Hearth Fire

“I knew you’d get here in time to help us! Of course you would, you wouldn’t let Calmin and I go like that. See Calmin, I told you! You doubted me, again, never let that happen again!" Mintra shouted crossing his arms over his three piece suit looking smugly at Stronric.

Stronric couldn’t help himself, he cracked a smile and shook his head at the gnome. Mintra patted Stronric on his arm, Stronric grimaced in pain. Mintra was shocked by Stronric’s reactions and quickly pulled back his hand. He then saw Stronric’s wound and started to profusely apologize.

“It’s no bother, no need to apologize.” Stronric said waving off the gnome’s apologies. “Mintra good to see ye in good health! Now tell me what’s going here?” Stronric asked as he hunched down holding his arm. Mintra dug into his suit pocket and handed Stronric a handkerchief. Stronric nodded his thanks, as he went to tie the cloth around his shoulder he found the wound was closing and already started healing. Stronric patted the tabard and said a private pray to Thoranthana

“Maybe I will be of better help than him.” A deep voice called out. Stronric turned to see the captain of the village guard walking towards them.

Stronric paused, took a death breath, and lifted his chin as the captain approached, “I was late to return, but I do bring gifts as an payment for our tardiness.”

The captain let out a bark of laughter and stepped forward with his hand outstretched. “No need for apologies if you would have been on time, I fear you would have come and gone before the attack.” Stronric trained his face to remain passive, but he was shocked by the Captain’s friendliness. “If you hadn’t arrived when you did, I fear the worse. Thank you Stronric, after our previous encounter, I would not have been surprised if you abandoned us to our fate.”

Stronric was stunned. His last trip into town was unfortunate at best. He’d left in the night after receiving a summons leaving only a promise to return. Even though the Captain didn’t know that this time he returned with the blood of an eleven lord and with two escaped slaves, Stronric felt nervous about returning. He definitely didn’t expect the town to be under attack and the dwarves to play hero. He feared saving the town would only soften the locals to the dwarves, but not forgive their race completely. Stronric had learned in his old world that humans were fickle creatures, their loyalties changed frequently and often. The leader of his old hold believed it was due to their short lifespans. Humans were constantly chasing something and that meant a change of priorities.

As Stronric took in the humans gathering around the dwarves with smiles and cries of relief, he felt a rush of appreciation and thought just maybe everything could work out for dwarves and humans in this world. Stronric scanned the crowed and saw Rugiel resting her massive war hammer over her shoulder. A group of small and their mothers were talking and thanking her. One little girl pointed at Rugiel’s war dress and spun her own dress, smiling as she pretended to fight with a fake stick. The girl yelled excitedly to her mother that she and the hero wore the same dress. Rugiel face remained stoic with her chin held high, but Stronric could see the red in her cheeks and the slight movement at the corner of her mouth. Stronric smiled to himself, seeing Rugiel so happy and respected.

Stronric turned back to the captain, “How many of yer kind were taken?”

"I have guards conducting a head count now. In the meantime, I think it’s best we see to your wounds then eat and have a drink. Meet me in the tavern in ten minutes. Let me get the towns folk working. During times of crisis it’s best to not let idle hands play. We don’t need a mob charging off into the forest.”

Stronric nodded and was about to walk away, but he thought to capitalize on the captain’s good mood. “Oh, Capt can we use your Foundry Stone? My clansman have need of it. We have brought payment for its use.”

The captain scoffed and waved away the idea of a payment. “Of course you can, it’s over at the mayor’s office. The stone should be fine but you might have to dig it out. The last I saw of the office it was on fire.”

Someone in the crowd screamed and pointed towards the gate that gnolls fled out of.

The crowd scrambled in confusion and fear of another attack. Stronric and Rugiel, along with the other armed men and women, turned to face the open gate. A lone shadow approached through the gate. Stronric dropped his weapon, and called for the others to follow suit. Bauru walked down the street with his crossbow, Predator, raised. His clothes and daggers dripped with blood and he froze seeing the crowd. Bauru lowered Predator when he saw Stronric and turned back to the gate. He called something out and waved someone forward. A group of fifteen; woman, children and men, cautiously walked back into the town. When the group saw the crowd of loved ones they ran forward. Families and friends ran towards the survivors meeting them halfway. The crowd broke out in cries and cheers as those lost were reunited. Stronric saw the captain sprinted forward and fall on his knees before pulling a small girl into his arms. The girl had the Captain’s nose and chin, but had soft and nurturing eyes of a woman Stronric had never seen before.

