In that hall, almost the whole population of Unnoskalur was gathered - 92 dwarves - except for those, who were busy forging armor, weapons, and preparing fortifications and traps. People were mostly optimistic, but not the militia commander, Domas Ellestlogem.
'Cheer up, Domas!' exclaimed Mosus, the macedwarf of The Rare Labors, 'we have enough plump helmet roasts to survive for next two winters!'
'You forgot about the booze, you moron' commander looked at him askance 'besides, I do not feel like drinking, eating, and doing contests like putting out a candle with a fart.'
'Oh come on, it was only one time!' Mosus laughed, then he became serious 'listen mate, if there is anything I can help you with, just ask...'
'Thank you, but no. Just stop trying to "cheer me up", okay?'
'Sure thing. You know where I am if you need anything.' said the macedwarf and he wandered off to the main crowd.
Domas remained there, sitting in the corner of the dining hall, remembering his life at mountainhomes, the stupid trick he did by sneaking into a supplied wagon, and staying there. Then, the first months of mining out this fortress with his friend Fath, who was the expedition leader. As soon as he saw him, lying scared behind some barrels, he helped him get out of there and gave him choice: travel back to the mountainhomes alone, or stay with him. He chose the second option, as during the last days of the journey, he heard rest of the group talking about badgers and wierd humanoids with horns. Falling in love in Unib Nishudist, the woodcutter, carpenter and axedwarf of the newly founded fortress... her long, brown hair, her smell, beautiful smell of sun berries and prickle berry wine... moments they spent together in the very corner of the hall he was sitting in...
'...mmander! Domas Ellestlogem!'
Everydwarf started clapping while looking at Domas, so he stood up, looked around and spotted the mayor, Unib Oggezmafol, standing on a table and calling him. He walked over to her, being indiffrent to the applause. Mayor smiled, and shouted:
'Everyone welcome our hero, Domas Kinpainted!'
Everydwarf in the hall was clapping and cheering now. Domas bowed stiffly, and then Unib waved for silence. When the last soaper was silenced, she started talking:
'Thank you, everyone, for coming. As you might know, we have been installing some mechanisms in the entrance corridor of the fortress. Some of you didn't mind that, others asked me few times a day what does that mean. Well...'mayor hestitated' I wont lie - there is a siege of goblin pikemen right outside our gates.'
Agitated crowd whisphered, and Unib raised her hands once again to ask for silence.
'Thank you again. It is my duty to tell you the bad news - all of dwarves that were outside during the siege, were chased down and killed. Some of those were your friends, lovers, maybe wives and husbands. I cant express how sorry I feel for you all.'she tilted her head for a moment, then continued' Livestock has been also hunted down. But it is not the meat and milk we are talking about - its the very thing that they DARED to come here! Our fortress is populated with over ninety dwarves including children, and it is a number that they SHOULD worry about! 'Unib stopped for a second to catch a breath, and then continued quieter 'Our milita consists of 5 dwarves. Small number, you say. It is a small number, but all of the militia members are trusted, hardened, and determined to wipe the greenskin out of this place. 'She looked at Domas with a question in her eyes. Commander nodded almost imperceptibly.'Domas, the milita commander, told me that he needs more troops, if we ever want to get those murderers killed. So now, I ask you, citizens of The Trussed Diamonds, members of Hooffriends the Horses of Magic, brave, short, and drunk bastards of Unnoskalur, Hoofthrones - which one of you wants to kill some goblins?'
After her words, there was a moment of silence. Shortly after, all dwarves started crowding beside the table Unib stood on.
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Some stuff of mine, I was inspired after I looked into my commander's relationships - his friend, former expedition leader, bled to death because no dwarf would ever dress his broken legs, arms, and a knee
pierced by an arrow, all broken during a stupid dwarf trick. His lover, Unib the axedwarf, was the first militia commander ever - she died because she forgot to bring an axe to fight with a moose woman.
She recieved proper burial in an engraved 3x3 tomb. Now, even though I have decent quarters, LEGENDARYLEGENDARY dining hall, and masterwork plump helmet roasts(they almost killed my fortress - I lost all plump helmet seeds, couldn't make booze), his mood is sitting at fine. Goblin pikemen are indeed right outside my gates, and I will engage them in a moment.
If you liked this story, please tell me what should I improve, what tales would you like to hear, or do you want me to just shut up once and for all
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Topic: Tales of Hoofthrones. (Read 607 times)