laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

As the sun rose in the east, Adgertesse’ walked out into the quiet yard as Allaster, Lericanin, Sceva and their two dwarven hosts, Rupert and Thurgen rested underneath a large oak. Eyeing her, the twins studied the dark elf as she approached.

“So, the rumors are true,” Rupert grinned. “They do make dark skinned, pointy ears.”

Not in the playing mood, she bowed, arms wide then stood as Lericanin looked up and behind him to greet her and judge her reaction, no doubt.

“Had I not seen you, I never would’ve believed it,” his confident, almost condescending eyes grinned at her.

“Amazing, I know. Almost as amazing as dwarves breeding with humans,” she returned the jab, knowing how sensitive the half breed dwarves were about their ancestral matronage. A comment which wiped the smile off of his face.

“Brave, young lady. Insulting someone in their home kingdom might seem a bit foolish to most. I’d be careful.”

She smiled, knowing that her abilities to escape any problem had them beat. A stand up fight was foolish however, he was correct there.

“Did you sleep,” Lericanin interrupted.

“Sure. You?”

“Some, yeah. We’re apparently marching southwest tomorrow after the army can resupply so, if you need anything,” he motioned to their hosts. “Thurgen and Rupert can help out.”

“I’m set, I think. What’s southwest?”

“We’re heading through Fort William to get the sword, hopefully, then continue on to help agianst the orcs of Salekhard. Hopefully they’re not wiped out by the time we get there.”

She nodded. “It’s been two-and-a-half months, hopefully Craban’s dad was able to get it done by now. Not that it matters, without Kailee it’s useless.”

Lericanin grinned. “No one knows what tomorrow brings. Keep the faith.”

Tess chuckled and headed on to the well.

* * *

That following morning, King Acaunus led his contingent of dwarves from the gates of Nosur Aerdorn and filed in with their northern cousins, proud to be joining this crusade to finally destroy the orc kingdom which had plagued the whole of the Frontier for many years. Rupert and Thurgen walked amongst the group on their way toward the westward highway which joined Glencoe to Soderham, cutting overland through the foothills as cool nights kept them sleeping comfortably near their campfires.

“I’ve sent word through my champion to alert the settlements along the Frontier and hopefully beyond,” Allaster explained as they marched. “I’m interested to see who comes to help us out,” he stated to Lericanin as Tess listened.

“Hopefully word also got to the queen of Kevelaer although, I’m sure she already knows what’s going on,” Lericanin added.

“She is unique that way,” the farmer from Carbost had been intrigued with the princess who had allowed him to ride along with her on her dragon, something that no one believed until seeing it with their own eyes.
The march with the shorter dwarves made progress painfully slow as Tess could’ve been to the southern orc kingdom already on her own but, she was with the group and they patiently kept to the schedule as they passed through northern farmland and soon approached the low hills of Fort William. Stopping as they reached the small, open plain, the dwares began to set up camp as the walled town had no room for an army this large. Hopefully the baron was notified beforehand.
Through the gates the group rode as Adgertesse’ followed towards the small clump of modest homes resting just passed the marketplace, quietening now from daily shopping which probably ended shortly after noon. Dismounting, she walked towards the home as Af’Ring continued on to her own family home not far down a side street. Allaster knocked on the solid door as the others dismounted and waited. Soon, the door opened revealing a middle-aged woman, her greying brown hair up in a ragged bun.

“Hello there,” she greeted warmly. “Good to see you all again.”

“Is Craban here,” Lericanin asked.

“No, he’s in town but, he should be back soon. Come in.”

As most filed into the large living room, she followed quietly and soon leaned on the back of a long, leather couch covered with sheep’s wool alongside Alandria.

“How have you all been,” she asked as an older woman bent over a large pot in the hearth.

“Good,” Allaster replied as most of the group sat down on the few places available. “Been busy as usual. Just got done help ing the dwarves defeat two large armies and then we cleaned out the Shadow Range before coming here.”
She quietly eyed them as Tess grinned. “My, you’ve been busy. I’m sure Craban will be happy to see you. Make yourselves at home while we get dinner ready.”

“We don’t wish to put you out,” Sceva spoke up as Sir Hanlen and his quartet of zealots had decided to remain at the local chapel dedicated to Arhus. They had tried being polite before with Craban’s mother; to no avail.

“Nonsense. We’ve got plenty of room.”

Marian approached the kitchen. “Is there anything we can do to help, you’ve got a lot more mouths to feed tonight.”

“Sure,” she motioned to the various boxes and barrels full of potatoes, vegetables as well as bags of flour. “Ladies, lets get to it.” Before she knew it, Adgertesse’ was involved in the domestic duties along with her female companions and soon the door opened revealing their half-elven friend. As she stirred, he greeted Allaster and the other men and after a few moments climbed the stairs. Splashing from falling meat caught her attention as she looked back to see Galena smiling.

“Wake you up?”

“Almost,” she grinned. “I don’t see his sister around.”

“I haven’t either. I think Craban intentionally hides her when Lericanin is nearby. He is a mage you know.”

Nodding, she soon heard him bound back down the stairs and turned to notice a long, wrapped bundle in his hand. They had completed it after all. Curiousity piqued, she handed the long wooden spoon to Galena and walked over as Allaster untied the silk strip at the handle end, pulled back the blue velvet to uncover a shining crossguard of silvery metal, beautifully decorated along it’s length. The black, leather handle of the hand-and-a-half was complete with tiny metal links sewn in all the way to the flared pommel which resembled a gorgeous silver flower holding a shimmering crystal in it’s petals. The sheath was equally adorned with embroidery and black leather with another wide copper guard at the mouth of the sheath. As Allaster attempted to remove the blade, it wouldn’t budge as if glued in place.

“That’s not meant for you,” she reminded.

“I know. I just wanted to see it. The smith coming out of me, I guess.” Soon, he wrapped it back up and moved to Selyria’s backpack. Opening up the magical bag which had housed many special items over the years, he placed the sword within and tied it closed. Now that the tool was in their possession, she only hoped that Kailee could be found to use it at the right time. Turning, she returned to her pot and resumed her menial task.