Flash Me a Gnome

I dismounted into the squishy mud and felt it creep around my foot. Each squelch was like pulling against a dog that had a hold of my boot. As I approached I marveled at how the decrepit structure was still standing. I knocked on the weathered wooden door and waited. 

"Like I said the partnership will no doubt be a profitable one." Someone said on the other side of the door. It was wrenched open and I was almost bowled over by a red haired dwarf heading out of the door. I stepped aside just in time to avoid the collision landing me back in the mud, but at least I was still on my feet. "Good day," said the dwarf who had been talking when the door was closed. He walked by me and down the lane. 

"And what can I do for you?" said a gnome who held himself like he owned a castle instead of a shack. 

"I have been sent by King Ambron to secure your services. The princess-"

"No thank you, I am entirely too busy to fool with the whims of silly girls," he said as he began to close the door.

"The king said to name your price and-"

"Yes, yes, I am sure he will make it worth my wile. Gladly paying any price I set and all that nonsense," he said like he gets these offers every day. "I am just too busy. I have real work to tend to."

I was obviously loosing him so I had to try another tactic. "What are you working on that is keeping you too busy to serve your king?" His eyes narrowed and I immediately realized that I had said the wrong thing.

"I am under no obligation to serve your king," he put a great emphasis on the word your. "I am my master and will do as I wish. There are things you don't understand that have already been set in motion. Like the gears of my dolls your cog will soon be moving and you will be squished in them if I am not left to my work. Now be gone with you," he all but yelled.

"I understand that you are a very busy man," his eyes narrowed again, "I am sure there must be someone else around that you can refer me to. Someone who's work you strive to achieve. We are looking for the best and if you are not available we would be willing to look else ware." This was my last hope playing on his pride, but it could go a lot of different ways and most of them are bad.

"There is no one who's work I admire. I am the top of the line and you will not ever find someone better than me. I will take your commission, but it will cost your king dearly." he said and a mischievous smile crept across his face.

"As you have already said, he will pay any price you set," I said relieved that I had convinced him, though I am a little worried about the way he is looking at me.

Running late today, but getting my post in for Friday Flash. 

 

Gnome photo credit: toel-uru via photopin cc
Shack photo credit: Stuck in Customs via photopin cc