The dwarves were known to be a mixed people, merry when they dined, grave when they mined. It was evening when they reached the town: the time when the dwarves usually returned from the mines. Tonight, however, as was the story of many nights before, there was much less laughter in the tavern than usual.
They didn't encounter anyone on their way, mostly because out of discretion, and slight fear, they walked in the shadows. They met a single dwarf near the gates, but he apparently couldn't speak, so they couldn't stay for long.
They streamed inside the tavern, much prone to wide eyes all around. Not many men usually came in these parts and it had been years since anyone had been to Gheledon.
'Why's everyone so quiet?' Edward asked as they took seats near a group of three dwarves. Two of them looked young, the third very old. 'My father had once been here. He said it was impossible to hear anything here in the evening'
The dwarves looked at him grimly. They didn't seem too keen on conversation.
'We lost another cart today' one of the younger ones finally said. 'One of us was badly injured in the skirmish'
'Skirmish?' Edward asked, confused.
'Goblins' the other dwarf said gravely. 'They're multiplying'
Edward slowly nodded.
'Where?' he asked again. 'In the mountains?'
'Yes, and they're increasing fast. Another day of work ruined for us. The cart was almost filled...'
'Filled...?' Edward said, though he already knew what they meant.
'Gold' he said gruffly. 'And it's becoming difficult to get. The deepest mines are already taken by them. We won't have much for the next year at this rate'
For a minute, they sipped onto their drinks. 'Why don't you do something about them then?' Mel asked. 'Put an end to them once and for all!'
'We're outnumbered. Not all of us can fight, though we are some of the most skilled miners in Aia. The dwarves of the hills wouldn't come to our aid either. They demand a share of the recovered amount.'
'Then why don't you give it to them?' she asked. She immediately saw it was the wrong thing to say. The dwarf stood up looking at her fiercely.
'Do not instruct us on who we give our hard earned gold, and who not' he said roughly.
'She doesn't understand' Edward said hastily. The dwarf sat down again, still looking haughty. 'Anyway, what I don't understand is what do these goblins do with the gold?'
'They take it to their commander' the old dwarf finally said. 'What he does with it, its a question none can answer, but his desire is larger than anything else'
'Who is he?' Edward asked as he didn't continue.
'The slain king of Talinor. A shadow of the Daeva Zarich'
'Zarich...' Edward said, a slight light on his face. 'But the Daeva was slain by Rhen Pendragon the First...'
'It's not so easy to kill a Daeva' he said gravely. 'My father, a mercenarary, himself fought the battle against Ahriman. But he returned, didn't he?'
'Your father...' Edward said slowly.
'I'm Hardin, son of Haddan' he said proudly, puffing up his chest. 'It was my father, who fought alongside Lord Devin Pendragon, father of Queen Rhen Pendragon'
The two other dwarves had apparently known this, for they were far less impressed than the three.
'But that was ages ago, wasn't it?' Edward asked, again confused.
'We dwarves don't age the same way as men do' he said, smiling. 'Unfortunately, neither do the daevas'
'I've heard they are the most fierce of all the demons, is that true?' Mel asked.
'They're not exactly ordinary demons' the other dwarf said. 'The Daevas are beyond understanding for many, though they are rumored to be invincible, and truly some of the most firecrest'
'But...' Hardin said slowly. 'This is not the Daeva himself, it's a mere shadow. A form that is far less powerful than the real Zarich. That's why he needs the goblins at all...'
Edward nodded again. For a few more minutes, they fell into silence.
'Have you asked for help from Thais?' Edward asked earnestly. 'They could help you'
'Why would the men help us? They'd rather have us dead, so they can claim our wealth!' the younger dwarf said. 'We have a long, and bad history with men'
'How?'
'The war of the river, fought between the old alliance and the dwarves... they pillaged every house of ours, and never looked back'
'That was ages ago' he said loudly.
'Men don't change, kid. Mark my words'
'You're mistaken' Edward said bluntly. 'They'll come'
The dwarf looked slightly offended. He quickly composed himself and have Edward a challenging look.
'Alright, then!' he said. 'If the humans do come to our aid, I myself, Farin, shall forever serve in the army of men, under the commander who shall drive out the spirit! And if not, the next time men fight, I myself shall rally forces against them'
Edward smiled, his eyes calculating.
'Agreed' he said.
