Hearth Fire

The next morning was a blur, there was a lot to be done. Stronric and Bauru helped Mintra load his wagon. Gerlad spent the morning writing up the formal contract. Rugiel made breakfast while going over the contract with Gerald. Rugiel and Gerlad debated over certain percentages and trade tariffs applied to the products purchased and supplies by the hold. After much hassle and sweat, the group sat down to have one last breakfast together as five.

Although the group grew closer over the last couple of days, breakfast was kept short and sweet. Both parties had much to do and daylight was burning. Stronric wrote a letter to the captain of the guard that Mintra would deliver for him. Stronric wrote of his expected return to town in weeks. He explained his abrupt leaving as vaguely as he could to suffice the captain’s ideas. He didn’t want to actually be on the town’s bad side. He would need to come and go as he pleased, and being on the guards’ bad side wasn’t the way to do that. With one last handshake, and farewells the gnomes set off.

The three dwarves and one goat stood at the entrance to the Hold. Stronric turned and face the other two. He punched his open palm and smiled at them.

“Now that the pleasantries are over, it’s time to get to work. Bauru, I need you to sweep the mountains. Can you do a circle around the place? Oh, and take the goats out on patrol with you.” Stronric asked.

Bauru nodded at Stronric. He then turned to Beatrice. The two made eye contact and it seemed like something unsaid passed between them before they nodded in unison.

“Rugiel, you’re on black smith duty. We need tools, decent hammers, wood axes, splitting axes, shovels, and the like. Use the ore we have left as sparingly as possible. As you know we haven’t much left and we need to stretch it.” He said.

She looked down at her now healed hand and clenched it into a fist before looking back at Stronric and nodded.

“What are you going to do Stronric?” Bauru asked.

“I am going to finish moving those corpses out to the burn pit I made before Mintra arrived.” The sibling’s eyes met and both allowed a sigh of relief to escape knowing they weren’t tasted with rotten corpse duty. “Once that’s done, then I am going to explore deeper into the hold. It’s a miracle that we haven’t been attacked in our sleep. I am going to find out why our luck has been such.” Stronric said.

The three set to their tasks. Bauru left through the staircase that led to the top of the mountain, with his bow and Beatrice in tow. Rugiel headed down to the smithy with an extra serving of breakfast and two water skins. Stronric stopped at the hearth and went down onto one knee. He said a prayer, and his thanks to the Ancestor who had blessed and cared for them this far. Stronric’s belly warmed and a soothing feeling spread throughout his limbs.

Quest reward is now available!

Do you wish to accept the reward now?

Yes/No.

Stronric smiled, It’s about time I got my reward for my quest. Now lets see what the ancestor has gotten for me. Stronric used his mind to focus on “YES” just as Rugiel had taught. On the stones of the hearth a medium sized chest appeared. Stronric rose and saw the chest was a rectangle with a flat lid and made from iron. It had dwarven rune carved into the surface of the lid and sides. Stronric was surprised when he picked the chest up. It was lighter than he expected, weighing no more than five pounds. He lowered himself down to a seat in front of the hearth as he lifted the lid and peered inside. He was met by a folded white cloth. Green stitching trimmed the edges. A cornucopia was sewn into the center by golden thread. The material shown like high quality silk. The golden stitching caught the light and glimmered like the warm sun. The green thread reminded Stronric of the forest around the hold. He lowered the chest to the ground and reached in for the cloth. He sighed as his hands ran across the soft material and he marveled at how smooth it was. The item unfolded as he raised it from the chest and as he stood and a green belt tumbled out. Once the item was on full display Stronric saw it was a tabard!

A hole separated the two long sides and the stitched cornucopia was set perfectly to rest on his chest. Stronric pulled the tabard on. It was long enough to touch the ground. Stronric shook his head. As beautiful as this tabard be, I can’t fight with it, it’s too long. I’ll be tripping over the thing. As Stronric prepared to take the tabard off, it shrank. Coming up to just above his knees. Well that solves that problem. Stronric thought as he reached down for the green belt that tumbled out. The belt was made from woven metal strands. It was long with no buckle. He wrapped it around his waist and knotted it at his waist. As he finished the knot, a rush of energy came over him. What was that? It felt like the first time I got the blessing. Rugiel will likely know about such things. He went to close the lid of the chest, but stopped as he realized there were more items on the bottom of the chest.

