The Switch #27

The evening is long and The Three Swords is bursting with patrons until the wee hours of the morning. At the center of the song and celebration is Captain Toma Thornberry and Captain Deron Erdmuth of the Kutollum. The two sit together, buying rounds for their men as Toma makes toast after toast, in honor of the great dwarf warrior. No one ever notices you sitting in the corner of the great hall, sipping warm cider, your hood pulled over your brow.
As the night wanes, the patrons thin out. Soldiers report back to their barracks and few are left conscious in the tavern. It is then that Toma decides to walk his new friend back to the Kutollum barracks, before retiring to his own camp.
“That’s not necessary,” grins Deron, slapping the human on the back. “The drrinks were enouff…and impressive, I might add!” he slurs.
“N-nonsense,” replies Toma, holding the door open. “I know a ssshortcut, used by we portly humans,” he leans close to the dwarf and whispers, “who need a b-bit of aid beating our sssoldiers back to camp!”
“M-much obliged, good captain,” burps Deron, and they turn down the alley.
Your footsteps are light and sure.
You see no one is about, except the small embers of a pipe in the blackened awning of the stables.

If you follow Toma, go to page #28
If you investigate the light from the pipe, go to page #116