Council and information

Common Room

This large and rectangular room serves the purpose of Common Room for the Prancing Pony. Large windows along the western end of the room peek out over the Great East Road which runs outside the Inn. There are long tables with bench seats for the patrons in the centre of the room. Nestled into the wall is a large fireplace with several bundles of wood piled next to it. Sunlight streams through the windows to mingle with the smoke that floats above the ceiling beams, and provide an odd sort of illumination that, even in daylight, doesn\'t quite reach the corners. The lamps which hang down are presently unlit.

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Contents:

Ovor

Gimli

Dart Board

Obvious exits:

Out

Breelands Weather

The mid morning spring air is cool but pleasant around you. The day sky is cloud-filled and gloomy.

[Frarin] The common room is slow this morning, with many of the usual Breelanders finding their breakfast elsewhere. The explanation for this unusual slowness of business cannot be found outdoors, where the gloomy weather would usually encourage many to a hearty breakfast at the Prancing Pony. Rather, a glance inside would tend to explain the odd circumstance. Gathered about the centre of the room is a group of dwarves, not the entire caravan\'s worth, but certainly enough for any decent Breelander to give a wide birth.

Several tables have been brought together and an array of chairs surround them. Dwarves, some in armour and bearing weapons, others richly garbed as merchants, sit around the tables. Pipesmoke envelopes the gathering and various of the crowd bear also tankards of beer and ale, but as of yet, those assembled do not yet appear to have been brought to order.

[Gimli(#30149)] The door opens and the patron looks to it hopefully... yet another dwarf enters. This one is, by the looks of him, a warrior, for a glinting mail covers him, and a savage-looking battle axe is strapped to his back. The innkeeper just frowns a bit and shakes his head, going back to cleaning glasses and, for the present crowd, some mugs. The newcomer comes forth towards the assembled dwarves, his brown beard almost streaming as he approaches with hurrid step. \"Well met, cousins\", Gimli says, as he sits on a chair.

[Ovor(#20753)]      And soon after Gimli enters, so does another Dwarf. Hammer on shoulder, the eyes flick around briefly before comming to rest on the other Dwarves the hammer is brought off his shoulder and the head rested on his foot as he walks towards the gathering. A nod is given to the gathering, with a slight bow to Gimli, before the Thane takes a seat of his own.

\"Cousins.\" The words are quietly rumbled by the Thane as he sits, resting his hammer over his knees.

[Frarin] One amid the gathering is Frarin son of Forli, garbed in his usual red tunic. He sits in a straight-backed chair, leaning back against it, arms crossed. A long pipe extends from his mouth, but he is silent as the dwarves chat around the table. As Gimli enters, several of those assembled rise to greet him and Frarin is among them, standing briefly to offer the dwarf lord a bow. And with Ovor entering behind Gloin\'s son, the silver merchant bows a second time. \"My lords,\" he says to Thane and champion before seating himself again.

[Gimli(#30149)] Gimli surveys those around him, and then his eyes settle on the fire that roars merrily in the hearth. \"So, have we had any news from the scouts? is the way clear for us to go back East, or do the orcs still are in our way?\", he asks to no one in particular, although his eyes come from the fire to regard those gathered about him.

[Ovor(#20753)]      The Thane shrugs at the champion\'s question, taking a flask from his belt and sipping from it before speaking. \"I have not seen them, but I have not heard anything from my Huskarls when they have gone scouting.\" He falls quiet for a few moments, eyes flicking around the Dwarves.

\"Perhaps those... Rangers waylaid the orcs? I would not put much faith in it, save that we have not been descended upon yet. There can only be a few reasons for that, no?\" An eyebrow is arched a moment by Zinbar before he leans back in his chair slightly.

[Frarin] Frarin sits forward as the gathering comes to order amid Gimli\'s questions. The merchant places both hands on the table, dark eyes piercing the wafting smoke around the table. He nods to Ovor. \"I have heard nothing of the scouts returning either, my lord,\" says Frarin to Gimli, face sober and grim. \"But Thane Zinbar is right. We have been here now over two weeks and still the army has not showed itself. Either they lay in wait for some reason beyond our knowledge or they have been waylaid. But even if they have been waylaid, there is not army in this land that could have dissolved that host so quickly.\"

[Gimli(#30149)] \"You speak hastily, perhaps\", Gimli rebukes Frarin, \"for we know not if there is indeed something in these lands to oppose such a large army\", he says, and then grows silent for a moment. Some dwarves mutter among themselves, but soon the son of Gloin speaks again. \"Yet you are right, and we have been here enough. I say we march east, and find our cousins returning from their scouting patrol... or avenge them and disperse the orc army to the wind!\", he adds, as his fist strikes the heavy wooden table.

