_{by jaymamma.}

It was only mid-afternoon by the time we returned home, having picked up our supplies and run our errands. Mercarri went into the house while Droop and I took a look at my chosen spot for a stable. He walked around the area looking from every angle for a few minutes. 

“We can do it. How fast depends on you Lil.”

“What do you mean?”

“When you said with your help, what did that mean?”

“It means I’ll work on it with you? What did you think I meant?”

“Well it could have meant that, or it could have meant help like with the melons, which was more you just pointing and ordering”

The nerve of this goblin.

“Look at me droop, do I look dressed to dig?”

He looked down himself.

“ok , ok I get it, are you upset you got your little slacks dirty?”

He sighed. “I don’t think we are going to be able take mud out. I will never be able to wear it again?”

Now I saw his endgame.

“Are you looking for a way to get out of wearing said slacks again. I Raised my eyebrows as I spoke.”

He smiled his goblin smile.

“Droop you don’t have to wear it anymore is that you want?”

He smiled. “No more slacks….yes.”

“Ok, fine droop you got it. Now, Can you build- I mean can we build it.”

“We can but it is going to take us maybe, at the least 15 days.”

Oh that would not do. If it took a day or two so be it. We certainly wouldn’t be sitting around for 15 days.

“OK, well thanks for looking at Droop, but I think we will need to get the house renovation crew to put some of their workers on it instead.” 

    I figured it would give him something to do when next we departed. A busy mind isn’t a scared mind. He had already found the solution to that problem on his own. After expressing his wishes to journey with us, it would be horrible of me to ask him to stay. Oh well, I had the gold not an issue to have someone else do it.

“I think I am going to do some work in the gardens, maybe expand a little. What will you do Droop?”

He thought for a second.

“It’s ok Droop you Do you, whatever you want”

He smiled. “Hehe I can complete my kitty now yes?”

I smiled back. “Yes, on the condition I am the first to see her or him?”.

“Her, I have yet to name her but I think she is a she”

“I can visit you later in your workshop? It’s your space I won’t intrude without permission.”

“Yes, Lil always welcome, must go bye” he giggled as he bounded away.

All day he probably was waiting for this moment, and yet he still tolerated my wants the whole time, I had much to learn from Droop. He truly was a good friend. No asking to help move bodies, or protect him from bounties.

My thinking stopped as my gaze fell over the garden, one of my only ways to mindlessness. I pulled weeds, or remember grabbed a shovel and skimmed the grass off the top of the ground.. Then churned the dirt and loosening it to be ready to accept new seeds. I did not know what I wanted to plant just yet, just that I did want to plant something. 

Then I just wasn’t there. I was there.

The ether, the nothing, the darkness. The rock. That place in the darkness where my patron liked to chat, if ‘chat’ was what you called it. I was angry, seething at being interrupted from the peace, and lack of thought outside of my garden. 

A voice whispered. Shrill, obnoxious, and that condescending tone I despised more than any sound I had ever heard. Ilbis. That snotty bitch. So my Patron was displeased, and wished to torment.

“Hi Lil!!”

The darkness drew back much like a curtain. Just enough that I could start to make out the rock hurtling through darkness as I had before. I had given too much thought and care to the world and the life I was now living, and was being reminded where my attention should lie. 

The voice again.

“LILLLLL Psss over here on the right no no no your right stupid”

    The darkness receded slightly as the duplicate Iblis stepped from it. She looked as she had right after I killed her. Her throat bore the horrendous wound from “The” Glaive. Dried and black blood stained her neck down her dress to her blackened and decaying toes. The ragged unhealed wound across her cheek seeped puss and maggots crawled within it The way her skin shifted and writhed, they traversed inside the rest of her as well. On her head rested a crown. My crown, that I had earned. The crown that killed my parents and my beloved steed. 

She spoke but her mouth didn’t move. The horrid sound of her voice came from the wound. 

She held up one hand and waved. “HI LIL” she then swung the wave back and forth rapidly, excitedly. 

“It’s been so long, have you missed me?” “I know your constantly lamenting your losses”

“My horse wahhhh!” She rubbed her eyes in mockery.

“My parents wahhh!” 

“You know you were the worst thing that ever happened to them, they should have just left you to rot in the woods where they found you” 

“Tiefling, demon child bleh, what were they thinking really”

    I had seen and experienced this before, over and over, this torment. Next the Glaive would form next to me and she would taunt and jeer until I took it and rammed it in her throat hole.

    Then the whole event would spin and turn on itself, I would relive that day, that most horrible and foul of days, over and over. Each replay would be the whole thing in all it’s awful entirety, transpiring over an instant. I could be trapped here for minutes in real time, and be forced to relive it hundreds times. I was surprised as I always was, disoriented. For whatever reason, this time I was aware enough that I could resist the repetition. 

    I wanted to rip her apart, I felt it through out my body. In every lock of my hair, every pump of my heart. Rage pure like that day. My power was at its absolute upper limit. The rage fed the shadows, the shadows fed the rage. A loop that fed into and onto itself pulsing, spinning feeding. If this happened in reality, I fear what would happen, what destruction would be wrought. The endless raging power loop that would not stop building until I released it. 

The familiar circular spinning of shadows began within arms reach and in moments the shadows became substance.

The glaive was reformed and waiting for my touch. My arm twitched in an effort to reach out to it. My eyes were locked on Ilbis who cackled, giggled, and pointed at me. She stretched out both hands, which were then joined by new hands, and the bodies attached to them reached out opposite to accept even hands. They were all burnt, composed of ash and charcoal. 

    That gave me no solace as I could still make out their facial features, and recognize them. The children of Ely. The truest victims of that day. They did nothing to deserve what happened to them, other than where they had been born. Some of them I may have even considered friends. Some would have been actually nice to me accepting, not yet taught to hate a creature such as I. It however did not matter, not that day, and not too me. I killed them all the same.

    They now all smiled and laughed. The pull on me to grab the glaive grew stronger, and stronger, ad the loop of raging shadow, of shadowy rage grew. I fell to my knees and pressed my palms to the stone. I resisted. They screamed.

“TAKE IT TAKE IT TAKE IT TAKE IT.

     Tears fell from my eyes as I forced them shut. The power hummed. I could not hold it. My arm shot for the Glaive. Before I gripped the handle, a single note sprang into being silencing my mob of tormentors. They then began to scream anew, but were cut short by another single note. Then came another, and another and then it was a song. The charred, charcoal revenants threw their hands to their ears, trying to block out the sound. They screamed in anguish as the note permeated their beings, breaking them down one mote of ash at a time. The notes continued flaying the ash from them until they were no more. Only Ilbis remained. 

This was new.

Never had it played out like this.

Ilbis undaunted continued to taunt. Even without her allies the power still fed and multiplied, it grew ever harder to resist the pull. Then a voice in the darkness. “Hey where’s the shitter?”

“What the fuck is happening” I said aloud.

“The same thing will happen that always happens, you try to fight it but your too weak, too vengeful, and then I get to torment you and give you what you deserve for what you did. I do enjoy the endless punishment with the promise of more.”

She got closer and leaned in inches from me.

“I was there when they gutted your horse, It was DISGUSTING but wonderful at the same time. Cause I  knew how much it would hurt you, all you had left in the world”

I screamed not in anguish but rage.

I wanted the glaive more than anything. I would trade an infinitum of torment to get at that bitch. 

Funny though I could not lift either arm. Unimaginable power coursed through me, and I could not lift my arms.

