Longbeard said, “Someone must go the mine camp and warn Foreman Brady, Roswell, and the garrison of the Kobold activity.”
Nugget quickly volunteered.
Longbeard said, “You have done more than your share in riding here alone. Your pony is exhausted.”
Nugget said, “Sergeant Rorke chose me for my riding ability. Give me a fresh halvsie and I’ll carry word to the miners.”
Jack Taylor was away, but his top guard said, “You can’t stay at Jack’s Refuge. We must maintain neutrality. I will loan him a horse… for a price.”
Longbeard said, “Understood. We will be underway. We are needed at Dry Creek. Thanks for the horse.”
The top guard replied, “Nice doing business with you.”
Nugget mounted up and rode toward the mine camp. Longbeard Nineteen-names organized the little caravan. The wagons had been loaded in anticipation of a return trip to Dry Creek and then ultimately Thynna. Now confusion ruled. Madam Darktop had reluctantly returned to Gnome-town via her Magick ruby slippers. The Gnomes debated their course. Some suggested they should return to the mines to shore up the defenses.
Longbeard’s twenty guards strongly wanted to make haste to join the fray at Dry Creek. Eight had been assigned to the garrison and most had friends and relatives that served in the community’s defense. Rhiann and young Iyaca Vassi stood in awe of the unfolding events and p-Mayard remained diplomatically silent.
Gnomish Lieutenant Donovan Ten-names, who was Captain Longbeard’s highest ranking subordinate, insisted, “Our brothers in Dry Creek are overmatched. We must make haste to help them!”
Corporal Alden Eight-names said, “I agree. My skills are wasted guarding the mines. I’m a fighter! A mere squad can guard the entrance to the mines.”
Sergeant Rudy Nine-names disagreed, “You heard the messenger. Magick is afoot! What can a few Gnomes and miners do against a sorcerer? When Dry Creek falls, the road to the mines is wide open. You must remain here.”
Captain Longbeard said, “Mayard, what say you? You’ve been unusually quiet. No other sorcerer can match your skills. Come with me to Dry Creek. Should we leave the wagons and travel on fast horses? They might allow the young sorcerer and Iyaca to remain at Jack’s. I could leave half my guards, too.”
p-Mayard replied nervously, “The top guard says we can’t stay at Jack’s place anyway, and Jack is nowhere to be found. I can’t leave Rhiann. He must accompany me. I’m reluctant to leave the wagons. The enemies might not come to Jack’s place and the mines.”
Longbeard whined, “Mayard! I’ve never known you to be tentative! They are Kobolds! Kobolds love shiny things! Of course they are going to attack the mines!”
benjamintowe 