Interlude - Dwarven Mountain Kingdom

“We at the Proletariat are excited to help the dwarven people overthrow the oppression of the greedy elves.” The ambassador commented.

“Your majesty, the ones you requested are here.” The advisor to the king interrupted.

“Very well. Let them approach.” The Dwarven King replied before turning his attention back to the Proletariat ambassador. “We will finalize these agreements after I deal with some internal Dwarven matters. I will summon you ambassador when I have finished.”

The Proletariat ambassador bowed. “Of course, your majesty. I look forward to it.”

After bowing the ambassador was escorted out of the royal hall. As he exited, he saw the dwarf male and female surrounded by royal guards. Seeing the annoyed look on the captain’s face, the ambassador knew he was not happy.

‘These two must be the two the Kingdom of Nord sent. To have that expression on the captain’s face tells me all I need to know. Whatever Duke Dragonvein was attempting has failed. I must report this to the Archmage Lenn. Soon we will have these dwarves fighting the elves and making us their cold iron weapons. Such fools, but that is to be expected from non-humans.’ The ambassador thought gleefully as he realized his mission would soon be over and he could leave the presence of these thickheaded dwarves.

——-

“Your majesty, I have brought Grimhold as ordered.” Fenrir said as he bowed.

All the other royal guards bowed, Grimhold and Mezza joining them.

The king stared at Grimhold and Mezza. After a few moments of silence in the royal hall the king spoke up. “Who is this Dwarven woman? She does not look like a Mountain Dwarf. No, I would say she be a Hill Dwarf by the look of her.”

“I be Mezza, your majesty.” Mezza replied but kept her head down.

Grimhold squeezed her hand as encouragement before he raised his head high as if giving the king a challenge. “She be my betrothed!”

The king’s bushy eyebrows rose. “Betrothed?! What do you mean betrothed?! My nephew comes back after being away from home for years and now he tells me he has a betrothed!” The king slammed his fist on the throne. “I mean I get a man needs to make his own way, but coming home saying his is betrothed when his family has not even met the girl... what nonsense is this!”

“Nephew? Family?” Mezza squeaked out in confusion.

“Yes, the king is my uncle. Did I not mention that?” Grimhold replied.

Mezza immediately rose from her knees; all thought or worry about being in the presence of the king completely forgotten. “You most certainly did not Grimmy! I can guarantee you that important bit of information I would have remembered!”

“I wanted to tell you, but I wanted to be sure you wanted me and not my title. Ya do not know how many dwarves I have run off. I was waiting until we were officially betrothed, then Deathwalker asked me to come...”

“Grimmy do not give me that! By now you should know I do not care about such things. Cooking and family, that is what I love.”

“And I love that about ya...”

Mezza interrupted. “Do not try to sweet talk me ya pigheaded dwarf! I am about to give ya a wallop with my frying pan! I want a partner, do not keep things from me! Oooo, I am so mad...”

The king laughed. “HA, HA, HA, HA, HA! I like her! She has some fire in her belly! I can see why you like her nephew.”

The king’s words seemed to snap Mezza out of her rage and remind her there were more than just her and Grimhold around. Horror-stricken, she turned to the king. “I am sorry yer majesty. I should not threaten a member of the royal family.”

The king waved her comment off. “No, ya should not, but it is understandable. Though do not blame my nephew too much. I asked him to not share his true lineage. He was only allowed to share such things with someone who saved his life. As you know, such an act is something the whole family must give thanks to and offer assistance to such a person.”

Mezza bowed her head, then realization dawned on her. “That is why Deathwalker sent you, he knows.”

Grimhold nodded. “Aye. I owe that man my life many times over.”

“Who is this Deathwalker and why do you owe him your life my nephew?” the king asked.

“Deathwalker has saved my life multiple times and he even repaired and enhanced my armor!” Grimhold replied.

“I thought your mithril armor looked better than I remembered.” The captain of the royal guards commented.

Grimhold nodded at his old friend before turning back to his uncle. “Deathwalker Dragonvein is one of the most honorable men I have met.”

The advisor near the king spoke up when he heard Deathwalker’s last name. “Dragonvein, as in Duke Dragonvein of the Timberfall Duchy within the Kingdom of Nord?!”

“Aye, that be him. If you doubt his honor, the system granted him a ‘Hero’ title for rescuing Timberfall and again for subduing an Adult Red Dragon!”

“A system acknowledged hero?!” The advisor gasped.

“Aye, and he be ma liege. I gave him my oath of loyalty and fealty!” Grimhold declared.

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“Your what?!” The king shouted.

Grimhold did not back down. “What was I to do uncle? I have told you of what he has accomplished, my honor demanded it!”

Mezza came to stand beside Grimhold and took his hand in hers. She whispered, “I may be mad, but I respect you standing up to yer uncle for yer friend... and it makes me love you even more Grimmy.”

Grimhold got so choked up by her words he just squeezed her hand back and smiled. He did not trust himself to do anything more or he might have lost control of his emotions.

The king looked at this quick exchange. “She has a spine too. Do you stand with my nephew for him or in defense of this Deathwalker?”

“Both! I love Grimmy and Deathwalker has always done right by me, Grimmy, and the people under him. To not stand for both would be to betray them, and I cannot do that... Though for Grimmy I would if he asked, I trust him enough.”

“You are not mad at him any longer?” the king asked.

“Oh, I be furious, but that does not change my loyalty to him.” Mezza stood; her posture even more resolute as she made her statement.

“Hmmm. Fenrir, you know my nephew more than anyone here, what are your thoughts?”

“He can be the most stubborn dwarf I know, and that is saying something as I know many stubborn dwarves...”

Grimhold winced as he expected Fenrir to dismiss his decision just as he had dismissed his decision to take on two young elves and continue being an adventurer.

