The assistant mayor’s secretary was preparing to close shop as we entered the town office seeking Tuxel Wu. Ariza flattered her with a daisy.
“It’s so good to see you, Ruth. We have something to report for your fine town.”
Ruth squinted at the flower. Then at us. After a long moment she called over her shoulder, “Those you’ve sent to the mine seem to have returned, and they claim to have news,” the last word puckering her mouth as if she’d eaten something sour.
“Well send them in of course, don’t be impolite!” came the reply from Wu’s office.
With a gesture, Ruth opened the way to the assistant mayor’s office, raising her eyebrows as Rem’e gave a courteous bow and flourish. “Well at least you have some manners,” she said, warming a little to the halfling.
Wu stood in his office wearing his coat. “I see you’ve returned. What news from the mine? Please, sit!”
“We’ll fill you in on the mine later,” said Rem’e stepping forward. “There may be an imminent threat to the town. On our way back, we met with hobgoblins.”
Ariza digging in her pack produced the hobgoblin sigil handing it to Rem’e who in turn passed it to Wu. Wu eyed the emblem with interest. “Where?”
“A day’s ride north.”
Wu gave a short laugh and a winning grin. “The Stonefruits have grown bold! They are a southerly clan always threatening our borders. I’m glad they came on you and not some farmer. How did it go?”
“We’re still standing. All those that got close to us we laid low. However, we know there were more in the trees watching us. My elf friend has keen ears,” said Rem’e. Liadan nodded lightly in affirmation.
“So some escaped.” Wu sized us up as if weighing a new blade for balance and heft. “Please sit and tell me the whole tale. Ruth! Bring refreshments!” Then displaying his inscrutable smile he waited for us to speak.
A clink of glasses preceded a doddering Ruth who, entering the office bearing a tray, poured a glass for the assistant and one for Rem’e and set the decanter on the table. Turning to Wu with a questioning expression, he dismissed her. “You may go home, Ruth.” With a nod she puttered out of the room.
“What of the dwarves?” I asked as I took my seat.
“They returned,” said Wu. “They tell of brave fights against elementals and spiders!”
“I’m pleased that they were saved, but we also found dwarves risen from the dead,” I replied.
“How can this be?”
“We do not know.”
“No – you’re leaving something out — tell me all!” said Wu tenaciously but not unkindly.
Looking to my colleagues for assent, I described our experience in the mine, the discovery of the tomb, and the black powder found in the urn. We handed over one vial of the black powder without disclosing the second which we had agreed to keep to ourselves.
“There is a mage in town who can investigate this,” said Wu eying the vial with interest. “Her name is Vanessa Sorensen.” Then standing he exclaimed, “A job well done! Great, great work. I’ll give you one hundred gold for the sample, and a hundred gold for clearing the mine.”
Ariza and Liadan exchanged a glance as Wu stepped out to retrieve the reward. With Ariza’s appraisal at nearer to fifty gold, Wu’s rich price belied a keener interest than portrayed by his nonchalance. Still uncertain about Wu’s motivations, we surveyed the office.
The seats in Tuxel Wu’s office were comfortable and fine, but the sword on the wall was no decoration: its worn handle revealed significant use. The walls were otherwise spare, without images of family or personal memorabilia. In all, the office was well appointed but conveyed a sincere if sterile professionalism.
Wu returned with the coins. “Well done! Please spend the night at the Pipe and Pint right on the market square, best place in town. You can get a bath and an excellent meal. Tell them I sent you, and tell them to put it on my tab. I’d be glad to meet with you again – and happy to keep your in our service. I know Ruth is a earnest gatekeeper, but do return. Take two days and enjoy the market. I need to let the captain know about the hobgoblins. Come back two evenings hence, and we can continue this prosperous arrangement.”
No longer questioning Wu’s sincerity, we thanked him and headed to the inn.