Cold rain poured from the dark sky above Llomeryn, a contrast to the heat within the workshop of El Trueno in the past month, each bearing the deadly implements of their trade. Some boasted of their deeds at sea, whether it be raiding or pillaging while others spoke of deeds done in the darkness and shadows.
Among this gathering of rogues, pirates, cutthroats, thieves and other assorted ne'er-do-wells, Tacito waited for his turn. Garbed in a simple set of Hardened Studded Leather and an oiled cloak to ward off the falling droplets of water, he was a dark skinned man in his early twenties with a face which would not stand out among the crowd in Rivain, just as he would prefer it. Keeping to himself, he quietly watched those around him for despite the air of civility and the banter among the crowd, there was also a sense of hostility, especially from those of rival groups.
A strict no fighting policy was enforced by El Trueno whose skills in craftsmanship had commanded a great deal of respect from the many crews of the Felicisima Armada and his reputation of battle prowess had only served to further keep them in line. The door to the workshop remained open with six people ahead of him and inside, he could see that there were even more folk. Not much he could do now but wait, thought Tacito who stood under the pouring rain, his right hand tightly holding on to a strap which connected to leather wrapped object which rested upon his back.
Business was good today, thought Natia as she eyed the crowd of humans which filled the workshop and it made her think that she should have left Orzammar and the Carta a long time ago. Dressed in some common clothing of dark brown with fine stitching, she put up a well practiced, friendly smile to all who came into the ship. One of the customers, a large bearded human man who wore a sleeveless vest and rippling muscles which were decorated with serpentine tattoos was hefting an absolutely massive crossbow of yew to the counter.
'How much?' came the stony voice of the customer as he looked down towards Natia who could tell that the man was trying to intimidate her into lowering the price for it.
'Four sovereigns' replied the dwarf who showed not a bit of fear while putting up a confident demeanor for she was well acquainted with the rough types of folk. The big human glared down at her, trying to keep up his intimidating look but after a moment he realized that it would go nowhere and began to reach for his coin pouch. Producing two gold coins which he then set on the counter, Natia gave the human a sweet smile, as she would after any transaction and said 'thank you and come back again'.
As the big human left, another cutomer, a rather fidgety looking human woman stepped up while carrying a small sack full of traps, all crafted by "El Trueno" (as the locals now nicknamed him).
'It's uh… for the rats' said the woman in a nervous tone.
'Well let's just count and see then' smiled Natia and the customer began to place the items onto the counter. Several cheap small traps such as Claw and Caltrop ones were placed onto the wooden surface, definitely for more than just rats thought the dwarf who kept such observations for herself. After quickly counting the traps, she then gave the price of ten silver coins.
Just as on many other days, the customers came in and out, buying crossbows, bolts, traps, grenades and the other things which El Trueno made, all the sorts of things which the various crews of pirates and mercenaries prized in their lines of work. It was quite hard to believe that life on surface turned out so well for her, especially considering that she had fled Orzammar with nothing but her Duster Leathers, a pair of daggers and an extremely enraged bastard by the name of Beraht cursing her name for botching a job involving some heirlooms from a Noble House. It was not like she had much to go back to anyway thought the Casteless Duster who was glad to have food and a place to sleep in, rather than a rubbish-filled gutter.
There were then more purchases such as explosive tipped crossbow bolts and a couple of packages containing an easily buildable miniature catapult. At this rate thought Natia, they could become some of the top suppliers of arms for the Felicisima Armada and they would both be filthy rich in the process. Eventually, there came one fellow who stood out among the crowd, a black haired elf in dark leathers with a tattooed face and he brought a small crossbow which could easily be carried in one hand.
'I wish to purchase this one' said the elf who had a smooth, cultured voice which also carried a distinctly thick Antivan accent. This one had a look of a professional killer thought Natia, the sort which she was also familiar with when she had still been in the Carta.
'Oh well about that…' said Natia a bit uncomfortably and she heard heavy steps from behind her. With a quick look back, she saw the cluttered workshop of her partner which had several mechanical bits and pieces scattered here and there but at the center, was one particularly massive and impressive "special project" of his which was concealed by a massive blanket of raggedy cloth.
'A dozen sovereigns!' came the gruff, thickly accented voice of "El Trueno" or Krodien Eitrigson as Natia better knew him and the other dwarf pointed his left thumb towards a wooden plaque on the side of the workshop which had the words onto it "EXTRA CHARGE FOR ELVES".
An annoyed twitch came upon the fine brow of the Antivan elf who gave a cold, murderous look to Krodien who in turn, did not seem the least bit impressed. Dressed in a thick leather apron worn over sweat-stained clothing of linens, the dwarf who claimed to hail from a far away city called Zhufbar, sported an impressively long and thick brown beard which was decorated with small golden clamps which displayed the faces of ancestors unknown to Natia. She noticed how he already had one of those small metal tube weapons which he called a pistol, holstered on the side of his belt.