Bauru walked by his sister only stopping to clasp forearms and exchange a brief few words. Their relief of seeing the other alive spoken only through their eyes. They parted and Bauru shouldered his crossbow and approached Stronric.

“Thane Stronric, once I was inside of the city, I saw a group of captured townsfolk being taken away. I decided my hunt was better aimed elsewhere.” Bauru’s words were rigid and clunky, as if this was his first time presenting before a leader.

Stronric looked at Bauru with a raised eyebrow. What’s gotten into Bauru’s boot. He almost sounds as pompous as his sister. What is with the titles? Stronric was about to ask Bauru if he hit his head, but Rugiel caught his attention over Bauru’s shoulder. Rugiel nodded at him and her eyes widened ever so slightly as if to say, and now it’s your turn to play, Thane.

Stronric stuttered, “Oh uh of course, Ranger Bauru, I trust my kin to make the best decisions they see fit. I will have yer report with the captain and myself inside of the tavern in fifteen. Finish a sweep of the city and take the other Grudge Bearer with ye. Oh and don't forget to collect our ram and supplies.”

Bauru slammed a hand onto his chest and nodded. Stronric stepped forward and clasped forearms with Bauru. Stronric could see that Bauru felt as uncomfortable with this situation as he did. On the road, the dwarven party discussed their plan for how they would act once inside the village. Rugiel felt that acting as if they were their own court would more easily hide Rugiel and Bauru’s identities in plain sight. Naturally Stronric would be their leader, Stronric agreed but didn’t expect this level of courtship. Rugiel must have prepared Bauru more on her own on the proper way to act. Seeing and hearing Bauru speaking as if he was born into the court was a stark difference to the small uneducated dwarf that first stumbled into The Hold.

Bauru, ye never cease to impress me. My clansmen have put more thought and effort into this facade, than I. I need to lead and forge the path; they are both working harder at this than me. They deserve more from me.

Rugiel and Bauru walked side by side down the street, but before they could disappear around the corner, Stronric saw Bauru push his sister in a shut-up kind of way. The last thing Stronric saw before they disappeared was Rugiel’s smile and laugh and Bauru’s bright red ears.

Stronric’s attention was dragged back to the crowd of humans in the market square when a high pitch nasal voice cut out over the noise. "Captain! Who is zis peasant making all of zis noise?” A human walked out of the tavern, his weapon, armor and equipment clean and unsoiled from the battle.

Stronric took in the human’s silver full plate armor complete with gold trim. The human’s face was flushed from shouting or moving in his heavy armor. He pushed his long blond hair back over his pauldrons. The man’s face was surprisingly boyish for acting in such a way. His face was still rounded with youth and held none of the well earn lines of leaders or scars of battle.

“Well, why are zis peasants not working and who let zis dwarf slave carry such a weapon?” The blond man asked again harshly as he walked up to the group.

Stronric could now see the man was taller than most of those around him and Stronric only came to the man's chest. The man’s armor was trimmed in golden patterns and engraved with calligraphy. A golden handled arming sword hung from the man’s waist, sheathed in oil wrought leather, trimmed with silver and golden clasps and thread. A kite style shield edged with gold hung from the man’s back.

Stronric raised an eyebrow and gave a puzzled look at the man. He stood taller as replied, looking the man up and down. “I am Stronric Wraith-Thane, Clans leader of the Grudge Bearers, Thane of my hold. Who are ye?”.

The interaction had caught the captain’s attention, and he quickly stood, leaving his daughter. When he approached the man he bowed. “My lord this is a friend of Millstone. Stronric, this Giles Longchambon of house Boulet, son of Bastien Robillard, Baron of Montclairis.”

The man stood there poised with his head cocked up at an angle with his eyes closed. This man obviously expected Stronric react and when Stronric didn't immediately, he cracked open an eye and looked down the bloody, grimy dwarf. Stronric made an “Oh” with his mouth and pulled on his beard.

“He sounds like hes important eh?” Stronric said looking over to Mintra.

Mintra looked terrified to be pulled into this situation. “Well Stronric, he is important. His father is the Baron of the neighboring region. A good day to you sir.” Mintra tried to bow smoothly but it came out clumsy. Calmin awkwardly joined his cousin in a bow. “G g g good daaay sir.”

The lord looked over the group and scoffed. “Captain, why are zis group of ingrates blocking ze door. Move zem along and bring me a bottle of wine and food. My men and I are hungry.”

