A Dwarf's Tale: Will of a Silver Coin

I walked my way to the fisheries. There were two here in Stalvinport. You would think there would be competition on prices with two of them. But when I got there, Tyna the pixie was absolutely correct. The price of fish, all kinds of fish, was ridiculously high. In fact, it would be much cheaper to buy farm meat that fish. I am no fisherman, except for what I dabbled with at the farm. But the quality of fish here, were not all that good. And, as Tyna said, there were fishers loading up a ship with barrels and barrels of smoked fish. So does that mean the premium fish is being shipped out for a higher price? I stopped one of the fishers. “Excuse me, but I noticed you do not have smoked fish for sale. I would like to purchase one of these barrels.”

“Sorry sir. This barrel, along with all of the others, have already been bought and paid for.”

“Really? You couldn’t let go one of the barrels for double of the price?”

“Sorry sir. Can’t do that. It would be bad for business.”

“I understand. Well, can’t blame me for trying.”

“Not at all. I wish I could help you. But the boss would have my hide.”

“Again, I understand. Where may your boss be? Perhaps I could negotiate something for the future?”

He nodded and pointed to a small office building next to the warehouse. “His name is Lankin sir.”

“I thank you. You have been most helpful.”

“Yes sir. If you would excuse me, I have work to do.”

“Of course, again, thank you for your help and time.”

The fisher nodded. I made my way to the office. When I neared the door, I could hear a quarrel. I stopped at the door and listened.

“That is absurd! I am already depleting my warehouse as it is with your orders. I cannot do that.”

“You can and you will. Unless you want the money to stop.”

“It isn’t just about money. You came here, and at first, I was happy. This is always the slow season. And yes, the money is good. But I cannot deplete the warehouse any further. There would be no fish left for Stalvinport.”

“Gold does not care about your town. Maybe you do. Maybe I’ll go take my business elsewhere, and never buy here again.”

I am going to assume the one resisting is Lankin. The other voice, was guttural. Not quite human I would say.

“Course, I go back and tell the leader you are being stubborn, there may be prices to pay other than gold.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“No. I am just telling you what may happen Lankin. The leader is not a forgiving type.”

“There are other fisher villages along the river. You can get the additional supplies there.”

“The villages to the east are already under our control. They already produce what they can.”

Under our control? Leader? I debated on waited at the door to still hear more, or barge in and wrest this creature to the ground for more information. I choose the latter-for the moment.

“Then there is little I can do more.”

“There is much we can do. You would be wise to continue to do business with me. When Stalvinport falls, I can put in favor to our leader to have you and your men spared from the brutality.”

I heard enough. I busted through the door. “Stalvinport will not fall fiend. Not while I have something to say about it.”

Surprise was on my side. There was a man at a desk, and a dog like creature standing upright over six feet covered in brown fur. I went straight after it, landing a fury blows into chest. I knocked it down, and continue to batter the dog like face.

“What are you doing? Stop stop! You are going to get us all killed!”

I felt arms behind me. Lankin was trying to stop me. I picked up Lankin and threw him against the wall. I turned my attention back to the dog like creature. It was trying to get up, pulling out a mean looking club. I kicked its arm holding the club. It yowled in pain much like a dog. I came up to it, wrapping my arms around its chest, and started to squeeze the very breath out of him. The dog like creature tried to beat me away, but I was having none of it. After a minute, the body went limp in my arms. The creature passed out. I set him down in a chair.

The commotion drew several fishers. They started to enter. I held up my hand. “Get Bram and Tomas immediately! Do it now!” One of them scurried off. I pulled out some rope and secured the dog creature in the chair. Satisfied, I turned to Lankin. He was knocked unconscious by me throwing him against the wall.

“What happened here. Did the boss get attacked by that thing?”

“No, I did it.”

The two fishers’ demeanors turned bad. I held up my hand. “Unless you want to end up like these two, I would stop if I were you. Let’s have Bram and Tomas arrive first. There are foul things afoot fellows.” That stopped them. They were thinking about it. Good, let them think. I didn’t want to hurt innocent men. But if they attacked me, I had no problems defending myself.

“Ok, we’ll get the boss sitting though.” I nodded. I had no problems with that. The only reason I threw him so there wasn’t a chance to let thing dog thing escape. This creature had answers. I was going to ask questions. Simple.

About ten minutes later, Bram and Tomas came in. “What’s going on?”

