4th Slate
The place that had become known as the Hall of Death was bustling with Dwarves. Mechanics put together the intricate mechanisms that would power traps while Engravers carved fortifications into the walls and others filled the storeroom with bolts carved from the bones of fallen Undead soldiers.
Kanet and Argonnek paced impatiently along the firing corridor while Speardwarf kept watch on the path between the Hall and the Fortress, watching as the second Titan tossed the Elven Diplomat around.
The place was so busy that no one paid attention to the young Miner weaving through toward the sand that still blocked the entrance.
He was hard to miss as he ran back, screaming as the other workers turned to watch...as the Tol Wonderscribes squeezed her massive bulk through the entrance. Terror overwhelmed worker and Warrior alike as the massive creature stomped along the hall.
Gears and spikes clattered to the floor as the Mechanics fled, sweeping Speardwarf along with them.
Kanet and Argonnek readied their bows and took aim, waiting for the Titan to get within range. They didn't expect her to stop, turn around and leave, as Oso Focusplans arrived.
Oso charged headlong at the Marksmen, hitting the tripwires and releasing several large rocks. Raising his fist Oso smashed aside the falling stone.The Warriors had to dive aside to avoid the rocks that crashed through the fortifications.
Running out of the firing corridor Kanet had time to launch a single bolt before Oso stepped on a switch in the floor and was caught unaware by the cage dropping from the ceiling.
Argonnek joined his fellow Marksman and they watched the Titan bang uselessly on the bars. They kept their bows ready though and it was a good thing as Tol reappeared in the hall. As she approached the caged Oso she stepped back and leapt over the trapped creature, smacking Kanet into the wall as she landed.
Argonnek opened fire before the Titan could turn, his bolts biting into Tol's legs but not slowing her down.
Shaking his head to clear it Kanet joined the fight, hands becoming a blur as he snapped bolts into place and fired. One lucky shot took out an eye and the half-blind Titan lashed out, knocking the Dwarves back.
The sound of metal on stone announced the arrival of reinforcements. Turning Argonnek frowned in disgust as Toltot appeared through the doorway, drew his weapon and fell over uncouncious from blood loss.
Pulling the last of his bolts out he fired them into Tol's hip before running forward and driving the spike on his bow into the Titan's foot.
Yelling in pain from the dozens of bolts stuck in her hide Tol went crazy, grabbing the nearest thing, which happened to be Kanet and tossing him about the room. Argonnek had to give his friend credit though. Kanet never stopped firing his bow.
After a while Tol finally started to show signs of injury. Trails of blood ran from the countless wounds the bolts had inflicted as the Titan staggered an fell to the ground.
Pulling his brother's dagger from his belt Kanet moved cautiously forward and drove the blade deep into the Titan's skull, freeing her from the pain.
Wiping the blade off on his leggings Kanet turned and saw a Dwarf in a fancy embroidered robe writing furiously in a notebook. "Who are you?" Argonnek asked as he approached the Dwarf.
Looking up the Dwarf stowed the notebook in his robe and stood. "Zoden Atticgrooves, Philosopher, at your service. And I have to say that your fight with that beast will make an excellent addition to my collection."
"Collection?" Kanet replied, not entirely sure what to think of this Dwarf, who seemed to be yet another Noble who would make stupid demands while good Dwarves died.
"I am a scholar, I've collected books and stories from across the world. I'm proud to say I've even found volumes of Elven and Goblin design."
"I find it hard to believe that a Goblin would know what to do with a book or that Elves would even make them but you're here so you might as well come meet Fireheart." Argonnek said, turning to lead the way through the Hall.
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And now we have a Philosopher. Kanet killed Tol Wonderscribes and IF I can make it work I'm going to have the skull made into a totem and place it in Kanet's room as a trophy...Might do that with Wok to if it works out.