Forum

[howandwhy99]

“How long are we going to be?” asked Gwenna who had walked up the road. “The other caravan’s already left and has a good head start on us.” Another long discussion broke about what to do. Now Kayla had the glove taking back Keep Alderweg was near unavoidable. Gwenna wandered back to Miklesh, Hanz, and the wagons throwing her hands up in frustration.

Ben wanted to stay in Kera and spread the word of the Gods. Kayla felt compelled to conquer the Keep now she wore the glove. Darius wanted to go to the Dwarven Kingdoms. Rose had always said her mission was to go to the Front. Dram wanted to get his brother back. Houshang was mostly interested in counting the gold and finding a way to get more. Grog wanted to kill trolls. And Dalin just wanted to do “Something, please!” Fortunately, their hirelings stayed quiet throughout. In the end they decided to go to Kera to seek aid from the Earl. With any luck they could conquer the keep and save Tankurd.

“I cannot go with you then,” said Darius. “The Dwarven Thanes sent me to Margrave as an ambassador of the Hold. I must go back to give my report.” The rest of the team was stunned. The Dwarves were at least two weeks away. “I will fly south on my eagle and meet you back here. But I must return home,” said Darius. The group conceded to his decision. Plans were made to meet again at the campsite in the mountains in ten days time. The coin was counted out, over twenty pounds of it for each member, and divvied up. Darius mounted, said his goodbyes, and flew off into the sky. The rest of the team regrouped and finally headed back to Kera.
“Grog?” said Houshang. “Please carry me.” The strange foreigner had found his own special mount.


[DAY 104 – Sunday, Sceptre 8th, CY 81]
– [DAY 113 – Feastday, Sceptre 17th, CY 81]

For three days Darius flew south over the mountains on his eagle. He had heard many stories as a child of the dangers in the Hellfurnace peaks and like most Dwarves he had avoided going above ground whenever possible. It was his desire to meet new people and his habit of making quick decisions that ultimately convinced the Thanes to send him to the human lands. But now he was glad to be heading home. During the night Darius slept on the barren lands west of the mountains. He did not even dare to cross over east of the Hellfurnaces when he flew during the day. When he finally recognized the peaks of Thoria, those of his Hold, he thanked Thor for blessing him with a safe trip. As fast as his eagle flew most voyagers never returned from entering the mountains alone.

The Dwarven Kingdoms were the same as they had always been. The floor of the stone cut Hold echoed under his footsteps. Darius’s first appointment was with his family. He gave his sister a gift from the human lands and learned some surprising information. When he had left his Father was being considered to become a Thane. The decision process was still going on. It was all Darius needed to remember how different Dwarven culture was to the human’s. Everything took time to decide. The next day he was allowed to make his report to the Thanes. It took all day as they questioned him ensuring every detail was known about his journey. Darius formally requested they send a contingent to fight at the Front and save County Margrave. He also asked for weapons to be sent, if no soldiers could be. The petition was tabled for further discussion at a later time – which meant any decision would not be reached for many months.

The second day home Darius went to the smiths and showed the headsmith the sword he found in Quesquaton. To his surprise the smith said he did not recognize the mark, but that it looked dwarvenforged. Darius searched through the weapons and shops nearby, but remembered how costly everything was compared to the human lands. He could afford almost nothing. On Thunderday he went to the priests and paid due fealty. From the priests he learned of three holy weapons and of past quests of paladins for renowned weapons. Choosing one, the beginning of a bond was created and he felt its presence far northward. On the last day Darius trained with the Thanes. In the morning before leaving for his journey back north he spoke with his father. Darius was curious about dropping dwarven powder kegs from the back of his eagle. His father said he would look into it when he had more time. With a last wave goodbye he soared up into the air again. Three more treacherous days north and he could reunite with his friends.