A Dwarf's Tale: Will of a Silver Coin

I woke the next morning, feeling rejuvenated. It is true that the task and goals to come will test mettles of us all. It was a fighting chance. It is more than these fellow dwarves had in weeks of fighting and months of despair. I normally do not do this, but I bowed my head and said in whisper. “I hope that the gods hear me. My wish is not for myself, but allow me to save our people. Guide my eyes, steel my will, and strengthen my body so that I may be allowed to accomplish this deed.” It was daybreak. We do not have much time. I put on my clothes and armor, and took with me my bastard sword and my hatchet. The axe, bow, and my gear, I left here. I need to travel as light as possible.

Upon arriving in the meeting hall, Samos was already there, along with a comely older dwarven female. “Morning Tor. My queen Falish.” I bowed to her. She came down to me, looked deeply into my eyes, and, quite un-queen like, she hugged me. “Samos, he is as every word that you have said. He is truly a gift from the gods. For the first time, I see hope now.” I normally do not like praise like this. But, anything to help my brethren get through this. Right now, they need something to focus on. That focus, seems to be me. So be it. “Queen Falish, you give me undue honor. I feel I am not what you say I am. However, I am humbled and accept your kind words. Also, I do not wish to be rude, but time is of the utmost essence. We must all focus and snatch victory from the chaos of defeat.”

“Spoken like a king. Tor, I can never see you as rude. Your heart and will is for all of us. The scouts Durak and Yimnak are ready.” Two dwarves came forward and saluted me. I saluted back. “Excellent King Samos. Now, a quick meal, final check and preparations, and it is time to start.” The morning repast was simple, but filling. These people were at roar. Should we succeed, there will be time for feasting later. After eating, we did a final check. All is prepared.

“Durak and Yimnak, lead on. Forced march, double step.” They nodded and took off. Due to my larger size, I followed with ease. We could of went faster. I did not want to exhaust the scouts. Also, we had no idea what was ahead.

We travelled for miles. At several times, the underground passages led up as we crossed outside from one mountain to another, only to plunge back underground. The path, was an old path, but a well built one. Three dwarves can easily be side by side while travelling. This is good because I was dreading a single file style. In our times we were outdoors, I looked at the time of day and estimated our travel. We were making good time. There were several intersections. At each, we marked which way we came from and which way we were about to go. It would do us no good to get lost in our return trip. As we rounded the corner, we saw our first set of obstacles. A pack of giant rats took up residence. After a few minutes, the rats were nicely dispatched. So far, I considered us to be very lucky. Gauging where we were at by mid afternoon, I guessed we were only several miles from our goal. I halted our small group and we rested. I found that Durak and Yimnak were brothers. This made things very simple for me. After resting, we resumed our march. An hour later, we rounded a turn and then, the scouts stopped. “By the gods, things were going so good too.” I took a look around the corner. There, about fifty feet away, was a undead mass in front of us. It was slowly walking in our direction.

“Weapons at the ready brothers. We can take down a ghoul.”

Durak looked at me. “Commander, that isn’t a ghoul. It is more than that. It is a high form of undead. It is a revenant.”

That gave me pause. A revenant. A vengeful spirit. “Put away your weapons fellows. An idea has come to me.”

“Sir, what are you doing? We have to lead it out to one of the previous passages!”

“Maybe not. I’m going to have a chat with the fellow. Stay back, in case I’m wrong. If I am, go with your plan.”

“But sir!”

“That is an order Yimnak.”

“Yes sir.” The brothers retreated back. I stood there, allowing the revenant to come forward. It did reek of death, but it did not have a baleful look in its eyes. Why? I wasn’t the killer. A revenant only exists to avenge it’s death. “Greetings one who is walking.”

The revenant stopped, and peered at me. “Who are you dwarf?”

“I am Tor. I am here with a couple of my fellows. We are looking for the exit point to these tunnels. We are looking for a path of escape for our dwarven fellows.”

“I don’t care about your escape, or your dwarves.”

“I realize this. Our mission is important. But I know what you are, so I know your task is important too. That is why we did not attack you, but wished to talk to you.”

“Why?”

“Well, perhaps we could help each other, or at least, not get in each other’s way. Would you talk with me? I wish to know your plight.”

“Plight! I was murdered!”

“This much I had guessed revenant. I mean, who did it, and how did it happen?”

“There were many surrounding me. I tried to plead for my life as I was looking for herbs to save my father. There was one that was big, bigger than the rest of them. It leered at me, took a large spear, and stabbed me. I was scared. Then, I woke up in this rotting corpse. I have been wandering the tunnels for what it seemed like was forever. But I sense my killer. Somewhere, in that direction, is my killer. Only killing my killer, I can go to the afterlife. I must avenge my death, and I will kill anyone in my way trying to prevent me from vengeance!”

I detected a female tone. “Were you a woman in life?”

“Yes, yes I was. I was searching for herbs to heal my ill father. Now, because of that fiend, my father is probably dead. Now, because of that fiend, I shall never be married. I shall never know the joy of children. My love thinks of me missing or dead. True on both counts. I shall exact terrible vengeance!”

“Tell me, what was your name in life?”

“GloriAnn.”

“GloriAnn, this fiend you spoke of. It walked like a man, but it wasn’t a man correct? Nor was it dwarf or elf, or any others like that?”

“No. It was a type of giant. Not an ogre, it wasn’t as disgusting. It was a giant of sorts. And I sense his life faint from the direction you came.”

