‘Nice to meet you also, Master Dwarf,’ said Tradden, who then gestured towards the figure stood behind him. ‘My companion here is Mr Zero Uhlit and apart from telling you that he is a mean shot with a crossbow and an even meaner lock-pick I can tell you little else, for we are of recent acquaintance ourselves. And I, I am Tradden Aversword, agile in blade, agile mind, and I too am at your service.’
They all agreed afterwards that the flourish with which Tradden then executed his bow was most exquisite and that it was a shame that it was ruined by the large section of flattened rat faeces which fell to the earth with a ’splurt’ just as he had reached the end and was holding the bow in a near-crouch.
Unperturbed, Tradden suggested their next course of action.
‘Well, unless either of you gents have any further business here, can I suggest we leave in civilised fashion — via the front door? Khalin, if thine arms are numbed through being tied back , we may have the perfect therapy for you to get them back into shape — there is a nasty, angry guard dog outside who Zero and I have a score with which to settle, should you be willing to assist?’
Tradden turned back towards the door as he spoke, wiping off bits of brown goo from his elbows as he did so. ‘Heh! At least we didn’t run into any rats!’