“So tell me, Einar,” Scrombles said as he sat down in a chair that fit his massive frame near the roaring hearth. How is it you have so much knowledge of my people?”

Shifting in the chair, he didn’t fit in, feeling like some toddler sitting on their father's chair. All Einar could do was smile.

“I have a friend, someone far older and much crazier, who spent a lot of time dealing with dwarves in the past. He and Maroum were friends.”

Both bushy eyebrows became one as the dark-haired dwarf leaned forward.

“That name has been mentioned a few times in the last year. Something about a warrior named Einar and a man named Arn who purchased some items before making comments that would get one killed here.”

Chuckling, his grin grew.

“That would have been my friend and I,” he replied with a sigh. “We were attempting to stay hidden from those within the capital who have not been on the best terms with your people. As such, the best way to remove all doubt was apparently saying something very ugly about Betmout’s beard.”

Nodding, the man in charge of this fort roared with laughter, letting his deep voice boom off the walls.

“It is good to finally meet you. Maroum will be pleased if he gets a chance to meet you. Now then, I noticed you have quite an assortment of wagons and people. Do you have any idea what lies beyond the pass?”

Motioning to Avitue, who was watching from a few yards away, quietly talking with Thorve, she stood and came to Einar’s chair, giving a quick bow before climbing into the seat next to him.

“My wife Avitue would like to share what we have learned.”

“So young,” Scrombles said quietly. “When one is barely old enough to get off the teat in our world, and yet you two are married… you Vikings are truly strange people.”

“We have heard reports that your realm is currently under attack from the giants of Jotunheim and Muspelheim. Other rumors of creatures have been attacking the mines your people work in. Evil things, dark and dangerous, and not what you or other dwarves dare to face.”

Spitting on the ground, the dwarf growled.

“Those things… it is not simply one creature that has suddenly begun plaguing our mines. Many different beasts and monsters have appeared in the last five or six years. Their numbers were small for hundreds of years, and it was not hard for us to cleanse the occasional few that revealed themselves. Now…”

He drifted off, turning his face toward the fire and spinning the oversized mug in his large hands.

“Our mines have been assaulted by numbers that seem to sometimes never end. Many of my brothers and sisters have been wounded. Thankfully, only a few have died. For now, the king has sealed off some mines but it appears the infestation is spreading. Soon, if this threat continues, some fear we may no longer have any working mines.”

Both Vikings sat there quietly, waiting for the dwarf to focus on them.

After he grunted and took a long drink, Scrombles turned his attention back to the pair.

“The giants… they are not what you might think. Some are simply beasts, not smart but large, strong, and dangerous. The equipment they wear is unimpressive, yet if you take a hit from their club or hammer, it will squash you like a bug. Then there are those which are different… smarter, and far more dangerous. A trio has been discovered near a pass and they continue block all who try to enter. No one has managed to make it through and too many have died in the last two years for us to continue attempting.”

“They are cutting off mines?”

“And towns. It has been a few months since I heard any update on a pair of towns far to the north. Without trade, they will eventually suffer from the loss of food and if there are more than just those three giants, they could easily be overran. Hundreds of dwarves could be dead.”

“That is why we have come,” Avitue stated. “We are here to help defend and free your people from these things. All the realms have been under attack the last few years and we must work together to restore the balance and prepare for Ragnarok.”

His dark black beard pulled inward around the lips and Scrombles started to apparently chew on it for a few seconds.

“Many do not believe it is coming. The gods have defended us for so long but I am not foolish enough to ignore what you say. Tell me you two, do you honestly believe you can help with these threats?”

“I didn’t bring forty warriors and all these carts here just to drink dwarven ale, no matter how good it is,” Einar replied.

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Bobbing his head, yellowed teeth appeared in a grin through the beard.

“Then I shall send you a guide to help with your tasks. The first problem will be the pass. Occasionally, a giant or two will be seen through the first pair of mountains, moving around and looking for something to eat. They are not the ones we fear but it often takes at least a party of fifteen to take one down safely. Even then…” Scrombles motioned to where Bartia was sitting in a corner across the large room, her displeasure easily seen as she glared at the three of them. “Her brother died a few years back and afterward, she has become reckless. Angry that myself and those above me won’t fight. If you asked, I have no doubt Bartia would join you in a raid down one of the mines, ignoring all wisdom about how dangerous such a thing really is. She forgets that one cannot face enemies on every side while struggling to get ore and other items. Even now our great smiths are waiting for materials so we can craft new armor and weapons to defend against these foes.”