A key the same golden color of the tabard sat on the bottom. The bow was shaped into a cornucopia and the barrel was smooth with small runes chiseled into the length. The bit was large with five sets of teeth. Stronric lifted the key to inspect it more. He saw the barrel was actually hollow, and the bit’s teeth could rotate. This must be a master key. It can be changed to fit any door it seems. This key should have only been for the king of this old hold. Stronric was amazed by the gifts he had been given. The key itself was worth a king’s ransom.

Stronric quickly thanked the ancestors again before pocketing the key. He then holstered his axe and headed down to the smithy to find Rugiel. The song of the smith could be heard a flight up from the smithy. He was about to knock on the door when he got an idea. He pulled the key from his pocket and slid it into the door. The door didn’t immediately open. He had to turn the key several tunes to allow the key to change to meet the requirements of this lock. The door gave a “pop” and was unlocked. Stronric walked into the smithy with a beaming smile, before he ducked as a hammer flew toward his head.

“Curse you Stronric! You scared me half to death! I thought the goblins had picked the door!” yelled Rugiel as she breathed heavily. She was about to accost him more when she noticed his new tabard. “Where did you get that?!”

“I got eh reward for my quest.” he said beaming a smile and putting his hands on his hips. “Doesn’t look half bad, does it?”

She set the item she was working on back into the forge and walked over to him. She inspected the tabard before giving Stronric a strange look.

“You completed a quest? That is incredible news Stronric!” She grabbed his hand and did a little celebration jump. Before quickly letting go of his hand and correcting her posture and skirts. “So, you just wanted to show me this new item or is there another reason to this interruption?” She said in a stern voice that couldn’t completely hide her curiosity.

“Oh right, besides increasing my already kingly appearance, what’s it do? When I put it on, I felt different.” Stronric asked.

Rugiel walked over to the anvil and sat cross legged on top of it. “Hmm, how did you receive the quest rewards?” She asked.

“Well, it popped into my head just like when I level or when I get the hearth blessing.” Stronric replied. “It asked if I wanted to receive my reward and when I focused on the YES, a chest appeared on the Hearth Stones.”

She couldn’t hide her surprise and her jaw dropped. “So, this tabard is a gift straight from our ancestors then!” She said amazed.

“Even I know that.” He pointed to the symbol on his chest.

“It is likely a magical item then. Rewards vary and can take on many shapes and forms. To receive a gift of such magnitude though, is usually reserved for epic quests. I have learned of items granting abilities to those who wield them. There are myths and legends of adventurers taking on the most dangerous quest they could find in order to receive rewards of great power.” Rugiel said. Her voice had taken on her teaching tone as she crossed her hands in her lap before continuing, “I would assume your tabard is magical. Being a slave, I was never allowed to touch magical items. I was only instructed on how to teach others to access the items stats. I want you to look at the tabard and thinking “identify.”

Stronric looked at the tabard and thought identify.

Tabard of Hearth Fire.

This tabard grants an increase to Blessing of the Hearth.

Tabard will provide a small bonus to defense stats.

Tabard will provide a small bonus to protection from mundane attacks.

Stronric read the description aloud to Rugiel. Her face took on a sneer as he spoke. Stronric could see her jealously as light as day. When she noticed his attention, she rolled her eyes and he just winked and smiled.

Rugiel righted herself before saying, “Of course, oh mighty, magical Stronric.” She picked up her tongs and turned back to the anvil. “Am I mistaken or were there bodies that still need removing?”

Stronric’s smile quickly turned to a frown as he thought of the mound of the dead that awaited him upstairs. “I’ll be heading there when I’m good and ready.” He huffed out while heading to the door. He could hear the chuckle in her voice as Rugiel called out, “Have fun!”

Stronric couldn’t allow her to have the last laugh. He looked over his shoulder and saw her back was turned to him. He lowered himself into a crouch and snuck around the back side of her workstation. He looked around and saw small woven basket that held the scrap tak they collected from the Gobis. The basket held old crusty leather ends still holding the metal clasps, daggers better described as rusty nails covered in grime and other odd dirty bits too caked with debris to be smelted. Stronric smiled as he snuck forward and grabbed the basket. He crept closer until he was just behind her. He rose quickly letting out a growl and lifted the basket shaking the contents to sound like a charging attacker.

Stronric fun lasted only a second before Rugiel’s hammer decimated the basket with a back hand swing. Filth rained down on Stronric’s head, coating his body in grime.

“Stronric Wraith-Thane! A gift straight from the god’s is entrusted to you and the first thing you do is cover it in filth!” Rugiel scolded.

