Hey guys, MT here!

This chapter came out a little later than I wanted but better late than never.

I had a neat little idea to give some more information and extend our heroes trip a bit.

I hope you guys like it and ENJOY!

Chapter 62

Some time later…

The groups had gone back to their carts after the previous scene, Tenshi and Gwen swapping places along with their books in order to allow for some new books in each cart.

Tenshi had tried coaxing Vivlio several times, a couple times being a bit violent to which Louise, Asuna, and Saito were surprised by. She was unsuccessful, though, in her attempts to get him to spill information.

Saito had taken the reins once again and just asked an insane number of questions to the book for several hours and now all you could hear were 'No's and head banging.

"Any of their physical weapons?" asked Saito.

"No," said Vivlio.

Bang

"Transportation methods?"

"No."

Bang

"Asuna, are you okay?" asked Louise, also extremely irritated by the constant question asking. Asuna turned to look at Louise and she had a bloody circle in the middle of her forehead and a little blood dripping down her face.

"I'm. Going. To kill. Myself," said Asuna, finally losing it from the incessant 'No's.

The cart suddenly stopped, causing Saito and Asuna to get on guard.

"Asuna," whispered Saito. "Do you smell anyone?"

"No. Could there be something on the road?" said Asuna, confused. They heard a loud bang on the side of the cart and they jumped.

"Oi, kid! There's a rockslide on the road so we will have to go around. It'll end up adding a few hours but I guess it's good. We were running low on supplies anyways," said Don.

"We can't just blast it out of the way with magic?" asked Louise.

"We could but that wouldn't be a good idea. Every Dwarf is supposed to have a special stone that's unique to these mountains. It's sensitive to magic and will glow whenever it's used nearby. Familiar powers are okay but any magic is a big no. If there is anyone within range then they'll know that magic users are here," explained Don. Saito glanced over to Louise and then back at the edge of the cart.

"Let's go with your plan, then, Don. It's safer than using magic," said Saito. He heard Don mutter an 'Ok' and nodded before making himself comfortable again. "I think I'm done trying to get information from Vivlio. The town will be a good place to have Don and Gan get some info."

Asuna and Louise cheered at Saito's words and he looked at them with a confused expression before shrugging.

Some more time later…

Saito and co could hear sounds that were similar to what they would hear in towns. The cart stopped again, this time must less abrupt than at the rockslide, and they heard a knock a moment later.

"We're gonna restock here in town. Don't make a sound and there shouldn't be any problems. This town is pretty rural so nobody should get suspicious of anything," said Don. Saito whispered out an 'Okay' and he could hear Don's footsteps as he left.

It had been around ten minutes after Don had left and they heard a loud bump on the side of the cart. Everyone froze and they listened to hear who it was.

"Look what you did Bjorn! You broke a hole in the cart! Gramma will get angry if she finds out!" shouted a young female voice from inside.

(Bjorn is pronounced Byorn)

"But I didn't mean to, Helle! We were just playing with the stones and you threw it weird!" said a male voice who Saito presumed was Bjorn.

"How bad is it? If it isn't bad we might be able to fix it so the owners won't notice," said who Saito presumed was Helle. He could hear one of the children-sounding Dwarves approach the cart and he held his breath and was still. Everything was silent for a moment and then he heard a small gasp.

"H-Helle…there are some people inside," whispered Bjorn, causing Saito tense. Shit, we've been caught, thought Saito in panic.

"Do you think they're slaves or have been kidnapped?" asked Helle, worry in her voice.

"I don't think so. They didn't look like Dwarves so I'm assuming they're magic users. Should we tell Gramma? She told us that if we saw them that she should be the first to know," said Bjorn.

"I'll go and tell her. See if you can convince them that we're going to help them," said Helle before Saito could hear her run off. Saito could then hear Bjorn come back to the cart and waited.

