The Price of Life

The far away isle of Skal has a terrible habit of sinking vessels and stranding people. So it was that many would have to work to earn gold to eat and rest in the inn. The little gnome Urd was one such traveller, captured by the frozen isle.

So one day her and an ally found themself cleaning rats out of a warehouse, the quintessential adventuring task. These rats were especially ferocious though, and Urd found herself heavily wounded. She took a breather with her friend for a moment. To her surprise five heavily armoured people in black showed up.

Ominous.

The leader of the men offered to heal Urd, and proceeded to do so. It was then that he told her the gold cost for the healing. The cost was beyond her means - after all, she had washed up with nothing! Clearly the armoured man anticipated this, the villain, for he was in a warehouse of rats offering healing.

"You will offer your body to me, if you die." he said, looking through his black visor at the young and small gnome. "Since you cannot afford to pay me, you must pay me with your body!"

Truly villainous! What nefarious deeds would they perform on it?

It was then that Urd's friend declared "Wait!" and fled from the area, leaving Urd defenseless and alone. She had to consider strongly agreeing to their terms, after all: would they just kill her if she refused? Fortunately moments later, her friend returned with a dead body of his own. Skal is such a dangerous place that many fall there and are left in the snow. One of these bodies was dropped at the feet of the villains.

"Hmm... This body will do fine. You are lucky." the leader of the armoured people said, taking the body and leaving the two finally in peace.

They were left as 'happily ever after' as one can be on the frigid isle.

Originally told by Urd Enn during the second Day of Stories. Recorded, written and embellished by Minto T Fuzzypaw.