Could it be that she is sensing someone in the horde army? If so, this may be a lucky break. “GloriAnn, in the direction you came from, should have been a large cavern. Was the passage clear from where we are to that cavern?”

“Yes. You three have been the first beings of life I have encountered for some time. There are no beings of death behind me as well.”

“GloriAnn, I wish to make a deal. Please hear me. I think we can help each other. Back where we came, is a dwarf city, that is beset by an army. I did see one that you described that is bigger than the others. He was far away, so I could not make out any other features. But, I suspect he is the one you are looking for. The direction you are going, are multiple passages. But we have marked them. Would you be willing to go back with us? We need to take our fellows here. So there will be a battle. I will have the king lift the barrier, so you can go down and see if the one you seek is in the army. We will not impede you in any way. In fact, we want to lead you to your killer so you may find peace. Do we have a deal?”

The skeleton mass stood there. GloriAnn seemed to be thinking. It peered at me with those pinpoints of lights in the skull. “Dwarf, your words do ring true. You do believe you know where my killer is. All right, I agree. But if anyone attacks me, I shall attack them back. Understood?”

“Perfectly. Now, let us go. Durak, Yimnak, you heard everything?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good. GloriAnn, these two will go in the direction you came from. We trust your words, but it is merely to mark passages. They will come back when they are done. You and I, will go back to where I came. I shall escort you to the army where I think your killer awaits. Do we agree?”

“Agreed Tor. Let us go. I grow impatient.”

“I understand. Go at the pace you wish. I shall keep up.”

GloriAnn the revenant moved forward, going at a real fast pace. “Brothers, you have your orders. I expect you to both come back.”

“Yes sir!” Durak and Yimnak went up ahead.

This isn’t the best company I have kept. In fact, travelling with an undead is quite unnerving. But, this revenant also gave us our best chance for making out alive. After several hours, I spoke. “GloriAnn, is the life force the one you are seeking any stronger?”

“Yesssssss. You are leading me to my killer. You spoke true dwarf.”

“I have no reason to lie. And, I am under no delusion we are using each other.”

“I do not care. I have no desires except to kill my killer.”

“Are you sure? I do know these lands fairly well. Is there a message perhaps I can bring to your love?”

“Noooooooooooo. Best he knows nothing. I do not want his last memory of me to be this wretched creature.”

“Ok, I’m sorry. I did not mean to upset you. I only wanted to know if there is something else I can do to bring you at peace.”

“You are doing it dwarf. Keep with that in your mind.”

“Ok, good enough.”

We were a mere few miles from Sigur. The revenant, unrelenting, actually started to pick up speed. Indeed, her killer was down there in that horde army. It seems to fuel her. The dwarven scouts have returned, but kept a long distance from us. I can’t say as I blamed them. The last outfall we came to, it was night. What time of night, hard to tell. But we knew we were only in our second day. We have some time. I also have adjusted and shaped up my plans.

“GloriAnn, what I do want to discuss, is the coming battle. Well, battle for us, revenge for you.”

“Do not cross me dwarf. I shall not be denied!”

“I do not want to deny you. But I do want to discuss plans though. Are you willing to listen?”

“I do not have choice. Speak.”

“Ok. When we arrive at the dwarf town, can I ask you to wait a mere one day. Maybe not even a day, just a day time. The reason is, we need the cover of night to make our escape. That is also when the dwarf king will feel comfortable in opening the gate. Once the gate is open, there will be nothing stopping you from your vengeance.”

“And what if I do not want to wait? What if I just break down the gate?”

“You cannot. In fact, you will not be able to leave Sigur until the gate is open. Plus, while you are willing to wait, I’m going to kill some of that army. That way, it will be easier for you to get to your killer and finish your goal.”

“Suppose you kill my killer dwarf? Then, I would have to kill you.”

“I do not think so GloriAnn. He is a coward. He has his minions rush forward and risk their lives, while he sits back in safety.”

“That sounds like the one who killed me. A coward true.”

“Yes. But his minions follow his orders. So, again, this delay will help both of us. Again, I am not denying you. I am humbly asking for your patience so I can get my people ready to leave.”

GloriAnn stopped. She turned to look at me. “I know I am a wretched creature dwarf. I know I walk without peace. I burn for vengeance. But remember, I was a woman in life. I do understand what you are trying to do. You have done no wrong to me, and you are trying to have me at peace. I know I am a tool for you to use. But you do not abuse me. Your words have nothing ill in them. And I also know you are struggling to save people. There should be more like you in this world Tor. I do not think you realize the agony that I cannot feel warmth for I have no senses with dead skin. I cannot enjoy eating or drinking anything. In fact, I miss the smells of flowers and the night sky. These were once pleasures, that is now torment because I cannot enjoy these things. But, I do remember what it is to be kind, even to those who are not kind or deserves kindness. And in your way, you are trying to be kind to me. So, yes Tor, you will have your day. Make your preparations to save your people. For as you will have your day, I will have my night. And at the end of the night, I hope to forever sleep.”

“Durak, Yimnak. Go ahead. Inform the king and of our people what is happening, and you heard of my plans. Go inform them. Inform them as well, that GloriAnn is not to be harmed or ill treated in any way. If anyone does, they will answer to me and me alone.”

“Yes Sir! But a moment please sir.”

“Yes Durak?”

