make sure he doesn't bleed to death with one of your potions. That way he will be indebted
to you for rescue instead of suspecting you of aiding us. The innkeep nodded and said in a
strained voice, ”You should.“ ”I know,“ said Toede. ”Now, what's the quickest way to the
docks?"
Dragonlance - Villains 5 - Lord Toede
Chapter 7
In which Our Protagonist demonstrates his skills in not making waves, reassuring his
allies, and influencing those he encounters, and in which he benefits from the nature of
Evil to hire from the shallow end of the genetic pool. Flotsam Harbor was a wavy, smoked
mirror reflecting a moonless sky. Looking into it, one could see the inverted
images of Kiri-Jolith and the other constellations, small diamonds glittering against its
black luster. There was a light breeze coming off the bay, smelling slightly fetid from
the wastes dumped into it earlier in the day by the city's denizens. The sour wind drove
small ridgeline waves ahead of it. A half dozen ships rocked slowly at the docks. The bay
was otherwise empty.
The water closest to the headland sent out different ripples as a pair of small bumps
broke the water and dragged themselves onto the beach. They looked like sea lions, for
they were cloaked in tight, dark coverings that enveloped their entire bodies. Almost. The
lead sea lion turned to his companion and hissed for him to bring the stuff along and not
dawdle. The leader's most un-sea-lionish face hovered like a pale ghost against the
blackness of his shiny clothes, and had there been any moon, would have reflected it back
full-force. His companion sea lion grumbled and pulled a large, black satchel behind him.
“Come on, Groag, move it,” said Toede. Groag grunted and dragged the satchel fully onto
the beach. The parcel, and the two hobgoblins for that matter, were wrapped in waterproof
leathers. Each hobgoblin's outfit consisted of ankle-high
slippers, leggings, mittens, and long-sleeved jackets with hoods. The jackets and leggings
were for larger individuals, and the sleeves and legs bunched up on the hobgoblins' short
limbs. The leathers came from the hide of seals and thanoi, and were said (by
the/innkeeper) to have been specially treated to retain their^suppleness. The entire
ensemble closed around the wrists, legs, and face with drawstrings made of cured leather.
The manner of dress was something a gnome might think up, but actually came from a tribe
of isolated fishermen far to the south, in Ice Mountain Bay. Toede had been hoping only
for a waterproof bag made of the material, but was delighted that the innkeep (for reasons
all his own) had the full suits available.
Toede filed away his temptation to have the Jetties burned to the ground at the first
possible chance after regaining his throne. This innkeeper was too ingenious to leave
without proper governmental supervision. Groag sat on the parcel, breathing heavily as
Toede began stripping off his oilskin to reveal somber clothes undershorts and a dark
shirtunderneath.
“Shake a leg,” implored Toede, hopping on one foot as he shed a thanoi-flippered slipper.
Groag nodded, but moved slowly, puffing as he pulled the oilskin tunic over his head. By
that time, Toede was already unwrapping the parcel, his stubby fingers flying over the
cords. First he pulled out a burlap bag, dry despite its recent submergence, and pulled
from it a brocaded vest and a set of proper ankle-length pants. Sturdily made for dwarven
miners, the pants were a bit snug in the crotch but were otherwise suitable for a pair of
hobgoblin invaders. A pair of boots transformed Toede the seal into Toede the . . .
Well, he looked like a miner or a merchant more than anything else. Nondescript, aside
from being a hobgoblin. But, unless there were a shapechange spell available, or perhaps
an improve looks cantrip, it was the best Toede could
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