I peeled myself off the thin mattress of mops in the corner of the broom closet. After a quick stretch that echoed off the walls, I stumbled out into the hallway. A yawn escaping me, bouncing off the walls like a cavernous echo.
The scent of breakfast, a mishmash of burnt toast and something vaguely sausage like, beckoned me toward the kitchens. Dodging a cluster of hurried dwarves with trays of food, I made my way through the maze of corridors that led to the heart of culinary activity in the Union Hall.
“Morning, Larry!” boomed Grud, the head chef whose mere presence could command both respect and the occasional leap from the line cooks.
“Morning, Grud,” I replied, sidestepping a rolling onion that had made a daring escape from its chopping block fate.
Grud shot me a knowing look, his apron and beard dusted with flour like battle scars from a culinary war. “You look like you’ve seen better mornings. Rough night?”
I shrugged, trying to play off my slightly disheveled appearance. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
He grinned, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “Just for you, Larry.” With a deft flick of his spatula, he slid a plate of scrambled eggs and a stack of pancakes onto the counter.
I chuckled, taking a seat at the nearest stool, digging into the hearty breakfast. The eggs were perfectly fluffy, and the pancakes well, they could’ve been used as frisbees, but at least they were edible.
As I ate, the kitchen buzzed around me, conversations blending into a background hum of activity. Dwarves discussed dungeon runs, upcoming deliveries, and the latest gossip about who owed who coins from last night’s card game at the Shrine of Fortune.
Between bites, I caught snatches of conversation. “Did you hear about Tormund’s haul from the south tunnels?” one dwarf whispered eagerly.
“Rumor has it he found a cache of ancient relics,” another replied, leaning in conspiratorially. “Enough to keep him in ale for a month!”
Chuckling to myself, I finished the last of my pancakes and pushed the plate aside. As I rose to leave, Grud intercepted me with a knowing grin.
He nodded, wiping his hands on his apron with a satisfied air. “Don’t work too hard today, Larry. And stay out of trouble.”
I offered him a mock salute. “No promises, Grud.”
Leaving the bustling kitchen behind, I made my way back through the Union Hall. The chatter faded as I stepped into the main lobby. The sunlight was streaming through the tall arched windows. I squinted against the sudden brightness. The warmth felt good against my skin, awakening the sluggish remnants of sleep. I paused, taking in the sight of the hall, its wooden beams reinforced with iron, adorned with tapestries depicting legendary dwarven heroes.
“Hey, Larry!” Rodrick called from a table cluttered with maps and mugs. A group of dwarves clustered around him, their brows furrowed in concentration. “You’re just in time!”
I approached the table, curiosity piquing my interest. “What’s going on?”
Rodrick gestured to a map sprawled out before him, its edges frayed and well-worn. “These boys are planning the next expedition into the Caverns to harvest our next batch of dampweed.”
Rodrick nodded, his tone serious. “The last batch sold like wildfire. We’re thinking if we can harvest it in bulk, we might be able to turn a decent profit. I know you could use a bit more than the few coins from doing deliveries to get yourself on your feet. Maybe rent a room with an actual bed? Thought I’d introduce you to Thrain and his crew.”
I leaned over the table, studying the map’s details. The Caverns were a labyrinth of tunnels veined throughout the nearby mountainside. “Sounds risky,” I said, trying to keep my tone light despite the flutter of unease in my stomach. “How many are going?”
Rodrick pointed to the largest dwarf he’d seen so far. He towered over everyone at the table, but Larry guessed he wasn’t even 5 feet tall. “Thrain and his crew are veterans, seasoned dwarves who’ve been down there more times than I can count.”
“Nice to meet you, lad!” Thrain had a thick beard, braided and adorned with small trinkets that rattled when he moved. “Fancy joining us for some fun? I could use a fresh face.”
I swallowed hard, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling in my gut. “What’s my role?”
“Just carry a pack and keep your eyes peeled,” he replied with a grin that revealed more teeth than I was entirely comfortable with.
“I’m not exactly experienced in cavern exploration,” I admitted.
“Neither was I the first time I went, lad. It’s about learning on the job,” he assured, his voice a rumble, like gravel rolling down the side of a mountain.
