Smuggler's Run V1.5

I woke up later, I am not sure when. We weren't moving anymore and I could smell food, and I heard the same chattering as before. I peaked my head out the bag and I saw several gnomes around a fire; eating, drinking, smoking and looking like they were having a good time.

One of them noticed me and motioned me to come over. I was scared but my belly was rumbling. I slowly got out of the bag and felt for my knife, it was still there, I loosened it slightly and stepped the rest of the way out of the bag. They were all smiling at me and sounding like rats. I had only seen gnomes from a distance when my family would trade with them, I wasn't allowed to go to the meetings it was only for the elders. The thought of my family caused me to cry and I dropped to one knee before I made it to the circle of gnomes.

An old gnome came to me and put an arm around my shoulder and spoke in broken halfling that I was safe and asked me what was happened. I told him the story about the orc slavers I finished the story with the account of running from the two orcs after killing one of the slavers. All of the gnomes were openly crying. They may not have understood everything that I said and the older gnome translated where they didn't understand. Several of them raised cups to me and offered me a strong drink. I took a long pull off a leather mug and my head began to spin. I woke up the next day feeling better for the much needed rest, but I was so hungry.

We were on the move again, but I wasn't in a bag anymore. They had put me in a box with a few holes in it so I could see outside. When I looked outside I saw orcs. My heart began to pound I thought they were selling me out to the orcs. I wasn't sure what to do, I tried to move to get out of the box, but there was no way to open it. I still had all my weapons, I was very confused. There was some grunting and yelling, a few items given to the orcs and we were on our way again.

What seemed like an eternity of waiting, finnally the old gnome walked near the cart, I assumed I was on and casually whispered that we had to go through a check point. He would let me know when it was safe for me to come out. He slide a panel on the box and slipped in a hunk of cheese and bread. I ate them so fast I am lucky I didn't choke to death. The rocking of the cart put me back to sleep.

I dreamt of my mother, we were dancing in the wild flowers, when a group of orcs came around us and took my mother and ran away with her. I just stood there frozen doing nothing. I woke up and the box top was open. It was dark again and I could hear the gnomes having their evening meal. The smell was overpowering, I climbed out of the box and stretched. They all smiled at me and motioned for me to come over and get some food. There was roasted rabbit, pheasant, eel jerky, apples, carrots, greens, and potatoes. I hadn't ate this well since the last holiday. The eel jerky was new to me, but it was so good. I only drank water this time, I was afraid to pass out. Jorgion was the name of the older gnome who first spoke to me. He told me they found me a few days ago passed out near a road. They decided to pick me up and take me to a safe spot. He wouldn't tell me where I was going yet until they were sure we would get there with out being discovered. He explained they were part of the underground resistance and worked both sides of the struggle to ultimately defeat the Great Threat from the North.

I thanked them over and over for saving me and asked if there was anything they could do for my auntie and the rest of my family. Jorgion hung his head and said, "No." There was no discussion and he would not even talk about the possibility of rescue. I wanted to argue, I wanted to be angry at these rebels, but I couldn't. They had saved my life and were taking me somewhere safe if we could get past all the check points. I asked how long would it take, they said about three to four months, because of the circuitous route they had to take. I offered my skills as a tanner and leather worker and they hardily accepted. Jorgion also said I needed to learn the Trader's tongue so that I could speak to a larger group off people. As I learned this I also learned more about the larger world, the struggle of all people and they way of the gnomes. I began to dress like a gnome so I could walk more openly. I only had to hide when we were near known check points.

Jorgion said we were getting nearer to our destination and decided to tell me where I was going. He said he would meet with his contacts to take me to Durgis Rock. Part of a Dwarven community up in the mountains. I had never seen a Dwarf before and from the stories I wasn't sure if I wanted to. A few days later I was standing in front of Basion Grizzlednock, the contact from Durgis Rock. There was some exchanges of goods and information and it was agreed that I would relocate to the Rock. I said good bye to Jorgion and the other gnomes. I thanked each one of them again and presented each of them with a small leather pouch with an embossed leave and pipe on it for their smoking weed.

I followed Basion up to the mountains and when I looked back my saviors were gone.