by Hans Bezdek
Braun grunted and took a step back as the Staff’s magic must have rolled over him.
“Wh-What?” said the timid Braun. “Why am I over here now?”
The dwarves around Erskine looked at the human, who looked down at his Staff in confusion.
“Hmm… is this not working right?” he wondered aloud. He pointed the Staff at our group. “Fear me.”
I gasped and took several steps back, as did the others around me. I had never noticed the raw power that Erskine had. It seemed as if he could squash any of us whenever he liked. We were doomed. I wanted to run away.
“D-Don’t hurt us,” whimpered Dhot.
“I… I’ll tell my people to stand down,” said Kiera.
“Stand down?” laughed Erskine. “That’ll ruin my plans of crippling both the blue dragons and the western dwarves in one swoop.”
“I-I won’t do it then!” said Kiera quickly. “You are far wiser than I in these matters! Please forgive me!”
“So it is working…” said the human. He pointed the Staff back at Braun. “Bring me Grimkell’s Mace now.”
Braun took another step back, shaking his head. For a brief second, his confused look changed to a frown. As fast as it happened, though, his face went blank.
“I will bring you Grimkell’s Mace,” said Braun, obediently.
“I’ll have to get this thing checked when I get back to Ra’Chok,” said Erskine to no one in particular. “It seems to be having some issues. Maybe I should’ve tested it some more in Rexford before coming up here…”
Braun approached Erskine again, this time holding the Mace in his open palms. Erskine smiled, holding the Staff in his left hand and reaching out for the Mace with his right.
“Gra!” shouted Braun, spinning the Mace in his hands and rushing the final steps to the human. Bringing Grimkell’s Mace down with all his might, the head of it connected with the middle of the Staff.
Crack.
“N-No…” mumbled Erskine.
The Staff of Nul’Gu broke in half, sending a shockwave out.
All of us were knocked to the ground, including the horde of dwarves behind them. The walls of Ostad shook behind me, but ultimately held. The fear I felt towards the human suddenly dissipated.
“W-What have you done?” said Erskine, struggling back to his feet and staring at the two powerless sticks in his hand.
“We broke your spell,” I said, standing as well and holding my head. I was glad the Staff was no longer messing with my mind, but it sure didn’t feel good when it stopped.
“Now my people are free,” smiled Kiera, standing and looking back. Through the gate door, we could see many of the blue dragons getting to their feet and talking excitedly with one another.
“Q-Quick, we should attack!” said Erskine, turning to his group.
Nicole and Anders turned their weapons to Erskine.
“W-What are you two doing?” asked the human.
“Ye were messin with our minds!” growled Anders.
“We were going to fight the blue dragons anyway, but that wasn’t enough for you?” shouted Nicole. “To make matters worse, that beautiful Staff had to be destroyed because of you! Now it’s useless! USELESS!”
Erskine turned to run, but King Julfr grabbed his arm.
“Where do you think yer goin?” growled the king.
“T-T-This is all just a misunderstanding,” said Erskine. “I-I’m not your enemy… the blue dragons are!”
“The blue dragons aren’t our enemy… they’re our friends. And I’m done bein fooled by the likes of ya!” shouted the king, pulling Erskine to him and headbutting the human.
Erskine collapsed, out cold.
I was surprised the runes didn’t activate again, but then remembered they had to absorb a blow from Grimkell’s Mace. The power of the strike must have used up all the magic the runes had stores.
“Looks like the runes weren’t protecting his forehead,” said Dhot, smiling down at the unconscious human. “Maha!”
Chapter 20
“Be careful drinking so much, Dhot!” cautioned Cassandra.
“W-What?” asked the goblin, finally tearing away from the glass nearly a third of his size. “I can… I can handle myself, little lady. Maha!”
Our group sat on a few benches that were haphazardly put together along the main road of Ostad. Dwarves and blue dragons filled the streets, feasting and laughing with one another. It was amazing to see the two groups so happy with each other just hours after a bloodbath nearly occurred.