[Ovor(#20753)]      \"Dissolved them? No, I do not think they could do that.\" The Thane shakes his head, stopping the flask and putting it back in a pouch on his belt. \"Delayed them? Certainly, if done right.\" He falls silent as Gimli speaks, a slow grin comming to the Thane\'s face.

Zinbar nods his head slightly. \"Ay, we should. I would feel better about it if we had our cousins from the Blue Mountains with us. Has there been no sign of them still?\" His eyes flick around the gathered Dwarves once more.

[Frarin] The silver merchant is silent as Gimli speaks, though he seems troubled as he chews on the end of his pipe. A hazy trail of blue-grey smoke drifts away from him as Ovor sits forward. Taking the pipe from his lips, Frarin speaks up again. \"I speak of what I see, my lord, or rather what I do not see. If there is such a prescence in this land, my lord, why have we not seen it?\" he asks of Gimli, tapping the table. \"Our scouts have not returned. The elf we met upon our arrival has not returned. The man of the wild that Thane Ovor met has not returned. Here we sit, but we cannot rely on rescue.

\"And if we go forth, where do we go?\" Frarin continues. \"Surely this host must number above a thousand at least, if the tracks we saw are any evidence. We are not even forty, and we go forth blindly. I agree that we should tarry here no longer, but I shall play the devil\'s advocate. We know not even if the orcs camp a hundred miles away or one.\"

Torebras enters the Common Room through the open doorway.

Torebras has arrived.

[Gimli(#30149)] \"One mile or a hundred, it should matter not\", Gimli replies,, his eyes now on Frarin. \"I say we go forth, for even if we are few in numbers, it\'s true that none can parallel our prowess in battle\", he adds. \"And I\'d rather fight the orcs in a place of our choosing, rather than awaiting them in a poorly fortified town, full of women and children\".

[Ovor(#20753)]      \"Then where shall we fight them?\" The Thane arches an eyebrow for a moment, running a hand idly along his hammer. \"While our prowess in battle is second to none, numbers can overwhelm skill. Which why the orcs favour it: they have the former and sorely lack the latter. We need somewhere that favours us. Do we know of such a location?\"

[Frarin] \"Agreed,\" says Frarin, nodding and taking a pull from his pipe. Smoke lazily wraps itself about his head as he leans forward, listening to Ovor speak. \"This land is all hills and small rocks. There is the Chetwood just to the east, and the Midgewater marshes, but all else is plains until the Weather Hills.\"

He looks to Ovor. \"If we rode east, would you expect that our progress would be marked by these Rangers? Perhaps if it is so, they would know the land better than ourselves.\"

[Brandebras(#25187)] The door opens just enough to admit a hobbit-sized figure. Young Brandebras Bywater has an ink-bottle in one hand, a mug of cider in the other (looks like he\'s already visited the kitchens) and a roll of very clean-looking parchment under his arm. His button eyes go round at the sight of all these Dwarves gathered in one place, and for a moment he simply stares, but then he recollects himself and slips past, settling himself in the window seat away from the worst of the smoke. He takes a quill from his pocket and starts to fiddle with the stopper of the ink-bottle.

[Gimli(#30149)] \"The land is, indeed, strange to us\", Gimli says, \"yet, if numbers must be stopped, I would say that we need a bottle neck, where we can stop them with few.... i saw a large hill on our way here, perhaps we ought to make to it, and from there see how things stand, and where we can make ourselves strong\".

