Seeking a Seer

The sun rose over the vast Tree Gnome Stronghold which spanned out for a good mile at least into the distance. The weary trees held the houses above the grassy floor, alienating anything that was on the ground from any other signs of life save from a few toads and terrorbirds that were cawing out at their keeper who had not arrived.

The Stronghold had never been so lonely, as the large wooden gates were guarded by at least six gnomes at any one time, and human interaction was kept to a minimum on the King's orders.

"And change!" called out a round-faced gnome with bright rosey cheeks.

The group of gnomes abandoned their post, and this position was occupied afterwards by another six gnomes, each carrying minature halberds and sporting a thick metal armour that made them stumble about a bit.

"I'm sweating under this," said a thin gnome in reference to his armour.

"Well then Sir, you may have the pleasure of taking it off now. And give my regards to Cynthia, it can't be easy having just given birth in these difficult times," replied the round-faced guard.

"No, it's not, and I know I should be with her but I feel like I'm betraying everyone whenever I'm one step away from those gates."

"I understand what you mean, there's so much duty with this job, it can make a man forget what matters most you know."

"Still, no sign of humans these past two days, I suspect that their little riot at the gates was a one off."

The round-faced guard did not reply.

"Don't you think? Eh? It was probably a one-off, wasn't it?"

The round-faced guard turned to his thinner colleague and said; "It won't be over 'till there's blood upon the floor."

The thinner guard gulped, and made his way in the direction of his home, his stomach gripped with a tightening pain of worry.