Luna was speaking to Tobias when she noticed a large shadow growing behind them. A claw grabbed Tobias’ shoulder before anyone could react and spun him around. Two broad golden furred arms wrapped around him and squeezed tight. A loud voice boomed in his ear.
“Oh ho, my good friend. I haven’t seen you in so long!”
Tobias was lifted off the ground and shaken a bit.
“Oh my, you’ve gotten so large!”
After a bit more friendly shaking, Tobias was set back on solid ground. He turned to find a very old friend before him. A large golden maned Rhomar stood there grinning at him with an almost sinister smile. All the jagged teeth in his mouth made him look much more intimidating to Tobias. Wrapped around him were lavish navy and burgundy robes. They looked to be made of silk with gold thread woven through out in various designs. A large blade to match his size was strapped to his back. This was Tobias’ old friend Lincoln Goldclaw, the Hume Hunter.
“Haha what brings you here my friend? I would not expect to find you in such a shithole!”
“I am currently traveling with a caravan actually. Selling food and transporting travelers.”
Lincoln looked at the group around Tobias and noticed Bricky instantly.
“How much for that one?”
“Eh, he’s not mine. Just a nice traveler.”
Bricky turned to Bogbean, “Is he talking about me?”
The black cat on Luna’s shoulder looked up from it’s perch and hissed at the golden Rhomar in warning to stay away from his mistress.
“I mean no disrespect. I am just a humble business man. Look!”
Lincoln reached behind him and produced a chain which he yanked on.
“Number Nine, come on!”
A figure in shackles came shambling forward.
“Look, I caught this one wandering outside the forbidden lands! He was wandering around and I chose to claim him as my own. He even comes stamped!”
He yanked on the chain again, bringing the shackled figure closer, pulled down the cloak and showed them the number nine tattooed across the chest of this Hume individual.
“I was thinking this would be a great place to barter him off. The Tuskari tend to value cheap labor.”
“Yes, that is pretty much how I got here,” replied Tobias with an awkward smile.
“We have to do what we have to do in these trying times.”
“Yes, well…” Tobias trailed off.
“But don’t mind him, he can’t speak. At least he hasn’t yet. Still, he’s as strong as an ox!”
Lincoln clapped the shackled Hume on the back with a heavy paw.
“But, ah, if you’re looking for better hospitality I suggest going to the outer ring. That’s where they still tend to care for, ah, us and our kind. You’re not going to get much respect in here.”
“Yes, I was looking for somewhere to set up shop and these folks were looking around.”
Lincoln looks around at all the stores that are closed around them. Drexla’s shop was the only one open in the immediate area and she was staring daggers at the shackled Hume. Bricky was casting similar glares in Lincoln’s direction after his rude comment.
“Well, perhaps we could grab some drinks later this evening, after I, ah, unload the cargo.”
“Yes, I will look for you. Where will you be drinking tonight.”
“I’ll be in our section in the outer ring. You can find us. Don’t worry, I’ll be loud enough for you to find me!”
“If I set up shop before then, and you stop by, I will feed you.”
“I will follow the smells of your cooking.”
“Sounds good.”
“Very well,” Lincoln bowed at Tobias and turned, yanking on his chain as he went, “Come on you!”
As he heads back into the crow, the group of travelers can here him cursing as he made his way through.
“Ah shove it up yours! Out of my way!”
“Well that was unpleasant,” remarked Luna.
“Is zat vhat you refer to as enslavement?”
“Yes, if you’re weak, sometimes people will take advantage and slap you in chains and use you for labor or other things.”
“I alvays knew it as servitude vhere I am from.”
“That’s just a fancy word for enslavement.”
“Some people like to dress up the things they do with fancy words so that it’s more acceptable in other company. Nobody wants to hear the word slave, or elf, or fairy, in civilized conversation.”
“I was never called any words like that.”
“Well, there are other prejudices too. Perhaps against yourself at some point.”
“sumtimes peeple can say nice things but are mean.”
“Yes, they can be really nice.”
“Have you done zat to me?” asked Bricky.
Bogbean shook her head, “No!”
“I don’t think our little friend is dishonest like that. This is more of a Hume trait I’ve seen but anyone can be like that. Although the MyrRin have been especially kind to me.”
“Well I’ve met a lot of MyrRin and a lot of them are shit.” replied Tobias with a grin.
“Vat about you Tobias? Vat do you think of servitude?”
Tobias spit on the ground, “Never.”
“Well, I still like you, but I don’t like your friend.”
“I don’t have many friends out there, everyone counts.”
As the sun shone on Bricky, Tobias swore he could see Bricky’s shadow giving a departing Lincoln the biggest middle fingers he could, but the image was gone before he could confirm what he had seen was real. Tobias shook his head and tried to focus on finding a spot to set up shop for the festival.
DnD Wife Stories 