Chapter 37: Collecting Stars

A week had passed since the destruction of Kobold Village. Biter and Lady Ameth's forces had joined the Allied Army officially. With the 2400 additional Knights of Change, the Allied Army had grown to 6600 soldiers.

Chagrin's Imperials had fallen down to 5000 in number and drafting was growing hard with the double defeat at Kobold Village and at Arenaen. Chagrin was hiding out at Silencia.

Kyu, Swisher, Suta, Cate, Kai, Burke, and Biter now traveled to Mornstead. An old Sindar woman was exiting the Inn. She wore green and blue robes. Her hair was grey and brown. She smiled at the part as the party walked over, revealing her only tooth. "Hello, young people. I am Deira. You wouldn't happen to know where an Appraiser could find work, would yeh?"

Kyu smiled. "Of course. Hathindiur doesn't have an appraiser."

"Thank you. After the Allied Army's victories, I would be happy to help them."

Then Kyu's party headed west of Clearwater Lake towards the distant Ashwall Mountains. Hidden in a bowl shaped valley was a Dwarf Camp. It contained refugees from a Dwarven city in the southern mountains that had been overrun by viscous goblins.

Most of the buildings were canvas tents, but some were made of wood and stone. Kyu's party entered the blacksmith shop. There were two dwarves. One was an elderly dwarf with silver hair and thick eyebrows that nearly covered his eyes. The other was a younger Dwarf with brown-red hair and green eyes. "How can I help you? I'm Arrak the Blacksmith. You'd be the first business we've had in weeks."

Then the younger Dwarf recognized Kyu and jumped up with excitement. "You're the Savior! I'm Nurim, Arrak's apprentice! Can we join the Allied Army and make weapons for your soldiers?"

"Yes. Hathindiur doesn't have a blacksmith, and two is better than one!" Kyu replied.

Arrak smiled. "Thank you, Savior. We will never let your weapons dull!"

Kyu's party entered the Armorer's Tent. There was a short dwarf with dark red hair and bright blue eyes. He saw Kai and went crazy. "A dog! What's his name?" Before anyone could answer, the Dwarf began measuring Kai. "Perfect! Perfect size!"

"Uh…Kai." Burke said.

The Dwarf ran over to a massive stone chest and pulled out a small silver cuirass. He fit it onto Kai and shouted, "Perfect fit! Perfect! Fighting dogs need armor and what better armor than my famous Ashwall Cuirass!" Then he saw Kyu. "Ah, Savior! I have one for you too!"

He took out a larger cuirass from the chest and fitted it onto Kyu. "Now, that will be 15000 Potch a piece!"

"What!?" Kyu yelled.

"I'm just kidding! It's free! However, if knew a place where a skilled armorer could be needed, let me know! I'm Orkas of Ashwall."

Swisher laughed. "The Allied Army would gladly accept you at Hathindiur."

Then Kyu's party traveled to the New Kobold Village, which was west of Arenaen. They entered the inn to find two Kobolds enjoying their ale. One was short and wore armor and carried a large spear. The second was tall and wore leather clothes.

Biter introduced the two as they came by. "They are Fleet the Tall and Kebull the Spear. Fleet is a storage master while Kebull is a combat trainer."

"Hey Chief!" Fleet shouted.

"Welcome home!" Kebull laughed.

"Would you like to join the Allied Army?" Kyu asked.

Kebull and Fleet laughed. "Join the Allies…hahahahahha!" Kebull joked.

"Yeah, if the Savior can buy us a couple of drinks each!" Fleet added.

Kyu smiled. "Sure." He handed them enough Potch for four drinks each.

"Oh." Fleet grinned. "Okay then! We'll drink and then leave!"

Then Kyu's party left for the Forest Cabin after hearing that a blind fortune teller had taken up residence there. They entered the cabin, and found old man sitting near the fire cooking soup. "Ah, you've finally arrived." He had an old robe on, carried a thick oak staff, and had a blindfold wrapped around his eyes. "I'm Syspar the Blind. You are Kyu the Savior, Swisher, Cate, Suta, Kai, Burke, and Biter."

He handed each of them a bowl of chicken soup. "Your future is joyous, sorrowful, and devastating. You bear the weight of this world, the next one, and the past one. You should not bear that weight alone. Betrayal and friendship are in your future. I cannot tell if your efforts will fruition to victory." Then he took a bite of the soup. "And yes, I will join the Allied Army at Hathindiur. I just didn't want to barge in without an invitation."