“Something far too many people seem to forget: Royalty are just people too, in the end.” - Last words of Aethelbald Stahlfaust the IIIrd, former King of Knallzog, circa 405 FP.
“Think nothing of it, Miss deVreys,” said the dwarven King with a gentle smile on his face. “It’s not like our nation has any stake in the Forest of Despair anyway, and if your people can make use of that place and even clear routes through it, it would be to everyone’s benefit. We have no reason to gainsay your plan to found a city there, and only benefits to gain from a friendship between us.”
“On that note, if you’re not in a hurry today, would you and yours care to stay for dinner? Our lady Queen is quite fond of your tales. She would be ecstatic to meet the real person in the flesh,” added the King with a tone that sounded halfway like a plea. “Also please don’t say this to others, but we are quite certain that she will consign us to the guest bedroom for at least a week if she ever caught tremors of our having met you yet not extend such an invitation.”
“We would be honored to accept, Your Highness,” said Aideen with polite laughter. She was not sure whether the dwarven king was making an attempt at a joke with what he said or if the Queen would really do that, but she had nothing to lose to play along anyway. Getting in the good graces of the Knallzog Royal Family was beneficial to her too.
On the king’s invitation, the group was allowed to visit the mansion’s private library – which had quite a collection of antique tomes Aideen was interested in – and lounge where they could relax and enjoy some refreshments. Time flew by quickly, with Aideen mostly poring through old tomes along with Celia and the other four relaxing in the lounge, and before they knew it, it was dinner time already.
The group was ushered to a dining room that was centered on a long, rectangular dining table made out of a single, solid slab of polished granite, with its sides covered in carvings and filigree made out of adamant turned into fine threads. That show of extravagance actually made Aideen raise an eyebrow. Adamant was notoriously difficult to work with, so the ability to make filigree out of it spoke of the extreme skills of the blacksmith who created the piece.
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It was the exact sort of showpiece a dwarf would display, one that showcased the skill of the blacksmith rather than ostentatious appearance. The filigree itself served a practical purpose, as they provided a support frame for the hefty granite slab that served as the table’s surface. Adamant’s near-indestructible property meant that the slender design, fashioned after a tree with its branches supporting the table, leaves and roots on the sides, held up to the weight of the slab just fine.
There, they were met by the dwarven monarch, who was seated at one end of the table with his family. It was a small family, only the Queen and their two children, one of whom was still practically a toddler by most any standards. Dwarves had a neutral view on their monarch having concubines or harems, and it was generally up to the monarch in question. Many only had one spouse like King Olvard, though.
“Glad you could join us, Miss deVreys!” greeted the king in a jovial manner. He then gestured towards the older dwarven woman who was seated next to Aideen. “This is our Lady Queen, Lowena von Ostmauer,” he introduced. The name caught Aideen’s attention since it likely meant the queen was one of Ginnie’s descendants, probably a grandchild or great-grandchild, given her age. “Darling, this is Miss Aideen deVreys from Ptolodeca, better known as the Silver Maiden.”
“Charmed, Your Highness,” said Aideen as she greeted the queen politely.
“Oh, oh, I have been wondering what Orvald meant by a surprise, but I never thought of this!” said the queen excitedly as she grasped Aideen’s proferred hand in both of her own and shook it vigorously. “What you have done for the advancement of healing skills both magical and mundane is a true wonder, Miss deVreys, a true blessing for the people. Please accept my gratitude for your kindness!”
“Our Lady Queen is a bit of a healer herself,” said the King with a smile. “She trained for a bit under Mæster Engel Goerenbrandt’s tutelage when she was younger. We did hear that supposedly you have taught the Mæster quite a few things before?”
“I did, yeah. We met by happenstance around a century ago and I taught him a few minor things,” said Aideen as she humbly downplayed her role in the matter.
“These two are our children, Olvia and Aethelbald,” introduced the king as his queen fawned over Aideen some more. The two royal children were young, with the older princess probably still under fifty years of age, which was still considered an immature youth, by dwarven standards. The younger prince was probably four or five years of age, given his size, and looked at Aideen’s group with bright, inquisitive eyes. “Say hello, children.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss deVreys,” said the older Olvia rather demurely.
“Nice to meet you!” said her younger brother Aethelbald with more pep. The bright, innocent smile on the young dwarf’s face was particularly noticeable given how his white teeth were juxtaposed with the Royal Family’s typical ebony-dark skin. The young boy was not old enough to have properly grown his beard yet, and only the typical thin coat of fine fuzz that dwarven children have early on was visible on his chin and around his lips.
“Now, we have invited you and yours over for dinner, and it wouldn’t do to go back on our words,” said the dwarven king with a pleased chuckle. He then lifted one burly arm and snapped his fingers, making an audible noise. “Serve the meal,” he said to the servants by the door.