Next morning comes quick and Faylin has struggled to wake up and begin the day. Faylin arrives downstairs in the kitchen, and notices Gimrik sitting at the table enjoying a cup of coffee.
"Good mornin' lass. How ya feeling?" Gimrik asks smiling at Faylin.
"I feel alright," Faylin answers while staring blankly at Gimrik, trying to clear her mind of foggy thoughts and memories. "Is Lyrian here? I need him to go mining with me again today."
"Aye, he should be here any minute now." Gimrik tells her.
Right as he has said those words, the door opens and closes again. Faylin turns around to see Lyrian walking through the door holding two cups of coffee in his hands. "Oh, hello Gim," Lyrian says handing Faylin her cup, and making her smile.
Gim nods and walks over to grab a bottle of cream to add to his morning beverage. "Where ye heading to?"
"Bogh Buldar again," Faylin answers sitting down with the drink that warms her hands. She is looking up at both of them and she takes a deep breath. "Lyrian, let's hurry up. I have to get this project finished by tomorrow. This new tool could get me much needed gold. I just need one more palladium ore."
Lyrian gives her a serious look, "Why, what happened?"
"Taxes went up 20 percent because Bogh Buldar complained to the Avesian Empire about what we did in the mines, and since they're both allies, the Avesian Empire is punishing me with a tax raise. I need every coin I can get, and I'm selling the platinum I have left as regular ore, so I won't get too many funds from that." Faylin stands up and gulps down the last of her drink setting the clay cup down on the table.
"That's ridiculous. That king is nothing but a greedy tyrant, I swear it!"
Gimrik adds with a small frown, "good luck getting in. The dwarven king was murdered last night. Gates are closed to outsiders."
Faylin's mouth gapes open. She tries to speak but cannot muster the strength.
"Oh gods!" Lyrian mutters as he watches Faylin sit down.
"But..." she trails off. Faylin stares off into space with a shocked expression on her face. "Then that means the next heir in line is a prince. His rules will surely change. I won't know what to do in this new situation."
"Right now Bogh Buldar has no king," Gimrik explains. "The Prince is supposed to take the throne but there is a political divide among dwarves now. Protests just arrived this morning. There's even protests at the gates right now. People are saying the King's advisor might take the throne but no one knows. They're also trying to find suspects to the killer."
"Do they think we did it?" Faylin asks in fear as she begins to realize the consequences of stealing ore. She raises her eyebrow and narrows her gaze. "Maybe we disturbed the mines by extending that tunnel. Are they going to pin this on us somehow? Gimrik, we need to go and explain," Faylin gets up in a panic shake.
She goes for the door until Lyrian catches her arm, "we can't Faylin."
"Lyrian, come on, let's just go the gates to get some information."
Faylin runs out of the house, grabbing her coat. Once outside she looks around frantically. Her heartbeat racing, sweat trickles down her brow.
Gates are busy yet closed. Crowds are clustered together. Hundreds of surface dwarves and humans demand through loud chattering rants that they reopen. At the front of the gate stands two dwarven guards standing firm in their positions, their weapons drawn at the crowd. One guard yells out, "Move along! There is nothing for ye to see here!"
"We know you are lying! There are reports of the King dying yesterday! Tell us who it is!" one protester yells out. "I thrive on trade here!"
Faylin pushes through the crowd and makes it to the front. "Please," Faylin pleads, "I need to get into Bogh Buldar, my shop depends on these mines."
The two guards look to each other and turn their attention to her. "No. Now move along before we make ya."
Faylin takes a step forward, "who's the suspect then?"
"No suspects, now scram!" the second dwarf yells pointing his spear to the crowd. Everyone screams, taking a step back but quickly continues with their ranting.
Faylin continues pushing, "Listen, if you don't know who the murderer is, then how do I know you dwarves aren't going to accuse me?" she taunts, acting kind of weird and panicked.
"If yer confessin' then step forward, otherwise move along human scum."
"I'm not saying it was me!" Faylin flails her arms in anger, "I didn't kill anyone. I just don't want to become a suspect because we went against the King's wishes. And I already suffer from our landlords now because of it."
The first dwarf raises an eyebrow, "And what'd ya do?"
Faylin looks back at some of the angry protesters who seem to calm themselves as they listen for Faylin's crime, "Me and another mage dug beyond the restrictions of the King. We extended our tunnel too far and dug in illegal areas."