 “Oh I got it, Imagine Harbin was in love with you” You rebuff him but he just keeps following you around making lecherous and vulgar motions to you to express his love”  

What was this?

“Manners….Yes!!!”

“NO, ladies should not walk town streets alone”

Anchors. Moments that for whatever reason mattered more too me than I knew. Moments the connected me to reality not this place of torment. The world that existed outside my own head.

“Your a bad bitch”

Ajax. I wish he had waited a day longer, I wish we would have waited for him and not headed out so soon. I. We hadn’t realized how much he was suffering. I hope he was ok.

I could move. I stood. I grinned. The loop intensified. I smiled then I slowly lifted one arm and snapped my fingers. The loop just dissolved. POOF. Like it was a drop of flame falling into a peaceful sea. 

    Then I wound up and punched that bitch right in her face. She literally went head over heels. I knelt and hit her again and again until she stopped moving. I stood and looked at the Glaive. I remember after what happened, happened. I had a lust for the blade, the power it contained. Now not so much, I was more afraid of it. No, not afraid of it. Done with it. It wasn’t power, it was entrapment. The power was mine, the glaive was the fuse, not the other way around. I spit on it. 

Ilbis screamed and rose.

“Scream all you want. You won’t get no suffering from me. I am finished with it. It happened. Its over. Nothing will change it. I will live and maybe die tomorrow. Maybe General Nail-a-HO will find and kill me in a month. All I can do is see how it goes. Fuck you Ilbis, you were a nasty cunt who got what she deserved. 

She again screamed.

I smiled at her, wrinkled my nose, and winked. 

“Your dead, I live”

I reveled in my victory, until she reached out and grabbed the glaive. She slashed at me which I barely avoided. I rolled and leapt avoiding her strikes, or at least keeping them from being lethal. A nick with the blade here and there, I would eventually be killed by a multitude of tiny cuts. I had to do something. I kicked her in the stomach, grabbed her hair and used it to lever her face first into the stone.  

The resounding crunch was very satisfying. From my right again came a voice.

“I didn’t find the shitter, but I did find this.”

There was a clang of metal on stone. The familiar sight of the shadow and steel melded blade was a welcome sight. I hefted Cursebringer. Ilbis was already recovering. She screeched and rushed me.

The glaive met Cursebringer sparks of shadow exploded outward from the impacts. Cursebringer was a mighty weapon unlike any other but it was not suited for defense. The glaive was lite and nimble and Ilbis wielded it masterfully. She was getting further inside my guard forcing me back. In an instant dismissed Cursebringer. My old glaive of the non-magical variety my pact Glaive.

    We again clashed now it was she being pushed back. Then it was I inside her guard. I parried a blow and pushed her glaive wide, and then jammed mine into her wrist forcing her to drop the weapon. My next cut was down across the inside of her left thigh, the next up across the right thigh. I then rammed it into the good side of her throat and out her throat hole. The weapon was now trapped there. It mattered not. I slammed her down. I wrapped one hand in her hair. I screamed, tears streamed down my face in a torrent as I pummeled her again and again. There was no longer a face there just a broken mass of flesh and hair. I kept hammering until I was hitting the stone beneath where her head had been. 

I stood and roared. I then saw the glaive, my fuse, I spit on it and kicked it away. 

Then there was clapping slowly.

The rock on which I rode came to a stop, no longer hurtling through the darkness but still. 

I was being granted an audience.

“Well Done Child, well done, finally. How many times has it been, how many have we been here. Meh, who cares we are HERE now. You think I torment you? You have always thought that. I torment enemies, opposing forces, even gods but never my own, never you. You have always been my most favored. This mindscape this physic manifestation was created so you could do for yourself what I never could do for you. Here I could rewind the clock and nudge yo towards different possibilities. DO you see?

I Did not. I had played this out before. It always played out he same. Maybe slight variation but this time had ben completely off script. It was different this time why? 

“Think Lilvari, think you were never scared of the glaive, what do you fear? What have you always feared since that day, not that you have ever admitted it. You are right to fear it, because what have you been doing lately think. What do you have now. Ever since that day having this makes you afraid”

What did I have.

I felt a tug on my dress.

Droop. 

“You really are a dirty whore, but your my dirty whore. Dare smiled then looked downward. :Wait that sounded better in my head”

Mercarri then stood next to me making that vulgar movement she had used to describe Harbin being a pervert.

Mystic next. Jumping up and down like a child excitedly holding her new flute.

Ajax waved in the distance.

Annete sat upon the stone playing the Lyre.

Then she was older on horseback. A gleaming silver bow on her back. My travel journal in her hand. She smiled and waved.

Droop stood alone before a great serpent, a much larger mechanical cat skulked the nearby shadows.

Mystic stood over a barren scorched plane. She tapped her staff upon the ground and a wave of green rampantly grew into a forest. 

Dare and Ajax clasped arms an army gathered at their back awaiting command.

Mercarri, knelt over a shattered shield She stood raised her mace and roared. An army of angels, and fiends answered her call and charged towards an unseen foe. 

    The images all got fuzzy and phased out. They all stood on the top of a great mountain. They watched a battlefield below. A clash of all manner of beings, some I recognized some I did not. It was bedlam, power was being unleashed on a grand scale never before witnessed. 

    A rider approached. Black Horse. Gleaming silver armor. Runes etched across the armor vibrated in different colors. Fastened to the riders back where a multitude of weapons. I did not recognize them all, but I recognized two. The unmistakable forms of both Cursebringer and Umbra-Aurum. The riders helmet phased out and beneath it was…”

“Of course its you. Who else would it be?”

“What is this?” I asked.

“a possible future like I said here Time is mine to manipulate. Well to an extent. The possibilities and variations of this are innumerable. I will say this, as bad as this looks, it is the best possible scenario.”

My insides shuttered. “How can that be?”

“You are all still alive to stand there. Fate is a fickle bitch, more of a cunt really but don’t tell her I said that. Everything ends, if allowed too, this is the lot of you raging against that end”

“This is the end of our world”

She chuckled.

“The end of all worlds. This is as far as I can ever see. Do you get what you have?”

“A home?”

“Close but not in its entirety”

“A place in the world, what I have always wanted”

“YES, you have never felt a part of it always operating above, below but never in. Through them you have a connection to this world, and can move forward to find your true place within it. YOU HAVE A CONNECTION TO NOW. Only with help could you finally release the mental trap you have placed on yourself” Now that leads us to the real problem”

“What?”

I lowered my shield, the one I hadn’t even been holding. As I did so new images flared.

Droops mechanical cat Lie shattered. The serpent hissed contently one little boot hanging from his fangs.

Mystic lie burned almost beyond recognition upon the barren plane her eyes were opened wide in horror but showed no life within them. 

Dare and Ajax stood surrounded by undead abominations wounded bleeding from a thousand wounds. Annette hung from a tree her face purple, eyes bulging. Mercarri lie on the ground armor shattered, her breaths labored as a great shadow overcame her.

I stood in the center of the battle empowered by shadow and rage and sorrow and was trampled and torn asunder by beasts like I had never seen.

I fell to my knees as the images dissipated. 

“See it can always be worse”

“Why show me this”

“To warn you what not to do”

“What did you do before the images, it was symbolic”

I lowered my shield.

“YES, and in doing so.

“I lowered my guard:”

“Ding Ding ding, we have a winner”

“Why all of this. You know how many times I have been here, suffered this?”

“Something given has no value, and not all that is here is from me. WE ARE in YOUR HEAD.”

