A Dwarf's Tale: Will of a Silver Coin

“Mama, why do the other boys pick on me?”

“They do not understand you. They do not realize you are special.”

“Mama, what makes me special?”

“You are my son. That makes you special?”

“Is my brother special too?”

“Yes he is.”

“Are you special mama?”

“Yes, but you two are more special than I am.”

Mama pulled the covers over me, kissed me, and lowered the light. Soon, I was asleep.

“Dad, the boys call me troll and ogre. Mama says I’m special. I do not want to be special anymore. I want to be like the other boys.”

“My son, it may hurt now. But one day, the other dwarves will look up to you. They will ask for you to help them. And you will help them. You will do great things son.”

“Dad, right now, I don’t want to do great things. I just want to play with the other boys.”

“Son, playing is fine now. But soon, play time will be past.”

“That’s why I want to have fun now.”

“I know son, I know. Listen, just tell the other boys if they do not leave you alone, I will confront their fathers.”

“No dad. That will make me look weak. There will be new names that I will be called.”

“You will never be weak son. Never. You will be strong, stronger than you can ever imagine. Not just of the body, but of the mind and heart son.”

“Thanks Dad.”

“The ogre can’t hit it. He can’t do anything right.”

“Quiet. Go ahead, crack the stone with the hammer.”

“I have never done this before.”

“It is simple. Hold onto the hammer, and swing at the stone. No one has ever broken the Stone of Deceit. But you will. I know you will.”

“If you say so Quartermaster.” I took the hammer. The others said it was so heavy. It felt so light to me. I measured, and swung at the stone. The stone not only broke, but it was pulverized. “I knew you could do it!” The other youths stood there with their mouths open. The quartermaster turned to them. “I remember for years you picked on him, called him names. Now, what names should he call you? Babes? Wimps? Weaklings? Our finest warriors could not even chip at the stone, and he smashed it to rubble. The next time I hear one of you call him by something other than his name, you will answer to me. And you will be worked like he works. You will be trained like he trains. That is, if you don’t fall over dead from exhaustion. Each one of you will go home crying to your mommy bleating like goats saying “It’s not fair.” “GET USED TO IT, life is not fair!” The quartermaster turned to me. “Most excellent job my boy. You are ready. You passed. All these others, have failed.”

“Brother, you and I are going to be the most famous dwarves in history! I can feel it.”

“You really think so brother?”

“I know it. Nothing will be able to stop us!”

“If you say so brother, if you say so.”

“We must press on, we have to get to Sigur Fortress. It is another week’s travel! Hopefully we’ll be there in time brother”

“If not, those that do our brethren harm, shall have hell come to them.”

No, don’t go. The images were fading. No, please, do not leave me. I do not want to be alone anymore!

“Tor? Tor? Can you hear me?”

It was a woman’s voice calling to me, beckoning to me. Her voice, made the images fade. No, please, I was so close. Please! Then, I started to feel pain. Pain in my head. Pain in my chest. Pain in my shoulder. More and more pain. A light started to creep in. No, please, give me back my memories!”

“Unnngghhhow.”

“He’s coming around!”

“She’ll be comin around the mountain when she comes, she’ll be comin around the mountain when she comes…” Did I say that?

“He’s not acting right.”

“Neither did you when you had your heart in my hand. He is so lucky to be alive.”

“I’m sorry darlin. You are so right. He is lucky to be alive.”

“I don’t feel that lucky. Damn, everything hurts.”

“No nerves damaged. That’s a good thing.”

“Talma?”

“Yes Tor, I am here. Calvin is here too.”

“Good. First question, and no offense. How in the hell did I get back here? I do not remember a thing.”

“You wouldn’t Tor. You were lucky. The dwarves carried you back.”

“Dwarves? Carried me?” I tried to sit up, but only was able to raise myself.

“Easy there fella. Talma, I’ll go tell the dwarves that Tor has recovered.”

“You do that Calvin. Easy Tor, easy.”

That is when I noticed, I was naked under the sheets. “Umm, where are my clothes?”

Talma smiled. “Your clothes are here Tor. You have been out for a week.”

A week! And with no clothes. I felt color in my cheeks.

Talma giggled. “It is ok Tor. I am a healer, and I’m accustomed to that. I will tell you one thing. You may be a dwarf, but not down there.”

I felt more color in my cheeks. She laughed, and hugged me gently. She whispered, “Your secret is safe with me.”

I chuckled. Ok, Body and mind starting to function. And then the pain. I grimaced hard even while I was chuckling. “How bad is it doc?”

“Tor, you are lucky to be alive. Half of your ribs on your left side were broken. One rib pierced your lung, another your stomach. Your left shoulder was broken, and your skull was fractured. I was delighted when I saw the dwarves, it meant you succeeded. But then they brought you to me. I thought you dead, until I saw you breathing. They hurried here Tor. They made the journey in less than a day. They would not stop until they got you here. I worked you over Tor. I was praying the whole time. There was not a dry face here while I worked you. I set your ribs, I seared your lung and stomach. There were times you would not breathe, so I had to beat on your chest to get you breathing. Your shoulder, I set it in place. And your head, I have been applying cold cloths every hour for a day. All that time, you would not stir. There were times I thought I gave you more pain than the injuries, and yet, you would not stir. You were in coma. There were herbs that Queen Falish brought forward, herbs that helped her son get out of his coma, but you would not stir. We thought you may have been brain dead.”

This woman, twice, has healed me. There is a bond, between healer and patient, that most will never understand. I simply took her hand and kissed it. “Thank you.”

“Tor, I would do it all over again. Just,” and she hit me oh so gently on the forehead. “Just don’t do it again! I haven’t been this scared since..” and she trailed off.

“Since?”

“Nothing. It is nothing.”

Calvin opened the door, and the kids came. They were excited. So did Samos and Falish came, with Durak and Yimnak. There was one other. Who was he? Oh yes, Yirrik, the son of Samos and Falish. Good, he lived and was recuperated. Another was in the doorway. Old man Kosser. Wow, I guess I drew a crowd.

“Tor, are you ok?”

“Thank the gods you are back!”

