Invasion of the Tree HuggersAlatha turned to her companion, “How much further to where this new fort is supposed to be?”
“I'm not really sure, based on what that Athel fellow told us we should be close.” Imere responded “Can't say I liked the way he was grinning at us when he said there was no way we would be able to miss it.”
“Well he was a dwarf. Bunch of dishonest, tree murdering psychopaths the lot of them. If they were not such good craftsdwarves I wouldn't have anything to do with them. Their stone and metal trinkets do sell well back in the groves though.” said Alatha.
Imere nodded, “Don't forget the spider silk clothing. My aunt had a spider silk sock that was simply to die for.”
Just then their mindless banter was interrupted by that most horrible of sounds, the steady thud of an axe striking wood.
(Oh gods, Elves!)
Mandy looked up as two horrified elves ran up to her. “Be with you in a moment.” she said as she finished felling the tree she was working on.
“You, you monster!” sputtered one of the elves. “That tree has seen more in it's existence than you ever will and you just cut it down like it was deadwood!”
Mandy tried not to grin behind her beard. She wasn't terribly surprised to see a pair of elves wandering around, these woods did seem like the sort of spot the pointy eared things loved to live in.
One of the elves turned to the other, “See, I told you this was a bad idea, we should just take our trade goods someplace less barbaric.”
Mandy stopped grinning. Sure the elves were notorious for brining piles of useless cloth and wood items, but right now they actually needed some cloth. “I'm terribly sorry about your tree friend here but we have little choice. We need the fine wood for making barrels. Unless you think having a bunch of sober dwarves running around is a good idea?”
The elves looked thoughtful for a moment. “Our tree friend will be missed but sometimes one must suffer so that the rest of us are not chased around the woods by a bunch of insane axe wielding maniacs.” responded one of them.
The other nodded with a look of profound sadness. “Yes, but let us not dwell on such a sad topic. Do you have a trade depot sir dwarf?”
Mandy grumbled to herself. Why was it that none of the other races seemed to be able to distinguish dwarven genders? Oh well, if they brought the stuff she needed to make Athel happy, they could call her whatever they wanted. “Sure, we have one, just follow me.” Mandy replied and turned to lead the elves through the woods back to the fort.
(Mandy greets the elves in the traditional Dwarven manner, by cutting down a tree in front of them.)
“By the great grove's leafy crown, I think I'm going to be sick.” said one of the elves upon seeing the depot and the fort behind it. The other elf just looked pale and more than a little green.
Mandy just shook her head at the over-sensitive tree huggers. “Look if it's any consolation, we would much rather have not used the wood, but we don't have a pick to dig with. The good news is that if you trade with us for some things we need, we should be able to get a pick when our own traders visit us next. So think of trading with us as a way of making it so that we don't have to clear cut the whole woods.”
The pale looking elf shuddered at the mention of clear cutting. “You horrible little man. That's blackmail!”
“I'm actually a girl thank you very much.” snapped Mandy.
“Bah not like we can tell or care.” snapped back the other elf.
“I have a pile of axes and dwarves who can use them. Do you want to trade or should we just liberate your pack animals and their loads?” growled Mandy as she fingered her Axe.
Both elves' eyes went wide at this. “N-n-no we will trade.” one of them finally managed to stammer.
“Good, unload your stuff and I'll go see what we have that you would want. Do you happen to like roasts by any chance?” Mandy said.
“Ooooh roasts!” The two elves said in unison, any alarm or anguish they had apparently forgotten.
Mandy just shook her head. Blasted flighty elves. “Ok I'll be back in a moment.” she said and then went inside the fort where Brick was planting strawberries.
“Hey, Brick!” Mandy called out. “We have some more visitors.”
“WHAT?” cried Brick.
“Oh don't get worked up, it's just a pair of elves wanting to trade.” said Mandy.
“Oh, meh. Do they have anything worthwhile?” asked Brick.
“Dunno.” replied Mandy. “I need you to go get the others and round up all the roasts you can carry and bring them to the depot. Their tongues just about fell out of their mouthes when I mentioned we had roasts.”
“What are you going to be doing while we haul roast?” inquired Brick.
“Keeping an eye on them of course.” replied Mandy “Well that and seeing what they have brought with them.” With that, Mandy went back outside and headed over to watch the Elves unload their wares.