“A very bad situation Bram. Give me a minute to explain. I was going to speak with Lankin here about a purchase, when I came up to the door. These two were talking. I heard this dog creature say that Stalvinport is going to be attacked soon, and that it was trying to negotiate with Lankin about purchasing more fish. This has been happening for a long while. Your fisher here, has been fueling the army horde to the east. I barged in, took it down. Lankin tried to stop me, so I threw him against the wall. I didn’t want this creature to escape.”

Bram’s demeanor softened with me, but was harsh as hell with these other two. Tomas ferried the other fishers out the door and closed it. Bram took a pitcher of water and splashed it in the face of the creature. It awoke, spluttering and coughing. It struggled a bit in the chair, but noticed that it was securely bound, stopped moving. A weird grin came across its face. “I see dead men in front of me.”

“Way I see it flind, I would be concerned about your life if our roles were replaced.”

It laughed. “Kill me if you want. I do not care. I will be rewarded well even in death.”

“Let’s start again. You are with the horde army to the east are you not?”

It stayed quiet. I moved in. “No sense in staying quiet dog. I heard you myself.”

“Then, why is this human asking me?”

I struck it across the face. I did not like this thing. It yowled again. “Every smart ass thing you say, that isn’t a direct answer to Bram here, I will show you pain that you never ever imagined thing. Do we have an accord?”

“I don’t care. Kill me if you want. You are all soon to be dead men.”

I looked at Bram. “Maybe you will get answers from Lankin. This thing won’t talk right now. I’ll bring him to the other room. Give me five minutes, it will talk.”

Bram nodded his agreement. I picked up the chair with the dog creature still tied to it. I had a foul mood all of a sudden. I do not know why. At the moment, I did not care why. I opened the door and set down the chair. Closing the door, I turned to the dog creature. “You may be brave with humans about thing, But, I assure you, I will get my answers.”

“You can try dwarf. You can try.”

In response, I punched it in the groin. It let out a most deafening shriek. Its eyes were bulged. “Do you want me to try harder dog? Perhaps with a serrated dagger this time?”

It had to get a minute to recover. I was satisfied. The brave demeanor had dropped some. I saw glimpses of fear in its eye. “You said out there dog that you will be rewarded even in death. But how about being maimed? How about I break every bone in your arms, legs, make you unable to have any more-pups? I will blind you, cut out your tongue, burn the fur off of your body. Your ears though, you will hear perfectly fine. As I hang you in the middle of the town, so that the town people can see how pitiful of a creature you are. And you will hear every jeer, every word, every action, pelted by rocks and sticks by the kids, used as a plaything for humans here. Would you like that dog? You have exactly one minute to think it over.”

I sat down in a chair right across from this flind. I waited exactly a minute. I could see its mind working feverishly. It gave a small nod. “Good. First question I have. Do you know about the attack of the dwarves under a mountain not too far from here?

It nodded. “Yes. We were ordered to attack the dwarves. They put up much resistance. We lost many that day.”

Good, I was getting answers. “What is your name? I do not care if you make up a name. Something to call you other than dog-though, I do not mind just calling you dog. Maybe bitch too.”

“Dirak.”

“Ok Dirak. Now, who ordered you to attack the dwarves?”

“Our leader did. They posed a threat.”

“What was the threat?”

“They were coming to aid the eastern towns. The leader couldn’t allow that. One of the towns was a dwarven town in the east near the mountains.”

So, we were coming to help fellow dwarves out. Made sense. “Go on.”

“We lost nearly one thousand that day. But, it was better than having the dwarves organized.”

“Has this dwarven town fallen?”

“Not yet, but it will soon.”

“How large is this dwarven town?”

“About five hundred.”

“How many is in your horde army?”

“I command a legion of one thousand gnolls. My legion is a drop in the army.”

“And how many in the army?”

“Too many to count. And that is the truth.”

This Dirak, had a very good vocabulary. And already, it has told me much. “When is the attack on Stalvinport going to happen?”

“Soon. We have no idea when. The leader did not tell us.”

“Who is this leader?”

“The leader is the Leader. We do not know names. We do not know how he looks like. The Leader is always in black.”

In black? “What do you want of Stalvinport?”

“The Leader wants it. Good strategy point. Good harbor, walls for defense. The Leader shall have it. I do not mind telling you these things. It will do you no good.”

