Month: July 2016

Rhiann struggled with keeping the secret of Exeter from Rhiann and ultimately opted to have Iyaca grasp the hilt of the weapon.

Rhiann said, “Iyaca, you are my apprentice now. There’s  something I want you to know. If I should fall, do your all to protect my Bag of Holding and particularly one item within it.” Rhiann opened the bag and continued, “Place your hand inside and grip the hilt of the longsword.”

Iyaca said, “Longsword! Master Rhiann, the Bag is scarcely long enough to hold a dagger.”

Rhiann said, “Remove the weapon.”

Iyaca Vassi pulled Exeter from the Bag of Holding.

Exeter voice placed the words in young Iyaca’s mind, “Young Iyaca Vassi, I hope this is the beginning of a long relationship. You are now privy to my secret.”

The night passed uneventfully. On the morrow the guards reported no trespasses against the wagons. After breakfast Longbeard organized the troupe.

Shouts rang from Jack’s Refuge’s guard tower.

Longbeard stopped his work and headed toward the still closed gate. He ascended the wall stairs and looked out. A Gnome riding on a straining halvsie rapidly approached on the road from Dry Creek. The rider shouted as he neared, “Kobolds! Dry Creek is under attack! We need help!”

At Longbeard’s urging Jack Taylor’s guards opened the door and allowed the rider to enter. Longbeard ran down the wall stairs and held the exhausted halvsie’s reins while guards helped the distraught rider dismount. Farriers attended the brave little equine that carried the Gnomish messenger.

Longbeard said, “Talk!”

The gnomish rider breathlessly said, “Last night the tower guards saw two kobolds hanging around the woods’ edge. Sergeant Rorke doubled the guard during the night. Before dawn it started. Two guards were picked off by arrows. They kept us pinned down on the wall walk. We fired back into the wood, but I don’t think we hit anything.”

Longbeard Nineteen names said, “Kobold archers picked off two tower guards! They normally couldn’t hit the broad side of a livery stable. Kobolds usually prefer sneaky ambushes in the woods or else a direct attack when they have superior numbers, which isn’t often, because of their chaotic nature. Only their greatest leaders like Narg have been able to gather sizeable forces. Narg had the Sorcerer Bailiwick’s help. Old Bailiwick probably threatened to turn them into toads if they didn’t fight.”

The rider whose name was Nugget said, “These weren’t typical kobolds! They used duck and cover tactics effectively and were crack shots!

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.

p-Mayard replied, “When you greeted Mayard Klarje as we entered, you did not misspeak. The youth is my boss, Mayard Klarje.”

p-Jack said, “Not likely! Why’d he travel as a youth and allow you to use his visage”?”

p-Mayard said, “I don’t ask his reasons and he oft doesn’t tell. Ask yourself… do you want to make him mad?”

p-Jack grumbled, “Sorcerers! Bah! I had one in here a few weeks ago. He was offering blokes payment to follow him on some quest. Tried to hire one or two of my boys. I sent one along just to keep an eye on him. Convinced him my guy was a Kobold archer. Even had him take some target practice. He never missed. Kobolds can’t shoot for s***! But the sorcerer fell for it! Sorcerers think they are so smart. We  infiltrated Thynna, but the bastard got caught by Mayard Klarje. Don’t know what happened to him. Don’t care. I don’t want to mess with Klarje. I’d question your decision to follow him.”

p-Mayard said, “I’m the bastard that got caught by Mayard Klarje. You are showing good judgment in avoiding his ire.”

p-Jack scoffed, “We can keep each other’s secret. You’d best be a good boy and get off to bed or your nursemaid Madam Darktop will come to tuck you in.”

Longbeard returned to the tavern after setting the order for the watches.

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.