Talking Over Tea

Not wanting to put the hermit's life at risk, Astra said "Very well", even though she did not trust the goblin. Why would anyone want to have a well guarded? She had never heard of such a thing. In any case, surely the well belonged to the hermit?

She watched the goblin carefully as he made the tea, to make sure that he did not add anything toxic. But when he had finished and handed her her cup, and she took a careful sip, she found that it was excellent. "This is very good," she conceded.

"Thank you. Now let us discuss this like sensible people."

"Very well. But first won't you remove that dagger from Rufus's neck? I promise that I will not attack you unless you threaten either of us. It would be even better if you would untie him and give him a cup of tea. Is he all right? He has said nothing since you silenced him."

"He is fine. It was just a minor mute spell, which will wear off in an hour or two. As for untying him and have him attack me again? I think not. But you seem like a trustworthy person, so I will remove my dagger from his neck." Again the goblin muttered some strange words, and the dagger moved through the air away from the hermit until it was within arm's-length, when he grabbed its hilt and stuck it in his belt.

"That's a very impressive weapon," Astra remarked.

"Isn't it? It formed part of my first payment."

"But who is paying you to guard the well? It seems totally unneecessary. In any case, surely the well belongs to the hermit?"

"Lord Reaibn himself is my employer," the goblin said proudly. "His wishes are paramount."

That did seem plausible, Astra thought. It was just the sort of crazy thing that Reaibn might do. But things still did not quite add up. "But if you were hired to protect the well against bandits, as you claim, then why have you been trying to prevent Rufus from using it?"

1. "I haven't. I'm afraid that his lonely life has made him a little paranoid. Why, he even claims that I tried to hypnotise him!"
2. "Because the first time he used it after my taking up residence, I'm afraid that I mistook him for a bandit. Since then, I haven't been able to convince him of my good intentions."
3. "Lord Reaibn says that anyone could be in league with bandits, so it's safest to not let anybody use the well."
4. Before answering, the goblin stared deep into Astra's eyes. (By now she had forgotten about the hermit's warning that his gaze was hypnotic.)

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