The Fate of the First Hero of Light

"Geir who you think we should do?" asks Queen Zelda. I think "Diplomacy" everyone "DIMPLOMACY!"

To secure my release from the prison and to appease my Grandmother. I would have to find a way to gain clemency from the courts, in exchange for a benefit I could give the kingdom. That was what I thought would be the best option.

Queen Zelda and I had discussed the formation of a Union. As I had recently been to the Dwarven Realm. Uncle Thandall had discussed the functions of Unions . I had requested my Tribes people, to assist me in the drafting a plan that could be handed into the courts to help encourage my release. I had implied that our Tribe had been disbanded, but not defeated.

That is why my Grandmother could act with impunity. If there was a Union, the Government and the Queen could negotiate with the Tulok, regarding business and political matters. As I would require each member of the Tulok Tribe, to register with the Union. I feared if the Elders would not agree with my plan to form the Tulok Union. As many a Tulok person, were already successful business people, athletes, scholars and popular entertainers.

After much deliberations. There was a vote and the plan for the Union was approved. This had happened in 4 days time. Queen Zelda was ecstatic "Geir ! Surely they will release you!" "Your Majesty the only thing the Union has done would only benefit the Tulok. The courts would unlikely grant me clemency. The Union only benefits the Tulok not the Kingdom." "Still Geir?" "I have to find a way for the Union to benefit the Kingdom." "How would you do that Geir?" "YES IT SEEMS AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK!" "Geir I see your point. How would this Union benefit her Majesty?" says the Fire Mage. I scream "WHY ARE YOU EVEN HERE?!" "WE ARE HERE TO GUARD HER MAJESTY FROM GEIR THE BUTCHER!". I scream "GEIR THE BUTCHER! Instantly I faint.

I wake up moments later. I am given a glass of water, I drink it and recover. We resume the conversation. "Your Majesty I would like to have your Royal approval for the Union?" "It is given Geir." "BE GRATEFUL GEIR OF HER MAJESTY'S CHARITY!" "Your Majesty, I would also ask your assistance with some negotiations." "Yes, Geir. What is it?"

I am sitting on a large table. Opposite me on a separate massive table, are seated the Three Mighty Heads of the Dwarven Unions and also the Dwarven Warrior Uncle Thandall . I am in the middle of our table. Queen Zelda is next to me shaking out of intimidation. The Knight and the Fire Mage are squirming in the corners of the room. The Guards have collapsed due to stress.

I face Union Heads. This will be the most fierce battle of my life."100 rupees." The Head of Deepfield Union stands up and moves to the door to exit. He is almost out."129 rupees" He asks the Guard shaking on the floor. "Where is the cloakroom?". Head of Union Swiftgrip, Grangir Ironward."Let us wait for Ygnag Shortforge before commencing negotitations again!" I nod. Queen Zelda wants to speak I shake my head sideways, she understand and stays quiet.

My ancestral home is only half a days travel from the Dwarven Realm. The Dwarfs are master craftsman and shrewd business people. They can negotiate even the last sliver of a rupee, out of the most hardened trader. Their love for construction, has led to a peculiar problem. They lack reliable logistics to deliver their goods to the various kingdoms. The massive influx of raw materials into the Dwarven Realm, has caused that the routes for the export of goods have been neglected.

As I am the Warchief of the Tulok Tribe I have put forth a proposal. The Tulok Tribe could transfer the goods, my people are expert trackers and hunters, we can move through the most hazardous conditions. While normal routes to the Dwarven Realms are closed in winter, because of the impossibility of transport between them. I had suggested that our tribe transport the goods in winter time. I had one of the Tribes members design a plan to build a route, that would connect our lands to the various Kingdoms.

"300 RUPEES!" the massive voice booms of Great Father Vastpike. 300?! RUPEES MY CLANSMEN WOULD STARVE! 130 RUPEES" I see Great Father Vastpike stand up to leave. I have them caught. They will not leave anymore. They have seen this agreement would benefit them greatly, to be able to distribute wares even in winter times, would increase profits exponentially. I also have realized that if I could negotiate terms correctly. The Tulok Tribe would never face economic hardships ever again. The Elders would be able to retire in luxury. We could expand our territory. There are many riches in lands not far our Tribe's home. We have spots of warm waters, it could be developed into resorts. I am fighting for the future of the Tulok Tribe.

