96 - “An Old Friend” - Granthurg - A Tale of Heroes

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Granthurg stepped off the pier and onto the barge. This was the boat he knew, that had been his home for so many seasons, so many years. He and Rinkmorr had driven it up and back, east and west, all along the two Wynne rivers. Granthurg had loaded crates, bags, and barrels, only to unload them and sell them in the next town along the river. He could say it was his barge, but he didn’t dare call it his own.

The sun had set, and the only light was from the one forward oculus gem hanging from a pole on the bow. The river gave off a familiar musty smell that ne only noticed when he thought about it, or, like tonight, when he hadn’t been to the waterfront in a while.

He slowly walked along the side railing, running his hand across the smooth and weathered wood. It was not a new barge, by any means, but it was still sturdy. Its timbers creaked as the river water rocked it gently in its sleep by the pier.

He had done some work on it since it had been berthed there at Dirae. He had cleaned up all of the broken and scattered crates and cargo, after someone had tossed through it all, looking for the dragon dagger. The few boxes remaining were now neatly secured under new tarps, awaiting a chance to be sold in another town.

Another town? Where will I be going? Thissraelle said she wants to go further west, to get to Emberfire. She doesn’t seem to be in much of a hurry to leave the monastery, though.

His hand felt a change in the railing as he moved sternward. He paused, feeling the difference. Here was a bit of new wood. This was a section of the railing that Granthurg had replaced, after the fight. That was when they left Twynne Rivers, when the men came looking for Rinkmorr. That was the last time he had seen Rinkmorr.

I had just barely met DeFrantis and Antonerri. Then, suddenly, we were all swept away into trying to find the children. He chuckled to himself. It’s odd how things change.

He stepped up onto the steering platform, and looked back over the barge. He didn’t want to think about what might have happened to Rinkmorr, but it was strange looking at the barge and thinking that it might not see his friend and boss again. He shook that possibility out of his mind.

It’s odd how things change.

He knelt down, and unlocked the hatch on the floor at the back of the platform. He lifted up the small hinged plank and peered into the shadows below. In the dim light, he could barely make out what he knew was there, what he had seen dozens of times. It was a green and brown gem of finely polished jade, just a little smaller than his fist. It was braced in place over the water by a crosspiece of wood, and held there by a band of iron, bolted to the boards.

Alright, let’s see if I can do this.

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This continues the story of the heroes in Wynne, in Twynne Rivers, in the world of The Hero's Tale, Family Friendly RPGs. Here's more info on The Hero's Tale, and family friendly RPGing. If you like this story, support us at our Patreon!
Thank you: Chet Cox, Genevieve Springer!

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