Durak turned to GloriAnn. “Forgive me ma’am. We have been taught to loathe and fear the walking dead. We have encountered the walking dead, and always, it was with destruction. However, I hear you, and, my heart is moved. Please know ma’am, that Tor came to us when we were in nothing but despair. And now, you, come to us, with nothing but despair in your heart. Please also know, that, you do have the gratitude of myself and my brother. We shall tell everyone of your plight. No one will come to do you harm or ill will. I just wish, we would of known you in life. And, no one wishes more than the both of us, that we would of liked to have been present when you were in peril. I know we cannot change the past. But we can honor the past, and look forward to a future. In short, thank you.”

Something in Durak’s words, caused GloriAnn to stand perfectly still. Finally, an undead hand moved slowly and caressed his ruddy face. “Durak, you have my thanks. You have caused me to feel like I did in life, if only for a few moments. For a few moments, you have eased my torments, and made me remember who I was in life, and what I loved in life. Now go, tell your people.”

This moment, reminds me of what I told Calvin weeks ago: everyone deserves a second chance. The dwarves of Sigur deserve a second chance of course. But right now, this woman, made to walk the lands as a tool of vengeance, deserves a second chance. I whispered a soft brief prayer as the brothers ran ahead.

“What was it you just said Tor?”

“I prayed to the gods, that you may find peace, or, a second chance at life. And if you come back to the living, may you be granted all that you were denied in this one.”

Again, GloriAnn was immobile and silent. “Tor, if I still had eyes and tears, they would be falling now. If I had a beating heart, it would be bursting with gratitude. Your people deserve to live. Therefore, let’s go so that the ones that don’t deserve to live, can die.”

In another couple of hours, I saw the familiar entrance into these tunnels. “Wait here GloriAnn only for a moment. I want to make sure all is ok.”

“Very well.”

When I entered the entrance, there was a sight to behold. Every dwarf, man, woman, old, young, healthy, wounded, were lined making a corridor of for a procession. I saw Samos, and walked up to him. “What is this?”

“Tor, Durak and Yimnak told me of what has happened. If this is the same woman that I think of, she is to be honored. Please, tell her to enter.”

“Umm, ok?” I walked back to GloriAnn. “It is ok to proceed, but, umm, the dwarves are wanting to honor you I think.”

“I do not need their honor.”

“Humor them?”

“Very well.”

We walked slowly into the processional. The dwarves, hummed a lovely song, a hymn for fallen heroes. As we walked, each dwarf bowed their head. We walked slowly to the front where King Samos and Queen Falish were waiting. We stopped before them. The queen came down to us.

“GloriAnn, we thought you are the same healer of the cudgel that came to us five years ago. Even now in death GloriAnn, I recognize you. You are the same woman who came to us in our time of need. You saved us. And, it seems you have been given a terrible wrong. We cannot change that wrong, but we can give you honor and thanks. You come here again, and we have hope again that we will be saved. I ask of the gods and goddesses, that you find final peace, and that you arrive there with their open arms. I know this probably means nothing to you, but it means much to us.” She undid her necklace of many colored silver and put it on GloriAnn. “To us, you are noble and of royalty. You may not have had this in life, but may you go to the afterlife a queen unlike any other.”

“GloriAnn touched the necklace. A small change came over her face. “Queen..Falish? King Samos? I remember you both. I remember this place. For the first time, I remember You and your people are the ones threatened?”

“Yes GloriAnn, we are threatened.”

A moment passed. “Where are your sons? Tomak and Yirrik?”

A tear fell down Falish’s face. Tomak is passed from us. Yirrik is injured, and has not wakened in days. I fear that he will soon not be with us.”

Another moment passed. “Show me Yirrik.”

They nodded and led GloriAnn to the healing ward. I followed. GloriAnn walked over to Yirrik. She examined him without touching him. “Falish, I cannot reach for it, as my hands would destroy it. In my left pouch, are herbs. Boil this into a tea and have him inhale the vapors. He will wake from the vapors in a few hours.” Falish did exactly as GloriAnn bade of her. Quickly she started making the tea. “They take from me things, people, that I held dear in life.” The intensity of light in her eyes were greater. Then she focused on me. “Tor, you have your day. Make it count. The night of vengeance, shall be mine! Falish, get me to some place so I can give Tor his day!”

The vehemence that she spoke, was enough to shake anyone to their core. What was that old human adage: Hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn? This revenant had a lot of scorn to share and scores to settle. I best get to details myself. I do not want that woman, or any woman’s scorn. The first thing, since I was in the infirmary, is inquire how the carry litters were coming along. They pointed me to the woodworkers building. I went there, and inquired the same thing. They were constructing beds with poles and wheels. The mentality was, was that a patient was in the bed, and it could be drawn by two dwarves. I thought this to be excellent. They told me these will be ready by this afternoon. Perfect. The wounded are taken into account. Next, general evacuations. The people were taking only what they could carry. Some items were being loaded onto similar small carts to be pulled by pony. Their ponies, were not like my steppe pony. But no matter. They would be also finished by mid afternoon. Good good. Now, finally, the cave in. The engineers have been working on this for the past day. They were putting the finishing touches on the cave in now. They informed me, when it happens, half of the mountain will fall into the passage. I nodded my approval. Excellent. All was going according to plan. So why I was feeling on edge, I do not know.

Durak came running to me. “Commander, we found something! Come and look!” I hurried with him. When we arrived, I can see why he was excited. There were six more barrels of blast powder found. This was providence right here. I have been wondering how to move the army back, so we would have time to evacuate. Now, a wonderful idea came to mind. I picked up four of the barrels, and Durak picked up the other two. “Follow me Durak. It is time we give these bastards a lesson they won’t soon forget. GloriAnn said to make it count, and by the gods, I am going to do just that!”

