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[Electrum]

This thread's so epic. Seriously, encryption and interaction and a solid story?

Could I get a dwarf as well? One called Varen, please, one of the speardwarves so they're not in too much danger of disappearing into the crowd.

If it's someone recruited from another job, could you post their original skills, too? That might make it a bit easier to write a journal entry or two.

[Heavy Flak]

The events of the 11th of Malachite, 1060

In the dead of night Aryn skulked beside the southwestern corner of the fortress wall.  He seemed jittery, constantly glancing towards the gate towers, but these days when wasn't he on edge?  Eventually a shape grew out of the darkness, illuminated by a single candle.  They conversed for just a moment, and Aryn passed over two objects - a small coin purse and a small envelope.  The shook hands, and the figure snuffed the candle and vanished into the night.

This was repeated an hour later with a second figure.  A couple minutes after the second visitor vanished into the darkness, Aryn left his spot at the wall, ducking back inside to the cool security of his room.

***

"Come in," Called Stravitch.  He was bent over a beat up ledger, held together with poorly worked rope-reed threads.  When he saw it wasn't Johnny, by Dodik-Come-Lately, he hastily shut the notebook and tossed it into the dresser behind him.  He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the bleak carpenter, leaning heavily on his desk.  "And you're here because?"

"Dojango said he was busy putting out a fire in the kitchen," Dodik-Come-Lately said morosely, "He asked, since I'm not doing anything, if I could bring your dinner down to you.  It's not like I'm ever doing anything in this treeless hole, so..."  She shrugged and flipped the swath of hair out of her eye.  "Here's your food."

"Oh.  Well.  Thank you." Stravitch said evenly.  
"Yeah.  At least I'm able to do something around here," She said.  With a sigh she turned towards the door, tugging gently at the black meshed gloves on her hands.  As she pulled it open, she said quietly, "You know, I was made leader of the Carpenters Union recently."
"What was that?"
"Nothing..."

As the door shut, Stravitch picked up his plate of steak and eggs to move it closer to him, a small blank envelope left on the mat where it was placed, the tacky sap that held it attached to the bottom having stuck it to the table.  He blinked and gently picked it up, slicing the top open with his thumb nail.  The piece of paper he pulled out was hastily ripped from Aryn's ledger.  The majority of it was dull - production logs and percentage increases - but at the bottom, almost cut off was scrawled: Hide cache of arms near the magma vent for civilian uprising.  There was a check mark beside the item.

***

"Good session, folks, good session.  Let's take a break, grab some grub, and then we'll get back to it."  

Snake gave a quick clap to signify sparring was over, metal gauntlets clanking loudly.  The soldiers milled about, breaking off into small groups to joke with one another or discuss tactics, slowly filing from the room.  One of the soldiers was lagging behind though, favoring his right leg as he loosened the straps of his armor.  Turning for the door, a small envelope fell from his breastplate.

"Soldier, a second.  You dropped your letter."
"Sir?  I'm sorry, Sir, but I do-...Ohhh.  That's not my letter, Sir."
"At ease, Soldier.  Now, if that's not yours, than why did it just drop from your armor?"
"Well," began the Speardwarf.  "I found it on the way here from the larders.  It had some of Aryn's notes in it, and I was going to drop it off to him during a break."

Snake straightened up ever so slightly.  He smoothed his hair back, flashing a winning grin.  "You know how Aryn is, he'll probably rip your head off if you bother him.  Tell you what, why don't you let me drop it off for you.  I've learned how to deal with him over the years."
"Would you, Sir?  That would be fantastic.  Thanks!"  
"Any time, soldier.  By the way - what's your name?  I haven't seen you around here for very long."
"Varen, Sir.  Varen Claspshafts."
"You're doing just fine, kid.  I see big things in your future."
 

[ May 03, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[Heavy Flak]

From the files of Aryn Estetar
15th of Galena, 1060

Time is quite the commodity these days.  In the middle of overseeing the various projects the fortress is undertaking, such as The Great Flooring Initiative of 1060, and the massive quarry, I've been having to watch for those weasels I fed information to.  It seems the quickest way to a Dwarves heart - outside of booze and stew - is money, and though they may not like me as a person, Dodik-Come-Lately and Varen seem quite capable of taking my coin to just keep their ears open and report back anything they hear.  

