Hearth Fire

Waking the siblings had been an awkward affair. A lot of shouts of surprise, lords this and lord that. Stronric knew they that would not get over being slaves in one night. The Siblings ran about making breakfast, pouring Stronric beer, even tried to help him put on his boots. Finally, after grabbing them both and sitting them down, did he get the message across to them.

“I am not yer lord, I am not yer master, and I can put on my boots and shirt. I am no wee elf that needs help pissing.” Stronric said he ran a hand down his face.

The strain of becoming a new leader to such young un-dwarf like dwarves was causing his head to ache. I preferred the time when it was just goats and me - it was much better. After breakfast, Stronric showed the siblings around the hold. They went up to the fields, explored the pond, and learned about mushrooms.

“See the placard? Our ancestors had the forethought to label the rooms for us.” Stronric pointed out the placard with the wheat rune on it.

“What it say?” asked Bauru, in confusion.

“Ye can speak dwarven but can’t read it?” Stronric asked them with a confused look.

Rugiel stepped up to the placard, “Stronric we can’t speak dwarven either, are you alright?” Rugiel asked him with a worried look.

Stronric waved her away. Now he was confused. He made an effort to speak common to the humans back at the town. He switched over to dwarven the moment it was just the three of them. What is going on here?

“Well this rune is called Ivom. It means farm, fields, pastures or orchards. Anything grown that a dwarf can eat, there are more specific ones.” Stronric hunched down and drew the rune of Ivom in the dust. Drawing as he explained, “If the fields are intended to feed the animals it will have curved runes on top similar to horns. Humans can’t tell them apart but you’ll get the hang of it.”

Bauru stared at the rune on the ground and then looked up at Stronic, “Stronric, pastures are for animals. Ye don’t grow food in em.”

Stronric wiped away the rune on the ground and stood. “Milly reeks, yeh never grew em before?” The sibling shook their heads. “Well they are not alive but they are large plants that need to be fed. Their stems and seeds are harvested for food. Very dangerous but worth five times their weight in gold.”

The newcomers have never actually seem how mushroom were grown. Explaining to them that the base of most dwarven food was mushrooms took some time. Stronric went over a season of from seeding, drying, and grinding up the mushroom into a flour. They had no mushrooms ready for harvest so he went over what he could. He showed them how to rattle the mushrooms to get them to spore. He transplanted some primordias over to a new row, and rooted them on the special fertilizer. That did not go over well.

As Stronric was rooting a new mushroom, a small green finger poked through the earth. Rugiel had stopped listening to Stronric’s instructions as she stepped closer, curious. “Your eating plants that grow off the dead!?” Rugiel screamed as she fell back.

“No, well, yes, but only for now. I haven’t been able to hunt, and I needed fertilizer.” Stronric said as the ache returned to his head. “What do you propose I do? There are no plows to turn over the soil. I have no compost to use, this was the best I could do. Would ye rather starve?”

They shook their heads no, but still look repugnant as they worked. From there, Stronric lead the pair up to the stables to tend the goats. He taught them how to work the wench, explained which stall was for which goats, and how to clean and prepare the stalls. Bauru seemed at ease in the stables while Rugiel worked as one did when they were not use to working with their hands.

Stronric and the siblings filed out behind the goats as they hurriedly went about grazing. Stronric pointed out the remains of the old pasture he had found his first time here. Bringing up again they needed to log and procure supplies to mend a lot of the hold. Stronric lead them to the collapsed cave. The smashed guard’s body was mostly missing. Overnight, his body was consumed by some creature or creatures, leaving only his trapped legs behind. Stronric ran a finger over the gnawed meat, thinking to himself.

Bauru leaned over Stronric to look at the bite marks, “what ye think it is?”

Stronric wiped his finger on the ground and scanned the surround area for foot prints. “I don’t know these lands well, but if I was back home, I’d look up at the sky.” Rugiel hearing this began to look up at the sky with a worried look.

Next on the tour was the pond. Stronric lead the newcomers back down to take a break, wash and fill their buckets in the frigid depths of the pond. Once refreshed and with full buckets the party returned to the hearth for lunch. Lunch wasn’t as dramatic as breakfast. Rugiel let Stronric help by pouring the drinks. As they sat and ate, they discussed each persons skill sets. Rugiel mainly excelled at all that was taught to a female slave. She cooked, cleaned, tended to the washing, she could read and write, and understood the hierarchy and rules of the local court.

