The town hall smelled of dust and adrenaline when I stepped back in — the ettin orb still cool in my pack like a promise kept. Today I put that promise to use: Foreman Oslow was freed, and the sight of that massive boulder rolled away by borrowed strength felt like a scene from a tale I’d tell by the hearth. It’s a strange sort of triumph, making a brute do the gentle work of saving a man. I left with his thanks ringing in my ears and a cleaner conscience than the road usually affords.
I also tracked down Yowler and ended his run of terror; the gnomecorder’s hum guided me true, and the Blackrock plans are now safely in Lakeshire’s hands. That business closed, I accepted two more strings pulling at me — a warband is forming out in Gadgetzan and John J. Keeshan might be persuaded to help repel the Blackrock threat. I can feel the shape of something larger gathering, and my quiver will be needed.
On a lighter note, my coin pouch finally hit 100 gold today. It’s not treasure fit for a king, but it buys grit and arrows and the odd comfort. I’m level 22 now — a small fanfare in my head and a steadier hand when an arrow is called for — and I’m ready to see where these new leads take me next.