Noonday Meal

Scene: The Marketplace of Rakervale

Setting: The bustling marketplace of Rakervale is alive with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares, the chatter of townsfolk, and the occasional clink of coins. Stalls filled with various goods line the streets, and the air is filled with the aroma of fresh bread, spices, and cooked meats. Borin Stonefist, taking a break from the forge, is sitting at a small table enjoying his noonday meal.

Borin: (sitting at a small table, eating his meal, listening to the bustling market)

Merchant 1: (at a nearby stall, talking to another merchant) "Did you hear about the orc tribes from the mountains?"

Merchant 2: (leaning in, curious) "No, what’s the latest news?"

Merchant 1: "They say the fierce warlord Grognog Thrakka is leading them. They've been raiding settlements along the border of Tenh."

Merchant 2: (shocked) "By the gods, that’s terrible! Those settlements are barely holding on as it is."

Merchant 1: (nodding) "Aye, the attacks are relentless. It’s said that Grognog is a brutal leader, showing no mercy."

Borin: (eavesdropping, frowning) "Grognog Thrakka, you say? These raids, how frequent are they?"

Merchant 1: (noticing Borin) "Oh, they've been happening almost weekly. People are scared, and the guards are spread thin trying to protect the towns."

Borin: (thoughtful) "This is troubling news. I’ll need to let my father know. We’ll have to be prepared for any threats that might come this way."

Merchant 2: "You’re Borin Stonefist, right? The blacksmith’s son?"

Borin: (nodding) "Yes, that’s me. We’ve got to make sure our defenses are strong. Thank you for the information."

Merchant 1: "Stay safe, Borin. These are dangerous times."

Borin: (standing up, finishing his meal) "You too. Keep your eyes and ears open."

Borin leaves the marketplace, heading back to the forge to inform his father, Kaleb Stonefist, of the news he overheard. The marketplace continues to bustle with activity, but a sense of unease lingers in the air.