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“Ok all, hold on. He just woke up not five minutes ago. Give him some room!”

The images were still somewhat fresh. These were people that appreciated me. These were not people who had any false pretense, or name calling, or ill will. I patted Talma’s hand. “Talma, it is ok. I welcome this.”

Everyone else, except for Talma, were grinning from ear to ear. Talma, gave me a quizzical look, and then a small smile. “All right Tor.”

“But, I do need five minutes everyone. I need five minutes alone.”

“Why Tor?”

“Well, for one thing, I want to see everyone. And two, perhaps a bit more important right now, this sheet is the only thing separating me from all of you.”

Everyone laughed. But it was genuine laughter. “Ok Tor, five minutes and not a second more. Everyone out.” Calvin herded everyone out the door. Talma was about to close the door when she looked at me. “Do you need help?”

“Talma, you have done more than I or anyone else could ever ask for. I think I will be ok.”

She nodded and closed the door. With extreme slowness and pain, I got up from the bed. With my right hand, I tested my ribs. So very sore, but, intact. I moved my left arm slowly. It was like moving my arm in a vice, but I was able to function. I peered into the mirror with my skull. Nothing looked out of place. It seems myself healing ability has not left me, even though my memories and those images did. I slowly put on my clothes, and then my boots. In a corner, were all of my weapons and gear along with my worg armor. It was cleaned, as clean as when it was first presented to me. I wondered about something, and felt in a bag. Still wrapped in multiple wraps, was the corn whiskey. It had not broken. I opened it, and drained it, letting the warmth flow into me. All too short of a time, the bottle was emptied. I sat on the bed, and felt the warmth of the liquid flow into my body. After a minute, some of the pain eased. My body responded a little better. Standing back up, I reached for a coat, put it on, and opened the door. Everyone looked at me and smiled. I smiled back. “Thank you everyone. I am back. And, alive.”

I was descended upon. The kids hugged me fiercely. I held back a grimace of pain, but hugged them back. Kosser put a hand on my shoulder. I patted his hand and gave him a wink. “Oh, that reminds me. Hold on everyone for just a moment.” I went back to my room, found the pouch with the cloak, and handed it to him. “Kosser, without that cloak, I would of never succeeded. Thank you.”

“My boy, it is no trouble at all. I’m glad an old man could help.”

King Samos and Queen Falish came to me. They both actually bowed before me. “Tor, I may be king of my people. But you are the king of the people. All people. We, would follow you to the depths of the Abyss if you asked us to.”

“Samos, Falish, the Abyss is exactly what I have been trying to prevent. Please, do not bow. We are all equal among each other. Leadership, is not seeing who is greater, but to make those greater than who they are.”

“Even at my age, I have a lot left to learn.”

“We all learn King Samos. The moment we stop learning, we might as well be dead.”

Yirrik, their surviving son, came to me, and also bowed. “Sir, I heard what you said. But if it wasn’t for you, you who have saved me twice, I would not have the honor of hearing those noble words. I can only promise you, I will never squander the chance you have given me, to all of us.”

I made the dear youth rise. “And that right there young Yirrik, is the best reward I could ever ask for.”

Samos exclaimed. “Tonight, we feast!”

A cheer rose in the house. And a cheer started to rise in the outside. I opened the door and looked outside. The dwarves cheered even more and clapped their hands. The image and words of a dwarf who I called dad came back to me. Is this what he meant? Not wanting to ruin the mood, I gave a wave. Also, the sight that beheld me was surprising. Dotting the landscape, were brick houses. Each one had a chimney and smoke was coming out. A week? “Thank you everyone. We shall all feast well tonight!” Another cheer rose up. I waved again and closed the door. I may be up and alive, but I had no energy. With closing the door, I stumbled a bit.

“Tor! Are you ok?” Steve rushed in and tried to hold me up. So did David.

“I’m ok I think. I just do not have any energy yet.”

They led me to the common room and I sat down in a chair.

“Tor? Sir?”

“Yes Yimnak?”

“May I say? What you have done, I have never seen done. Never have I heard in stories what you have done.”

“I have done what was needed to be done. Does everyone know?”

“I told everyone here what you have done. That battle of all battles.”

“The battle of all battles is still in the future Yimnak.”

“Maybe sir. As of today, I call that the battle of all battles. You are the most courageous I have ever met.”

I thought for a moment. “No Yimnak, I am not. Have you easily forgotten GloriAnn? She fought for all of you. Even though she was death animated, she fought for all of you that she loved in life. Think about it.”

A solemn moment hung in the air as my words sunk in. “She didn’t have to fight for us. I assume you saw it all like I did. Yes, she was struggling with the purpose of why she was animated. But even at the end, she fought for all of you. Remember, you heard the word I put in ogre blood. Retribution. It wasn’t just for herself. If it was, she could of said Revenge or something like that. No. She said Retribution. Plus, as far as bravery goes, it was you wasn’t it that pulled me into the corridor. I am not the only one here with courage. All of us here, have courage. There isn’t one person that hasn’t seen at least one hardship and overcome it. Also, one other point with GloriAnn. The Randoss’s know my philosophy: everyone who has the potential and deserving deserves a second chance. I only hope, that the gods grant GloriAnn her second chance too. In fact, some are still waiting for their retribution.”

Yimnak bowed his head. Everyone did. “I’m sorry, you are right. We need to honor GloriAnn. I guess I am giddy like a child that we are alive.”

I put a hand on his shoulder. “And she sees it. You all are honoring her. By living. Somewhere, in the heavens, she is smiling at all of us.”

Many inside were sniffling or holding back tears. Kosser took out a handkerchief and blew his nose.

“I do not want to damper our enthusiasm or energy. Rather, define it. And hold onto it. Never let it go. Thinking back, I think that is why I was able to get up. I don’t know.”

Samos brought to me a mug of ale. “A king, has again, been shown wisdom and in that wisdom, I am humbled. But I am humbled to the better. Tor is absolutely right. We must never forget, and we must never again falter. But most of all, we must never despair like all of us had. While we live, there are always chances. While we breathe, there is always the will. And while we love, there will always be loss, but the chance to regain what was lost will always be there. A toast. To Tor, to GloriAnn, and to all who have fallen. We shall enable their retribution.”