The protesters around her murmur to one another.
The first dwarf laughs with his raspy low voice, "Ya, no that ain't it. Get out of here and stop wasting our time!"
Faylin sighs and nods to him before making her way out of the crowd and returning to Lyrian who was waiting outside of all the chaos.
"So?" Lyrian asks.
"The King really did die, and my crimes have nothing to do with it so at least we're not suspects," she answers walking towards her smithy. "I need to sort this out, see what the Prince has to say about us using the mines."
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"Faylin, the Prince isn't going to answer to you. You know this," Gimrik explains following her footsteps. "Listen. You already know we dwarves don't like humans."
Another dwarven guard from Bogh Buldar is walking passed them and Faylin quickly gets his attention, "excuse me. How do we talk to the Prince?"
Gimrik slaps his hand over his forehead.
The dwarf guard turns to her annoyed but responds anyway, "You can't, the gates are closed to outsiders."
"But then how do I use the mines for my shop?" Faylin asks.
"I don't know, find a different mine and stop leeching off us dwarves."
"Well-"
Gimrik interrupts, "that's enough lad." He turns to the guard, "go ahead."
The dwarf rolls his eyes and leaves. Faylin sighs and is gazing at Gimrik, "How am I going to keep the shop running Gim? What happens to mom now if I close down? What happens to Dad's shop? His memories? Am I going to be forced to sell my shop to a greedy noble to become a commoner myself?"
Lyrian places a hand on Faylin's shoulder as Gimrik shakes his head with disappointment, "Look lass, I know life ain't fair, but sometimes things don't go your way. And there is nothing wrong with having to sell the old man's smithy. It would bring ye quite the amount of wealth. Maybe it's time you accept that."
"Gim, you know me," Faylin says angrily, "you know I'm not giving this place up. No matter what you tell me or how many dwarfs tell me to scram."
Gimrik walks away shaking his head, his beard is flowing in the wind as he has turned his back to her.
----------------------------------------
Late afternoon at the smithy, Bibby is resting in the living room on a comfortable chair and watches Faylin in the kitchen. "Faylin, do you know a fortune teller named Luminitsa?"
"Yes mom, apparently she's the sister of a former employee of mine."
"Well I'm friends with her mother actually. It seems the daughter is doing a little bit of fortune telling as a side hobby of hers, or maybe even work." Bibby says as she pours hot water into her tea.
"Why do you ask, Mom?"
"Oh, well I met her once or twice in a tavern long ago. Nice girl, very charming, a little peculiar though."
"You met her twice?" Faylin says as she stirs the soup simmering above the fire.
"Mhm," Bibby says as she sips her tea quietly.
Faylin taps the spoon on the edge of the pot and lays it across the edge of the counter. She wipes her hands off on her apron and goes to wash it out. Bibby gazes over at the young girl and sighs softly before turning back to her cup.
"What is it mother?" Faylin asks her noticing her sigh.
"I know things have been difficult Fay. It's alright to rely on others." Bibby is staring into Faylin's eyes hoping for an answer but all she gets is an empty nod. She sips on her tea. "Have you gotten any sleep?" Bibby asks while turning away to look out the window beside her.
"No, I haven't. I found rare ore but not enough to make it into a weapon. I'm running out of iron and steel for weapons, and I'm just not going to meet my deadlines. I have to pay for everything, including food. All the money I made has to go back into the shop."
"You have to relax dear," Bibby tells her gently. Faylin sets the clean wooden bowl down and dries her hands off with the cloth. She is leaning against the counter in bitterness. Water ripples in the sink tub, trying to keep her cool by washing more bowls.
"What can I do, Mom?" she says, tears beginning to form while trying to hold back.
Bibby smiles, "Find yourself another mine. There's bound to be more in other cities and villages."
"Okay, Mom," Faylin responds wiping away her tears with a small relief. She sits down beside her. "Mom, I want to be independent and run my business the way I want to, without interference from nobles or kings."
"I understand," Bibby says sipping the last drop of her tea.
There is a knock on the front door and Bibby motions towards Faylin, "get the door please."
Faylin walks to the door and opens it seeing Lyrian standing there with his cloak covering him from the rain, as well as Gimrik. "Hey guys, come in."
They walk inside and hang their cloaks over a rack.