“So all you had to say to me was Keep your guard up?”

“Yes, pretty much you nailed it. Since we are hear and this has been a more momentous epiphany than you can imagine, ask me a question anything but make it good, if I can answer I will”

I thought and many things ran through my mind. 

Then the rock began to rotate and not in a way that would promote me staying upon it.

“Uh-oh looks like our time is up, we have been discovered.”

I tried to grab a handhold to stay upon the rock. “Wait!  I yelled but it was too late the rock rotated enough to buck me off. 

I fell into the darkness and then it was light.

    The sound of Mystic’s flute snapped me back too. She sat upon the grass a few feet away.

“Welcome back” She said.

I looked around he sun was in the same position as it had been, very little time had passed. 

“Another of those episodes?”

“Yes, a very interesting one that will require much thought.”

She looked me in the face.

“You look different, the same but I don’t know different”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I am not even sure. When I came upon you, you were just still. I wasn’t sure if I should shake you, or maybe slap you, kinda earned it. whole town thinks I’m a drunkard elf now.” 

A pain shot through my head, I put my hand to it and looked down.

“You ok? she asked.

“Yea, splitting headache. It happens after, typically” I tried to stand and immediately got dizzy and sat back down.”

“Take it easy then, its only midday and we have nowhere to be, Relax, I’ll play”

I laid back and she did. I just watched the sparse clouds float by. I imagined the wind would blow them northward towards Thundertree perhaps. Then I thought of Rydolph. I sat up and looked at Mystic. “You think we should invite Rydolph?”

A look of confusion crossed her face. “Invite him to what?”

“The party.”

Again confusion. “What party?”

“Oh, I said I completely forgot to tell you. I smoothed things over with Sildar and Harbin, and to make up for the racket last night that you and mercarri caused-“

She cut me off. “Ahem, you caused that was all about you we were just your tools remember”

“Right sorry that’s what I was trying to make up to you all, I’m buying dinner and ale for all”

“Really Lil you didn’t have to do all that. Smoothing it over with town hall would have sufficed.”

“I thought it would be a good idea, maybe help folks forget about some of our crazier antics.”

“You mean stuffing the body in a barrel, that was far worse than our drunken never winter guard parade”

“Yea, I heard all about that. I am still so shocked, you two didn’t have any takers. I’m curious what you would have done with them if they did come in”

She smirked.” I would have put them to sleep wasn’t interested. Just trying to help a friend. No more murders in town though. Maybe you wanted a free dress. Maybe you did think you were helping her. She took you for a fool though if you are being honest about the situation”

I sighed. Couldn’t blame her really. “I did think I was helping her, but after what Traubon said, I can see she got the better of me”

“So what do we do with her now? She isn’t going to be another problem that pops up in the future hopefully now that we are all implicated”

“No on would believe her if she did.”

“Maybe not, but do you really want that kind of attention especially with that bounty floating around?”

“No I don’t. We spoke earlier.”

“And?”

I explained it to her.

“You are trying, but making a dangerous attempt of it. Hopefully it works out for both of you well and us now.”

“So anyways about Rydolph is there some magic talk to trees and pass a message?”

“No” she laughed “doesn’t work that way. Why not send a courier? He is a hermit sort of person, I really can’t se him attending a party. You two did seem to get along surprisingly well, who knows at your request he may. 

Just then gravel crunched on the road leading up to the manor. We both turned and without thinking Cursebringer appeared in my hand.

It was Freda, who upon seeing the large sword appear from nothing fell backwards on her rump fear in  her eyes.

Mystic looked her up and down. “Speak of the devil and shall appear” She  then looked at me. Problem is she has been here all along she grinned and returned her attention to Freda.

“I hope you make good use and be smart about this second chance Lil has given you. I would have voted to kill you an dump you with your poor husband, one less loose end”

“MYSTIC!! I exclaimed.

Freda just lowered her head. I dismissed cursebringer.

Mystic shrugged. She looked at Freda still on the ground head down. “Nothing personal just being honest in the circumstance you must understand. I’m sure you didn’t think you were going to come here and we were going to bake cookies together and talk about boys”

“I do understand I’m sorry. I came to get your measurements for your dress.”

“Another Dress Lil really? Who did you kill for this one.”

I rolled my eyes.

“just kidding, but nor really.”

“The dress is for you Mystic” Freda said.

“Wait, what? I don’t wear dresses. 

“You do now, for the party. Its about image and part of Freda’s um rehabilitation.”

Mystic laughed. “Oh, the plots you weave Lil, the plots you weave. 

“Its not really a plot, well maybe a little, I thought you would be a little excited about it, Mercarri was practically jumping out of her armor.

“Well she was cooped up in a nunnery or whatever those places are called for like her whole life. What kind of dress, I’m not wearing anything too revealing, stately maybe, I’m not interested in my stuff hanging out.”

Freda finally spoke. “I do have an issue, I am very low on suitable fabric and have no coin to buy more. I also need thread.”

Was she trying to squeeze me for gold?

“I thought you would have those things, how can you run a shop without necessary materials?” 

She kept looking down. “I have been closed for quite a while, the combination of Halia and the redbrands bled me right out of business. My husband and I had been scraping by on his shop, until he started to spend it all on drink and well other things of a softer nature.

“Softer things? mystic inquired. “Ohhhh, nevermind I understand. So did he really beat you?”

“He hit me from time to time, beat was a strong way of saying it. I am no angel and maybe I wasn’t the best wife, but I was not entirely at fault either. I just had come to hate him, things were bad enough without him paying for that and leaving me alone. My business failed, no customers.” 

“When you brought Traubon I thought well things are looking up, I can rent him the shop but it looks like it is going to be a long while before he is fully functioning.”

I glared at Mystic.

“Ok so maybe he wasn’t the perfect husband you murdered Lil you happy about that.”

“I fell slightly better about it. My idea or plot was to advertise the dresses maybe get her back in business”

“So you wanted to whore us all around in slutty dresses at the party”

“Not my choice of words, but yes?” I smiled.

Like I said stately. Was her reply with no smile.

I appreciated her willingness to play along.

I turned to Freda. “So what can you do and what do you need.”

I’d need at least 10gp a dress for materials and that’s at cost. Black fabric is not obtainable, I have enough for a dress, and maybe part of a two-tone dress. I have a ton of red fabric.

“Ok I said lets do this. Stately, Black with red accents for Mystic, Black and plain for me. I want Mercarri in the most revealing dress.” I’d have all eyes on her if possible. I wish to not be the center of attention.”

They both looked at me. Then each other and erupted into laughter. They then looked back at each other, like they were not comfortable sharing the laugh together. Then they looked at me, and back at each other and erupted again.

I just stared off into space annoyed.

“LILVARI, does not want to be the center of attention. I never thought such a thing possible.”

“Not in this life” Freda replied as she pulled out her tape. “May I?” she said to Mystic.

Mystic smiled. “Yes, you may. I will very much enjoy a party that Lil is not the center of attention.”

We waited patiently as she measured.

“Another perfect of form.”

“What would you expect I am an elf, have you ever seen a fat or even chubby elf”.

Freda thought about it. “Guess not”

It was now my turn to laugh.

Mystic looked at me puzzled.

“Was that vanity Mystic My who is out of their comfort zone now?”

She smiled. Not half as much as Mercarri is going to be in a revealing dress.”

We all laughed. I then rummaged in my pack and fished out 50gp.