“But he is a man of honor and sticks by his friends and his sense of duty no matter what. If Grimhold had given his oath he did not do so lightly. This Deathwalker Dragonvein must be at your level of honor my king.” Fenrir declared.

Both the king and Grimhold’s eyes widened at Fenrir’s declaration. “You surprise me Fenrir... but you are right. My nephew is loyal to a fault and stubborn, but he does take after his uncle. I cannot deny that... Very well nephew I do not challenge your oath, but we must discuss this Deathwalker further. As for your betrothal...” the king looked at the two of them still holding hands. “She is willing to defy me which means she risks her own life, that shows how much she respects and loves you, nephew. I will support your choice for that alone, however, you have to tell your mother and get her blessing.”

Grimhold cringed.

That simple act made the smile return to the king’s face.

“Uncle, as I owe my fealty to Deathwalker, he asked me to deliver a message and an offer to ya. May I?” Grimhold asked.

The advisor leaned over and whispered into the king’s ear.

The king nodded before turning his attention back to Grimhold. “Very well, but before you do that... I do have a matter we must discuss first, nephew.”

“What is it uncle?”

“The human you saw as you entered the royal hall was an ambassador to the Proletariat. They have come seeking an alliance against the elves and the Kingdom of Nord.” The king explained.

Mezza sucked in a breath. Grimhold had a frown on his face. “Ya very well know uncle that Timberfall Duchy is in the Kingdom of Nord. If we go to war, I am honor-bound to fight alongside Deathwalker.”

“From what you have told me, that is expected. That is part of the problem.” The king replied.

“But why war with Nord?” Grimhold asked.

“The elves.” The king answered.

Mezza had a puzzled look on her face.

Fenrir looked to his king for permission before he explained further. “Nord is the elves strongest allies. King Alfheim’s own daughters married the king and some of the dukes in the Kingdom of Nord. The two nations are bound by blood and family. If we attack one, we must plan to attack the other.”

“I am a Hill Dwarf, so I do not understand what the reason is for the dislike of elves. Why attack them at all?” Mezza inquired.

This time the advisor spoke up. “Our mountain exits into the elven nation. This means if we want to trade with others, they or us must traverse through the elves’ lands. For centuries the elves have used that against us and taxed or charged transportation fees, or a number of other excuses to bleed us dry.”

“Plus, everyone knows the elves are just puppets to the fey. The Winter Court has complete sway and they do not like cold iron passing through any nation they control. This has made it difficult at best, impossible at worst to sell weapons to other countries. War means freedom from fey oppression.” Fenrir chimed in.

“The king had already agreed in principle to the alliance.” The advisor further shared.

“But uncle you have not signed yet? That means there still be a chance.” Grimhold pleaded.

“A chance for what nephew?”

“Let me share Deathwalker’s message and offer.” Grimhold said.

“Very well.” The king gestured to his nephew to continue.

Grimhold withdrew a letter and opened it. Then he read it out loud for all to hear.

Honorable King of the Dwarves,

Through your nephew and my cook Mezza I have come to know what amazing and steadfast a people the dwarves can be. Like all races not everyone is the same, there are good and bad ones. Yet Grimhold is your kin and I have had the privilege to fight by his side and the honor to call him friend.

I also learned how much influence the fey have over the elves and I can only imagine their dislike of certain metals has led to adverse outcomes where trade is involved. A disadvantaged people can tolerate such things only for so long, so I have sent Grimhold to address this longstanding gap. I would like to offer an alternative solution.

I have created portal stations that allow for instantaneous travel between two stations. This dramatically cuts down on travel time and as you can expect costs. I propose an alliance with myself if you are concerned with the level of influence the elves have within Nord. I will have my people build a portal station in your kingdom. This would allow you to bypass the elves and the fey’s restrictions. Timberfall gains the benefit of dwarven made goods. Plus, I am interested in promoting free trade, so I am willing to negotiate my portal fees to ensure a long-lasting agreement.

I welcome your decision good king.

Respectfully,

Deathwalker Dragonvein

“Stable Portals?!” The advisor finally asked in exasperation when the king remained silent.

“Aye. He has built a few already. It be a most impressive invention. More importantly it means we no longer have to care what nonsense tariffs the elves try to impose on us.” Grimhold answered.

Finally, the king started laughing. “Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! I can see why you like this man! If this works, we have no need to bother with the elves or their blasted fey overlords ever again!”

“What is involved in making a portal station?” The advisor asked.

Grimhold held out another piece of parchment. “This is the list of materials and quantities needed to construct a portal station. Deathwalker sent a few construction crews shortly after we left. They should be here soon. If you allow them to enter and we can gather the necessary materials, I am told they can finish in about a week or less.”

The king stroked his chin while the advisor took the parchment. After reviewing it the advisor handed it over to the king.

“It is not cheap but most of the materials will not be difficult to obtain. What is your decision your majesty?” The advisor asked.

“We will give this Deathwalker and his people a chance. If they are successful then I will agree to an alliance, but with him, not Nord or those pointy-eared bastards!” The king declared.

The advisor bowed.

“Fenrir.”

“Yes, my king?”

“See to it these construction workers are escorted and treated properly. Let me harm come to them.” The king ordered.

“As you command my king!” Fenrir bowed.

“What about the Proletariat uncle?” Grimhold asked.

“As you said nephew, I never signed the treaty. We will stall them for as long as possible. That will give Deathwalker a chance to prove this marvel solution works. Now, you better get to your mother, or I will never hear the end of it.”

“Thank you, uncle.” Grimhold took Mezza and pulled her along. “Now the real challenge begins.

“The real challenge? Grimmy what have you gotten us into?”

“Do not worry lass. My mother should love ya!”

Mezza heard the king say, “Yea right, ha, ha, ha!”