Decisions
Ciara breathed relief and took a draught from her waterskin as she walked down the final stretch of the mountain the caravan had spent the past two days descending. The water did little or nothing for her wind-burned lips but at least gave the illusion of relief.
"They call this place Settlestone," said Kyner, motioning to the collection of monolithic stone buildings that dominated the vale the caravan was descending into, "it's also called the Ruin."
"I hope our stay is short," Selinde half-muttered, eying Settlestone.
"If it's dwarves you're concerned about you need not worry," said Kyner, "they keep to Mithral Hall except for trading forays. You will likely see fewer than a dozen of them. The stair of Mithral Hall is hewn into the rock of that eastern mountain," Kyner continued, pointing into the distance, "though I admit my eyesight is too far gone to see it now."
Ciara looked into the distant blur, knowing that her eyesight was only slightly better than Kyner's, despite being less than half his age. Life at Noatun Keep had left her somewhat near-sighted.
"I hope your future assessments are more accurate Lord Kyner," Kyner started to tell Selinde not to call him lord but didn't get the chance, "we have not yet reached Settlestone, and I now see several hundred dwarves descending the very stair you just described."
Kyner almost laughed but could tell that the elven woman was not joking.
"It sounds like there is something going on down there too," said Ciara. She could dimly see people quickly moving about the monoliths of Settlestone.
"They look to be mostly humans," said Selinde, "tall ones, and well-armed."
"Those would be Uthgardt barbarians," said Kyner.
"Can we trust them?" asked Ciara.
"I've had dealings with them before. They are savages, but honest savages. We have nothing to fear from them if we respect them. Still, we need to find out what is happening."
"Could the dwarves be attacking the barbarians?" asked Ciara.
"I doubt it," said Kyner, "the dwarves of Mithral Hall and the Uthgardt have long been friends. Uthgardt warriors aided the dwarves when they were beset by drow less than twenty years ago. Come, let's see what this is about."
"Good day to you!" Kyner had to shout to get the Uthgardt warrior's attention.
"What do you want?" asked the warrior, the way he glanced every which way as he spoke hinted that he had much to do.
"I merely want to know what is going on."
"I don't have the time to give you the details but a horde of twisted ones, orcs and ogres, was seen descending from the Spine of the World to the east. They've been cutting their way through the Moonwood and are coming here."
The warrior shot a glance at the caravan that Kyner had left behind, then looked at Kyner's companions, "this is no place for women. If you go to the river you should be able to catch a boat away from this place before they're all gone. Only Uthgardt boats will remain if you wait too long, and we will not be going anywhere before the last twisted one falls."
"Thank you warrior," said Kyner, "Tempus be with you in your battle."
The warrior only nodded before making his way.
"If what he says is true then we must leave this place quickly," said Selinde.
"Aye," responded Kyner as he shook his head, "our pursuers are tenacious in the least. I know the way to the river."
"I'm not going," Ciara's words took Kyner by surprise and he visibly stumbled as he halted in his steps.
"What?"
"I'm not going to let more people die because I didn't dare defend myself."
"Ciara–"
"You say I need to be ready for battle, but what good will your training do me if I never have the chance to put it to use. If I keep running, our enemies will just get stronger while we accomplish nothing.
The intensity faded from Kyner's face and his shoulders slackened.
"You can't protect me forever."
Kyner looked at Ciara as if she had just wrenched a knife in his gut. The gods know I would.
"You're right Ciara," he said at last, it sounded like he was admitting to a defeat, "I won't always be there for you," then he added with grim determination, "we stay."