Regarding the races of Rixa, it is only natural to continue my explanation with the race with which we have such a good relationship. The race of dwarfs, otherwise known as the Children of Stone.

Dwarfs, as their names suggest, have a slightly shorter stature than humans, but also possess a stronger frame compared to their height, that is. While the average human male has a 1.7 meter height. Regarding the dwarfs, their height will only reach a 1.5 meter.

Similarly, female humans on average reach 1.6 meter, while female dwarfs tend to be at 1.4 meter height on average.

Naturally, as to every rule there are exceptions to this as well, but the greater the difference is the rarer the occurrence.

The Children of Stone, as their name suggest tend to live in the lack of a better word inside the stone. They relentlessly tunnel their way into the hearts of mountains or, on extremely rare occasions, build their cities on the surface at the top of such mountains.

Dwarfs, thanks to their small stature, are innately weak towards cavalry charges or fighting in open plains where their lack of mobility becomes their weakness and can be played against them by enemy archers or previously mentioned cavalry units.

It is believed that this weakness was the original motivator behind their tendencies to delve into the depths of mountains, where they create their own environment ideal for dwarven characteristics.

Dwarfs to this very day mostly rule the underground regions of the world, where their strength has been unchallenged by other sophisticated races. Meanwhile, aside from human kind and maybe the high elves, they only keep trade based connections with the other races.

Humans being the sole long-term supporters of dwarven interests in the surface world, while dwarfs allow us access to rich and rare metals on favorable terms. Our nations also have an open exchange policy regarding various technological advancements between our wise races.

Thanks to this harmonious exchange of knowledge and resources, it is no surprise that many humans live in dwarven cities, or travel there for many reasons. Such as education, trade, politics and even sightseeing. While similarly dwarfs visit our surface cities in the same fashion.

Dwarven metalwork is an art in itself, from which humanity has learned a lot. While dwarfs tend to visit our magic towers in hopes of expanding their shapers’ repertoire, which tends to get stuck at various levels of earth manipulation.

While human mages are far behind those of elven kind, magic being one of the few fields where a longer lifespan keeps providing unfair advantages. We are proud to tell that humankind’s magicology has advanced by leaps in just the last century.

Regarding the appearances of dwarfs. Most of them tend to have a pale white skin tone which is explained by their habit of staying underground. In contrast, those dwarfs that live on the surface, or at least frequent it have an easily tanned skin. Often humorously referred by their own kind as “Sun Touched”.

Such a nickname, however, does not come with any negatives, as dwarven laws do not forbid their citizen to visit the surface or live there. It is merely an innocent statement, as Sun Touched dwarves tend to stand out among their own like a striped horse would stand out placed among a stable of regular horses.

As the above mentioned little anecdote suggests, dwarven culture is heavily filled with boisterous humour and questionable attitudes, placed upon shockingly straightforward statements.

As the famous saying goes: A dwarf is as subtle as a rock thrown into one’s face. Which is not much I would imagine, never being thrown in the face with a rock. Not that I would desire to be placed in such an unfortunate circumstance.

Because of this integral cultural difference, dwarves are often misunderstood as uncivilised tactless brutes, having a less than savoury reputation among the sophisticated races.

Alas, if one can look beyond their eccentric behaviour and is patient enough to learn about their culture. That one would quickly learn to appreciate their straightforward honesty and innate friendliness, even in the fields of politics.

Beyond the stony exterior of dwarven people lies a warm friendliness which is built on a rock solid foundation.

To the dwarven people, honour and friendship are the most important things.

Extract from the book titled “The Intelligent Races of Rixa” written by human scholar Viscanu Winfred.

~oOo~

We have travelled through the darkness for hours, my sense of time once again failing me miserably in the dull repetitive environment.

In our travel, we have taken more than a few breaks, but generally we were on time. At least based on Emrum’s judgment.

I wouldn’t really know about that, as I said. My mind isn’t up for the challenge of judging the passing of time in these dull and dark tunnels.

Aside from that, even if it was, I would get distracted. My bottom and legs were practically killing me for being in the saddle for so long. I have even used my healing spell to alleviate some of the discomfort, but it quickly reappeared after continuing the journey.

My muscles were starting to cramp up again, and I couldn’t help but notice that the healing spells seemed to have less and less soothing effects on the strains.

It goes without saying that I was not used to such type of traveling methods.

At the bottom line, riding a goat mount is tiresome. I had the unfortunate chance to realize it many-many times throughout the day.