I glanced at Rodrick, who offered an encouraging nod. The prospect of adventure tugged at me. “Alright,” I said, steeling my resolve. “I’m in.”
Thrain clasped my shoulder, his grip firm enough to remind me I was dealing with someone used to handling heavy loads, not just an enthusiastic learner. “Fantastic! We’re gearing up this afternoon. You’ll meet the rest of the crew then.”
“Any advice for a newbie?” I asked, trying to mask my jittery nerves.
“Stay close to us. Watch your step. Some paths can crumble,” Thrain warned, his tone now more serious. “And when we find the dampweed, don’t get too greedy. It’s a long hike back out and more than a few of the boys have harvested more than they could carry out.”
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I nodded, absorbing his words. “Got it.”
Thrain slapped my back with enough force to knock the breath from me. “You’ll do fine! Just keep that luck of yours in check.”
As I turned to leave, Rodrick caught my arm. “Larry,” he said, his voice steady. “Just remember to have fun out there.”
“Fun?” I raised an eyebrow, half-laughing despite the tremor of nerves still bubbling beneath the surface. “In the Caverns? Is that a joke?”
He chuckled back, a sound that felt oddly reassuring. “You’d be surprised what you can find down there.”
By midday, I found myself in Thrain’s workshop a dimly lit space filled with tools, weaponry, and other oddities only a dwarf would appreciate. The crew bustled around preparing packs, checking equipment. I stood awkwardly at the door for a moment.
“Hey, new guy! You look like a lost sheep!” A dwarf with a shaved head and a thick scar across his brow called out, grinning widely. “Get in here! We’re not gonna bite.”
I took a deep breath and stepped inside. “I’m Grimgor, by the way. If you survive today, consider it a victory.”
“Thanks for the encouragement,” I replied dryly.
“Don’t mind him, he’s all bark,” a dwarf with a wild grey beard that covered most of his face grabbed by arm and shook violently.
“Names Wilhelm Coppervein. You can call me Whiskers if you want. It’s what everyone else does!” He flashed a bright smile that momentarily distracted from the chaos around us.
I forced a grin back, trying to match his enthusiasm. “Larry Lewis, at your service.”
“Nice to meet ya! You’re in for quite the adventure!” Wilhelm bounced on his heels. “Have you ever seen dampweed before? It’s like nothing else down there! Glows a bit, kinda eerie.”
Grimgor rolled his eyes. “Just don’t get too caught up in the sights and lose track of where you are. That’s how folks end up as cave decorations,” he said, crossing his arms over his barrel chest.
“Thanks for the warning, Grimgor,” I replied, my heart racing at the thought of becoming dwarf wallpaper.
“What do I need?” I asked, trying to mask my growing anxiety with bravado.
“Let’s see,” Wilhelm said, rifling through a pile of gear. “A sturdy pack, some ropes, maybe a pickaxe if you plan to join in on the digging. And you’ll definitely want a lantern; it’s dark in those tunnels!” His enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of excitement amidst my nerves.
“You’ll also want something to protect yourself, just in case,” he grumbled as he handed me a stout dagger. “Don’t go getting yourself into trouble now; you don’t want to end up like that poor sod who went wandering off last year.”
I took the dagger and examined it closely. The blade was well worn, but sharp enough for my purposes. “Got it,” I replied, slipping it into my belt.
Wilhelm finished gathering the last of my supplies and stepped back with a proud grin. “Look at you, all geared up and ready for adventure!” he exclaimed. The enthusiasm in his voice made me feel less like a fish out of water.
“Thanks,” I said, trying to match his energy. “What’s next? Do we just… head into the dark and hope for the best?”
“Pretty much!” Wilhelm laughed, clapping me on the shoulder.
Thrain entered, hands on his hips, surveying the bustling crew. “Gather round, lads! We’ve got packs to check and maps to memorize.” His voice commanded immediate attention.
The crew continued bustling about, gathering gear and exchanging jokes. Each laugh and shout pulled me deeper into their camaraderie, making me feel less like an outsider. It was strange, this warmth among those I barely knew.
I moved toward the center of the room where everyone began to form a circle, packs slung over shoulders and tools clanging against each other. The excitement was palpable.