Bauru was trained as a stable hand, hunting, tracking and was very handing. He knew how to fix most things a person traveled with. They both always traveled with the elf lord when he was traveling, serving as hands. At the elf’s lord estate back in the capital, Rugiel worked in the big house while Bauru was rarely allowed in. They worked as a team mostly. Rugiel would write messages, orders and make purchases, while Bauru would run the messages, complete the orders, and deliver the purchases. Bauru would maintain the outside of the home and while Rugiel ran the inside.

Stronric took in what he learned and then asked the pair what they would like to learn here. He explained that the hearth would run best if each dwarf selected a skill that would benefit the hold.

Stronric said “ All dwarves are better at most things than the other races, they lack the persistent and discipline. The eye of a dwarf is hard to move once they find their trade though, back home the massive guildhalls had quite the variety of dwarves.”

The siblings watched him with excitement in their eyes. “Which guild did ye belong to Stronric?” asked Bauru unable to keep his excitement in check.

Stronric waved him away, “I was in no guild, I served on the watch, and in the mines. I was applying for the mercenary guilds and the courier guilds thought.”

Rugiel mouth fell open, “You wanted to deliver mail?”

Stronric face reddened with embarrassment. “No! A courier deliver important goods and guards caravans. I enjoyed exploring the world, I spent quite a few nights under the stars travelings to allies to deliver goods. It was honest work, and there was a always a fight on the road. But none of that matters.” Stronric took another drink from his tankard. “I want the pair of ye to closer yer eyes and imagine being born under the mountains. Look for what draws ye to it, and where would you be today.”

The siblings each closed their eyes. Once the siblings opened their eyes he asked what they saw. Rugiel spoke first her voice low, “I was standing before a great forge, I bent metal and stone to my will. Forging pieces to protect our hold guided almost by a blackness I could not see.” Stronric pondered that but turned Bauru raising his eyebrows in question.

Bauru’s eye lit as he spoke excitedly, “ I was in the forest and I was in the hold. Used me kills to provide leather and tools. Beatrice was there too! She would ram me this way and that way to protect our flock.”

Stronric was surprised by his words. He stood, “well blacksmithing for Rugiel and hunting and leather working for Bauru. I can get ye started in yer trades easy enough.”

Now that is something I can work with. I am not a skilled hunter, but I have stirred the tanning piss barrels before. Bauru was also an accomplished archer. When the lord would go on hunts, it was Bauru job to make sure the animal went down, couldn’t have the lord failing at a hunt.

After lunch Stronric lead them to the courtyard their camp was still left standing from the night before. They worked quickly breaking it down and stowing most of it. They stripped everything of value and stored it down in the cellar. Once back in the hearth room, Stronric then went and retrieved the weapons he had collected from his various fights and laid them out on a table. He added, the princes’s sword, bow, crown and spear. Stronric frowned and rubbed his chin.

“Now there might be orcs, Rugiel. Do ye know how to fight?” Stronric asked.

She held her head high, with her shoulders back. “Fighting is not fit for a governess or lady slave. I wasn’t a gladiator pit slave.”

“I don’t know what a governess is, but ye will be fighting here. Come, choose a weapon that feels right to ye,” Stronric said as he waved her over to the weapons.

Rugiel looked down at the weapons. Beside the prince’s weapons were the war hammer, hand axe and some spare daggers. She picked up the daggers and shook her head. Next she lifted the hand axe. She turned and took a few swings. She shook her head again and she laid it back down on the table. She hovered over the great war hammer. It seemed as if she was battling internally, her hand would pass then come back. She set her jaw and lifted her chin as she heaved the heavy hammer up with two hands. The weight almost took her down as she tried to swing, but with a determined look and a clenched jaw she brought it back up and gave it a true swing. The heavy Hammer swung through the air pulling Rugiel in a small half circle. A smile broke across her face.

Rugiel looked at Stronric, a smile still pulling at the corners of her mouth as she lowered the hammer’s head to the ground and straightened her skirt as she said, “It is most uncouth, but this weapon will do.”

Stronric and Bauru exchanged a chocked glance. “Ye can barely hold it upright.” Stronric replied shaking his head.

