System Break

The sun was setting, and our long shadows preceded us as we approached the stone walls. The farms had been abandoned for the day and all the Dokkalfar were inside. 

I couldn't take my eyes off the ramparts in front of the mountainside entrance. They weren't just built from stone; they were carved from the mountain itself. Behind the walls was another stone gate with metal portcullis.

Fire pits decorated the walls and the courtyard where a few Dokkalfar will wandered. We held up our hands as we approached in pairs and we got our first close up look at the Dokkalfar.

They were not dwarves from snow white, nor Tolkien or anything I was familiar with. They were shorter than the Svartalfar, and their colours varied from a dark grey to a dark blue. They wore large goggles over their eyes and the guards were dressed in light chain with patches of plate on their chest, elbows, and knees. They wore little skullcaps and wielded crossbows, hammers, and axes.

The walls themselves had four ballistae, which were effectively giant crossbows. 

When we approached the gate, we could hear their bustling and discussion from within. 

"Hey," I shouted. "We come to trade."

The Dokkalfar who leaned over the battlements wasn't dressed the like guards. He wore goggles and a thick leather apron with a hammer carved into it. On his head was a black scarf and his chest was bare underneath the apron. His skin was blue, and he was beardless. None of them had beards. They were well built and short, but the Dokkalfar were not dwarves, this much was clear.

"They're like dark blue stocky gnomes," Redmond whispered, and he was shushed by Ailen.

The smith loudly called back, "You're late in the day for trade. And you look funny, where are you from?"

"Four of us are Svartalfar and we're all from the forest in the north," I said. 

Our answer caused more discussion from behind the walls.

"We've heard of your kind. Never seen one in this land but there are stories from the old world."

"I trust the stories say we're trustworthy and honourable."

"No. They mainly warn us to stay out of the forest or be killed."

I glanced at Gisael who shrugged and pursed her lips innocently.

"We are new here too. Look, we can come back at dawn if that's what you want."

Their internal discussion was short.

"Leave your weapons in the cart and you can enter." He said and the portcullis lifted. There was a large metal cart on rails in the middle of the passage, and we dropped all our spears, axes, bows, and arrows inside.

The Dokkalfar selected to talk to us looked like a smith. His biceps were larger than the rest and his dark skin had black soot smeared across it including his face.

It was getting dark and he removed his goggles showing clean skin from beneath. We were amazed at how large his eyes were compared to the rest of him. The tinted goggles sat neatly on the scarf on the top of his head.

"Follow," he said and walked into the inner courtyard.

It was packed with animals that were outside during the day and more than twenty Dokkalfar. Four warriors remained on the walls and another eight eyed us warily.

"We cannot be bad hosts," the smith said, "Follow me to the main hall for dinner and we begin discussions there." He eyed our packs. "Let my brothers and sisters bring your wares. Do not worry, we are trustworthy and honourable." He grinned with his last statement which mimicked my claim.

I nodded and handed them over. If they tried anything, I would just punch my way out and they were probably suspicious we had weapons stashed in the packs.

"Barrin is my name," he said and led us through to their main hall.

The corridors were wide with metal tracks down one side and a path to walk down the other. We were inside the mountain now and I could feel its weight above me. There were no beams holding the ceiling up. It was perfectly cut, like a machine cut except with a curve in the roof. It was smooth and polished rock with many hues of grey.

He took us into their main hall which had a dozen long stone tables. He pointed to a bench seat, "Guests sit here."

The Dokkalfar were abuzz discussing and pointing at us.

Barrin and three others sat across from us.

"I am Barrin, Master Smith and council member," he said introducing himself formally.

"Kindeag, Master of stone and council member," another male said. He didn't wear an apron and was bare chested with leather and chain pants.

A female spoke, she looked much like the males to me, with her dark skin and wide eyes. They all wore goggles on their heads. "I am Brudin, Healer and council member." 

"Brudin is our seer as well," Barrin added. 

The last was another male and he wore a beautiful set of chainmail armour. "Berger, I am the warband leader." It was not lost on us that he wasn't on the council.

They stared at me until I introduced myself. 

"Benzhi, protector of the forest." I had not removed my mask and I was twice as tall as some of them with it on. They nodded at my introduction and listened to my friends introduce themselves in turn - until it reached the last person.

"I am Redmond, I'm not a Svartalfar, actually I'm nothing at the moment. But I am in their guild." He nodded towards us. He received confused stares in return.

Our packs appeared behind us and my assumption was correct, they were probably searched for weapons and then delivered.

"Do you want to discuss a trade first or eat?" I asked.

"Let us do both," Barrin said and waved his arm in the air. There were at least a hundred Dokkalfar in the hall including children. They seemed to serve themselves from the large pots at the far end until Barrin waved his arm. A dozen of them brought bowls and pots and placed them on our table.

Within a few minutes there was bread, vegetables, and steaming broth. I noticed there was no meat, that had that in common with the Svartalfar and it occurred to me the animals were probably for fertilizer, dairy, eggs, and leather.

"Good?" Barrin asked.

I nodded, "We don't eat much actually and its good there is no meat. Our stomachs can't handle it." I looked at Reyas, "All except Reyas."

Barrin peered at her, "How are you with these folks?"

She smiled, "Long story."

The Dokkalfar nodded, "Maybe you can tell us some time."

"Sakaala?" I prompted.

She straightened. "We have the finest furs and skins to trade. From exotic beasts and a few unwise lizardmen."

"Good, there are not many animals to hunt in the mountain," Berger said.

"We can use leather and furs, what are you looking for in return," Barrin said. 

"We have a request," she said. "It's going to sound strange."

The Dokkalfar exchanged glances. "Go on," Barrin said.

She pointed to Redmond, "We want him to become a Dokkalfar and to train here and study under your master crafters."

The four Dokkalfar burst out laughing. Murmurs spread through the hall. When they noticed the serious faces opposite them the laughter died down.

"You are serious? How is this possible?"

"I did it," I said. "I was once like Redmond and I joined the Svartalfar. I pledged myself to the forest then Mother and the land core made changes in me."

The three males looked at Brudin. She peered at me. "How long ago?" she asked.

"Hundreds of days," I said. I still wasn't sure how many months made up a year or how many days in a month.

She held out her hands and nodded at me. I reached out and placed my hands in hers. I opened my qi-sight to see what she was doing and immediately noticed their land core behind the intricate carvings at the end of the hall.

All the Dokkalfar had cores, much like the Svartalfar and the more powerful ones had larger cores. There were no surprises there. 

"Hmm," she said and inspected my hands. "Indeed, you're a newborn, but I see strange things." Her brows furrowed and then she lifted her eyes to meet mine. "Who are you?"

I was surprised by the question. "I'm me? What sort of question is that."

She was interrupted when a child came and sat on her lap. "Oh Brigid, we have guests, if you want to stay you must be quiet."

"Yes master," the child said obediently and then her large eyes focused on me.

Barrin raised and eyebrow but was otherwise quiet. 

"Your daughter?" Sakaala asked.

Brudin laughed. "No. She is my apprentice."

I realised both Brudin and her apprentice Brigid had large cores compared to the other Dokkalfar.

It was quiet for a time while we ate. The broth was warm, and I dipped my bread. It was the first time I had bread since arriving in the new Qi World and I enjoyed it.

Most of their vegetables looked like the were grown inside the mountain, mushrooms, beansprouts, and rhubarb. It looked horrid but actually tasted nice.