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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Whizbang Dustyboots" data-source="post: 3462567" data-attributes="member: 11760">Standing alone on the stairs, Bufer continues to stare after the departed constable, the gears in his head turning faster and faster. Cursing under his breath, the gnome cleric practically flies down the remaining steps to the first floor of the tavern, and casts his gaze about the crowd."Bloody humans," he mutters impatiently under his breath. "Why do you all have to look so ali-- Ah! TOCK! TOCK CHANDLER!"For the second time today, Bufer elbows his way through the crowd -- although, this time, he finds it parts a might easier for a gnome who's just been in close contact with the constable -- towards the bar, and the town's ne'erdowell bard. He spares only a glance at Tock's unfamiliar companion before reaching up to grab the bard's arm and spin him around."Tock," he says, as Chandler glares down at him in annoyance. "Your cousin and Renraw are in deep, deep sheep droppings, lad. Constable Bridger's bringing them to Middleborough on charges of treason, something about conspiring with kobolds, feeding them military information. He is right pissed, lad, and he's not like to take mercy on Kat for bein' strange this time; he seems to think bein' kindly to him in the past is what's led to this mess."Bufer glances up again at the stranger Tock's with, noticing that the unfamiliar man seems to be hanging on his every word. Scowling, Bufer shifts himself around Tock so that his back is to the stranger, and lowers his voice."Tock, if they make it to Middleborough, I don't think Kat or Kem are apt to be long for this world. I don't know what Kem's gotten himself into, this time -- frankly, I don't wanna know -- but a treason rap ain't the kind of thing you walk away from."Tock looks down at Bufer curiously. His new friend says something and he's not entirely sure he listened."Kat," he says simply and sighs.He looks around the room, to Stotch, to the other bards, to Ella, and back down to the gnome."I've rescued Kat from everything his idiot self got himself involved in since he was born. I'm afraid that if the Lothianites have decided to persecute those with arcane or draconic leanings, it's simply beyond me to help at this point."You'd have me risk my own neck? You, a gnome, would beseech me so? It is your race's unrepentant hatred of all things dragon-descended that most likely started this entire mess. Were you so concerned, you'd do something about it yourself. Instead, perhaps you thought to eliminate four birds instead of three with one stone? Know this, gnome. If harm comes to Katadid Leach, there will be a large number of people I hold responsible, and a small number of gnomes. Rescue is out of my hands at this point, but vengeance will not always be."* * *Emus watches the cart leave Maidensbridge and disappear into the darkness of the Tulgey Wood until it vanishes in the trees.Swaying slightly, he turns, looking for his clan leader, Argus Glangirn. Clearing his throat, he salutes, painfully slowly."Sir, shorry to interrupt your practicin', but if'n I kin have a moment of yer time?"With your permision, I'd like ta go with the constable and hish deputy. Some of them in the group 're friendsh of mine, 'n they might could use my strength if'n the wizard triesh somethin' funny." Emus looks back over his shoulder. "The Wizard of Green Mountain, I mean."Oh, and there'sh talk of a kobold attack on the town, today. I ain't no stra-tee-jist, but I'm thinkin' thash a bunch a hooey, what with all the Haurdir around. The kobolds surely know who's already in town," Emus glances meaningfully over at Fiddler. "But if thish does have anythin' ta do Gax'sh turds, I think we should have one o' us to shee how things turn out."Argus looks annoyed at stopping his practice and scratches at the bare shoulder exposed beneath his overalls."And if the Farrin start something again, boy, you want to be in a different town entirely? You got a yellow belly under that beard? That it, boy?"Emus turns bright red beneath his beard. All traces of his slurring are gone. His salute is crisp and steady this time."No, sir! If you think it's best, I'll leave an old man, a boy, and two shackled weaklings to the mercy of that dung heap kobold-friend in the middle of the woods, sir! Never let it be said we Glangirn won't pass up a fancy music contest when the health of the barony is on the line! Sir!"Emus gives another quick jerk of a salute and turns his back on Argus. He scans the crowd in Maidensbridge, his anger making him feel genuinely hot as he thinks."Screw this."* * *As the three wizards are loaded into the cart, Kat stares straight ahead blankly, his shackled hands jangling as he taps out even numbers on the side. He repeats snatches of the letter from St. Feldin's almost without being aware of it."... a number of the Shadow Mages, however, are known to have traveled north, along with their owl-headed servants, into the still-wild Prustan Peninsula. Being as close to Kem as they were, the Shadow Mages sought to research new magics that would hide them from their fellows ...""Yes," the Wizard of Green Mountain says as he adjusts himself on his seat, his cat sitting between his feet, "I've seen ruins with owl-headed statues in the north of Kem, in the shadow of the Great Tower."He elbows Renraw."Your kobolds friends have been by there as well."Katadid blinks as his mind snaps dizzily back to the present."Ah, really?" Kat taps his feet on the bottom of the cart. "About ... about how far is that?"Khenemet-Apep reaches up to scratch his neck as the cart jerks forward, his manacle chains clanking."Hmmm, 20 or 30 miles beyond Southerly. Most avoid the area because of the tower, of course.""And they avoid the Tower why?"The older wizard just laughs."When you can see the tower, you'll know why."Katadid nods, silent now, and thinking. Renraw looks from Katadid to Khenemet-Apep, snorts in disgust, and remains silent.There's a quiet sound from behind the cart that gets louder and louder. At the edge of the lantern light, the sound resolves itself into a running Emus and Skeeter. The dog, his tongue lolling, catches up to the cart and leaps inside. A moment later, the dwarf clambers aboard as well.Constable Bridger looks back, says nothing, and then turns back toward the road."Emus Graymullet!" Renraw grins. "As I live and breathe! It's good to see you."He gratefully extends his hands out for a shake, barely realizing they're shackled. Emus gives a curt nod, his face still a mask of anger."Uh," Kat looks decidedly uncomfortable with the dog eagerly pacing aorund and trying to lick his face, "There's ... a dog ... "Emus gently thumps his dog's hindquarters, and Skeeter sits, gazing up lovingly at Katadid."Just along fer the ride," Emus says finally.</blockquote>

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