[Ovor(#20753)]      \"Perhaps...\" The words are quietly murmured by the Thane. \"I am quite willing to take my Huskarls and ride ahead in hopes of coming across one.\" A brief pause before he nods to Gimli\'s words. \"Ay. Hills are best. They give us advantage in height and are easy to defend with few people... if the defences are right.\"

[Frarin] Frarin nods to Gimli and Ovor. Some ounce of satisfaction seems at last to break his stony gaze. \"If we can perhaps leave signs enough to convince our enemies that a greater force lies in wait for them, that could also be to our advantage. I remember also the hill of which you speak, my lord,\" he says, knuckles rapping the table in thought. \"This town is indefensible, made moreso by the sluggishness of its people,\" he continues, without regard for the eavesdroppers in the common room. \"Aye, we should move, now before it is too late.\"

[Gimli(#30149)] \"Agreed, then\", Gimli replies, and his tone is now quite final. \"I shall go gather the Narag. We will go first, as my lads have some degree of training to move in these circumstances. Then let all follow, less than a day\'s march behind. I shall leave you signs on the road, or one of the narag will go between you and us, to relay messages\", he adds, standing up. \"Well, i shall see you soon\", he adds, and quickly makes for the door, shutting it after he leaves.

[Brandebras(#25187)] The stopper of Brandebras\' ink-bottle comes out with a pop, spattering his round face with ink. Blinking, he pulls out a handkerchief and rubs absently at his cheeks. He would appear to be looking out of the window, but his head is tilted slightly to one side and his brow is furrowed. Indefensible?! As the door shuts behind him, he jumps.

[Ovor(#20753)]      The Thane bows his head slightly to the departing Gimli before looking around at the Dwarves once more. \"Indefensible indeed. Neither numbers nor stone. If they are not willing to fight, I will not die for them.\" The last is almost growled by Ovor. \"So we will do our best to turn them aside. The question is, as you said Master Frarin, is how do we get them to turn aside? What would turn an army of orcs aside?\"

[Frarin] \"Yet we have risked dying for them from the start,\" says Frarin, after rising and bowing a farewell to Gimli\'s quick departure. \"And for my own part, I continue that risk even now. They do not defend themselves because they are too witless to do so,\" he says, again seeming to have little regard for the eavesdroppers. \"And that is itself worthy of protection, so rare as it is in this age.\"

A glance is spared for the unfortunate ink-daubed hobbit and suddenly Frarin\'s heavy brows lighten ever so slightly, the lines of his mouth untangle themselves. When he speaks, the cold, grim tone is replaced by that of a businessman, as if the natural pessimism of the silver merchant has given way to practicalities. \"How indeed. We are too few to turn their numbers with an all out march and charge. And yet there are few among us with the experience of stealth to carry out a successful ambush. If we could but make contact with these Rangers. Even with my doubts of them, they would be comfort more than this town.\"

[Brandebras(#25187)] Abandoning the attempt to make himself presentable, Brandebras stuffs his handkerchief away. He dips his quill in the ink but then merely holds it above the parchment, his hand trembling a little.

Drip. Drip. Drip. A small pool of black spreads across the pristine page.

His mug of hot cider steams quietly on the windowsill, forgotten as he listens wide-eyed to the odd growl or clipped word that comes his way.

Gimli has left.

[Ovor(#20753)]      \"At least the Rangers have sense.\" The words are rumbled by the Thane. \"I had hoped, back when we began this, that they would try to defend themselves. Ah, what a fool a Thane is without his advisors.\" The words are grumbled as Ovor shakes his head.

\"That is what worries me. We cannot lose those few, for we may need them. It looks as if our only course is to contact the Rangers... they would know about the land than our own anyways.\"

[Tamhill(#32501)]

An overly thin, young human boy has apparently been sitting crosslegged upon the floor of the Common Room, not terribly far from where the dwarves have been speaking among themselves. Tamhill has apparently been alone, ut from under foot along the wall, fiddling with some small pieces of polished bone that may be some kind of tokens from a game of chance such as boys might find amusing.

Looking up from his idleness, the lad listens to the strange outsider\'s foreign lilted speach but says nothing. His eyes are bright with youth, and curious interest.

[Frarin] Frarin shakes his head at Ovor, puffing on his pipe as the table of dwarves begins to disperse. Chairs scrape and tankards are emptied, but the silver merchant moves not. \"Nay, you underestimate yourself, lord. A Thane has advisors only for peace of mind, but his decisions are his alone. Yours have not gone astray. Many a dwarf was there among our company who believed even /some/ grain of action might be coaxed out of these Breelanders.\"

Sitting back, Frarin shakes his head again, catching sight of the thin boy sitting cross-legged upon the floor as he does so. \"But that was not to be. Even the promise of coin has not entirely tempted them from their idleness.\" He nods towards Tamhill, never lowering his voice, as if to make a point. \"That boy over yonder, for example. Eager initially to earn himself some extra silver, now sitting idly in the Pony.\"

[Brandebras(#25187)] Blinking, Brandebras seems to recollect himself, for he looks down at his parchment and draws a neat circle around the black stain. A moment\'s pause, then he reaches for his cider to take one cautious sip, followed by a larger gulp - it\'s no longer hot enough to scald. His other hand, the pen-holding one, starts to doodle. The corner of the sheet is now decorated by a sketch of an apple, proof that this Breelander at least is not totally idle.

