I've written another story in the DF setting. This story takes place in the same fortress as
and follows in chronologically, there are some references to people and occurences in that story but this one is not really a sequel since it's a completely different story.
Hope you like it. Elf lovers might do well not to read it, though.
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Rashgeshud, Ewéathira 151
"So Sarvesh. You wished to speak to me? Have a seat." said Snorri, as he and sherriff Sarvesh walked into his office. Sarvesh took place on the wooden chair that stood at Snorri's obsidian desk, opposite of the golden throne that was encrusted with gems and menacing with huge felsite spikes. Snorri sat down on this throne. "Yes, glorious leader. It's about our current justice system. I, ehm... well. I trust you remember the Litast situation." Snorri thought for a second, then nodded. "Yes, yes. Litast Idenalath. What is the problem with that? You handled it most proficiently. You did what you had to do.". "I know," said Sarvesh, "but... to be honest, can't we assign some cages or chains to be used for justice? I mean, this particular situation has left me with several doubts as to wether or not we should continue our current justice system.". Snorri leaned in. "Are you saying there is something wrong with my judgement of the criminals?". "Oh no, no! Not per se... but... maybe not in all cases. I mean, to get back to the Litast situation: it has brought up certain morality questions. Not only with me... also with some of the others.". "It is a shame she died of her wounds. But I'll say again: you did what you had to do.". Sarvesh sighed. "Lord Snorri, it doesn't seem fair to me that I have to beat up people that destroy a locked door weeks after we had forgotten they were outside, thereby forcing them to survive by eating vermin and drinking from a murky pool! After she had lost her husband and child to that sasquatch, as well. I mean, I'm not saying we should not have punished her for destroying that door! But beating someone to death in such a particular situation... it...". "Sarvesh." interrupted Snorri. "I understand that the occupation of Sherriff is not always an easy one. But you knew that before you accepted the post. Now, our cages and chains are reserved for the Elven slaves. You know that. Our justice system has always been to beat up criminals. sometimes, they die. That is why people should understand not to break the law. If they have problems with anything, they should come to me.". "But sir... she was locked out. She couldn't have come to you." "She could have knocked on the door! Someone would have heard her sooner or later.".
Sarvesh knew that Snorri was someone with a very strong sense of duty, who highly endorsed tradition and liked keeping things as they are. He knew it would be nearly impossible to convince him, but he had to try.
"Sir, she...". "Enough!" interrupted Snorri once more, and banged his fist on the desk, "We have, to draw, the line, SOMEWHERE! If you break the law, you get beaten. If those beatings end up being fatal, then so be it. She knew the law. You know the law. We ALL know the law! If we allow incidents to cloud our judgement and traditions, then this fortress will be in complete chaos before you know it! I will hear no more about this!". Snorri made a dismissive gesture after he had finished speaking. Sarvesh stood up, nodded, and left the room.
Outside the room stood Rith the clothier, who was one of Litasts best friends. It was mostly due to her convincing nature that Sarvesh had requested an audience with Snorri in the first place. "And?" she asked, as they both walked back up the stairs to the main meeting hall. Sarvesh looked and her and shook his head. "The old fart wouldn't hear anything about it. Just as I predicted. You know how he thinks. Trying to get him to change his ways is liking trying to teach a carp to become a vegetarian.". "Well, at least you tried." she responded. "Did you mention how many of us disagreed with this particular sentence? ...not that we blame you, you were doing your job.". "I mentioned it... but he didn't really seem to care." he stopped and stared at the ground. "I was aiming for her arm... If only she had remained still...". Rith laid a hand on Sarvesh' shoulder. "Sarvesh... we all know you wouldn't kill her deliberately. Objectively speaking, it is commendable that you adhered to your duties as a sheriff rather than letting your personal feelings intervere. It must not be easy for you, I can see how much it pains you that she died.". Sarvesh' face hardened. "All our cages and chains are reserved for the Elven slaves, he said... is it so hard to construct even one extra cage or chain?". "Sarvesh... please. Litast was at her wits end. She was only a tiny shard away from total madness. Perhaps death was the better way out for her. And it's not your fault she was locked outside. We all are to blame for that. After all, none of us noticed she was missing.". She paused for a moment. "Or perhaps... perhaps it is time for a new leader.". Sarvesh looked at her in slight disbelief. "Are you saying we should..." "I'm not saying we should do anything." she quickly said, "I'm just wording the possibility that we might all have to take a look at other options. I'm not saying Snorri hasn't done anything good for the fortress. Quite the contrary, even. He has done many great things. If it wasn't for him, and you, and the other five founders, none of us could have build up a new life here. I'm just saying that, maybe, he needs to pass on the flame, so to speak.". Sarvesh looked at her contemplatively. "I hardly think he's going