After Erskine’s Staff was broken, everyone came back to their senses. The dwarven king announced that they weren’t going to wage war, and Kiera announced that they would resume trade and friendly relations with the dwarves. The dwarves were exhausted from all the marching, no to mention the mind control, so the blue dragons were kind enough to host the weary travelers and throw a feast. It took a few hours to produce enough seats and prepare food, but it all came together well.
The four of us has been heralded as heroes, with countless dwarves and blues shaking our hands and thanking us. Once the beer and spirits came out, the appreciative people’s focus thankfully went elsewhere.
Feeling a bit chilled, I reached in my bag for my flask. My hand ran across paper instead, and I pulled it out. It was Dmetri’s letter.
“What ya got there?” asked Braun.
“Remember that whole gang member thing?” I asked. “This is a letter from my old boss. He’s the leader of the Tumblers, and has been hunting me down for a few years.”
“How’d ya get it?”
“It’s not important,” I said. “I’m not sure if I’m even going to open it, anyway.”
“It could be a kindly written recommendation!” smirked the dwarf.
“I didn’t realize your dark side had a sense of humor.”
“Ya should open it,” he continued. “Ye’ll always wonder ‘what if’ if ya don’t.”
“What if a spell or bomb goes off?”
“Then ye’ll die, and ya won’t have to worry no more,” said Braun, taking a big drink.
That was one way of looking at it. The dwarf was right, at least with the wondering part. Aliz wouldn’t have delivered this to me if she didn’t think there was a chance of reconciliation.
Holding my breath, I ripped open the letter.
“What’re ya doin!?” shouted the dwarf, falling over the back of the bench to get away. “Don’t open the blasted thing next to me!”
“You made it seem like it wasn’t a big deal if I died!”
“Aye, you!” he said. “I’ve still got things I’d like to do before I go!”
“Well, it didn’t explode,” I said, opening the letter up.
Reimar,
I hope this letter finds you well.
You have not been the easiest person to track down. While that has been annoying, I must say I’m impressed. Granted, you did learn from the best. (Allow me this small honor.)
We have much to speak about.
If you will kindly visit our headquarters in Durnskeep again at your earliest convenience, I believe we can come to a mutually beneficial end to this game.
I have called off the bounty on your head. No Tumbler shall seek to bring you harm again. (At least, none commissioned by me. You know how the others can be.)
DG
They got rid of my bounty? That was helpful. Granted, hundreds of people in the northwest now knew there was a green dragon flying around. Word would spread, and eventually poachers would arrive up here. I had to be extra careful for a while now, even if we left Brumark.
“Seems reasonable to me,” grunted Braun, reading over my shoulder.
“What are you two looking at?” asked Cassandra, walking over to us with Dhot by her side.
“Letter from Reimar’s old gang leader,” said Braun.
“Really? Let me see,” she said, tearing the note from my hands. She skimmed through it quickly, before handing it down to Dhot.
“That’s good news whether you want to go to Durnskeep or not,” she smiled.
“I suppose so,” I nodded.
“Is that where we’re headed to next?” asked Braun.
“We?” I smiled. “You’ve decided to come with us?”
Braun made to answer, before his eyes narrowed and look passed me.
“Reimar,” called a voice behind me.
“How can I help you, Anders?” I asked, turning around.
The Guild and the Gray Adders stood next to each other, arms crossed and looking at us.
“Just thought ya’d like to know we were leavin,” he said.
“That is something I like,” I nodded.
“I can’t believe that emissary was trying to control us,” scoffed Nicole. “I suppose we’ll let you try and get Grimkell’s Mace as a thanks for stopping him.”
“You two working together now?” asked Dhot, swaying slightly on his feet. “I don’t think orcs and dwarves can make babies, can they? Can they make babies?”
“We ain’t workin together!” shouted Anders, his face turning red. “We just happened to mutually agree to let you lot take the Mace, if that’s even possible.”
