DnD Wife Stories

Tobias busied himself opening up his shop to customers after yesterday’s preparations. He served everyone breakfast before getting down to business. When Drexla saw that everyone had made it back to the cart she flitted down from her home atop the wagon and landed in front of Luna on the counter.

“Oh you were here the whole time! We though you were missing.”

“No they got me!”

“What do you mean they got you? You’re right here.”

“I don’t know. I was trailing after you guys and I ended up losing track of you. I got lost and then I was trapped in a bag. I shot my way out of the bag, threw some bombs at them, and flew straight back here. I don’t know who got me, but they got me.”

“You have got to start staying close Drexla. You can’t go off flying on your own like that.”

Luna looked at Drexla and saw that she was shaking. Her fear and ordeal had been real and terrifying for her. Drexla had curled up in her arm at first but when she stepped out to recall her story, Luna noticed a few golden fur strands left behind as she flew off. She was covered in a few of them. Her anger began to boil over.

“Hey,” she snapped at Tobias, “Doesn’t your friend have fur like this? Smell it! Smell it and tell me if it’s from your friend!” Luna shoved the fur towards Tobias’ nose with a fierce force as her anger grew. However, scent was not Tobias’ strong suit, he could not confirm it was Lincoln, but it was definitely animal fur.

Drexla thought back to the encounter to remember if it sounded like Lincoln. She had heard the attacker speak. So, if she should hear it again, she would be able to recognize the speaker. It was a very deep voice and distinct.

“They dropped me and I got hurt, then I heard them threaten me and promise to hurt me more if I fought back.” Drexla recounted, ” I might have injured them in my dash for safety.”

“So we might be looking for an injured person with golden fur since it could be a Mir’Sha as well, not just the golden Rhomar.”

“I mean he is a slaver so I am not saying he is not a suspect.” Tobias clarified.

“True, which is why he came to mind as a possible suspect.” Luna confirmed.

“There is a bounty on me so I wouldn’t blame him for wanted to capture me for it”

“There are wanted posters of you going around. You need to stay close to us.”

Tobias made Drexla a smaller version of his buns and some milk and honey for dessert. Drexla stayed close to Luna from then on. When food was placed on the counter Bogbean was the first to begin scarfing them down and the others tucked in. Bricky placed his buns in his pocket for later. He didn’t eat and Tobias knew that now but he saw the Bricky was always feeding Bogbean with them so he continued to provide them for the near dead man. Keeping Bogbean fed was always a worthy endeavor. Bricky watched in quite perplexion as the others ate. He was fascinated by the act of eating.

Business boomed as business opened and Tobias sold out within a few hours as many newcomers had arrived for the culmination of the festival. The night of the eclipse was the main event and more people were showing up for the sacred gathering. The preparations of the night before proved well worth it as he received a great windfall of gold. His night was proving well worth the work.

Everyone helped clean up after eating and while business was going to pay for their meal. Once the crowds had dwindled and the food was sold out they also assisted in cleaning up the aftermath. As the night progressed they watched the sky darken and the two moons became more visible growing closer as the festival reached its pinnacle. When the two moons overlapped and the eye was complete, the festival would reach it’s zenith. They saw the other carts begin the break down for the evening as well. The bonfires were still burning but their flames were low as people began to wind down for the night.

While some were getting ready for bed, others were gathering around the dying fire nearby and fed it stoking the flames higher for a bit longer. One of the gathered, an older Mir’Sha, broke off from the group and made his way over to Tobias’ cart.

“Hey Tobias!”

“Yes? What can I do for you?”

“You wanna play some cards? People are seeing if they can double their take. Any of your friends wanna join? Cards anyone?”

“Vhas is required to play?” Bricky asked.

“Money.”

“Ah, I do not not have any.”

“Then you don’t play. Any one else?” He turned to Tobias. “I saw ya made a pretty good sum today. Sure ya don’t want to make it more?”

Tobias chuckled and shook his head, “My father always taught me that you shouldn’t gamble with money that you can’t throw away. So, I don’t know about this.”

“My father always said take, take, take. So, I wouldn’t know. How about any of you? Lizard man you got money?”

“Oh he’s got money to burn.”

“Alright, you up for it?”

“I don’t know if I would play cards with someone I just met but…” V drew out making a decision.

Luna spoke up a bit, “You know, I am but a humble hermit, but I wouldn’t mine joining in with my humble purse.”

“Hi, my name is Reggie.” He stuck out his hand with a smile. “Now we know each other.”

Luna laughed and shook his hand, “Nice to meet you Reggie.”

The two followed him back to the bonfire and he announced their arrival to the others. “Hey, I got two more, uh players!”

A stump had been converted into a table with a slab of flat wood over the top of it. The dealer was sitting on one side, shuffling cards slowly. The others followed behind to see their game and Tobias cast a quick blessing on V to help him a bit. The round began and the cards were dealt. One gold was the buy in. They all paid and the round continued. They were all dealt another round of cards. Two more gold were raised. Luna didn’t have enough and bowed out of the round. The others continued. V ended up winning the hand and received a pot of sixteen gold.

The next round began but Drexla noticed that the shuffling was different in this round. She spoke up hoping make it as fair as possible.

“Why should you shuffle all the time? Shouldn’t some of the others be able to shuffle the cards? For fairness.”

“One of them?” He pointed to the crowd.

“One of the players of course.”

“Sure no problem, go ahead my man.”

He slid the deck over to V to shuffle and he made sure to keep it clean. The bets began in earnest this time. The first raise was two gold and the cards were dealt. Reggie crooned over his cards.

“Oh I made it good today!”

The pot was raised a few more times and more cards were dealt until the pot reached thirty seven gold. Everyone showed their hands. Reggie had a high number that Luna matched. V revealed his hand and it was higher than either of them. Thirty seven gold was now his. He slid it over to his side and began to count and organize the coins.

“Alright, I got to have something left for tomorrow. You won! I thought you couldn’t play but you got me. I’m on to you.” Reggie gave them a reproachful look. Mostly he just looked mad at himself.

“It’s all in good fun.” Luna smiled.

They heard him mutter as he walked away, “Well that didn’t work out.”

They all chuckled to themselves as he trudged off. One of the Mir’Sha cubs called out to Reggie.

“Ya sure ya don’t wanna keep playing?”

“No! Leave me alone.”

V just placed the gold in his pouch with calm decorum and got up.

“Well, I suppose we can’t continue playing. Reggie had the cards after all.” Luna pointed out.

They all laughed again and walked away from the table. Back at camp, they all made ready for bed and relaxed before settling down for the evening before the dying embers of the fire. Luna curled up with her cat. Bogbean snuggled into her furs with Bricky sitting close by on watch. Drexla went back up to her perch while V laid down by the fire. Tobias stayed up a bit longer, gazing into the fire, deep in thought.