The adventuring party Stronric had seen in town on his last visit had filed out of the tavern. They were all clean and relaxed. Their equipment and gear which was better than the local militia and guard remained sheathed and unbloodied. Stronric’s raised a brow when he saw the two newest members of the party. The brothers Stronric had run into on the road stood at the back of the group. They were laughing and joking with the group. The first brother caught sight of Stronric and fell silent, nudging his brother to look as well. The second brother paled slightly.

Cowards, had none of them helped the town?! They had sat back and let the town fend for itself. Weren’t these men of honor and war?

Stronric looked the baron’s son up and down again, a heat in his chest began to rise.

“Boy of the manling Baron, are ye a coward? Hiding behind women and peasants?” Stronric Stronric said, his voice dripping with courtly elegance as he emphasized the word peasants.

The lord’s face flushed red at the insult. His hand went to his sword, “Ze dare speak to me zat way slave?”

Stronric didn’t move he just stared into Giles eyes. “Draw that sword of yers, and it’ll be the last thing ye do mangling.” Stronric said in a low tone, his hand tightening on the haft of his axe.

Giles looked between Stronric and the Captain, his face growing redder and redder. “I will not be spoken zis way!” The young lord shouted as he drew his sword.

Stronric let out a sigh, and picked up his axe lazily. Giles took Stronric’s lazily movements as fear and tried to capitalize on this by jumping forward slashing out his sword. Stronric ducked the blade and kicked Giles’s foot as he passed. Giles fear and tried to capitalize on this by jumping forward slashing out his sword. through the mud. Giles let out a frustrated scream and punched the muddy puddle with his sword still in hand.

Giles looked at Stronric with tears of embarrassment and anger filling his eyes. “My father will hear of zis and zu will be stung up!

“Zats enough lord!” A loud booming voice sounded across the clearing. A large broad man stepped out of the inn. He was taller than most man around him and stood nearly a full foot taller than the young lord, currently still sitting in the muck. His brown hair was cut close in a military style. His face, neck and hands were covered in scars that Stronric knew to be from combat. The large man wore similar full plate to the young lord without all of the filigree. A large two handed sword stuck up from behind his back. Stronric locked eyes with the hardened warrior and could see kindness there. Stronric decided he liked this unknown human.

The warrior walked over to Giles and with a hand lifted the embarrassed lord out. As the lord tried to stomp away, he was held by the warrior who leaned in and whispered in Giles’s ear. Giles’s face wretched and then went still.

“Forgive my lord, he must ‘ave eaten zomething zat has made his temper most foul.” The warrior said as he approached Stronric. Giles wandered back to his entourage keeping his mouth shut but his chin held comically high.

Stronric again locked eyes with the warrior and it seemed as if the crowd itself paused to see the Dwarves reaction, but after a tense moment Stronric nodded, “Must ‘eve been that, no damage was done, all is well.”

The warrior turned and waved to the lord’s entourage who quickly rushed the dirty lord back into the tavern. The warrior cracked a smile as he turned back to Stronric holding his hand out.

“My name is Armand de Lumière of ze order of Scarlet Rose.” Armand said as Stronric took his hand.

“Names Stronric Wraith-Thane Thane of the hold and clan leader of the Grudge Bearers.” Stronric replied, Armand squeezed his hand and the two entered a contest of Strength. Stronric face broke out in a smile, Armand matched his smile and then Armand smile disappeared as Stronric began to tighten his grip like a clamp. Stronric not wanting to embarrass the human let go before he pained the man.

“What is yer relationship to the boyling?” Stronric asked as Armand clenched his hand and shook it.

“I am ze head of the personal guard for ze young lord. Zat boy is ze baron’s son, and he is a lord. I do not mean to tell you how to conduct yourself, but he is a very powerful man. The baron zat is. It would be wise for you to show his son some respect.” Armand replied, Stronric could tell the man meant well and was truly giving a warning of sorts.

“Nay, no dwarf worth his ore would use his father’s name in such a way, and as the town burns he hides behind the townsfolk. I don’t know what it’s like in yer hold but in mine that is shameful.” Stronric replied watching the last of the lord’s entourage disappear inside of the tavern.

Armand lowered his face and leaned down to Stronric, “You need to mind ze words, Giles might be a coward but snakes are cowards and strike from the dark. I take no pride in ze shame I ‘ave been forced to partake in. You keep going on and you might find yourself in danger and be none the wise. You ‘ave the look of an outsider and you so brazenly speak to zose you know not of. A guarded tongue is not a dull tongue my friend.” Armand leaned back and patted the dwarf on the shoulder.

