The festival is a great deal of fun, for those who are enjoying it. Music, games, food, dancing, entertainment both magical and mundane. There is a sense of relief in the merriment, and there are no more reports of zombies or murder and mayhem.
Nathaniel manages to make 18 gp over the next three days, with his fine play. His reading of the book is of great interest, and he gleans the following facts:
1) Broderick's great-uncle fought at the Towers of Gard, and slew two trolls in the outer court, a fact noted with great satisfaction by the commander of the Towers in his notes.
2) There was a certain amount of friction between the Men of Mallon Hill, and the dwarves. That seemed to lessen towards the end, but the basic problem was that the men wanted to ride out and harry the besiegers, while the dwarves preferred to fight from their defenses.
3) During the time of the siege, at least some of the Men of Mallon Hill were Jotuns.
4) The besiegers were led by a huge orc, apparently of demonic blood, who was alive, at least at the time the book was sealed away.
********************
The great square is filled with rough wooden tables, and benches, as are most of the streets running off of it. Huge ovens and cooking pits fill the cool evening with a merry glow, and the smell of bread, and meat. Tun after tun of ale lines one side of the square, with more on wagons behind.
People of every race and description fill the square, so many that there are barely seats for them all. From the House of Iron Virtue comes the sound of a choir singing, as they prepare for the coming of age ritual.
At the high table, the group finally meets the Thane. He is a broad, solid looking dwarf, his long, immaculate black beard starting to grey. He examines them, for a time, then nods. "Aye, you'll do." Then he waves a large hand towards the chairs around the table. "You've served me well, and for that I thank you. Come the morning, I'll be asking you to face peril again. But tonight, you are my guests, and the heroes of the city. Enjoy it."
The feast is exactly what you might expect of dwarven hospitality, leavened with the tastes of humans and elves, and other races. The courses are endless, each one a meal in itself. Ale and wine, and mead flow freely. Finally, as the moon rises to it's height, the Thane stands. The noise of the feast slowly comes to a halt, as he stands, gleaming in mithral plate. Both powerful arms are raised. The council of the city rises as well. "My friends, guests of the clans of Stone, and the council and people of this, our city. We are gathered here to celebrate the festival of Renewal, and to ask the powers for a good year. Our festival was marred this year by troubles, which you have heard of. These troubles, caused by the forces of Malice, have been dealt with. Dealt with by the heroes you see with me at the high table. Honor them."
The cheers are loud, even thunderous. Perhaps some of those cheering loudest are so drunk they'd howl at anything, but even so the sound, there in the great square, assaults the ears.
SO ENDS THE FIRST BOOK
