CHAPTER 18
A storm gathers in the distant east. The kingdom of Slahan stands as part of the bulwark against the dragonkin-hating Grand Empire of Tal’dartheria. The foundation of the kingdom crumbles under the ravages of Orcish warbands, threatening the vital separation of the United Kingdoms and the Empire. The chance to get another Dragon Gemstone had been reason enough for the Dragon Prince and his guardsmen friends to get involved, but now the fate of all dragon kind could be at stake.
“Alright, what do you want me and my team to do?” Radais leaned forward in his chair.
“Well, obviously hunting down every orc is impossible. An orc warband can have hundreds of members. Any orc strong enough to hold a blade is trained in war. They’re naturally resistant to magic, not immune but resilient against it, they’re strong and utterly brutal. They’re like locusts, they descend upon towns, take every viable resource then move to the next leaving nothing but ruin in their wake.”
“So one would need a well-organized army to stand against them, then?” Radais speculated.
“That’s correct. The United Kingdoms are sending whoever they can spare but with the threat of the empire and their own ongoing local troubles, that won’t be many. Prince… I’m sorry, King Arthurian should still have the remnants of the army he led to overthrow Baron Umbra, which should be enough to keep the orcs in check, yet for some reason we continue to get reports of raided villages.” Master Hanover frowned into his mug. “I know Arthurian personality. Good lad, intelligent, honorable, a brilliant strategist, and loved by his people. We’re not sure why his forces haven’t proven effective in dealing with the orcs.”
“The traitorous chancellor or corrupt vizier probably.” Radais guessed half-jokingly.
“Hmm?” The guild master inquired with a raised eyebrow having not quite caught what the Dragon Prince said.
“Nevermind. Has anyone been able to contact the king?”
“Attempts have been made, but none were successful. The arcane relays that would normally be used for magical communications were taken down during the war and have yet to be repaired. With the threat of the orcs it's too risky to send any messengers. So your first priority should be to reach Slahan Hold and find out what has become of the king. Secondly, if possible organize a proper defense against the orcs and drive them out.”
“So save the king and his entire kingdom, then. Just your average weekend for any adventurer, really…” Radais noted with dry sarcasm.
Master Hanover pressed on ignoring the comment, “If you’re able to remove the orcish threat from the United Kingdoms will make sure that you are justly rewarded which will include one of the one hundred Dragon Gemstones, So Dragon Pince do think your team is up to the task?”
Radais sighed internally. Were he and his friends free of the curse and able to use their true dragon forms they could fly to Slahan in the morning, burn every orc in sight, and return home back in time for a nice wooly mammoth dinner. Now they would need to take the Ways to the nearest town, ride a cart to the castle, talk to the king, solve his issues, find the army, and spend who knows how long hunting orcs. It was at times such as this he truly missed what he once was. “Leave it with us guild master. We’ll handle it.”
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As was typical with these sorts of matters there was some paperwork to fill out, contracts to sign, et cetera. Once that was finished Radais headed down to the second floor to purchase the necessary supplies for the trip from the various merchants that worked with the Adventurer's Association. It was as he finished his shopping he discovered Zhanatos talking to one of the other merchants.
The bespeckled dwarf with the long bronze-colored beard studied the golem head intently. “Such exquisite craftsmanship…” he mumbled as he carefully prodded the gears and wires with a long thin screwdriver.
Radais approached, “Zhanatos! It appears you have some success with your task.”
The Berserker nodded, “Hey boss! Sure did. Everyone I talked to about the head told me two things; First, that Mr. Thronmaeck Smeltmaster here is the best engineer in all of Highhelm. If there’s ever any sort of odd mechanical device you need figured out, he was the dwarf for the job.”
“Aye that I be…” Thron nodded, “Pleasure to meet you, Prince. Just allow me another moment or two to examin’ this here golem cranium.”
“Please… take your time, good sir.” Radais replied with his well-practiced princely politeness, before turning to Zhantaos to inquire, “What was the second thing?”
“Oh, the other thing was REALLY weird like *everyone* said the same thing.” Zhanatos began.
“Well, out with my friend. What was it?” Radais eyebrows rose with interest.
“I swear literally every person I talked to mentioned something along the lines of ‘Pretending that severed head is the sword talking is freaking me out, please stop.’ Literally everyone!” Zhanatos exclaimed in shock.
Radais half lowered his eyelids, “I suppose ventriloquism hasn’t yet to truly become mainstream in Highhelm then.”
“‘Ventriloquism? Oh, so THAT’S why people kept asking if I could make Bloodraven talk while I was drinking water.” Zhanatos nodded with the satisfaction that came with newfound understanding.
“Right, lads!” The dwarf announced suddenly as he stood up from his workbench and brought the metal head back to the main counter. “This be without a doubt the work of the Tal'dartherians.”
“What?” Radais exclaimed with surprise.
Thron nodded, “I’ve seen plenty’o pieces of their handiwork before and I recognize these build designs, and ye say this golem attacked ya the Ways?” He watched as both dragons nodded in response.
“I know the Empire had flying metal machines, but now they have metal people too?” Zhanatos asked in disbelief.
“Aye lad, I heard rumors of such devices, but ain’t never thought they’d go and do it, the crazy bastards. Golems operating on their own! What’s next? Machines buildin’ more machines? I tell ya somethin’ has got to be done about those nasty buggers.”
“But the Empire is banned from the Ways, right? Radais mentioned that earlier. So every Waygate in their lands should be cut off, how could they get one of their metal people in then?” Zhanatos questioned.
“Fock if’n I know, lad. Maybe a secret Waygate?” The dwarf shrugged.
“Or…” Radais began grimily, “They walked across the border in Slahan.” The Dragon Prince was loath to admit it, but it was a brilliant tactic. Zhanatos had only noticed the golem thanks to being on guard as part of his duty. The ordinary people of the world wouldn’t think twice about a hooded traveler. It would be easy for the golems to cross the border while the Slahan’s forces were busy with the orcs. They could join a group of travelers or refugees, get to a major city and walk right into the Ways without drawing so much as a second glance. The Grand Empires invasion had already begun and it was happening right under the United Kingdom's collective noses.