Going into the courtyard, I beckoned to him. “Find me six large barrels, the bigger, the better.” He nodded and went off quickly. To others, “Gather rocks my friends. The sharper, the better. Each rock does not need to be bigger than you hand. Just make sure they are sharp.” They nodded, grabbed buckets, and went off to fetch rocks. I went back to the room I was given, and grabbed my backpack. The first barrel and the first of the rocks were already coming in. Great! I put one of the barrels of blast powder on the ground. I opened the top very carefully. Motioning for an empty bucket, I took some of the blast powder out, enough for a small space. The dwarves were looking at me with questioning looks. From my backpack, I took one of the small flasks of greek fire and placed it in the blast powder barrel. I took cloth, ripped it into long strands, twisted them quickly. From another flask of greek fire, I soaked this long cloth and attached it to the flask of greek fire. I carefully closed the lid of the smaller barrel. With several buckets of rocks, I filled the barrel. I lined the cloth soaked in greek fire over the side of the barrel. With the lid, I nailed it shut, but allowed space for the eventual flame of the cloth. The dwarves still had questioning looks.

“Brothers and sisters, hell is going to rain on the horde.”

“Umm, ok commander, but how?”

“Simple. This barrel is going to be ammunition for the catapult. When in place, we light the cloth, wait a few seconds, and launch it. It will hit the ground, the blast powder will ignite, and the rocks will shred the horde to pieces. Six of these, will make them scatter.”

“Sir, that is a great plan, but two problems. One, the catapults are pointed down the path and not where the army is at. Two, there is no way to lift that barrel.”

“Bring me a stout pole, about three to four inches thick.”

One did as I wanted and handed me a pole. I wedged this pole into the base of the catapult. I pulled back on the pole. There was a small grind, and the catapult turned slightly. I kept working the pole and the catapult. A couple of minutes later, the catapult was turned, and my guess, right in the center of where the horde was located. I peered over the wall. Yeap, almost dead center. Good.”

The dwarves were astonished, astonished that I could move that. While they were stunned, I brought to task with the barrel full of sharp rocks. I grunted, and with great difficulty, lifted the barrel. Walking slowly, with my back threatening to give, I placed the barrel into the pouch of the catapult. It was ready. If the dwarves were stunned before, they couldn’t believe their eyes. “I swear, with strength like that, he could move a giant.”

I laughed. “I’m not that strong everyone. But, I am strong enough to heft these barrels. Now, prepare the other five.”

“But sir, how do we know this will work?”

“A good question. Shall we find out?” A devilish grin came across my face. I took out my flint and tinder. “Stand ready at the catapult. When I say ‘now’, launch it. Everyone else, get back. In case this doesn’t work, I do not want to have us all maimed and killed.”

They all nodded. One dwarf, Durak, braved the catapult. I lit the cloth. I saw how fast it burned. One, two, three, four, five. “NOW!”

The catapult launched, the barrel sailing in the air. I ran over to the edge. The barrel got within fifteen feet of the ground when it exploded. Not only did the rocks explode with it as I expected, many of the rocks were burning too. There was a blast circle of one hundred feet. I heard screams, yells, I saw dozens of the humanoids fall from being hit by the rock. I saw tents burning, armors burning. I even saw some limbs severed as well. The camp was in immediate chaos. And it brought a smile to my face. I looked back at the dwarves. “It worked! Hurry, build the other barrels!”

They immediately went to work. This display gave them more hope. There was fighting spirit now with the dwarves. I looked back at the horde army. There were many dead, and many more wounded. The leader came out of his tent. From here, I could gauge him better. He stood over ten feet tall, and he is giant like. He had furs and metal bands for armor. This type of creature was familiar, but I couldn’t place him. I motioned Durak over. “Durak, what kind of creature is that?”

“A giant-kin commander. A verbeeg.”

“Ah, thank you.” He nodded. This certainly fit the bill that GloriAnn described her murderer. Well now, this will get mighty interesting to say the least. I walked back to the room I was given. I picked up the rest of my gear. I am going to give them even more to fear. Going back outside, I climbed one of the highest towers. I pulled the invisibility cloak around me, and peered over the edge. The horde commander, seeing we just inflicted major damage to his army, will try a charge. It will either be a pure ground assault, perhaps ten or twelve. Or, they will try to scale the wall. I waited patiently. I didn’t have long to wait. Eight of them advanced towards the wall, having rope and grapples in hand. I’ll say one thing: the commander doesn’t disappoint. Notching an arrow, I aimed and let it fly. It hit the hobgoblin straight in the head. I didn’t wait to see the response, I dropped three more in a few seconds. I pulled the cloak back around me save a small opening to see the response.

The other four stopped advancing. They didn’t know what to make of it. First, I provided a rain of stone and fire, and now, they cannot advance because of an invisible archer. They have been using fear and intimidation for so long, I found it is high time they realize what these feelings truly are. “Commander, we are ready with another.” I climbed down, and when the horde couldn’t see me, I took off the cloak. “Excellent, time for another lesson in retribution.” I went to the barrel. If it was at all possible, this barrel was even heavier than the first. Or was it that I am getting tired. “We saw what you did with the first one commander, so we added broken weapons and armor to the barrel.” Well, that explained it. I swear I burst a blood vessel hefting this one. Durak was at the lever. I pulled back further on the taunt bindings of the catapult. This one, I wanted near the back of that army. “Durak, when I light it, count one, and then, release it ok?”