Gimrik says in a soft tone, "heya Bibby, how're ya doin'? Feelin' any better?"
Bibby answers with a smile on her face, "yes sir, thank you for asking. Just tired mostly, but other than that I'm fine."
Faylin grabs a bowl and sets out the food. "We got some stew for dinner."
Lyrian smirks, "Oh yeah, gimme a bowl of that deliciousness."
Faylin smiles and let's put a small chuckle, "Sure Lyrian, I got plenty." Faylin takes a seat and spoons out a scoop for Lyrian, "Here."
"Thank you." Lyrian takes the bowl and eats immediately, "Ah, damn, this is good. Your best yet."
"Yeah," Faylin agrees with a little laughter.
After a few moments of silence Gimrik breaks the ice, "So Fay, what's on yer mind?"
"Well, it looks like I might have to travel for a bit to find a different mine. One with an understanding King. And one that hasn't been tainted by greedy humans," Faylin replies taking another bite, sitting with her whole family.
"Hmm, what about Limerock Valley? My people there could possibly allow you access into their mines, and I could guarantee you safe passage. It's a human mining village but there are some surface dwarfs I know that have moved there," Gimrik says nodding at Bibby.
"That would be wonderful," Bibby says smiling. "Thank you."
"Who will take care of mother while I'm gone though," Faylin looks down at the table, and staring at her soup feeling guilty.
Lyrian replies, "Gim, are you willing to watch after your neighbor while we're gone?"
"Aye laddie," Gimrik says giving him a bulky thumbs up.
Bibby cuts in, "No need to worry about me Fay, you've got a business to run."
"Uh, Gimrik, are you sure?" Faylin turns to Lyrian "A-and we? I know you have your mage duties Lyrian. I can mine legitimately with my pickaxe."
"Just let him go," Gimrik whispers yet points out. "It'll be safer that way. I'm talking 'bout the bastard killing those leaders in high positions of power, you know about that right?" Gimrik clears his throat and begins again, "well they're killing people like ya. High positions, merchants, folks with authority and coin."
"But I haven't reached any sort of status or power," Faylin explains.
Gimrik shakes his head, his beard covers his mouth perfectly, "doesn't matter. People like that don't care and want to see people die, regardless of their situation."
Lyrian adds, "speaking of dangers, isn't there a wood elf clan posted in the forest on the way to Limerock Valley?" Lyrian is slightly worried.
"Yeah, but ya should be able to just walk by them and be on yer way. I doubt they will attack," Gimrik says.
"Wood elves are usually peaceful vegetarians. I don't think they'll bother you," Bibby adds in.
"But they're violent. I heard stories about how the clan kills any travelers or trespassers. Wood elves hate outsiders, especially humans," Lyrian explains. "I've seen them. They're skilled hunters, archers, and dual wielders with daggers and swords and small shields. And they protect nature and their land at all costs."
Faylin replies, "Well we have no other choice." Faylin sighs, "we'll leave tomorrow. I have a war hammer and a shield I can carry to protect myself with. And the hammer is good for smithing as well."
"How are we going to carry all the ore back?" Lyrian asks.
"I can buy a horse carriage in Limerock and ride that back home. We can store all the ore in the back of the carriage," Faylin explains. "It will cost a lot of money though, I'll have to use all the money I made this month to pay for it."
"Will you have enough money to afford food?" Gimrik asks.
"I'll make sure we have enough to eat," Faylin dismisses knowing she doesn't have the coin. She goes to stand, and takes the empty bowl from her mother and walks over to the kitchen. "Thank you all for helping me today. I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you, especially Gimrik for having to watch after my mother."
Gimrik nods, "No problem lass, that's what neighbors are for. And friends."
"I wish I could repay you somehow," Faylin says as she turns to him.
"Aye. No need to worry. You leave Bibby to me and you and Lyrian prepare for your journey." Gimrik slowly picks up Bibby in his burly thick arms. "Alright lassie, let's get you in the bed." Bibby smiles warmly at Gimrik and hugs his neck. "Lucky you humans are light." Bibby lets out a chuckle as they leave the room.
Lyrian smiles and turns to Faylin, "I'll start packing." Faylin nods in approval.
----------------------------------------
Bibby and Gimrik
image [https://files.fm/thumb_show.php?i=e3sxuzugte]