One of the other customers at the back then began shouting some rather unflattering slurs towards the elf who then looked back for a moment before returning his gaze towards the dwarf. Muttering a couple of rather colorful Antivan expletives, the elf quickly then handed them twelve gold coins before storming out with the small crossbow in hand.
'You're not worried that you will get shot?' asked Natia towards her business partner.
'Oh he will be back' replied Krodien in a confident tone. 'He didn't even buy the special bolts for it.'
'Right then' shrugged Natia as she turned towards another customer, a human man who carried a series of small black metal spheres with long rope cords attached to them…
When his turn finally came, Tacito stepped up to the wooden counter where a rather pretty dwarven woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and hazel eyes worked at. A small black, symbol was branded upon the left cheek of the dwarf who patiently expected him and he set down the wet leather pack which he carried. Untying the small cords of rope which sealed the leather casing, he unfurled it to reveal the object which it contained and it drew a surprised look from the dwarf.
Composed of a long metal tube attached to a wooden stock and a bronze spyglass placed on top of it, the strange object had emblazoned upon one side of the butt of it was a golden insignia depicting a lion holding a pair of weighing scales. On the other side of the stock, there was another symbol depicting a golden cross.
'I want to know what this is and how much it is worth' announced Tacito to the dwarf woman who quickly turned around and she called to El Trueno who seated upon a stool and busy working by a table with several small objects scattered across its surface.
'Hey, you got to see this' said the dwarf woman and El Trueno looked to them with a strange set of headwear composed of glass lenses held by a leather strap.
'I am little busy lass' replied El Trueno who then turned his attention towards Tacito himself and he glanced down to see the metal tube device which lay on the counter. The jaw of El Trueno dropped at the sight of what the man had brought and he quickly hopped off his stool before running towards them. The male dwarf soon picked up the metal tube with a look of shock upon his face and he began to inspect it, much like how a jeweler would examine a fine gem.
'How did you get this?' asked El Trueno towards Tacito while looking up to him and within the man, he began to feel a sense of satisfaction…
After inviting the manling to come behind the counter, Krodien Eitrigson was eager to hear the human's explanation. The handgun which had been brought was not just any ordinary weapon (which the people of this strange realm called Rivain had as it seemed, not even invented black powder) but a genuine Hochland Long Rifle! The Dwarf Engineer from Zhufbar had certainly not been carrying one with him when he had been fighting the damned Thaggoraki in one of the mountain passes near Karak Varn.
They now sat by a hearth at the back of the workshop near where a pair of beds were placed, the Long Rifle held in Krodien's hands while the human struggled with trying to find a comfortable position on one of the two dwarf-sized chairs. A small pool of rain water had gathered around the human and it soaked the exotic carpet which had likely been stolen by one of the many pirates which lived in this city which reminded the Engineer of the Tilean city-state of Sartosa. The dwarf had offered the manling a drink but the human had declined, saying that he would be "on the job" this night.
'So, how did you find it?' eagerly asked Krodien.
'An old man gave it to me' replied the human in a thick accent which oddly sounded close to that spoken by the fen-dwelling manlings of Albion.
'An old man?' repeated the dwarf who knew that it was not much to go by.
'Aye an old man' patiently nodded the human 'sickly looking fellow wearing all dark clothing and a feathered hat was lost out in the wilds and wanted to trade it for some medicine, supplies and directions to the nearest town'.
'And where is this old man now?' asked the Engineer with suspicion in his voice.
'He is just around here actually' answered the human with a shrug. 'I am a Ranger you see and I guided him over here to Llomeryn'.
'He is in town?' skeptically asked the dwarf for he had a feeling that this other human could truly be a manling from the Empire.
'At a hospice nearby, run by the Sisters of the Chantry' said the human.
'I need you to take me to him' the dwarf added rather assertively. 'I will even pay you for it!'
'I can take you right now' the human said and he stood up while gesturing towards the doorway which led back out to the workshop.
Nodding to the human, the dwarf got up as well and said that he would meet him outside. As the manling left, the dwarf then went towards a wooden armoire which was sealed by a bronze lock of his own making. Operating the complex mechanism which sealed the container, he soon opened to reveal the fantastic array of wargear within.
Several grenades, bombs and other weapons created by the Guild of Engineers were placed inside but at the center of it was a weapon he had crafted himself. Based on a fairly new design of firearm known as a Grudge-Raker, he had personally crafted this particular gun from Karak Azul iron and placed installed upon a sturdy Wutroth stock. Affectionately calling it Urkrikkaz or Orc-Pulper, it featured two barrels which could fire a storm of hot lead, much like a blunderbuss and it also incorporated an experimental loading mechanism which involved a revolving chamber that held the shot and powder.
