Friday, February 3, 2023 I Am Herda Part 3: The Red Gem (A D&D Story)

I Am Herda Part 1
I Am Herda Part 2

The next day we came across a small village. Finbul had been there before and said it was Pendant’s Fork – he didn’t think there could be more than 250 people living in the surrounding area. He grinned when we saw a tavern in the clearing. “Ah, I hoped to see this place again. Come along – we’ll get good food and drink, here.”

We walked in; Finbul with a confident stride was first, followed by Kelsier and Radagast. I lagged behind, as has become my custom. It felt cramped inside, and though it was bright daylight outside, the darkness inside was only somewhat lightened by a fireplace and candles on the tables. We sat at a table and got something to eat, with ale to wash it down. Barely had we started eating when a small man nervously approached our table. I did not like the look of him – he reminded me of a rabbit with his nervous twitching.

“Allow me to introduce myself, good folk. I am Arbin Goodbarrel, and I am in need of some help.”

Knowing looks passed between us at this.

“How can we help you, Friend Goodbarrel?” Finbul inquired politely. He had apparently decided to be our spokesman. It made sense.

“Ah, well, oh dear, oh dear…,” the little fellow was having trouble getting started. “I work for the great wizard Elwinol -perhaps you have heard of him?”

We looked around at each other – it seemed this Wizard Elwinol was not known to any of us. We shook our heads.

“He is an exacting man to work for, very exacting. I cannot think he will treat me kindly when he finds out what has happened. Oh, it’s just disastrous!” He was wringing his hands in dismay and I wondered if there would be much more of this kind of talk before getting to the meat of the matter.

“I shouldn’t have taken it, I know it, I know it. I wasn’t really going to keep it, I just wanted to carry it for awhile. No harm in that, no harm in that.”

Rabbity man, get to the point! I thought it, but stayed silent.

“You see, the wizard has in his possession a beautiful red gem, a gem with magical powers. He has gone on a short journey and left it in my care. What harm could come of having it in my pocket? Oh, the gods were cruel today! All is against me!”

At this, he began anew with the wringing of his hands and some accompanying fretting noises. Kelsier and Radagast looked a little disgusted, a look I imagine was mirrored on my face as well.

“Did you lose this gem?” Finbul asked, no doubt with the intent of moving the tale along.

“Oh, no! No, I would never have lost it, never! But as I was walking not far from Pendant’s Fork, I was accosted by 3 bandits dressed in scarlet clothing. Before I could run away, they grabbed me, frisked my pockets, took the gem, and knocked me down, threatening to do harm to me if I tried to follow them or retrieve the gem. I have just been recovering from this ordeal over by the fire when I saw your brave looking company and dared to hope that you could retrieve this valuable item for me. I am utterly lost without your help, utterly lost.”

There was no need for any private consultation between us. This is what we’d been waiting for.

“Friend Goodbarrel,” Finbul announced, “This red gem is as good as in your pocket again. We are at your service. Give us leave to finish our food and drink and we shall set out with stout hearts to accomplish this worthy quest. You need only to point us in the right direction.” I admire eloquence when I hear it – I have not the gift of it myself.

Arbin Goodbarrel bowed down repeatedly in gratefulness, grabbing each of our hands to shake them. I pulled mine out of his rabbity paws quickly, but he did not notice my distaste.

And as we went back to our food, the hex-blade, which had been silent since the beginning of this journey, began to hum.

I would never lose this post, never! Oh dear…