Chapter 9 - Thisome Keep

Elsewhere in the meantime…

Harrin

Harrin Chillborne wakes with a start and his companion's wolf pet, Okami. Something or someone is moving in the bushes a few meters in front of them. Harrin slowly reaches out his hand to grab his longsword; it was right beside him like it had been since the night he stole it from his bastard of a father. He is the closest to the bushes, as his two best friends are still asleep between him and the boulder they are backed up against.

Okami nudges at his gnome master. Harrin slowly gets to his feet as skittering sounds and low hisses get closer.

With frightening speed, something leaps from the bushes, and Harrin barely dodges out of the way. Flig flips to his feet quickly, and Aluuna scrambles to stand up. Both are breathing heavily from being startled awake.

"Ankheg" Flig rushes out.

The ankheg's acid drips out of its mouth and lands with a hiss on the ground. The acid had dropped, clearing a path, and Harrin could see another one as it leaped into the air to land near Aluuna.

She was a noble cleric he had known since before he could walk. She is kind, sweet, and a royal pain in the arse. But he wouldn't dare say that to her face. He would. Most definitely. They had been betrothed to each other though they hadn't done anything to act on it.

They are both too determined not to let others choose their destinies for them. It was better said than done since they indeed did have feelings for each other.

Harrin lunges forward to slash at the one before him. He cuts part off its middle leg, and it falls to the ground with a thump—the Ankheg screeches and skitters in place for a few seconds. Part of one of the creature's front legs is also cut, and green liquid is pooling beneath.

Okami slashes at the damaged foot and leaps away, growling and stalking the insectoid.

Aluuna Yerrow raises her hand as misty frost leaves her fingertips and shoots towards the creature nearest to her. Aluuna backs up quickly and readies her light mace in her free hand.

Flig Windleaf flicks his hand out as a sticky, thick vine reaches up to wrap around the creature in front of Aluuna. The monster pulls and tugs with little give against the vice grip of the vine.

The first ankheg strikes out at Okami to grab her. Okami quickly moves out of the way.

Harrin tries at the damaged leg but misses as the monster manages to skitter just out of reach.

Pools of fire cone out to roast the face of the ugly monster before Aluuna. Its high-pitched screams caused her to wince. The creature can still not take action against her as it continues to writhe against the sticky bind.

A ball of flame rushes out of Flig's palm and hits the monster in the same place as Aluuna's. Green acid is spotting all over its face. The scent of the burning carapace and acid fills the air.

Harrin looks over to the second monster to see that the vine is starting to give, and it's only a matter of time before it's able to attack. He strikes again at his creature in a mighty blow. Harrin stumbles backward, trying to regain his footing. The beast uses this to its advantage and stabs at Harrin. He moves out of the way but not with enough time to remain unscathed. Harrin inhales sharply between his teeth and looks down at his chest. His armor had taken the damage, and metal gaps open from his collarbone to his shoulder.

Okami growls loudly as she leaps to claw at the monster. The monster falls over and tries to get back to its feet.

The second creature finally manages to get free of its sappy prison and skitters over to Aluuna; It tries to pierce her as she hurries backward and scrapes her in the side of the leg. Her dress is torn in the area, and pieces are sticking to the wound as blood drips down.

Flig speaks softly and transforms into a tiger in a matter of seconds. He runs up to the monster and slashes its face—acidy liquid surfaces, and the monster skitters back a step and lunges forward. Flig easily side steps.

Harrin walks over to his downed monster, and with a quick and effortless downward strike, the Ankheg he had been fighting is dead. He doesn't waste any time, turning his attention to their other attacker.

Okami follows suit and swipes at the last monster's backside.

Aluuna deals out another frosty attack and leaps back into the boulder behind her.

Flames spurt out in a rush of fury from Flig's hand and roasts the monster, silencing it.

Flig wipes his brow. "Good Sunrise," he says with a cheery smile that causes both Harrin and Aluuna to roll their eyes. But that is his best friend for you.

He is ever the optimist despite even the worst of circumstances. It's probably why he loves him so much. That and his steadfast loyalty, something he didn't think he deserved given his family history. Flig walks over to Okami and nuzzles his face with hers.

Aluuna sits down hard, her leg aching. She speaks softly to herself as her fingers glide over the area where she is bleeding.

"Did any acid get on you?" Harrin asks, bending down to look at it himself.

"No, thank goodness." She replies.

His touch lingers a few minutes longer. They all know how they feel for one another, and Harrin has no qualms about his feelings. On the other hand…

"I guess we should just start moving again," she says quickly.