“To all that have fallen.” I drank.

“The mind may forget, but the heart and bones never do.” Calvin said as a finale. “Tor is proof of it, and so has GloriAnn.”

I thought of a prayer for her. In my mind, I pleaded with the gods to hear us.

“Now, onto living practical matters. First question I have. Where the hell did all of those houses come from?”

Kosser coughed a little. “Magic isn’t just for tricks my boy. There are practical uses too.”

“Yes. Sage Kosser has been kind to us. And we gladly stay here. There is also other developments too. We have been carving out stone blocks from the mountain. A wall is being built to the pass in the east. But a special wall. A wall, that has slits for arrow and bolt shots to go through. And there is an opening. A mere ten feet wide. Should that army come, we will defend it and this land. Once this army has been defeated, we shall go back and reclaim Sigur Fortress.”

“And you all have done this in a week?”

“As I said my boy. Magic isn’t just for tricks.”

I laughed. “I disagree Kosser. As far as that army is concerned, this is one hell of a trick-on them.”

Everyone chuckled or snickered. Even Kosser smiled. “I guess yer right my boy. It is a trick on them. And by the time Steve and I are done with our other ‘tricks’, it will be one heck of a nasty play on them.”

“Also Tor, there are additional sentries in the tunnel and at the wall. We are rotating in six hour shifts. We know that the pixie Tyna is there. We are providing additional support.”

“Great. Speaking of support, what about food? And how is Griff acting with all of you here?”

Calvin then spoke. “She is fine Tor. In fact, she is enjoying herself when the young dwarves are playing with her. Also, King Samos went with thirty dwarves to Stalvinport. They made arrangements, and food is brought every day.”

“Yes, we made an accord. In addition, we found out that the messengers had returned, and reinforcements are on their way. We are making preparations for another five thousand troops to arrive. They are all placed under Sir Calvin’s command.”

I breathed multiple sighs of relief. We may just get through this. Hell, we have to get through this. “This is all good news. Sir Calvin eh?”

“Well, guess they made me a temporary officer. They put the title of general and knight on me.”

“Don’t worry guys. I won’t let it go to his head.” Talma lightly jabbed him in the chest with her elbow.

“Yeah, well, guess they did that because I do know the area well.”

“Calvin Randoss is a fine man. Tor, I can see why you like him. And his fine family. We are truly fortunate.”

“I see. So, we are to make our stand here then?”

“It is a two way attack Tor. There is a navy being assembled too. A full fifty ships with several thousand troops. They are going to reclaim the port towns.”

“Ah, makes good strategy. That way, they will be pinched.”

“That is the desired strategy, to keep the horde army here, and then, come up from behind and attack them.”

“Get’s them off guard. Good plan there.”

“I think so yes.”

“Has anyone heard of anything further since a week ago with that army?”

“I can tell you news silly. Good that you are back too you stupid lug, off trying to get yourself killed.” Tyna appeared in the room. “I flew for days. First, I had to fly off to that dwarf town. The gate is still down. They didn’t even bother to over run it. And why you ask? Because they almost had no forces left. There were bodies everywhere. I lost count how many they were. But there were footprints to the east. So, I flew down the east. Took me a long time too. Finally made it. The army that is there, whew, I never thought there were so many smelly brutes that could be in one place. They had humans there too. They are slaves to these brutes.”

“Anyways, I was trying to listen, but the way they talk, I can understand animals better. I found a group though that spoke and I could understand them. You scared the wits out of them. They don’t know if it’s worth going on. I thought they would lose their nerve and start leaving. Many of the brutes were talking like that. Then, this figure came. When I saw this person, I was scared. I wasn’t scared with the brutes: they are big and stupid. Easy to get out of the way. But this person, I was scared. Terrified really. All in black too. I couldn’t see the face, or the body. Covered in a robe the person was. A loud voice boomed from the person. It said, I couldn’t tell if man, woman, it, the voice was just loud. It said, that the attack will go on. That it is the only thing they had to be afraid of. A big brute, a bugbear I think, stood up and spoke saying it isn’t worth it. This blackened person raised its right arm, and this jet of fire came from the arm. It burned the brute right on the spot. A few seconds, and there was nothing but an ash pile. I was scared. I was invisible, but I hid. That was magic fire there. Strong magic fire. The other brutes were scared too. These brutes don’t want to be there. But this blackened person forces them to be there. I had to fly away. I was so scared. Even now I’m shaking like a leaf on a twig.”

“I wanted to get out of there. And I got out of there. I flew and flew feeling if I didn’t, I would die there. The brutes said they were going to attack as soon as fresh supplies came in a month. So, we got about a month. But, I don’t want to go back there.”

“And you do not have to Tyna. A month. So, we have a month to prepare.”

“Yes, I think so.”

I thought upon all of this for a moment. The horde army, can only stay a horde if someone is strong. I assumed that it was a strong general, since humanoids value strength. But, it looks like they are held together from fear. I remember what that flind said. The Leader. So, Tyna met the Leader. Very interesting. “Calvin, what are you additional plans?”

“What do you mean Tor?”

“What I mean is what are your contingencies?”

“Umm, I do not have any, yet?”

“Someone fetch my map please. I want to explain.” Stella ran off, and came back a few seconds later with my map that Tyna previously made for me. I unfolded the map and set it out on the table. “Ok, this is what I have been thinking. I was thinking why does the horde army want to take out Sigur Fortress. I thought it was that Sigur was a threat. It was a threat yes, but that is not all. I am willing to bet they knew about the passage. The flind days ago told me that the forces that are attacking Sigur was a mere fraction of the total army. So, let’s assume, that the horde army is fifty thousand. Well, when you have an army that large, it is very difficult to move and mobilize. It is also very difficult to keep control. Now, this huge army, has been acting with stealth more or less. Save for the past several weeks, there have been rumors of a horde army, but no real contact or numbers. We all in agreement so far?”

Everyone was nodding. “Good. Now, Tyna, you saw the bodies at Sigur. I am not asking for a count of those bodies. But, when you met with this group, how many times bigger was it?”