The Great Union Heads have each been to the cloakroom at least 10 times. Queen Zelda is pale and has passed out, the stress of the negotiations taking its toll on everyone. I heard a big crash behind me. It must have been the Knight. The real battle starts now. We had tested the waters making proposals so ridiculous, no sane person would agree to them. The Heads of the Unions had assessed my abilities and designed a plan of attack. How much we meet in the middle will determine victory or loss.

Great Father Shortforge's voice booms 250! 180! 245! 180! 235! 185! 220! 186! 200! Great Father Ironward is leaning unconsciously on the table. Great Father Vastpike is on the floor. My vision is blurry I try to focus. Great Father Shortforge is sweating heavily and breathing deeply. "Drink this Geir."

I take a sip, it is strong salt water I spit it out. I feel as if I have regained some composure. "Thank you Queen Zelda." Please Great Father Shortforge have this." the Queen gives something to Great Father Shortforge. It is a hot drink, a sweet honey smell.

Queen Zelda walks back. I see a sinister smile. She is helping me! Honey drinks make you sleepy! The tables have turned, I close one eye. Focus all my energy on the open one.

We fought many battles, I lost some but I won most. They had underestimated me!

This last one is the most important. How will we split the taxes that are required to pay the various kingdoms. 198! 186! 197! 187! 192!188! Great Father Shortforge made a fatal mistake! It is over! 191!189! 190!190 DONE! Thank you Queen Zelda you helped me land the killing blow! I struggle to move to shake Great Father Shortforge's hand.

My hand has been broken so badly it is completely purple. Shaking the Mighty Dwarven Union Heads give a firm handshake. My little Hume hand completely disappearing in their giant hands.

We shake it is done!

The Tulok will be financially secured for 50 Sun Cycles. We will keep our promises.

We can develop the routes. Transport the Dwarven wares in the winter times. The next Warchief can negotiate for exclusive rights, to transport Dwarven Wares even in summer times. When they move to negotiate for an extension of the contract!

The influx of goods even in winter time, will strengthen the Kingdoms economics. The taxes and fees paid will fill the coffers. Transport of materials used in manufacture and construction, will lead to year long growth of the land.

My vision goes dim I collapse. I slowly wake up. I am in a bright white room. I see a person move. I call to them. They see me and run. The room immediately fills to the brim with people clothed in our traditional dress. They call someone my Grandmother comes in with her blood splattered parka. She signals they leave she helps me up. I put on my red parka. It doesn't stink. I have been told that the traditional dress is made of certain snowbeasts skin. It is waterproof. Liquid runs down it and snow falls off. The dress has been stained but the blood just dripped off.

I walk outside this is a medical facility. Outside I see a massive amount of people all wearing the same dress. It is my Tribes members! My Grandmother helps me through them. They are clapping hands. I recognize many celebrities, scholars , athletes and many more. She takes me to a podium. She talks. I am so exhausted from the battles with the Dwarven Heads of the Unions. I barely register what is happening. She helps me to the podium.

"Geir! Talk to the tribe!" I cant even focus. I lift my fist and say. "WE WON!" Everyone cheers! I hear them chant our war cries. I collapse and fall down from the podium. I feel mighty hands grab. My eyes focus it is Uncle Thandall."Geir you defeated the Great Dwarven Heads of the Unions I am proud of you me boy!" I start to cry he hugs me. I stand up. My legs shaking from exhaustion. I feel firm breasts on my head. "HUME IF YOU ARE REALLY MY HUSBAND. YOU CANNOT CRY OVER EVERY LITTLE THING!" "SLANT EARS!" Uncle Thandall says looking shocked.

"Please put me down.""Geir me boy you defeated the Dwarven Heads. It is a loss for my people, but a win for my little man. Lets celebrate!" "Thank you, Uncle Thandall" Everyone is partying the Dark Elf is singing our war songs. People are wrestling our favorite past time or so I was told later. Uncle Thandall is destroying everyone. I won in my battle against the Great Fathers but he will avenge them by beating everyone in the Tulok tribe. I laugh out loud. I forgot how terrible my humor was.

Still I wonder. I know what is coming. Will I be glad to see it...

Finish.