“Here Freda, if you stick with the materials you have for our dresses, You can hold on to this and get more materials. With luck you will need them. If needed I would take stake in your shop, until you are up and running. This town will be booming if the mine is brought back up like some hope. That will put you in a strong position.”

“Not if Halia is still running against me.”

I smiled. and mystic rolled her eyes. 

“Got plans for that one. She wont be staying.”

It took a second, but her eyes squinted and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly as she sensed what I really meant.

“How long do I have for the dresses?

“Party is five days from now”

“Ok, I need to get started thanks Lil, bye Mystic.

“Bye Freda stay out of trouble see you in a few days.”

We watched her depart. 

“Why do we like to mess with Mercarri so much? Mystic asked.

I shrugged. “easy target?”

“True, well Lil if your feeling ok, I’m gonna take a stroll into the woods.”

“why?”

“You know druid stuff”

She got like 10 feet away.

“One more thing Lil”

“What’s that?”

“I think it was basically all fluff and I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Things will go how they will. Just keep the point in mind”

I was puzzled. “what are you talking about?”

She smirked. “Your little dream, that’s what gods or whatever that thing is that visits you do. They have to put on a show, it inflates their ego and they like the attention and the idea of you thinking about why they do what they do, its flattering to them. Just keep your guard up we all should that was the only thing that mattered”

“Wait how did you know?”

She smiled widely, turned around and went on her way.

Sneaky, sneaky that one. She was right of course she usually was. I would keep my guard up. That’s why the non-descript dress. The less attention I drew the easier it would be to disguise the fact that my armor was beneath it. Just in case.

I had one more thing to do before visiting the secret lab of one goblin named droop. I went inside and grabbed a quill, ink and paper.

Dearest Rydolph,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am sorry we have not been that way to see you. We really should have come up with a way to check in from a distance. I am writing to invite you to a party we are having in Phandalin. We are celebrating the fall of Cragmaw, and preparing to unearth the lost mine. I have been filling in holes since our meeting, It has been rocky and I have made some mistakes. I would really like for you to visit, even if you are not keen on attending the party. 

Hope to see you soon,

Lilvari

    I made a quick dash to the courier and got the message in motion directing the carrier to Rydolphs favorite haunts. I returned home and started down the stairs into the cave. Something sprang to land in front of me. It landed and hissed and reared back on its haunches preparing to lunge.

“WAIT WAIT no no, that is Lilvari she is a friend my very best. 

I smiled and put my hand on my heart. 

“I see you got her working”

Then it rubbed against my leg and looked up like it wanted to be pet.

“Go on scratch her behind the ear” 

I Felt odd but I did.  A loud purring sound came from the mechanical beast and I was quite shocked and surprised.

“Droop she is amazing, how is this possible”

He smiled proudly. A little bit of magic yes, and a little bit of tool work”

“What does she do besides being amazing?”

He giggled beaming with pride.

“He can follow what you tell him, and he can fight, I also have device that repairs him”

I summoned cursebringer.

Both droop and to my surprise the cat flinched.

“Relax I would never have him attack the sword, I wish to measure his strength”

Droop reluctantly gave the order.

“Attack the sword yes”

The cat if I didn’t know better seemed to shake its head and did not move.

“What’s wrong droop?”

“I told him you friend, he won’t hurt friend, Its ok Droop pointed to the sword. “Hit here”

Reluctantly and slowly the cat complied.  In a blur it struck more serpent like in its movement. I braced for the impact and dug my heels in.

With a metal clang I was pushed back a little over a foot.

I dismissed Cursebringer and knelt down and scratched at the metal cat.

“Very good, even if it wasn’t a good strike she is excellent for shock value. Droop beyond impressive she is.

“He smiled. “what you mean shock value?”

“She is unlike anything I have ever seen, or anyone else has ever seen. In a fight no one would know what to expect, and may well be shocked into ineffectiveness at the sight of her, kind of like Mercarri’s shit hammer. Except prettier and less odorful. 

He grinned. “OH, was all he said.

“Its a good thing droop, what other abilities are you hiding? What of you magical ability?”

He explained the spell effects he could produce, and as I watched him conjure them I realized it wasn’t just shaping magic that he was doing. Through items he had on his person, and his focus he was able to make magic without any innate magical ability I could sense. That in itself was quite profound. All had magical ability or talent, it was just a matter of degree.. He was producing it through will and his gadget designs. 

“Would you like some training in using the abilities you have Droop?”

He shied away a little. “I can’t fight you”

“No no that is not what I meant. For example you can use shield, a spell I am quite familiar with. Both in its use and how to beat it. Its a matter of focus and resolve. Quick reflexes. Ideally you are a backline fighter and will rely on Dare and I to keep you from harm. That’s not saying an arrow or crossbow bolt will never come your way. To make proper use of the spell one must always be alert and ready to act. What device produces the effect?

He held up a small silver disk. I flipped it over in my hand. It hummed with static energy, I could feel my hair stand up when I touched it. On the other side were pieces of gold and copper and some type of clay substance. 

“Interesting, so If you had to cast shield to protect yourself, you would have to reach for it on your belt?”

He nodded. 

“Problem is that you have to touch the item then create the spell, that may not be quick enough to be effective. Is there a way to attach it say on your wrist, or actual shield?”

“I don’t have a shield”

“Ok, you do now one moment”

I ran to my room and retrieved my shield.

“Held it out to him he put his arm through t strap.

“Thanks so much”

You are welcome droop it is no longer of use to me and I would have you protected. We could shave down the edges and make it a more fitting size for you. Any spell effect that would require quick reaction you want on hand. After a few minutes of tinkering with his dad’s tool and new shield. He held it up 

I smiled. “You ready?”

“ready for what he asked

I swiftly brought up for a push away kick aimed at his shield. Even surprised he responded both how he should and as fast as he should.

The shimmer of the barrier came into being and my kick and the force of it pushed me away and not droop. 

“Very good droop” 

He smiled and jumped up and down.

We went through his other spell effects mostly defensive in nature. The most important aspect of battle was the understanding of tactics, and how to use what you have. That he had down. A very tactical mind. His only weakness was his fear which in time would subside. He would never wade into physical melee because he didn’t have the size or abiltiy. He did need to know how to defend himself if he didn’t have a choice. With a actual shied and the spell his chances were much better. 

Plus his most potent ability was the cannon. It mimicked my own eldritch energies. I asked him how he could channel such energies. He was reluctant to tell me at first.

“I took a shaving of your glaive” I could tell it was not something he was not proud of doing.

“its ok Droop, you could have asked but then again I may not have believed what you wanted it for. In the future though your one of the few I am always honest with, I would like the same.

He nodded.

“Its ok really droop I said as I patted his shoulder. “Now tell me how you used a shaving I am very interested.

“I took the shavings from your pact weapon and could sense the energy inside. It makes a connection to where ever it is that your energy come from. My cannon is powered by the shaving. The shaving draws power from eldritch origin.

“Is that also how you can summon it an dismiss it at will much Like I do with my sword?”

“That was hardest part to figure out, but solution was simple, my devices I make channel the small amount of magical ability I have. If I focus on one of my devices, I can use that energy to summon the cannon. It is limited though.

“Of course” I began. “Magic is infinite, but our bodies can only use so much in a given amount of time.” 

“I just think about which canon I want and it appears”

“Wait theres more than one?”

He smiled.

“Multiple..yes the eldritch energy shapes the cannon”

“So its like how I can summon any weapon but instead in cannon form”

He had found a way to emulate the power of a hexblade somewhat that was both impossible and amazing.

