(Sure everyone can post.I try to dwarf everyone
I wrote this before I got to the internet cafe, so I will dwarf you next post. But you can add to the story in the meantime, sure
)
It was shivering cold. Snow storms ravaged the land, and every drop of rain that could have been collected into a reservoir, instead fell down as snow. If this was late summer, how would we survive the winter?
These and other, darker, throughts went through the mind of Meph, while he stood at exactly the place where their wagon had arrived.
- "Here we will lay the foundation of the Wall."
A quiet, not very enthusiastic cheering could be heard. The dwarves did not like going out, and the construction of their megaproject should begin far outside the fortress, with it's warming magma.
- "Listen up. Two important things I wanted to tell you, besides the start of the Wall. First of all, we got reeinforcements. Another group arrived and will be set to work. One of them did bring a curious device from the mountainholmes, he called it a fire mine. We will position if outside the main entrance. The second point is about the caravan. It should arrive within the month, so we need to built a trade depot. I selected a sight in the second wall, above the magma. We will need to support it with constructions, so it does not accidently collapse into the volcano."
While he was speaking, a lone figure approached the group. First, no one noticed, and it was almost upon them, when Tod screamed:
-"BLIZZARD MAN, RUN FOR COVER"
The dwarves scattered, the speach forgotten, and again, Tod alone, went to face the beast, carrying the blessed sword of armok into battle. It did not last long, and the red glow disappeared from the eyes, and the icycle teeth snapped harmlessly... since the blizzard man's cut-off head was lying in the snow.
-" We need more soldiers, you cant always do everything alone..."
-"Well. It seems that I can, so far" said Tod with a smirk. "But I know what you mean, I will check the new migrants for useful men."
In the end he selected just one, who showed adequate combat skills in the training. With no proper equipment, he was discouraged however. This was ill planned, since the scared workers did know a way to get what they thought he needed. Fearing for their savety, they took a frightened newcomer, carried them to the volcano and sacrificed him upon Armoks temple. Meph could do little to stop the mob, and watched helplessly. Not knowing if it was good or bad, in the end the new recruit was carrying his own steel sword, somewhat to sure of himself.
-" Ready for some action ? I heard the caravan is approaching, and we need to clear they way. Some workers said they saw a pack of dire wolves near the Wall." asked Tod.
- "Sure as hell, lets get them"
The fight was short. Tod went first and easily killed one, two, then three dire wolves. The last one he kept alive for the recruit, who in turn got bitten, lost his courage and fled. Tod was watching him, barely paying attention to the last remaining wolf, shaking his head. "Stupid boy, and for such a great champion they threw one of use into the volcano. Madness..." and killed the last wolf, before returning to the fortress.
Sure enough the caravan arrived soon after that. Meph managed to talk to the liason, ordering supplies for next year, and bought a couple of raw ingredients for food and drink, all the logs they offered and two lightweight steel greaves for the militia. Hopefully they can afford a good turret next year.
Deep inside the fortress, the volcano is being opened by Mitch, to allow the smiths to take up their work. The magma channel is filling slowly, even as the room is expanded to accomodate all the new buildings... although dangerous work Mitch never complained, even volunteered for it. Meph is oversseing the work on the wall, the foundation now streches from east to west, as far as the eye can see...
Tod goes on patrol, choosing to be alone, instead of babysitting the useless recruit. He does see another pack of icewolfs.
- "By armoks beard, cant you leave us alone ?" he says to himself, then runs down the hill to face them. This time, the wolves outnumber him 5 to 1. Which only makes him angrier. He draws his sword and shield, and time seemes to slow down. Like in trance he moves from one to the other, seperating paws from limbs, limbs from bodys, twisting and turning. The wolves had no change, only one of them managed to flee, injured. Crazed by pain he walks towards the landmine... and bites into it. A nearby caravan guard sees this and instead of wasting time trying to warn Tod, he draws his crossbow and shoots the wolf. Carefully he walks over and checks the mine. A scratched case, the fuse still intact.
- "No friendly fire today, you came close to death, commander of the gate"
- "What do you mean ? This little thing should hurt me?"
- "I have seen them in the orc war. The blow apart, metal fragments piercing lung and heart, the skin blistered, the eyes and ears bleeding. If I were you, I would show more respect for these little things" said the guard, with an uneasy smile on his face. "I should know, I was a soldier myself, till I got a shrapnel hit my knee. Now I work as a guard..." His smile froze, and he stared behind Tod.
- "Am I mad ? Is this a goblin ? Wearing golden armor ?"
Tostleenkis, the thief:
- " Ay. We had some trouble with thieves, but they never get into our fortress, so no worries. He'll be gone sson enough. Hope he doesnt collapse, a golden armor must be heavy. Poor little bugger."
Author
Topic: The Wall. (☼MASTERWORK☼ DF V.09 Testfort) (Read 2927 times)