Stronric was too stunned to realize his new while tabard was likely coating in filth. He quickly looked down and started to frantically brush off his shoulders. His eyes widened as pristine white shown through as he wiped away the dirt. Stronric began to laugh as the tabard returned to its original state of clean pressed white. “I bet ye wasn’t expecting that lady Rugiel. I expect all this to be cleaned as well.” Stronric said as he brushed the last of the dirt off and stepped out of swinging reach.

Getting back to his work, it was early afternoon before he had the dead stacked onto his pyre. Grabbing a drink, a small bag Mintra had left him, and a quick bite to eat, he headed back down pyre and lit the fire. The flame roared to life as the wood caught fire. Stronric sat down and pulled out the small bag Mintra had left for him. The bag contained a long wooden pipe, tobacco, flint and steel and small tinders to light the pipe. Stronric lit the pipe and leaned back against the stone wall drawing in a deep pull from the pipe held it for a moment and then blew out smoke rings. The rings floated upwards toward the moon.

Nothing could ruin such a perfect night.

BAURU

Bauru stepped out into the cool morning breeze with Beatrice following close behind him. He patted the new twin knives Rugiel had made for him. He smiled and took in a deep breath of the crisp mountain air. He used two fingers to whistle loudly. He was met by the sounds of hooves and “Baas”. The goats poured out from the stables into the daylight. Bauru watched closely and counted each goat as they left. As usual Indomitable brought up the rear and was last out. Bauru watched the biggest ram he had ever seen walk over to Beatrice and rub his nuzzle against the smaller goat. Aww young love. I wonder if I ev’ get to find me eh Beatrice. Eh who needs a woman when ye got a hold to patrol and goats to look after.

Bauru began his patrol letting routine guide him down his first route. This route lead him past the troll’s lair. Although it was destroyed, he enjoyed traveling past the rubble that stood as a landmark to his freedom and newfound life. He then crossed an open field where Bauru kept a sharp eye out for anything out of the ordinary. He had spent enough time on these mountains he knew when stones were overturned and the patterns in the grass. Beatrice followed close behind him. Indomitable stayed to guard the flock when Beatrice and Bauru broke away to scout. As they continued up the mountain face, the snow deepened covering the entire landscape in white. Bauru stepped to read the lines left in the snow by the wind or passing creatures during the night.

Most thought of snow as a blank canvas, and such it would be unreadable. Bauru, however, easily read the story told. A snowbank formed over low foliage where grazing animals passed to be protected from the winds. He saw prints of predators who gathered at the highest peaks to place the sun as their backs and hid themselves in the bright light. The snow was a prairie unto itself. Predators only needed the slightest height advantage to scan the horizon for prey. With all of these goats the predators would continue to circle closer and closer to our hold each passing day. Bauru moved towards a snowbank where he had set snares for small game. Something unseen in the wind caught his attention. He held out a hand and stopped Beatrice before he crouched down and took in a slow deep breath. He wrinkled his nose at the strange scent.

Something aint right. I can smell it. A predator is near by but it’s scent is off. Bauru unslung his bow and pulled out an arrow. He nocked the arrow and moved as quiet as a shadow across the landscape. They circled around the snowbank, to avoid approaching it head on. This path placed the sun at their back and blew their scent away. These are my mountains; I am the predator. Beatrice followed Bauru closely. She had lowered her head to sniff and scan the area. Once on the back side of the snowbank. They climbed up the ridge line. A gust of wind blew free the fresh powder and revealed a large, clawed print. OH SHITE! This leads straight over the peak!

“Beatrice the herd!” Bauru shouted as he sprinted back to the herd. As they came over the next hill Bauru could hear the screams and bays of goats. Shite SHITE! Stronrics gunna kill me if anything happens to our flock! Bauru crested the hill and saw the goats huddled behind Indomitable. A massive bear stood on its hind legs, roaring at the goats. As Bauru ran, he could see the bear’s white fur was speckled with black. Large thick bone spurs jutted through the speckled fur along its spine. The massive creature lifted its paws and Bauru’s mouth dried. They were the size of frying pans and the bear’s head was easily the size of Bauru’s chest.

The bear dropped and charged on all four legs. Indomitable lowering his head, sprinted to meet the charge. Bauru flinched as the thickening crack boomed over the mountain as the two animals met. The bear was thrown backwards, throwing up a wave of fresh snow. Indomitable’s triumphant bay eased Bauru’s racing heart. Yet he begged his legs to run faster as Indomitable pawed the ground and lowered his head again, preparing another charge.

