Preparations in Phandalin

Eethyl lifts the first chest with a "umph" and steps forward. Qelline Alderleaf Steps places a second chest on top of the first and the gnome nearly drops both. Glancing behind himself he quickly steps back and leans against a sawhorse. His voice straining, he says “Alright, The sacks too hurry.” As the halfling grabs the two large sacks and lifts them up she comments. “Well you keep doing stuff like this and they will keep calling you a mule Eethyl.” he grunts as he balances the chests against his body and she adds the weight of the grain sacks. “That’s not funny.” The halfling gives a barely audible chuckle. “Alright, I’ll be back for the rest soon. Thank you.” And with a puff of mist the gnome is gone and a necklace drops to the ground. The halfling picks it up and places it on a hook on the barn wall. “See you soon. Thank you again for the business”
 
Eethyl sets the chests down with a thud and stumbles against them sending the bags and contents of the top chest sprawling over the shop floor. “Well shoot. Formulaire d'aide ici.” The gnome says with a gesture. As the arcane words finish he motions and the chest rights itself and items begin to move into the chest through the air and pack nicely in. “Well that’s handy” A small female voice rings out. “Finally finished sorting and reproducing your notes did you?” The gnome speaks into the air toward the voice next to him “You know I don’t need you on me too.” Her voice comes back. “I’m just saying it’s good to see you finally completing SOMETHING” The gnome sighs. “Yes yes I will work on your ritual soon also. Make sure he finishes putting that away please. Thank you Sila.”
 
The gnome moves toward the three benches laid out in a U shape and starts picking up some tools to return to work on the plates laid out. “I should be able to finish this by tomorrow I hope also” he comments. Her voice comes back, again besides him. “Bebrel has another message from the Amal by the way.” The gnome looks up quickly with a furrowed brow. “Oh? I assume he didn’t give it to you.” He sets the drill he is holding back down and heads upstairs and over to the nightstand. He picks up a flat oval stone and holds it up regarding the bid reflection in its face for a moment. He walks in front of the bed and sits down cross legged on the Manticore skin rug and places the shard in front of him. Little is heard for a while as he focuses his breathing and closes his eyes. There is silence in the space for a time.
 
After an hour or so the face of the shard glimmers, reflecting a light not currently in the room. A small shrill and raspy voice finally rings out. “Gnooooome you stepped in it now” and there is a laugh. The gnome responds with a “mmmhmmm I’m aware we have issues and they have caused further problems.” The small voice interrupts him, taunting him. “I have seen others play with god’s and greater powers beeefooore. It didn’t end well for theeeeeem and wont for you either. I can ask to make a deal for you?” The voice asks, sounding hungry. The gnome gives a slight shake of his head, eyes still closed. “You know I wont Bebrel” the quick retort comes “I was told you have said that before” there is another laugh. Eethyl responds “Goodness, and people say I'm irritating. I was just telling Sila to be patient with you. Anyway, what is it he wants?” the small voice sounds irritated “Yes yes, he said to warn you that you need to put it back or destroy it or the knowledge of it will become more widespread and the warrior-kind may come into the knowledge of how to do such with their own reds.” The gnome sighs. “And he said I am to stay here and keep an eye from here out and make sure you don’t screw it up.” The gnomes head cocks to the side slightly “Ah, he has released you to me then? He must know I can’t summon you yet, as the Padisha has taxed my stores yet again and I hadn’t mastered propagating it yet. I can’t do anything until I find more or she allows” The shrill voice, seeming to grumble but filled also with mocking sarcasm, comes again. “Yes I know your vaaaaaast limitations.” The gnome's eyes open briefly, just long enough to give a roll before he retorts in a firmer voice. “Alright, Let him know I will do my best and understand the severity. Now be quiet please. I have things to do if this group will survive the coming conflicts.” The stone jumps slightly as the voice within it gives a a final rebellious snort of contempt.
 
The gnome stands and picks the stone up. Before returning it to the nightstand he regards it again and seems to think better. He slips the smooth stone into one of the pouches at his hip and sets back downstairs. “Thank you Sila.” He says toward the same pouch. “Alright, We better get this stuff fit. Just need to slip the adjustment straps on and finish the handles. Oh shoot! And I need to finish my shopping list. Goodness” Coming back up to the table he sits down again. Sila’s voice comes again. “The lute would have been nice” The gnome, finally focused on his work responds kindly. “True, I thought about it. But they would question it, and as you pointed out, we really don’t have the time for such pleasantries. Besides, you are just as bad at taking time off as I am.” In agreement she sounds back matter-of-fact like adding... “Yes yes let's get it done then. Make sure you line the edges and make it look just good enough that the silly girl will be enticed to use it.” He nods “It’s a shame we don’t have something similar from the legendary purple worms. We could have made a serviceable set for Keth.” And he sets a bit back on a corner and starts twisting again.