His brother was finally back home. Gandogar had been away longer than the other dwarves. Bergold had missed his brother, and when he finally returned home, he couldn't wait to hear about all that Gandogar had experienced. Gandogar told Bergold about various discoveries and battles, but unfortunately, he also mentioned the dwarves who had lost their lives during the journey. The deaths of Bestuh and Badgrom had clearly had an impact on Gandogar.

The three of them had decided to continue for a few more weeks, and this decision had proven fatal. One day, they were unexpectedly attacked by a Maraskan tarantula. The Marask had killed Bestuh and Badgrom without much resistance. The only reason Gandogar survived was that he put his pride aside and ran away. After that, Gandogar was alone for weeks, and it's a miracle that he returned to Dhiltodur in one piece.

Since Gandogar's return, Bergold had spent all his time with his brother. The books in the library and his friends could wait; his brother took precedence. Today was the first day they were back to work in the mines. Bergold was pleased to stand alongside his brother again, chipping away at the rocks, hoping to find riches. After a full day of hard work, Bergold heard the sound of a horn, indicating that work for the day was over. They were expected to return to the city of Dhiltodur to report if they had discovered anything special.

"Shall we go a bit deeper? Maybe we'll find something interesting." Bergold considered Gandogar's suggestion and decided to do it. It had been a long time since Bergold had mined so deeply, and he enjoyed doing it with his brother by his side. They walked to a dwarf elevator and descended a few more levels.

"Don't you want to do something else for a change? You've been mining for a whole year, and no one expects you to work even more."

"I enjoy doing this, little brother, and it's a way to spend more time with you. If we go back to Dhiltodur now, everyone will want to talk to me about what I've experienced during my journey." The elevator stopped, and they both got out. They walked for a while and reached a large rock wall. Gandogar immediately noticed a white shimmer about thirty meters above them.

"Who's going to chip that rock, you or me?"

"You saw it first, brother, so you can do it."

"Normally, I'd agree, but I already get enough attention these days. You go get it, you deserve the honor!"

Bergold took his climbing hooks and a rope, securing the rope around his waist and handing the other end to Gandogar. The rope would be a safety measure in case something went wrong. After ten minutes of climbing, Bergold reached the shimmering rock. He saw a beautiful white stone with a magical glow surrounding it. Bergold couldn't recall the name of the stone and realized he had never seen this type before. It must be incredibly unique and valuable. He carefully started chipping away at the rock.

After half an hour, it was almost free. He looked down and saw his brother waiting below. "Give me another fifteen minutes, and I'll be down, Gandogar."

Five minutes later, he held the stone in his hands. It had one of the purest glows he had ever seen, and Gandogar needed to see this. The descent went smoothly until he heard a screech. He looked up to see a bat emerging from the hole where the gem had been. Bergold reacted too late, and the bat clawed at his eyes.

Bergold lost his balance and began to fall. He managed to pull the bat off his face with one hand and tried to reach the rock wall with the other. He also called for his brother's help. Just when he thought he was about to hit the ground, he felt the rope he was hanging from pull him to the side, breaking his fall. His right rib throbbed with pain, but he realized he owed his life to Gandogar.

The next day, Bergold and Gandogar found themselves in the throne room. The king had summoned them. It was communicated to Bergold after he left the infirmary. The king looked at them with a stern expression. It was clear to Bergold that he wasn't pleased with what had happened the previous day.

"Gandogar and Bergold the Stubborn, why were you still working? Your shift was over."

Gandogar looked somber, and Bergold could see that he was tense. "We wanted to continue working a bit longer. I've just returned from Midbad, and I missed mining with my brother. So we decided to keep going."

"May I assume that this won't happen again?"

"No, King Thrandir, from now on, we will adhere to the established rules. A broken rib is more than enough; I don't need a second one." After these words, Bergold looked anxiously at Thrandir, hoping it would only result in a warning. He would be devastated if his brother got into trouble because of his fall.

"Very well, now go and make sure you check your work area to prevent such an accident from happening again."

"This is the fifth time in our lives that we've been in his throne room because we didn't follow the rules, Gandogar. We really need to stop going our own way."

"I just wonder how long Thrandir will remain king. He's taken possession of a new gem without any gratitude."

Bergold was surprised by this statement. Did Thrandir really take possession of that white gem? The one that nearly cost him his life, and without informing him? He had at least the right to be informed about the gems he had discovered, especially if they were so unique. Bergold was still intrigued by the magical glow around the white gem.

"What are you looking so surprised about, little brother? Didn't you know that Thrandir had it?"

"No, I didn't. I've just come out of the infirmary, and the first thing I had to do was go with you to Thrandir. He could have at least informed me."

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"You should have expected it; Thrandir lays claim to everyone's findings. He hasn't set foot in the mines for years."

A few hours later, Bergold decided to go to the library. He couldn't get the white gem out of his mind. When he arrived at the library, he encountered a surprise.

"I can't let you in, Bergold, it's Thrandir's order."

"Why can't I go in?"

"Thrandir has denied you access for a week. He said you broke a law, and this is part of your punishment. I'm sorry, Bergold, but I don't want to get in trouble."

"Thanks to me, he now possesses one of the most special gems, and I can't even enter the library as a reward?"

Bergold was frustrated and decided to find his brother. He found Gandogar in Runrick's tavern, and his brother had clearly consumed several dwarven beers. He signaled to Gandogar, who left the dwarves he was talking to and approached his brother.

"What's going on? I thought you'd be in the library learning more about that gem."

