After a long hiatus with other projects, I am revisiting Oldlands. The story yearns to be told, so let's continue for now.Year: 129, early spring.
Location: Runatar, central city under siege.
Crack! The broken furniture blocking the way came apart easily with a few swings of Nish's axe. The two dwarves entered the abandoned apartment, taking care to shift the rubble behind themselves to conceal any sign of their entry. Here they would hide out for a few days until the fighting outside died down, then they should escape the district, make their way to the river and find a way to cross it to get to safety. Nish had no doubt that in one more week, this place would be crawling with goblins. He only hoped that whoever was in charge of the Dwarven border would have the sense to seal it off.
Just a month ago, Nish and Kib Zuntîrkulet were traders, an elderly couple carrying warm clothing and fine steel tools from the Dwarven nation to Runatar. But as the fighting so unexpectedly shifted deep into the Central city itself, they not only lost their mules and cargo, but barely escaped with their own lives. Now they were stuck in the besieged streets, among the rubble, barricades, destroyed houses and constant thunder of artillery.
"I'll take the first watch", Kib suggested. "Let's search the place first, though." Nish just nodded; he was so tired he couldn't care less than to sleep on the floor. Here was only slightly warmer than the outside.
"Hm. Shame about the broken chimney, but smoke would attract attention at any rate", Kib said as she surveyed upstairs. A former army quartermaster, she had a practical mindset. "There's another barricaded room, I think it was a bedroom. A couple blankets would go a long way."
As Nish moved to join her in taking apart the barricade, she suddenly froze with a hand raised in caution. "That room is not empty."
Who was it? Perhaps the owners of this apartment were still around? Another refugee? Or... a sniper nest? The upper floor offered view of parts of the city, and the goblins did have sharpshooter rifles, as the dwarves had the displeasure to learn while navigating the old trench network.
"Don't kill me!" came a half-shout from the room. "I'm unarmed."
Kib scowled. They only had Nish's axe, and her own two-shot handgun. Still, best put your best foot forward.
"Come out with your hands where we can see them!"
She thought she had recognized the coarse accent. True enough, a lanky goblin in torn uniform stumbled out of the doorway. Nish cursed under his breath.
***
The goblin gave his name as Zolak. He was a deserter, one of many that witnessed the fury of the new Runataran weapon. His right leg was set with makeshift splints, and he reluctantly told them he'd been hiding out here for two days. Still a long way to recovery, but he would need both legs to escape.
"New weapon?" Nish didn't move his hand from his axe, which made Zolak all the more nervous.
"Something like the old siege engines, only with guns and armor plating. How they move these things is beyond me, but they are deadly."
"You're making things up. How have I not heard of it?"
"I don't know! It's something they had in store for us. Rolled right over us in the trenches, terrifying as hell!"
So the tables had unexpectedly turned. But even if true, Nish did not expect the fighting was about to end quickly. And this goblin... would be nothing but trouble.
He pulled Kib aside. "Shouldn't we off him? He's an enemy."
"We're not fighting this war here, Nish."
"Have you forgotten our lost goods? We're broke, and all because of these bastards."
"No, it's because we took a risk carrying those into a warzone. And it's just a small setback as long as we make it out alive."
"And if he slits your throat while you sleep?"
"We'll have to keep an eye on him." Kib sighed, not enjoying the idea. But she was not about to murder someone in cold blood. Not even a goblin. Not anymore.
***
The war underground was over now. Ecos were the first to be swayed to Sodel's side, and then the council had no choice but to submit as well. Despite lingering resentment, weapons were laid down for now, and underground tunnel-based trade with the west had reopened using modernized electric trains. As promised, the dwarven cities, including Idodur, would be allowed to self-govern.
Still cautious of the goblins, the new Sovereign Ruler of All Dwarvenkind (he didn't actually name himself that) ordered to fortify every entrance to his new domain, all the while experimenting with extradimensional energy in his newest lab. Soon he would be able to revolutionize warfare, and then end it forever.