p-Jack said, “Not that one! The young sorcerer! He bears the mark of the Klarjes. For whatever reason, Mayard is traveling in the guise of his nephew. The Gnomes thought the Shapechanger was Mayard. I guest they know the truth now.”
Bailiwick said, “It makes sense. The youth fought like a veteran warrior. All the while it was that ****** Mayard. Good thing we have an alternate plan.”
The Watcher in the Woods waited patiently for the discussions to wane. He said, “The Gnomes did not go all the way to Jack’s place. They reunited with their wagons and camped out in the woods. Per your instructions, we left them alone to relish their victory. My scouts tell me all the kobolds have withdrawn from Dry Creek and now mass on both sides of the road between Jack’s place and Dry Creek. Reinforcements are approaching Dry Creek.”
The Man in Black said, “They are reinforcing for a battle that will not occur. Bailiwick’s archer killed the wrong adversary. If the sorcerer still travels with the Gnomes, we could still be in for quite a tussle. However, we may never get another chance to have odds so much in our favor against Klarje.”
p-Jack asked, “Might I go on ahead and whack old Jack Taylor? What good is he now?”
Bailiwick said, “I have no problem with your doing him in.”
The Man in Black objected, “He is a pawn we might still employ.”
The Kobold Beeyo stepped into the firelight and said, “My warriors are itching for a fight. Why did we stop the attack on Dry Creek? Why don’t we attack the Gnomes in the woods while they are outnumbered?”
Bailiwick quipped, “You lost around forty blokes in the last skirmish, and the sorcerer only fought with a sword. How many of your people are you willing to lose?”
Beeyo growled, “I’ll lose everybody if it means we get Klarje and Longbeard.”
The Man in Black said, “Fair enough! That just might happen. Beeyo, the key to our success is surprise. Keep your kobolds quiet and out of sight. The reinforcements from Gnome-town will be concerned about making Dry Creek safe. The sorcerer can cast only one spell at a time. There’s a lot of treasure on those wagons. We still can get Klarje.”
Beeyo slinked away to instruct his sergeants. p-Jack took another opportunity to menace Jack Taylor. The Fearsome Foursome and Bailiwick readied to break camp and go the watcher’s ambush point.
benjamintowe 