“Yes sir!” I took out my flint, lit it, said one in my head. True to form, Durak released it. It sailed in the air. There was a brief delay, and then another explosion. I went to see the damage.

Because of the metal in this barrel, the damage was more severe. I seen completely dismembered, disemboweled, and decapitated humanoids below. It was even a more grizzly sight than the first one. And it was in the back half of the army. A full one hundred and fifty were killed. Many more hurt and maimed. The other four barrels were ready. I held up my hand. “All, this is meant to intimidate. We shall hold off on the rest. They will need to be completely distracted when we withdraw. Excellent touch on the metal in that barrel…although, my back is complaining a bit.” Everyone chuckled softly. “Carefully peer over the edge.” Many did so, and let loose gasps of surprise. They have seen the devastation wrought by just two of the barrels. We had four more. But, I wanted to save these. We do not know what exactly the horde commander will do. I wanted to keep our reserves.

A while later, we heard commotion from down below. The two barrels worked perfectly. They withdrew back about a quarter mile. They had enough of invisible archers and hailstorms of death raining from above. They were not used to this type of combat. I turned back to the dwarves. “Excellent everyone. Now, quietly, and stay as unseen as possible, finish the preparations for evacuation. We will leave when the sun disappears into the sky. And, so will we.”

They nodded and went off. Good. It isn’t easy to leave your home. But, the home is who you have with you. The stone and wood is to protect who you have with you. Suddenly, Samos ran up to me. “Tor, come quick. Please come quick!”

I followed the king. Did some unknown danger present itself? I followed him into the infirmary. No, it was no danger. Yirrik, his younger son, had awakened. “It is just like she said Tor. My son, our son, has come back to the living!” I smiled. Yes, moments like these, need to be treasured and cherished. The young dwarf was weak, but he was awake and alive. “Excellent Samos. But if you will excuse me, I have one last item to prepare before we put forth our brave venture.”

“Of course Tor. Forgive me. I was so elated and excited.”

“There is nothing to forgive. He is alive and awake. That is enough to feast for.”

I turned and left father, mother, and son have their time together. It isn’t that I have anything to prepare per say. I have a revenant to speak with. I went to where GloriAnn was staying at. I knocked on the door and entered. She was there, but in a different way. She had on a dress. “Who enters! Who dares!” “I do GloriAnn, and quickly shut the door behind me. “How dare you dwarf! How dare you enter…” she stopped and broke off, “no, it isn’t you. My memories started coming back to me. I wanted to know what it was to be alive one last time. I was trying to bring back a semblance of what I was in life. It was foolish of me.”

“I do not think so Lady GloriAnn.”

Silence entered the room. As quietly as her undead voice would allow, “Thank you Tor. For calling me lady.”

“And that is what you are GloriAnn. You are a lady. A lady, that deserves better than this. And after tonight, if the gods and goddesses do not honor you with peace in the afterlife, then, I will forever not forgive them. I only wish there was another way.”

“Tor, you prayed for me back in the tunnels. Maybe that is what will happen. At least, for my last day, I remember me.”

“Are you sure there isn’t anything else I can do GloriAnn? Are you sure you do not want me to find your lover, and relay the tale? A woeful tale, but a tale with an ending, as bright as the sun burns?”

“No Tor. This will suffice.”

“As you wish Lady GloriAnn.”

She tried to smile. It came as a misshaped grimace, but, in my mind, I could see the lady before me, a smile soft and radiant.

“It will begin when the sun sets.”

“Yes, I can tell. The energies that animate me are starting to become stronger. It always seems stronger at night. What were the explosions?”

“Surprises for the horde. We caused great damage to their numbers. Don’t worry, your killer is still very much alive. He just has fewer forces to command.”

“I, do not want to see yet. I want to stay me just a little bit longer. But, I do appreciate it. You have come through with every word you spoke to me. I do not know if I will be able to, but in the afterlife, I will try to look down upon you. On a night when the moon is blue and full, look to the southeast. There, I will ask the gods to have a smile made from the stars. That, is how you will know I am ok. And how, I show my gratitude to you Tor.”

I nodded. “I will leave you alone GloriAnn. Please, appear when you are ready.”

She nodded. I could see her beauty past her undeath. Not only her physical beauty, but her human spirit. Even now, it shows through the macabre creature in front of me.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Their younger son, Yirrik, has wakened. I thought you may want to know.”

“Thank you Tor.”

I nodded and closed the door. Life, fate, sometimes is very cruel. But there are moments, where there is still mercy and kindness. In all too short of time, there will be none for the horde. But for now, there is this moment and memory to cherish.

I went to the meeting hall. The last real order of business, is supper. I know it seems petty and minor. But, I have had very little sleep as of late, and I do need my energy to keep going. Most of the food was already packed, which was fine. As was most of the ales too. However, I did find an old bottle. I uncorked it. Corn whiskey? I looked at the bottle. It was a human bottle. Well now, no need to leave this behind and have it go to waste. I pulled out from my pouch the rest of my rations and dried meats. With the corn whiskey, it actually tasted quite good. The warmth of the alcohol flowed through my body, soothing my muscles.

It was less than an hour til sundown. I finished my meal, and wrapped the whiskey multiple times. I hope it doesn’t get damaged and broken with what is to come. I slung my weapons and was nearly ready when I heard the multiple calls of horns. What the hell? I dashed back to the main area. Yimnak came to me. “Tor, alas, all is lost. They have giants with them!”