A Second bear exploded up from under the snow directly next to the ram. Its large paws latched onto Indomitable as the ram let out a horrid, pained scream. Beatrice shot by Bauru fueled by the sounds of her mate’s pain. Bauru’s eyes watered from the icy wind ripping past his face as he refused even to blink for fear of losing the ram. Bauru drew back his bow and let an arrow lose at the first bear as it righted itself. The arrow pierced deep into the animal’s neck and Bauru was rewarded with a pained roar and the sight of red painting the white fur. Bauru knew a single arrow wouldn’t kill a bear of that size let alone a thistle bear.

Thistle bears were creatures of horror stories told on the mountains. They were massive, strong and built to kill. The stories said that the bears even had the ability to shoot sharpened deadly quills. They could burrow under snow as fast as fish could swim. The only sign of their approach was the occasional ripple of snow moved by the bone spurs lining their powerful backs. The wounded bear let out a roar and looked for what had hurt it. Its eyes found Bauru and it turned to face him.

Beatrice had made it to her mate. She Lepted through the air smashing into the side of the bear’s head. The bear let go of the ram and stumbled back shaking its head looking dazed and confused. Indomitable quickly regained his legs and with a bray, he charged into the stunned bear. The bear tumbled head over paw. Indomitable didn’t hesitate before he hit the bear again. Indomitable was no ordinary ram. He was massive in size and strength and now he was fueled with the duty of protecting the children of his mate. Indomitable’s rage frenzy drove him forward ignoring the pain from his wounded back. He rammed the bear again and again, not letting up for a second, preventing the bear from finding its footing.

A “Baa” cut through Indomitable’s frenzy, causing him to pause his assault and pivot to look for the source. The bear managed to stumble forward and swing its large clawed paw at Indomitable. The ram dodged backwards, but this gave the bear enough space to advance. Indomitable was forced to retreat until his back hooves felt the solid wall of the snowbank. With the only option of forward Indomitable lowered his head and shoved off the bank hard, powering his charge. The bear limping and bruised reared up on its hind legs and let out a roar. It pulled its arm back to swing but before the bear could strike Beatrice rammed the beast from the back.

Indomitable leapt over the falling bear and spinning gracefully to land facing the fallen bear. The bear was now trapped between the frenzied ram and the wall. The bear hadn’t recovered its feet before the massive ram hit him. Indomitable was like his master, an unflinching and unmovable mountain. Defending his hold and his flock was his life’s work. Indomitable lowered his head again and charged. The sound of breaking bones and ripping muscles filled the morning air as ram ended the bear life against the mountain.

The second bear spared a single glance at the bear fighting the goats before locking onto Bauru. Bauru nocked a second arrow and sent it flying at the now jogging bear. He took his time aiming his shots at the bear’s limbs, trying to slow it. It’s only a matter of time before he bleeds out. I just need to buy time and make my way over to Beatrice and Indomitable. Those goats need my help. The bear was picking up speed and Bauru knew he wouldn’t be able to take another shot, so quickly threw his bow over his shoulder and drew his knives. He started to move forward when he met the wounded bear’s eyes and froze. They were red with pain and fury and burned with hatred and a promise of death. Bauru felt the fear of being prey run through him. His breathing grew panicked and rugged.

A memory clouded Bauru’s mind. He was thrown back to a time when he was young and scared. He was back in a slavers camp. His friend had asked the slaver handlers for extra water and they replied by attacking him. They stood over his friend pummeling him with wooden clubs. His friend had reached out and called to Bauru for help. Bauru had grabbed a rock and went to aid his friend, but he froze. Trembling in fear. The rock fell to the ground and Bauru rejoined the others hiding his face in shame. His friend did not survive the beating. The slavers made an example of him for being to greedy. Bauru blinked away the memory but remained frozen in fear as the bear closed with him. His daggers shook in his hands and tears rolled down his eyes.

As the bear’s deafening roar was carried through the wind, another memory flashed into his mind. This time the memories were like short clips of time. They showed Rugiel always defending him. She was his shield. She had always been stronger, bigger and more courageous. His mind showed a memory of Rugiel splitting her rations to give him half when his were restricted as punishment. It showed Rugiel bloody after a beating she volunteered to take so he didn’t have to. The gods had looked upon his sister and blessed her for her bravery. It was my idea to run away. Because I was too afraid to defy the slavers myself. I used Stronric to be free. The only reason I had told the lord to fuck off was because my sister was going to suffer because of me again.