“Four or five times bigger. I’m not sure though.”

“Ok, let us assume five times bigger. There were five thousand at Sigur. So, twenty five thousand was at this camp. If we are assuming the horde army is at fifty thousand, that means Tyna saw half of them. Where is the other half?”

Everyone started thinking. “The port towns!” Steve figured it out.

“Correct Steve, absolutely correct. Think about it. In Stalvinport, they were coming in with two ships a day, one for grain, the other for fish. It takes several days to sail to the first port town. Maybe a day longer since the ships are weighted down. So let’s say four days. Four days, times two ships per day, are eight ships. The flind told me that the port towns are already at capacity. That means, the harbors are full and busy. How many more ships do you think are at these port towns? They are supply lines. A typical commander will assign at least three ships for defense for each supply ship. This is a typical tactic for wagon convoys. So, if we take that same mentality, there are at least twenty four other ships loaded with troops and probably equipped for war. We have the two port towns closest. There are at least thirty two ships that could be now equipped for war. Calvin, that navy, is headed into a trap.”

Everyone was stunned. “Remember, there are least six port towns to the east. The horde army occupies these towns. So, the ships have been ‘given’ to them. There may be another thirty, if not fifty more nearby. That navy, is headed into a pure trap. Why? To be boarded. More ships. The crews are then killed with the survivors taken prisoner. The ships are sailed back to the port towns. Sixty ships, plus the forty, are one hundred ships. If each of them are loaded with the smallest of troops, let’s say the goblins, that we all know are archers-bad archers to be sure, but archers none the less, each of those ships could have over one hundred goblins in their holds. Ten thousand ready to sail against Stalvinport.”

Calvin blanched. The city, could be set ablaze from the port. And the defenses against land based troops is weaker there because of the whole port situation. “They will be slaughtered, the navy and the sitting army. They will burn.”

“Yes, that is my thought too. But there is something else. We have twenty five thousand here at this camp. We have ten thousand ready to board ships. Going with the assumption they have fifty thousand troops, and these six port towns have one thousand troops each defending it, that still leaves nine or ten thousand. Which direction were they going to go? The mountain and tunnel pass. This is the real reason why they attacked Sigur Fortress King Samos.”

Silence was in the common room. Everyone’s mood turned somber, even Tyna. “But, we blew up the mountain pass. It would take months to have that rubble cleared out. So, we are safe there right?” Durak looked at me with questioning eyes.

“Yes, I believe so. But that means, that roughly ten thousand additional troops can now be re-routed. And, I would say that half would be with the land attack, and half the river. So, thirty thousand on land, and fifteen thousand by water. And you can pack some mighty amount of goblins on those ships. So, a three point attack has been reduced to two points. That is a good situation. It will mean more forces at the remaining two points. If the goblins are going to be the navy, that means, the hobgoblins, orcs, gnolls, bugbears, ogres, and whatever else, will be the ground forces. Even if there are heavy losses here, or that we manage to destroy them here, there still would mean over fifteen thousand goblins coming in from the river.”

There was silence again in the room except that Kosser sneezed. “What, can we do? Something has to be done.” Calvin started pacing the room.

“It is something to think about. Fortunately, we have some time.”

“But not much. A month. The navy starts arriving tomorrow.”

“Then, we shall send someone to inform them. It would be best to inform them with an alternate plan.”

“I agree. But what would be that plan?”

All of us there were in thought. “Fire would always be good” said Durak

“Yes, but too many times, the fires come back you” I replied.

“True.”

“Maybe we could call out for more reinforcements, especially the naval kind?” Yimnak said with a touch of hope

Calvin responded to this one. “The troops and navies that are coming have been long allies to Stalvinport. We just do not have the resources for a call of a larger navy.”

“Damn.”

It was a quandary indeed. “Too bad it is out in the open water. We could of dropped a bit net on them, and then, when they are tangled, dispatch them.” Yirrik said that with a sigh.

Wait, a net? “Wait a second. Go on Yirrik.”

Yirrik was startled. “I said, too bad we couldn’t drop a net. They would get tangled up, and not able to move much. We could then easily dispatch them.”

A plan formulated inside my head. I checked the map. Yes, it could work. It could work very well!

“That’s it! We’ll net them!”

“Tor, you always are full of surprises, but come on. How are we going to drop a net on up to one hundred ships from above?”

“Tyna, Calvin, Kosser, what is the most narrow point of the river?”

They all looked at the map. Kosser pointed to a spot just over a mile east of Stalvinport. “There, that would be the most narrow end. The river is about one hundred yards across. The reason why, is that the river took eons of years to cut through the rock. Rock walls are at both sides. Tor, I’m with Samos. I do not see how you can drop nets that large on ships.”

“Samos, how good are your metalsmiths? And does the mountain here have iron that can be smelt and forged?”

“My metalsmiths are real good. Why, they can construct a platemail set of armor in a week. And yes, the mountain does have large deposits of iron. Are you saying we are going to build metal nets?”

“In a way. Steve, get me a quill and paper will you?” He fetched them and gave it to me. I sketched out the river at that point. “Ok, here is the river. We know they are going to be coming from the east. And our navy, in fact, Stalvinport, is a mile to the west. Ok, at one hundred yards, and knowing goblins, they are going to be like ten to twelve ships abreast. The will have to go slow, since the current is going to be against them. With me so far?”

Everyone nodded. “Ok. Now, what if here” I drew lines across the river “was large link chain? Like three or four of them, at different depths of the water. The chain would prevent these ships from going to Stalvinport. Then, here” I drew more lines about one hundred yards of the first two “we had three or four more, that operated with a crank here on this side of the river. We turn the crank, raising the chains on this side. In this way, we have then all of the ships from the goblins here in the middle. We can then dispatch them! With such close quarters, they will not be able to move much, turn around, or much else. We can then dispatch them with our navy. Each ship will have a small catapult and dozens of barrels of oil. You light the barrel, and on impact, the fire will spread to anything it hits. The boats won’t be able to go up or down river. Then here and here” I marked with X’s on both sides of the banks “we’ll have archers at both points firing into the ships, and taking care of any goblins that swim the cold waters trying to get away. So, what do you think?”

