“Tap, tap, tap came the faint knock at the door.

“Come in..” gurgled Kondor before spitting the remnants of his mouth wash into the sink.

While on the road, the coach's room at the inn doubled as his office. It was not uncommon for someone to arrive unannounced.

The door pushed open and a bulky little halfling waddled through the door. “Mister Kondor I assume?” inquired the confident fellow.

“Yep. That's me.” responded Kondor. “Just leave breakfast on the desk and don't forget the pomegranate juice this time.”

“I don't work for the inn Coach Kondor.” said the halfling shaking his head. “My name is Grimdo Baggins and I represent the Widow and Orphan Guardians.”

Kondor looked puzzled and then remembered. “Ah yeah. I signed autographs for some kids at the arena. You really should bathe them once in a while. They are some scroungy looking little orphans.”

“No...No. Mr. Kondor you are confused. Those were halflings..”

“Sure. Halfling orphans. I would not discriminate against the little buggers.”

“No Sir...” stammered the halfling. “They were a blood bowl team, not orphans.”

Kondor was now very confused.

Grimdo continued. “You did not sign autographs. You signed contracts to play.”

Now Kondor understood and became enraged. “You can't hold me to a contract pushed in front of me at a stadium by a band of hobos misrepresenting themselves as orphans. That is immoral and just plain wrong. I'll file a grievance with the commissioner! I'll...”

Grimdo took a step back towards the door but interrupted. “The game was this morning. The gnome apothecary acted as coach in your absence. Sir...The Archers of Avelon won the match 2-1. Please just tell your team captain that it must have taken a lot of guts to stall our the first half against mighty halflings and their mighty boots.”

Before leaving the room, Baggins pulled a bag of gold from his knapsack and dropped it on the floor.

“Here is your cut for the game. It is clear you earned it.”

Disconcerting stood puzzled after Grimdo left. It was disconcerting that the gnome had acted in his stead without permission. Still this was the easiest gold he had ever made. With a shrug he decided to sort it out later. At least he did not need to listen to the Archers brag today.”