I considered this. A legion of one thousand gnolls would be bad enough for Stalvinport. But to have that be a mere fraction of the total forces in the east, this bothered me greatly. It also bothered me that there is a dwarven town east of here that is besieged. The only reason why it hasn’t fallen, is that the horde army is not centralized. If it becomes too much of a nuisance, I could see the whole legion gather together and drop it like a bad habit.

“So you buy up supplies here and pay a lot for it.”

“What of it? When we attack, we shall recover all of the money and more.”

It was a good strategy to be sure. Drain the town of food resources, then, besieged it. I wonder if that is what happened with the eastern towns. Probably did, and it was too late to turn them back.

Bram entered the room, Tomas as well with Lankin in chains. “So, does the flind speak?”

“Yes. His name is Dirak, and he is a general of one thousand. The horde is probably fifty times that amount. They are taking over the eastern towns. Currently, there is a dwarf town of five hundred besieged there too. They are buying food supplies to fuel that army, and then, they are going to come to besiege the city.”

“Is this true flind-Dirak?”

“Every word of it. The dwarf here listens good.”

Bram blanched. I couldn’t blame him-he’s only human.

“Tomas, alert the guard. Send messengers to the surrounding lands. We will need much help with this threat. When are they coming Durak?”

“Soon. Nothing has been ordered yet.”

“So, there is still time. We will need to secure the city.”

“No do not do that.”

Bram looked at me as if I lost my mind. “This flind has entered your city. That means, there are spies about too. If you start making preparations now, it will alert the spies. You may force the horde army to step up on the timetable. Right now, we have guile and surprise on our side. Send the messengers out yes, but do not do anything else. We do not need to tip our hand yet that we know of what is going on. We have the east patrolled. If something happens, you will be alerted extremely quickly. How long do you need to lock down the city?”

“A day. That is also getting the outer citizens into the city.”

“Fine. You will get that day’s notice and time.”

The flind looked at me. “What do you hope to do? You are but one dwarf against thousands. You give this human false hope and promise.”

I took its chin in my hand and squeezed hard. “I never, ever, give false promise. If I say Bram has a day, he will have a day.”

“Wait a minute Tor. If there are spies about, won’t they notice that we entered this place? And how do we get these two out?” Tomas had a real good couple of questions.

“The spies may or may not be watching. That is a risk we’ll have to take. But, as to getting these two out, that’s simple. Get a couple of fishers with a couple of empty fish barrels. Stuff them in, and take them out. Play a switch game to confuse them, and take them both into the city and in the cells.”

“Boy, remind me to not get on your bad side Tor.” He secured Lankin in a chair, opened the door, and yelled to a couple of fishers.

“Bram, I’m leaving and entrusting you with both of them. Have the ship continue its schedule. We have to play for time. I’m going back. I need to make preparations.”

“Preparations for what?”

“To save a town full of my brethren. If I can get them freed and to come here, that will be additional forces you can count on.”

Dirak looked at me. “You are one dwarf. How can you hope to even come back alive.”

I looked at the flind. “You see, I’ve been dead before Dirak. I came back. Did it once, I can do it again. There is something you do not understand Dirak. I survived that attack in the mountains. And now, payback is not only mandatory. But it is going to be a righteous bitch. Your kind killed my brethren. For every dwarf killed, I will kill one thousand of you. But don’t worry. You will not die. In fact, in a few days time, you will be freed to tell your Leader, Retribution has landed to Stalvinport. And Retribution is going to travel east to meet this Leader and pay him back in kind.”

With that, I saw the awed expression on its face. I nodded to the two men and left the office. I meant every word that I said. However, how I was going to do this, I have no idea-yet.

I went back to the heart of the city. At the stables, I purchased a durable stout pony. If I fail in this venture, I want nothing to give away Calvin or his family. I also purchased several large bottles of greek fire, some dried meats, and rope. I started to have a plan in mind, several in fact. With my purchases intact, I left the city and headed back to the farm.

Why was I doing this? Was it truly retribution? In part yes. I was going to make these humanoid bastards pay dearly for what they had done to my brethren. I also looked at this as this leader was, at the core, a bully. Conquering all lands, not giving a damn on all of the lives wrecked, killed, the lands devastated. But something else gnawed at me. It was beyond this. I couldn’t put it into words or thoughts. Just feelings really. For a few minutes I actually found a perverse humor in this. ‘One dwarf, going against an army.’ When you think about it, this was a ridiculous situation. What can one dwarf, or one of anything really, do against thousands in an army?