“Knight, please do me the honor of introducing yourself.” Rugiel said as she approached. She carried her war hammer dripping with fresh blood, but she carried the hem of her war dress with one hand. Her hammer on her shoulder like a lady of the courts carried a parasol.

“Of course, mi lady, Sir Armand at zee service.” The knight replied with a hint of curiosity and easy friendliness in his voice.

Rugiel simply nodded then ignored the knight as she turned to Stronric. “My Thane, the surrounding areas are clear, the work needed to be done for us was little and easily accomplished. Clansman Stonesinger has gathered our dearest Indomitable and is heading this way. He does have a report for you of the heading and number of our fleeing foes, but I will allow him discuss this." Rugiel finished by brining her war hammer down with one hand and spun it like an umbrella to remove the water on a rainy day. She brought her war hammer down to the outside of the small circle formed by the three of them and spun the dripping blood off just as a lady would spin away the water of an umbrella on a rainy day.

She re-shouldered the hammer and turned back to the knight. “I must offer my apologies for I must reprimand you sir, for actions you may know naught of. No knight of honor would dare to show such disrespect as to pat a Thane on the shoulder as though he were a mere child. The grace and humility of my lord illuminates beyond the capacity of words, once more.” Stronric had to bite his tongue to suppress a smile. Living with Rugiel, he had come to recognize her as a consummate lady of the court. He had witnessed her sparring with both her brother and himself, and though they had been outmatched, he was still profoundly impressed. Her ability to deftly and subtly undermine a battle-hardened warrior with such polite yet cutting words, establishing her dominance with finesse, was nothing short of remarkable.

“Oh, ze apology is entirely mine. I did not recognize ze man… ze dwarf who stood before me. I extend my deepest respects to you both for indulging in my eagerness to be friendly. Please, accept my most sincere apologies, my lord, and allow me the gift of zer name warrior maiden.” Armand said as he held one hand over his heart and bowed his head to Stronric and turning to Rugiel

Rugiel straightened her back and held up her chin, twirling her hammer once more, “Greetings and well met. I am Rugiel Stonesinger, esteemed Lead Blacksmith of our noble hold, and a proud clansman of the revered Grudge Bearers. It is my honor to uphold the legacy and craftsmanship of our storied lineage.” She finished holding out a hand. Armand took the hand, a smile breaking through his stoic face.

Stronric coughed “Of course all is forgiven. Now Armand, excuse us I must meet with my clansmen, maybe tonight we can share a beer and talk more."

Armand bowed his head and nodded, “It would be my pleasure.” The man turned and entered tavern.

Stronric stared at Rugiel, “What was that all “Stronric if you’re going to be our leader and Thane, you can’t allow some knight to treat you like that. You’re a Lord yourself. Act like one.” Rugiel scolded. “Now why are you speaking so friendly with a knight of the Scarlet rose?”

Stronric filled her in on the events that occurred with the young lord before she arrived and his meeting of Armand.

Rugiel looked around at the dissipating crowd and stepped closer to Stronric. “You’re as brash and brazen as a bull in a glass shop and I should never have left you alone here.” She scolded. She spoke just above a whisper next, “Stronric, we are treading in dangerous waters. I fear we have kicked the hornets’ nest as they say. The real question is why is a Paladin, and being one from the Scarlet Rose, all the way out here following around a snot nosed lord?” Rugiel said looking at all the destruction that had befallen Millstone. Stronric shrugged at being scolded.

The sounds of hooves let them know that Bauru was approaching, they both turned and waved. Indomitable was again loaded down with their supplies and trade goods. Stronric pet the ram and complimented him on his strength. The ram nuzzled Stronric’s hand and the four set off to find somewhere to stable their mount and store their supplies.

The party then made their way to Mintra’s shop. The gnome welcomed them and started to ramble of the destruction of the city and how this could be good for business. Calmin called Bauru and the two went back to the warehouse. As Stronric nodded along to Mintra’s chattering, a small boy in way too large guards attire stumbled through the door.

“Thane Stronric, you are being summoned to the inn by the Captain of the guard and the Lord Giles.”

Stronric nodded to the boy and agreed he’d be over in a few moments. The boy bowed awkwardly before running out the door.

“Stronric, I need to come with you, we are going to be fighting more than one battle here today. With the Baron’s son here, this complicates things for us.” Looking at Bauru “We need to fill our roles perfectly and pray to Thorthana that anyone who recognizes us keep their mouth shut.”