“I’m sure it doesn’t have anything to do with all the blue dragons and dwarves standing around,” said Cassandra flatly.
“Maybe a little,” said Nicole, clearing her throat as she looked around.
“Can’t believe a stinkin green dragon came and saved ye all back in Feldarkr,” said Anders, shaking his head.
“What do you mean?” asked Dhot.
“No one has seen a green dragon in ages, and one just happens to come by right as you need one?” laughed Anders, shaking his head. “Talk about insane luck.”
“Oh, the green dragon?” asked Dhot. “That wasn’t luck, that was-”
Cassandra yanked the goblin back, shoving a hand over his mouth.
“Don’t mind him, he’s had a bit too much to drink,” she smiled.
“Aye,” said Anders, eyeing the goblin suspiciously as he left.
They didn’t know it was me? I guess from their angle, I could’ve just hopped on when no one was looking. That went much better than I expected it to.
“Stay out of our way in the future,” said Nicole, walking past us with her group. “You don’t want to be on the wrong side of a Gray Adder.”
“What a lame name,” said Braun, laughing and shaking his head as they left.
“Oi, there you are!” called out the jolly voice of the dwarven king.
“King Julfr,” I bowed as he approached, “I’m sorry about all the mess back in Feldarkr.”
“Nay, nay,” said the king, waving his hands. “Don’t ya worry nothin about all that. If ya didn’t do what ya did, we’d all be dead.”
“Probably,” I conceded.
“What is to be done with Erskine?” asked Cassandra.
“Many of me people wanted him dead, and I couldn’t blame them,” said the king. “The funniest thing happened before a decision could be made, however. The man just started blabbing! He was confessing all of his secrets, from even when he was a young lad! We’ve decided to keep him as a prisoner. He may prove useful one day.”
“Has he said anything about what happened with the blue dragons?” I asked. “Or what his plans were with you?”
“Apparently, there be some cave nearby that he stayed in,” said King Julfr. “He claimed that a red dragon took him as close as he dared, and then he stuck the Staff into the ground. He activated it there, and left it for a few days. When he came back, he saw that the town was essentially shut down. Planned to do the same in Feldarkr eventually, but the news of Grimkell’s Mace sped all of that up.”
The cave must have been the one that Cassandra and the others found while I was talking with Kiera.
“Has he said anything of the second Dragon War, or Ulrich’s plans?” I asked.
“Not too much as of yet,” said the king. “He has confirmed that Ulrich is planning something, however. And he said it is coming soon.”
We all exchanged knowing looks. While it was nice to get the confirmation, it was sobering to hear that we were on the brink of war so soon after stopping one from starting.
“I will keep ye all posted on what we learn,” he said. “Yer goblin friend has given me this strange device, which he says he can hear when I press a button.”
The dwarf held up a small, black cube with a gray button on top. It was one of the boxes I mistook for a bomb back at the inn.
“Gave one to the pretty blue dragon lady too!” smiled Dhot. “You can jabber at us as much as you want, even if we’re at the southern tip of Aelric! Maha!”
Cassandra and I looked at each other. The goblin must’ve been severely out of it to be making such insane claims. The ability to talk to someone that far away was surely impossible.
“Speaking of blue dragon lady,” laughed King Julfr. “Here she comes.”
“Saviors of Ostad,” said Kiera, greeting us. Kiera was out of her battle gear, and was now wearing a long woolen dark green dress. She looked less like a battle chief, and more like a Ravendale model.
“Please don’t start calling us that,” I groaned. “That sounds so pompous.”
“I kind of like it! Maha!” said Dhot.
“What are you doing over here?” I asked her. “Don’t you have a town party to manage?”
“We’re about to hold a quick ceremony,” said Kiera. “I wanted to come by and personally thank you all before that. You have all done a great service to my people, and we pledge our help to you if and when you need it. That includes any sort of second Dragon War.”