“Tor my boy, that is a fine plan! That is worthy of a mage trick!” Kosser slapped his knee and was grinning like a school boy.”

“It wasn’t my idea. It was Yirrik’s and Durak’s ideas”

“Yes, yes! It can work! We can drive iron rings as guides for the chain!”

Everyone started getting excited, putting the plan into solid tasks. I sat back and just watched now. I closed my eyes, trying to will those images I saw earlier back into my reality. After a few minutes, I gave up. I opened my eyes. Queen Falish was looking into my eyes. “Tor, are you ok?”

“I don’t know. Before becoming conscious, some images and words from people were coming back to me. But now, they are now just faded afterthoughts. I was trying to see if I could bring those back, or maybe new ones.”

“Don’t try to force them to come back. They will come back on their own.”

“Yeah, I figured that much. I was hoping to get lucky.”

“Well, for now, let us just concentrate on the tasks at hand. All right everyone, we do have a feast to prepare for do we not?”

“Yes, we do!”

It may seem strange that in the face of impending danger, we would take time to hold celebration. It isn’t that strange though. What is the use of living if you cannot celebrate it once in a while.

Calvin and Samos finished with the message and the orders for the navy. Durak and Yimnak were going to travel to Stalvinport in the morning. Falish, Talma, the kids, and Yirrik went outside to start preparations. Only Kosser was sitting there, smoking his pipe. “Something on your mind Kosser?”

“My boy, my mind always has something, in fact, many somethings. Right now, you are on my mind.”

“Me?”

“Yes Tor. I saw you when you were brought in. You should have been dead. But you didn’t die. I saw those wounds. You should have permanent injury, or at least, laid up for weeks. Now, you are sitting here. You are an oddity my boy.”

“If the few memories that came to me mean anything, I have been an oddity all my life.”

“Precisely. Oh, I do not mean this in a bad way. Among dwarves, you are a brute. But brutes do not possess discerning eyes, a keen mind, a wit, and wisdom. You possess all of these qualities. To top it off, while not like a troll, you heal from damage like no one I have ever seen. And, no matter where you go, you bring about change. To finish it, you do not recall yourself. An oddity indeed my boy. It is like you are meant to be here.”

“Kosser, there are a few odd things I could bring up too. But later.”

“Fair enough. I have many odd things about me.”

I stood up. My body was regaining some of its strength. “Calvin, Samos, finish your plans. Also, I imagine you both will need to draw up a plan to have forges and smelting gear here. Kosser, I think we need to walk to the newly built wall. I just want to make sure there is nothing we are missing.”

“All right Tor, no problem.”

“Tor my boy, you may be made for travelling, but, these old bones are not.”

“Kosser, if I thought it would be possible, you seem to be pulling my leg.”

He chuckled. “Very well. Let’s go.”

We left the house. And we were nicely greeted. As we got to the edge of the road, I was bumped from behind. Turning around, Griff was there. She cooed and put her head into my chest. I took a minute to scratch at her head. She was then rubbing her head against my chest. “Seems you got another lady that was worried about you.”

“Yes. Griff, do you want to walk with us?”

She squawked and pranced a bit. I took that as a yes. So, we went down east.

“Now my boy, what odd things did you want to bring up. Oh, don’t try to fool an old man.”

“I had no intention of fooling you. But I do respect your story you shared with me before. Have you made any progress with the scroll or the ruins?”

“Aye, I made much progress. Not much with the scroll, but I have made much with the ruins. There are old parchments I have found. These parchments, are more for historical purposes. It described more of the Great War, and how Archmage Stalvin put forth the final spell to defeat the enemy.”

“What was the enemy Kosser?”

“The troops, are much like what we are facing now. The enemy were groups of evil magi.”

“Much like what Tyna spoke about with this leader.”

“Aye. We are dealing with a magi leader.”

“Tell me Kosser. Were there any cults of worship by these evil magi?”

“A good question. And that is fairly unknown.”

We got to the wall. It was a damn good wall. Made out of blocks of stone, with steps leading to the top. The wall was eight feet tall, with three feet lowered towards the steps. From there, there were blocks that were placed so the archer slits were there. Gauging by this, about one hundred archers per half of the wall can sit there. Many more archers in the back can fire forward with hailstorm attacks. And the opening, can be defended easily with melee warriors. At the end of the western part of the wall, was the brook that ran through the farm. It could be defended against as well with several archer contingents. So, why am I bothered by this.

“It looks good. But, it seems small if we are facing an army of thirty five thousand.”

“Well, I thought that if we get in trouble, we can retreat back to Stalvinport.”

“Yes that was the plan. But, it would be nice we could bring down the mountain.”

“Tor, sometimes, it is best to stay with the plans you have brought forth.”

“So the tombs in the mountains are not broken?”

Kosser looked at me. “The myths. There are no tombs of thousands of dead dragons in those mountains Tor. Believe me, I have been looking. No, my reasoning is a bit more practical. It would be nice having an alternate route to Sigur Fortress once this business is done and the paths are cleared again.”

“I didn’t think that there were these tombs. And my wish was also a practical one. It is best to have a high ground advantage.”

“Well, these catapults, a couple could be built and put up there. There is certainly tactical advantage there.”

“Yes, but it isn’t enough. And if they bring giants again, that could be bad.”

“Couldn’t the archers take out the giants like you did?”

“Kosser, my bow, I fashioned it. And I based the bow off of my strength. Normal bows with normal arrows, would have a very difficult time with giants.”

“I didn’t consider that. Maybe another idea will come to us my boy. For now, let us be content with what we have.”

I nodded, but I was still uneasy. With thirty or thirty five thousand, and because they are being driven by pure fear by this leader, I could see them rushing forward with abandon. True, their losses would be heavy. But then, so would ours. And once we would be decimated, they will march onto Stalvinport. Even if the river plan works, and we manage to take out ten or even fifteen thousand here, we would still have twenty thousand march upon the city. There had to be something we could do.