They had just gotten back from a mission when the queen sent them out again. Except for this time, chances of survival were slim, and that was being extremely generous. They would go head to head with the Lich monster himself in a month. Harrin isn't particularly scared of the beast. He lived under one all his life: his father beat discipline, obedience, duty, and almost anything else he wanted into him. The first time he ever got a whole night's rest was the first night he'd run away with Aluuna and Flig. Since then, they had been on their own, and even though it was a struggle, he never felt more alive and liberated. Harrin thought for a moment five years ago. He can't believe it's been so long.

They walk a few hours through the jagged terrain. It's brutal. The craggy rocks shift under their feet. Snakes are pretty populated, and trolls and fire giants were more abundant. They are approaching a decent-sized city, with vast stone walls and dwarven runes etched on the massive mountain-sized entrance. Thisome Keep was home to miner dwarves. His father visited here once before and said they weren't the most amicable and were far too obsessed with mining than he had cared for. But what the hell did his father know? They need the dwarves to help in their cause, and he hopes they will welcome him and not judge him.

Harrin is almost the spitting image of his father except for his eyes. Like his beautiful mother, they were jade who had died at childbirth. His father let him know he was the reason all the time. It was like a greeting. Instead of "good morning," it was "you're why your mother is dead, filth." Harrin shakes his head. Aluuna brushes her hand against his back, snapping him out of his thoughts and clearing his throat. Harrin decides to focus on the mission instead of his past. His father is dead—no point in thinking about old things now. Two dwarves greet them a few feet outside the city gate. They are well armed for mere miners.

"Greetings. State your business," the smallest of the two says.

"We're here to speak with your leader at Queen Anastacia's request," Aluuna responds. "May we enter, Sir Dwarf?"

The larger one speaks up this time. "You will obey our laws or be sent on your way." He warns. "Please enter. You will find Master Stonebottom in the Library. It's a rather… unusual building, shouldn't miss it."

Aluuna bids her thanks, and Harrin and Flig nod.

"You two find the Library. I will find their church or place of prayer if they have one," Aluuna states and walks off.

Flig motions for Okami to follow Aluuna.

Harrin and Flig walk about town, looking at the trinkets and wares of the shop owners. In the back of Thisome is a tall and narrow building. It's made of different ore blocks that have been refined. On each one are markings in dwarvish. Some have passages from famous dwarven books that Harrin recognizes. Others have names he only guesses are past residents.

In the middle, just above the door, reads "Tempered Library," but in common. The marbled doors glide open with ease as Flig pushes them open. Inside the center is wooden tables and chairs, some seats already occupied. It is warm and brightly lit by the glass ceiling four stories high. A spiral staircase in the center of the room leads to a second-story walkway connecting to a closed room and more stacked books on the opposite side.

Flig approaches the nearest person. "Pardon the interruption, but can you tell me if your master is here?"

The woman looks slightly peeved at the intrusion but softens.

She points in the direction of a man sitting a few tables over.

Flig puts his hand to his chest and inclines his head. "My thanks." She doesn't respond and goes back to reading her book.

Harrin hopes the master of This is warmer than this. Otherwise…

Flig introduces himself to the man the lady had pointed out.

"Yes, I am Master Dwarf Grymlop Stonebottom." He says, putting down his book. To Harrin's relief, he doesn't look vexed by the interruption.

"We come on behalf of Queen Anastacia. We would like…" Stonebottom puts his hand up and looks around.

"Let's go to the office upstairs for some privacy."

Nodding, Harrin and Flig follow the dwarf master to an office upstairs. Inside is a desk littered with books and tomes of various shapes and sizes. A small hearth on the side of the desk smolders, and Stonebottom adds another log and stokes it.

They spend the next half hour explaining the situation.

"I must admit, you had my attention at the mention of Urgir," Stonebottom says, stroking his thick gray beard.

"We are to meet with our allies there in one month," Harrin explains further. After that, it's to Lastwall.

"And what of the Runelord rumors?"

"They have not made any movements yet. Our priority is the Lich." Flig responds. We received rumors they are with the Lich, but no information has confirmed or denied that query."

"Will you stand with us, Master Stonebottom," Harrin asks in a rush. "We must make haste."

Grymlop Stonebottom reaches into the drawer and removes a tin can holding smoke weed. He nods his head, stuffs a few pieces into his pipe, and lights it. "I'd love the chance to take a hammer to those bloody orcs. You have Thisome at your aid."

Harrin and Flig smile. Things look to be in their favor.