Year 42

*The Party reaches the Habor city of Panmark. Two walls sandwich the maple orchard, used to make up the town's main export of Maple syrup. Emma pokes her head out of the cart and looks at the Circus as they park next to the staff area.*

Tip: Thanks again. I don’t know if we would’ve made it on time had you three not shown up.

Ruddy: Of course!

Tip: And as promised. Let me go get those tickets as payment.

Emma: Yay!

*Emma jumps up and down excitedly. Tip walks over to a carriage, painted in many colors. The name Tic is visible on a star on the open door facing towards the party. After a moment Tip comes out with another gnome.*

Gnome: I heard you helped save our show.

*He stretches his hand out to Ruddy.*

Tic: The name's Tic. As a special thanks, I’d like to offer you three VIP passes for tonight's show.

Emma: Ruddy. I swear if you say no, Falicia won’t find your...

Ruddy:*Laughs* I know I know. *Turns to Tic.* That would be great. Emma here has been excited to see it since we met Tip and Flash.

Tic: Really? *Turns to Emma.* How would you like to be a part of the show?

Emma:*Excited* Can I!

Tic: I don’t see any reason why not. Come follow me.

*Tic waves Emma to follow him and as she does she turns to Ruddy and Levi.*

Emma: I’ll come find you after. Can you meet me at the gates in two hours?

Ruddy: See you then.*Waves*

*Emma follows Tic into a medium-sized empty tent.*

Tic: So we decided to go with the legend about Sylvar and Ratha. Can I assume you're familiar?

Emma: Yeah! It's my favorite.

Tic: We have another elf who will play Sylvar's role.

*A short golden brown bear beastkin walks in with some fabric and measuring tape.*

Tic: Hunny, can you make Emma here my Ratha by tonight?

*Hunny smiles before taking Emma's measurements, she begins working on the outfit while Tic goes over the show to Emma.*

Emma: So it's the romance version?

Tic: Yes, but the other elf has asked to avoid kissing because he's married.

Emma:*Laughs* That's fine with me. I'd like to save my first kiss anyway.

*The next day fireworks burst in the air, some have pictures of X's and O's heart balloons around the entrances, and multiple couple walks around the circus. Ruddy and Levi sit down in the Big Top and wait for the show to begin.*

Levi: Think Falicia will be jealous when I tell her I took you on a date?

Ruddy: *Laughs* Please, I took you out of courtesy.

*The two laugh as the spotlights begin to dance around the tent before pointing at three gnomes. The lights change between them as they speak in turns.*

Tic: Thank you everyone for showing up for couples night!

Tac: Tonight we have a special Elven play.

Tow: One of love.

Tic: One of sorrow.

Tac: Of course, we are talking of Sylvar and Ratha. Two lovers who belonged to two different families.

*As the lights dim and the voices go quiet Emma walks out and the spotlight points to her. Her outfit made mostly of white silk, she walks to a cage with another elf with purple eyes.*

Tow: Sylvar was captured by Ratha's family and imprisoned. She came to visit him every day, curious about how different he was, and always asked him questions.

Tic: "How can we look so similar but live such different lives." Although the two were royalty, They could never be together.

Tac: Because a trusted ally made both families believe the other was at fault for hunting in the other's sacred lands.

*Emma opens the cage and helps the elf stand up.*

Tow: But one day. Ratha couldn't take seeing her father torture Sylvar anymore. Ratha broke out Sylvar and hid for years, some say they even gave birth to a child.

*Emma and the elf ran into a house prop.*

Tic: While they were gone the families discovered the true culprit of the crimes and attempted to make amends, both searching for their lost heirs.

Tac: And one day. The two returned. But sadly it was because Ratha had gotten ill. Her spirit died protecting her.

Tow: Ratha had an illness called Spirit loss where an elf slowly passes away.

*The front of the house prop falls to show Emma lying on a bed.*

Tic: Sylvar, begged his father and Ratha's father to help give Ratha one final gift. A chance to see her spirit, one last time before she passed on.

Tac: The two families came together to create the spirit mirrors so that elves could commune with spirits they had lost before joining them.

*A large glass window is lowered and behind it, Lily sits in a costume that makes her resemble Ratha's spirit.*

Tow: When Ratha passed, Sylvar made sure to share this new mirror with the rest of the elves so others could get one last chance to speak to their spirit partner. The newly combined families make up the Elven lands, which we all know today as Sylvendor in honor of the prince who brought his people together.

Tic: When Sylvar later passed without ever having an heir, the elves searched everywhere, but they were never found to exist.

*The play ends, and the light fades. Tic, Tak, and Tow walk out.*

Tac: Let's give a round of applause for our volunteers today, Emma and Wallace!