We were walking back to the farm. “Kosser, any chance to find more revenants? We could use about ten more.”

Kosser chuckled. “Tor, what you found before was a once in a lifetime situation. And I can’t just conjure up a revenant and say ‘poof you are here now.’”

“It was worth a shot.” And, as luck would have it, a bird flew overhead and decided to drop its deposit on me. “Ewww.” I didn’t even see the bird in the air. And somehow, the bird droppings hit me. Amazing isn’t it.

“And now, you are going to need a bath.”

“Yeah I was going to…wait a second.”

“What?”

“Wait wait just a moment. A funny idea just hit me, and this bird’s droppings may have given us the clue we were looking for.”

“Ok…”

“We have a bird of our own. A rather large one, that can fly for miles at end and strong as an ox. What if, we had Griff drop blast bombs? They would have to be lighter than what we had. But it would cause the continual confusion we would need.”

“You know, that could work. Steve is the lightest of us.”

“No, Tyna is. She virtually weighs nothing. Plus, should something happen, Steve couldn’t fly. Tyna can.”

“True. Ok, so we have chains at the river, and big bird droppings from above here. Anything else we can add to this menagerie of madness?”

“Got any giants in those pouches?” I said this with a grin.

Kosser actually became thoughtful. “No, but I do have a couple of illusion spells. I can cast those if we feel we are going to be overrun to buy us some time.”

“That’s very good. Too bad we can’t find this staff you are looking for.”

“Hmm, maybe we can. Remember months ago, there was a favor I was going to ask of you? I found a huge stone door. But, I cannot open it. And magic cannot open it. Maybe, it is time for brute strength to see if it can be opened.”

“I will still need a couple of days to recover. I’m willing to try it though.”

“Best to wait a week my boy. I do not want Talma to get rough and tough with me.”

“Heh, true. She would have both of our asses in slings.”

We both chuckled. The staff of Archmage Stalvin. It is worth a shot. I’ll see about this stone door that Kosser found soon enough. We have our additional plans now though. Time to see if Tyna and Griff can get along. And, to explain the plan to Samos and Calvin. We will need much in the way of supplies. Calvin and Samos were organizing dwarves. I held up my hand. “Hold on guys, wrench in the plans.”

“Great, now what?”

“Actually, a good wrench, and these bird droppings inspired me. Samos, does the mountain have what is needed for blast powder?”

“I don’t know. We will need to investigate.”

“Ok. Do that. And we’ll need stone. We need to make more blast bombs. Smaller ones though, so that Griff will carry them. My plan is to have her carry each bomb, fly up in the air, and drop them into the army. It will cause additional confusion and casualties on their side.”

“A good idea. I’ll have scouts investigate the mountain both outside and inside tomorrow.”

“Good. As I said, a good wrench.”

“Yes indeed. We will add that to the list of tasks. Anything else your wild mind has come up with?”

“Indeed. I need to wash this crap off of me if we are going to have a feast.”

They all laughed. I went into the house, and into the washroom. I filled the tub with water. Low and behold, I looked underneath. There was a small forever fire there too. You know, I may not understand magic, but I sure as hell can appreciate it. I brought up the temperature. I went back to my room getting a switch of clothes and went back to the washroom. The water was just about there. I lowered the heat, and took off my clothes. In the mirror, I looked at myself. I flexed my left shoulder and tested my ribs again. Painful, but working. Well, this bath will help if nothing else. They do need to be relaxed. One thing I do need to take care of, is my beard. For the past several weeks, my hair and my beard have been left to their own devices. No more. After about fifteen minutes, I reviewed my own work, satisfied with the trimmings I had in place. I eased myself then into the water. The warmth of the water, made my body ache for a minute, and then, eased. So, Kosser found a stone door. Who knows where that leads to. Probably to a set of passages underneath. I laid back with my eyes closed. Wait, a set of passages? Goper had a map that a set of passages were inked in blood. I thought that it was for Alifax. Maybe, it wasn’t. Maybe it is for Cloverdale? That is something I’m going to have to bring up to Kosser. It would behoove to get hold of that map from Goper. It may be nothing, but it may be everything.

I almost fell asleep in the water. With the water constantly heated, there was very little desire for me to leave the tub. It felt good just having the water soak into my body, soothe my muscles and bones. But, most importantly, it felt like the water was sinking into my mind. It almost felt that the water was easing the mental and emotional stress I have been through. Well, whatever the case was, I allowed it. It may seem strange to allow this to happen. But like a crossbow loaded with the bolt continuously on there for, days, weeks, the string had a huge chance to break. You have to ease off the tension of the string to keep the string taunt when you need it to function. The body, mind, and spirit is like that too. You need to give it opportunities to release, lest you break. And, right now, this isn’t a time to break.

Sometime later, I did finally pull myself out of the water. I could hear some commotion outside. The darkening sky showed me that it was nearing the evening hours. Taking a couple of drying cloths, I made sure my hair and beard was merely damp. I combed them through, and then put on my clothes. Ok, I have regained my dwarfhood. I am not vain, but, I didn’t want to look like some ogre or mountain man.

I went back into the common room. Many people were going in and out of the house. I wondered about something: How are we going to hold this feast. Peeking outside, I saw how. There was an extremely large tent constructed. A feasting tent. Well, that should be interesting. I went to my room, and sat down on the bed. Yes, it is times like these that make going through hell worth it. I was about ready to get up when I heard a knock on the door. I went to the door and answered it. Before me, was a very weary Woodard. “Sir, please, come in.” He did come in. He took me by the shoulders and looked at me with tear stained eyes. “Tor, please, tell me. How did she die?”

How did who die? “Woodard, sit down. You caught me unawares. How did who die?”

“GloriAnn. How did my niece die?”

Crap on a shingle. GloriAnn was Woodard’s niece? “Woodard, I didn’t know she was your niece. Please, let me get you a drink. And then, I will tell you.”

He nodded. I got him some ale and warmed it a bit. I handed the mug to him. That is when Talma came into the door and saw Woodard. Her smile quickly faded with the pained expression on his face. “What’s wrong?”

“Talma, GloriAnn was Woodard’s niece. I was just told.”

