System Break

The Dokkalfar's specialty is crafting, from weapons to mead and because so much of their society revolves around creating they also are also born traders. And as traders they were excellent hosts. They made us feel welcome and escorted us the entire time. The escort not only was helpful in finding our way around the maze of corridors they also ensured their secrets were guarded from prying eyes.

Barrin got as much pleasure out of giving me the weapons as he did crafting them and while he probably gave us more value than he received - he didn't mind it in the least. He viewed it as a long term relationship building – an investment of sorts.

Sakaala shifted on the bench seat and she was stiff. We hadn't spoken since the slap. I could feel the uncomfortable vibes emanating from her.

Gisael was on my right and either didn't care or was oblivious. She was her unpretentious self. She sniffed at the fungus soup while I gulped it down.

"It's good," I said with my mouth full. She took a tiny sip and then put a hand on mine.

"You have eaten enough."

I picked at the mead and she stared at me. "This is drink." I grinned at her then sipped while ignoring her stare.

Redmond sat next to Sakaala on my left and the Dokkalfar leaders sat opposite. 

The most important were Barrin and Brudin. The master smith and their seer who was part time healer. Or was it healer and sometimes seer. I wasn't sure.

All Dokkalfar wore goggles and while inside their stronghold they sat atop their head with a strap that kept them in place. Each set of goggles were unique. Some were made mostly of leather with only the rims shining silver or matte black. They all had the same tinted glass to reduce the harsh light of the sun or forge.

Brudin's goggles were an intricate weave of gold and silver and they shone brightly like expensive jewellery. Barrin's were very practical with sturdy leather bands attached to rivetted steel.

During the meal we engaged in small talk but now we had our fill discussions began.

"Redmond does well," Barrin said. "Another few months and he'll be ready."

"Ah," I said. "We need him now."

"But his training is incomplete, he will be like a stunted child. Our folk apprentice for years; Six months was already a compromise."

"Maybe some of your folk would like to start a colony?"

Barrin glanced at Brudin who kept her face opaque with her usual smile. "This would be a momentous decision and we would spend a long time considering and discussing," she said. 

I nodded. "I understand but things are movingly quickly up north."

Gisael said, "There is much change. The portal storms are severe, and the city folk try to claim the mine."

Sakaala added. "We have a treaty with the duke which involves this mine and the fort. And I believe there are developments?"

"Yeah," I said. "We will run it and sell him ore. It was the best way to keep him out without a conflict. But it's getting complicated. The mountainfolk sold us the mine and we need people to run it. The mountainfolk aren't miners, not good ones anyway. That is why we need Redmond to come home now and the old world will send more adventurers. But this time they will be Dokkalfar."

Barrin glanced at Brudin again. His lips were turned down and his eyes dark.

Brudin nodded slowly. "We knew this time would come, but not so soon." She looked at Sakaala and Gisael. She addressed Gisael directly. "Why did you do it? Why did your Mother accept the adventurers."

Gisael looked at the table for a long time. "Because of him." And everyone knew she meant me.

Brudin stared at me. "There is much trust placed in you." She took a sip of mead and let her meaning sink in. "I expect you to show concern for us as you do the Svartalfar. If we are to place our trust in you we need you to protect not only the ones who come to live with you, but the entire clan."

I shrugged. "I protected a bunch of city folk who weren't my responsibility. I cannot see how we can't work together. And if that means we come to your aid in need we will. We would have even without the promise or exchange. Our only problem is we're separated by a few days travel and communication is slow."

"An expedition," Barrin said. "Not a colony. A smith, a mason and a miner to oversee their training. They will need to be fed, cared for and protected. And they will take a share in the profits."

"What profits?" I asked. "We will use most of what they produce ourselves. It will be a long time before we have excess to trade. The ore we sell the duke won't be profitable, we just agreed to his price to keep him out."

Barrin smiled. "Thank you for your honesty. Then I shall propose one pound of cores per month. I know this is not much for you and it will help us significantly."

I laughed. "You know they wanted fifteen pounds a month for that hall, and you ask so little."

"We are astute traders. We are not thieves."

"Who will the adventurers swear to?" Brudin asked. "Will they be content to mine, build and craft instead of trying to be like you?"

"They will be under our protection and will swear to the forest. The adventurers we choose will be like Redmond. They will be people who like to do such work and not ones who crave adventure."

Barrin nodded. "As long as you honour your pledge to us. It is important you honour your treaty with the Duke of Salastria as well."

Brudin frowned. "Salastria has powerful protectors, even more so than the ones you met in Dawnharbour. We have been wary of them and done nothing to upset the duke. But if pushed, if threatened, he could send his protectors here and challenge us. It will be a war we cannot win."

I glanced at Gisael and she nodded slowly.

"Shit," I said and looked back to Barrin. "Is this something you've been managing the entire time you've been here?"

Barrin's expression was solemn. "There was only a mountain when we arrived. It was nothing. We've built all this, but the duke is greedy and the more prosperous we become the more his eyes shine when he looks at us."

"If it wasn't the mountainfolk's mine it could have been us," Brudin said. "We are master crafters, masons and miners. We can build weapons which sit on our walls and keep all monsters at bay. But we cannot fight five protectors in a duel between domains."

Their warriors shifted in their seats and I felt for them. Their leaders shamed them, but the truth hurt sometimes.

I nodded. "Then we will have our own treaty. If you are challenged we will provide the five protectors to defend you."

"This is much more than we expected. What do you want in exchange?" Barrin asked.

I shook my head. "You've already given me everything I want. We will do this because we're friends."