I was beginning to worry, as nothing had been said for weeks.  Finally, however, Dodik-Come-Lately reported she watched from the aquaducts as Snake, the Budseals, and our wonderful Tax Collector dug furiously at the edge of the river.  Of course they found nothing, and had Snake gone alone I might still be stuck.  But having those Noble Idiots at his side searching for my hidden riches gave me the most perverse pleasure.  That disgusting little tattle tail got her coin, and hopefully she can use it to by clothing that isn't made of what looks like fishnets and silver dye...

Varen watched as Stravitch, his training tormentor, disappeared into the ground by the magma vent with that idiot Johnny.  No nobles arrived, and they came out without even a single chunk of obsidian.  He will be punished, of course, but is he the spy?  At this point no... he seems to just be an opportunist.

Kuli has been spending the majority of his time down in the forges, limping out tiredly at the end of the day.  The enormous amount of goblin-wrought armor is nearly staggering, and when before he's allowed to consider crafting more plate mail for our troops, I've instructed he smelt down a good portion of our stocks.  This has the added bonus of keeping him from his temple for extended periods of time - something that always makes me laugh.

With the waterworks on hold, Lucy and her crew have been left high and drew as far as work goes.  They've made enough money to take a multi-month vacation, but the boredom is beginning to set in I think.  They spend the majority of their time drunk, a state that can make this scorching wasteland at least temporarily bearable.  

The Budseals constantly demand items carved from Dread Camel Bones.  I've superseded their orders, and instructed that Istrath and Akroma take all of the platinum and bronze statues I've commissioned, and encrust them with as many gems, bones, and leather items as they can get their hands on.  Already these statues, icons of Sgt. Pepper and his Great Axe, are beginning to take on a sparkling life of their own.  

The coronation will be happening in just a few weeks, and I have to admit.  I'm getting excited.  This will be my crowning achievement, for sure.  Ha ha ha!

[Electrum]

Dear Pa,

Finally arrived at the Utopia of the Polished Trumpet! The Least Waste isn't all that hospitable, but I guess you start improving the world in a place where it's bad, otherwise nobody would notice. Me and the other guys milled around a little lost near the entrance, but a patchy-bearded fellow came up to us and assigned us to our new jobs. Apparently he's Aryn, one of the original visionaries. Looks a bit frazzled to me.

I got assigned to the barracks right away, they had enough skilled hands for everything else. Fine by me. I've been wrestling with a few of the other raw recruits. Some of these dwarves, like Snake and Sulari, are really awe-inspiring, and I hope to pick up some pointers from them.  

Varen.

...

Dear Pa,

Training is going alright so far, and I can tell I'm getting better. Seems to be a shortage of speardwarves around here, so I volunteered to be one. Got to keep the family name up! Everyone's pretty friendly here, lots of camaradrie. I'm meeting plenty of people. No young ladies yet, though. The only guy that seems off is Stravitch, an old hulk who's the Captain of the Guard. He knocks us around the room with that ornate mace of his, and he never leaves you an opening. Bastard.

I just got back from my first patrol. Nothing but dunes and dirt and bones, as far as the eye can see. There's some undead camels here, but we didn't run into any. The view just reminded me how miss the ocean and the cool limestone of home.

Varen.

...

Dear Pa,

Glad to hear from you again. I'm fine too, but I think I'll stay here a while. Don't worry about the camels, we're getting plenty of training. I'm as safe as the next soldier.

I went to see Aryn again today, about my pay. I asked him if this place was founded on Zefonite principles, and he seemed real suspicious for a moment, but I managed to put him at ease. It's not very clear who runs this place. Aryn's the ideas man on the brink, but the Zefonite church has got a lot of influence in the rank and file. That Stravitch is keeping more than just order and there's some self-absorbed nobles too, running around doing Äkim knows what. They say even the Queen arrived here a while ago! Gotta pity the guy a little, even if he's a few bolts short of a drawbridge.

