In the Shadow of the Star: Part 1

[Auriel Haevasawen]

Old Stoat found his postition was uncomfortable; peering through the little Town Hall window. It was also frustrating. He could see all sorts of goings-on that he did indeed find interesting, but could hear not a word of it. He had watched various agitated characters stomp about at the front of the room with much finger wagging and scarlet faces. Something had fair upset the little folk and Stoatie could not supress a smile of pride if, as he thought, it was his actions that had led them into this frenzy. That said, his continued presence was of little use. Ferny had sent him to spy and gather useful information; all this told him was something had upset the halflings. It could be the actions of the men, it could be any petty squabble the creatures seemed to delight in.

With surprising delicacy he removed himself from the woodshed roof and landed with nought but the softest of thuds upon the soft turf. He had seen Hobbits leave the building and head across the town. He knew the inn was in the rough direction of their to-ing and fro-ing. Perhaps a little trip over there would prove more profitable. He had heard the rumours that there was a most exceptional landlady at the pub. Stoatie decided to check up and see just how exceptional she was.

Darkness was finally beginning to envelop the town and he found it easy enough to dart from the shadow of one gateway to the wall of a vegetable patch. He hesitated momentariliy by an open window. A child's rhyme crossed his mind a moment at the sight of a pie, set to cool upon the sill. He grinned. The pie disappeared. Such an action was not reckless when one knows for sure that they will not be caught.

So it came that he was standing in the gloom outside the inn. He could already hear voices clearly drifting from an open window upon the night air. He had made the right choice leaving the Town Hall. Old Stoat was sure a little snooping here would be far more useful to Ferny and himself.