Flawed Gemstone

Castell

After walking for most of the day, the Dwarfs made it into Castell. As soon as they walked into the bustling city, Grumpy was in his element, and he automatically began to analyze everybody he saw. He noticed four thieves casing the streets, and they saw the Dwarfs. Before they could get any ideas, Grumpy flashed a sign that they were his. The teens stared at him, and he made another surreptitious sign, indicating his rank in the guild. Alarm flashed over their faces and they withdrew at once.

All of this was done within three minutes of entering the city, and the brothers had no idea what had just happened. They strode through the city, oblivious to the underworkings that were going on all around them. Grumpy followed them through the streets, his mind processing everything around him. Unfortunately, that also included the valuables that he could snatch. He became uncomfortably aware that he was in a state of hyperawareness, something that had once been as easy as breathing but which now seemed complicated and exhausting.

Grumpy was relieved when they paid for a large room in an inn and were alone again. The quiet room was a reprieve from the overstimulation of the city. He sat on one of the beds and exhaled, already exhausted. Bashful hopped up beside him.

"Golly, you look tired," he said, not unkindly.

Grumpy grunted and looked away, his eyes lingering on the packs where he knew the treasures lay.

"I'm tired, too," Bashful continued. "Too many folks I don't know."

"Yep," Grumpy said shortly.

Bashful frowned at him but before he could say anything else, Doc pulled out seven small sacks of coins and passed them around. Grumpy was bewildered and stared blankly at the outstretched hand when Doc offered him one.

"What's this fer?"

Sneezy snickered. "Whatever ya want."

"Why?"

The brothers smiled, thinking he was joking, but he continued to look confused, and they quickly realized that he was serious.

Doc stepped over and pressed the pouch into his hands. "You worked with us all autumn and half the summer. A worker deserves his pay."

Grumpy stared down at the plain purse, something he'd slit a thousand copies of, and a strange feeling filled him. For a moment, he couldn't move or think. For the first time in his life, somebody was giving him money to spend on whatever he wanted. He knew that food and necessities would be provided for if he went back with the brothers, and if he chose to do so, he wouldn't have to worry for another year. He could literally buy whatever he wanted.

The silence stretched on to the point where the brothers began to grow worried at Grumpy's odd expression, and Bashful hooked his arm around his shoulders.

"You okay?"

Grumpy blinked and looked up. "I cain't take this."

He tried to hand it back, but Doc refused to take it. "Nope. It's yours."

Grumpy looked around at the kind faces, then he nodded and set it on the bed beside him, almost afraid to touch it. The brothers went back to talking about the family that was coming to visit, and Grumpy watched them settle in. He was glad when they went downstairs for supper, carefully making sure to be the last one in the room. With a burst of magic, he sealed the room so that nobody else could go in or out through the door or the windows. With that extra protection, he gladly followed the brothers down into the main hall.

After supper, Dopey wanted to go out and get something with his tiny bag of coins. The Dwarfs all went out to browse the wares, and Grumpy found himself being dragged from merchant to merchant while Dopey's eyes searched for something fun. He didn't mind too much, and as he watched the brothers each make a small purchase, he became aware that they had no idea how to haggle. Sleepy trudged over with a dark expression while Dopey was looking at a tray of tarts. Doc noticed.