[Child of the 7th Age]

Stoatie came slinking back after making the rounds of the fields and buildings, still ruminating on everything that had gone down for the day. He'd spent a good spell of time crouching behind a shed at the main gate, spying on the newcomer Mithadan as he went about his business. A scrawny sort he was, but the man obviously knew exactly what he was doing when he put his hand to the hilt of a sword.

Once that afternoon, a no-good, wandering varmint had shuffled up to the gate, beggin' for some scraps of help. Gittin' the word from Shifty, the boss over all the guards, Mithadan had sent the fellow running and given him a scare, wielding his sword deftly to cut a six-inch patch from the no-good's breeches and rearranging the belt for good measure. That poor varmint would be holdin' up his trowsers all the way to Bree, and would have a good story to tell in the Pony to keep any other useless ones away.

Still, whatever Mithadan's skill with a broadsword, there was something about him that Stoatie didn't trust. Bein' near 'im gave Stoatie a sour feelin' in the pit of his stomach. On the outside, the fellow looked alright, with his scruffy lookin' beard and torn clothes, and grubby hands, the regular sort they were always gettin' to sign on. Maybe it was his voice or the way he spoke his words. He just sounded too smooth, too soft spoken. Stoatie wished he'd found out where the man hailed from, not that any anyone here would tell the truth about such a thing even if they were pressed.

Later on, he'd have a word or two with Ferny about the newcomer, and nail down the plans for the Elf and her brats. Old Stoat hated Elves, even more than he hated hobbits. Not that he'd seen many of them in his life.

And, as far as the Man went, they'd use his sword but wouldn't leave him alone, not even for an instant. On guard duty durin' the day, Shifty would always keep 'im in sight. And, there'd be no night work for the Man, not till they were sure he could be trusted. Instead, they'd put 'im in the bunkhouse with three of their strongest, most reliable henchmen. They'd keep the door locked and carefully pocket the key. No way, he could sneak out and do anything on his own. If he proved 'isself, then they'd loosen the bonds. If not.......Stoatie knew well and good how to git rid of things that outlived their usefulness. He wouldn't mind a job like that at all.

It was at this point that he heard a loud, long caterwaulin' comin' from the place where the hobbit brats were stashed. He hurried over to find out what kind of trouble they'd let loose. Maybe that new woman couldn't handle them any better than he had.

When Stoatie got to the shed and shoved open the door, the guard was nowhere in sight. But what he saw made him grin with pure delight. There were crockery and pots and pans hurled all over the place. Bird stood there with a belt in her hand beaming down at the little snot. Fosco was all hunched over, shakin' and shiverin' and yelping as loud as he could. Guard or no, the woman obviously had things in hand.

What a fine lady! Not that you could really call one like that a lady. She'd been through too much and seen the inside of too many bars to qualify for a title like that. He could tell it just by lookin' at 'er. This one he instinctively trusted. She was his kind of woman, a sly one, no better than hisself.

Stoatie found himself givin' Bird a good long look. For someone so long in the tooth, she was quite well preserved. Just the sort he'd like to have around when he finally finished his gig and got enough money to set himself up in style. Not that she'd be the only one. Two or three more, perhaps a bit younger and more docile, would complement her nicely.

Stoatie went up to Bird and grunted something out, "Not bad, not bad! You gittin' this stiff necked Fosco grovlin' on the floor. I like your style, Bird! You've got a future here. You fit in real good. I think you can handle these brats by yourself. No use wasting a guard when you can keep 'em in line."

Then he gave Bird a small dagger, explaining "Just in case they git out o' line and give you trouble. Scare 'im and put 'im back real fast." He lowered his voice so the screaming Fosco could not hear. "But Boss Man says we can't cut 'em up or nothin' like that. They're gonna bring us a pot o' gold so we need the brats fresh and whole. But, for now, you done a real good job." He gave her a wink and a meaningful look.

With evening setting in, Stoatie turned and left, intending to have Mithadan placed under lock and key till he proved he was trustworthy, and then to visit Ferny for a little chat.

[ June 01, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]