Son of a bitch! Seriously? Giants? Not only were their giants, but there was the original forces from earlier back as well-and with siege weapons! The giants were carrying two battering rams. The stone gate, will not be able to withstand that for long. “Gather the dwarves quickly! Tell everyone to ready in five minutes. We have to start now. We cannot wait.” “Yes commander!”

Son of a bitch. I normally do not even like to cuss when thinking. But this put a huge problem with my plans. If they see that the dwarves are retreating, they will press forward. Likewise, the giants, can start hurling rocks from great distances. We have but mere minutes before they reform and press the attack. Samos and Falish came up. Their faces were grim. “Tor, it was a great plan. We will be honored to die with you.”

“Die? King Samos, I do not intend to die! I didn’t do all of this just so we roll over. Wake up brother, if for nothing else, your son needs you!” I slapped Samos across the face. “Your son lives. Do you want to see him die now?!?” He got angry, enraged, and punched me in the face. I rolled with the punch. “Good, get angry! Get angry at me, at them, at anything you want! Just do not despair!” Samos stopped, looked at me, slowly smiled, and bowed before me. “Everyone, bow before Tor! He is the true dwarf here!”

Everyone did as Samos bid. I pulled him up. “We have no time for this! But good. You all regained your senses. Listen up quick. We have one chance at this. Let’s make it count. Now, you six,” I pointed to the first six soldiers. “You will be the advance guard. You will take the lead. Along the way of the passages, you will see marks as to which way to go. Durak! You will be with them. Be side by side of each other. Two abreast. Then, have the citizenry come up. For every twenty citizens, there will be two soldiers. In the middle, you will escort the royal family, with two sets of guards in the front, and two behind them. Followed by the infirmed, the young, the sick, and the elderly. Again, for every twenty, two guards. Finally, the rest will draw up the rear. I am going to guess it will take fifteen minutes to get everyone past the point where detonation will occur. Yimnak, when the last go through, blow on your horn. That will give me five minutes. If I am not with you in five minutes, blow up the passage and get back with the group and join Durak. Go to where I showed you, and follow the map to the farm of Randoss. Is that understood?”

“Yes sir!”

“Good! Gather everyone, we start this in three minutes!” I saluted the king Samos, and bowed to Falish. Then, I ran off to get GloriAnn. Damn fate sometimes. I wish I could kick fate straight in the groin just once. I knew all of this was to happen, but I wanted this to happen on our terms, not theirs. I approached her door, and knocked rapidly. I entered. GloriAnn the lady was no longer there. Only GloriAnn the revenant was there. “I know Tor. It is time. I hunger for vengeance!”

“I know GloriAnn, I am taking you to the gate. Once at the gate, just wait a few more minutes, and I will open it myself. The dwarves are getting ready to leave. We have a problem. Four hill giants are there with large battering rams.”

“I don’t care about giants. I care only about him!”

I sighed. Yes, the lady is no more. Only the revenant is now here. “I understand. Let’s go.”

I got back to the courtyard. One minute. One minute until all chaos breaks loose. I loaded a barrel onto the catapult. Samos, came up to me. He clasped my shoulder. “Tor, stay alive. And, thank you for being the spirit for all of us, and for a foolish old dwarf who lost his way so many times, he had forgotten what the way is.”

I clasped his shoulder as well. “There is nothing to forgive King Samos. Live, live for your wife, your son, and your people. That, will be thanks enough. When you arrive at the Randoss farm, get to know Calvin and Talma. They, are a lot like you and Falish. Mind them. They are people worth the diamonds in a mountain, with ruby hearts as large as their beating ones.”

“I shall Tor. We all shall.”

Fifteen seconds. Ten. Five. And I gave the signal. The retreat of Sigur Fortress has begun. And it started off perfectly. Durak was there and led the six, followed by the citizenry. “Well, it begins.” And with that, I lit the barrel, counted to three, and let it fly. A few seconds later, a large explosion and yowls of pain from below. I turned the catapult with the pole, to the left, hefted another barrel, pulled back, lit the barrel, and hit the lever. More screams and yowls. I put another barrel, made this one short, and let it fly. There were even louder screams and a huge bellow. The last barrel, I hefted into the catapult that was locked for the gates. I went on top of the gate, and surveyed the damage.

Before me, was carnage. I couldn’t believe my eyes at one part of the scene. There were two hill giants that were close to the walls. The last barrel I fired, it looked like the closest hill giant actually caught the barrel. When it exploded, it was in the hands of the hill giant. I could see the rocks and the metal protruding from its body, as it slumped down in death. If I hadn’t of seen it, I would not of believed it. Didn’t the horde commander tell the giants not to catch the barrels? Guess not. Well then, three hill giants instead of four. Still a huge problem, but, the problem was a little smaller now. I grinned to myself. Only in scenes of chaos like this, can the puns be funny. The first two barrels, also caused great devastation. Hundreds laid dead, dying, or too wounded to fight.

“Ok, GloriAnn, are you ready? I am going to open the gate just enough for you to go and get your killer.”

“Open gate, kill, must kill!”

I did just that. I moved the crank for the gate. It groaned and raised up bit by bit. I strained with my muscles. This was meant to be handled by at least four dwarves. I asked my body that it would not fail now. My muscles and sinew responded. Finally, the gate opened just enough for GloriAnn to get through. When she was through, I carefully and slowly lowered back the gate. With that done, I moved to the front corner of the wall, pulling out my bow, and making ready.

