RENC2-20

=Chapter 20=
==Random Events (Nebula California) - Take 2==
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Impromptu lab
Stalingrad
Toreel, Nebula California
June 11th, 3153
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Daniel looked at the tome the second recon team brought back from Stormsend. The inscription on the simple iron band matched a language it called 'Draconic'.
"So what is it?" Jenna asked from behind Daniel.
"According to the translation in this tome the inscription reads 'be master or slave thou who wears this is bound'. I'm kind of reaching on some of that to make it be halfway sensible." Daniel answered.
"That is frustrating." Jenna furled her brow.
"Indeed." Daniel flipped through a few more pages.
''
"New visitors." Fezzik said from the doorway.
''
"Let's see what we have." Daniel put the ring away.
The walk to what was becoming the main square of the settlement was thankfully short and quiet.
At first Daniel thought they were children, but then he realized they were Gnomes. He had seen a few around Kevin's castle but there were not many there and they didn't come to Stalingrad. So it was easy to almost forget.
"Hello." Daniel said.
"Good day. I am Drevin and this is my wife Kima. We're traveling merchants." One spoke up.
"I am known as Daniel. What sort of wares do you have for sale?" Daniel smiled.
"Many things." Drevin reached into his cloak and tossed what looked to be a small one inch cube on the ground that folded out into a table.
Next he pulled out and opened a bag then began placing items on the table. It did not take long before Daniel realized that it should be impossible to fit all the items now on display in the size of bag in Drevin's hand.
"How much for this one?" Daniel's eye caught on a necklace.
"A Necklace of Fireballs. Many overlook it's utility due to it's limited number of uses. 5,000 gold pieces is quite the bargain for it." Drevin said.
Kima had attracted a crowd of the children of the settlement as she put on a show with what appeared to be a pet ferret.
"It is interesting, but I don't think we have the budget for it." Daniel did the mental math.
"4,000." Drevin countered.
"3,000 and you have a deal." Daniel suspected he was still paying too much but there was something about the necklace that made it seem like it was more than the traveling Gnome merchant was letting on.
"Sold!" Drevin smiled.
Kima's pet ferret bounded away from the children and started climbing up Jenna.
"Off me creature!" Jenna startled.
"Sorry. Nissa is usually better behaved than that." Kima came over to Jenna.
"As it is a creature I will forgive it's ill manners this time but should it climb on me without my permission again I will have to have words with it's inept master that has failed to teach it properly." Jenna left little doubt that it would just be words.
"To make up for the trouble I'll toss this Figurine of Unseen Servant in. Exceptionally handy for young couples such as you and the misses." Drevin smiled.
"Thanks?" Daniel tried being polite, but the uncertainty of exactly what the gift meant was too much.
"Well I think given today's commotion I best start packing up." Drevin put everything back in his bag faster than Daniel thought would be possible.
"Perhaps next time things will not be so chaotic." Daniel offered.
An aid brought out the gold and gave it to Drevin.
"Yes I think it will be. For now pleasure doing business with you." Drevin smiled.
The Gnomes began walking away, waving at the gathered citizenry.
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Following the Gnomes
Once they were safely away from the settlement Kima checked around them.
"Okay no sign of scrying. I think we got away with it." Kima set down her pet ferret.
The ferret shifted form into that of an adult Elven woman.
"How bad is it?" Drevin asked.
"No doubt about it. Kevin and Selena have been at work on them. I can tell certain memories and instincts have been altered, but without knowing them before the alteration I cannot say for sure in what way they have been changed." The Elf woman adjusted her long silver hair and clothes.
"Are they good candidates for the coming fight with Kevin or are they too deep in his pocket now?" Kima pressed.
"Until we can figure out a way to get Kevin's scrying orb off them the information I can gather without advertising my presence is limited. Their leader did not seem particularly loyal to Kevin and his wife certainly holds some resentment, but it was hard to push past her libido and maternal instincts. She would be a good candidate for sure, except for the fact that if she is not already pregnant she soon will be." The Elf woman shook her head.
"Damn. We're too late to recruit them then." Drevin cursed.
"Maybe. I don't think we can write them off just yet. My gut says there still may be a chance." Kima added.
"At the very least they do seem to be the weakest point for a conventional attack. Their trench lines and guard posts could be trouble though." The Elf woman sighed.
"Well we better get back to the others before we draw anymore attention to ourselves." Drevin prodded.
"Yes. We need to get moving." The Elf woman morphed back into a ferret.
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