give up his position voluntarily... so I ask you once again... are you saying...". "Sarvesh!" she interrupted. She looked around to see if anyone was around, and whispered. "what are you implying? That I'm planning to murder Snorri?". Sarvesh had known Rith for quite some time now. She was with the first group of migrants that arrived. He had to admit, she was not at all the kind of dwarf that would plot an assassination, or even discuss such ideas with anyone. "I'm sorry, Rith. I didn't mean to say... I... my mind is a bit preoccupied at the moment. I'm sorry.". "It's ok, Sarvesh. But here's my idea. I've been talking with some of the others that disagree with how some things are going right now, and we think that there should be a democratically chosen leader; a mayor, as it were. Each year, there will be new elections, and anyone can run for mayor, and the one with the most votes gets the position. I really think this would be a good idea.". Sarvesh though about it for a while. It didn't sound like a bad idea. The only drawback he could think of was that he was certain Snorri would never agree with it. "How do you think we can convince Snorri?" he asked. "Well, we do have strength in numbers. Almost half of us workers think it's a good idea. Of course, Snorri has his loyal followers, but none was more loyal than Kabul and after he died when that dragon showed up, I have noticed some of the other soldiers questioning Snorri's leadership capabilities. Basically, if the military isn't on his side, so to speak, and most of us workers wish for change, then he will have to agree eventually, doesn't he?". Sarvesh thought about it some more. "The way you are talking... you have me scared, Rith. It still sounds as if you're keeping the possibility of a military coup open.". "I'm not exactly keeping the possibility open, but if it should have to come to that... well... let's not think about that.". Sarvesh wasn't sure what to think at the moment. "Come. Let's continue to the meeting hall." He said.
As they entered the meeting hall, they were greeted by Lór, the eternal drunk. "Heyyyy, Sharvesh! Rif!" he lisped, "How did the talk wif Shnorri go?". Apparently, Rith had already informed at least some of the others what Sarvesh had been trying to discuss with Snorri. "Not too well. He wouldn't hear anything about it. He doesn't see anything wrong with beatings being the only punishment for any crime.". "Hehehe!" said Lór, "I exhpected as mush. But, Rif here already had an idea! Did sshe tell you about that?". He walked to the left, where there lay a chained Elf, who, like all the other slaves here, looked very much as if he had seen better days. Lór judged the length of the chain, and emptied his goblet on the floor in front of the Elf, who, upon hearing the sound of liquid dropping on the floor, jumped towards it in an attempt to lick up what it could, obviously being completely dehydrated. Lór watched in amusement as the Elf tried to get his tongue to the liquid, but the chain was just a few centimeters too short. He looked at Sarvesh with glee in his eyes. "I'm getting better at thish!" he laughed. He then turned back to the Elf. "Come on Elf! Come on! You can reash it! You can reash it!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!". Lór fell on the ground and rolled around, laughing. Sarvesh shook his head. He was no Elf lover, but still, this did seem a little harsh. Wasn't it enough to have them chained and caged in the main meeting hall where they could watch the dwarves organizing parties, consuming food and drink with utter glutton, while they themselves received hardly any sustenance so that the dwarves could enjoy their hungry and pleading stares?
He dismissed this thought. It was the fact that his personal ethics had suffered a huge blow recently that caused him to feel pitiful. But there was no need to waste that pity on the Elves for they did not deserve any.
"Yes, Rith has mentioned something about elections." he responded. Lór tried to stand up, failing twice, then decided to remain on the floor. "Would one of you pleeash be so kind to brink me anoffer ale?" he asked. "Get up and get it yourself." said Rith. "If you can't, you've had enough, don't you think?". "HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" responded Lór, "Good old Rif, alwaysh ready wif a wiffy anshwer!! Well.. I s'pose you're right. Excusme!". He crawled over the floor towards the ale barrels. Rith looked at Sarvesh and shrugged her shoulders. She gestured him to follow her.
They walked past several caged Elves. Sarvesh did not speak Elven, nor did he have any desire to be able to do so, but the begging and pleading sounds these creatures made as you walked past them did get on his nerves sometimes. One of the Elves extended his hand through the cage and grabbed Sarvesh by the arm, looking at him with begging eyes and uttering gibberish. With a swift move, Sarvesh grabbed the elves hand with his free arm and broke the wrist without even batting an eye. The Elf screamed and retreated back into his cage as far as he could. Sarvesh looked at him with a destructive glare. "Don't... EVER... touch me, you damn Elf!!!" he hissed. He was somewhat surprised at the way he reacted, especially after he had condoned Lór's actions. Normally, Sarvesh did not so much hate these slaves, no more than one would have reason to hate common cattle. But the recent developments had left him with a rather short fuse. "Sarvesh... Sarvesh!". He heard Rith calling him. He turned his head and saw she had taken up a seat at a table where two others sat, Ast the metalsmith and Tekkud the macelord. Rith gestured for him to come over.
