Hearth Fire

Stronric woke with a start, coughing on the liquid being poured into his mouth. Bauru set down the bowl of soup he’d been feeding Stronric and helped him sit up when he saw the older dwarf struggling. “Rugiel he’s awake!” Bauru called excitedly over his shoulder. Stronric took in his surroundings and saw he was in his bedroll beside the hearth. He let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck as the warmth from the fire enveloped him.

“I just had a crazy dream. The ancestors were there, I met them. They require more of our help.” Stronric said, his voice far away as if lost in a memory.

Rugiel hurried over with a tankard of ale and a piece of bread. “Stronric you’ve were within death’s doorstep. The spider’s venom could have caused your vivid dreams. Lay back and rest a moment more, there is no hurry.” She said sternly but softly.

“You misunderstand beardling. Thoranthana called me to the Hearth veil. A place between, to warn us.” Stronric locked his gaze onto Rugiel. “Morgal was there, as well. We have much to do.”

Rugiel and Bauru exchanged a look, trying to determine if Stronric was speaking the truth or just recalling the ghosts of vivid dreams. Bauru turned back to Stronric and asked, “What is their task, Stronric? What’s to be done?”

“We must prepare. They spoke of an invasion of this world. We as Dwarves must be ready.” Stronric said his voice regained more of its power as he drank the ale and ripped into the loaf Rugiel delivered. “I can see the doubt in your eyes, let me start from the top.”

Stronric recounted as much of his time behind the veil as he could remember. He told them of the two ancestors he met, the one who still tugged at his memory, and those lost, roaming the lands. He imparted the need to build, grow, and strengthen the hold and dwarven race. After he finished, the two siblings both looked determined to do what was needed.

“I believe our goal should be leveling. This would allow us to collectively gain our classes. We would be considerably more prepared to face the road ahead once we have them.” Rugiel said thoughtfully.

“Aye, that’d be the start. We also need weapons and armor. Not many can withstand true dwarven steel so we must find some. We can only find so much use our current iron.” Stronric added.

“We’ll also need to recruit more dwarves. Surly we can’t stop an invasion just the three of us.” Bauru added.

“But for now, you need to rest Stronric. You just nearly died.” Rugiel said with worry in her eyes.

“What I need, is to return to those rooms. The supplies down there are priceless to us.” Stronric said as he began to stand on trembling legs, he tried to take a step forward. The small effort drained him, and he fell back onto his sleeping pad. Bauru softened his fall, guiding Stronric back down to his bedroll. “Eh Stronric, maybe yer best to listen to Rugiel and rest just another night.” Bauru cautioned him.

“You will rest tonight, and Bauru will rest with you.” Rugiel said as she turned on her brother. “I allowed you to tend to the goats but back to bed for the both of you.” Rugiel ordered, pouring another bowl full of soup and bringing it back to Stronric.

Bauru grumbled under his breath but laid down beside Stronric. “Beatrice will be back any moment, Stronric. She was worried sick about ye. She’d probably break yer leg to keep ye in bed, if she saw ye trying to go backdown so soon.” Bauru said cheerfully.

Stronric quickly turned to Bauru and said, “Your wounds! The last I saw, ye were bleeding out leaning against Beatrice.”

“You’ve been out for five days Stronric. Between the heath’s blessin’ and Rugiel tendin’ like an old nan, I’m surprised I’m not a new dwarf.” Bauru chimed. He lifted his tunic and unwrapped his bandage. A small scab was surrounded by a newly raised pink scar. He turned around showing the freshly healed wounds on his back. The jagged scars ran from his right should down to his left flank. Stronric could barely see the small, raised scar where the exit would use to be. Bauru lowered his tunic and turned back. When Bauru turned back to accept his bowl of soup, Stronric noticed the beardling was wearing an eye patch. It was nothing more than tied scraps of cloth, but it hid the missing eye.

“Eat both of ye.” Rugiel ordered again. “Time to talk is in the morning. I have been keeping watch along with Beatrice and Indomitable. When you both wake in the morning, we can discuss our plan further and consider anther trip to the tunnels.”

The two dwarves ate. Finishing their bowls and handing them back to Rugiel, both settled deeper into their bedrolls. Beatrice and indomitable came in a short time later. Beatrice examined Bauru before going to Stronric. She prodded his healed arm and looked at him, as if to say “have you learned your lesson?” Stronric chuckled as he rubbed between the goats eyes. “I’m all right, old girl. We should be right as rain in the morning.” Beatrice nodded then stepped to Stronric’s head, circled a couple times and laid down. Stronric scooted back to lay his head on the old goat as his eyes slowly closed.

Stronric woke with a start. He rubbed away the sleep from his eyes, looking around to see what woke him. A dream freshly on his mind. A low fire still burned in the hearth. Bauru lay in his bedroll still asleep by the fire and Rugiel was still sleeping on her brother’s other side. Beatrice looked up at him as he got to a knee, testing his stamina. He rose to his feet waiting to see if the lightheadedness came again. When he felt sure on his feet, he quietly grabbed his axe and made his way to the pool to wash. While he soaked in the cool pool and the event of the last week washed away, he realized he had leveled.

