Just because one seems possessed doesn’t mean one is mad
Yorl, Philosopher
The passing of season brought much work for the dwarves. The recently killed gazelles still needed butchering. And much of the meat needed cooking. Plants needed to be brewed. Seeds needed to be collected for later use. For the plants were plenty and were threatening to overflow. The farmhands did their best to cook brew and process what they could. Three farmhands were not enough. The other farmers had dedicated themselves to either cooking, plant gathering, brewing, or butchering the animals. Yet weariless they went on. For the Dwarven traders had told them that humans would come in the summer. And so they prepared for such.
But not all things were so bleak.
For one dwarf. For one Etun Wheelcloister. For he suddenly his eyes turned white. He strode to a craftsmen workshop. And with a voice very unlike his own. Began demanding Wood.
Everyone thought he had gone crazy.
“Oh and why should we listen to you yer flea beard.” Said Thirb, the bonecrafter.
“Yea what makes you think you can tell us what to do? We all know what is needed go fetch it yer self.” Said Core XII
“Wait do what he says.” JimmyJ says.
“Oh great you again with your all knowing knowledge of what you think is real.” 4bh0r53n says,
“Look at his eyes.”
Sneering 4bh0r53n looks at Etun’s eyes and gasps. “His pupils are gone. His eyes are all white.”
“Yes he has been possessed”
“Then we must ward him off so he doesn’t do us harm” Rakast, the Jeweler says.
“No they who are possessed usually make great artifacts. Doesn’t anybody remember the king’s own mace?”
“Aye I do.” Grek says. “His mace was created by a smith who claims to have been possessed by spirits. He claims it was they who gave him what was needed to make such a mace.”
“Then you are saying that Etun will…” 4bh0r53n stammers.
Quickly the three nearest dwarves run off for wood. All bringing Acacia logs.
“This will do” A voice said from within Etun. Quietly Etun began working. If someone listened close they could hear him muttering Unolasteb.
This was not the only event that took the Summer. The dwarves were finall ready to begin digging out the heart of Lokunabod. The very castle that will house every noble that comes to this mountain. A room will even be prepared for meetings if need be.
But not all events were good. The Human caravan had arrived. But sadly their caravans couldn’t get through. They were kind enough to send some mules however. But as the merchants were about to cross the river they were ambushed by unicorns. Of all things. Unicorns were suppose to be kind creatures. Yet there they were. The slaughtered one mule quickly. The two guards held off the unicorns as best as they could.
Two of the unicorns chased a wounded guard into the fortress where the dwarves quickly scattered. The unicorns chased the guard into the tree-farm. The dwarves watched as the guard was cornered. The unicorns slowly drew closer. The guard hopelessly swung his sword cutting one of the unicorn’s legs. But it was hopeless for him. The dwarves quickly barred the unicorns in preventing them from escape. The other guard however succeeded in guarding the merchants as they ran away one mule gone. After the merchants were safely gone the guard chased the unicorn down killing three before he too went after the merchants. Heliopios and Reig knew what was needed. They had to kill the remaining two unicorns. Before they bred. Quickly the two dwarves stalked in. Closer and closer they got. Close enough that they would have a clear shot. Reig was the first to shoot. He fired a bolt but it went awry. The unicorns didn’t notice. Loading another bolt Reig quickly shot another bolt successfully hitting a unicorn in the stomach. But alas he had forgotten to check his bolt level. Seeing that both unicorns were badly injured he strode forward hoping to bash them to death. When Heliopios had finally gotten in range Reig was almost next to the unicorns. Knowing that it was too late for Reig to get away Heliopios shot at the unicorns. He shot one in the head instantly killing it. Reig went after the other while Heliopios tried to find an opeing. He couldn’t fire in fear of hitting Reig. But alas it wouldn’t matter. The unicorn stabbed Reig in the heart with her horn. Heliopios shot the unicorn straight in the heart. But Reig couldn’t be saved. Reig was now the first dwarf to join the dead. He will be the first to be buried in a long line of others soon to be. But right now he is the first.
The only thing that could even slightly brighten the dark day, the day of the first death, was the completion of the artifact. Etun had created Unolasteb, Soultell, an Acacia earring.
Coming to his senses Etun shakes his head then asks whos earring he was holding.
“Why Etun” Grek said” You were possessed by spirits who through you created that artifact. It will bring many a dwarf here.”
In his joy and pride (His own falsehood of it that is) Etun took a stroll to see the chasm. He was going to gather up some of the few gold ore that was found there. That was until something tried to kill him. He saw it was something that looked like a huge mole.
He ran back down the tunnel with the mole close behind him. The mole was catching up and knowing it was either time to die now or later Etun attacked it back. Surprising even himself Etun attacked with such ferocity that he killed the mole. Grinning he dragged the corpse to the front of the mountain where it could be butchered.
End of Summer 1052
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Topic: Desert Dwarves (Read 6034 times)