Sarvesh sat down at the table. "Hey, Ast, Tekkud." "Hi, Sarvesh!". "So... not much success, eh?" asked Tekkud. Sarvesh shook his head. "Nope.". Ast joined the conversation. "Well, some of us have been having a little talk recently, and we think it's time things changed around here.". "Yes, Rith told me about it. Elections, she said." responded Sarvesh. "Tekkud here represents the soldiers who agree." said Rith. "Yes. Roughly three quarters of us agree that Snorri might no longer be the most suitable candidate for the post of fortress leader.". added Tekkud. Sarvesh leaned in a bit. "Three quarters?" he asked while keeping his voice down somewhat. He knew Tekkud was the second in command of the military. "I take it that the fact that you're sitting here instead of Dishmâb means that he does not agree?". "Well, to be honest, we didn't ask him. I know his sense of duty. I'm 99% sure he would not want to hear anything about this. But it matters not. We are already a majority. This change will happen, either the easy way or the hard way.". Sarvesh didn't like the way this conversation was going. "Wait... the hard way? Hold on. Rith just told me that a military coup was not the intention.". "I also said we would have to realise that there might not be another option. But I did not lie when saying that it is only our final resort.". Servash looked around the table. Ast spoke: "Servash. We have noticed the remorse you feel about Litasts death. Don't take it so hard. We know you didn't mean to kill her. We also know that you would want things to change around here. That is why we are telling you this right now.". "I didn't mean we want to remove Snorri from leadership aggressively," added Tekkud, "'I'm just saying that we are ready, should there be no other option.". "Ok, ok." said Servash, "Sorry, but this is all a bit too much. It seems as though you lot have been planning this for some time already, in secret. How... how did you expect me to react? I mean, you can imagine that all this overcomes me a bit.". It was silent at the table for a few moments. Then, Rith said: "We don't expect you to actively do anything. We just wanted to let you know what's about to happen so it won't shock you. Tekkud here has volunteered to be the one who brings the news to Snorri. And like we said, a majority of us already agrees.". "And when exactly were you planning to bring him this news?". "Well.. to be honest, we wanted to see if maybe you could convince him. But since that failed...". Sarvesh felt a dark realization setting in his mind. Half an hour ago, he knew nothing of this. Now, he had learned that many of the fortressess inhabitants had already banded together, behind Snorri's back. And, behind his back. He thought for a few moments once more, then turned his eyes back to the group with solid determination. "I'm sorry. I can't let you do this. I'm still the sherriff. It is my duty to uphold the law. Why did you even tell me all this?!". Rith looked somewhat surprised. "We... I thought you'd agree with us!". Servash shook his head. "I do agree, but not like this. You said a military coup would only be a final resort. But now it seems it is already planned to happen!". Tekkud looked at Rith. "Good going, Rith." he said. "'he's on our side! We can trust him!' you said. Well, apparently, you were wrong!". Servash stood up. "Do what you must..." he said, "...I can't stop you, if you really are as numerous as you claim. But know this: if you decide it has to come to the hard way... then I, as appointed sherriff, will fulfill my duties.". He tried to choose his words as careful as possible, but he knew he had already made it quite obvious that he would not be on their side if a fight between those loyal and those disloyal to Snorri would break out. He turned around and walked away from the table. "Well, maybe this is not so bad." said Tekkud as he watched Servash walk away. "Now he will be the one bringing the news to Snorri. However, I suspect this also automatically means that it is going to be the hard way.". He stood up. "I'll go inform the boys."
As he was leaving the meeting hall, Servash felt torn between loyalty, friendship, and personal feelings. This was going to get out of hand real quick, that much was for sure. Maybe Snorri wasn't the best leader they could wish for, but this was not the way to make change. But what could he do? He had to inform Snorri; it was his duty. But he knew that he would become an enemy of the schemers if he did. On the other hand, he might have already done so. Wait... he should go to Dishmâb first. If the remaining loyal part of the military consisted mostly of champions and elites, they still had a chance. But... if he did that, then it was highly possible that the coming fight would tear the whole fortress apart, thus destroying everything he and the others had worked for. Then again, that was already nearly inevitable. Servash stopped. There were so many possibilities running through his mind at the moment, and none of them seemed to be good ones. Anger took over. How could they do this? Everything they had worked so hard for would be destroyed! He was just passing one of the carpenters workshops, and violently kicked a bucket through the corridor to ease his anger somewhat. He could not let this happen... and he also could not stop it. The best option would have to be... the only option would have to be...
...to allow this to happen and hope for the best. His spirit broke as he made this realization. He sat down against the wall, put his face in his hands, and wept.
Snorri, who was still in his office doing some paperwork, heard a knock on his door. "Enter!" He said. The door opened. "Ah, Tekkud. What can I do for you?"
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Topic: Division - A story (Read 1148 times)