The saddle wasn’t that comfortable to begin with. There was no back seat to lean on and you had to catch yourself with your legs strictly placed in the stirrups every time the goat acted whimsically by jumping for absolutely no reason.

Oh, and it jumped as much as it could.

My knees were screaming at me every single time.

Aside from that, the entire ride was shaky, and I was starting to feel like someone who has fallen asleep in a massage chair.

Therefore, when Emrum said that we were almost there, I couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

It was a long and dangerous journey, but knowing that we were at the end of it somehow managed to fill me with a sense of unfiltered joy. After getting back to the base, I couldn’t wait to crash into a proper bed.

The thought of it alone made me smile.

In the end, no matter the age of one’s body, it all has a limit. I was either beyond that limit already or quickly approaching it. I wouldn’t even mind if I never had to ride a goat ever again. A whimsical wish at best, but a girl could dream.

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I felt surprised by my own thoughts. It seems I have grown used to unconsciously referring to myself like that. Took a few weeks, and a few hundred dwarfs to continuously treat me like a girl, after turning into one, but I got there in the end.

It didn’t feel wrong anymore. Not in the way I would expect. Strange, yes, but not necessarily wrong.

This body was simply me, a part of me, that served as my anchor to this world.

You know, I have been thinking for a while, what makes old people old, and young people young? Beyond the obvious outward appearance.

A question to which my unique circumstances offer an unusual insight.

The answer I came up, while not necessarily poetic, or groundbreaking, feels acceptable, at least for me.

People truly start to get old when they stop looking forward towards the future and subconsciously stare back into the past in their search for comfort.

When our hopes and desires are stifled in the smelly swamps of reality. Being turned into mere memories, lost in the corners of our mind, hidden even from ourselves. Rarely, if ever, visited. Faded colors shadows of those distant memories, painful reminders of could be possibilities.

When one unconsciously turns to the past in search of happiness over the future. Then that person accepts that the future does not hold joys equivalent to those of the past.

And as time continues to move forward relentlessly, so does the scale began to favor the past over the present.

In my seventy-two years, I have learned one thing with absolute certainty. In the end, no matter how we struggle, time wins. And there is nothing time cannot take from us. It is a game that we will continue to lose until we have nothing else to give.

I found myself smiling in the saddle as the final conclusion came to my mind. There was a new chapter even behind the falling curtains.

It was not the end.

With my present clarity. I could say without a sense of guilt.

One needs to be kind and patient when the circumstances allow for such luxuries, while being swift and firm in their own beliefs, when not.

Everything else should be judged by one’s own conscience. Because the goal does not always justify the means. Nor the extent in which we fulfill them.

And now, once again… I found myself looking forward the future.

~oOo~

We continued our travel in much the same manner for approximately another one and a half hour. It was at then we slowed down, noticing strange flickering torchlights right ahead of us.

They were in abundance.

We slowed our pace and approached the lights consciously.

Initially, I was a bit alarmed by the seemingly thoughtless decision, but soon enough, I became aware of the sounds of grumbling and cursing dwarfs.

My ears twitched, as I realized with a tremendous sense of relief.

We have arrived.

I could hardly believe it. We arrived safely, without incident. Last time I made the same travel I had almost died twice and got shot by an arrow.

Since then I could hardly sleep, at least when I was not dead tired. Otherwise, my dreams tended to be filled with flying goblin parts and giant black spiders.

Ugh… now-now… I shouldn’t be remembering that part right now. Not before going to sleep, at least.

We closed on the discussing dwarfs in a measured pace, allowing them enough time to notice our presence without spooking anybody unnecessarily.

Soon enough, a harsh loud sound pierced through the darkness.

“Who goes there?!” — Demanded the gruff voice of a dwarf.

Emrum shouted back in a much similar way.

“Its Emrum Dimhollow coming from the second outpost. We have been called back post-haste.“

“Aye, we have been waiting for your arrival. You guys surely took your time.” — The man grumbled.

Emrum gave me a sidelong glance before shouting back to the man once more. — “There have been unforeseen complications.”

He stated, and I had a feeling that he was actually struggling to hold back a smile.

Then I realized by complications he must have meant my lack of riding experience. I suddenly felt an urge to just elbow the bastard in the guts. Unfortunately, he was too far for me to attempt such action. Not that it would do much, since he was wearing damnable armor.

The previous voice sounded once again, cutting through the dim light of the cave. — “Complications you say? Are you alright, injured?”