There was a group of forty that rushed forward towards the path of the gate. When they saw GloriAnn, they rushed her. They descended upon her, hacking her undead body to pieces. Well, that didn’t go as well as I expected. I still needed to give them at least twelve minutes. I scanned the area for what to do next. Suddenly, the dead hill giant body moved. Great, I thought it was dead. It stood up, and turned around. I noticed it then. The eerie light from GloriAnn’s eyes, shown in the hill giant! Oh my. This is going to be one hell of a sight. Apparently, her spirit will not be denied in killing her killer. And now, that she possessed the body of the dead hill giant…this was going to be priceless to watch.

And I wasn’t disappointed. The goblinoids started hacking at her legs. She simply kicked at them, stomped them, grabbed them and tossed them. This was a one giant army attacking an army. I could hear shouts. The verbeeg commander saw the undead hill giant. He barked orders. The other closest hill giant came up and beat upon GloriAnn. GloriAnn grabbed hold of the live giant, those hands acting like claws and pierced his flesh. The two went down, rolling around, wrestling at each other. In the process, dozens of goblinoids were being crushed under their weight. I was so elated as to what I saw, that I almost forgot about the other two hill giants. They were about seventy yards away, getting ready to pick up boulders. Of course! That is why there were no catapults: the giants were the catapults!

Well now, can’t have that now can we? I pulled an arrow and notched it into my bow. I prayed that my arrow hits true. I aimed the bow, and let loose the arrow. My target was a hill giant that was getting ready to throw the boulder. I hit him in his right eye. The giant screamed in pain, as his hand went to his eye. Of course, the boulder that he was holding, dropped right on his right foot. Another huge scream of pain. He was unsteady, and crashed into his fellow giant, knocking both to the ground. The giant he crashed into, thought he was getting attacked, so he was beating upon his fellow. This, was a good predicament. Turning my attention to the wall down to my right, I noticed that there was a ladder attempting to be hoisted in place. I ran over to that ladder, and peered over the wall. About thirty various humanoids were starting to scale the ladder. I pulled out my last flask of greek fire. I poured the liquid down the ladder, leaving a trail at the top. I grabbed a nearby torch and lit it. The ladder burst into flame, burning some of those on the ladder, causing them to fall and crash into the others. I took a large pole, wedged it against this monstrous ladder, and pushed. The remaining humanoids fell to their doom, crashing to the ground. Suddenly, I heard bangs at the gate. The humanoids got to the gate. I went to the last catapult, lit the cloth, counted to five, and made it really short. It landed I gauged about half way down the path. There was another explosion. A series of stone and metal hit the gate, a few of the pieces of metal pierced the gate. After a moment, there was no longer any banging at the gate. I took a quick look at the dwarves. I saw the king and queen disappear through the pass. Ok, half way there. I just need to buy another eight minutes or so. I turned back my attention to the hill giants.

The one GloriAnn had grabbed, had regained himself and was standing. It was about ready to demolish the dead hill giant, the one that GloriAnn was in possession. No, I will not have the hill giants regained. Quickly I aimed and fired three arrows in the standing hill giant. Two hit his throat, and one pierced his skull. It stumbled forward, trying to grab at the arrows. All it managed to do, was to push them forward. It gurgled loudly, and fell to the ground, its huge body twitching as life left him. Which was timely, for another hill giant, the undamaged one, figured out what was going on, and threw a boulder at GloriAnn. It hit her hill giant body, and crumpled to the ground. What I guess was her undead power, I was right: Any fresh body in the area, if the body the revenant possesses is destroyed, the revenant can move to another body of the choosing. Sure enough, the hill giant with arrows sticking from the throat and one from its skull, got up, and that same eerie glow came forth. “Kill that cleric! How many times does that cleric have to die to be dead! Forget the castle, kill that cleric!”

Well, that was a bit of a break. GloriAnn saw her killer, and unabated by any more hill giants, started lumbering in a run after him. The verbeeg commander saw that GloriAnn was coming for him. He broke and ran at top speed away from her. The hill giant that threw the boulder, heard the order, and lumbered after GloriAnn. Oh no, that won’t do. I notched another arrow, took a moment, and let it fly. It hit the running hill giant right in the ankle. The hill giant tripped and came crashing down on more humanoids. It roared in pain. I turned my attention to the partially blinded hill giant. I might as well create more havoc here. I notched another arrow, and took extreme care on aiming. This giant, was thrashing about. I was about to give it another reason to thrash. In the right moment, I let loose the arrow. This arrow hit the giant in the other eye. Now, we have a blinded hill giant with a crushed foot. It thrashed about even more, swiping dozens of humanoids away., crushing them, occasionally tossing them.

I took a quick moment. The scene in front of me was funny if the stakes were not so high. We have a dead hill giant, possessed by a revenant, chasing after the horde commander which was a giant kin. There was another hill giant already dead, a third blinded that it had no idea what it was attacking, and a fourth that was struggling to get up, but it couldn’t. Hundreds were already dead, many hundreds dying or wounded. And all the while, a town was defended by one dwarf. Again, the situation would be so comical if the stakes were not so high. Suddenly, I heard something. I looked into the air off to my right. Hundreds of arrows were about to come crashing down. I hugged the top of the stone wall, laying prone against it. I heard the arrows land, pierce through different structures and areas. Someone, has a bead on my location. Ok, I am going to be a diversion. Fine by me. At least they haven’t detected the departing dwarves!