A look of pure sorrow came to her face as she came to Woodard and embraced her mentor. He didn’t resist, and started to cry hard. An evening of celebration, just turned sour. Yimnak was going to recant the tale of it all. I needed to find him. “I’ll be right back, I promise.”

I went outside and scanned the area. I found Yimnak talking to his brother. I walked up. “Yimnak, we have a small problem. I need to speak with you. No, it isn’t secret. I just need to talk to you.”

“Of course commander. What is it?”

“I just found this out. GloriAnn, was the niece of the high cleric in Stalvinport. And he just arrived.”

“Oh no. We had no idea.”

“I know. Look, I know that tonight you are going to recant what happened in Sigur. When you do, just keep some sensitivity about it ok?”

“I will do so commander. I need to inform the kind and queen.”

“Yes, please do. Ok, I need to get back. He wants to speak to me.”

The brothers both nodded to me and went off. I too, went back to the house. I re-entered the house. Woodard regained some composure. “I’m sorry. I had to make an arrangement for this evening.”

“I understand. I did not mean to come here and ruin joyous times. But I found out this morning. I had to come and find out. Tor, please, if you are half of the man I think you to be, tell me what happened.”

“I can do no less Woodard.” I spent a few minutes telling him of how I met GloriAnn, what I found out had happened to her, how she came back to Sigur. This is where I stopped for a moment. “Woodard, I do not know your religion well. I do not know if the following will be pleasing at all. Please bear with me ok?” He nodded. I told him how she went out of the gate. How she had fought. And how earnest she had fought. In the end, she found peace, she found solace, and she found her retribution. How she yelled Retribution before I completely blacked out. “Yimnak saw it all, and will be telling the tale at tonight’s celebration. Are you up to attending?”

He had regained some more of his composure, and smiled a little. “Yes, I will be all right. Cuthbert has already welcomed her with open arms. Even in undeath, she was true to herself. It just overwhelms me that my brother passed away some months ago, and now his daughter-my niece. However, her end she had faced full on. My brother, was cursed. And he wasted away before me. Nothing I could do could heal him.”

That must have been one hell of a potent curse. If Woodard couldn’t break it, what kind of curse could that be. “Woodard, this may be very sensitive, and if so, just tell me. How did your brother become cursed”?

“I do not exactly know. He wouldn’t tell me. He wanted to protect me from the fate that had befallen him. He said he was going through some old items that were in a warehouse, and he had deeply imbedded his hand. At first, I thought it was just an infectious wound. But, there was more to that. It resisted all forms of the healing arts. It would not be over turned. It seemed that not only did the strength of his body leave him, but his soul was siphoned away. I’m sorry I cannot be more descriptive or know more of what happened. It vexes me to this day still.

“Old items in a warehouse? Which warehouse?”

“There is a hold for items that were never claimed or that was involved in committed crimes. It is the warehouse by the fishery you discovered the flind was doing his business.”

“Interesting. Woodard, I would like to travel with you tomorrow and investigate this warehouse, if you are up to it that is.”

“I should be.”

“Good. I also would understand if your heart is too heavy to join us shortly.”

“No, I will come. GloriAnn often spoke highly of these dwarves. I would like to get to know them.”

“Fair enough. Then, in a few minutes, I think all will be ready.”

“It should be ready now Tor. I think they are waiting on us. I was coming to get you.”

“Ah, I understand. Then, let us not keep them waiting any longer.”

I will admit, I was a little concerned. The dwarves were in a happier place and time right now. And I did not know if Yimnak was going to tell the tale of the battle in a humorous light or not. At first, I would not minded if it was humorous. I found aspects of the battle myself to be so. But now, Woodard is here. I did not want this man to have his grief added by ridicule and humor. However, I had to trust in Yimnak and the rest of my brethren.

The celebration started out very civil and pleasant. Everyone had gotten their plates full of different meats, vegetables, breads, and the ale was ever flowing. Woodard even partook is some food. I took this as a hopeful sign. In a far corner, Samos and Kosser were conversing and devising something. I would of went over to them, but I had a constant stream of dwarves coming to me, thanking me, giving me small trinkets as thanks. I didn’t want to be rude, so I was polite about it. I never wanted praise like this. Their feelings true and genuine. They were alive again, this time in mind and spirit, not just the body. I noticed in one part, Griff was actually laying down. Dwarven children were dancing around her and giving her strips of raw meat. She always took the meat with the utmost gentleness. I guess, being a mother and a protector, she took to these kids as new wards to protect and adore.

Everyone started to settle down. Several of the dwarves had moved blocks to a point in the back center as like a raise platform. Yimnak clambered up on the blocks, and motioned everyone to settle down.

“Everyone, I know a week of waiting has gone by. Everyone wants to know what happened on the night we fled from Sigur Fortress. To have a proper telling of this tale, it is necessary to start at the beginning. So that is what I will do.”

“For months, we have all despaired. We knew of the growing threat around us, and felt isolated and alone. In those months, we sent for aid, but aid never came. Each one of us, felt dejected, abandoned, each day passing with losing hope in our hearts. We would never give up, but each day, the grip of loss and death was becoming more apparent. Our crafters took up their hammers, forged us arms and armor, forged for us great weapons to fend off this looming threat, reinforced our walls and gates, reinforced our homes. Our hunters, trappers, and gatherers worked hard as well, making sure our larders were full, to brace for the oncoming storm. We were ready; we were going to make our ancestors proud. Sigur Fortress may fall, and we may die, but we were going to leave our mark on this world.”