Stronric Wraith-Thane

Age:73

Race: Dwarf (E)

Class: N/A

Level:12

Strength: 20

Dexterity: 13

Agility: 16

Vitality: 18

Endurance: 17

Wisdom: 10

Intelligence: 10

Charisma: 8

Allocatable points: 6

Stronric thought of the fights to come and decided to spend all his points into strength. He reviewed his stats again.

Stronric Wraith-Thane

Age:73

Race: Dwarf (E)

Class: N/A

Level:12

Strength: 20.6

Dexterity: 13

Agility: 16

Vitality: 18

Endurance: 17

Wisdom: 10

Intelligence: 10

Charisma: 8

Allocatable points: 0

Rugiel said to be able to choose a class I must be level 25. I am almost halfway there. The other two are much closer than I, so if I can power through while they upkeep the hold, I could be of more help. In order to bring more kin to the hold we must secure more of the lower levels to stop invasions and we must have more rooms open for dwarves to stay. Stronric sunk deeper into the cold water, letting his mind wander as the cold sunk deep into his sore muscles. Once he felt refreshed, he made his way back to the Hearth to talk with Rugiel and Bauru.

“Oh Stronric you’re back, that is good. Bauru and I have come up with a plan. Please sit and eat something.” Rugiel said as she pushed past him. Stronric stomach growled in response. He sat across from the two younger dwarves and Rugiel set a plate in front of him.

Stronric opened his mouth to speak, but Rugiel cut him off. “Before you make any rash decisions that will almost leave you dead and us behind. Bauru and I have a plan. We are a team here, right Stronric?” Rugiel said as she poured him a cup of ale an set it down rather hard.

Stronric sighed, but said “A team we are, go ahead then.”

“Bauru is level is twenty-three and I am level twenty-two. We think it is best if we all go back into the spider hold together.” Rugiel said.

When Stronric attempted to reply Bauru continued, “Gettin classes will help us improve the conditions of the hold, Stronric. I wish to become some kind of hunter class. Rugiel can take on the smithing. Which would leave you to take on a more martial class.”

Again, Stronric tried to cut in but Rugiel ignored his attempt and said, “The gnomes can provide us just about everything we need to survive as a hold. I will require that ore in the tunnels to fashion weapons and armor. We can sell the surplus goods we find to make a profit. With some of that new coin we can outfit Bauru. We lack most of the essentials needed for him.” She finished with a smile and nod to Bauru.

Bauru walked to the table with parchment and handed them over to Stronric.

Stronric read over the paper, they were lists. List of items need, and list of things needed to be done. As he scanned the second list one line item caught his eye.

“Clan identify? What does that mean?” Stronric asked with a raised brow.

“In order to protect ourselves,” Rugiel said gesturing to herself and Bauru, “And other freed dwarven slaves, proper documentation is law. You, being a free dwarf, possess the ability to form a clan. Any dwarf we free would be registered into your clan. This would provide us with paperwork declaring our freedom when it comes to the courts. These documents will not stand up in an actual trial or hold much weight if anyone with actual power looked into it, but for the time being it should help.”

Bauru looked at Stronric and said, “As a slave I was tasked to track down other escaped dwarven slaves. I’d try to let them slip away or pass on information on how to escape properly, if I could.” Bauru said gravely, “Some I had to bring back, but I learned the networks to freedom, ye see. If we had a clan we could use the networks to send the dwarves here and register them to our clan under your protection Stronric.”

“Bauru and I were hoping we could grow the hold until it was more of a hassle to retrieve the slaves.” Rugiel said hopefully.

Stronric nodded, “So what do you need from me?”

“Can we join your clan, the Grudge Bearers?” Rugiel asked.

Stronric sucked air through his teeth, “I don’t know, ye haven’t been through the trails, and I’m not the head of the clan.”

“You are the head of the clan here, Stronric. I know we asked a lot from you and if you don’t wish it, we can create a new clan, in name only. But this would mean the world to Bauru and to me. We could only dream of being in a true dwarven clan.” Rugiel asked her voice softening to a whisper.

Stronric looked between the two dwarfs in front of him. “Hmm, I will think on it, there will be traditions and oaths to uphold if you do.” He said rubbing his beard.

The two young dwarves hid their smiles and hopefulness by quickly clearing the table. They could see Stronric was lost in thought as he ate, so they gave him space, each going about their daily chores. Stronric remained seated, picking at his breakfast and sipping his ale. He pulled the pipe Mintra provided him and began to smoke as watched the flame dance in the hearth.

Join the clan of the Grudge Bearers? A new dwarf joining a clan wasn’t unheard of. Actually, it was quite common. You could marry into one, prove yourself and be asked to join, or be adopted in. But the Grudge Bearers was a different story. It was one of the oldest clans. We have fallen on hard times as a clan, but our duty to the grudge was never forgotten. Traveling across the land to dare all challenges to fulfill the grudge wasn’t easy. What trail should I put before them. All wishing to join the Grudge Bearers would have to avenge something.

