Smiles of Gold

Lightning lashed the sky as torrents of rain pelted the harbor of Baldur’s Gate. In a small rocky alcove beneath the docks, hidden away from the city’s prying eyes, Ebrus Keghauler paced back and forth, the gravel beneath him crunching with every step. The dwarf shivered from the cold wind, still somewhat damp from a recent tumble into the water. He twirled a shining gold coin in his hand as he glanced from the harbor’s churning waters to the docks above, then back to the waters. So far no one knew he was there. He could only hope that didn’t change.
How on Toril did he find himself here on this gods-forsaken evening? He and his brother should have been on the outskirts of the city by now carrying six chests of gold, enough to help them live luxuriously in some far off boomtown. Instead, the criminals who previously possessed the gold, the Guild, caught wind of their scheme and sent riders after their carriage. A chase ensued, Bergrem swerved the carriage straight into the harbor, and Ebrus was waiting a half hour later beneath the foul-smelling docks as Bergrem dove beneath the waves in search of the sunken gold, hoping the riders had no reason to return. Indeed, Ebrus thought, this day couldn’t have gone any worse.
He stopped turning the coin in his hand and eyed it. The depiction of a halfling woman surrounded by clovers gazed back at him with a jovial smile on her face. He failed to remember where he got this particular coin. It was the only coin that remained in his pouch after flying into the harbor. That had to mean something, he thought, considering the woman depicted was Tymora, goddess of good fortune. Bringing the coin up to his lips, he did something he hadn’t bothered to do in years. He prayed.
“I don’t like to rely on others,” he muttered, “but I need all the help I could get. My brother and I need to find this gold. We need to escape. Help us.” He kissed the coin for good measure and closed his eyes. Was this how people did it?
Footsteps on gravel drew him from thoughts with a start. He let out a breath of relief when he saw it was only Bergrem emerging from the water. His brother had the biggest grin he’d ever seen, which showed through the long dark wet hair and beard matted across his face and torso like some overeager dog. Ebrus’s eyes immediately went to the dripping wet pouch that Bergrem held. “Did you find something?” he asked. Did his prayer actually work?
“I did, Brother,” Bergrem replied. “Look!” Excitedly, Bergrem opened his pouch and poured his bounty into his hand. One gold coin, one silver, four copper, and a tiny abandoned crab shell tumbled out. He then held the hand out toward Ebrus as if he were presenting his master his biggest most favorite bone. The master was not pleased.
“That’s it?” Ebrus ground his teeth together. “That’s it?! There were six chests filled to the brim with gold on our carriage and all you could find was some loose change and some crusty shell?” He stormed past Bergrem toward the water and looked at the coin of Tymora again. Now she was smiling in mockery. “Fat lot of good you did me,” he said as he chucked the coin into the water, its splash drowned out by relentless rain. He turned back toward Bergrem. “Use that thick skull of yours. Do you honestly think we can use that measly sum to start a new life in Mythrite?”
Bergrem stood stiff, his hands drawn inward still clutching his findings. “But Brother, it’s getting dark down there.”
“So what? I’ve never known you to be scared of a little darkness. You drove the carriage into the harbor, so you’re responsible for getting our cargo back.”
“I’m not scared.” Bergrem puffed his chest out slightly. “But it’s getting close to night. Soon I won’t be able to see at all in the water.” Ebrus looked at the storm clouds above. Indeed, they were a darker shade than when they first began their efforts. He snarled and sat on a nearby boulder.
“We need that gold Bergrem. Without it we won’t be able afford the trip to Mythrite. We won’t be able to buy brewing equipment or a home. We’ll be out on the streets waiting until the Guild tracks us down and kills us like they did with Da!” Ebrus looked up at his brother, who avoided his gaze. He hadn’t fully gotten over the death of their father Morrik, who failed to pay off his debts to the Guild. Ebrus didn’t either. Just mentioning hit stung his heart. He buried his face in his hand, refusing to let any tears form.
“We’ll have each other.” Ebrus removed his hand to see Bergrem sitting in front of him. “It doesn’t matter how much money we have. As long as we stick together, we’ll find a way out of this.” Ebrus couldn’t help but grow a sad smile.
“You’re a damn fool, Bergrem, but that’s what I love about you.” He got down to Bergrem’s level and wrapped his arms around him. As they embraced, storm miraculously parted, letting the setting sun shine its radiance on the dwarf brothers and the harbor.
“You think we can go by our old names then? As the Frosthammers again?”
“Best not. Money or no money, the Guild’s still hunting us. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
As they stood to leave, Ebrus remembered the coin he threw in the water. With the sun finally out, he might be able to retrieve it, and at this point, every bit counted. “Wait here,” he said to Bergrem. “It’s only fair I get this one.”
He took off his shoes and submerged, swimming along the riverbed as it descended into the darkness. Thankfully the sun provided just enough light to see, and sure enough, a flash of light caught his attention. He swam toward it and discovered it was the coin of Tymora, but what it rested on nearly made his breath escape. Lying there somewhat buried in sediment was one of the chests from the carriage. He picked up the coin, a warm smile gracing the goddess’s face. Alright, you’ve proven your worth, he thought as he put it back in his pocket.
Ebrus swam up to the surface and screamed to his brother, “Bergrem! Help me out here! We’re heading to Mythrite!”