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Mar 16
Snippet(s) (yes, a bonus snippet)
Posted: under Contents.
Tags: snippet, the writing life March 16th, 2009
Setting: inn just outside Fin Panir’s walls. A dwarf and a kteknik gnome have been discussing (and mildly quarreling) about the object in question. They are speaking in their own language (which the rockfolk share) and do not worry about being overheard because they see no other rockfolk and the locals have already not reacted to test statements, either of warning or insulting. They have ignored the movement of humans in the room, as none menace them.
…………………………………………….
“You are greedy,” the gnome said.
“I am not,” the dwarf said. “But if gold falls into my hand, I will not let it slide through my fingers.”
“If it is not your gold–“
“All the better.” The dwarf grinned. “Is it not obvious that the Girdish do not need that [object]? It came to them by thievery, after all–(an editorial snip here).”
“We cannot keep it!” the gnome said. “It is not ours; we neither made it nor bought it!”
“Excuse me.” A human hand intruded between them, flat on the table, and as they looked up they saw a tall clean-shaven man all in black. They realized he was speaking in their language only as he introduced himself. “Arvid Semminson, of Tsaia. It would be impolite to conceal from rockbrethren my fluent command of their speech, and perhaps by so doing discover that of their plans they would prefer not to have revealed.” He smiled, showing very human teeth; they noted also the sword and dagger he carried, and smelled the metal of hidden blades he wore here and there about him. Good steel. Excellent steel.
“You are that thief,” the gnome said, recovering first.
“I am no thief,” Arvid said, without heat. “It is true I am in the Thieves’ Guild, but she of whom you speak would agree I am not a thief.”
