Mage Joan

Joan and Clark rode close to the entrance of the village on horseback. On the way, they often encountered groups of hounds or polar deer dragging sleighs on the road.

Occasionally, polar bears can be seen as domestic animals, dragging sleds and trotting all the way, and most of the "bear sleds" are driven by dwarves with strong beards.

There are even daring dwarves who ride the white bear as a horse, sit on the bear’s back, and smoke a pipe leisurely. When they pass by Clark and Joan on horseback, they take off their fur hats and wave at them, greeting them enthusiastically. .

Clark noticed that Joan was staring at the white bear riding the dwarf, and introduced with a smile: "In addition to mining and hunting, the glacier dwarf also has an ancestral craft. It is particularly good at domesticating polar beasts. The smart white bear is the favorite animal of the dwarves. Not only can it be domesticated into livestock, but it can also act as a guard and bodyguard."

Qiao An nodded suddenly, thinking that the place "White Bear Village" really deserves its reputation!

When Clark was traveling in the polar regions six years ago, he stopped at White Bear Village on the way. He was very familiar with the local situation and took Qiao An into the village. He dismounted at the entrance of a building with a sign of "cross pick" at the entrance of the street.

The Frost Giant rubbed his hands and said to the young mage beside him: "Brother Qiao'an, this tavern is owned by my friend’s sister. Let’s go in and warm up the fire and have a cup of warmth. Maybe you can still meet my one. Old friend-he is a witty bragging master, the story king, with him, the cold winter night will not make people feel lonely and bored."

Qiao An followed Clark into the tavern filled with whale oil, spirits, and tobacco, and all he saw were rude, noisy, and bearded little dwarfs. Fortunately, the local glacier dwarves were not particularly exclusive, just took a look. The two foreigners turned their heads back, drank strong alcohol and quarreled endlessly.

Clark walked through the crowd and came to the bar, grinning at the female dwarf who was wiping the dishes across the bar.

"Hi! Sister Hannah, do you remember me?"

The chubby female dwarf raised her head, squinted, and looked at the tall frost giant opposite by the dim light, and said hesitantly: "Oh! A bit of an impression...Big guy, I still remember you are a boxer, what's your name? ?Hyglas?"

"Hainer! Sister Hannah, my name is Clark Henier!" The Frost Giant was a little embarrassed.

"Yes, yes! Clark, I remember!" Hannah slapped and said excitedly, "The last time you came to White Bear Village was almost six or seven years ago, right?"

"Spring six years ago!"

"Fool! There is no spring in Baixiong Village, our ghost place, it is almost winter all year round!"

Hannah stepped on the stool, raised a full glass of wine and handed it to the Frost Giant.

"Drink a little to warm up your body, big guy, I still remember you wrestling with Mishka! You are so powerful, there is no one other than you, or other white bears, who are stronger than my Xiaomi Shika!"

"Oh, I miss Mishka, too. He is a good bear, a cute little white bear."

Clark drank a toast with the wine in one breath, put down the wooden cup, patted the young mage beside him on the shoulder, and solemnly introduced: "Sister Hannah, this is brother Joan, the genius mage of Midgard, my friend and Travel companion."

The female dwarf opened a pair of round eyes and looked up and down Qiao Ann in surprise.

"Young man, you look pretty handsome! It's hard to imagine that a bookish Mage like you would make friends with a stupid big guy like Clark wrestling with a bear!"

Qiao An smiled embarrassedly, thinking that it's no wonder that Clark is so skilled in fighting with the white bear, he is an old hand!

Hannah wiped her hands on her apron, poured another glass of wine, pushed it in front of Joan, and said with a smile: "Have a drink, Mr. Master, I'll treat you."

Qiao Ann had no choice but to thank him, and sipped a sip of the spirits brewed from unknown grains, choked with a cough, flushed cheeks, and made Aunt Hannah laugh.

Clark knew that his little brother could not drink enough, and quickly turned off the topic: "Hannah, how is Mishka?"

"Mishka is well-behaved, smart and sensible. Now he has learned to help me with some simple housework! It is a pity that its owner has a bad life. My poor brother has just suffered a heavy blow recently. I was very depressed. I was so drunk all day long to persuade him not to listen. There is no way!"

The female dwarf spread her hands and looked helpless.

Clark's face changed slightly and he put down his wine glass.

"Sister Hannah, what's wrong with Bayerhof?"

"Hey, he was deceived and lost a lot of money! What's more terrible is that this money is not only for him, but also for the hard-earned money collected by other partners. It was paid because of trust in Bayerhof. In his hands, now that the money has been cheated away, Bayerhof feels ashamed of betraying everyone's trust in him. He is embarrassed and can't look up in the village." Hannah sighed.

Clark nodded, and whispered to Qiao An, "Hannah’s brother Bayerhof is my old friend, the sheriff of the White Bear Village, and he also runs a green ice mine in partnership with others. Although he doesn’t make much money, he It provides a stable source of materials for the foundry industry in Baixiong Village and other surrounding villages and towns. With this small industry, Bayerhof is widely respected locally."

Qiao An certainly knows that the polar regions lack iron ore, but fortunately, glaciers that have been accumulated in ancient times can be seen everywhere, giving birth to abundant blue ice deposits.

The physical properties of green ice are similar to those of steel, and it is easier to process. It can replace iron in many daily life, and can also be used for forging weapons and equipment. It is the most important mineral resource in the Niforheim area and one of the most important mineral resources in Baixiong Village. Big pillar industry.

Clark thought for a while and then said: "By the way, Bayerhof is a ranger, known as the "Glacier Ranger", and Mishka the White Bear is his animal companion. "

At this time Hannah opened the door behind her, glanced into the kitchen, and asked Clark back: "Bayerhof is in the kitchen. While he is still not drunk, do you want to chat with him and persuade him to cheer up? ?"

"Okay!"

Clark got up and walked around the bar and walked to the back kitchen.

Qiao An also followed.

A table was set up next to the stove, and the oil lamp on the table emitted a faint light. A sturdy dwarf sat at the table with his back to the door. The light cast a reflection on his frowning face, adding a few more. Gloomy.

"Hey! Brother Bayerhof, long time no see!"

Clark walked over and patted the dwarf on the shoulder.

The dwarf turned his head, the neglected beard, messy like a pile of weeds, exuding a strong alcohol.

He looked drunkly at the tall frost giant in front of him, and after a while he recovered, jumped up in surprise, and warmly embraced his old friend.