Donovan Fourteen-names, Longbeard Twenty-names, and Dibbit Six-names waited in the foyer. They were dressed in travel clothes and carried their bags. Their weapons remained in the armory at the outer curtain’s gate. Sergeant Redbrick had managed to garner papers for the Gnomes to roam the outer ward, but he had to store their arms. Longbeard still looked a bit thin and peaked, but the Gnomish Commandant walked now without the cane he had employed only a few days earlier. High Sheriff Rhino patted her foot impatiently, and her ten heavily armed deputies with disdain reproached the Gnomes for tarrying in Thynna. High Sheriff Rhino and her twin brother Pinochynose had been childhood friends of Castellan Yerko. High Inquisitor Pinochynose mastered the spell Detect Lie and its reverse Lie. He could half tell some whoppers… and usually got away with it. It was very hard to mislead him. The Gnomes nervously avoided Pinochynose’s gaze and questions.
Newly-promoted Captain Donovan said, “Rhiann Klarje, we came to say goodbye for now. Our duty calls. Fact is… I’m really missing my axe and hammer, and I get the feeling we are wearing out our welcome. Madam Darktop’s cooking will fatten up old Longbeard in no time at all. He’s Commandant Longbeard now. That means he gets to hobnob with the Burgomaster’s guests.”
Longbeard quickly said, “I’m not kissing anybody’s a**, Donovan! I’ll summon you for that duty!”
Dibbit chimed in, “Don’t you mean doody, Longbeard?”
The Gnomes shared a laugh. Donovan said, “Rhiann, being in Thynna has helped me learn a lot about sorcerers. Trouble is… there’s a lot more to know about them than I thought. I’ll never pretend to understand your Uncle’s motives, but I’ll put in a good word for you with the Burgomaster.
benjamintowe 