“Maybe it’s the sense of adventure. I can not explain it, but this hammer stirs something unknown inside of me.” She said to him with a look of determination in her eyes. She stood very still, her chin still high but she balled her dress in her free hand. Stronric could see she was expecting rejection but was trained to ever be proper.

As the silence continued Rugiel started to say, “I know it tis not lady lik…” Stronric cut in, “Oh to the depths with that crap. Yer a dwarf, all serve the hold. The issue is not that ye a woman, but that you can barely hold it. The hammer will do, but ye will be eating twice the meals to put on the mass needed.”

Rugiel’s mouth fell open at the mad dwarf, She quickly closed it and as if she expected it all along she simply nodded, a small smile pulling at the corner of her lips. Once again, he surprised her.

“Hammers are great, but ye can’t beat the feel of an axe,” Stronric said as he flashed her a big, toothy grin. “Bauru. You’ll keep with that bow, but get yourself something to defend yerself with of the enemy closes on ye. Here!” Stronric tossed Bauru a dagger.

Bauru caught the dagger and like a child playing with a stick he began to wildly slash and poke. Stronric rolled his eyes, “ We will train ever night. Neither of ye can fight and this hold is our home but it is not yet safe. I can’t have ye dying alone while tending to goats or taking a bath. Yer weapon will never leave yer side.” He leveled a strong look at the siblings, “Ye understand me?” The two held their weapons with pride and nodded. “On second thought here.” Stronric tossed Rugiel a dagger as well. “I know ye want to learn the hammer but a quick jab with that should keep ye safe until ye gain the strength to wield that hammer.”

Once the weapons and the jeweled crown were secured, Stronric lead them back to the staircase. He lead the party down this time. He showed them the levels he had been to. First they stopped at the collapsed artisan level. He showed the, the rune and explained its meaning. He then showed them the cuts on the stone and walls. He took the time to explain that his collapse was purposeful and professional. He also lead them through the plan on how they would dig it out. They currently didn’t have the equipment to haul the stone out, so this task would have to wait.

Stronric lead them back to the stairs and began to descend again. He hushed them as he neared the opening that lead to the smithy. Stronric told the pair to stay in the door way as he crept forward to the smithy door., once he knew the smithy was clear he stood and waved them forward. . The smithy was dark; the forge had gone cold.

Rugiel held her nose as she said throwing caution to the wind, “what is that smell?”

Stronric pointed at where he had stacked the dead. He then brought his finger up to his lips and shushed her. Stronric continued to search the smithy for any signs of enemies. When there was none, he lead them around the room, explaining as he went. There was a the scrap metal pile in the corner, the wall of shelves was for prepared materials, the workbench and its minimum tools, and lastly the forge, billow and anvil in the center. He explained the plans for the smithy and the workstations then he allowed the siblings to wander and to explore. Bauru stayed in the periphery of the room, searching draws and under rubble. Rugiel seemed to be drawn to the forge. She stood with her eyes closed as she ran her hand over the anvil. Then opened her eyes and took the tools there in her hands. Stronric watched her curious to see what she would do knowing she has never been near a place like this before. Rugiel turned to the billows and gave it a pull, it barely moved, she tried again but pulled harder. Stronric huffed “Thrice meals Rugiel if ye want to move that easily.

Stronric called the siblings to him, “when we get proper ore and coal we will make ye each a true dwarven weapon. In the mean time we will un-elf that bow of yers Bauru.” Stronric lead Rugiel through removing the carvings. Once the body was smooth Rugiel held it out to Stronric. He inspected the work and with a grumble handed it to Bauru.

Bauru moved back over near the rubble to inspect his bow and draw it a few times, making sure removing the carvings did not change the poundage or damage it. Bauru was mid draw draw when he called out “Stronric! Someone is coming.” Bauru face was whit with fear and he turned toward Stronric.

“Good, time to see you two in action. If things get out of hand, I will help but this is perfect, way better than sparing.” Stronric replied as he freed his axe. Stronric took a seat on the anvil and wave his hand as if to say, “well form up.” The Siblings stood shoulder to shoulder. Rugiel held the war hammer on a shoulder, and Bauru readied his bow with an arrow nocked. The door creaked open and beady red eyes peered through.

Bauru pulled back on his arrow, preparing to fire as he squeaked out, “Stronric there are five we need yer help!”

