"No one can fault you for being a good businessman Master Smith. We will pay a gold now and more upon our return for your wax. I thank you for your advice about the climbing and your strong words to help us on our way. I will call for another round and we'll retire to your forge post haste."
Phar begins to usher his companions out without a song. "One more round on us for your loss of a song this day, but the tide waits for no man and we must sail." He makes a formal courtly elven bow to the room and exits.
Lorien looks around the room and bows courtly.
"My apologies my dear friends, but my companions and your honoured smith are quite right. Even a short song is a delay we can't afford. But I promise you a night like yesterday's when we return triumphant. And I shall have a new tale of glory by then."
He bows again and takes leave with the others.
"Yes, good thinking." Approves Quinn, not having much to say. He is ready to follow the dwarf to his smith and then, to smite some ugly monsters. It would be like the coliseums all over again.
The patrons wish you well as you leave the inn. Many raise their drinks in one final salute. Gareth shakes each of your hands before you go. You catch up with Bronzethegn easily enough. His gait is slow, but he walks without cane or staff. He definitely has some age on him, however.
As he joins the group Lorien thanks the dwarf.
"Thank you master smith, we will gladly pay for your delays for the wax. And I overheard about the climbing gear. If you can provide us with such, we'll compensate some extra for that too."
"Hmm, I might have some old pitons, but you might not want ta rely on them." the old dwarf replies.
"I do have some solid hemp rope you can use. Heavy stuff. I can offer you a good grappling hook, as well."
The old dwarf slowly leads you to his smithy, which sits at the edge of Carnell. It is short walk but with dwarf's slow going, it takes several minutes. The building is more like an old shack than a blacksmith's shop, yet you can hear the peal of a hammer hitting an anvil as you near. The place smells of smoke, fired iron, and sand.
"Dorn, I need you ta prepare some supplies," Bronzethegn shouts out.
"Gather up all that rope sitting out back and package up as much beeswax as you can!"
The pounding stops and an ugly-looking, twenty-something human pokes out his head of the smithy. His eyes go wide when he sees you all.
"Master, what is going on?"
"These are the heroes that Lady Pendour hired," the dwarf replies.
"They asked for me help, and I'm going ta give it. Now, snap ta it, lad!"
Dorn bobs his head before exiting the shop and running behind the building. You soon hear him digging around the back, including the sounds of metal and wood scraping against each other. There is a loud thump and you hear the apprentice curse in an odd language.
"Me smithy is quite small, so I suggest waiting out here," Bronzethegn says.
"I'll go get you that hook and see if I have any of those old pitons left."
The old dwarf enters the smithy. You hear a hound bark in greeting. The beast appears at the entry to the building. It looks at you, growls low, and stands with its back arched. You hear Bronzethegn say
"be nice!" from inside. The dog looks back, barks once, and then saunters outside and sits down in front of you with its tongue hanging out and its tail wagging.
