((is this update too text heavy?))
More Justice, More Cheese:
The trouble always seemed to start in the old dining room, Nix noticed. He and Karakzon were enjoying some of the new drinks that had been “liberated” from the abandoned elf caravan when the cook Sakzul... lost his temper.
Specifically, he lost it on one of his assistants, bashing him in the face with a cast-iron frying pan. While the loud “clong” it made was somewhat amusing, the assistant cook’s broken lip and shattered nose were not.
“How many times do I have to tell you, you got to form the plump helmets into
pleasing cake! How godsdamned hard is it to” His rant was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder.
Hamlet was standing behind him. “Hi. I just want to say that I really enjoy your work, especially that thing you do where you get that perfect layer of browned cheese over the soup. That’s a delight, really. Also, I’m sorry about this.” She then punched him square in the gut. Sakzul doubled over, then fell on the floor, dropping his pan.
“Believe me, this hurts me... well, not much. But I want you to know that I’ll miss your cooking, and that I hope you recover quickly.” She kicked him hard in the chest.
Nix turned away from the beating and watched as the assistant was helped away, draining his mug. “I think I’d like to get back to work, Karakzon. How about you?” Karakzon nodded.
...........................................................
In the following weeks, another recruited died from an infection. One of the bonecarvers hid himself away in a craft shop, emerging with an oddly shaped animal trap crafted from even stranger bones. Most agreed that it was a message from the gods, but which god and what the message meant, no one could agree.
..........................................................
The sign in the dining room had read “Important Meeting of the Fortress Elders Tonight. Location: The Office of the Mayor. As the sign hadn’t bothered to define just who qualified as a “Fortress Elder”, the room had become rather packed.
The new mayor, Lokum Gemkiss was small, even for a dwarf. He was also immaculately dressed in a fine silk suit that gleamed in the torchlight. Most of the dwarfs present only vaguely recognized him, usually as “just some guy who’s around a lot. You know. He’s a nice guy, I think.” The few who knew him better knew him as a soft spoken, friendly man, a little shy around crowds, maybe. But he spoke quite clearly over the nervous chatter of this crowd.
“Thank you all for coming! Let me just say that it is
wonderful to see you all here, especially our dear founders.” He gave a friendly wave to Gar and Aban, “Lovely to see you both, and your two sons as well.”
Gar shrugged, and Aban looked around, puzzled, until she remembered that her sons had followed her in. Or at least some children had followed her, and she was fairly sure they were hers.
Lokum turned his dazzling smile and suit on Turk, Nix, and Karakzon. “And, of course, the miners! I think it no small compliment to say that we would not even be here were it not for you two. And as for our metalsmiths, well! I think I need hardly mention the enormous debt we owe you.” Next he singled out Heavy Weapons Guy, Derm, Cilob and Bayar. “Our brave soldiers!” His face become serious almost instantly. “I was deeply sorrowed to hear about the loss of one of your comrades recently. Rest assured that I have spoken with the chief doctor, and he has told me that we shall not lose another to such an infection.
"And, as I mention our doctors...”
And on he went, the wave of compliments washing over everyone. Lokum even found a few words for Jacen the soapmaker. “- without whom we would not be nearly so clean.”
Gar didn't trust a word of what was being said, but was beginning to think he was alone in feeling suspicious. Looking around, it seemed as though every one else was either relieved or happy. Clearing his throat, he said “All this is good. We’re wonderful people. I get it. But why did you call us in here?”
Lokum beamed at him. “An excellent question, Gar! While I do feel that it is important to reiterate just how marvelously we’ve all done since arriving on this blessed Island, there are a few other matters. First, I am officially promoting Nix and Karakzon to Head Engineers in charge of Housing Development.”
Nix raised his hand “What does that mean?”
“You are in charge of building of our new rooms, naturally. We’ve been living in those poky little sand hovels for far too long. While the exact specifications of the scheme will be left up the Head Engineers, I feel that a four by four chamber with cabinet, chest, and well crafted bed may be a good starter unit. And our more established members may be eligible for something greater!”
Gar found himself nodding in spite of his cynicism. Well, it was reasonable. They
did need new bedrooms.
“I also feel that a waterfall, or something of that nature may just what is needed to accentuate our already fine dining room. This would be left up to our Head Architect, Gar, and the chief Water Engineers Nerev, Alkhemia, and Di. I'm sure we can all trust them to help improve the overall mood of our home, which I will admit had suffered in some small respects.”
Now Remalle spoke up. “What about the crafters? Do we get anything special?”
“I am so very glad that you asked that, Remalle! As head of the Project for the Beautification of Oceanbridge, the fine details of that will be left up to you. But I have the fullest confidence in your abilities!”
Lokum was still smiling as he opened a drawer in the desk and held up a small sheet of paper. “One final little item. Our dear queen, whom I am privileged to represent in our local government here, is, as you know, a firm worshiper of Tholtig. So, as a favor to her and myself, of course, it would be appropriate if the worship of some of those other lesser gods, important as they may be in their own circles, would cease, for the time being.”
It took the gathered dwarfs a few minutes to get through the maze of words to the meaning at the center. It was Aban that spoke. “Wait... so are you saying we can’t follow our own religions?”
Lokum laughed; a rich, genuine laugh. “Oh, no no! You are, of course, free to worship in whatever way you see fit! She simply suggests that you do not worship those gods that our queen has deemed... unfit for dwarfs. In particular Rakust, who I am sure you would all agree is hardly an appropriate god for these times. But no one is required to follow these orders, naturally. Though I do not think anyone will protest if we remove a few of those statues and engravings of gods that may be... objectionable to some.” He began to speak louder to make himself heard over the muttering. “That is all for now! I’m sure I can meet with you all one by one should you have any questions, but for now, you are all dismissed!”
The meeting broke up eventually, hastened by the arrival of several very large dwarfs who stood by the door and motioned, very pointedly, for everyone to leave.
((things might be happening. stick around.))
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Topic: Oceanbridge - A Fortress Defense Community Fort: Reclaimed, Again! (And Again) (Read 183519 times)