THE CRAFTY HOBBIT
Nanith knew that he had to act fast. He ducked down into the verge beside the window and watched the elf disappear northwest up the street.
When all was clear, he made his way to the seedy section of town and purchased a potent sleep potion capable of rendering a person unconscious for up to eight hours.
10 PM: Nanith opened the door to his "uncle's" house and merrily greeted the dwarf who was sitting on the couch. The cleric seemed half-asleep until Nanith greeted
Nanith winked and walked into the kitchen " Where did the elf go?"
The dwarf explained the lorist's absence while
the halfling arranged the food on the kitchen countertop.
" Dig in!" Nanith remarked placing a plate in front of the dwarf. He started eating his own loaf and even poured himself some of the ale.
The cleric paused long enough to jest " Operation BeastBasion is about to commence and I would die for the chance
of dealing out justice .... dwarven style!"
He laughed at his own remarks and wiped his face with the sleeve of his shirt.
"Are you enjoying your meal?" Nanith asked pleasantly.
The cleric examined the halfling more closely " You have not seen a great deal of battle, have you Nanith?" He chuckled as if imagining the hairfoot wielding a bulky sword.
" Do you feel you are up for the task or would you be of more use guarding
the horses while we fight?" The dwarf gave out a rauchous roar almost
knocking himself off his chair.
Nanith grabbed his plate and jumped off the stool. " I hope the elf doesn't get here soon. This is going to make a nice breakfast." He grabbed a random tankard from the table and skipped toward the couch. " I'm just going to savor this fine ale for a while. It'll give me some time to contemplate this battle I am to partake in." The hobbit climbed onto the sofa and stretched out his legs. He eyed the dwarf from behind with deducting eyes and took the occasional swig from his tankard. " Damn good stuff this is!"
At a side deli, he bought
three long bread loaves, a hunk of cheese, a side of ham, and four sealed tankards of ale with the remaining monies available.
Along an alleyway, the rogue drugged the surface of two loaves before continuing on back to the small house. It was not known to the Raven pair that he actually broken into the home of a traveling gnome merchant.
" I'm glad you're still here! I brought you both something."
He loosened his sack and pulled the four tankards out.
" Help yourself, but leave some for me, okay?"
Oktavianus leaned forward and mumbled incoherantly to himself.
Long strands of cheese were sliced on top of the loaves and meticulously-cut slabs of ham were diced into smaller squares and placed randomly in the bread grooves that ran along the staple. He melted the meal on a metal tray that hung from hooks above the hearth.
Nanith sniffed heartily as the toasty aroma engulfed the kitchen.
After 30 minutes, Oktavianus settled at the table and watched the little man bring over the warm meal.
With no regard to mannerism, Oktavianus stuffed his face with the meal presented. Small pieces of bread flew in all directions and even entangled in his flaming, red beard!
Nanith gave a satisfactory sigh as he leaned back in his chair and watched the dwarf eat like he hadn't in days.