“The attacks came. Thousands vs hundreds. Many would think it was a fool’s folly and that we were the fools. We were dwarves though. We are no one’s fools. We fought back, drove them back, day by day, we did not yield. Even when we weakened and breach was going to happen, some of our dearest blood was spilled and lost that day. Tomak and his elite guard drove them back, winning the day. I was there when Tomak fought. Until recently, I never had seen a fiercer fighter ever fought. His axe would not yield. He and his guard wrought forth from the gate, bringing the fury of our plight straight to the enemy called the horde. We did not win that battle, but neither did we lose. When Tomak’s body was pierced with no less than two dozen arrows, he still showed that spirit that is in us. He saluted us, and with a smile, fell forward, his place secure among the gods. In the night, we recovered Tomak and his heroes. That is when Yirrik was determined to get his brother. When confronted by a dozen, he was blessed by the gods and blasted them away from himself and his beloved brother. Fate seemed cruel when a chance arrow struck him in his spine. He was nearly through our passage with the gate, when that arrow struck him. Barely alive, we recovered him. And in those days ahead, we then despaired. We would not yield however. It would make their sacrifices in vain. Even in the face of defeat looming over us, we would not give. We all prayed, wondering why we were abandoned by all, forsaken by all, left to die by all.”

“Then, the army abated. We wondered by this, why did many retreat to the east. That is when Tor came among us. Through his steel, his will, his strategy and wit, he eased the attacks of the army and caused over half to withdraw. Was this a glimmer of hope, or the calm before the oncoming storm. None of us knew. But he knew. Tor knew that we were to survive through this plight. He was our will that we had lost. He was our steel when ours had softened. He was our pillar when our mountain had crumbled. I was with Tor since he came to Sigur. I marveled by him, awed by him. He devised us plans that we never thought of. He fought with the spirit of a thousand demons, such of which I never witnessed. He stared down the eyes of giants, and the giants were felled. The hordes looked upon him, and they quivered with fear. Never have I seen this before. A mountain among men.”

“Yet, there is another side to Tor. A wisdom that only the songwriters speak of in odes. This dwarf Tor, who would be a walking god among us, always had a kind word, gave us back our steel, our mettle, our dignity. He always wanted nothing for himself, only for others. Even now, I cannot understand what motivates him. I only wish that one day, I may understand it, and continue with that drive.”

“But, there is a wondrous example of this force called Tor. This is where his wisdom, and even bigger than his great body, his heart, came into light. When in the passages, I thought all was lost when our eyes fell upon a high undead. My brother and I were full of fear and despair. But Tor, never feared. He went forth, and talked to undeath walking. He understood it, and wanted to know more. That is when we learned, that fate was crueler to one than us. A woman, that we known well in life: the healer and savior of Sigur Fortress GloriAnn. She was unjustly killed by those who besieged us. And Fate played a most cruel joke: she was to roam to find her killer. It was this undead creature, that people should most fear, that roamed the ancient passages. Tor recognized this, and rather than take pity, helped her, led her, back to do just what she was cursed with.”

“But when we found out, where we thought our sorrow couldn’t be greater, we learned that the one who helped us through plague and death, walked as a mockery of life. And that she was returning to us, helping us once more.” At this point, the dwarves, took to the same hymn that they sung the morning we were coming back.

“This is when she was given a mercy, a mercy never heard from the sages. She was given a day of life. In her undeath, she helped cure our prince Yirrik from his plight. GloriAnn could of easily turned her back to us. But she did not. She remembered who she was, and what she loved in life. She had a day of reprieve from her torment. But as night started to come, the energies that made her walk came upon her. That night, I gave a small prayer, thanking her for the sacrifice she was about to make. That once again, our savior came back to us. That we would be given the chance that she was never given.”

Yimnak turned to address me. “Tor, what you have done, we can never repay you. But as great as your exploits were, there is another that has our hearts. She may have died, but her spirit will continue with us.” He turned to Woodard. “Sir, my words may seem hollow and cold, but know our hearts, are warm. We will never take this day and each day forward in vain or in pettiness. Your wonderful niece, showed us truth. Even in that day, that she came to us cursed, know that we see her only in the beauty and light that she deserves.”

I do not think there was a dry eye in the tent right now-mine included. Gathering himself up, Yimnak then started to sing.

“In a land most cold…with the enemy being bold”

“Our blood being shed…by a evil cruelly led”

“Darkness has fallen…and death came callin”

“But in our time of need…she heard our plea”

“She looked at death…ignored its breath”

“She took our fallen…her kindness callin”

“She remembered life…succumbing to strife”

“She walked in a lady…her grief turned fury”

“Where she walked…evil began to balk”

“Where she fought…retribution wrought”

“When battle was done…she wholly won”

“When her body fell…her spirit let loose and sailed”

“Today, we live life once more…our spirits now soar”

“Tonight we feast…but in honor of the deceased”

“GloriAnn we remember…her heart most tender”

“Tonight we swear…to hold her forever dear”

Yimnak’s tears were flowing. So were everyone else. With difficulty, King Samos brought up a wooden plaque of his crest, but there was an adjustment. There was the face of GloriAnn, when in life, and with a cudgel underneath her face. “Everyone, we proudly pledge to forever remember her, our heroes who had fallen, and give our deepest respects, to her uncle, who is with us, who honors us with his presence. We shall never forget the second chance she has given to us. And we shall pledge, that should he or one of the cudgel seeks aid from us, we shall never deny it. We do swear.”

“We do swear!” Every single one of the dwarves said this. To have a dwarven pledge like this, is the highest form of honor to have ever given. Queen Falish walked over to Woodard, and hugged him. He was just about a man completely gone at this point, so overwhelmed with emotion. King Samos and Prince Yirrik joined the queen, and all of the dwarves gathered around. At this point, night had fallen, and a gentle breeze blew through. This breeze was not of the cold winter, but warm, almost caressing through the skin. Another such breeze came through, and then another. That is when I noticed, it was a full moon. Wait, it was a blue full moon. I leapt up and looked towards the southeast sky. Tears threatened to form at my eyes. The others followed, and saw what I saw. In the stars, was the visage of a woman’s face smiling. A shooting star came across like a tear drop. Woodard was near me. “What does this mean?”

In broken words I recited GloriAnn’s words: “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.”

A silence fell over everyone from my words. This night, was a night full of tender mercies and kindness. “Rest well and be happy Lady GloriAnn. Few ever have lived to deserve this more than you.” I hung my head, as did everyone else. This night, was a night fulfilled. Woodard asked “What does this means?”

I turned to Woodard. “It means, we are not abandoned or forsaken. It means, we will get through this, and that good days are to come again. That, is what all of this means.”