Unwilling to walk about unarmed in a town full of pirates and cutthroats, the dwarf thought about taking with him a heavy axe-like device which was heavily mechanized. Inspired by the handheld Steam Drills used by the Miners, this machine axe utilized a miniaturized steam engine to power a series of gromril teeth attached to a conveyor. He hoped that once perfected, it could become both a tool for woodcutters, cooks who specialized in troll-based dishes and also for killing those damnable tree spirits which the thagging elgi of cursed Loren so favored.
Deciding on using something simpler, especially considering the rain, he just took an engraved hammer which bore ancestor icons upon its head, a coat of steel chainmail, a hand-crossbow and a stone-grey cloak which hung from a hook. As he left the personal quarters and back into the workshop, he saw Natia still busy dealing with the customers, haggling prices to make sure that they made a good profit. Being one of only the few other dwarfs he had met since arriving in this land (not to mention a rinn as well), and he was happy enough to have her company, despite having some rather strange ways which were unlike those of a proper dawi.
'You heading out?' asked Natia towards the Engineer as she finished a transaction with another human customer involving a set of easily concealable, spring-loaded hilts which at the press of a button on the side, produced a small knife blade that was perfect for stabbing something.
'Aye' nodded Krodien towards the rinn. 'Got something I need to see'.
'Well I am coming too then!' announced the rinn and the Engineer knew that look when her mind was made up and there was no way that he could change it. Natia then stooped down to get something from beneath the counter and she pulled out a small wooden plaque which supposedly had written on it "On break, come back later" (not that the Engineer actually understood the strange alphabet used by the people of this realm, but he had been assured of what it said, especially with the other sign for elves).
The few remaining customers began voicing complaints but Natia quickly began shooing them away while giving assurances that they will open up again soon. The human who had brought the Long Rifle quietly nodded, signifying that he would wait for the other dwarf who then went towards the back of the workshop to grab her own things. After a short period of time, Natia returned all garbed in a set of leather armour, her own cloak, a pair of sheathed short swords (which she insisted were called daggers) tied to her belt and those "special" gauntlets which Krodien had crafted.
'Let's see what the fuss is about' announced Natia and the three of them left the workshop.
If there was one thing which Natia certainly disliked about life on the surface, it was all this weather stuff. It was too bright, too dark, too windy, too hot or like now, too wet and cold. Somewhat missing the constant gloom of being underground, the dryness and warmth from the few times she had been in the Commons of Orzammar, the Duster immediately decided that there was no point in moping about and she refocused on the task at hand.
The human they now followed was a short distance ahead of them with Krodien behind him, her eyes darted from side to side as they passed the wet, muddy-slicked alleys where any number of brigands might be hiding. She had a gut feeling that set her ill at ease, as if they were walking into a deal just waiting to go bad. Picking up her pace and moving towards the foreign dwarf she had recently become acquainted with and she quietly spoke, hoping that the sound of the rain would help hide her voice.
'Something about this just doesn't shape right' whispered Natia and the other dwarf looked back over his shoulder towards her.
'I know' quietly replied Krodien. 'But I have to see for myself.'
With a quiet nod, Natia continued to follow them through the rain, her hands close to the hilts of her daggers. They seemed to be going the right way, thought the Casteless Duster as she observed their surroundings for she had been able to explore their little part of the city a bit and she was aware of where the nearest Chantry was. The streets were mostly crowded with humans and more than a few elves, many of certainly had the swagger of a pirate or a sellsword.
Taking a right by one of the alleys which was still on the way to the place of worship for the surface-dwellers, she felt a familiar itch upon her palms that which made her stomach feel like there was ice in it. Glancing back, she briefly saw someone quickly sidestepping towards another alley and her fingers tightened around the grips of her blades.
'We are being followed' quietly warned Natia and Krodien made a soft grunting sound while his meaty right hand reached for his hammer.
'Looks like there is no need to keep this charade up longer' said the human who had been leading them and he slowly turned around to face them, the glint of steel clearly seen as two blades were drawn by the man. Hearing the squelch of mud from behind her, Natia turned around and she saw another figure, a slim elven woman wielding a pair of swords and she heard another step as a third individual appeared with weapons already drawn.
'I should have expected this' gruffly spoke Krodien who took a quick survey of those around them before looking back at the human with a cold look in his eyes. 'So a robbery is it?' he asked.
'Nothing so unprofessional' replied the human. 'There are certain… "interested parties" in your works, El Trueno, parties who believe that your talent is wasted on pirates and scum such as those within this city'.
'And I bet you've been hired to bring me in, is that it?' questioned Krodien.
