Interlude - Elven Border

“There is the checkpoint Grimmy! Wow! I have never seen anything like that. Is the structure growing out of the ground?” Mezza asked in wonder.

“Aye lass. The elves with Life affinity worked with some shapers to grow this guard post from the surrounding trees. I was just as impressed as you are now when I first saw it.” Grimhold answered.

Mezza looked back at her betrothed. “Really? Why did ya leave the mountains? Ya never told me.”

“Family.”

Mezza just stared at Grimhold until he explained further. “My family is big on personal achievement. Hard to do that if ya stay inside the mountains. Sure, a dwarf could fight the monsters deep in the earth, and I did that for a time... but the life of adventure called to me.”

“So, you left home.” Mezza stated more than asked.

“Aye. A few of us did. We came to Nord in the hopes of joining the guild and make a name for ourselves. The lads and I were young and dumb, but we carved our own path.” Grimhold continued.

“What happened to them?” Mezza asked.

“Eh, after a few years of adventuring, we came upon a village that had been attacked by some kind of monster. At the time we did not know what it was. The place was devastated. Very few survivors.”

Mezza took Grimhold’s hand in Her’s. “That sounds awful.”

“Aye, it not be a memory I like to recall often. The monsters returned...” Grimhold began.

“What were they?” Mezza asked.

Grimhold recalled the things he still had nightmares about. “Six-legged Varnacs...”

Mezza gasped.

“Aye. They be vicious things. The stuff of nightmares. Vicious claws that can cut through non-mithril armor like it was nothin. Teeth and powerful jaws that can shatter even a dwarf’s bones...” Grimhold shuddered.

The Dwarven defender rained in his emotions and patted Mezza’s hand. They had stopped moving as Grimhold retold his tale. “My boys and I were well trained and quickly fell into formation. Those creatures were fast, but I was the party’s defender, and we knew how to work together. We were able to keep one of those nightmares contained, we were even adding some good wounds on our foe. That was when we heard a little girl scream...”

“Oh no.” Mezza gasped.

“When we looked down the way we saw two skinny street kids. A Varnac was headed right for them... Kern and Narn were the closest and the ones with the highest Agility and Strength among us, they made a dash for the kids. I do not fault them for doing so, those kids woulda died... but they broke formation, the Varnac we were fighting used the opportunity to strike Fayroon... split him open, he died instantly.”

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“Oh, no!” Mezza exclaimed.

“I finished it off... and rushed to help Kern and Narn.” Grimhold continued.

“Did they save the kids?” Mezza asked in anticipation.

“Aye, I rushed in and took up my stance in our formation. Sadly, by the time I got there, Kern had already lost an arm and Narn was sportin some nasty gashes... Yet we killed the thing! Sent that bastard straight to hell where it belongs! The kids lived, twin half-elves.”

“Do not tell me...” Mezza said as realization hit her.

“Aye, Cal and Mara. They had been living on the street for years getting by after their parents had died in a previous monster attack. The lads and I took them in and helped train em! Kern and Narn both left shortly after that. They lost the drive for the adventurer’s life after Fayroon died. I canna blame em, but Cal and Mara’s excitement breathed new life into me, so I became their defender.”

“I never knew that was how ya met them.” Mezza commented.

“I do not like to talk about it as it brings up painful memories.”

“I understand Grimmy, thank you for sharing your story with me.” Mezza said as she kissed the burly dwarf on his cheek.

Grimhold smiled at that. “So, what of yer family?”

Mezza smiled back. “As ya already know I am a Hill Dwarf. My family came from the south. We moved to Nord for more opportunities for Da. Me mother worked in various inns and kitchens; I picked up her talent fer cookin! After I was old enough to make me own way, Darrien was traveling through the town we were workin in. He had me cookin and hired me on the spot.”

“At least he was smart enough to do that!” Grimhold grumbled.

“Aye, had I known what a right git he was, I would never have accepted the job.” Mezza said before giving Grimhold another peck on the cheek. “Though, then I would never have met’cha”

Grimhold squeezed her hand, and they resumed their trek. It did not take long for them to reach the gates by the elaborate boarder guard post. The elven and human soldiers worked together, manning each side of the wooden wall and lookout nests.

“State your business for entering the elven nation.” And elven guard asked.

“In route to the Dwarven Mountain kingdom to visit family.” Grimhold answered.

“Papers.” The guard said as he held out his hand.

Grimhold handed him one of the documents he received from Deathwalker. It was a letter from Duchess Lightheart. The dwarf hated to think of the politicking his liege had to go through to get that, which made him even more thankful for it.

When the guard’s expression changed as he read the letter. Grimhold just chuckled. The dwarf knew the duchess was one of the elf king’s daughters. Another guard approached. This one seemed to be a higher rank.

“Problem?” The new guard asked as he stuck his hand out for the note the gate guard held.

The gate guard passed the new guard the document. “L-Lieutenant.”

The elven lieutenant’s eyebrows rose before turning his attention to the dwarf. “You must be Grimhold and Mezza?”

“Aye, that be us! But how do ya know that? The note does not mention Mezza’s name.” Grimhold said with suspicion.

The elven lieutenant smiled. “No, it does not. His majesty King Alfheim sent word to the border. He seeks to strengthen his relationship with Duke Dragonvein.”

The elven lieutenant waved his arm as a signal and a column of elven soldiers appeared from around the corner. “We have been instructed to escort you to the mountain entrance and ensure no harm comes to either of you. I am willing to give you a temporary Oath of Protection during this journey to assuage any concerns you might have.”

Grimhold laughed. “Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Leave it to my liege to somehow arrange for an entire elven column as our escort! Sure, I will take yer oath!” Grimhold laughed.