Leavetakings

Hoarkin finished packing his last bag. Strapping it onto his mechanostrider, the gnome noted with satisfaction that his turtle, wolpertinger, chicken, tiny reindeer, and parrot were still snug in their cages on the back of the machine. His ram, Esdee and his battle-pig Mr. Wiggles, each also had numerous packs, bags and boxes secured to them, and Surly, his netherwhelp was perched on Esdee, ready to take flight when they set out.

He went back into the inn and made his way to the bar. He climbed up on a stool and tacked a note to the wall next to the mirror. It read: Dear fellow scribe, If you’ve made it back here, please look after the place. I couldn’t take the echoing silence any more and have closed the Cauponula until such time (if ever) that Eri comes back. If I’m still around, look me up. Although I might be taking the Gateweed out of town for good, so I may not be around… Regards,Hoarkin.