But I got my first shiny coins, earned them through honest labor. They mint them here, can you imagine that? I spent some of them on a trap to keep the rest safe, and I check on the mechanism sometimes when I'm off-duty. Haven't seen any kobolds yet, but you never know. Nearly everyone respects me, but I swear that Guardcaptain just uses the recruits to vent his frustration on. People step back from him whenever he strides into the barracks to pummel one of us.

Varen.

[Ghostpaw]

If you are still interested in constructing a working shower thing, here's a design that I think will work well.

Channel Design

code:

       _______  
      |DX~~~~ 
        ¯¯¯¯¯ 

Bedroom

code:

      _ _ _  
      |   |
      |   |
      |   |
      | * |
      ¯ Ώ ¯  

Legend:
*: pressure plate
Ώ: door
D: floor hatch
X: floodgate
~: water
|_¯: walls

Basically it works like this.  When a dwarf steps on the pressure plate the floor hatch will open and floodgate will close.  This will keep the room from flooding.  With a 3x4 room the one square filled with level 7 water won't reach higher than level one once it falls into and tries to fill the 3x4 room.  Once the dwarf steps of the plate the floor hatch will close and the floodgate will open refilling it for next time a dwarf steps on the pressure plate

[ May 04, 2008: Message edited by: Ghostpaw ]

[ May 04, 2008: Message edited by: Ghostpaw ]

[Ghostpaw]

Sorry about that was trying to figure out how to edit posts.

[ May 04, 2008: Message edited by: Ghostpaw ]

[Heavy Flak]

The Coronation of Queen Risen Braidsabre
1st of Limestone, 1060

   

There had never been as large a gathering in the church as there was for the Queen's Coronation.  The majority of the population was there, standing in their Union groups, talking quietly among themselves.  In the back stood Stravitch, his Guardsmen flanking the rear wall.  Only the main soldiers were missing, and the Fisherdwarves - the only group to actively boycott the entire ordeal - and Aryn, who had been missing for days.

Standing in front of the Second Statue of Zefon was Queen Risen herself, her gown a radiant blue, the jewel encrusted hilt of her sword glinting from the sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows.  Beside her and in front of the first statue of Zefon was her husband Zulban.  They were flanked by their personal guards, the four unruly axe-swingers, the most accomplished from the mountain homes.

Kuli stood near the front, his leather-bound tome in hand.  He wore a serene smile, his silver suit washed and pressed specifically for this event.  the crowd began to settle down as he raised one hand high, taking a small step forward.  

"Ladies, Gentlemen.  I'm honored to be standing in front of you today, to have been given an honor such as this.  To have the Queen herself ask that in this place of worship I formally swear her in to her duties.  
"Imagine!  Nine years ago, seven Dwarves arrived at the foot of this hill.  They were tired and homesick, and immediately the land itself set upon them - forsaking the proper order of resurrection by bringing a single spark of life to the once-dead corpses littering the ground.  From that first moment, we have worked tirelessly carving this place one of comfort and security.  I can say, with immense pride, we have succeeded.
"And our success is what has brought Queen Risen Braidsabres and her charming husband to our humble home.  We shall not squander the oppertunities she has presented to us, and with this new sway our exports - of Goods and God - shall increase tenfold."

"Now, Queen Braidsabre.  Please, step forward and raise your Sword for our brethren to see.  Do you swear to uphold honor, and law, in these lands?"
"I do."
"Then in this Church, under the glorious gaze of Zefon, I instate you a-"
"ENOUGH!"

Aryn's voice drowned out the sound of the heavy wooden doors rebounding off the stone wall.  He was wearing a maniacs grin, hauling a bloodied Snake behind him.  The soldier stumbled and nearly fell and Aryn turned to cuff him soundly, dragging his body across the mosaic.

He stopped in the middle of the hall, breathing hard, his eyes gleaming.  Kuli stepped forward, his patience almost seeming to be at an end, but Aryn's harsh voice overrode any actions the others might have taken.