He ignores the scraping of chairs, but at Frarin\'s final words he can\'t help giving one glance over his shoulder. What boy? Where?

[Ovor(#20753)]      \"Advisors also serve to make sure a Thane makes informed decisions. Before now, I had not stepped west of the Misty Mountains, Frarin I had not expected to go much beyond them, so I did not bother to ask about Eriador.\" The Thane grunts, shaking his head. \"A mistake, then. One that we all shared in out of hope and perhaps too high expectations.\"

The Thane chuckles quietly. \"What use have these people for coin? If it is not of much use to motivate them, then they must not have much use for it. I would offer Zinbar\'s leather goods, but not even I have enough to prompt them out of their... comfort.\"

[Tamhill(#32501)]

The boy so addressed suddenly sticks out his chin and looks sullen at the dwarf who speaks to him, \"I been work\'n! Came in ta sup \'n rest a bit.\" Small hands take up his gaming pieces and drop them into his belt pouch, then grab up the slim staff he had laid upon the floor along the wall behind himself.

Getting to his feet, Tamhil eyes Frarin with a youthful, challenging air, \"I tell ya someth\'n of da woodsfolk - Rangers you be call\'m, if\'n you pay me.\"

[Frarin] \"And yet they keep trinkets like that earring lying about. It is not money that fails to motivate so much as derision of our company.\" says Frarin, not commenting on Ovor\'s berating of himself. \"Which reminds me...\" The silver merchant seems momentarily distracted and reaches a hand into the folds of his tunic, feeling about for something. But whatever he seems to be have been reminded of is put off awhile longer, for Tamhill approaches with his challenge.

\"Supping, have you been?\" says Frarin, as a stern grandfather might to a child. \"Is it second breakfast already? Or only first? Or perhaps it is lunch and the time has completely passed me by.\" But he eyes the boy with a keen gaze, lifting his own chin to challenge the boy\'s own. \"I have paid you quite enough, young sir. Why should I believe you to have any information beyond my own?\"

[Tamhill(#32501)]

Tamhill gives Frarin a dirty look, still defiant, \"I be lucky if\'n I gets one meal a day, Stout One!\" And so saying, the uppity scamp even pokes his stick towards the dwarf, though... careful enough not to actually touch Frarin, who is scary enough without actually riling him up.

Impertinent, the lad adds as he lowers his stick, \"You\'s aint from \'round here and I\'s is! And ya no be know\'n who be \'bouts or no, \'n I do.\"

[Brandebras(#25187)] Brandebras\' quill is in danger of dripping again, but fortunately he places it back in the bottle in time. His chair scrapes as he shifts it round so that he can without keep one eye on Tamhill and the dwarves that remain without having to crane his neck. Something must have brought on that sudden overt interest - might it have been the mention of Rangers? He watches with interest, but when no story is forthcoming he sighs.

[Ovor(#20753)]      \"But, it is done with. No use in further grumbling.\" The Thane shakes his head the flask is brought forth once more from his belt and a drink taken from it. Yet, as Tamhill speaks once more to Frarin, the Thane glances to the lad. \"Remember who you are talking to, lad. And in the presence of whom you are talking.\" The words are rumbled out once more.