'More of an offer to be precise' answered the man and another pair of cloaked figures appeared.
'Aye? And what would that be?' spoke Krodien.
'I have a ship, waiting to leave within the next day' said the human whose voice remained calm and even. 'You will have time to pack your things and gather your belongings.'
'Oh? And what is to stop us from just buggering off?' replied the other dwarf.
'I have many people posted around your little shop, El Trueno' coldly answered the human. 'With just one word, we can have it surrounded and by the next dawn, all will think that it was just a robbery and soon, everyone will forget that you were even here.'
'Is that so?' sneered Krodien who then looked about once more before glancing back to Natia and giving her a slight shake of his head. Nodding in understanding, the Duster reluctantly sheathed her blades. 'Looks like we don't have much choice' grunted Krodien.
'Good, I am pleased that you saw reason' smiled the human and his friends immediately sheathed their weapons. 'Now come, my friends and I will be glad to escort the two of you back...'
A short while later
'What the sod was that!?' incredulously asked Natia as the two of them dried up within their workshop.
'Found a reason to do some experimenting' answered Krodien non-chalantly as he packed some of his wargear into a bronze strongbox which he had recently made.
'Experiment!? What-' responded Natia who immediately stopped in mid sentence as a look of realization came upon her face. 'You mean you got it to work!?' she asked with a mixture of fear and barely concealed excitement.
'Aye, just this morning actually' said the Engineer before finally packing the last piece and safely locking it within. 'Shame that we have to leave here, but I would rather retire to a nice spot with some proper stone above my head.'
Lifting up the strongbox with a grunt, he carried the heavy container to his "special project". Setting it down near the covered contraption, he then went towards it and placed both of his hands over the cloth blanket. With a single pull, he heard the flapping of the sheet as it came off and he heard the gasp of wonderment from Natia.
'I present to you' announced Krodien with pride swelling in his heart 'the Gyrobomber!'
'By the Stone' whispered Natia in wonderment. 'Does it really work?'
'Sure as grombolgi wants to stuff himself on Pie Week' replied the Engineer as he went back towards the container and he transferred it to the compartment which would normally hold the bombs but instead, it had been modified with to be able to carry cargo through the addition of a sturdy net of rope. Sliding the container into the cargo section, he then began to go around the workshop and started stuffing things into bags and other receptacles.
'So where are we going?' asked Natia who still looked at the machine with awe for not long ago, it had been absolutely wrecked when the Engineer had made a crash landing on the outskirts of Llomeryn.
'Away from here, that's for sure' replied Krodien. 'Would you mind giving me a hand lass? I don't think those buggers outside are going to wait forever'.
Watching the workshop from a short distance away, Tacito wondered just what those two dwarves were doing. It had already been two hours since they had been escorted back and the sentries he had posted to watched the place were certain that the place was still occupied. At the least the rain had stopped pouring, so he was thankful for that at least.
'Should we go in and check on them?' asked one of his compatriots, an elven woman named Talia of whom he had closely worked with for some time now.
'I believe we should-' said Tacito but was cut off as a loud, thunderous sound resounded from the front of the workshop and sending out a hail of wooden splinters. Thankfully, no one was near enough to be seriously hurt but a cloud of saw dust emerged and he began to hear a strange, whooping sound coming from within.
'What the-' said Tacito in bewilderment as the cloud of sawdust was swept away in a sudden gust of strong wind. His eyes then widened as he saw a large, metallic contraption move forward, a series of spinning blades attached to poles rotated around and around, faster than any windmill. At the center of the machine, he saw the bearded face of the dwarf El Truero who was wearing a leather cap with glass lenses covering the eyes and behind him was his female companion. 'Don't let them escape!' shouted Tacito as he drew his blades and his comrades began running towards the machine.
As his legs carried him forward, he saw the two dwarves stick their arms out of the machine and he realized that they threw something at them. Briefly he saw red colored sticks with burning cords on top sailing towards them and he immediately shouted a warning but his voice was drown out by loud, thunderous explosions. Everything became chaos for Tacito as he felt a brief sense of vertigo before his back impacted against the road and his head cracked against the ground.
He heard a ringing in his ears and he felt hands grabbing onto him. He tried to resist but was immediately stopped as another set of hands stilled his own.
'We have to leave, now!' came the concerned voice of Talia.
'Get to the ship groaned Tacito as the whooping sound began to grow fainter and the world continued to spin around him. He barely heard the voices of his fellows as they dragged him away and was able to hear snatches of it.
'-ailed!' said one man with a hint of despair in his voice.
'-must return' spoke another, this time in a different language which they all knew too well. 'The Ben-Hassrath need to-'
'We still have the other…' said a third voice as consciousness finally began to ebb from Tacito and before long, he was welcomed into the embrace of darkness.