"Hey, magic users, don't worry we aren't going to hurt you. I heard Gramma talking about what King Hreidmar said about declaring war but nobody in the village supports it. Gramma is the leader of this village so she can help you," said Bjorn, a bit of nervousness in his voice.

Hreidmar? So that's the name of their king? thought Saito.

Bjorn was silent after that and Saito merely laid there with Louise, Asuna, and Tenshi before they heard someone running over to the cart.

"Is it this one, child?" said an old woman's voice.

"Yes, Gramma. We think they're magic users. Bjorn, were you able to talk to them?" asked Helle.

"I said some stuff but they didn't respond. I think they're afraid we're going to hurt them," said Bjorn.

"Magic users," began the old woman after Saito heard her place her hands on the side of the cart. "My name is Liv, though everyone in this village calls me Gramma. You don't need to fear us. Due to the fact that the nobles bled us dry of money, food, and medicine for the upcoming war, we are against it and dislike the monarchy's plans. In fact, my grandson is actually in Halkeginia. He's married to a magic-user. They were originally living here until this whole war ordeal began."

Saito had listened to the old woman and he paused for a moment as he thought of whether or not it was safe to reveal himself. This operation was essential but they had already been found out. Worst case scenario, they get attacked and World Door out. After several minutes of thinking, he thought they didn't have much to lose if they can at least get some information from the village.

"Go into town and find two Dwarves named Don and Gan. Tell them Saito said to come back to the carts," said Saito, aloud. He heard the old lady tell the kids to go and he felt Louise tug at his parka.

"Saito," whisper/shouted Louise. "What are you doing? This is an important mission so you can't just try and make friends with the locals."

"We've already been found out, love. Let's at least try and see them. This is a rural village, too. I doubt they have any powerful weapons here," said Saito, calmly. Louise pouted and crossed her arms before muttering to herself.

Around ten minutes later, the two could hear Don on the outside of the cart.

"Saito, what's going on? Were you really discovered?" asked Don, panic in his voice.

"Yeah, but the village leader seems nice enough. Do you mind helping us out of here?" asked Saito. He could hear Don say 'No problem' and then rocks being lifted off the cart. It took about 20 minutes before they were freed from the cart and then they exited the cart, cautiously.

Everyone was so short and stout, the children being even shorter.

"You all are young ones? Well, either ways, please come with me back to the town hall so we can speak. I'm assuming you all came into town for food and supplies so we wouldn't mind giving you a bit to eat," said an old woman who Saito recognized as Gramma from her voice. Saito nodded and he followed her, closely followed by Louise, Asuna, and Tenshi while Gwen and Tiffa lagged behind a bit.

The group arrived at the relatively small town hall in the center of town. Saito and Tiffa had to duck a bit because they were just too tall to properly fit inside the house.

"Sorry about the height issue. We Dwarves are so much shorter than you magic folk that we don't really make out buildings that much taller," said Gramma, apologetically.

"It's no problem. I am curious, though, as to why you want to help us? I get that you don't like what your government said but it would be dangerous to help us. Why would you risk yourselves like that?" asked Saito, suspicious of the old Dwarf.

"Ah, yes, that's true. You see, though, I have a bit of a grudge for my king," said Gramma, her old, wrinkly face contorting in annoyance. "You see, I told you about only one of grandsons. The other one was also married to a magic user, she was even pregnant. When the soldiers found out, though, they killed him and his wife. I didn't want to say it in front of the kids but most of the villagers know and they feel similarly about the king as I do. I assume you all are here to try and get some information about our country, right? That's understandable, especially after war was declared on you."

"Alright then, if you're on our side then I have quite a few questions to ask. Would you help me?" asked Saito. By now they were all sitting in a parlor room in town hall and Gramma leaned forward in her chair towards Saito before a cocky grin spread across her face, showing her gnarly teeth.

"You bet your fanny I do!"

So? What did you guys think?

A rebellious Dwarven village?! I wonder what kind of information they will share with our heroes.

Review and let me know what you guys thought and until next time...byeee :D