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-----On their right, they see the massive Market Gate surrounded by two large guard towers. Torches mounted on stands have been placed about in different spots to provide light for the guards. The flames from the torches flicker and flutter in the cool breeze. The thieves can see four strong-looking guards armored in chain mail and two noble-looking steeds around the entrance of the gate.
-----Coming through the gate is a man with wild-looking red hair wearing layered clothing in hues of green and brown. Three other men wearing multiple layers of leather accompany him. They walk stiffly past the thieves after they talk with the guards.
-----Suddenly, the trio hear a whispered voice behind them sharply say, "Psst . . . what ‘cha here for?"
-----As Kazel, Seth, and Gimplefwick turn, they see a strange-looking elf standing behind them. Standing about as tall as Kazel, (she being the tallest of the three) the elf squints one amber colored eye closed, more so than the other. He holds his lips tightly to one side of his face under a long thin nose. His silvery hair hangs greasily back from his pale forehead. He wears black pants, boots and a black vest covering a gray shirt. Even in the light of the torches, the elf looks devoid of color.
-----Seth admires the clothing the tall elf is wearing. "Yes, I like your choice of colors, reminds me of a fly somewhat?"
-----"Yea, we're looking for a... fly," Kazel studies the elf, her gaze lingering on his odd amber eyes. "And why're you here?"
-----Gimplefwick whips about, peering at the greasy-haired elf, "Avast there matey, ye move pretty quietly for a landlubber. I guess we're all lookin’ for flies this evening."
-----The elf quickly wrings his hands and his eyes shift back and forth from each of the young thieves. "I be here lookin’ for people who’re lookin’ for flies." He chuckles and the sound resembles hiccuping.
-----He suddenly stops, twists around, and looks down at Gimplefwick, his eyes wide and his arms out from his thin body. "Say, really liked yore style da other night! Ya really know how to lay out the big ones!" His voice hints at admiration, but he stares at the Dread Pirate almost too long for comfort.
-----Just as quickly, he looks toward the gate, "Well, it’s decided then, speakin’s done . . . time ta run!" his voice changes to the sharp whisper.
-----He leads them toward the gate and the four guards. Just as he approaches the first guard, the elf suddenly stumbles and falls into the man, his arms around the startled guard’s middle. "Here! Away with ye!" the guard shouts and pushes the elf away. "Oh . . . oh, sorry!" the elf apologizes, "Me bum leg’s actin’ up again!" He excuses himself and leads the trio through the gate away from the town and the angry frowns of the guardsmen.
-----"Damn!" the elf exclaims outside the town walls. "I couldn’t lay hold ta any grabs! He shall be sugar for the Fly!" Here he dramatically points back at the guard. He holds his body upright and straight as a proper gentleman.
-----His shoulders suddenly slump and he turns to the three who followed him. "Oh well, . . . speakin’s done . . . time ta run!"
-----He then starts across the stone river-bridge at a hurried pace that seems too fast for the Dread Pirate.
-----Seth, shakes his head at the antics of the strange elf, either he is a legend at his art, or one tentacle short of a squid as Dread would say. "Um . . Dread? The other night?"
-----Not waiting for Dread's reply Seth who understands the art of running settles into an easy pace behind the strange elf.
-----As the pace continues, Gimplefwick begins to lag farther and farther behind the others. All that can be heard from him is the occasional, "Scurvy...puff..pant...runnin...landlubber...keelhaul ya.."
-----The Dread Pirate suddenly pulls out his rope and attempts to lasso the running elf. He throws the rope and it engulfs the elf’s body, tightening around his waist. The Fly lands with a solid thump to his backside.
-----Gimplefwick then braces himself and drags the fallen elf back to him and yells in his face, "Slow down, ye misbegotten pixie-licking elf!"
-----"Sir!" the Fly angrily replies, "I find it ta be truly insultin’ ta use such a word at me. I’ll have ya know I ain’t misbegotten!"
-----He then looks around quickly and with his eyes bulging and his tongue slightly sticking out of one side of his mouth, he stands up. "Besides, we’re here!" he announces.
-----The young thieves look around. They find they have covered a lot of ground on their run. They stand nearly two hundred yards from the river-bridge. As they look back at the enormous walls of the town, they can see the twinkling of torchlight on the towers and through the arrow slits.
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