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By Root 707 0

pointing with a stubby finger at the contraption. “Will he be mad 'cause I broke one of his toys?” Galvin shook his head. “No. He has plenty of others.” The walk up the beach to Drollo's tower seemed lengthy to the druid, who found himself inundated by the little girl's chatter along the way. “Isabelle!” Drollo cried as he threw open the door. He ran out into the courtyard and lifted the girl into his arms. “Oh, Grandfather,” the girl squealed. “I've had such a wonderful time! There were water flowers and green men and a big shark! It was fun!” Galvin frowned and pushed past the embracing pair into the entranceway, where he found his dry cloak. Throwing it on over his shoulders, he gathered up his tunic and boots and turned to see Drollo carrying the tired tot inside. “Wherever did you find her?” “Out beyond the Dragon Reach,” the druid stated simply, pulling on his boots. He reached for his sword and strapped it about his waist. “But, how did you know she'd be there?” “You said you traded with the sea elves years ago,” the druid began. “The Elvish writing on the big empty crate upstairs indicated it came from Mercea. That's a city a few dozen miles from here-underwater. As close as I could translate, the label described the contents as ”one water spider.“ So I played a hunch that Isabelle, uh, borrowed your device. Knowing sea elf technology, I figured it would do its job whether she knew how to run it or not. And since Mercean water spiders are supposed to walk under the sea...” “Thank Tymora your hunch was right!" Drollo chirped, setting Isabelle down

on a clear section of floor and patting the top of her head. “Don't you get out of my sight, now,” he instructed. The little girl yawned and dutifully grabbed the hem of his robe. “How can I ever repay you?” the old man asked. “I must do something. I must give you something.” The druid shook his head. He had no need for possessions, especially any of the junk cluttering up the tower. But as he turned to go, a thought occurred to the druid. Eyes twinkling, he spun around to face Drollo. “How about giving me some of your collection?” “Yes! A splendid idea!” Drollo exclaimed. “As much as you can carry.” Galvin spent the next several hours toting an impossibly large sack up and down the tower stairs. “What is this?” the druid asked on the top floor, pointing to a long cylindrical object aimed out the window. “A star-watcher.” “Well, I don't need one of those. And this?” He gestured at a half-sphere covered with beads and bits of metal. “I don't recall.” “Fine. I'll take it.” “What about this?” Galvin asked as they descended to the next floor. “It's called a hudabit. Imported from Zhentil Keep. I'm not sure what it does.” “Good. I want it.” The druid pawed through a collection of gnomish devices and pointed at a small box covered with gears and dials. “What's this?” The old man shrugged, and Galvin promptly put the box in his sack. On and on the druid went, picking up anything the old man couldn't identify. By the time he was finished, Galvin was loaded down with satchels, pouches, sacks, and packs. He strained under the weight, and Drollo had to open the front door for him. “Thank you, Galvin. For everything,” Drollo said. “Until swords part,” the druid replied formally. “And fair days to you, Isabelle.” The little girl yawned and waved, but the weasel in her hands chittered in mock offense. “Yes, I'll come back for a visit,” Galvin told the weasel. “I'll not stay away so long again.” Like an overburdened peddler, Galvin staggered away, dragging his bundles for nearly a mile. At last, he found a shady copse of trees and dropped his gifts on the ground. The druid unstrapped his sword, stretched, and fell to all fours. He willed another transformation. This one covered him with coarse gray fur and gave him long, sharp claws. The badger started digging a hole at the base of a massive willow tree. Hours later, when the hole was deep enough for his purposes, Galvin returned to his human form. He deposited all the junk into the hole, covered it up, and stamped the earth flat. He