"I have here a traitor to our kin!  THE traitor, the one who brought these worthless nobles to our hallowed halls.  Stare at him, stare at this one-eyed charlatan, this weak fool who would rather sell his friends for coin than give a hard days work."  

"Preposterous!" The Queen shouted.  Her sword was half way out of it's scabbard.  "You're a selfish fool!  I remember your rabble-rousing back in the mountains.  It was because of MY generosity that you and your crew were even allowed to leave the city at all, to found THIS land for ME!  How dare you..."
"How dare ME?  You're in my land now.  These are my people.  Your standing upon our sweat, upon OUR blood!  Who carved this place?  We did!  Who toiled in the sun?  We did!  Do you know where you stand?  You're standing on your grave plot you leech."

"What!  I will not stand for this, Aryn Estetar."
"And neither will I.  Stravitch!"

The grizzled guard started at the sound of his name.  He eventually strode up the isle until he stood beside the battered Soldier-Champion and the Idealist Leader.  "You're not innocent either, Captain Fillwhip.  I know you and your lackey were taking advantage of my 'missing documents'.  Prove your worth to me.  Remove the nobility from our fortress."

Stravitch glanced down at the once-respected soldier.  He lifted his head and caught Johnny's eye in the crowd, watching him nod his head slowly.  With a nod, the captain stepped forward, hefting Sefolkubuk Nirurtenshed from the loop on his belt.  

"Stop!" Shouted Kuli.  He rushed forward to block Stravitch's path. "Do not do this!  Not here!  It is not up to Aryn to push them forward to their next life, you don't need to fol-"
"Quiet, Prophet.  Even if you are worshipping a false God, I don't want to hurt you.  But if you get in my way... I'll fell you as easily as these cowering high-born." Growled Stravitch.  He pushed Kuli aside and strode forward, his mace gleaming ominously.

There was a scream from the back of the church; the silence of the onlookers finally broke.  The Dwarves rushed for the doors, Stravitch's Guard blocked by the rush of bodies.  It wasn't long before the church was almost clear - the Budseals, the Braidsabres, the tax collector, the guards, and the very unfortunate philosopher all that was left.  

"Now," Stravitch said evenly. "Which of you is first?"

[ May 05, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[Heavy Flak]

The Coronation Continued

With a war cry, Stravitch swung his mace in a heavy arc from the side.  The queen cringed, her eyes shutting tight, her prop-sword held in front of her lamely.  If it wasn't for the Wise Philosopher, running forward in an attempt to stop the captain of the guard, she would have been crushed.

Instead, the copper mace caught the philosopher squarely in the stomach.  It exploded in a shower of gore, his intestines wrapping around the smaller of the two statues to Zefon.  

A glancing blow caught the Queen in the side.  She stumbled back, clutching at her broken ribs.  Stravitch was grabbed from all sides by the King Consort, and three of her guards, but with a mighty yell he threw them off.  As they hit the mosaic, sliding away, he brought the mace down, shattering the queens right arm.  She howled in pain, bones sticking through the skin at her shoulder.  The King Consort tried again to save his wife.  He was greeted by Stravitch's mace  catching him in the chest.  The King Consort was propelled into the back wall, his momentum stopped by the unyielding stone.  He exploded, a cloud of mist briefly hovering where he had hit.  

The queen soon followed, her screams silenced as Stravitch smashed her head first against one of the statues.  

The guards were next.  Though they fared much better than the Queen, the grizzled veteren still dropped them as easily as the new recruits he trained.  He moved little, using the minimum amount of energy to dodge or time his swings.  He kneecapped one of them, the guard spilling to the floor in a cursing heap.  With a quick motion, he shattered the Guards chest before bounding over the corpse and into the dwindling group of bodies.  In a flurry of motion, their heads were crushed, their spines shattered.  Only Stravitch stood amidst the bodies.