*The crowd cheers as a group of clown gnomes begins an act. Emma appears behind Levi and Ruddy.*

Emma: How’d I do?

Levi: Not bad. I enjoyed it.

Ruddy: Honestly. I think Ariella might get mad if I don’t tell her. I think she would’ve enjoyed that.

Emma: *Irritated* Ruddy...

Ruddy: I meant it in a good way. I swear.

Emma: *Glares* If you say so.*Smiles*

Levi: I thought you and Ariella said Elven Royalty isn't by blood.

Emma: I've heard it was different back then. I believe Queen Seraphina was the first to be selected. I don't know how they're selected. Apparently, only current royalty knows. Oh and boys.

*Levi and Ruddy turn to look at Emma, an evil grin slowly forms while she talks.*

Emma: Ariella won't find out right?

*They both shake their heads vigorously.*

Emma: Good, I wouldn't want to have to tell Falicia about your date with Levi.

*Emma laughs as the two look around.*

Ruddy: You know, Levi even said. " Sure seems like a lot of couples came out today."

*Emma laughs even harder, holding her sides. Some of the couples nearby glare at the party.*

Emma: *Wipes tear from eye.* Sorry, I don't think I've laughed that hard since Ariella accidentally froze her pants.

Both: What?!

Emma: I've already said too much. Sorry.

*Emma catches her breath from laughing.*

Emma: You can ask her, but I might get in trouble just for mentioning it.

*Signalling the end of the day, fireworks explode filling the sky with shapes of cakes, cherries, apples, hearts, and maple leaves. As the fireworks die down the party retires for the evening.*

*The next morning the party stops by to say goodbye to the crew.*

Tow: That performance was wonderful. Which way are you all headed? Maybe we could hire you for a couple more shows.

Emma: Mithrun.

Tic: Damn, we lost our elves for Sylvndor and have been struggling to find a replacement. We've been lucky to find volunteers the last few times.

Emma: I won’t be back for at least a year. Ruddy here wants to make it home before his kids grow up.

Tac: Well if you’re free after maybe reach out and see if we are hiring.

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

*The three gnomes smile at Emma.*

Emma: I appreciate the offer, but I’m not sure I’m interested in acting long-term.

Tow: Well if you change your mind.

Emma: Of course. *Smiles*

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*The party heads to the shore where they’ve rented a boat. They take the boat out a short distance and drop the anchor. At first, Emma seems fine, until the waves pick up.*

Emma: Ruddy. Hold me...

*Emma hugs onto Ruddy tightly.*

Emma: You won’t leave me too right?

*Levi tries not to laugh*

Ruddy: No one’s leaving you. Don’t worry.

Emma: Ariella said that and now she’s gone.

*Emma rests her head on Ruddy's lap and starts to fall asleep. Ruddy and Levi both look at each other in silence for a moment.*

Ruddy: Well I heard back from him. He is already waiting for us at Melencolm. Hopefully, she’ll be happy about that.

Levi: Yeah.*Pause* But at least she handled this well. Or is it not over?

Ruddy: Nope this is the best case scenario. Also, let’s not tell Ariella what Emma said.

Levi: I agree. I don’t think Ariella would handle that very well. *looks up* Well, the next ship isn’t for another month. What should we do?

Ruddy: Let’s just relax. I’m not going to want to stop once we get to Mithrun until I get back to Falicia, so let’s rest while we can.

*The next month passes quickly and the party climbs aboard a ship headed to Mithrun equipped with a large metal blade in front.*

Emma: What do you think that’s for?

Dwarf: That’s for breaking the ice once we cross over. Don’t worry your pretty little ears. We’ll be fine.

*Emma glares at the dwarf then looks around at the ship filled with mostly gnomes and dwarves.*

—--------------------------------

*A week passes and the party arrives in the Habor city of Melencolm, the sound of ice breaking echoes through the port. As the ship stops a bell rings, alerting everyone they have docked. As the party walks off the ship, Ruddy and Emma wear fur coats to keep warm. Emma also has a headband that pulls her ears back.*

Emma: *Shivering* Okay, we made it. Now what?

Ruddy: He should be here somewhere.

*A male voice calls out*

Voice: Oi! Over here!

*The party turns to see a dwarf, Hakhir waving to the party.*

Emma: Hakhir!

*Emma runs over, picks up Hakhir, and hugs him. *

Hakhir: *Laughing* Yes I missed you too dear. But It’s kind of rude to pick up a dwarf.

*Emma stops and her face turns red. She places down Hakhir and steps back.*

Emma: Sorry.

Hakhir:*Laughs* It’s all good. Ruddy here tells me you’ve been upset ever since you left Ariella behind. Isabelle asked me to join you all for my 675th birthday.

