Two men walk into the Prancing Pony and sit down calling for beer. Both men are wearing chainmail with swords at their sides. They set the weapons on the table as Barliman brings their mugs.
"At least the trip was uneventful," Boyd Chatfield says.
"Kind of a surprise given what's happening between Tinnundir and Bree," Vernon Jaspers responds.
"I was sure those goblins would attack us."
"They were more interested in the deer they attacked. I was more worried about the Shire. Those humans wandering around made me uneasy."
"They certainly didn't look friendly," Boyd says. "I don't think they liked us being there."
"We should talk with the Bounders on the way back through Stock."
"That sounds like a very good idea. I hope the little folk aren't in trouble."
"With the rangers gone it might be tough to find people interested enough to help them," Vernon says.
"Maybe with a little warning the Bounders will figure something out."
"Not sure if we can call it warning them. There's no way they haven't noticed the problem already."
"You have a point I suppose," Boyd says. "To bad we're busy with the angmarim in Annuminas."
"Not to mention the goblins and tomb raiders trying to steal our history."
"Even with the main leaders of Carn Dum killed there are still a lot of problems to deal with."
"We probably shouldn't spend too much time here," Vernon says. "Every warrior counts in our defense."
"You just want to try to open that chest again."
"I would have brought the stupid thing with me but whoever put it there carved it out of the stone."
Boyd starts laughing, "They must have done it just to bother people like you."
"Oh shut up. Passing by it everytime we go anywhere and seeing it still locked is driving me nuts."
"The key must be hidden somewhere."
"There has to be a clue about its location," Vernon says.
"The adventurers we get running around Tinnundir see more of Evendim than we do. My bet is they're more likely to find the first clue and follow them all."