He then showed me his sketches of his three designs. I couldn’t help but be even more impressed.

He then showed me one by one, it was evident each was harder to summon than the last. Probably due to depleting his range of magical capacity.

The first I had seen at Halia’s place. 

It fired a blast of eldritch energy much like my eldritch blast. I took  a few shots from it with cursebringer its potential and power was on the level with my blast.

The flamethrower was an emulation of Ajax’s fiery breath. Even being a demon the fire burns hot enough to cause me damage.

The last was not a cannon at all it was a green and white globe that just hovered a few feet of the ground. At his command it would pulse and emit a wave of energy with healing properties. The energy strongly resemble that of both Mercarri and Mystic. A combination of both nature and life magic. 

He had effectively mimicked all of our abilities. Honestly,  he was not on par in any one of our disciplines in terms of power, but he was far more adaptable and versatile. 

“Lets take a break Droop I am very impressed you will be a powerful addition to the party. 

He hugged my legs.

“You think so?”

“I really do” I glanced over to the desk that had been Iarno’s before we broke him. The scrolls were laid out next to blank scrolls.

“What’s that?

“Oh, Iarno was researching various magic items and such, I was writing down useful information.

Some of the words caught my eye. it read “Tome of Leadership and influence” many pages of text and symbols followed the title. “Droop may I borrow this this may be of interest to me.”

“Sure”

“It is getting late I think I’m going to turn in, you will continue your work?”

“Yes, much to do I be to bed later Night Lil”

“Night droop, not too late” I scratched the cat on the way out and thankfully slept easily

Downtime Day 1

The light trickled in through my window, and the first thing I heard was lite snoring from my closet. I sprang up wanting to make the most of the well deserved rest we had earned. I pulled back my blanket and stepped to the floor. The creak of the floorboards awoke droop who opened his eyes and got a full frontal view of me. He averted his gaze quickly. 

“Sorry, I never get used to that”?

“Your not the first to see me nude, why be sorry, I’d be more sorry that you avert your gaze like your disgusted. Do you not find me quite fetching if not perfect?”

“No, no its not that…”

“So you do find me fetching?” I smiled.

“No, I…”

I frowned.

“I mean yes …”

I smirked.

“What I mean is…. there is no answer I could give, that you wouldn’t make fun out of is there.

I smiled this time actually feeling the emotion attached to it.

“very good droop if it makes you that uncomfortable you could close the closet door or we could set you up in your own space.

A look of terror crossed his face.

Poor thing.

“Or you can just stay, and learn to deal with nudity and not be embarrassed or bashful.”

“I like the last choice best..yes”

“You all will be around a while…yes” he asked. 

“A few days maybe” I said as I put on my leisure dress.

“I have errands to run and a project in mind if you would care to accompany me?”

“I was going to finish my little project too”

‘What the metal cat?”

“Yes”

“It’s ok Droop you ca do that while I run my errands”

“NO, ladies should not walk town streets alone”

I laughed out loud.

“Its me Droop Lilvari I think its more others shouldn’t walk alone when I am on the street.”

He nodded in agreeance.

“Yes, but manners..yes.”

I put a hand on his shoulder as I moved towards the door. 

“Your a good person Droop, no matter what happens out there in our travels, don’t change that.”

“Will I have a choice?”

“There’s always a choice droop, its just not always easy to choose on the right side. Especially, when often times you don’t know what’s the right choice until after its been made.”

“Like Freda’s husband?”

My goblin conscience, wonderful.

“Ill admit, I think I got taken there, from what Traubon said maybe I was too quick to help her, for what I thought was a good reason”

“You helped me and never ask for anything in return, you helped her for a payment is that really help?”

“No, droop it wasn’t I made a bad decision I won’t lie about it.”

“Doesn’t that feel better”

“Does what feel better?”

“You don’t feel bad?”

“About possibly killing the dwarf who had maybe done nothing wrong? Of course I do but against everything else I’ve done its a very muted feeling bad”

“So you do have conscience, and compassion. Making right decision should be easier, but its ok you will have me now I will help you, just protect me.” He smiled “Please”

Yup, now I would two conscience’s and one was a goblin named Droop.

“Droop, I will always protect you, and I am so glad…” I thought ” you will be joining us.” 

We will be having a stern chat though about you holding out on me. About your secret lab down there and playing dumb” I did smile as I said it.

“Not that I don’t appreciate your ability to deceive you are a cunning little guy, and I love you all the more for it.”

He blushed and his cheeks turned a dark brown.

“Come let us start the day, put on your little suit and monocle”

“Aww do I have to?”

“Yes, at least for now it endears the people more to you when you are adorable, you don’t see me strolling around tits out swinging Cursebringer around with my horns at full length do you”

“Good point” he replied.

    Before long we were on our way passing the gardens in front of the estate. I had lightly rapped on everyone’s door. Either they were enjoying their rest or had already set out. Likely the former. I was always the first to rise, if I had found sleep at all. I would have to smooth over the whole song and dance routine from last night. A few words here and there and a smile and it would be done. The more times I gave Dare the option to speak the worst it would get. From what Mystic and Mercarri had said they had done an excellent job of disturbing the piece and had drawn all the guards in town. I was really surprised they had no takers on accompanying them into the manor. They were lovely women the both of them, not on my level of course but hmmm…fetching. I really am that vain apparently. I smiled, and why shouldn’t I be.

I pointed to the left of the garden.

That’s where I want to build a stable a two horse stable possibly. You think you could build one with my help?

“If you could show me one and I could get a good look I am sure I could”

“If you do a good job I will pick you up a satchel of that smoked meat you like so much from the general store”

His eyes lit up and each corner of his mouth touched an ear. “I do a wonderful job and you get me two satchels …yes?”

“Deal” I smiled back. He looped his arm around my wrist and we left the ground and in to town.

    Harbin was first on my list. True I did want to smooth over our actions from the night before, but more importantly I wanted to know if he had procured more horses. I wanted to know that his granddaughter was not still being punished for the bugbears murder of her horse. Also, more selfishly a horse for me and if I could afford it, Annette. Why else would I want to build a stable? She had expressed interest in riding, and well anything I did. Poor girl had come to look up to me, and if she was to imitate me it would be the better parts of me, of that I was capable of seeing to at least. 

    Harbin looked up from his desk first seeing Droop in his get-up. I thought I saw a smirk if not the beginning of a laugh. He of course stamped it out when He looked up to me. Sildar glanced up and then back down to continue writing whatever it was he was writing. 

“No hello Sildar” I asked feigning hurt. “Did I do something”

He looked up like he was going to speak but Harbin spoke first.

“Everytime you all come back from your questing, you come back as heroes and we are grateful. Threat after threat eliminated. Then by nighttime or within a day or two you all turn into a menace.

“You mean the racket last night” I replied.

He opened his eyes wide and raised his eyebrows so high I though they may scrape the ceiling. “You think? yes that would be what I’m referring to at the moment.”

Sildar then spoke.

“I am grateful for you saving my friend, and returning my armor, but I am also here as a member of the Lord’s alliance we promote order. You bring order to chaos not your own, to just turn around and create chaos…of your own.”

Wow I thought to myself laying it on thick. I guess they really would have had a fit if they knew what we were really doing. They however were calm, maybe a little frustrated, but not ragefully angry. Good I could work that.

“When last we spoke after we killed the thief and …” I looked at Sildar and used his turn of phrase. “Created chaos of our own, I we took your words to heart. we are trying to accomplish good here. I looked at Harbin.

