(G41 - KT)
However, after what happened today I think Lavinia would have cause to regret that decision.
I suppose it was a combination of faults by various people, myself included.
From what I have pieced together this is the sequence of events.
In the morning, Raz went to the pub and I went to the merchant's to buy ten boxes of Green Man
Whisky to sell on. Shifty stayed on the ship to watch the comings and going while Nobby
went to the galley.
While Nobby nobly failed epically to make anything edible and talked to Urul, Shifty was on hand
when Molly fell from the rigging. Luckily he caught her, but from what I gather his good deed
went a little sour when he offered to train her with a knife!
From what Molly told me though, she was more interested in the idea of shearing guinea pigs when
she comes to be the proprietor of a guinea pig farm - a fine ambition, while Shifty, I'm sure
is only ever interested in blades that are used to tickle people ribs with.
Anyway, at that time I was leaving the merchants and on my way to the tavern where Raz was, in the
hope of persuading him to join me on a hunt. I wanted to take a look for the source of these 'red
caps' and perhaps pick up a few specimens of the local wildlife.
Not long after my arrival though, the drunken oaf started a fight. Punches started being flung around
by him, a rough looking fellow at the bar and Burumba Tek, one of our passengers.
Thinking, wrongly, that I could calm the situation by doing so, I cast an 'Obscuring Mist' spell.
I then turned into an eagle and tried to flap up onto the chandelier, but somehow, instead I
ended up on the floor underneath the large cut off end of a barrel that had fallen from the wall.
However, like the saying, 'I pushed him in the river, but he came out with fish in his pockets', I
discovered that the barrel contained several items of treasure!
(Which I incidentally tried to give back to the innkeeper, but I think he was confused after being
robbed during the fight. Hmm - I wonder by who? As if I didn't know.)
I turned back into my human form, and stumbled around in the mist. Raz hit me. If he knew it was me
or not I have no idea.
At this time, Shifty had gone outside to discover Burumba standing over the body of Naomi, which
was being attended to by Joylin. Shifty reacted with indecision and then shot Burumba in the neck
with his crossbow. Next he looted Burumba's corpse while pretending to try and help him. I am
familiar with Shifty's technique as I have seen it many times before.
Joylin was calling for help, but by the time Shifty went over to take a look Naomi was all but
dead.
Shifty called into the tavern in the hope that my healing powers could save her, but by that time
I was unconscious, knocked out by Raz. My noble badger continued to worry at Raz, and the barbarian
threw the poor animal at the wall three times before the battle ended.
Shifty fetched Nobby, but Naomi was dead by that time. Shifty then proceeded to 'help' Naomi
in his own special way and to fob off the town guard with stories.
The next thing I know, I am rudely awoken by Shifty pulling out the hairs of my moustache! I'd
only just managed to grow it to a respectable size after shaving as part of my disguise to fool
the Dragon Lotus gang. Reaching up I discovered he'd pulled half of it off!
What goes through his mind?
Leaping up I rushed to the ship, anxious to heal myself and Mr Badgerington and to shave. As
Molly helped me fetch fresh water she revealed to me her escapades of that morning.
I realised that I had been neglecting Molly. She is a nice enough little girl and although my
servant I do feel I am her guardian now, especially since we are away from Sasserine.
I resolved to swap out as a crewman, for a while at least, and devote some time to her. I shall
start by teaching her to read and write, as well as sums, and see how she gets on from there.
Better that than falling under the shadow of some sinister ner'do'well I should think!
So, not a good day. I didn't at all enjoy being knocked senseless by Raz although it was partly
my fault for summoning the mist. For Mr Badgerington though, this is just another battle in his
on-going war against the barbarian.
Shifty, I've always said, was born to hang, but even for him todays behaviour has begun a new
black chapter. I shall have to keep and eye on him, and definitely keep him away from Molly.
I think I will spend more time with Nobby and Eriss. Nobby seems to be the most sensible of
my companions, although I do wish she would stay out of the galley. According to Zalazar
she wasted quite a bit of food today!
