Episode L005: Enter The Orkhud Ganger

General Summary

Seated in the Brown Fox Inn, Hasdraek’s attention is drawn to a table in the corner where five dwarves are seated, hunched over their meals and ale. The other patrons steer clear of the table, but grumbling can be heard throughout the dining room about unwanted visitors. The owner, Brinston Chapell is anxious, he doesn’t want the scene to become violent. His son Ainsley Chapell, bustles to and fro in a loafing gait, seemingly unperturbed.
Hasdraek orders a round of ale to be sent over to the table of dwarves. Ainsley looks at him quizzically, but then shrugs and loafs over to the counter to pour the ales. When he delivers them to the dwarves, he points to Hasdraek by way of explanation. Curious the five dwarves turn in unison to look at him.
Hasdraek calls out to the party of dwarves, thanking them for the help their brethren had given his daughter in a time of need many years before, inventing the story. They are surprised and a bit apprehensive but they accept the ale with grace. He then moves to join them at their table and they share a merry afternoon with a steady flow of talk and ale. Hasdraek then excuses himself and retires to his room.
As Hasdraek tries to sleep, he becomes aware that the taproom below has become strangely silent. The musicians have stopped playing, and a succession of voices are taking turns speaking - becoming increasingly agitated and loud.
Stealthily Hasdraek makes his way down the stairs and observes his erstwhile drinking partners being taken into custody by the town guard.
The room is packed and no one notices him enter the room and observe the proceedings. Dolora Hillmore, captain of the guard, tall and dignified, calmly tells the dwarves they must come with her. Omdrith, the spokesperson for the dwarves tells her they will not. She summons a dozen guardsmen to enforce her claim. Faced with overwhelming odds, the dwarves philosophically admit defeat.
They are lead away to the awaiting prison cart, as the mob of tavern patrons jeer and taunt them, sending kicks and blows in their direction, in spite of Captain Hillmore’s injunction not to harm the prisoners.
Hasdraek learns that they have been charged with the murder of the Tilthenpenny family Theodolph, Robinia, Pip and Bremma.
Hasdraek follows the prison cart down Main Street, through the Bearmarket and on to the Council Hall where they disapeaer into the couryard. When no one is watching he dons the necklace and attempts to devine its properties. He returns to the inn where, as Johnson Riverbend, the sheep farmer he eats his meal. As he tries to leave, one patron recognizes him as the man who was sharing ale with the dwarves earlier that day and challenges him. His shove misses completely and he goes barrelling into the arms of another patron, knocking over that patron’s ale. A small brawl develoops and Hasdraek slips away up the stairs, unnoticed.
Hasdraek awakes to a crisp and sunny autumn morning. The proprietor of the tavern fills him in on what happened the night before, and tells him he should be careful about walking about the town, some less sympathetic people might betray him. He breakfasts and makes his way to the market where he spends most of the day getting rid of his bundles of wool from Braehill. Next. he returns to the Brown Fox, where he sells his horse and cart to the inn, and makes his way to Beothür’s home.
Beòthür identifies the necklace for Hasdraek and discovers that the dwarves who were arrested last night were her brethren. Hasdraek asks her for help and she reluctantly agrees.

Report Date

26 Jun 2019