"Oh god, no!" screamed Duke Consort Budseal.  He held his baby up in front of him as a shield, perhaps as an attempt to appeal to Stravitch's humanity and stem his assault.  The appeal went unheard.  The child's head exploded in front of him, showering his face with gore.  The horror was lost upon him, as the heavy copper mace-head traveled further forward, splitting his skull open a single second later.

In his growing rage, Stravitch didn't notice at all as he shattered the Duchess's neck.  She lay on the floor paralyzed, forced to watch as her superiors guard were slaughtered.  

The tax collector was the last one standing.  Slowly he backed towards the doors, whispering, "You don't have to do this.  You can let ME live..."

"Oh, but I do.  You especially... you went out of your way to torture our civilians with your damnable demands for large gems and lead.  Now come here.  You'll regret it if I have to run."

He ran.  They all ran.  Stravitch smiled and pursued, his boots thudding ominously on the colored stones.  In his haste the Tax Collector attempted to push the doors open, but they didn't budge.  He spun in time to see Stravich, baring his teeth, bring the mace down into his chest.  There was a wet explosion - the head of the mace having punctured through the tax collectors chest and embedded in the wooden door.  The Tax Collector had time to stare at the wound before he died, slumping to the ground.

   

Tugging the mace free, Stravitch pulled the door open and walked out into the sunlight.  He was drenched in noble blood, his stern expression hiding the exhustion he felt.  Aryn began to talk to him, but he turned to glare, hissing under his breath, "They're dead, just like you wanted.  Don't question my loyalty again you little prick.  I'm going to my room and do not wish to be disturbed."

He vanished down the stairs.  One by one, the Dwarves peered inside the church, the horror growing at all the blood.  Kuli entered weeping, his book clutched to his chest, his hands shaking with anger at what had transpired.  

Only Aryn smiled.  "Now, to deal with Snake..." he murmured under his breath.

[ May 04, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[ May 05, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[Heavy Flak]

Electrum: I love the update!  I think the optimism Varen is showing works perfectly for a migrant to the fortress.  After nearly a decade out in the wastes, it's a nice juxtaposition from where the more senior residents currently are.  Even poor Rice seems to have gone into a bit of an existential funk  

Ghostpaw:  I've got a couple questions for you on your design.  Do hatches actually close when the pressure plate is tripped again?  I've never used them after some bad experiences the first time I ever played (a whole fortress flooded), but maybe it's time to swallow that fear and start anew.

Maybe I could make a wash room... this "every Dwarf gets his own shower" idea might have been too grand in scope.  Perhaps this is how Icarus felt as he drew closer to the sun...

Except I don't get to free fall into the ocean at the end.  I just get a soggy fort that needs drying.

[Kuli]

Wow.  Awesome update.  While I enjoyed it, though, Kuli the dwarf is going to be incredibly pissed off about his church being used as the site of a massacre.

By the way, I'll begin the adventure-mode story soon, possibly even tomorrow.  It won't be much, and I'm not a particularly good writer, but hopefully it will flesh out Kuli's character a bit.

[ May 05, 2008: Message edited by: Kuli ]

[Heavy Flak]

quote:Originally posted by Kuli:
<STRONG>Wow.  Awesome update.  While I enjoyed it, though, Kuli the dwarf is going to be incredibly pissed off about his church being used as the site of a massacre.

By the way, I'll begin the adventure-mode story soon, possibly even tomorrow.  It won't be much, and I'm not a particularly good writer, but hopefully it will flesh out Kuli's character a bit.

[ May 05, 2008: Message edited by: Kuli ]</STRONG>

I'm eagerly looking forward to your adventure mode story.  It's really cool to see these characters begin to develop lives of their own.  Also, Kuli the Dwarf is certainly not going to be happy with this horrible action inside his church.  It's just a point of having it believable - I doubt he'll storm into the barracks with guns a blazing, regardless of how righteously cool that would be.

Also, I've got a bit of a request for the regular readers.  It's probably apparent I've made tweaks here-and-there with Dwarf Companion when needed to help the story flow.  However, there's still a lot I don't know how to do with it.  Anyone that has a good grasp of the tool feel free to send me a PM.  Fair warning though - you might get harassed by a barrage of questions so offer assistance at your own risk!

