Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Whizbang Dustyboots" data-source="post: 3509387" data-attributes="member: 11760">There is a thunder of hooves in Maidensbridge and people scatter away from the panting pair of horses, heat radiating from their bodies. On the back of one, Constable Ward Bridger looks around wildly, taking in the scene quickly, doubt etched across his face."Emmerson! Come here!"Emmerson races over, confusion writ large on his face."Yes, sir?""I don't see a riot here," the constable says, eyes sweeping the drinking, listening to the sounds of Argus Glangirn, singing a song that mostly seems to be about gold, which even the Farrins seem excited to sing along to, coming from inside The Cat & The Fiddle. "Tock and the other were lying, then."He glances at Emmerson, clearly hoping to hear that he's wrong and that a huge riot has just been put down moments ago."No riot here, sir. We suspect we may be attacked by the kobolds any day from now, but so far tonight we've only dealt with a fire -- and a small fire at that -- but everyone helped extinguish it. Even Fiddler lent a hand."Over at the stable, Hazel taps Bufer's shoulder."Heads up, Bufer. The constable just rode in." She surveys the wreckage. "At least we know where the horses are, now. But I'd sure like to find out how the constable got 'em, and where Kat and the others are.""Constable!" Bufer stumbles to his feet and hurries out of the stable's remains into the street. "Why are you back already? What's happened?""I'm not sure, but I'm afraid I may have left Tucker in terrible danger. Is Swifty around? I might need help from Wit's End or Foxton.""I already sent Swifty to Wit's End, shortly after you left," Bufer replies, "On suspicion that there might be a kobold attack in the offing, so I expect help may already be on its way. So far we ain't seen nothing but the fire, though.""Tucker's in danger? Did something happen to the cart, sir?" Hazel considers the possibilities - a broken axle could have left the deputy stranded on the road, his shackled prisoners little help against a band of kobolds or a pack of wolves. She almost asks after Kat, but figures the constable's not likely to be in a charitable mood toward the boy. "Is ... I mean, are the prisoners in danger?"The constable shakes his head, indicating that he does not know."Saddle up and come with me," he says, wheeling his panting horse around, back toward the Baron's Road.Emmerson mounts the spare horse."Hold on, sir: Tock? He warned you?" Emmerson looks at Bufer and then at Hazel, genuinely puzzled. "I told him to keep an eye on Fiddler.""Chandler?" Bufer goes pale beneath his coating of black soot as he looks at the horses Emmerson and the constable sit astride, then over his shoulder at the burnt-out husk of the stable. "Garl's golden balls, I should have known."He looks up at the constable."You'd better bring me with you, constable, in case there's healing that needs doing," he says, holding out his hand so that Bridger can pull him up and onto the horse. "And it might not be a bad idea for Hazel to tag along, neither. We just might have need for a tracker, as I expect you've already guessed.""Tock? You think he did this?" Hazel breathes, dumbfounded. Under her breath, she mutters, "There must be a woman involved. There always is, with Tock."She swipes her hands on her cloak, getting the worst of the ash off her fingers, and reaches up to grasp Emmerson's left arm."Give a girl a lift, Em?""Certainly," Emmerson says, pulling her up behind him. "We could use your keen eyes."</blockquote>

Verification