The pair of Vikings glanced at the other, both having already discussed how difficult this task might be, each nodding at the same time.

“When the time comes, will you allow us to invite her?” Einar asked.

Scrombles ran his finger through his beard a few times, both lips easily seen as he did in a down turned direction.

“The stories we have heard from a group of elves that showed up a few weeks ago gave us hope,” he replied. “So many items we needed and unfortunately, we didn’t have the material to purchase everything we need. They should return in a month and the kingdom is going to make some effort to clear a mine. Perhaps you can assist in that undertaking.”

“We would be honored. Avitue and I have come here to represent what our people are supposed to be. An ally in dark times.”

Grunting the dwarf bobbed his head, set his cup down, and rose.

“Bartia come here!”

The dwarven warrior’s frown lessened as she moved to where the three of them were at.

“Our Viking friends have made an offer. While I’m not a fan of the idea, I know that they would be better off having a dwarf by their side who understands our people and our ways. Even more so, you are a skilled warrior and they need one such as yourself.”

“You going to blow smoke up my ass, or tell me what it is yer waiting to say?”

Scrombles cleared his throat, a growl almost coming for a moment as he scowled at Bartia.

“They would like to invite you to join them in their journey. They want to fight some giants and lead come raids into the mines. Would you–”

“YES! By my hammer and axe I swear to be their guide!”

Her voice echoed off the walls of the building and both Einar and Avitue smiled as they saw the change in the dwarven warrior’s eyes.

“Then make the pledge, offer them your service and bring honor to our forges,” Scrombles said as he moved back to his seat and plopped down.

Without waiting for any more instructions, Bartia turned her attention to the two Vikings, both still sitting side by side in the oversized chair.

Dropping to a knee, she bent her head, pulling the an axe off her back that would be considered large by most Vikings.

“By my axe and hammer and with my word, I bind myself to you and the tasks you are about to undertake. No matter what we face, be it dwarves, elves, giants, beasts or things we do not speak of, I shall not flee and will defend you until my last breath.”

Her voice carried a sense of pride and Einar nodded, motioning to his wife who grinned, jumping from the chair.

Touching the shaft of the axe, Avitue pushed it back toward the dwarven warrior.

“We accept your promise and will do our part to make sure you keep breathing for a very long time. Welcome to our pack Bartia.”

A few tears ran down the tanned skin of the woman’s face and quickly vanished in her brown beard.

“When do we leave?”

All three of them laughed as Bartia scowled after their reply to her question.

“First we need to sleep and then we shall go toward the pass. If we are lucky, we’ll encounter a giant.”

“Lucky? You think running into one or two of those things is lucky?”

“Odin wills it,” Einar replied, coming to stand next to Avitue. “There are going to be many more we hear than just the ones near your border. A smart Viking learns how to fight against the weaker ones before running head on into one smarter and stronger.”

A grin appeared and Bartia’s head began to move up and down.

“Perhaps Vikings are not as stupid… I mean hard headed as I was told.”

“Oh no they are,” Avitue stated. “Mostly the men though, but that doesn’t seem to be much of a difference regardless of the race.”

Both women chuckled as the men rolled their eyes.

“Come with me my dwarven sister. I shall introduce you to the other nine women who make up the smarter ones of our pack.”

As the pair left side by side, a two-foot difference in height made Einar chuckle.

“Tell me you didn’t just curse me with that one.”

“Bah, she’s a great warrior but a bit hard-headed,” Scrombles replied. “However I can see why you have that woman by your side. You two played that perfectly. Each of you taking a turn, one leading when it was best and the other staying quiet. A rare thing regardless of the race.”

“You have no idea,” Einar said. “Odin was kind to give me to her but I also wonder if I shall ever pay the price for such a strong woman. Now then, with one problem down, let’s focus on another.”

Einar moved to his pack and pulled out the old map he had rolled up inside.

“I know this isn’t to scale or the actual layout of your realm. Can you update it some or perhaps give us a new one that won’t get us lost?”

Scratching his beard, Scrombles shook his head.

“I have a few that we keep on hand… let me get to work on it tonight and I’ll have it ready for you in the morning. Would I be right to also guess that you want the locations and other areas we have reports of problems with giants?”

“As you can tell, I’m not a woman, which means I’m looking to do something stupid.”

Both men laughed, and the dwarf motioned toward the door where the other two had departed.

“Come, let me get you returned to your warriors. I’ll start working on something I wouldn’t ever have dreamed of giving someone.”