12th Granite, Tirean's LogMaggarg came into Mo... My office today with a combat report detailing an attack on Ukat and Glacies while they were north of the village today. Neither of them were injured, but I was informed that Fireheart managed to break his hand while bashing a goblin's helm in with the pommel of his sword, much to the amusment of Maggarg.
One of Glacies hunting dogs was shot and killed in the crossfire, she seemed not to notice or care. I think she's already appropriated one of the puppies to be it's replacement. Likot knows we have enough of them.
13th Granite, Tirean's LogThe Village is in an uproar!
Elves have arrived at the south gate today, asking to be allowed in to trade with us. At first I was tempted to simply order them killed like Mother would do. By locking them away until they starve, or go crazy and eat eath other... whichever comes first. However, things are not that simple or easy this time.
On one side of me I have Ukat and Abod demanding I do my duty as a dwarf and order them all killed. Or even to strike them down myself, to prove that I am my mother's child and not some "Yellow-Bellied Halfwit", as Pete called me. They include most of the older dwarves, including Father and, I'm certain, Mother.
However, every time I try and make up my mind to kill them, Glacies and Feb give me a reproachful look. They tell me that I'm old enough to decide on my own, and insist that our parents are bias... or even simply wrong about these elves. After all, they say, these elves couldn't be the elves that drove our parents out of their home. They only offer us trade and friendship... why should we spit on that? Behind them they even have Echo, who's quiet words seem able to turn any argument that the other adults give back upon itself, throwing us all into even greater confusion.
To make matters worse, one of the elves simply refuses to stay in the depot while I make up my mind. He has introduced himself as Fael, and his dress and manners are very different from those of his breatheren. While they are effete , aloof, and overbearing, he is as earthly as any human I've met. Moreso than some of the merchants. His eyes are alert and interested as he constantly moves around our village, talking with my younger siblings and nephew. When he spotted our small plot of rope reed he told us how we could better cultivate the land there to improve our harvests, and he has offered a truely masterpiece quality bow to Glacies, who he constantly referres to as his "Wilds-Sister." Even Father has shown some surprise and gratitude to this elf.
Dear Likot... I feel as if the earth is the sky and the sky is the earth. I'm lost! If only mother hadn't hurt herself. If only the elves were as evil as the adults say! If only...
18th Granite, Tirean's LogI've done it.
I've forbidden any dwarf from killing the elves, letting every dwarf here to decide for themselves how to deal with the traders.
Likot protect me, please understand mother!
25th Granite, Tirean's LogThe elves left bitterly today after Glacies attempted to trade a pine gauntlet stolen from their kin last year back to them. It's strange, from her report they almost seemed more upset about the fact that the armor was made from wood, than about the source of the gauntlet. Doubly so being it is of elven make, wear, and size and thus must have been crafted by one of their armorers. Even so, Glacies did manage to trade much of the old rope reed clothes that were piling up in the depot before they left. What little cloth and food we got from it was well worth the short time spent in the trade.
14th FelsiteIlliterate had his lucky thirteenth birthday today. He told us that he wanted to follow in Mom's footsteps as a mason and miner, and expressed some interests as a mechanic. Since mom is still out of the picture, I've decided to initiate him into the ways of Likot as a Priest, similar Mom initiated me. While he was reluctant at first, when I explained how much I really needed help keeping everyone else (incluing Glacies, who's legal position is equivilant to mine) in line he quickly capitulated.
The ceremony was brief, but beautiful. We had it in the middle of the cathedral as the sun passed overhead, lighting the thin stained-glass windows that covered the skylights and sending images of the "Dance of fire and earth", or the courtship of the godess Likot by the great dragon Ziril, flitting across the silvered floor in an intricate dance that seemed more alive then we did as the images played across the congregation. Accompanying the art was the hymn, Aniltulon. Everyone except Echo sang, our voices rocking the walls of the cathedral with their strength and conviction.
the Profiles of Rigwief Eshan, and Miss Wizard Eshan