"That was my plan, Gandogar, until Jondrich made it clear that I'm not welcome in the library for a week. So Thrandir tells us everything is fine, and then he denies me access to the library?"

"Typical Thrandir."

"I don't care if it's Thrandir; I almost died yesterday. I provided him with a unique gem, and I deserve a reward, not a punishment!"

"Those are nice words, little brother, but they're just words."

"Oh, just wait, Gandogar; Thrandir will realize he's gone too far this time."

A week later, Bergold stood guard in front of two large steel doors. Behind these doors lay the dwarf treasure of King Thrandir.

"Is this always so boring?"

"What do you mean, boring? You're guarding the king's treasure, few dwarves have the honor of being so close to King Thrandir's riches."

"Yes, it's indeed a great honor, don't get me wrong, Fiduk. I just think its boring because we just stand here."

"You only have to do it a few times, Bergold. When Satrun recovers, you can return to work in the mine. By the way, how's your rib, any pain?"

"It gets better every day, I hardly feel it anymore. I've been given a good medicine, and it also makes you more alert."

He sees Fiduk watching him closely when Bergold takes a small pouch of herbs from his pocket. When he eats one of the herbs, he notices Fiduk hesitating.

"So these herbs make you more alert?"

"Indeed, Fiduk. Would you like some?"

"I can perform my role as a guard just fine without those herbs, but maybe a little boost wouldn't hurt."

Bergold gives Fiduk a portion, and five minutes later, Fiduk fainted. Afterward, Bergold walks to a metal wheel with a lever. He turns the wheel several times clockwise with the lever, causing iron chains to move. These chains open the large steel doors. When Bergold stops, the doors are wide open. In front of him, he sees King Thrandir's wealth.

He is grateful that Satrun accepted his money; he would likely use it to drink more in a tavern. Satrun had always been easy to bribe. Bergold is sure that he would give him his work in exchange for a few coins. The herb he had given to Fiduk was quickly arranged. Most dwarves weren't interested in herbs, and when it came to literature, many had much to learn.

Fiduk didn't realize that Bergold took a portion of Gulmond. This made Bergold feel better. However Fiduk didn't realized that he didn't getGulmond; he got instead a portion of black sleepwort. This caused Fiduk to fall asleep almost immediately.

Now that no one is watching Bergold, he has all the time in the world to find his white gemstone. Bergold looks around the treasure room and sees various types of treasures. He sees more ducats than he has ever seen in his life. In this pile of ducats are also numerous gemstones and various jewels. He realizes that Thrandir has a vast wealth that could be used to improve the dwarven realm.

There are so many valuable gemstones in this room, but Bergold doesn't see his gemstone. It's strange; that white glow was so clear a few days ago. Bergold is almost certain that such a gemstone should stand out. On the other hand, Thrandir's collection is so vast that he might overlook it. He decides to go deeper into the room to make sure he finds the white gemstone.

Bergold starts taking and inspecting different gemstones, but he still can't find what he's looking for. Then suddenly he hears a voice, and it's the last voice he wants to hear. Bergold turns to the door and sees about a dozen dwarves. These aren't just any dwarves; they are King's guards.

They are dressed in golden armor and each holds a dwarven weapon in their hands. However, it's not one of them that Bergold hears; it's Thrandir himself who stands at the center of his guards.

"What does this mean?" Bergold hears him say, and at that moment, everything becomes a blur for Bergold. He understands how this must look. An unconscious guard at the entrance of the vault and Bergold himself caught red-handed with gemstones in his hands. Before he realizes it, he is knocked unconscious by the hilt of a dwarven hammer held by one of the guards.

A few hours later, he is back in the throne room, but this time without Gandogar by his side. His brother is indeed in the throne room, as are his parents and about a hundred dwarves who wanted to see what the king would say about this situation.

The king gives a long speech and goes through various matters. He mentions all the good deeds Bergold has accomplished in all his years of life. He also mentions all the times he stood before the king with his brother. The last time was very recent. Thrandir comes to the conclusion that he should have seen it coming and hopes that his brother Gandogar learns today that such actions can have consequences. He's lucky he's not standing beside his brother this time. Thrandir emphasizes that there has never been a dwarf who tried to steal riches from the king. Thrandir also stresses that Bergold will serve as an example for anyone who ever entertains such an idea.

Thrandir concludes that Bergold, also known as Stijfkop, is immediately banished from the dwarven realm of Dhiltodur. He is never to set foot inside it again. Bergold's world crumbles after hearing these words. Two guards walk over to Bergold and escort him out of the throne room. As he leaves the throne room, Bergold looks into the eyes of all the dwarves present. He sees his parents crying and in disbelief at how this could happen. In Gandogar's face, he mainly sees anger. Bergold hopes that Gandogar can control himself because it would only make the situation worse.

He is brought to his home by the guards, and Bergold is given a short time to gather his personal belongings. Once that is done, the walk to the outside world begins. The walk is long, and there is little conversation. They pass a few dwarves, but Bergold can only think about how he just threw his life away for a white gemstone. After a few hours of walking and using various elevators, Bergold sees daylight. This is the first time in his life that he sees the entrance to the dwarven realm of Dhiltodur. It will also be the last time, and he will never be welcome there again. The guards stay at the entrance and signal to Bergold that he should proceed without them.

Bergold takes his first step outside the dwarven realm, feeling utterly disoriented. This is the first time in his life that he sees daylight, as well as the first time he sees Bintaviona as any non-dwarf race sees it. Now, standing purely on the surface, he sees it as a barren and rocky plateau. He takes a deep breath and continues to walk. With each step he takes, he is further away from his old life.