Events of the 18th of Moonstone, 1088.
It was morning and BurnedToast, for a change, had absolutely nothing to do. Last week he had entered the office that Ironblood had vacated and had expected to be harassed by the workforce who, having nothing to do since the terrifically large tomb had been finished, would be looking for some work.
Instead, eerie silence hung over the office. BurnedToast pondered one of his amulets, then caught sight of the image of himself admiring amulets and quickly stopped, muttering a curse or two under his breath.
"Well!" he said, finally, "If there's nothing to do, I may as well head home."
He briefly recalled that when he was younger, this meant walking out his door, turning right, walking a few more steps, then turning right again. When he'd gotten his new home (a much much nicer home), this had become a much longer trek.
Now his office was somewhat closer though, and it gave him some time to think.
He crossed the ever-precarious bridge over the Stairwell of Sorrow and saw some commotion below. It appeared that the majority of the fortress was in the noble's living section.
Since he was heading that way anyway, he decided to investigate.
It appeared that they were coming and going from Ironblood's new office. Even BurnedToast hadn't seen it yet, and now there were dwarves carting rock after rock from the room.
He saw the Captain standing in the hallway, watching the commotion, and hurried over.
"What's all this?" he asked the Captain.
"Ah, BurnedToast, good that you're here." greeted Ironblood.
"Has there been a cave-in?" BurnedToast asked, worried.
"No nothing like that." Ironblood replied casually, "Just expanding the office."
BurnedToast suddenly felt more worried. "I thought work had already finished on it."
Ironblood inclined his head thoughtfully. "Yes, but... I got to thinking, and well, the boys needed work to take their mind off the recession."
BurnedToast took a deep breath. "Well, can I at least see your office?"
"Of course, of course." agreed Ironblood.
He led BurnedToast into what was probably the most palatial office he'd ever seen. Images of Ironblood doing things covered the walls. Artifacts were placed tastefully around the room, and black bronze items seemed to cover the floor at intervals. Even the office chair had an image of Ironblood becoming mayor.
"I did all this engraving myself!" boasted the Captain.
"I... it's very impressive." choked BurnedToast.
"Yes, I think so." said Ironblood with a grin.
"But where's the extension going?" asked BurnedToast courageously.
"Ah, over here." replied Ironblood, leading the way to a small gap in the wall.
The room beyond was even bigger than the office itself, smoothed but unadorned. There was a large pit in the center.
"What's the pit for?" asked BurnedToast, already dreading the answer.
Ironblood was matter-of-fact. "Swimming pool."
"It's as big as the arena!" cried BurnedToast.
"Yes, but much more shallow." said Ironblood, nodding.
"But... you don't swim!" protested BurnedToast.
"That's not true. I swam up that waterfall that one time."
"Yes, but... wait, when did that happen?"
"Couple of decades ago, don't really remember the details. You may recall the flood in the tomb level."
"Oh, the problem with the bath-house." recalled BurnedToast.
"Yes. Have I had that particular issue fixed yet?"
"You had the bathwater divert into another hallway, if that's what you're asking. I can't even remember where it goes now."
"I do. Straight to the tomb level."
"Oh good."
Author
Topic: Nist Akath - The Complete Story (Read 602887 times)