\"Speak your information. If it is worth it, we will pay you. If it is not... then we do not.\"

[Frarin] The silver merchant\'s face does not change as Tamhill speaks, though he does stay silent for some time. He eyes the jabbed stick with a menacing scowl, but still says nothing. Whatever might be rolling about in his head, Frarin taps impatient fingers on the tabletop once more and draws from his pipe. He glances at Ovor, then, unbelievably, actually reaches for the small purse at his belt. \"Ten copper pennies, scamp, and no more. Now speak your piece and be done with.\"

[Tamhill(#32501)]

The sharp tongued lad gives Ovor a glare, \"I don\'ts be know\'n who ya thinks ya are, but you ain\'t but strangers \'round here.\" And though the boy does step back one step with returning caution, he adds, \"\'N me pa, he\'s a big man - wup any\'n lays a hand on me!\"

\"An\' I no be tell\'n nutt\'n lestwise I see coin, first. Ya think I be daft \'tween me ears?\"

Farin\'s offer though is jumped upon, greenish-brown eyes in the eager young face returning to him, \"Them\'s rangers ya call\'m, lots o\' them shows up in town...\" Tamhill screws up his very young face, trying to remember, \"Two weeks ago or so. Then, all o\' them up \'n go away, with\'n couple o\' days.\"

Eying the dwarves, the Breelander scamp adds, \"One o\' them came back.\"

[Brandebras(#25187)] Even from behind his mug Brandebras\' wince at Tamhill\'s belligerent words is clearly visible. He takes a few more gulps of cider to allay his discomfort - then sets the mug down empty. His ostensible reason for being here ended, he glances from the dwarves to the window to his parchment and back again. What to do?

[Ovor(#20753)]      A scowl comes upon the Thane\'s face. \"Uppity manling...\" These words, however, are muttered into his beard. \"I am Ovor, son of Ovir, and a Thane of the Lonely Mountain. That is more than your father, lad.\" He mumbles to himself, then, until he hears the news of the Rangers: then Tamhill has his undivided attention, eyes narrowing slightly.

[Frarin] Frarin\'s eyes go to Ovor as the boy speaks, and he mutters quietly, \"That would be only shortly before we arrived.\" But Tamhill\'s last comment brings the dwarf\'s head round again, though only that action would hint at any interest, for his face is as always like stone. Frarin\'s lips purse around the stem of his pipes, his dark eyes beholding the boy with a hard stare. \"One came back, eh? And I suppose you will be wanting more coin to tell us who?\"

But the silver merchant, ever the businessman, seems not about the be fooled. A slight movement brings Frarin\'s eye to Brandebras as the hobbit uncomfortably sets his mug down. \"Master Hobbit!\" calls the dwarf, continuing bluntly, \"You have heard our words. Is what the boy says true? There have been the men from the wild about in town?\"

[Tamhill(#32501)]

Another bold glare for Ovor as he rumbles a name, liniage, title and place that mean nothing to the boy. But the lad grunts, \"Me pa, he\'s town smith, see? Bust anyone\'s head like it wa\' a mellon!\"

But, Frarin\'s words recapture Tamhill\'s attention and the boy frowns, now leaning upon his small staff, \"Yeah, I kin tell ya more if\'n ya be will\'n ta pay me wha\' promised - \'n bit more.\"

Asking the nearby Brandebras if Tamhill\'s tale be true makes the scamp\'s face turn red, \"I no be ly\'n!\"

[Brandebras(#25187)] As Frarin\'s booming tones reach his ears, Brandebras lets out a startled squeak. He turns his head this way and then - does he really mean me? - but it\'s clear there\'s no other hobbit in the vicinity. Recovering, the ink-spattered hobbit jumps to his feet and bows. \"It\'s true the Rangers all went away,\" he states almost wistfully. \"I did love their stories.\" He sighs \"But I didn\'t know one of them had come back\" Bright button-eyes regard Tamhill with interest, and faint suspicion - how come a mere lad knew something /he/ didn\'t?

[Ovor(#20753)]      \"Indeed... a shame we missed them at that time.\" Murmurs the Thane back to the silver merchant a look of amusement enters the Thane\'s eyes. \"Indeed? Do not go threating those you know nothing about, lad.\" His hammer is removed from his knees the head is gently put upon the Thane\'s foot. \"Speak up, lad. Quicker you speak, the quicker you get coins.\"

[Frarin] Frarin seems to take no heed of his dissettling effect on Brandebras, only nodding to the hobbit with a grunt. \"The price is upped then, lad, and only because my mood is lightened with the prospect of leaving this wretched town,\" he says, low voice almost to a growl. A hazy smoke ring is released. \"Who remains?\"

[Tamhill(#32501)]

Tamhill eyes Brandebras a moment, wary perhaps to say anything too curt to one of the town\'s own he would have to deal with later in years to come. The scamp just nods his head once and looks back to the dwarves, \"See?\"

But to their question of whom, the boy frowns, \"I dunno his name. Ain\'t seen this one \'round much \'fore. Been loiter\'n some \'round da Wida\'s place at first, bu\' then... \" Tamhill shrugs, less certain.