“Not for five, I killed ten my second day here, you’ll be fine. Just take a deep breath and focus on your job. Cover your sister, and your sister should prevent them from closing with you.” Stronric replied in a manner of fact tone. With this advice the siblings adjusted Rugiel took a step forward lowering the hammer to both hands, she hung it horizontally at her waist. Bauru shuffled back a few steps to allow more space to fire and to be out of wild swings of his sister.

Rugiel looked back at her brother. They locked eyes, they nodded and narrowed their eyes back at the with anticipation of the fight. Five small Gobi entered the smithy, their heads cocked to the side confused by the small frail pair standing there, as if they expected someone else. An arrow shot through the air, clattering to the ground as it skipped off the wall behind the gobi. The closest Gobi looked at it, looked up at Bauru, then yelled and charged forward with clubs raised. Rugiel lashed out in a wide swinging ark. She didn’t miss as the heavy hammer crushed the Gobi’s skull, sending the body sliding across the floor lifeless. The hammer’s weight mixed with the blow she dealt threw her off balance. She spun wildly barely catching herself from following the dead Gobi to the ground.

Bauru called out a warning and Rugiel turned as the next Gobi pounced. The Gobi swung frantically trying to bash the female dwarf. Rugiel was unable to turn fully before the club came down on the back of her head. She was staggered forward by the blow, her head spinning and twirling in loops. The noises of the skirmish warped and grew dull as she heard someone yelling out. She turned to see a mouth full of jagged and broken teeth, yellow rotten tongue growing in length and girth. She tried to focus and bring her guard up, but her head refused to settle. “Thawk” the mouth of the monster exploded as an arrow pierced it. The Gobi falling to the ground holding it mouth as it bled and twitched.

Rugiel spared a look at her brother. Bauru was already nocking another arrow, fire burned in his eyes as he pulled back for another shot. Rugiel forced herself to ignore the ache forming in her head and recovered her balance and brought her back up. Another Gobi descended on her. She managed to divert its attack with a panicked two handed block. The Gobi was thrown back as the heavy club bounced off the handle of Rugiel’s Hammer.

“Keep moving, don't stay stationary!” Stronric yelled from behind the pair. The boy isn’t a bad shot. He needs more stamina and to conquer his fears. Once hes tempered in battle he’ll become an ace archer soon enough. Rugiel has good instincts. Her form is awful and she has no discipline, but she is strong enough. This pair I can work with.

The remaining three Gobis stood back looking at the pair. They seemed to be planning their next assault. This gave the siblings a chance to work together. Bauru called out, “sis, I’ll take the one on the left, you go for the one on the right.”

Rugiel nodded and lunged forward. The Gobi dodge away and swung it’s club at her. The club smashed into the side of her arm. Her hand slipped up, allowing the heavy hammer head to shift and fall, dragging her to the ground. Bauru’s arrow landed its mark but instead of killing the Gobi it was buried in its gut. Bauru had seen his sister fall. He readied another arrow to send to the Gobi closing in on Rugiel, but he was too slow. The Gobi was already bringing its club down on Rugiel. She rolled, dodging the blow, and punched out at the Gobi’s ankle. Her hand exploded with pain, but the blow caused the Gobi to tumble to the ground next to her. Seeing her opportunity, Rugiel grabbed the Gobi in desperation. Bauru watched in horror, knowing he could not fire an arrow and risk hitting his sister. Rugiel caught the gobi’s wrist and rolled on top of him. She grabbed the small creature by the neck and slammed it’s head into the floor. The pop of the skull breaking brought her back to reality. She jumped up looking for her hammer and the other Gobis.

Bauru seeing his sister was okay, Shot at the Gobi he had previously maimed. Its back was turned as it tried to flee. Bauru steadied his breath, aimed and let loose. The arrow caught the fleeing Gobi in the neck, sending it tumbling forward. It twitched but did not return to its feet. The siblings scanned the room preparing their weapons for the last Gobi but only saw the dead laying on the ground.

Stronric stood, holding the fifth gobi by its neck dangling it off the ground. “Not bad, not bad.” He said to the pair. ”yer worth two gobi a piece. Progress can come from that.” Stronric flexed his hand, the sound like that of a chicken bone snapping cut through the quite room and the struggling Gobi went limp.

Stronric smiled at the siblings as he titled his ear towards the cracked door. “Ye hear that?” Who would have known ye’d get so much practice on yer first day on the job.”