Emrum shouted back in a lighter tone now, realizing that his words had been misinterpreted. — “Nay, we are fine, just tired and had to go on a slower pace.”

The man answered with a new cheer in his voice when he heard Emrum’s response. — “Good then! Now, don’t let me hold you up. Go ahead and join the caravan. They are ready to bail out the moment you arrive.”

My ears twitched as I worriedly creased my brows. Did he say what I think he said?

I throw a questioning glance towards Emrum, but seeing his troubled expression, I was certain that he was just as surprised by this development as I was.

We shared a confused look, then decided to move ahead.

It didn’t take much more time before we found ourselves in front of a long caravan made out of carts, four of them in total. I counted them mentally. The wagons were surrounded by dwarfs, and, to my surprise, humans, if my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me.

The caravan was standing right outside of the outpost, and there were many people talking and shouting about, clearly frustrated for whatever reason. It was just as the earlier man had said. The caravan was ready to move out.

Our sudden arrival caused quite a scene, actually. A large quantity of the people seemed relieved seeing us, while the other half started to grumble twice as loud.

I looked around, unsure what to think about this unusual reception. Feeling my sudden uncertainty, my mount seemed to grow frustrated as well. Before I could be thrown off the saddle, I quickly decided to leave the sinking ship, climbing down from the saddle with surprising agility after the tiring journey.

I winced, feeling my stiff and prickling legs. While holding onto the goat’s reins to stop it from running away.

One of the nearby dwarfs walked up to me and took the reins from my hands. I didn’t protest and let go of it immediately.

I glanced at the dwarf man and spoke hastily. — “Uh, could you give him some carrots later? He deserves it…” — I said while petting the side of the goat gently.

The man gave me an unexpected toothy smile with a quick nod before leading the goat away.

I looked after the pair for a while, then my attention was drawn away by a heated argument happening just a few steps to my left. I turned in the direction, noticing Emrum and an unfamiliar dwarf shouting at each other.

I decided to listen in on the argument, having nothing better to do.

“…and I said, you are crazy if you want to travel after nightfall!” — Shouted the familiar voice of Emrum.

“We are late because of you! We have wasted two entire days of travel because we were waiting for your arrival. You should be happy that I didn’t just left you here long ago!” — Shouted the unfamiliar voice of a bulky dwarf man.

“That’s because…” — Emrum started, but was cut off quickly.

“Look, I don’t care about your circumstances. I have my own troubles to deal with, so either get on the damn cart or leave me be. We leave in five minutes, like it or not!” — The man stated with finality.

“You stubborn idiot! Fine then, Selora!” — Emrum shouted in my direction, the anger still palpable in his voice from the recent argument.

Hearing his voice, I quickly pulled the straps of my backpack over my shoulders and rushed up to Emrum’s side.

My sudden appearance seemed to garner some attention from the nearby people, both human and dwarf. I could feel the eyes of the soldiers following me around.

When I stood in front of Emrum, he huffed and puffed with frustration, cursing under his breath, then pointed at one of the nearby carts.

“I assume you have heard our argument…” — I nodded, to which he only reacted with a frustrated grunt. — “Climb on that cart and bring everything you have to. Don’t worry about the food they have packed enough for all of us, at least.”

I nodded, waiting for him to say anything else. Which he did eventually.

“I will join you later. I have to drop my report on the goings of the new outpost to one of the soldiers stationed here. Also, I want to get updated on the present situation. You might as well rest, if you can. We are going to travel the entire night because of that stubborn fool.”

With that said, he stormed away, leaving me standing next to the cart with more questions than answers.

In the meantime, I was growing increasingly self aware about the gazes that were thrown in my direction. I decided that I had enough of being stared at. I turned around and climbed into the cart.

Once I was hidden behind the thick layer of dark cloth covering the back of the cart providing a basic layer of protection, I heaved a relieved sigh.

As the novelty of my situation faded, the aches and pains of my muscles seemed to redouble their protest. I quickly found myself leaning on my staff, already calling forth the memory of my healing spell.

It was at this moment when an unfamiliar voice called out to me.

“And who might you be, pray tell?” — Came the voice of a man from the dark corner of the cart.

I blinked and started glancing around, only now realizing that I was not alone. Now, when I looked, I could easily see three silhouettes already sitting in the cart, along with a few backpacks and various items of necessity.

I blinked hard, taken off-guard by this situation.