“We did lose the horses it dosen’t mater how or the circumstances involved we were responsible for them and we failed you” I have tried to make that right as best I can when I can” “I know that hurt the town, but to me who loves horses, probably more than people, it hurt more. The thought of your granddaughters heartbreak has weighed on me since. No girl who can ride should be without her trusted steed and friend”

I paused to study the effect of my words on Harbin’s face. His eyebrows had returned from on high. His teeth unclenched. I continued.

“It’s just difficult for us to habitate. We are adventurers, and have all seen much and are used to reveling in the chaos out there it’s hard when we can finally relax and let loose too not overdue it. Don’t hold it against Mystic or Mercarri they had harrowing experiences on our last venture, we waded through a literal storm of goblins far, far less civilized than Droop here. Judging by Harbin’s face I knew that droop had given his huge toothy smile to accompany the mention of his name.

“The girls were just having a good time and went a little far, but meant no harm .I also know some are not to keen on a goblin being in their midst. In case you have not noticed he is quite civilized, and now a most treasured travelling companion, my sidekick if you will. I gently squeezed his shoulder as I spoke the words. I would be elated if he were treated and respected as one of us, and he is probably the best behaved.

He looked at droop. “I have never seen a goblin of his like that much is true. I understand and accept your apology. Sildar winked at me.

I had a though. I knelt down and whispered it to Droop. He smiled and clapped.

“Droop here also has both magical, and engineering ability. he could help out greatly with defenses for the town. He would gladly contribute and show his worth and earn his place in town.

Droop waves his hand to get my attention.

“Droop speak you don’t have to ask permission”

He smiled. “I also play excellent game of chess”
I just shook my head, but that last bit sold it. Harbin cracked a smile.

He looked at droop for a long moment. ” I may take you up on that”

“We are trying to make a life here as much as we are trying to bring safety and order to it.” There are other forces here you may put your faith and trust in but are plotting, and planning against the towns well being. I just ask that you be open and alert to all possible scenarios and thank you for your patience and again I’m sorry about the girls and their romp through town.

“Ok, but seriously no more late night noise or parading bodies through town, or stuffing them in barrels”

“You got it more than fair enough thank you. Also, if you could when the horses arrive if it would if possible I’d like to purchase two more for personal use”. I dropped all of my silver on his desk.  “This is towards the horses we lost I would satisfy that debt before making purchases of my own.”

His eyes gleamed as the silver hit the table. “Why thank you Lilvari thank you very much.”

I smiled. “Should I have opened the conversation with the silver”

Sildar responded before Harbin could. “No, I think the order was perfect, silver doesn’t lose its gleam, your apology may have after the silver”.

I winked as I got his meaning, and the not so small amount of pride that came with his statement.

“Oh and Harbin when your granddaughter is around I’d be happy to show her some things when It comes to Horse riding in that regard I am quite accomplished, and will likely be taking another student as well. I know, I know it’s one thing to forgive our chaotic shenanigan’s, another to entrust your grandaughter to me, but think on it”

He smiled. “I will, now I just have to figure out how to explain the ruckus to the townsfolk”

I smiled I had a plan for that. “Oh, I was planning a party at stone hill inn as our way of apology for our less heroic outings”

“I don’t think that’s the most popular place at the moment due to the whole rat incident”

“We at there last night and there were no rats, someone deliberately drilled holes for the rats in the stone outside, the rats were exterminated, the holes plugged. Last night’s dinner was excellent as it always has been, I’ll spread word of the party and hopefully that night we can all get loud. I smirked and wrinkled my nose, winked and turned on my heel, Droop in tow before he could voice a response.” I paused just outside the door to see what they said next.

“She is something else that one” Harbin Said.

“Believe me you have absolutely no idea” Sildar replied

I could almost feel Harbin’s head turn to look at Sildar through the heavy wooden door.

“Really?” was the only word I caught before I continued on my way smiling of course.

Droop tugged on my dress.

“Yes droop you can just speak it is a normal thing to do.

“Did my words earlier inspire that , or was that already your plan”

“What, how I handled Harbin and Sildar?”

“Uh-huh”

“I think you already know the answer, but your words helped in letting me know I was doing the right thing, I could have done nothing or played it in another 1000 less nice ways”

He grinned “Works for me. What we do know”

“Well we are going to make some noise”

“Wait what?”

We strolled into the town center where the night before the girls made all that noise. People were travelling to and from in every direction. 

If I had the time would invite everyone individually, but I did not. I would invite some personally but for the everyday folk an announcement would suffice. I could just scream it at the top of my lungs, but I was in my lady get-up so I would use magic to amplify the sound of my voice but at my normal tone, no one is charming or convincing when they are screaming. Well I guess in some circumstances and yea ….nevermind.

Everyone stopped as I began, confused as to how I could be so loud over the chatter and movement. 

“Simple magic really but I’m glad I’ve got your attention”

“You had our attention last night at 2am too” Someone yelled  I choked back the eldritch blast I wanted to cast down his throat.

“Yes, that is kind of what this is about, I apologize Mercarri and Mystic had a very close brush with death whilst we were removing the threat of Cragmaw castle to this town, they were just enjoying being alive and went a little too far. We would like to make it up to you. As apology we would like to invite one and all for dinner and a drink at Stonehill Tavern in a few nights time. The tabs on me. There was silence for a moment. 

“That rat infested shithole” someone yelled, which drew both cheers and boos.

“There are no rats I enjoyed a fine meal there last night, and every other night I have eaten there. That was a one off occurrence and was orchestrated by someone drilling holes into the tavern and providing the rats access. Come on now how many times have each and every one of you drank yourself stupid in there.

Cheers

“How many of you have passed out on the street outside after closing it down, I know I have and I raised my hand” That was totally a lie I have more class than that.

But still cheers. So why don’t you all come out eat, drink, and we will all make enough noise together to shake the heavens. I raised my arms as I said it inciting the crowd. This was actually kind of entertaining …fun even.

A roar of cheers.

I decided to press my luck and push a bit further while I had the crowd.

My fine gentleman goblin friend here if you have not seen him accompanying me before is Droop.

The crowd hushed. Droop cringed as all eyes fell on him.

“I know how everyone views goblins and rightfully so in most if not all cases except his. He squeezed harder into my leg.

“You have been tormented and lost loved ones to them, and he has lost as well. His whole family to the former warlord of Cragmaw. He was imprisoned and tortured much Like the dwarf we rescued, Sildar even. He has suffered goblin depravity far more than any of us will ever understand and was also instrumental in us defeating the warlord, and the Red bag er brand leader. He is every bit a hero as any of us. Welcome him embrace him as one of us from here on out please. I would accept no further payment or reward for any services rendered in defense of this town in exchange

I felt droops head leave from under my dress where he was now hiding and look up at me.

Did I really just said I’d forgo rewards I got carried away, but meant it.

I looked down at him. “Say hello droop.

He looked at the crowd. and lifted one hand, and just said “Greetings and salutes. I have great manners….yes and he smiled but wisely kept his teeth beneath his lips.

The crowd gasped probably shocked he spoke common. Before anyone could lead the crowd with a stupid remark I added.

