[center][b][h1]Bork Valding[/h1][/b][/center]

Bork appraised the room with increasing satisfaction.  It was a bit run-down, but he would fix that.  The only obvious flaw with the space was that he currently shared it with a goblin (and this goblin, even more annoyingly, was an elf), but he would soon fix that, too.  He was startled, and then annoyed, when the goblin spoke.  The abbot was a good man?  Blah blah blah?  He gave her a scowl, but then softened it to a cursory “understanding” nod.  [b]”I’m sure he’ll do fine,”[/b] he mumbled somewhat absently as he looked intently at the blank walls.  

[b]”I’m going to need soft chalk,”[/b] he announced after a moment.  [b]”I have some for now, but I’m going to need a steady supply going forward.”[/b]  Eventually, he would want a large slate board, but that could wait.  The available flat surfaces would suffice in the meantime.  He nodded again as the elf put a quill and some ink on the table, he continued.  [b]”Apart from that, the usual office supplies, of course.”[/b]  He looked around at the other furnishings, and then back at the table with the quill and ink.  [b]”I’ll talk to the carpenter myself about a proper drafting table.”[/b]  Another thought occurred to him, and he took a piece of chalk out of his pocket and wrote directly on the tabletop next to the quill and ink:  "bigger charcoal facilities?" 

Eventually, he returned his attention to the goblin.  [b]”I’m not available for anybody while I’m working, except the abbot.  And don’t make appointments for me.  If somebody wants to see me, have them leave a note, and I’ll respond to it if I wish to talk to them.  I’ll tell you about any appointments I make.”[/b]  He scratched his unfashionably short beard.  [b]”I’ll take a look at any information and records you currently have about the town’s resources and facilities, who and where the skilled craftsmen are, what they normally produce and trade for.  I’d do all that legwork myself, but as you know, I’m working against a deadline.”[/b]  

And that reminded him of yet another thing.  [b]”Oil and rushlights,”[/b] he said curtly.  [b]”I expect I’ll be working late in the coming days.”[/b]  He would retrieve his lantern and rushlight holder from his baggage at the inn.  [b]”And if you can scare up a cot, that would save me some lugging from the Rusty Peg.”[/b]

He set the chalk down next to the ink and quill, and the empty notebook next to that.  [b]”I think that’s all for now.  I know where to find you.  Drom, is it, or Dorm?  Thank you.”[/b]  Just then there was a soft but heavy rumble somewhere under the floorboards.  Bork’s frown returned as he looked back up at the goblin.  [b]”That sounds awful big and slow for rats, and it’s still daylight.  Do you guys have marmots under the house?”[/b]  Marmots could pose an inconvenience, especially for any wall he was supposed to build around the house.