THORVAK (DWARF)

The tone shifts sharply in the clearing as Elda steps forward, placing herself slightly ahead of me. Her runic hammer glows with an intense, almost dangerous light. Her face, usually composed, is twisted in restrained fury. She fixes the so-called "Grand Inquisitor" with a glare so piercing it would make any less assured human retreat.

Her voice, clear and commanding, cuts through the oppressive silence that has settled over the human column. Each word she utters carries an underlying threat and an unshakable pride.

"I am Elda Bloodrune, wife of Thorvak of the same name, warrior of our people, and protector of these lands!" She lifts her hammer slightly, the runes etched into it flaring a fiery red, casting shifting shadows on the massive tree trunks. "Magician, you speak of imbalance, but it is YOU who cause it by setting foot on lands that are not YOURS."

A murmur ripples through the human ranks. Soldiers exchange nervous glances, some tightening their grips on their weapons, others appearing uncertain. Even the inquisitor's troups, cold and detached as they are, seem unsettled by the power radiating from Elda.

She continues, her voice rising another notch, her gaze piercing Kael Margonos ike a blade:

"Return to the North, human, before it is too late. These woods, this forest, the dragon itself, all are under our protection. If you insist on remaining here, our warriors will descend upon you, and believe me, your weapons and magics will not suffice."

Bran, standing to my left, lets out a deep, almost mocking laugh, striking the blade of his axe against the ground to punctuate Elda’s words. The lightning runes on his weapon hum in response, sending faint arcs of electricity crackling through the clearing.

I remain silent, letting Elda command the moment. She is like a storm held in check. Kael remains impassive, but his fingers move subtly, tracing minute gestures—perhaps spells prepared for a quick invocation. I don’t like it. Would this madman actually fight here? I grit my teeth imperceptibly. Our bluff cannot be exposed by this bastard.

The human captain attempts to defuse the situation. He raises a hand to calm his troops, his face tense but respectful. "Lady Elda," he begins, his tone oddly familiar. I notice how he says my wife’s name, almost as if he recognizes it. "We are not here to challenge you. We have endured much to reach this place, but what we seek is..."

Elda interrupts, her anger unrelenting. "What you seek, Captain, is not yours to claim. Captain?"

The captain shifts uncomfortably. "Captain Eldan Rochefer, under the orders of the King of Elbak," he finally responds. Ah, so that’s it. The man’s name resembles a dwarven one, eerily close to my wife’s. She points her hammer at him, unyielding, then directs it toward the Grand Inquisitor, Kael Margonos.

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"Leave now, or face the consequences of your arrogance."

The murmurs in the human column intensify. Some soldiers begin to doubt, their gazes darting toward us as if facing an insurmountable force. But others, particularly those near Kael, remain resolute. They will follow their leader’s orders no matter what.

I step forward, my hammer glowing in unison with Elda’s, and address this inquisitor, Kael, directly, breaking the tense silence:

"You are in our lands, magician. Whether you come with words or spells, know this: the dwarves do not forget intrusions. We do not seek conflict, but if you persist, you shall have it."

The inquisitor stands motionless, his cold gaze assessing each of us, weighing his options. Behind him, his escort murmurs among themselves, their armor reflecting the light of our runes. Eldan, the commander, appearing hesitant, directs the rest of his troops, his eyes darting between his forces, us, and Kael.

The tension is at its peak, like a taut string ready to snap. Everything hinges on their response, but one thing is clear: if these humans dare to advance, we’re doomed. We are only forty against their two hundred.

From the moment this inquisitor opened his mouth, I knew he was different. More than dangerous, he’s a man who calculates every word, every gesture. His words are sharp as blades, his mind as cold as the mountain peaks where his perfidious order resides.

When he speaks, his voice slices through the air like a whip, resonating with an almost unbearable irony:

"Oh, you almost frighten me, dear dwarves, with your gleaming hammers and runes. I suppose your good King Durmar fully supports your bold words, little warrior!"

He slowly waves his hands, gesturing to the forest around us as if to highlight the irony of the situation. He speaks of the cataclysm, the rain of fire that ravaged these lands, the chaos that shattered the skies. His insult is no longer veiled.

Elda, beside me, grips her hammer so tightly her knuckles whiten. I can feel her rage rising like a forge blazing to life. Her glare could pierce Kael if it were possible. But for now, she remains silent. Bran, on the other hand, lets out a low growl, his axe humming faintly as its runes activate in response to the provocation.

I take a deep breath, attempting to rein in my own anger. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a human disdain dwarves, but Kael does so in a way that transcends the usual arrogance. He plays a dangerous game, and he knows it—insulting even our king.

"Your words, magician," I finally say, my voice heavy and rumbling, "are as insulting as your treacherous order. This cataclysm, this rain of fire you point to, did not simply awaken the dwarves. It shattered a balance—and you only deepen the imbalance." I spit on the ground. If we fight, I swear to take this dog down first.

Kael doesn’t move, but his eyes glint with a cold light, their dark hue hiding an imperceptible smirk. "Fascinating," he murmurs, almost to himself. Then, louder, he adds: "You speak of balance, yet you seem to forget that we are here to restore it. If this dragon, this creature you seem to revere, is the cause of the imbalance, then it is our duty to study it... or eliminate it."

"You are not here to restore anything, human!" Elda shouts, her voice fierce and unwavering. "You are here to impose your will, as always! This imbalance you claim to fight, YOU are its cause by setting foot here with your selfish ambitions and destructive magics. The dragon has nothing to do with your wars and schemes."

It’s rare to see her like this, but I understand her anger all too well.