Breakfast was filled with more savory and delectably sweet foods than I had ever seen at a breakfast table. Many I had never heard of. It was strange having breakfast in the evening, but it could not be helped with a nocturnal race. We explored the city until our necklaces lit up and the illusion of a map appeared before us. It showed us the path back to the royal banquet hall where we eagerly awaited the King. The room’s loud chattering was abruptly silenced by a cacophony of horns. A booming, squeaky voice overtook the hall.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please arise to welcome the royal family. The noble, the mighty, the powerful and gracious King of Glitterfalls, King Fuzzlefire, accompanied by the beautiful, the kind, the elegant and wise Queen Qualala!”
Raucous applause greeted the King and Queen, dressed in regal robes complete with fur and jewels. They walked in holding hands and bowed to the room, then sat at the center of the royal table on the far side of the room, which was at a higher elevation than the rest of the tables. On either side of them were a total of four empty chairs. After a moment, the King raised his hand for the room to quiet.
“Welcome the royal family, Princess Floramore, Prince Whizzlefizz, Prince Pluffle, and the Royal High Wizard, Lightimus!”
The room applauded as they entered, one by one, bowing to the room. They took their seats at the royal table with the Queen and High Wizard sitting on either side of the King. When the King rose to his feet, the room quieted.
The King explained that one of their people had been attacked while enlarged to human-size and contracted lycanthropy, rare amongst gnomes. It began four months prior but they did not catch on right away. In that time, almost two dozen people were attacked and had themselves transformed and fled into the woods.
“As it stands, there are over twenty weregnomes hiding in the forest. We have two weeks before the next full moon. In that time, we’re going to try to root them out of hiding.”
Queen Qualala stood up beside the King. Her voice was like an opera singer who was holding back a song she desperately wanted to sing.
“Most of you may not know that lycanthropy is rare amongst gnomes. Usually, it does not transfer, but we believe because the gnome was human-sized when attacked, he was infected. The trouble is that weregnomes are extremely resistant to magic, and most of our forces are magical in nature. We also have little experience hunting down magical monsters.”
The Queen looked to her daughter next to her, who nodded and stood up. Her huge, beaming blue eyes looked over the crowd with a jubilant smile.
“Truly, we are in peril and your assistance means the world to us. So our mages can focus on supporting you in other ways, your necklaces will bring you to me when it is time to refresh your shrink spell. Also, think of me as your liaison for the royal family. Come to me if you need anything and I will see to it. Please, help free our people of this nightmare.”
The room, mostly full of rough and tumble men with an unspoken soft spot for the cute and innocent things in the world cheered and roared, with some shouting sentiments of support. The queen and princess sat down, but the king remained standing. After a moment, he raised his hands to quiet the room.
“I ask now that you each introduce yourselves. There are many of you, so we will eat while we make our introductions. Your talismans will inform you when it is your turn.”
The king sat down and gnomes began to float food and drinks onto the tables for our lunch. A human wearing some quality armor on the far side of the room rose to his feet and raised his glass.
“Thank you King Fuzzlefire, and to the royal family of Glitterfalls for your hospitality. I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say the food and drink have been incredible and we are all honored by your hospitality.” The room erupted in support, then settled down so he could continue. “My name is Alfar Anvellane, I’m a warrior descended from a family of blacksmiths. I figured some time on the road would help me learn what people need once I settle down and set up my own shop. I brought plenty of silver and materials to craft weapons if it is needed.”
The room again erupted, now in gratitude and applause. It seemed there could be a few dozen werewolves running around, and with stunted magic, silver weapons would be valuable.
“I’m sure you’ll charge for it,” said someone in the crowd.
“Expenses will be covered by the crown,” the king said calmly.
Alfar sat down and someone else stood up to introduce themselves. Aside from Alfar, the blacksmith who had come prepared, everyone else’s introductions were boastful or uninteresting. Everyone ate quietly while they awaited their turn. That went on until a trio of elves arose together.
“King Fuzzlefire, Queen Qualala, I am Allandria, the Royal Sorceress of Ashazel, daughter of King Aldaru. I am accompanied by my bodyguard and royal ranger, Manalar, as well as Liara, a royal priestess and healer. Glitterfalls has always been a friend to Ashazel, and we will not sit idly by while your city is in peril.”
“Glitterfalls thanks you, Allandria. Your friendship will not be forgotten.”
“Miss Allandria, would your compatriots please tap their talismans?” The wizard opened a scroll and after her companions had tapped their necklaces, he waved his finger around the scroll, then put it away. “Thank you.”
The trio sat down and the introductions continued until it was my turn. A tiny hologram appeared in front of Griffrod alerting him that he was next. I stood up and waved to the room.
“Hail friends. My name is Byron, I’m a cleric of Pelor from a coastal town. I spend most of my time battling unholy things in the blighted lands to the west. But, I am a servant of Pelor, and I go where I am needed. My domains are sun and healing. I hope I can help in these trying times.”
I sat down, but the King beckoned for me to stand again with a wave of his hand. “Did you come from the blighted lands to our kingdom?”
“Yes, your highness. That is correct.”
“That’s a month’s ride by horseback. We only put out the call for help a fortnight ago. How did you get here so quickly?”
“It took a month. In a prayer to Pelor, I had a vision that guided me here. When I saw the bounty, I knew this was where I was supposed to go.”
“So, you were sent here by the Sun God, Pelor?”
“That is correct, your highness.”
With the king staring at me, unblinking, the entire room stayed silent. Everyone was either looking at me, or calculating in their minds what kind of danger awaited them if a god had sent someone to help.”
“Well, glitter my timbers, Pelor is a friend of Garl Glittergold. Like the party from Ashazel, we humbly welcome the assistance of friends.”
Those words put the room at ease. Most people nodded and took a breath, content with the logic that it was simply a friend of the gnome god being a pal. Some, however, realized more was afoot. Griffrod stood on the bench to take his turn and the introductions continued uneventfully.
When the introductions concluded, I realized that I was the only cleric in attendance. Most of the people there were rangers or warriors who had brought their silver and blessed weapons with them for the hunt. There were also a few healers who were explicitly there to mend wounds.
“Aye, I noticed somethin’ about this crowd,” Griffrod said, breaking me from my thoughts.
“What’s that?” I asked like a fool, expecting some deep insight.
“I’m the only dwarf,” he said with a grin, pointing a thumb at himself.
“That’s very helpful.”
“Aye! Darn right it is! I’m the only one who can turn my skin to stone and not get infected by the weregnomes.”
“Oh, that’s… actually helpful. I didn’t even think about that.”
“Don’t worry, human, I’ll make sure you don’t die out here.” Griffrod patted me on the shoulder and took a drink of his ale.
“And in return I’ll reach tall places for you.”