The Gnome Captain and Mayard’s doppelganger headed up the stairs to bed. p-Jack Taylor drowned his sorrows in another mug of bitter ale. p-Jack finished his ale and walked to the rear of the now deserted tavern. The doppelganger pushed on the third man’s eye-level stone to the left of the third brazier from the end of the bar. A secret door opened with a slight grating sound and led to a stairwell. p-Jack descended the stairs. The door closed behind him. The stairs led to a dimly-lit passage that meandered underground. Two side passages ended in blind dead ends with traps. The long passage came to a dead end that really wasn’t. p-Jack pushed on a rock in the wall. The wall opened and humid night air struck him in the face. A babbling brook flowed nearby. Two henchmen guarded the entry and kept a warhorse ready. p-Jack Taylor took the reins and rode away into the night. The guards resumed their game of chance.
Rhiann, Iyaca Vassi, Madam Darktop, Longbeard Nineteen-names, and Longbeard’s Lieutenant Donovan Ten-names retired to very rustic rooms.
benjamintowe 