Hem defied his parents’ commandments as was typical of the boy and so following this defiance we find him perched upon a seat at the long servin’ counter at the Ragged Maiden. Hem noticed the following folks in the common room today: Jumi Rubigen, Farmer Gack, Jee Banferd, some fella named Crylax who really interested him, and a couple other characters that Hem didn’t know. Probably some Outland travelers passin’ through. Hem liked it when there were such folk in the Ragged Maiden. They always brought tales from the Outside World.

Blom was wipin’ off the counter as usual, standin’ in one place seemin’ lost in thought. The lanterns were goin’ nicely and the whole atmosphere of the common room was cozy and warm. The Autumn Storm outside was gettin’ on somethin’ fierce. Hem kept his ears open.

“Anything of interest today?” Farmer Gack said into the air.

Jumi sighed. “Aye. All kinds o’ manner o’ things o’ note transpirin’ in this realm!! Nobody has the guts to talk about it, however.” At this he instinctively looked around the common room in a fearful sorta way. No doubt keepin’ eyes out for Moni who would drag him out by the ears if she heard him talkin’ such like.

“Out with it then, ya fancy flazzer!” Gack lacked patience. “What sorta rumors be swirlin’ these days?”

Jumi took a big ol’ swig of his mug contents (Heemee’s Finest OF COURSE), and breathed outwardly as if sighing. HE SIGHED. “Jibberjabs.”

Crylax shifted at this point. “Now who’s got what on the rumors of the land and why you muttering about Jibberjabs?”

“Heard you and Blom last night, fact in fact if the facts are facts.” Jumi gestured up to the counter bar area place location. “Ain’t that right, Blom? Jibberjabs?”

“Aye, no use denyin’ it,” Blom answered, giving Hem a side glance down the way. “Would appreciate a bit o’ discretion if indeed you want to go spoilin’ the reports for all ears in my establish, Jumi.”

“JIBBERJABS THEN!” Gack announced, incredulous. He gestured with his arms and sloshed his mug o’ stuff. “Back in force or we talkin’ a small pod o’ the creatures?”

“Just a small pod if my experience is anything to go by,” Crylax said, whose voice lacked the characteristic Outland twang. “No reason to be alarmed but I think it’s time for heightened VIGILANCE!” He barked the last sentence for some reason or no reason or a lot of reasons. No way to know.

Hem loved this sorta talk. This was the reason he came to the Ragged Maiden! He leaned in and let these fellas’ words infiltrate his imagination like he was on his own secret adventure far from home.