Bauru’s downward spiral was cut short when the pain of being slapped hit him like a brick. Bauru wasn’t thrown back and he remained perfectly still because he knew no one had hit him. But when he opened his eyes he saw Stronric standing before him. His axe was in a guard stance and he was ready to fight.

“I was afraid myself the first time I had to play hero. My knees shook like stones rolling down the mountain. I think I even pissed myself the first time I went into battle. But the hold needs ye Bauru. It’s okay to be afraid beardling, but it’s never okay to retreat. Are ye a dwarf or ye a coward?”

The wind kicked up a fresh wave of snow and when it settled Stronric was gone, and the bear replaced him. Bauru hands tightened on his weapons and he charged forward releasing his own roaring battle cry. The bear swung a mighty paw at him and he slid his knees dropping under the attack. He lashed out and his dagger bit deep into the bears ankle as he passed by. The bear screamed and turned on Bauru tried to raise his daggers in time to block the frantic swing of the bear’s sharp paw as it rushed down at him. Fiery pain lanced through the right side of Bauru face. He managed to block enough to buy him the second needed to roll away from the blow. He tumbled forward shooting between the bear’s legs. Bauru let out a war cry, “For Itshal and the Hearth Fire!” He launched himself onto the bear’s back. He used the stuck arrow to climb up towards the bear’s head and hold on as it bucked trying to displace him. Bauru’s grip held firm as he backed at the bear’s exposed neck. Blood sprayed out soaking Bauru’s arms and face. The bear desperately thrashed and bucked trying to escape Bauru’s dagger. With his hands covered in blood, his hold slipped from the arrow, and he was thrown from the creature’s back. He landed on his head and tumbled coming to a stop on his back. The bear was wild with fear and pain and wasted no time sprinting forward to pounce on Bauru. Instead of defending himself Bauru countered with his own attack at the bear’s throat. The massive paw sank into Bauru’s gut and Bauru let out a scream. His screams turned to war cries as Bauru plunged his dagger deeper into the beast’s throat. He twisted the blade once more and the bear shuddered and swayed. Bauru tried to shuffle back as the bear. Bauru had lost too much blood, and he was too weak to get far enough before the bear collapsed on his legs.

Bauru sucked in deep breaths and reached a hand down where the bear had struck his belly. His hand came back covered in blood. Is that my blood or is that the beast. He stared at his hand, blinking rapidly to try and right his double vision. His head seemed to be lightening and he suddenly felt very tired. He laid his back on the ground and said a prayer.

Thoranthana, I may be a coward and a fool, but here I tried to make a stand. Please look after my sister and Stronric.

The soft sounds of footsteps in snow brought Bauru back enough to open his eyes. The wind was kicking up the soft snow and sunlight danced across its crystal flakes and blurred across Bauru’s vision. He tried to see who was coming as he blinked, fighting to keep his eyes open. The faded image of a dwarf white as snow itself leaned over him. Are those horns or a crown? Is this what death looks like? The dwarf laid a hand down on Bauru and warmth filled him. Bauru sighed in comfort as the snow stirred again covering the white dwarf. With his last bit of strength Bauru opened his eyes but the dwarf was gone. He closed his eyes and embraced the darkness that pulled him under.

Bauru awoke with a gasp, his eyes shooting open. Something was nudging him in the head. He shot up turning on his attacker with his fist raised, just to find Beatrice. She was braying desperately for him to awaken. He took a moment to clear his head. The memories of his death wounds and the white dwarf shot through his mind. He reached down where his gut was bleeding before only to find his hands come back clean. He looked down and saw a fresh new scar, puckered and pink. Beatrice’s frantic braying again brought him back to the present. He thanked her for her help and rubbed her head in showing he was alright before he shoved the bear’s corpse over to retrieve his daggers. With his weapons in hand, Bauru looked around and saw the wounded ram still standing guard in front of the herd. Best get everyone inside and tell Stronric of what happened. He walked to Indomitable, patted his nose and said his thanks.

“Come on now lets get yer inside and get ye treated.” Bauru said as he whistled to call the goats in. Bauru’s blood ran cold as another whistle cut through the air, as if replying to his call. The ground beneath him began to shake as the whistle grew into a roar of anger and fury.

The snowbanks exploded as a massive thistle bear plowed through it. The bear landed on the snow and let out a mighty roar. Even on four legs this bear stood twice as tall as a human. Scars riddled the bear’s face and body, a testament to all the battles won before. The bear ran forward, stopping suddenly as it passed one of the smaller bears. Bauru was silently signaling to Beatrice and Indomitable to flee and he crept back away from the beast. The new bear nuzzled the fallen bear going frighteningly rigid when the dead bear’s head simply lulled to the side. The bear let out a roar that sounded more like a death wail.

