The Events of the 21st of Granite, 1068
Hikan and Vatek met by Jools giant wooden donkey. Shunned for it's eccentricity, this was the most clandestine place they could have picked. They each carried a small lantern, the flames hidden by their cupped hands, and the pair talked in low, hushed voices.
"I'm positive it was the same," Vatek hissed. "Who else smears the mangled corpses with ash and berry juice?"
"A freak, that's who," Hikan mumbled sullenly. "In this open wastes, the evils of man and dwarf are accented, are drawn to attention, are... are exaggerated in their perverseness. What do we have, but an wide open nothing, such a sprawling void that just draws to the terrible instincts that dwell deep inside, threatening to spill out and consume-"
"HIKAN!"
Hikan started. Regaining his composure, he glared at his cohort. "What!"
"Stop the maudlin crap, this is serious."
"Whatever. Point is, we need to keep constant watch over the Dwarves in the field. I can't always do that, as a good portion of my time is spent ferreting out rabble-rousers and dissenters, but you- you're out in the sands all day, keep an eye on the workers."
"Oh I will, and believe me, I have something planned."
"What?"
"I can't tell you," Vatek admitted. "But it's good, I promise."
Hikan just shook his head, and grumbled. "It better be."
***
As the moon vanished behind a bank of clouds, there was a scurrying in the court yard. The elves put on a brave front, all pomp and circumstance, but Rinsesilver knew how they were deep in their hearts: as greedy and corrupt as every other sentient race on the planet. This was a lesson drilled into her by the late Johnny Fountainspring, and she made sure that it would not be put to ill-use.
Grinning in the dark, she silently ushered her dock workers forward, their arms loaded with barrels of illicitly made goods and trinkets. She followed behind them, adjusting her tie, making sure the cuffs of her jacket had not ridden high, her dark frame materializing into the dim lighting of the trade depot.
She froze as she saw the hulking frame already standing inside. Her Dwarves had stopped in their tracks, straining under the barrels they carried. She barked a harsh command and stepped past them as they thankfully set down their loads.
"What the hell are YOU doing here," Rinsesilver hissed. "I've already warned you about this."
"You warned the Captain," Stravitch said smugly, a glint in his eye. "Lest ye' forget, I resigned. I've taken out a new lease on life - finishing the greatest achievement to Dwarven kind, and ressurecting my old friendship with a very special Dwarf." Stravitch thumped the barrel in front of him, the contents quietly clacking together. "This here's a barrel a' gems, 'liberated' from the confines of a jewelers workshop. And I'm sellin' them to yon elves fer' a pretty price."
"Why the hell are you talking like a farmer?" Rinsesilver growled.
"Makes me sound more trustworthy. Doesn't it?" The Elf he had addressed nodded his head vigorously.
"Back off, Fillwhip. I have six dockworkers here that say you're out of your element."
"Back off, Rinsesilver. I have three reasons you should tuck tail and run."
"And what are those," she asked, her tone mocking.
Stravitch lifted his left hand, Sefulkubok held aloft. "You've got one right here." He lifted his right, his giant callusused fist pulled back threateningly. "Here's a second." From the darkness to the north, a new form entered the trade depot. The dwarf was squat and bulky; a steel pick axe held in gloved hands, a worn miners cap tugged down on his head. Covering his face was a bulky metal workers mask. Stravitch grinned, "And three is my friend, the illustrious Telamon, who has seen fit to take me back into his service... So let's tangle, Rinsesilver!"
***
"Miss, I can't do this," Kuli said, his voice pained, distraught.
"Tsk! You'll do fine," Madam Dodik-Come-Lately crooned, brushing lint from his shoulder.
"I appreciate you're letting us use your space, miss, but really, I don't... I don't think I can do this."
"Mr. Problemwalled-"
"Maester, dear."
"Whatever! You have a full house out there, of very eager Zefonists who have been yearning to hear the Good Word, and if you back out now, what then? What. Then!"
"I ... suppose that would be devestating... but these outfits?"
"My establishment, my rules."
"Fine. I'll... be out shortly."
"Goody!"
Dodik-Come-Lately darted from behind the curtain that had been hastily erected in the casino. The slot machines were pushed back, their stools used as chairs. The room was full to bursting - the average Zefonist was there, yes, but many of the normal patrons were too, their curiosity in the proceedings and at the blatent mocking of Aryn's mandate drawing them towards the service.
The curtain parted, and a very uncomfortable looking Vash and Jools stepped out onto the stage. A gaudy zebra print suit hung loose on Vash's thin frame, and Jools was wearing a set of ornamental armor, a bright rose and green in hue. As they hit the sides of the stage a few strings were pulled on a harp from the back of the room.
Kuli stepped out in front of the crowd, dressed in an impeccable white suit and white platform shoes. His long hair was pulled back and greased until it shown, his beard dangled in twin braids. As he approached the platform and stepped upon it, a discordant sound ripped through the casino and caused him to jump. Peering into the back, he saw Mookie give him a jaunty wave from her seat at the steam organ, just before she began to play a fast, upbeat number.
"Fellows," Kuli began, his voice cracking. He looked around him, at the den of sin, at the Madam and her girls, but in the crowd he saw familiar faces. He saw Dwarves that passed their days in silent misery now smiling, of mothers fanning themselves with torn down propaganda posters and beaming up at him on the stage. Dwarves who had toiled and suffered, who for this single set of time in space seemed back to their normal selves. He suppressed a smile threatening to show itself, and raised his hands high.
"Dwarves, I thank you all for meeting here, and I know it must have been hard to stay silent. I understand this may be the only time we meet in this location, with so many new faces in the crowd, it's only a matter of time before certain ears hear certain words." Kuli jumped again as Mookie hit a slide on the organ ending with a punctuation of notes, and the crowd laughed and applauded.
Bemused, Kuli continued, "But with Her Grace, may we meet again. If not here, than elsewhere, and continue to bask in the grace of Zefon. May Zefon's love be with you,"
"Aye! Libad nòm!" The crowd roared back at him.
Flustered, Kuli looked towards the back, where Dodik-Come-Lately winked at him and mouthed, "I prepped them on what to say!"
Mopping his brow, Kuli pressed on with the service, doing his best to not get thrown off track by Mookie's randomly placed organ notes.
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Topic: Migrursut: What Comes After The World Ends? [Epilogue] (A Community Fort) (Read 390240 times)