“He is also a master chess player, I will pledge 1 silver to anyone who can best him in a game”  Provided you are willing to match the wager in your loss and you will lose”

“Come one come all food, drink, merryment, chess with the smartest goblin alive, and maybe if your lucky Musical entertainment. What say you all. I Twitched my fingers and recast Thaumaturgy again this time generating the sounds of cheers which they all joined in. Sheep, but my sheep and they were entertaining. Go about your business and I will see you all there”

“Did you just give them a free party, and then the means to recoup the money Lil”

I flashed him a grin and wrinkled my nose. “I hope your good at chess”

He smiled and tried to wrinkle his nose and one eye just opened larger than the other. “I am the best”

“Good good onward then to our next visit”

“Who”

“Theda”

“Oh that women creeps me out”

“Really you too huh, I think I missed the mark on that that. Not often am I manipulated like she accomplished.” Totally a lie of vanity literally had been years of my whole life being manipulated.

“What we talk to her for?”

“Personal invitation, a little manipulation of my own, dresses for me and “the girls” at the party. Also, the melons in here garden they would go over well at the party.

“yuck”

“you don’t like melon”

“I do, but it is like you are feeding them the dead dwarf guy”

Hm I hadn’t thought of it that way. “Oh come now everything you eat has grown from some dead thing or is some dead thing or both. Plus it lends perfect explanation why the ground in the garden is disturbed”

“That’s the real reason for melons yes”

“Yes, it is”

Just then I noticed Mercarri strolling towards us. She waved. Droop snorted a little.

“Oh stop it droop she’s trying, your just smarter and better at it than she”

We both giggled.

“What”? she said as she got closer.

“Nothing never mind where are the others.”

“Dare said he was off for his mission for Sildar about Freda, Mystic I am not sure”

I pulled away from prying ears.

“Your just in time”

“For what?”

“How precise are you with your silence spell”

“She frowned How do you even Know that I can cast Silence”

“Mystic told me”

She frowned again “And how did she know?”

I smiled. “Mystic is a sly fox in case you didn’t notice, Harmony magic ring a bell to you”

“That weird thing you’s do when you play music together but I didn’t play any…” her eyes opened wider. “Ohhhhh , sneaky”

“I’m sure she knows more than just your known spells but that is all she told me for now”

“My goddess did warn me about you all”

“That is a conversation I’d love to have at a later time, I am curious now though to what she would think of you helping to hide a murder”

She bit her lip. “My god is not an evil or good type of god more love and passion which can both be good or evil”

That baffled me. “How can love be evil?”

She though for a second. “Oh I got it, Imagine Harbin was in love with you”, I gagged as she continued. “You rebuff him but he just keeps following you around making lecherous and vulgar motions to you to express his love” She held up one hand and made a circle from her thumb and pointer finger and then lifted her other hand and closed her fingers save the pointer and began moving it towards the hole. 

“STOP stop I get it, I can’t believe you are a cleric, a religious icon.”

She frowned. “you asked”

“I did and I am sorry that was just one of the grossest examples you could have come up with”

She looked off to the left as if thinking, if that were possible.

“Worst would probably be loving a goat”

We bursted out laughing. 

“Ok, that was funny Car”

She held her hands over her chest.

“Did you just nickname me?” she smiled and jumped up and down.

A perverted childish cleric like a young girl excited at the first growth of her breasts.

This is my life.

She in her excitement thought it was ok to throw her arms around me and hug me tightly. I gave a gentle squeeze so she would get the hell off me.

“Yes, Car is easier to say yes I nicknamed you happy?”

She smiled ear to ear and other than the lack of points on her teeth remined me much of Droops supreme happy smile.

“Ecstatic Now what about my silence?”

“It’d be priceless” I replied

Droop snickered.

” Always being the brunt of the joke is fun and all but what about silence?”

“How precise are you with it”

“I could silence a sparrows fart flying”

I liked the analogy, wouldn’t tell her though she had gotten enough from me for one day.

“Good, I want to stand toe to toe nose to nose with Freda while I speak and I want her to say nothing, not a peep, whimper, or whisper until I I am finished”

“Your sour she duped you”

I sighed. “I’m impressed but yes sour is a good a word as any”

“What are you going to say? Just tell me your not having me silence her so you can stab her”

I patted Mercarri hard on the shoulder “Your idea is way better lets go” I walked up to her door and knocked. Droop and Mercarri rushed up beside me.

“Your not serious?”

I looked at her stone faced “I don’t know we will see.”

“who is it Freda answered from the other side” 

“Its Lil”

“what do you want”

“To speak to you and invite you to the party in a few nights”

“No thanks, I dont need to go to a party”

“Yes, you do open the door, or I will.”

“Droop how goo are you at picking locks”

“Excellent”

As his lockpick hit the lock Freda got smart and opened the door. She backpedaled as I stepped in followed by ‘Car” and Droop.

“Take five steps back NOW”

She did as commanded.

“Mercarri”

She touched the ankh on the chain around her neck and whispered. I could speak freely.

“Can you hear me Freda”

She opened her mouth, and then her eyes opened wide when no sound came out.

I turned to Mercarri. “Wow just wow really just her mouth that is impressive”

“In combat the focuse required is impossible but in a normal calm setting yes I am very good with precision.

I clapped once and nodded for her. 

“impressive, Now Freda I want you to listen and not speak or flap your jaw like your prone to do, listen to what I say and listen very carefully. I know what’s happening now seems very bad yes, just nod.

She did.

“From my chat with Traubon before I came to see you yesterday has led me to believe that you duped me into killing your husband not because he abused you, but more because he did not make enough money for you is that correct?”

She just stared wide eyed afraid and that told me that at the least she was not totally honest with me which was what I wanted.

“Its ok” I clapped again.

“I am impressed very impressed that you were able to mislead me, very very angry but impressed.  I want you to understand the dynamic of our situation now and understand it clearly, nod that you understand”

She nodded and tears now rolled down her cheeks. 

“Don’t cry I said gently I want to salvage what could still be a friendship honestly really no trickery or deception would you like to try?”

Of course she nodded yes.

“Here is how the situation stands, Right now Dare is on a mission for Sildar looking into you.

Even more alarm sprang to her face.

“Dare was, is a very good bounty hunter if there is something to find he will find it. From your reaction I am now sure there is something for him to find.” I don’t know what he will do with what he finds, most likely he will say he found nothing, but you never know with Dare” On the assumption he keeps it a secret I will need some very specific things and behaviors from you and we can go back to being chummy as we were”

She nodded in understanding and was now on her knees.

I got down on my knees in front of her and took her face in my hands.

“what you did was bad and a horrible thing to do but I have done far far worse, and even now i seek redemption and for that reason I would see you seek yours”

A tear left my eye, I did dee some of me in her. I also saw some of me in everything, because yea vain.

So what I need is for you to act more the part of grieving widow, answer their questions deny accusations, until they tire of it. They will tire of it. Do you understand?”

She nodded. 

“You will come to the party and you will do so alongside Mercarri, Mystic and I. You have many Dresses here yes. You will dress nicely for a night out You will appear sad and again play the part of grieving widow brought out of seclusion by concerned friends. I will vouch for you with Sildar I will do everything in my power to give you another shot at life, not because I fear you implicating me in any of it. No one would believe you and really I can snuff you out at a moments notice should I desire. Do you believe that?”

She nodded fearfully.

“Don’t be afraid I did not say that last bit to scare you, just being absolutely honest”

I need a satchel for the melons in back we are going to take them for the party and that will explain the disturbed ground. You will tailor dresses for Mercarri, Mystic and I and a suit for Dare because it would be hillarious.

She smiled at that tears still freely flowing. 

