[Mkguild] Round Robin: June 708

[Indagare]

No one was within range to hear, but that hardly mattered. Trey found easy
footing among the stones and had no fear of falling at all. He scampered
around, enjoying the light and air. He soon came across a group of five
human men in a fairly empty area. They had a worried expression and were
talking amongst themselves.

"I say we leave him. He ain't gonna find a new buyer in this place."
"I never understood why Gwayn comes to this accursed place. Laselle's just
south and isn't touched. Folks there can use carpets just as much if not
more."

"Th' old buyer was a friend of his way back. Offered him more for the
carpets than anyone else. Guess he figured th' folks here might be
generous."

"Well, we're going to have to decide soon. Three more days and *none* of us
are leaving."

A sixth man came to join them. He had a basket and handed out some food.
"Bless you Aldwin! Where'd you get these?"

"At a food stand near here. Prices were right. Why are you all here?
Where's Gwayn?"

"We got tired of followin' him around. Ain't much room for us here an' he
ain't got enough on him ta be worth robbin'."

"That's not strictly true. The horses have enough for us in their saddles,"
said Aldwin. "He trusts the stable enough to leave them there, but *we* can
get at them any time."

The other men stood up. "What're you sayin' Aldwin?"

"I came to offer my protection, not be turned into something unnatural. I
wouldn't want to rob him--that never ends well--, but I don't want to be
trapped here either. I especially don't like how light our purses are.
Tomorrow's Saturday: busiest day, most likely for him to find a buyer. I
say we give him till then."

"And if he don't find a buyer?"

"We leave quietly early Sunday morning. I can lie to the stables about it.
We leave before Gwayn is even up. I don't want to, but I don't see we have
much of a choice. Sooner or later our light purses will turn into
starvation. And if we steal..."

"We get caught and end up stuck here."

"If we're lucky. Most places take a dim view of thieves and hang them high.
But we'd best be doing our duties before or Gwayn will suspect."

The others nodded. Another human came. "There you all are! What's this a
lunch break?"

"The men got hungry," said Aldwin. "I went to find some cheap food. Can't
guard on an empty stomach."

"Well, if you expect more pay, you'd best hope I not get robbed! I had to
find someone willing to watch my wares while I came looking for you!"

"Well, we're all fed and rested, and ready to do our duties again," said
Aldwin.

The other men nodded and followed their employer back into the crowds. If
any of them had looked up, they'd have seen Trey with a furious look on his
face! Betrayal! He had to do something, but what?

--[Next Part Below]--

On Tue, Jun 6, 2023 at 1:36 AM cokane8116 at aol.com <cokane8116 at aol.com>
wrote:

>    He found himself in one of the outer courtyards of the keep. A place
> busy with the hustle and bustle of daily life.  People many different
> species moved about on their daily errands. Also enjoiying the warmth and
> sunshine.of a new summer day.
>
>    "It's a wanderful day!" the rat exclaimed outloud to no one and
> everyone at the same time.
>
>
>
> On Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 09:31:19 PM EDT, Indagare <
> brenner.mike at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Deep within Metamor Keep the rats play in the cellars. These are neither
> dank nor dark, as one might expect, but cozy homes kept clean and neat lit
> by fairy lights the colors of Christmas bulbs. The rats themselves are
> dressed similar to Keep fashion, though they rarely show themselves within
> the Keep proper. They instead stay close to rat size and live in their
> comfy homes, venturing out to gather food from the fields or making their
> own.
>
> On the first of June, a young rat named Trey awakened within his nest. The
> call of the summer reached down and took hold of him, stirring him to leave
> his home and scamper up and up through the paths long made. On two and four
> legs he ran, scampering at the imperious call of the outside world. Finally
> he reached the end and allowed his eyes to adjust before exiting into the
> bright light and warmth of a fine June day.
>
> --[Next Part Below]--
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