Emma: Really?!

Hakhir: Well maybe not those exact words but it’s been a while since I went on an adventure. I returned to Mithrun a few years back to visit some old faces.

*Emma hugs Ruddy.*

Emma: Thank you.*Looks at Levi.* Both of you.

Levi:*Smiles* I didn’t do much. Ruddy here felt bad about you being the only girl.

Hakhir: I might not have the biggest tits. But I’ve still got some good years left in me. *Smiles*

*Everyone pauses for a moment before they all laugh. Dwarves passing by all glare at the party*

Hakhir: Let's find a place with less judgmental eyes.

*Hakhir leads the party to a tavern run by a female elderly gnome. They sit down and look around at the empty tavern.*

Gnome: I assure you we’re open. Dwarves just avoid this place because we serve all races.

Hakhir: Morning Dori.

Dori: Morning Hakhir. *looks at Emma and the boys.* So are these the kids you’re helping?

Hakhir: Yeah.*Laughs* My daughter’s stepkid and her two friends.

Ruddy: I don’t think I’ve been called a kid since Sylvndor.

Dori: I don’t mean anything by it. Anyone who has color in their hair still is a kid to me these days.

Hakhir: What’s my excuse then? I still have some red.

*Hakhir separates his beard to reveal the core of his braids is still red.*

Dori: You’re too cranky to be a kid. But you seem to be in a good mood today.

Hakhir: Well, starting today I’m helping these kids, adventuring.

Dori: I thought you said it was a pilgrimage.

Ruddy: Yes, but part of the pilgrimage is visiting the capitols of each race and giving my aid to their people. Sometimes it includes fighting so we’re required to reach at least an ‘A’ rank.

Dori: Now listen hear Hir. If you go off and get yourself killed. I’ll never forgive you.

Hakhir: *Laughs* I’m too stubborn to die.

Emma: We'll keep him safe. *Smiles*

Dori: *Looks at Emma.* Okay. I’m trusting you. He better come back in at least two pieces.

Hakhir: Why two?!

Dori: Well I don’t want it to be too difficult for her.

*The party laughs while Dori brings over a round of drinks.*

Hakhir: Well, while Mithrun is the smallest nation. We’re also the hardest to traverse. I can help take you through the underground, but I don’t know how that will work with your thing.

*Hakhir gestures towards Ruddy and Ruddy turns towards Emma.*

Ruddy: For Emma’s sake. I’d like to stay above ground.

Hakhir: It’ll be a lot colder. We won’t be able to travel during winter.

Emma: you know I can hide myself completely right?

*Everyone turns to Emma.*

Ruddy: What do you mean?

*Emma uses her magic to change her hair to a chestnut brown, her eyes a seafoam green and her ears rounded to look more human.*

Emma: I appreciate you looking out for me Ruddy, but I’ll be fine.

Ruddy: How long can you hold it though?

Emma: *raises head in thought* Hmmmm. I’ve never tried but I’ve slept with a disguise on before. *Laughs* I scared myself awake the next morning. I can't cast any disguise spells on other people while I'm like this though.

Ruddy: Okay, well.*Turns to Hakhir.* What do you recommend?

Hakhir: It would be faster to the Golden Throne if we take the tunnels. And we should be able to find plenty of clear quests. If we take the skyway back then it’ll take us through the Braitheannach.

Emma: I’ll be honest. I understood none of that.

Hakhir:*Laughs* The skyway is just the roads above ground. Dwarves call it that because we can see the sky on our way. Braitheannach is where we grow our hops. I think we should wait a week before heading out though.

Ruddy: Why’s that?

Hakhir: Emma smells like an elf. She’ll also want to unlearn some of her elven mannerisms.

Emma: Like what?

Hakhir: Most races can’t use magic as freely as elves. You also can’t even look offended at Elven jokes. Saw a demon defend an elf, and it ended in the demon losing his tail in a duel. It's better now since the new King. He's attempting to do away with the arenas and public duels. They've been trying ever since the situation near the border years ago.

Emma: So what I'm hearing is, stay silent and in the back. I think I'll be fine.*laughs*

Levi: And How do ranks work out here?

Hakhir: above ground, you could rank them the same as anywhere else. Underground there are a lot of creatures no dwarf has ever defeated. Instead, we rank our monsters. Above ground, you’ll find anything from C and lower. Underground the weakest thing you’ll find is a stoneling, they average ‘c’ rank and are found around Divepoints. Divepoints are natural entrances to the underground.

*Dori brings another drink and places it in front of Hakhir.*

Dori: I think you’re overwhelming them a bit.