I ran down the wall, to the nearest point from the direction those arrows came from. I peered from the ledge. Another volley of arrows coming. Again, I laid prone. This volley, was more to the central part of the town. Ok, so they haven’t detected me, but they are laying forth a hailstorm of arrows as death. If this keeps up, there is a chance, that the hailstorm may land where the dwarves are departing. I looked back over the edge. There were five hundred goblins, all there with shortbows, shooting upwards into the town. I then noticed that the verbeeg commander was running to the archers, shouting orders to shoot GloriAnn the hill giant behind him. The other hill giant, was hopping his way towards the commander. A very brash idea came to my head. I have no idea if this will work, but, I have to do something. I quickly pulled out my rope, and tied one end to an arrow. I took aim, and hit the verbeeg commander in the shoulder. He screamed with pain. I took another arrow, tied the other end of the rope to this arrow, and just fired it into the hopping hill giant. It hit him in his left shoulder. The hill giant brought his right hand to his shoulder, that huge arm grabbing the rope and pulled the commander to him. This caused GloriAnn to veer towards the two, and crash into them. They all tumbled to the ground. GloriAnn was trying to get her hands on her killer, but was partially tangled in the rope. The commander was trying to get away, but was pinned against the hopping hill giant. And this hill giant, unable to stand the weight of all of this on one leg, came crashing down. They rolled around, and just as I hoped, rolled right on top of the goblins. Hordes of shrieks emerged as they were being crushed by this massive set of weights. The commander was trying to get himself free, and finally did by cutting the rope. He stumbled, and ran into the goblins. This of course, fueled GloriAnn in pursuit, those large hands mashing down as she was trying to get to the commander. The hopping hill giant, was trying to bat away GloriAnn from him. The remaining goblins scattered. I breathed relief and silent thanks. I bought some extra time. I ran back to my earlier point along the wall, and looked to the dwarves. Still entering. Another few minutes, and they all should be in. I watched for any further invasion points.

By this time, the discipline that held this army together was gone. The forces were starting to scatter. Many were running back east. The wounded, were being trampled by their fellows. Oh, and let us not forget the blinded hill giant. He continued to trash about. But suddenly, as providence has been good, very good to all of us, fate decided to throw a huge thorn in our sides: the blinded hill giant was thrashing near the gate!

I rushed to the gate. I had no idea what I was going to do with a blinded thrashing hill giant. There isn’t much I could do at this point. The hill giant came into contact with the gate. It was using it to stand up, and started to beat against the gate. Damn, that gate wasn’t going to hold for another minute. I looked back to the dwarves. Ok, there were the wagons. That means, they group was just about through. At this point, there wasn’t much I could do about the blinded maddened giant. If the gate breaks, and any come through, I will have to deal with them.

A new wrinkle occurred. The blinded giant, didn’t just thrash at the gate anymore. Somehow, it got over the gate. Absolutely great. Now, there is a maddened giant inside of Sigur! Now I had to do something. The size and weight of this creature, could ruin all of the plans that we had. Everything up to this point, has been by plan and by luck, but always with a steady thought and mind. What I did next, required neither. I started climbing the thrashing body of the giant. What the hell was I going to do? The only thing I could see to stop this menace. I climbed as quick as possible, heading towards the head of this giant. I got up on its shoulder, pulled out my bastard sword, and plunged my blade into its neck. I didn’t hit the spine of the giant, but I hit the artery. I twisted and brought the blade to opening the gash more. I was suddenly covered in hill giant blood. It roared, and I was knocked away, my blade twisting out of its neck. I landed hard against the stone some fifty feet away. I couldn’t move my body. I was conscious, but I couldn’t move. The impact of the blow from the giant caused my body to go into spasms. I couldn’t see, but saw colors and lights all the same. I heard a horn go. Yimnak’s horn. The five minute mark. Well, my body was broken, but my spirit soared. It worked. My plan had worked! In less than five minutes, the explosion would be set, and the dwarves would be on their way. I accomplished what I set out to do. I freed the dwarves, evacuated the town, and got reinforcements for Stalvinport. I slipped into unconsciousness.

“You can’t go into sleep Tor. Not yet. You have things to do.”

“I can sleep. I accomplished what I set out to do.”

“No you haven’t finished. What about your promise?”

You know, there is nothing like having an argument with yourself. It is a situation, that you always win and lose as the same damn time. Unconsciousness faded, and I was aware of the battle still. I moved my hand, and then my arm. There was feeling back in my body. I tried to get up. Every muscle and bone in my body rebelled against me. I felt ribs broken inside of my worg armor. I opened my eyes. My hearing started to work again. I heard the screams of the horde outside the wall. I shook my head, a terrible pain going through my head. I saw my bastard sword. I picked it up. My bow was also there. I picked that up too. I felt blood running down my head and to the side of my neck. Bleeding means my heart is still beating. Everything was still a haze. What was I to do? Detonation, time short. I stumbled towards the detonation site. I could see a figure after a minute. The figure came to me. I felt my hand grabbed. I was being pulled into a run. I ran. Then, I was stopped. The figure runs away. “What’s wrong, come back.” The words came, but no sound came forth. I see a light. The figure came back. My hand was grabbed again. I hear something. Did the figure say run? I ran again. I heard something else. Sounded like the word retribution. I’m not really sure. I continued to run. Suddenly, I hear a loud noise. I get thrown to the ground. The ground, it was hard, cold, yet, comforting. It made everything hurt less. I hear someone. The someone is calling my name. I hear it, and, everything faded to black. Finally, there was no more cold and no more pain.