“Anything he can.” That was a voice that actually said this in my head. Anything I can. And it was true. I was going to do anything I can. And everything I can. Stalvinport is quietly requesting reinforcements from neighboring town and cities. It will take some time for these forces to get here. So, that means, I had to buy them time. I had no problems with this. Also, a town of my brethren laid siege. Standard tactics of an army, would be to put down all opposition first. Then, you have opportunity to go forward. As long as that dwarven town held, they would hesitate to move against Stalvinport. It is also winter. An advancing army can be easily seen against the snow. That means, when they do decide to move forth, it will be at night. All of this, were tactics to use against them.

I came back to the farm. It was early evening. I was greeted when I arrived. The grimness on my face must of shown. “What’s wrong Tor?” Talma looked at me with concern. “Trouble, pure and simple. Gather everyone in the common room. Also, have Steve get Kosser. We have a huge problem on our hands.”

“I’ll get him Tor.” Steve overheard me, was putting on his winter clothes and doing exactly that.

“What’s going on Tor?”

“Calvin, please, let’s wait for Steve and Kosser to return.”

He nodded, confused. In the meantime, I asked Talma for smaller flasks, which she produced and gave me. I poured the greek fire into smaller flasks. I was very careful not to spill any. Putting stoppers on them, I wedged long bits of cloth as well. The rope, I coiled them and put it securely in a backpack. Just as I finished, I heard the front door open and close. I assume that was Steve and Kosser. I left my room and went into the common room. Just as I wanted, they were all seated.

“I am glad you all are here. Earlier today, I escorted Jason and his family back to town. From there, I wandered Stalvinport. Along the way, I met a pixie that told me some things. She told me that the fisheries were constantly loading barrels of fish and grain and shipping them out. I thought it was a bit strange since winter is upon us. When I went to see the head fisher, he was in quarrel with someone. I heard of the horde army to the east, and that they have eyes on Stalvinport. I barged in, took them prison, and waited for Bram and Tomas to arrive. It was a flind that was there. He is a general of a thousand gnolls, which is a small part of this horde army. He did confirm that they will be heading this way. When, is still the question.”

“This, is terrible news Tor.” Kosser actually lit his pipe in the common room.

“It gets better. Apparently, my clan, was coming to the aid of one of the dwarven towns still holding out against the army. That is why they were slaughtered, to prevent reinforcements. Well, I intend to go to this dwarven town and help them.”

“You’ll be killed! Don’t do it!” Stella actually got up, ran, and hugged me. I hugged her back, but gently undid her embrace.

“That is a possibility. But right now, there are much bigger concerns Stella. I need all of you to listen. I have formulated a set of plans, that each of you will need to pay attention. Please let me finish with my plans, and then, let’s all discuss this situation ok?”

They all nodded. I smiled. “Thank you.”

“The first part, is to alert Stalvinport. I talked to Bram and Tomas. They said they will need one day to prepare. Right now, I am hoping that the spies in Stalvinport do not suspect anything. But, we have to remain on guard. This farm, is the very eastern point. I’ve been to the east. Fortunately, there is a pass between the mountains nearby and the stream that is only fifty yards wide. With Griff patrolling, that should give us the indications and signal we need. So, her patrolling the skies, will be crucial. It is also winter, so, that means, sound and sight will be to their disadvantage. This also means that they will likely advance when night has fallen. This also means, we will have to get some scouts from Stalvinport.”

“No you don’t silly. I’m already here.”

I was startled, as was everyone else. Tyna, the pixie librarian, was in the room.

“I will watch the pass. As you can tell, not many can notice me. Talma and I are long time friends. When I heard you are with them, and I also heard and saw everything that you did, I made up my mind right there. The library is closed for the winter.”

“Tyna! Good to see you!”

Talma and Tyna hugged each other. “My my, these kids of yours have really gotten big haven’t they.” She turned to look at me. “There is no arguing Tor. I’m your scout. Now go on with your plan.”

I nodded. The pixie was an excellent choice. She was smart, fast, nearly undetectable. She would be ideal. “Good, and thank you Tyna. Ok, to go on with my plans. Once this army is spotted, Tyna will come here and inform all of you. Each of you will have the following goals and tasks.”