*Hakhir looks at the trio and their blank stares.*

Hakhir: *sigh* how about we check one out tomorrow?

Emma: Well I want to get some new clothes. Before we go anywhere. That should help with the elven smell right?

Hakhir: Do it after we come back. If you walk into a dwarven store smelling like that you’ll get kicked out or charged extra.

Emma: Well I don’t mind paying extra how much are we talking?

Hakhir: How much are you willing to pay? I’ve seen them charge an elf ten gold for a used shirt with holes before.

Emma:*Eyes widen.* Oh. Well, never mind then.

*The next day the party stands before a massive cave entrance that looks similar to the mouth of a large monster. Small stone monsters, in the shape of a lemur, bounce around the entrance, a could get closer to the party to investigate. Hakhir kicks at them.*

Hakhir: Get ye’ bastards!

Emma: Are they dangerous?

Hakhir: No, just mischievous. They like to steal.

*As they enter the opening the light of the world quickly disappears and the smell of burning torches fills the air. Reaching the open area, the party looks in amazement at the massive cavern.*

Ruddy: It’s huge.

Levi: I can’t even see any walls.*Looks up* I can’t even see the ceiling in some areas.

Emma: It goes beyond where I can sense.

Hakhir: That’s because as far as we know it goes through all of Mithrun. Our legends say we were born down here and that’s why dwarves are so strong.

*Walking along what appears to be a road the party looks at the seemingly endless cavern. Suddenly, the ground starts to shake.*

Hakhir: RULE NUMBER ONE DOWN HERE! DON'T MOVE WHEN THE GRAPHISAUR IS NEARBY!

Emma thinking: Is the ground moving?

*Hakhir steps on a stone causing the path to light up. As the lights extend out, they reveal the legs of the dark monster. The trio looks up in an attempt to see the rest of the monster. As the steps echo, the trio gasps and Hakhir turns to them.*

Hakhir: They’re passive beasts, we can actually ride one on our way to the capital.

Emma: is it dangerous?

Hakhir: Not at all. They have a set migration pattern...

Levi: THEY?! How many more of those things are there?!

Hakhir: Don’t worry your head Matheg. *Chuckles* There are two we know of and that we know of, there isn’t anything that can kill one.

Emma: How do they reproduce?

Hakhir:*Shurgs* Don’t know. They’ve been around as long as any dwarf can remember. There is a male and female though. Cragailach or Crag is the bull and Eithne or Ethel is the cow. As far as we know they don’t die of old age and they don’t seem to reproduce.

Ruddy: I’m assuming we don’t want to move or we might get crushed?

Hakhir: not quite. Outside of their resting points, smaller groups of monsters called Tarbeasts gather around their feet. They can only see movement and like to stick to moving creatures. They use the tar on their bodies to trap creatures until they die of starvation. Then they eat the decomposing body. For bigger monsters, they group up.

Ruddy: wouldn’t riding that thing be a risk then?

Hakhir: Not at all. They let go away in well-lit areas. That’s why you didn’t see any when it walked by now. You could probably get a job cleaning off the tar at one of the checkpoints.

Emma: So how do we avoid tarbeasts?

Hakhir: with this.

*Hakhir pulls out a lantern with a crystal inside.*

Hakhir: It’s an Illumination stone. That’s what lit up the ground earlier. These act as natural deterrents. So remember, if you get lost find a light vein.

Emma: What do they look like?

*Hakhir points to a glowing symbol, a triangle pointing down, nearby.*

Hakhir: The glow is brighter the darker it is, but those point at the nearest node. Not that you should need to know, but, if you find yourself outside of the explored zone look for glow veins, they are just what they sound like. A vein that glows. It’s where we mine illumination stone.

Levi: how do we know what area we’re in?

Hakhir: You’ll know. The first sign is the silence. The reason we haven’t explored much is because being out there causes most to go insane from how quiet it is. Traveling alone is a death sentence.

*The party heads back to the tavern for the evening, gnomes fill half the building tonight.*

Hakhir: for the next week we’ll go fight Stonelings. *Looks at Emma.* Covering yourself in their dust will remove the elf smell.

Emma:*Disgusted* So I have to rub myself in their crushed-up body parts? Ew.

Hakhir: *Laughs* it’s that or you’ll have to walk the whole way to the golden throne on your own.

Emma: Fine…

Levi: At least they’re made of rocks so it’s not going to be all bloody.

Emma: Fair. Well if that's the case I’m taking one last bath before.

Hakhir: Where? Dwarves don’t bathe.

*Emma just looks at Hakhir, speechless.*

Emma: So, you mean to tell me I can’t bath the entire time we’re here?*turns to Ruddy* I no longer like you.

*The three men laugh as Emma glares at them.*