The mountains and cold air were replaced by trees and the cool of the shade as they proceeded. Any hopes of proceeding without leaving a trail to follow was slim to none. At this point, there were a dozen or so frost giants who followed with their large footprints being left behind in the soft dirt. Cangvar’s ice didn’t melt even in the warmer temperatures as Gaulk would jokingly place a mug by his armor. Out of everyone who seemed to be wary of the frost giants, Gaulk didn’t seem bothered by them in the slightest.
“You seem comfortable,” Adelia mentioned.
“I am, lass. I feel great,” he chuckled as he looked for his flask. She shook her head as he went for another drink. If this was her old town of Tamarak, he would’ve been considered a drunk by the townsfolk. Maybe even the town loon in some circles.
“Why do you drink so much?”
Gaulk almost feigned offense to the statement as he waved to his stature, “I’m a dwarf. We drink alcohol. Consider it a curse from the gods if you want, but water doesn’t taste nearly as good.” For dwarves, water has a peculiar sting to it that wasn’t present for humans and vice versa for humans and alcohol. “Some say that it was the god of disobedience trying to punish the dwarves for their stalwart ways.” He seemed serious for almost a second before boisterously laughing, “Just another tale the wife would tell their husband to make him shut up and stop drinking.”
Cangvar looked down to Gaulk, “Your kind makes a good weapon.” Tapping the sheathe with his hand, “The runes upon this weapon were crafted by one of your clans.”
“Not any clan that I know of,” he scoffed. “We fight giants down where I came from long ago, we didn’t befriend any.”
Pondering his next play, Volodar remembered what he promised the three in response for their help. Rather, a give and take was in order for what happened. He would return to Millstone and deposit his newfound army within the manor’s garrison before heading back out with Gaulk to the dwarven holds. However, there was an issue with getting the money from Strosa. Adelia would be perfect to send along with the others to claim his part of the wealth.
Another idea would float into his mind from time to time as he thought about Strosa. One where he simply marched with his head held high alongside his undead they paraded through the streets. Picking up his money, he would leave and simply return back to Millstone unscathed. Sure, he thought, they’ll definitely be fine with an undead army within the walls. That was all it took for him to discard the idea. Afterall, he must maintain a small presence within Millstone. He had to help Gaulk and Drake with their issues before truly getting out of the mainstage.
Many nobles were aware of what was happening within the city walls of Millstone, but they never contacted him. Perhaps it was from the destruction of Boar’s lands or the fact that they didn’t want to waste resources chasing some bordering necromancer. It’s not like his army ran around stealing his people either, so there should be no inciting incidents.
He waited outside of Strosa as the others returned to him with the offerings provided by Alvina. Gaulk seemed to have pep in his step as well, “It’s a good day, friends. We used the Stone Crows mercenary company as a front to the assault on the frost giant camp.” Volodar nodded as his part of the agreement was fulfilled. Blackjack and the others wanted to have the Stone Crows assimilate into society without fear. A test run, Volodar thought, to see how people react to a once hated race doing great deeds. Should the reception towards the tengu be warm and welcoming, it would be a great piece of data to hold onto for the future.
With that piece of the board undergoing its movement, Stokrar and Cederic parted with their tengu friends to assist in the race relations. Volodar watched them as they walked away, “I wonder why the two of them are so keen on helping those tengu.”
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Cangvar replied, “They respect the warrior spirit, my liege.”
“I see. Let’s continue on towards the dwarven hold.” He looked over his giants and shook his head, “I need us to part ways for now, Doppel. Take these giants back to Millstone and assist Hunter in whatever he needs. Also, take some of the gems, you’ll be able to fund the village with them when you get back.”
His deep voice echoed back, “Of course, lord.” Wrangling up the giants, he led them away as Cangvar was left to defend Volodar. Nokken had been staying at Millstone as well recently, as far as Volodar was aware. He was assisting the townsfolk with their wildlife issues. So hopefully those would be resolved as well when they returned. As they went towards the dwarven hold of Dolgon, Volodar felt interested in something that Gaulk mentioned in the past.
He inquired, “You mentioned that the dwarves called necromancy by another name?”
“There’s plenty of names for em’. We don’t really call it a necromancer like you all do. Spirit sage, spirit binder, a caller, whatever they say will be what they say. It all depends on the clan that you speak to.”
“Interesting, how would they view Cangvar or my other undead?”
“As long as they aren’t dwarves, they don’t care. However, the pride for our kind goes a long way so don’t desecrate their tombs. It’s a one way path to an early grave should they find out.” Glancing over Volodar, he shook his head. “You’ll be fine lad, you’ve done enough to earn their graces with this amount of treasure. It’s a good faith gesture, for sure.”
Volodar understood the words that Gaulk said, but couldn’t help to think the worst about the dwarven lands as they traveled. The thought of bringing Cangvar without resistance from them seemed ridiculous. Over the following weeks, Volodar would message Hunter and request updates from the town. Apparently, one of the surrounding nobles attempted to talk down the elder of Millstone into abandoning the settlement. The elder, Will, held fast in his beliefs and told them to leave them alone. That’s surely a good sign, Volodar thought as he told Adelia the news from Millstone. No simple noble even with the help of some adventurers would overcome the might of his army. Undead beasts, giants, jotuns and a small mass of skeletons would surely cause mass casualties and route any opponent they faced.
He stretched as he spoke to Adelia, “It is a perfect time for Doppel and Hunter to practice their leadership roles. Millstone seems to be taking off just fine in our absence.”
She added, “They are both competent, my lord. Even Lucas would have an issue throwing a wrench into their plans.”
Traitorous bastard, he thought as an image of Lucas ran through his mind. What was he thinking? “Cangvar,” he stated, “kill any vampires you see immediately.” From what he knew, his father enjoyed having vampires as servants. Surely, there are more of them somewhere.
Cangvar nodded, “Understood, my liege.” As these lines of dialogue ran dry, a metallic structure could be seen in the horizon. Along a mountain ridge, it nested at the base with its brassy walls connecting almost to the entire opening of the cave system.
“That’s it,” Gaulk spoke, “That's home right there. Desmond and I haven’t been back in maybe sixty years.” Intricate designs covered the gate that led into this structure. Small slits for crossbows were hard to see through due to the angle at which they were. This was truly a defensible location as the tops of the brass walls had strange ballistae resting at the top.
A voice boomed out of the walls and stopped the group in their tracks, “By order of King Maldred, halt and state your business topsiders.”
Gaulk raised his voice in response, “Your kin is looking to return home to restore honor to clan Bloodcoat. We bring gifts of gems and gold.” After what felt like an eternity, the gates of Dolgon swung open with large difficulty. Dust was kicked up and whirled as dwarves in full plate marched out. Each one wielding a halberd with red cloaks worn. They were nothing like the soldiers of Strosa, as these men seemed more disciplined and decorated.
One dwarf who appeared in a white robe shuffled out and stepped before the lot of them. Many attendants seemed to follow him as he gestured towards the group’s loot. “I am an emissary of his lordship, Maldred.” He frowned and shook his head side to side, “It looks as though you came prepared to make amends, dishonored Bloodcoat.”