The Man in Black and Bailiwick sat upon horses on a nearby hillock and watched the conflict unfold. The Man in Black said snidely, “Nice plan, sorcerer. You managed to take out a Shapechanger at a cost of thirty-one lives. The gnomes have effectively whipped Beeyo’s warriors. Your ******* spells are little more than parlor tricks. You couldn’t even tell Mayard Klarje wasn’t in the fray.”
Bailiwick snarled, “It should have worked! Your watcher said Mayard traveled with them! Why would a Shapechanger travel with Gnomes in the guise of Mayard Klarje?”
The Man in Black said, “While we’re on the subject of Shapechangers! Why didn’t you tell me your Kobold archer was a Shapechanger? I’m not exactly happy about your keeping such secrets from me. The Gnomes did not benefit from Magick, yet twelve of them and two boys have beaten fourscore of Beeyo’s warriors.”
Bailiwick defensively uttered, “I couldn’t rely on the Kobolds to utilize the death arrow. Seven died trying! I couldn’t tell the kobolds a Shapechanger was among them. It would have offended Beeyo, and I… we need his numbers, unless you want to send your highwaymen against those Gnomish weapons. Furthermore, you assert the Gnomes were without Magick. The youth fought like a berserker! His sword emitted red auras! The kobolds never scratched him. He’s likely another Shapechanger.”
The Man in Black retorted, “The watcher said the youth bore the mark of the Klarjes.”
Bailiwick replied sharply, “Well, so did the Shapechanger in Mayard’s guise. Can’t say too much for your watcher in the woods. The youth is a Paladin of sorts, not a sorcerer, and he carries an exceptional blade.
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