Before his opportunity might be lost though, the thin boy adds quickly, \"Bu\' I know more! There wa\' another man in town, who went wit\'m. He wa\' in town all winter - then up\'n left - even his horse! Still in da stables, it be.\"

Suddenly more cautious the boy hesitatse, \"Pay me now, or I tell ya not\'n more \'bout him.\"

[Brandebras(#25187)] Brandebras\' frown remains, as Tamhill divulges just a hairsbreadth more than nothing ... but then one of the boy\'s words registers. \"Stables! Oh no! That reminds me-\"

Sticking his quill behind his ear and snatching up his parchment and ink-bottle, he dashes out without a single farewell, leaving a small trail of ink behind him - yes, he has omitted to put the stopper in the bottle.

[Frarin] \"Do you doubt the word of a dwarf, boy?\" says Frarin, voice now truly a growl, and menacing. He wags a finger in front of the lad\'s face while waving aside the cloud of smoke issuing from the bowl of his pipe. \"I will pay you, do not question that. In fact...\" The merchant breaks off, the hand that had presently been threatening Tamhill now diving into his tunic pocket. When it emerges again it grips a twinkle of gold, an earring perhaps? He holds it up to the dim light of the common room.

\"Speak your full piece, boy, and deliver this trinket to the innkeeper or Mayor Torebras, and your reward will be paid in full.\"

[Ovor(#20753)]      The Thane, for now, has fallen silent, eyes still on Tamhill as he speaks of Rangers.

[Tamhill(#32501)]

Frarin holding forth a small bit of gold jewelry makes the boy\'s dirty face go slack, mouth open, and greenish eyes wide. Except the gold the Dwarves themselves wear, the lad has most likely never seen any before, perhaps only heard tales of it.

After a moment, the boy closes his mouth and eyes the Dwarves, \"Well... eh, see, that stranger, foriegner I\'d be guess\'n, he looks just like them woodsmen. Same color\'n and build. Maybe he be one o\' them bu\' no ever seen him \'fore early this past winter. Dress funny,\" And Tamhill holds his right hand fingers up to his face, \"Have funny lines\'n dots scribbled \'pon his face \'n hands, he did. \'Round for months, say he got \'tacked by a troll!\"

This makes the boy laugh, but then Tamhil goes grim, \"Whatever, he sure beat up. Got better\'n then he up \'n left \'bout the same time as the woodsmen. Big, tall, grey horse \'n da stables be his. Called himself Rhifaroth.\" That, alas, is about all the boy knows or thinks of to say for the moment. Tamhill shifts his feet about and eyes that gold earring.

[Frarin] Frarin eyes Tamhill, silent for some time as keen eyes bore into the thin lad. But he lifts his head after a moment, apparently satisfied at last, and his gaze changes to one of a businessman with business concluded. \"Very well, lad,\" the dwarf grumbles, nodding. He looks to Ovor. \"This is something to consider, lord, if this man was in a hurry. Perhaps he knew more than we. We shall have to see, it is useful to know. For now, I must see that what scant supplies can be had are found ere we depart.\"

Still glaring hard at Tamhill, Frarin hands over the gold earring first. \"Do not think I will not know if this does not reach the right hands, boy. It is not yours to keep.\" He rustles around in his money purse for a moment, then extends a closed fist and drops something hard on the table. \"Now be gone with you, scamp,\" he says simply before rising, nodding to Ovor, and departing the common room in a haze of blue-grey smoke.

Behind, on the table, is but a single coin. Does the myth of the dwarves\' greed live up to its reputation? Certainly the coin is no larger than a penny, and it appears so old and worn by much use that it is almost brown like copper. But is that, could it be, a dull silver surface beneath?

[Tamhill(#32501)]

There is no hesitation to accept the small, gold earring - but the boy says nothing. As soon as the dwarves have departed, that coin - whatever it might be, is taken up as well. Whether it was meant for him or to pay the tab, doesn\'t matter. Tamhil pockets them both, then toss his walking stick to his shoulder.

That being his own cue to leave, the boy skitters on out as fast as his nibble feet can carry him out and into the day.