Realization hit Bauru like a punch to the stomach, just as the bear’s furry filled eyes met his. “OH SHITE! THOSE WERE BABES! Run Beatrice get the flock inside, I’ll lead it away!” Bauru said as ran forward waving his arms.

Beatrice let out a bray that almost sounded like no to Bauru but he didn’t stop.

“Come on you pathetic creature! I killed yer cubs!” Bauru shouted as the bear’s attention turned to Indomitable.

Bauru came to a stop and drew his bow. His arms shook as he nocked an arrow and drew back on his bow. The arrow bounced up and down as he aimed his bow at death. Bauru faltered and the bow went slack. If I challenge this creature, I’ll die. I’m just to low level. I’m just a slave nothing more. My sis and Stronric are the heroes, not me. Bauru had almost given up hope when he heard something. It was soft and warm, like the morning breeze on the start of spring. He couldn’t make out the words, but he could feel their intent. He felt the warm gentle breeze wrap itself around him. He lifted his arms and felt supported as he drew back. He drew in a deep breath and found his arms no longer shook and he aimed at the bear.

Bauru tracked the mother bear she charged after the fleeing flock of goats. He released the breath he held as the arrow left his bow and imbedded deep within the bear’s left eye. A flicker on the mountain side pulled Bauru’s attention away from the trashing bear. He swore he aw the white dwarf nod to him before he turned away and disappeared into the snow. Bauru didn’t have time to wonder who that was before his attention was again pulled back to the gain bear.

The monstrous bear stopped thrashing turned to find who had shot the arrow. Bauru drew another arrow and fired it at the bear. The bear charged forward, its long legs eating up the distance between her and the small dwarf. Bauru used his last seconds to meet Beatrice’s worried eyes across the hill. Bauru smiled and shook his head, Go friend, save our flock bring Stronric and Rugiel to morn after it’s safe. He said in his mind, hoping she understood the determination in his eyes. Bauru then lowered his head drew in a deep breathe and whispered the words out loud.

“I fear not the predator for I am the sheepdog who protects the herd. None shall be lost on my watch. By itshal’s will I am the hunter.”

STRONRIC

Stronric watched the fire burn when he heard a stick snap in the forest. Stronric stood with the pipe still clenched in his teeth as he pulled his axe free and into a guard position. A dark shape staggered out of the tree line and collapsed onto the ground just inside of the fire’s light.

Stronric eyes widened with fear and worry when he recognized who the bloody and wounded creature was. “Bauru!”

Stronric ran to Bauru flipping him over. Bauru’s face was in tatters. Four deep rends scared jaggedly across the young dwarf’s face. They started on his forehead and crossed over his right brow and nose stopping just below his right eye. At least it missed his eye, Stronric thought “What in the devil happened boy?!” Stronric said through gritted teeth softly shaking Bauru. Bauru said nothing as his head lulled to the side exposing the full extent of the wound. Bauru was not as lucky as Stronric originally thought. His right eye was torn from his skull and the optic nerve hung loosely from his eye socket. The skin was torn open like a blooming flower exposing the bone and sinew beneath. Blood slowly ran down the wounds and dripped into the earth below. Stronric let out a protective growl as he looked up at the tree line posed to attack anything that came through. Bauru mumbled something which brought Stronric’s attention back to the wounded man.

Stronric renewed his attempts to wake the boy and shook him again. Bauru’s good eye remained closed. But his lips parted quickly like he was saying something Stronric couldn’t make out. Stronric Searched Bauru for other wounds and saw his stomach had something lodge in it. He noticed Bauru held the new daggers Rugiel had made for her brother. Not even on the verge of death had the beardling quit fighting. Aye, he is a dwarf. If he is to go his ancestors today, they would welcome such a warrior into their halls of honor. Stronric found no other wounds save for the gut wound, minor cuts and tears in his flesh and clothing as if he was running through the thickets of the forest. Stronric’s returned to the destroyed face and tried again to wake the boy. Bauru did not stir but his lips were still moving. Bauru’s voice was just a whisper as Stronric leaned down placing his ear just above Bauru’s lips. His eyes opened wide as he beard Bauru’s low chant.

“I fear not the predator for I am the sheepdog who protects the herd. None shall be lost on my watch. By itshal’s will I am the hunter.”