“Calvin, Talma, you all will need to pack up everything fast. Gather what food, your horses, and all livestock possible. I know that not all of them can be saved and moved. But, you will need to get as much of it out of here as possible. David, you will need to take a horse, and go quickly to all of the farms, houses, and other places between here and Stalvinport. You will need to let them know about the army. They will need to evacuate to the city. Stella, this one is precious to me. Griff and her eggs. Prepare a wagon to put the eggs in. Make sure they are secure and warm. Hitch a horse, and get to Stalvinport. I do not know how Griff will act. Oh she won’t hurt us, but I do not know if she will be with you and her eggs, or, will she see the army as what they are, attackers, and attack them. I will try to communicate with Griff before I leave, try to make her understand. But, we can no let harm come to her children. Steve, you need to get Kosser. Between you two, you will need to slow the army as best as possible. How, I do not know. I do not know arcane. But, with this advance warning, I’m sure you two can come up with nice plans to slow them down. Tyna, I hope can help in slowing them too. We will need as much time as possible. Above all else, do not be heroes. If you feel you are about to be overrun, turn tail, and head to Stalvinport. We will have a much better chance to defense there.”

“Don’t be heroes? Yet, you are about to go out there to a besieged dwarf town. Are you out of your damn mind?” Calvin exclaimed. I could see genuine concern.

“Calvin, everyone, please, let me finish. Even though it looks like I am going for revenge, which, in part, I am, my thoughts are much more complete. If I can help that town, and get them to evacuate, I can lead them here. That pass a few miles east. And remember, the tunnels there with the large cavern. We can use that as a garrison. It will be more forces that they will have to overcome and get through that pass to advance to Stalvinport. If done right, that pass, properly fortified, can hold off an army.”

Talma nodded. She saw the wisdom of my plan. “Yes, if you could get the dwarves here, and anyone else, it will add to the defense. The young and the elderly, can stay here and in the barns. We’ll make room for them. But Tor, as good as your plan is, and as good of a warrior you are, how are you going to free those dwarves?”

“I must admit, I do not know. But they will not be expecting anyone from their flanks. I will have surprise on my side.”

“Perhaps my boy. The only part about your plan is what Talma brings up that I see fault.”

“Yes. That is why I am going with you Tor.”

“No, Calvin, you are not. Think about this. I am a dwarf. If they see you, as a human man, there with me, that will give alert. If I am captured or killed, it will only mean I am a dwarf from that town. It will not alert that Stalvinport is onto them. Also, if you go, you jeopardize not only yourself, but your family here too. I will not have Talma a widow or these kids fatherless. You know it to be true. My reasoning is sound.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it!”

“Calvin, there is more. When you reach Stalvinport, you were the former captain of the guard. More than likely, your savvy will be needed. You will go from former captain, to general, if not the outright commander. Not only does your family need you, but the whole land does.”

“Dad, Tor is right.” David piped up now. “Everything that Tor has said is purely rational. Also, the surrounding towns will rally if they know you are there.”

“Exactly David. I’m counting on it. I am also counting on that there will be a sizable navy formed. This horde army has port towns to the east under their control. They may also be arriving by boat too. A two prong attack. Calvin, you told me the stories of your past. You are a general and an admiral. Please think it through.”

“I am thinking it through. And damn you Tor for it. My heart wants to go with you. All you have said though makes sense.”

I nodded and clasped his hand. “I am guessing at something else too. Your ancestor, was Archmage Stalvin wasn’t he?”

He was shocked, as was everyone else, save Kosser. Kosser smiled. “I knew my boy you were not thick skulled. Yes, Calvin Randoss is the unknown heir to Cloverdale.”

“That leads me to something else, now that you brought it up Kosser. Why are you searching for the massive destruction spell that the ancients of Cloverdale used?”

“I am not searching for that. I am searching for something else. There was a staff of great power that Archmage Stalvin had. That staff, is one of the many reasons why I am here. It was long thought to be destroyed in the final battle. But, I do not think so. I think that staff exists. Stalvin was no fool. He always had a backup plan. I’m looking for it.”

“I see. Well, you have limited time to find it.”

“Quite right Tor. And speaking of time, I have something here that might help you with your time out east.” He seemed to pull something out of a pouch, but I couldn’t see it. And then, he partially disappeared.

“Ooh, an invisibility cloak! “ Tyna exclaimed excitedly.

“Yes dear little Tyna. Tor, this should help you get to your dwarves. Also Tyna, since you are going to be a scout for us, I can make you a small domicile out in the pass. I can lay in a couple of traps and alerts too.”

This is starting to turn out a little brighter. I knew the old man had a lot of tricks still up his sleeves and pouches. Someone that went after vampires, didn’t leave themselves open and defenseless. “Thank you. I’ll return you the cloak.”

