Chapter 10: I've Got Relatives
The Loud Boys in the Lost Mine of Phandelver, a D&D report
The three adventurers strode briskly towards the southwest side of Phandalin town, with Uayak leading the way for once.
“How did you find out the farmer’s a halfling, anyway?” asked Jake. The human twiddled with his rainbow cube, the little squares clicking around in a comforting manner. A final twist, the colours matched, and he put the cube back into a pocket hidden in the folds of his robes.
“Actually,” said Uayak, “I already knew she’s a halfling.”
“Wait, the farmer’s a woman? How did you already know she’s a halfling?”
Uayak took out a dagger and started spinning it between his fingers. “I guess I had to tell you sometime,” he said. “She’s my aunt.”
“Your family is from Phandalin?” said Jake incredulously. “But you acted like it’s your first time here as well!”
“There wasn’t a good time to mention it,” said Uayak defensively. The sunlight flashed off the spinning dagger’s blade, like a very small lighthouse’s signal. “Anyway, I had to leave ages ago. I haven’t seen Aunty Qelline for a long time. I really should pay my respects.”
“What do you mean, you had to leave?” said Jake suspiciously. “You didn’t want to leave?”
Kila, who hadn’t been paying attention, interrupted and pointed up ahead, where the road terminated at a big brick farmhouse, fields green with new growth visible behind it. Qelline Alderleaf’s house had all the signs of a thoughtful owner, with well fitted slates on the roof and neatly chinked windows. The chimney was smoking. A mudscraper, clearly well used, was placed beside the welcome mat and a large bell hung beside the door, angled so it could be heard from the fields. Before they could reach for the bell, a boy came running down the hill towards the house.
“Ma! Ma?” The halfling boy hesitated at the veranda, looking at the three adventurers in turn. His eyes widened at Kila’s tall frame and obvious weaponry, and on seeing Jake’s robes embroidered with mysterious magical symbols he seemed to shrink back in fear. Then he noticed Uayak, not much taller than himself, and his brow furrowed. “Do I know you, sir?”
Uayak gave a hearty laugh, which sounded rather odd and strained. “You wouldn’t recognise me! The last time I saw you, you were only a baby, just learning to walk!”
“You saw me when I was a baby?” said the boy, still trying to place Uayak.
“Yep. Your mother is Qelline Alderleaf, isn’t she?”
The boy nodded. “That’s her all right.”
“She’s my aunt. So, I think that makes you… my little cousin!”
The boy’s confusion didn’t clear up. “I… don’t remember any cousins… I thought my mother didn’t have any family…”
“Oh…” hesitated Uayak. But he didn’t let this setback daunt him for long. “Why don’t you run and tell her that Uayak’s come for a visit? And here-” a flash of gold between their hands, “- here’s a little something for you, my boy.”
The boy cautiously opened his fist to reveal a gold coin, then ran off around the side of the house, shouting again. “Ma! MA!”
“So did you use to live here?” said Jake curiously.
Uayak only had time to answer, “Not exactly here-” before a clumping of boots announced Qelline’s arrival, followed by the clatter of the boy.
“Now, Carp, what’s this about a halfling yak?”
The farmer was dressed in a sturdy woollen skirt and large gumboots caked in mud. She had evidently been working in the fields behind the house; she was still carrying the hoe. Her broad and honest face had smile lines etched in the leathery, sun-aged skin. She caught sight of the adventurers milling on her front veranda and paused.
“Oh. Uayak.”
“Hello, Aunty!” said Uayak brightly. “It’s been a long time! We were passing through and I thought I’d drop by.”
Like a book, every expression told a story. This one had themes of disappointment, anticipation and weariness.
“Did you? I see.” There was a silence. “Would you care to introduce your friends?”
“I’m Kila,” said Kila, eager to break the tension. “And this is Jake. We’re travelling with Uayak at the moment.”
“So, not staying in Phandalin long, then?”
“Just finishing up a job,” said Uayak. “You’re looking well, Aunty Qelline! And, Carp, wasn’t it? What a fine young halfling! You help your mother around the farm, don’t you?”
“Sometimes,” said the boy.
“He’s all right,” said the farmer. “He’s been a good boy, especially since his father’s been gone. Look, is there something I can help you with?”
“We’re just… has there been anything odd around here lately?”
“You mean odder than the Redbrand ruffians smashing shops and rioting?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at Uayak.
“Well… yes.”
The boy’s hand shot up in the air. “I’ve seen something odd! I was playing in the woods down that way-” pointing up the hill where an old abandoned manor sat grumpily, like an architectural babushka- “and I saw a ruffing appear out of nowhere! I ran away from him!”
“A ruffing? You mean one of the Redbrands?”
“Yeah!”
“I don’t think he means that sort of odd,” said Qelline. “Look, if you’re looking for anything, why don’t you go see the druid up in Thundertree? He knows about everything that’s going on in the area. If you start now, you might get there by tomorrow morning.” Her tone indicated clearly that they should definitely start now.
“All right, Aunty, if you think it’s a good idea.” Uayak dug in various pockets, then pressed more gold into Qelline’s hand. “Aunty, take care of yourself, all right? I know… you think I’ve made some bad choices… and you’re probably right… but maybe go and get yourself something nice to treat yourself.”
The farmer sighed and her stern expression softened. “You were always a charmer, Uayak. Thank you. Now, go on, off on your way. I’m not letting you charm your way into my house and bringing disaster like you did before.”
She turned, pulling her son into the house and closed the door firmly in their faces.
“What did you do?” said Jake.
“It’s a long story,” said Uayak.
“Summarise?” said Kila.
“Basically… I used to be one of the Redbrands. And now I’m not. And Aunty Qelline doesn’t know anything, but she’s heard some things. So… that’s pretty much it.”
“Oh,” said Jake.
“Oh,” said Kila. “Since we’re talking about back stories, I used to live in Thundertree. ”
“So?” said Jake.
“So the aunty said we should talk to the druid in Thundertree.” His face took on a determined cast, looking like bronze in the setting sun. “So let’s go find the druid.”
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And Chapter 1 of course is a classic.