"No Master Coeldazar, I do not think so!" cried out the dwarf, replacing the book on the shelf.
"C'Mon, Shangtai, I need somebody watching my back. I've never seen a dwarf move as quietly as you did when I found you in the Chetwood."
"Didn't stop me from almost putting a bolt in you when you intentionally stepped on that twig. Durin's Beard, I thought I was going to die on the spot!"
“If you go back out there with me, I bet we could find out what those Blackwolds are up to.”
Shangtai let out a loud “Harrumph.”
“Aaand, we can find that book you were looking for.”
The offer seemed enticing for a moment, until he gathered his senses.“What about that Willowfred fellow you’re always going on about? Why can’t he help you? He seems perfect for accompanying you into that nest of vipers.”
Coeldazar looked thoughtful, “Last I heard he was in Eregion, but it doesn’t matter. What happened to the vaunted courage of the dwarves? Aren’t your folk supposed to be brave and bold and strong?”
It was a shameless appeal to his vanity. “Many of my folk are indeed great blustery fellows with big axes. But that is not me. There’s so much that can be learned from books. I already know how to stab or shoot a man, but not what’s on the next page!”
The Man let out a long sigh, before trying again. “Didn’t you tell me that the records you were looking for could only be found at the old ruins in the Chetwood?”
“Or at the Marsh Fort. Or the ruins to the south. Or the…”
“Barrow-downs” finished the Man. “That’s not a lot to go on, and an even larger area to search. If we want to go through them all, we’d better get started soon.”
“But the Bandits and the wolves and I even hear there are goblins out there now!”
“And none of them have seen how big your crossbow is.” smirked Coeldazar.
Shangtai stood in silence a moment, weighing the value of safety over new knowledge. “Has anyone ever told you, how much of an asshole you are?” He turned towards the door and then stopped. “Well are we going or not?”
