Submitted: 12 May 2000

Bubbinster, Dwarf and Bard

by Solrac Nabori

The silent procession walks to a table and sit. They then proceed to a weird ritual in which they show each other their clenched fist and at the count of three they all show each other some fingers... somehow, apparently Solrac loses and thus he stands up and walks toward the Bar.

"Baresh, please get me... (Solrac scratches his head) five mugs of Ale, one Elothean Elixir, a Granny Number 3 Whisky and a double shot of Spiced Rum," Solrac places the order, sounding sad as he gives Baresh a gold coin.

"Dwarven Folk drinking but sad...What happened Solrac?" asks Baresh while getting the order ready.

"A great spirit, inspiration and support has left us for a while... maybe forever..." Responds Solrac as he grunts sadly to Baresh. "Bubbinster, a dwarf bard... I think you knew him Baresh."

Baresh gasps and his jaw drops as if he were trying to swallow an Ironhill Mattock. Through his mind he sees the images of innumerable belching contest, Guard raids brought upon news of his performing live, on top of a table his infamous Naked Beer Dance, brawls brought against those that tried to drink faster than him. A voice like a roaring river, and a mind full of Poems and Songs, many of which he composed. Yes, Baresh knows Bubbinster.

"Bubbinster has left for a few Elanthian years, at least. Maybe longer... he is in some kind of mission, or search..." Solrac weeps and Baresh gets one of the napkin engraved with the Traders Guild Emblem which Dreamheart brought from the Traders Guild Gala ("...No Baresh I need you to keep the Tavern Open so people can come... I promise I will bring you something...")

He offers the napkin to Solrac but Solrac's lonely tear has already scurried and disappear among the tangled black beard he carries with pride.

"Well Baresh so we had a 'So long party' with Bubbinster at the Half Pint Inn, and now we come here to finish getting drunk so the pain eases..."

From the Table Grimslayer shout "If that ale is warm when you get it here you can fight your pirates next time we go to Aesry Solrac, no more guarding." Galahant grunts teasingly at Solrac. With his short hands Solrac precariously grabs 3 mugs in his left hand, 2 mugs and the shot of Granny # 3 Whisky in the other... grabs the shot of Spiced Rum with his mouth and signs Baresh to put the Flute with the elothean elixir on top of his bald head. Baresh looks amazed as slower than the boat from Crossings to Ratha Solrac maneuvers to the table and every one gets their drink. The elixir for the Elothean lady, the whisky for the S'kra, the rum for Solrac and all others get a mug of ale.

"A toast" says Grimslayer, "To Bubbinster, may he soon return with his Stomp of the Short Brigade Song!"

"Salud! And may he learn to properly aim that Lullaby spell by the time he returns... which last time almost got me killed by a deaf Scout Ogre while I kept dreaming about a home with Naresha!" Answers Solrac.

All raise they drinks and gulp their libations. A cooperative belch follows from all at the table (yes even the Elothean lady and a raspi belch from the young S'kra) and Baresh can swear the inner-ear pain he had been feeling was healed after distinguishing the belch from Shimmermist.

A new round of fist shaking and finger showing goes around. This time Balwinn seems to be the loser as he utters some Haakish cursing that makes Hegemonic blush as he translates to the S'kra and Shimmermist to burst into laughter as she translates to the Elothean lady.

While Balwinn raises and approaches the bar Baresh whistles thru the window to a halfling boy and yells: "Hey boy, Run and tell Canten at the Traders Guild that I will only be needing One wagon of Grek Ale and not three for this week." The boy runs happy with the bronze kronar Baresh flips him.

Yes, Baresh sadly accepts, Bubbinster will be dearly missed.