“Come on. We’ll go too,” he said to Red Squirrel.
The Domovoy rocked back on his heels and nearly fell from Poldo’s shoulder. Rapid-fire protests squeaked in Poldo’s ear.
“Yes, I know. But we only made it this far with his help. And now he needs our help.”
Across the yard, Thane tripped in his panic and spilled the contents of his bandoliers. With a roar of frustration, he fell to his knees.
“Clearly,” said Poldo. “He’ll wind up getting branded a foe for sure if we can’t calm him.”
Red Squirrel chirruped sullenly.
“And there will be hazard pay for all of you, of course.”
The Wood Gnome leapt to attention and chittered something across the yard. A cheer went up from the diminutive crowd clinging to Thane’s back as Poldo tramped over to the muddy spot where Thane was gathering up his dropped papers and purple trinkets.
The Troll caught the Gnome’s eye as Poldo approached. “I have to go.” Thane’s voice shook with desperation and apology. “I have to help them. Help her.”
“I know,” said Poldo, bending over to pick up a string of purple beads. “We’re here to help pack.”
Chapter 20
“Packing is three-quarters of preparation, and preparation is ninety percent of success,” said Boomer. The tattooed Gnome and his Gremlin partner beamed at the heroes from behind the sales podium. “Nothing’s more crucial to a successful trip than having the right gear, and Creative Destruction offers a line of dungeon delver packages designed to maximize your chances of completing your quest. Now, your basic adventuring package consists—”
“Save the basics, Boomer. We’ll take the deluxe,” Gorm said.
“Eh?” said the Gnome.
“The deluxe. The big package. The kits with all the premium potions and sealed provisions and unbreakable ropes and waxed matches for the smokeless torches.”
“We use glowstones now,” said Buster.
“Great! Whatever ye say. Ye two know what adventurers need, ye always have a special, deluxe kit ye try to sell parties on, and we’re on the kingdom’s coin today, so get us the best ye got. And then,” Gorm leaned forward in his chair and growled through his grin, “show us your good stuff.”
The Gremlin protested. “But you’re buying our best—”
“None of your mass produced pre-marketed packages.” The Dwarf waved dismissively at the shelves of product lining the walls. “I want to see the really good stuff! The stuff that ain’t for sale yet. The stuff ye ain’t sure the guild regulators will allow!”
“But—” Buster began, but Boomer wrapped a silencing arm around his shoulder and interjected.
“Ah, see! I told you it would be a good day when Ingerson comes!” The Gnome’s grin pushed the curled tips of his mustache up until they nearly reached his bushy eyebrows. “And if he wants to test our new work, let’s not stand in his way,” he added meaningfully.
The Gremlin’s eye ridges creased in worry. “But—”
“Come on. Ye can show them the thing you’ve been working on,” said Boomer, giving his partner a squeeze.
“Oh, yes!” Buster’s eyes widened and a colorful crest extended from the top of his head. “Yes, this could be perfect for it!”
“Come on! We’ll get Marda and the team to help,” said Boomer. Hand in hand, the pair scurried from the room.
“This should be interesting,” Heraldin said to Gaist.
“If we’re looking for really powerful artifacts, I’ve already offered the Gray Tower’s collection,” Jynn told Laruna.
“I’d say we need every advantage we can get,” said the mage.
Kaitha followed Gorm to a side table with light refreshments. “Are... are Boomer and Buster together?” she whispered, still peering out the door that Boomer and Buster had left through.
“I ain’t heard anything about them splittin’ up.” Gorm poured himself a glass of water from a tin pitcher.
“Really?” The Elf’s eyes were as wide as her grin. “I never suspected. And you never mentioned it.”
Gorm eyed the ranger warily. “Why would I?”
“Well, I thought… I mean, good for you.”
“What? How?” Whatever was good for him, Gorm suspected its net benefits were canceled out by the conversation.
“You know, you just…” Kaitha moved her head as though trying to wriggle through a knotty issue. “I just thought that you might have a problem with it.”
“Hardly see how it’d be my problem,” grumbled Gorm.
“Exactly.”
“What?”
Kaitha sighed. “Look, some people would find a Gnome and a Gremlin in love to be… I don’t know, what is it you Dwarves say? Shameful. I thought you might say it’s shameful.”
“It is shameful,” Gorm said, popping a tart into his mouth.
