CH. 3: Guardian Mountains

[JadedDM]

"Well, this place has been a secret for over a century now," the gnome blabs without thinking. "We haven't had any visitors in a very, very long time."

[HorizonsDream]

"And why have you been keeping it a secret?" Echo asks.

[JadedDM]

"Peace, mostly," the gnome continues, matter-of-factly. "Hiding from the humans who think this whole land is theirs, the elves who want it, too, and the kobolds we were at war with a century ago."

[HorizonsDream]

"Hmm, I'm going to have to be honest with you if this is going to work out in favor for the pilgrims to pass through," Echo says. "There is a kobold in our group, but he is working for me," she explains. "As it was said, we come in peace, which means he comes in peace as well," she says.

[JadedDM]

"What?! A kobold where?" the gnome says, looking around. Keet whimpers quietly from behind Echo. "Gnomes and kobolds are mortal enemies, we always have been!"

[HorizonsDream]

"And I'm asking you, both, to put aside your differences so that we can pass through. He is of no harm to your people, especially when he knows I can turn him into a bug and squash him whenever I so desire," Echo says. "Come out from behind me, Keet. We can't lie about you to these people. That is no way to gain their trust."

[JadedDM]

"Nooooo," Keet wails. "Why you sell Keet out?"

The gnome growls angrily at the sight of the kobold. "You'd be better off turning him into a bug anyway. He'll stab you in the back first chance he gets. That's just how the little monsters are!"

[HorizonsDream]

"He has yet to do that to me, and he has all ready saved me once," Echo says to the gnome. "So far, he has done a good job at earning my trust," she points out before she turns to Keet. "If we are to walk through the gnome's home, they would notice you eventually," she explains. "And that would be bad for this whole group."

[JadedDM]

After awhile, the gnome guard returns with an old white haired, bearded gnome and a contingent of about 20 more guards. "Alright, let's go speak to your leader then," he says.

The group heads back the way they came, the gnomes escorting them. The pilgrims are pretty surprised to see the party back so soon, and with a score of gnomes. At once, Argis explains the situation to the Pharise, and he and the gnome retire to a secluded spot to speak, leaving Echo and Keet on their own for the moment.

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, okay then," Echo says, looking down to Keet. "Thank you for saving me, by the way."

[JadedDM]

"That Keet's job, no?" he replies, pleased to be away from the gnomes.

[HorizonsDream]

"Yes, I suppose," Echo says. "Though, you didn't have to fling yourself at me," she admits. "You could have told me not to move. That would have been much easier," she adds with a very light smile.

[JadedDM]

"Keet panicked!" the kobold admits. "Keet not do so well in high pressure situations."

[HorizonsDream]

"The more high pressure situations you are in, the better you are at handling them," Echo says to the kobold before she gives him a pat on the head. She then walks over to wherever Argis happened to run off to. "What are the chances that these gnomes will let the pilgrims stay in their home while a select few check out the temple?" she asks.

[JadedDM]

Argis turns to her, an amused smile on his face. "I couldn't say. You keep bringing that up, but seem to fail to understand that the pilgrims wouldn't tolerate being left behind. So it's a moot point regardless."