Submitted: 23 September 1999

The Other Side

by Garret Birmingham

Baresh reaches for a random bottle and pours the liquid into a glass and hands it to the elf. The elf takes a sip and smiles. "Elven brandy, thanks!" He looks at the bottle and notices that it is labeled Vykathi Ale. The elf shrugs in puzzlement and continues to watch Baresh as he finishes reading the letter.

Baresh frowns and looks at the elf. "Garret, you may want to see this," Baresh points to the letter and continues, "I think this may concern you somewhat." Garret looks inquisitively at Baresh. He asks, "It does? How so?" Baresh offers the letter to him and he accepts it. "Take a look," Baresh urges, "I don't think you'll be too happy."

Baresh indicates a portion of the letter.

Garret reads the letter intently, frowning slightly as he reads the letter. "Baresh, this is a bunch of nonsense! That uncle of hers is as insane as this letter indicates!" Garret fumes for a moment and contemplates burning the letter. "Baresh, I'll admit that killing the emissary of the goblin forces wasn't the best thing to do, however to suggest giving my son to the goblins is sheer nonsense!"

"I'd like to point out that the idea of the goblins purchasing Riverhaven was stupid. The goblins didn't even approach the right people. Had they wished to purchase Riverhaven they should have asked the Baron. HE owns Riverhaven as it is within his province." Garret mutters as he continues, "Riverhaven was not ours to sell, and I very highly doubt the Baron would be in a mood to sell it. It would be considered treason to do so. People just don't appreciate it anyway, especially that inebriate uncle of hers."

Garret takes a sip of his brandy and tries to calm down a little bit. "Baresh I will not give my son to the goblins, we would have had to fight them anyway. Shooting the emissary was a warning to them that we will not give up Riverhaven without a fight. The gods will not punish us for killing the emissary, like I said that uncle of hers must have been a lunatic. On the contrary, should we choose not to defend Riverhaven from vile scum such as the goblins and their emissaries they would strike us down where we stand. Riverhaven is a valuable asset to us and I have loved that town since I first laid eyes on it."

Garret stares at anger at the letter, "The poor clerics, we look to the clerics for support, this man seems to have no appreciation whatsoever for them. The clerics should be respected, not attacked because they don't live up to his standards and his standards only. To think that Riverhaven and it's inhabitants were doomed is certainly the ravings of a madman. Riverhaven is our first line of defence should anyone come for the book of Chadatru, a holy relic. Surely the gods would punish us then should the book fall into the wrong hands."

"I must confess that war with the goblins is not a pretty idea, but I know that talking with them is not an option. The goblins can be very unreasonable, and have all ready laid claim to the city, even when it is not theirs. I shall fight for the city, even if no one stands with me. It is people like this uncle of hers that should walk the starry road, not people like my son who would give their lives to defend the innocent citizens of Riverhaven from evil influences such as the goblins."

Garret finishes off his brandy and sets the glass to the side on the counter. He sighes and hands the letter to Baresh. "I am sorry for taking so much of your time Baresh. Thanks for listening." Garret stands up and walks out the door, nodding again to the postman as he leaves.

Baresh will listen to your well-presented viewpoint on this, too.