10th Limestone, 203, Early Autumn
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I chopped off the left hand and left lower leg of a batman that came too close, dumped it in the pond, and proceeded to go fishing right over its corpse.
Geshud Mistźmmebzuth, cat, approves.
Meanwhile, the militia find the new barracks our masons have built for them.
It's an open roof, and located near what will become a fortified defense tower. This should keep the regulars from getting cave adaptation.
Meanwhile, we lost another stupid hunter - Thīkut Mengngalįk - to a
groundhog. It rushed him and pushed him into a pond, where he drowned. Sometimes, I wonder if it's possible at all to get good help around here. We'll have to wait until we have a drought to dig him out of there... After all, he took a (Steel cap) and a (Bronze crossbow) with him. At least he didn't have any friends...
The dwarven caravan from Subetrovod has arrived, which means - of course - another visit from Unib is right around the corner. Oh, joy.
Why am I feeling so grim, you ask? Well... see for yourself.
The baron's death trap is under way. Already, it hungers. A giant cave swallow ambushed ļngiz Luslemmosus, legendary miner and recently appointed mason. The regulars tried to defend him, but the giant cave swallow struck a mortal wound before they were able to kill it and he bled to death. Zuglar the marksdwarf killed a batman named Kumil Pagedvoices, and Imush the flaildwarf-in-training killed the giant cave swallow. He named it just before he killed it. Honestly, I never got into the whole naming your enemy thing, I just don't understand the appeal.
Actually, this is Imush's fourth kill. Well done... I'll see to it she receives special consideration later.
"Zon!"
"Ack!" I clutch the fortress logs to my chest as Unib sneaks up behind me.
"What are you doing inside that bottomless pit?? I just saw a dead miner dragged out of there! What could you possibly want in there?"
My heart is pounding! What if she finds out? I remember my orders... Those who find out are to be 'dealt with.' As annoying as Unib can be, I... I can't imagine
killing her should she learn my secret. Oh my goodness, I just realized... I would
miss her if something were to happen!
I'm not even a dabbling liar, but I try my best to come up with something. "Oh. That. I thought I saw a giant cave spider inside when we first breached the wall. I wanted to catch it. It was foolish of me, I know."
Unib eyed me carefully. "Why were you sending masons in there?"
"To build a trap. Err, for the spider, of course!"
She stayed silent for a long time. Nervously, I adjusted the grip of my (Steel battle axe). "Well, you're at least going to give him a proper burial, right?"
"Of course! Every dwarf needs a good, solid resting place. What, you think I'd forget this?"
"Very good. Did you at least give a name to the miner's killer?"
"Ah, yes, Imush the future macedwarf did. What was it again... Tubesocks?"
Unib sighed. "Zon, how could one such as yourself be so undwarflike? You walk the walk, but you must have lived a sheltered life."
"What can I say? There isn't a lot of room to be dwarfy in fishing. Glad I've moved on from that job. I mean, I still catch turtles from time to time, but managing is so much more fulfilling!"
Unib nodded slowly. "Well, be sure you treat your fellow dwarves with respect. They work for you, and they deserve it."
Something about Unib's behavior continued to leave me unsettled. "Are you feeling alright, Unib? You're naggier than an old mother hen today!" I giggled.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Unib stamped her foot and glared at me.
"Whoa! It was just a joke, you know? What's going on?"
"Ah... a joke, heh heh... yes, well, let's get on with the documents, shall we?"
"Unib..."
"Zon, please. If you're too busy, then I'll just have to talk with your mayor instead. I'm on a very busy schedule."
I blinked. She was obviously quite antsy, tapping her foot impatiently and inspecting the engravings on my floor closely.
I snorted. "So much for that sisterly love you were gushing about only a year ago. Sigun's room is next door to your left. Careful with the door, it tends to smack people in the arse when they've overextended their welcome."
Unib looked absolutely crushed. "Oh, Zon... I'm sorry. I--"
"I said
get out."
Defeated, the diplomat sulked toward the door, where she lingered. "This place... it's changing you, Zon. And I think I know why. I can't prove it yet, but I hope for your sake that I am wrong. And if I'm not, then I hope I can stop you before you do something unforgivable. Good day."
With that, Unib disappeared into Sigun's office, where she stayed discussing documents and things for several hours. I picked at a notch in my axe blade, pondering. I was tempted to forbid the door and starve them both... suppose she was telling him her suspicions? But no, that would be premature. And on the plus side, she's a diplomat. Perhaps she could help me find a way out of this fate before I commit the unthinkable?
Grimly, I look upon the pit which my workers have mindlessly built their way into. I wonder what
they think of it... for that matter, I'm not even sure of everyone who was involved who saw it. Obviously the militia, and a few others to take the miner's things... I'd better become a good liar, and fast.
Author
Topic: Severedcoils - Consort Accumulation Challenge (Score: 5) (40d + DnD 5e) (Read 130307 times)