[ricemastah]

This story is getting even more awesome!! I don't even know how to react! I really do not know how Rice would react to this. He would be happy at the removal of the royalty and all, but the method is probably somewhat against his err values... You rock!

[Vactor]

I have to admit my mind is still getting torn apart when i try to picture Dodik-Come-Lately, I've got scene-girl and bearded dwarf images butting into each other, so far unable to mesh. I'm sure i'll wrap my mind around it eventually. heh..

so on the topic of the proposed showering system, I don't think they'll alternate, I tried to do something with an arena with alternating wall grates hooked to levers so i could put things in without ever having the arena open to the fort like this:

code:

XXX XXX
XXX#XXX
XXX XXX
XXX#XXX
X     X  

i linked the interior up, opened it, then linked the exterior while the interior was open, pulled the lever and it opened the exterior, but didn't close the interior, from then on they operated in unison.

a solution that comes to mind for me would be something like this:

code:

              ^
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX   XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX         XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXX                   XXXXX
XXXXX XX XX XX XX XX XX XXXXX
XXXXXCXXCXXCXXCXXCXXCXXCXXXXX
XXXC                     CXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(C=Channel)
(^=Water Origin)
   *                     * 
XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX
XXX X XX XX XX XX XX XX X XXX
XXX XFXXFXXFXXFXXFXXFXXFX XXX   
XXXXX#XX#XX#XX#XX#XX#XX#XXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(F=Floodgate)
(#=Floorgrate)
(*=Overflow water exit point)

  

Second one is -1z lvl, with the open spaces being under the channels

7/7 water comes in the north of 0z lvl and is dispersed down to 1/7 z lvls which will slowly fill the 1 square sized channels below to 7/7 once the channel is at 7/7 it will overflow the channels onto the other side, which has channels on either side to allow any excess water to exit the system if the showers aren't in use.

link each floodgate to a pressure plate in the corresponding room.

from the side it would look like this:

code:

 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
            XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX F#XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX     X X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 

[Heavy Flak]

From the journal of Johnny Fountainspring
5th of Limestone, 1060

In light of the Great Fall Massacre, it's a wonder the whole fortress hasn't gone ape.  A carpenter was trampled to death in the great rush for the church doors, leaving Dodik-Come-Lately and one other the only wood workers in the whole fort.  She's taken to the "increase in work" with her standard level of enthusiasm.

The doors to the church have been locked for five days.  Kuli, and Kuli alone, is cleaning the place up.  When he's seen in the larders he looks dejected and angry, and I suppose rightly so.  I can't blame him at all, it was a terrible thing to have done in his temple.  But it had to be done.  The nobility were getting out of control, and while I don't really mind the occasional Dwarf beaten to keep the status quo... it was becoming excessive.

This leads to an odd situation.  Without the nobility, there are no mandates.  Without mandates there is just nothing for the workers to create.  We have all have the furnishings of highborn, and even with Aryn's decree that the plain be pitched out, even the poorest of Dwarf has a meager account and a room with a well constructed dresser, coffer, and bed.  The workshops are empty except for Kuli's crew, tirelessly melting goblin-wrought armor down into bars.  

I can't even sneak down there to churn out our idols for sale with the machines quiet and Aryn watching me liike a hawk.  Stravitch has made the request we produce some of Lenod, the Bloody Sun God instead of the fortress's patron Saint, and in his current mood I don't really feel the need to disagree...

***

The events of the 7th of Limestone, 1060

Snake woke from his nightmares with a start.  He was drenched in water, and his one eye was bleary with water and sleep, but he could still make out the outline of Aryn holding an empty bucket.  Beside him stood the nameless Hammerer, her expression blank, her eyes cold.

"How ... long have I been out..." Croaked Snake.
"Almost a full week," Came Aryn's soft reply.  "I've had my guard watching your cell the whole time as a precaution.  I didn't want anyone else to touch you before proper justice could be delivered."
"I... I remember... a slaughter, in the church.  All the no-..." He coughed a wad of blood onto the floor.  He started to lean forward, but the chain, connected to a shackle around his neck, stopped further movement forward.  He rubbed his templed instead.  "All the nobles were... why is the hammerer here?"
"Because I serve no King, no country.  I serve justice alone.  I will be serving you soon," came the hammerers cold reply.