“We’ve got a long trek ahead of us!” Thrain’s voice cut through the chatter, commanding attention. “Remember, stick together, and watch each other’s backs. Any questions?”
“Let’s move out!” Thrain barked after a moment’s silence, and the crew erupted into motion.
The warm light faded quickly as we left the bustling Union Hall behind and headed into the rocky terrain that led to the Caverns. I kept pace with Wilhelm, who excitedly pointed out various landmarks, each one more fantastical than the last.
“See that ridge?” he said, gesturing to a jagged hill in the distance. “That’s Dragon’s Tooth! Legend says a massive beast once perched there, guarding its hoard until some brave dwarf felled it!”
“Doesn’t sound too inviting,” I muttered, glancing uneasily at the peak.
“Don’t worry,” Wilhelm assured me with a grin. “We’re not going anywhere near that ridge. Just dampweed today. We can save the dragon slaying until your second trip.”
I chuckled nervously. “Right, good to know.”
As we trudged on, the terrain grew rougher. Loose stones crunched underfoot, and the landscape turned to a patchwork of boulders and scraggly tufts of grass. I could feel the adrenaline seeping through my veins, mixing with an undercurrent of fear as the shadows began to stretch longer.
“Stick close, Larry!” Thrain’s voice boomed from ahead, cutting through my thoughts. I quickened my pace, falling into step behind him. The others formed a tight cluster around me, a wall of sturdy dwarven presence.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm orange glow over the path. We slowly rounded a bend, and there it was: the entrance to the Caverns. A gaping maw in the earth, dark and foreboding. It was much larger than the hole I’d slipped out of when i first arrived here. An unsettling chill radiated from it.
“Welcome to the Caverns!” Wilhelm said with infectious enthusiasm despite my shivering. “It’s not so bad once you get used to it.” He took a few steps closer to the entrance.
I stared into the darkness that loomed ahead and felt a knot tighten in my stomach. Skepticism crept into my thoughts as I followed the dwarves into the cave’s mouth. The light from outside faded quickly, swallowed by the cavernous darkness. My heart thudded loudly in my chest, an unwelcome reminder of my mortality.
“Right,” I muttered, feigning bravado yet feeling like a lamb about to be led to slaughter.
Grimgor clapped a heavy hand on my shoulder, jolting me from my thoughts. “Don’t get too cozy out here, Lewis. The real fun’s waiting for us inside.” He smirked, but there was a glint of seriousness in his eyes.
“Yeah, that’s just what I wanted to hear,” I said, shifting my weight from foot to foot, the dagger at my hip suddenly feeling like a lead weight.
Thrain surveyed us with a critical eye. “Alright, we’re going in. Stay alert and keep your lanterns lit.” He paused, scanning our faces. “If something doesn’t feel right, say so. Don’t let fear or bravado make you reckless. Understood?”
A chorus of grunted affirmations followed as we pulled our lanterns from our packs and flicked them on. Warm light spilled from the glass containers, pushing back the creeping darkness before us.
Wilhelm hopped forward, swinging his lantern enthusiastically like it was a torch of glory. “Let’s do this!” he cheered.
As we stepped into the cavern’s maw, the temperature dropped noticeably. The whisper of water trickling echoed softly around us, and uneven walls glistened with moisture. The air was thick with a musty scent that reminded me of old books and damp earth.
I kept close to Wilhelm, who seemed unfazed by the oppressive atmosphere. “See those glimmers?” he whispered excitedly, pointing toward the walls where small fungi glowed faintly in shades of blue and green. “Those are glowshrooms! Safe to touch, but don’t eat them. They’ll mess with your head.”
I edged closer, curious despite myself. “What do they do?”
“More like what don’t they do,” he grinned. “You can’t really predict it. Some folks say they make you see things... strange things.” He raised his eyebrows dramatically, and I couldn’t help but smirk at his theatrics.
“Perfect,” I muttered under my breath. “Just what I need fantasies on top of my real-life worries.”
As we pushed deeper into the Caverns, the sound of our footsteps echoed eerily off the slick stone walls. The further we went, the darker it became, swallowed by the growing silence that felt more oppressive than comforting.