“It is also good for the towsnfolk to see us as normal citizenry from time to time it further endear us to them , them to us. This will also serve to promote what you do, honestly look ay my dress its beautiful perfect, no one else could wear it like I do but it would make anyone in it look good. You don’t have to chase after a man to make money, you have the three finest specimens you could dress to promote you” 

“Lastly Traubon is a good man who has suffered a life he didn’t want and the recent loss of his father. I have an interest in what becomes of him, if any harm were to befall him and you were responsible…”

She put her hands up and mouthed I would never.

“Mercarri release her”

She did.

“I would never”

“I hope not I am in the seeking of my own redemption the chance to do the same and I want you to succeed. I took her hands in mine. Can you do as I say at least for the immediate future and try”

“Yes she smiled thank you so much” 

She looked up at Mercarri as she stood. She pulled a measuring tape from her waist and started sizing her up.

Mercarri shrugged and droop gave me a clawed thumbs up.

This is my life.

“do you need to remeasure me” I asked. 

She turned around and looked at me.

She smirked much the same as she had when she explained her situation to me and set up the kill. 

“Girl, you are the prefect size everything, i remember exactly your measurements.”

“Hmm appealing to my vanity wise choice probably how you convinced me of your plight in the first place”

“Maybe it was” We both laughed and I slapped her shoulder.

Droop and mercarri looked at us like we were insane, as we were now giggling about the murder of an innocent man. I think it was more of a relief of tension as that was pretty intense and I at times was a hair from summoning cursebringer and ending her. 

“How are my measurements Mercarri asked I’m sure they are perfect as well”

Freda pulled back and just said mehh.

Mercarri frowned. Droop I could tell wanted to laugh but hadn’t quite gotten over our previous giggle.”

“Im always the brunt of the joke”

“But at least your “our”joke droop replied.

She again put her hands over her heart as if she felt the sentiment there. 

“Wow heartfelt words from droop, closing in on being my equal I said.

Droop immediately stepped to my leg and grabbed on.

“Never”

“Well I think I would like some air while you finish Freda thanks for understanding Freda Sometime i would like to know your honest story and maybe I would tell you mine”

“I’d like that she replied.

I stepped out and suprisingly Droop dtayed inside with Freda and Mercarri.

I really hope she truly grasped what I had said. Our futures and fates were now intertwined. If she blabbed it was not likely any would believe her, but it would be better to not draw that kind of attention and digging into background. Once they were done We would visit Thalia’s next. I would also extend an invite to her. Not to mend fences, but to appear to be playing nicely. Plus it was very fun and interesting to watch Mercarri work the silence spell, I may have her do that with every conversation henceforth. It would be especially useful for Dare. 

Just then They came out. Mercarri carrying a satchel.  

Freda poked her head out. 

“Dress colors?”

“black in mourning for your husband I replied “Part of the narrative I have planned and I winked”

“I am in way over my head aren’t I she replied”

“Yes, but I will keep you afloat as long as you don’t flail about. We are going to gather these melons. Well Mercarri is I’m not doing any kind of labor in this dress”

Freda laughed sort of said goodbye and disapeared behind her now closed door. I didn’t hear the bolts and chains latch which I took as a good sign. She was either smart enough to know the lock wouldn’t stop me if I changed my Mind, or not afraid and felt secure in how I laid out future events.

“well mercarri started that was awkward, and not at all what I though was going to happen”

“I truthfully didn’t know either, was a very big risk and a potential problem I have made for all of us. I hope now we can all move forward now and be better from it.”

“I’m getting a new dress!!! Thanks Lil”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m speechless Car, that’s your takeaway?”

“Why not, nothing was in my control in there all you, but I was onboard at dress.”

I silently wondered which of our party was the most horrible, I would always name myself most horrible until we all partied up now I just didn’t know anymore.

We-they quickly gathered the melons disturbing the ground as we-they could as they did so. Droop then summoned a bonfire with a strange device he had on the belt of his little suit to scorch the brush in preperation for the next planting. I would with Freda’s help and permission plant something there in memorial to her late husband in the future.

I looked to my companions. “Well shall we” I held out my arm for droop and Mercarri did too. We started towards Halia’s led by our gentle goblin Droop be thy name.

It took a few minutes for Mercarri to realize where we were going.

“are we really going there, for what?”

You have another silence spell available”

“I do yes”

“I have seen your precision, now you can show me your manipulation of it”

She started to interject. I cut her off.

“Oh we are here you’ll see.

we strolled into her shop and it was just a room full of I don’t know goons, non-descript henchmen, and they all smelled of hmmmm goats big suprise.

One opened his mouth to speak.

“Mercarri”

No words came out. 

Another started to speak.

“what did you do to him-“

and nothing silence. I held up one finger to my lips.

“Shhhh” I want you to just listen I extend an invitation to Halia we are having a party at stonehill a few nights hence. I know we don’t get along and all but it would not be a town party if she did not grace us with her presence. I mean what better things could she be doing to BLOW off a party. Yea wait don’t answer that, oh yea you can’t answer. Anyway this was me being polite and now this is me leaving have a good day and make sure she gets our invitation and you all are invited as well. 

One of the goons reached for a dagger at his belt. 

At that moment I felt a woosh of eldritch energy swirl at my side, whilst Cursebringer blade down, pommel in hand appeared its tip bracing me on the stone floor as I leaned non-chalantly on it. Their eyes took in cursebringer in all its glory and then they looked to my left , then right, then back at cursebringer. 

I looked down to my left and there at droops feet stood some sort of device that absolutely hummed with eldritch energy. Then it stood up on six little mechanical legs. A long pipe stuck out from the front and a small falme appeared at its tip. Droop amazed me sometimes, was this one of the things he had mentioned his eldritch what did he call it flame thrower? 

“Give word Lil and I burn this place to the ground”

He truly did amaze. Then on my right I smelled something foul. I turned and got a close up view of the shit hammer”

“Ugh Mercarrri come on, I’ve told you a 1000 times keep that dam thing away from me”

“Sorry, was just watching your back”

“Thank you Car”

I could feel her giddy joy radiating at the nickname as much as I smelled the shit hammer doing the same.

“Its ok guys we were on a friendly visit” I shunted Cursebringer whence it came and Droop similiarly did the same with his cannon. With a pop and my chagrin the shit hammer popped and relased a fresh wave of smell before disapeearing. Having cast the hammer had released the goons from the silence spell i Assumed but they were to stupid to know it and stood in awe of us, as would I if in their place. As much as Halia plotted and snuck about trying to subvert and dsicredit us, she had not truly seen us in action and even now in her goons explaining she still had no idea what she was up against.

“I put my hand to my lip and blew them a kiss. Hope to see you at the party. 

Mercarri less elegantly put her hand to her lips and then to her ass. 

Elegant no, but entertaining certainly.

Droop snickered and guffawed as we took our leave.

“That was fun what now” Mercarri asked.

“Well I think we have done enough for today, I want to get our materials for the stable, drop off these melons to stonehill  and I would talk at length to good old droop about what all he can do. I like being pleasntly suprised but better strategm calls for knowing thy allies as well as thy enemies.

Droops ears perked up. “My dad use to say that”

“Smart goblin I would know more of him as well Droop lets finish our buisness and maybe put our feet up over a drink.”

Mercarri put out her arm for droop

“Shall we?”

Droop took it. “we shall”

Droop swung from our arms like a small child as we walked giggling and drawing raucous laughter from those we passed on our walk.

Yes, this is my life, and I am despite it all enjoying it.