Raffles shifted from one foot to the other, he was trying to listen politely, but was almost bursting to get on to his next visits…
He’d only popped into the crafting hall to speak with Madge, the resident jeweller, about his haul of gems and the little bags of tools he had ‘found’.
On his way out, he had been accosted by Old Roger Sorrel and Edwin Leafwood, who seemed to be on some sort of crafting guild recruitment drive.
Although he enjoyed cooking (mainly simple hearty dishes that he remembered growing up)… and his nimble hands usually meant he could have a passable attempt at many different tasks, if needed, he wasn’t sure about delving too deeply into any potential crafts… with his minds tendency to wander, and lack of attention to detail, he felt he would struggle to meet the required standards.
It also seemed like it would leave a lot less time for adventures…. and he was still full of speculation about his goblin loot, which was crowding out other thoughts.
Their pitch ended, so promising to consider the various options, and clutching a bundle of leaflets for the different crafts and trades, he gratefully exited the rather hot, noisy crafting hall onto the streets of Bree enjoying the cooler, fresher, air, and headed off towards Mud Gate.
Madge had suggested he speak with Albra Lowbanks… as some of the tools he had shown her were apparently…
“more useful for potentially acquiring gems or jewellery, than polishing, or making it”
She hadn’t elaborated, but suggested a visit to Albra would help.
It was a short walk to the Lowbanks Estate, where he had found Albra perusing some documents in her study?
Albra bustled around making him feel welcome, in true hobbit fashion.
Looking at the various tools and implements, she placed the pouch on a nearby table and looked at Raffles.
“Madge was correct, these are indeed a rather specific set of tools, for the opening of locks, and other tricks of the trade”.
A trade? Raffles worried he was going to get another armful of leaflets…
However, Albra made no move to hand him anything, simply continuing
“In these uncertain times, there is often the need for a resourceful hobbit, such as yourself, to undertake certain tasks. Remember, not all events require mighty warriors or wizards, sometimes a different path yields the better results. These tools, and my advice, can help with that… if you have a mind?”
Raffles scratched his head, pushing up his hat slightly… it all sounded a little unusual, but he was enjoying his adventuring so far, and this did seem to be more to his way of doing things… the thought of getting into one scrape too many and actually having to confront a goblin, ruffian or similar had been preying on his mind a little… just at at the back, lurking. He still needed to see the weapon-smith about that dagger…
Evening was drawing in, his stomach rumbled slightly…
Albra may have noticed, or it could have just been hobbit hospitality, as she asked him to stay to dinner, so they could talk some more.
Raffles accepted the offered chair, settling in.
His Goblin loot was certainly proving to contain some interesting finds he mused.