“Thank goodness for that,” nodded Braun. “I don’t think I’d much want to be against ye.”
“Thank you, Kiera,” smiled Cassandra.
“I’m happy to help,” she smiled back. Her smile turned to me. “I’d love to learn more about you sometime, Reimar. It’s not everyday that I meet a green dragon, let alone one who is willing to fight for what is right. You’re very… fascinating. Plus, you promised to one day show me that thing we talked about, remember?”
“I, uh, find you interesting, too,” I laughed nervously. “I mean, t-that would, uh, be great!”
Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Cassandra’s smile falter for a moment. When I glanced over to her, though, it returned.
“The next time we meet,” smiled Kiera. She turned towards the king. “Unfortuntely, on to business now. Ready, King Julfr?”
“Aye,” he nodded.
The two of them walked over towards the middle of the road. The king waved, and several dwarves carrying large horns walked over to them for their announcement.
“Looks like someone’s got a date, eh?” laughed Braun, nudging me with his elbow.
“Can dragons and half dragons make babies?” asked Dhot.
“Quiet!” hissed Cassandra. The three of us turned to her, surprised by her harsh tone. She relaxed and pointed to the king and Kiera. “Uh, because they’re about to say something.”
The horns blared, silencing the talkative crowd around us.
“This feast is a sign of the friendship between the blue dragons and the western dwarves!” declared Kiera.
“On this night, we show that we are in solidarity with one another!” added King Julfr.
“For that reason, Grimkell’s Mace must return to its rightful owner!” declared Kiera, taking out the Mace and handing it over to King Julfr. “King Julfr Snowhammer, please accept this as a peace offering. Let us put the madness that Erskine brought behind us!”
The blue dragons cheered at this, raising their glasses high.
The king took the Mace from Kiera and bowed to her. “Aye, me people will accept the return of Grimkell’s Mace. May this moment be remembered by our children, and our children’s children, fer all of time. The blue dragons are strong allies of the dwarves of western Brumark.”
It was the dwarves’ turn to cheer this time, and a roar
filled the night air.
“We have not just the blue dragons to thank for this feast, however,” added King Julfr. “We must thank Reimar, Cassandra, Dhot, and Braun fer their help. Indeed, there is comin a time that Reimar Pinespell and his friends be calling upon us. We will be ready, with hammer and axe, to answer the call.”
The king, along with all of the dwarves around us, held up a fist. They beat their hearts with it one, two, three times, shouting “Aye!” at the end.
“We should bow,” whispered Cassandra.
Dhot, Cassandra, and I bowed our thanks to the king and the dwarves. When Dhot brought his head back up, he lost his balance and fell over.
“This goblin needs another beer!” shouted one of the dwarves standing nearby. The crowd cheered again, laughing along with Dhot.
“Maha! That I do!”
“One final note before I let the night continue,” announced the king. “Braun Graystrider, please come over here.”
All eyes fell on the dwarf. The cheers and laughter dropped, and a chilling silence surrounded us.
Braun looked around, unsure. He shuffled over to the king, eyeing him warily.
“Aye?” he asked.
“We dwarves have not treated ya fairly over yer whole life,” said King Julfr solemnly. “By all accounts, it was yer right to walk away from us in our hour of need. Instead, ya did the unthinkable. Ye not only came to our aid, but ye risked everything ye had. If it weren’t for ya, this would be a very dark day in the history of dwarves, blue dragons, and all of Yaerna.”
Braun shifted uncomfortably, looking over at us. Cassandra and I gave him a thumbs up, and he smiled weakly back.
“For that reason, I am givin you our most prized possession: Grimkell’s Mace,” said the king, holding it out to the dwarf. “Ye’ve already proven ye can swing it with the best of em. I know this doesn’t make us even by a long shot, but I hope it begins to mend our rift. Take this, and let it serve ya well in yer journeys with yer new friends.”
Before Braun could respond, all the dwarves again brought their fists to their chest three times.