“My boy, if we live through this, I’ll be glad if the only thing lost is the cloak.”

“True. Again, many thanks Kosser. Ok, is there anything else that anyone can add to this scheme?”

No one did. I think everyone was still trying to process all the information. I had the opportunity of a ride back here to digest all of the information.

“Ok. Kosser, Tyna, I need an estimate on how far this town is and what to expect on the way. Stella, can you follow me into the barn? We will need to try to communicate with Griff.”

Stella nodded, holding back a few tears. We went toe the barn and opened the door. Griff was in her nest, preening herself. “Griff, we need to talk.” Griff cooed at both of us. We sat near her. “Griff, this will be hard, but we’ll try. At east,” I pointed in the direction of east, “lot of bad people coming. They hurt. They kill. They are too many to fight. They will come here soon. When they come, Stella gets your eggs. She put in wagon with horse. She will go away to west, “I pointed to the west,” You go with Stella. You protect Stella and eggs. Do you understand?”

Griff got up, looked at both of us intently. She walked over to the door, then back to us, then at a wagon that was inside of the barn, then back over to us. She lowered her head down to Stella and nudged it. She seemed to have understood! Stella scratched Griff’s head, and then hugged her. Griff did something that I’ve never seen her do. She took her right claw, and ever so gently, hugged Stella. I did not realize the two bonded together so well.

“Good Griff. At daytime, look and patrol when hunting. If see many people from east that is not like Stella or me, come here. Let everyone know. Understand?”

Griff let go of Stella and walked over to me, with her head bowed. Such a fantastic animal she is. I went down to her level, and hugged her head. “Good Griff. Live, protect, raise children. That is what you have to do.”

I got up, and nodded. “Ok, the plan is set. Now, I have to prepare. Tomorrow morning is when I am leaving. But first, I need to go and seek the peace of my brethren. I have to go to where they lay, and ask for their help. I’ll return in several hours Stella.”

She nodded, and then hugged me. “Stay safe. Please.”

I smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek. I left the barn, and headed towards that mountain tunnel I exited a long while ago. I am not a faith filled person. In this case, I couldn’t see it being a bad idea. Also, I was hoping that my actions would bring satisfaction to those in the afterlife.

I came to the tunnel mouth, and proceeded inside. After about a mile, the temperature actually got warmer. I undid my coat a little, and proceeded. I got to thinking how I was going to accomplish my goal. The chances are slim I will succeed alive. That much is certain. But, if I can get most if not all of the dwarves to retreat back to this area, not only would they be better protected and have a more defensive position, they would have reinforcements. This tunnel area, can serve well to be a temporary home as well. Goblins, hobgoblins, orcs, and gnolls all banded together. It was a bad dream come true. Any one of these groups can put together a sizable army. To have all of these groups under one banner, there is nothing but death and destruction in its wake. I would guess the forces trying to take the dwarf town to be about a thousand, maybe two thousand. No sweat, those are good odds. I was being sarcastic to myself. It is a defense mechanism to prevent one from going crazy.

I am guessing that I am nearing the mouth of the large cavern. The air has shifted a little. Lo and behold, I was right. The cavern is in front of me. Even though I have dark sight, it would be better with normal light. I pulled out a lantern and lit it. The cavern mouth appeared before me. With heavy heart, I proceeded forward. The light allowed me to see further. What I saw, unnerved me greatly. The graves that I put my brethren in, were dug up! Not scratched up by carrion, but dug up. All of the broken timber, that was removed too. I went to the far corner where I piled the goblinoids bodies. All of these were gone as well! Who would do such a thing and why? The bodies of my fellow dwarves, have been desecrated.

I was furious. Their deaths were bad enough. But to not even have their graves for prayer and comfort, not to mention they cannot find peace, enraged me. Whoever did this will pay and pay dearly! I tried to look for clues. But there was nothing about, save for the unearthed graves. I sat down, willing myself to calm down. Right now, getting enraged could get me killed before I accomplished what I set out to do. Now, I have to survive this venture. The spirits of my dwarven brothers and sisters are now on my plate. A few minutes went by, and I could see straight. I decided to walk back. The first thing to do, was to make sure I have all of the gear I wish to take. The second thing to do, will be to consult Kosser and Tyna about how far the dwarf town is. The third thing to do, will be to get some sleep. I need my energy and strength up to acceptable levels. There was too much that was going wrong that needs to be made right. And somehow, some way, I was going to make this all right.