Snake watched them bleakly.  They afforded him this silence, and in the time the warrior-champion went over the events of his life, the choices he made, and how he ended up chained to a wall, his ribs broken, his knee and elbow shattered, his face mangled.  Eventually he looked up, meeting Aryn's grey eyes with his single blue.  he shrugged weakly, "I don't regret a single choice I made.  It was all worth it.  I'm... only sorry I was caught."

"...snake...?  ...Snake?!"
Aryn glanced over his shoulder, looking back towards the prisoner in puzzlement.  He began to open his mouth, but the voice rang out again, louder.
"...SNAKE!!"

The sound of boots grew louder as they barreled down the hallway.  A swordsman recruit unfortunate enough to be in her way was bowled over as Sulari pounded towards the cells.  She looked frantic.  

"Aryn, you can't do this!"  
"Are you mad?  He sold us out, Sulari!  He sold YOU out! We're on the maps of every Dwarf with a large coffer and some foot soldiers, because he spent years mailing information out of here."

Sulari went silent.  Her fearsome visage, her warriors gaze, they were gone.  What was left was just a Dwarf, scared and hurt; terrified for the one she loved.  She wet her dried lips, and slowly raised her hands up, clasping them in front of her.  She bowed her head.

"Aryn... what he did wasn't right.  I know that.  But you can't do this.  He's helped this fortress out so much.  If not for him we'd have lost so many in the sieges.  We'd have..." She paused, the words catching in her throat.  In a moment she had regained her composure, and finished, "Please.  Don't kill him.  Please."

Aryn listened to her in silence.  He glanced back at the Hammerer, but she only shrugged and said coldly, "I don't make Judgments.  I just see to them through to their resolution."

"Fine.  FINE," said Aryn.  His voice dropped to nearly a whisper, his fists bunched at his side.  "Cut his beard and turn him out into the wastes.  He's banished from our fortresses.  I want nothing to do with his ilk.  It's only because of your standing, Sulari Clappedrooms Amithsoloz Rithar, that I even consider this."
"Thank you Aryn.  Tha-..ank you."  She spared one last glance at Snake, and turned on the balls of her feet.  The tears were brimming over in her eyes, and she slowly made her way down to her room, to solitude, for fear that the other soldiers might see.

***

"OUT, Traitor!"  

Snake was shoved out the bridge.  With his hands tied he had no way of steadying himself, and a loose stone sent him sprawling in the sand on his face.  Aryn came up beside him, wrenching his arms back above his head, and sliced the rope-reed that bound his wrists.  

The Champion slowly rose to his feet.  His knee was bound in a leather-and-iron knee brace.  His plate mail was replaced with black leather, the right arm of his jacket sliced off to better facilitate the sling he was forced to wear.  Only a days worth of stubble was upon his cheeks, his beard - one of the many status symbols of Dwarven Culture having been trimmed as punishment for his crimes.

"Leave, Fikod "Snake" Splitskin.  Leave this place, and remember - the only reason you're still alive is because of the respect I have for Sulari.  You owe her your pitiful life you worthless leach.  I want you to remember that.  Now get out of my sight, before I turn the loose the hounds."

Snake Splitskin, former Swordschampion, held his tongue.  Slowly he turned and stared out upon the wastes, at the miles of red sand, at the dunes, at the horrors awaiting him.  He limped forward, favoring his good leg as he trudged through the sandy wastes he had since called home.  Soon he was just a silhouette highlighted by the blazing blood red sun, just a vague dwarf-shape in this distance.  

Soon, he was gone.

[ May 06, 2008: Message edited by: Heavy Flak ]

[Kagus]

Haha!  I haven't read the "back issues" of Migrursut, so I didn't know what Snake's last name was.  You don't get an opportunity like that in just any fort...