A Banquet in Honour

It was an odd morning.  I think that the arrival of Harik mid-morning was the event that prevented Banneghenn from handing out the awards last night.  He visited me, and my Hznamen friends, this morning with a couple of his councillors.  We've been issued a suite of rooms, and the comfort is exceptional.  I'd already suggested that my new friends visit the Dzarraf realms to receive the thanks of Harik and Bekzham, but we'd not really discussed it in any detail.

Now, Banneghenn was telling me, Harik was coming to Sanvell.  It's an official visit, so the Gnaeblin state silverware will be rolled out, although in truth it's really a chance to thank each other - the Dzarraf want to thank the Gnaeblin for the chance to have a go at the Gurgam, and the Gnaeblin want to thank the Dzarraf for making a sacrifice to defend their neighbours.

While he was here the Gnaeblin leader told us of his plan to offer us all seals denoting the freedom of the city of Sanvell.  He's also brought a bag of money - he's fulfilling the cost of the bounty that he'd previously offered the others.  In fact he'd doubled it and put another bonus on top.  There's quite a bit of gold being handed over here.  Suddenly, life in the delves looks less interesting.  I get paid barely a fraction of this, although - lets be clear - I'm not underpaid by any stretch.

Elenhugh was insistent that I'd played my part and am entitled to a chunk of this money.  But I don't think that's wholly true.  After all, they saved my life, and the Dzarraf continued to pay me anyway.

We had little time to discuss it, though.  We were being whisked into the formal dinner with Harik.  I accepted a small payment, just to keep them quiet.  But the gold feels good in my hands.