These two siblings have been by my side for a while now. They are my kin here in this world. I don’t want to send them to their deaths. I also can not dishonor them by not letting them join the clan and fight. I wish I had a good answer for this. Thinking back Stronric saw the sadness in his mother’s eyes when he joined the clan, and the pride in his fathers. Aw who am I stop them from joining the clan. My clan would be honored to have such dwarves to share the hearth fire with.

Stronric was shaken and his attention broken. Rugiel stared at him, “Did you hear me?”

“No, sorry I was in thought.” Stronric replied shaking his head. “Wait, if yer serious about joining my clan, ye must understand it. Do you know what a grudge is?” Stronric asked. The siblings both nodded, “No, not a typical grudge but a true dwarven grudge?” he replied they both shook their heads at him.

“A dwarven grudge is something beyond petty squabbles, it’s a crime against our race, our kin, our home, our safety. Say yer brother was killed in a trade deal or yer lands were raided by a corrupt lord. It’s a Grudge Bearers duty to retrieve penance for those wrongs. If not in coin, then in blood. The Gobi for instance, the amount of dwarven blood then have shed is the reason they are killed on sight. There is a standing Grudge to all Gobi, Orcs or Trolls. The Gobi has more grudges than I can count. If ye wish to join this clan, then these penances will be yer responsibility to bear them too. It’s very dangerous work, but as a grudge is written in the ledger, those must be balanced.” Stronric said sternly as he watched the siblings.

“Well that is quite more violent than I expected truth be told.” Rugiel said.

“Ay I expect fightin was involved after seeing yer fight.” Bauru said.

“Are ye both still wishing to join, knowing now what it means?” Stronric asked. Bauru and Rugiel answered as one with a deafening yes. Stronric continued, “Aye, then bring me a knife. You will receive your initiate cut. Once you receive your cut, you are an Initiate. It’ll be your task to learn our traditions, understand how the clan runs, and what it means to be a Grudge Bearer. To become a Clansman, you will have to retrieve the penance of a standing grudge. No matter what it takes to do so.” Stronric said.

Bauru pulled the dagger Rugiel made from his hip and handed it to Stronric. Stronric motioned for Bauru forward patting the seat in front of him. Bauru drew in a deep breath and sat before Stronric.

“Now repeat after me.” Stronric said as he walked behind Bauru, separating Bauru’s long hair into three different sections. Stronric began to cut Bauru’s hair as he spoke.

“I accept the grace and mercy of the dwarves. The debt owed to the dwarves shall be repaid. A grudge shall never go forgotten. As the witness to my kin, I shall retrieve the penance owed to them. If I witness a grudge I must act. In failure I shall shave my beard and live as a coward amongst the world. For no hold or clan shall take me in. A death would be better than to live in shame. I take on the grudges of all and shall bear them to my resting place.”

Bauru repeated each word his face and eyes growing cold and hard. Dark forest green lines began to etch themselves into in Bauru’s face. They first dripped out of Bauru’s tear ducts and circled his eyes. Then they dropped down in slow curves from the corner of his eyes to his chin. They formed a gentle S pattern mirroring his nose before running along his jaw. They spread back up like antlers to cover Bauru’s cheeks. Bauru sucked in a deep breath as the lines finally settles completely. Stronric was shocked when he saw the markings.

“What in the…” Stronric started but was interrupted.

“I gained a clan!” Bauru shouted and raised his fist in excitement. “Sis, I told ye. Told ye he would let us join him!” Bauru looked up at Stronric and their eyes met. “I promise ye Stronric on my lif… On my clan I will make ye proud.”

Stronric smile and patted him on the shoulder. A lock of hair fell onto the ground as Stronric cut his hair. Bauru’s hair was cut short on the sides and left three inches long on top. He patted Bauru’s shoulder and motioned for him to move and then waved Rugiel forward to come sit. When she sat she kept her shoulders and posture tight and proper the entire time. As she finished the oath the same thing happened to Rugiel. Except her lines were lines were the color of Morgal’s forge fire. The lines dropped from her tear ducts and the outside of her eye. Unlike Bauru’s they were rigid and straight. They dropped down to her cheek and travel horizontal over her nose connecting. The tear duct line connected higher than her other line. The lower line also move horizontal away from her face disappearing into her hairline. The line stopped about an inch into her freshly shaved head.

Stronric got up and fished through his things when he found three pieces of leather cord. Bauru’s beard had slowly grown out, now being a little more than two inches.. Stronric tied the end of his beard with the leather cord. Stronric patted Bauru on the back and motioned for Rugiel to come sit. Stronric began to cut Rugiel’s hair as she recited the words of the oath. Stronric left the center of Rugiel’s hair long. Dwarf woman did not grow beards. They grew heavy sideburns, they would braided their hair into their long soft side burns when it was of length. Stronric tied Rugiel’s long hair into her side burns.

“Now when you are no longer apprenticing into the clan you can remove the braids, tie them with something better. Now you see why we dwarves value our beard. They are a measure of our age and of our wisdom. No dwarf will shave their beards in my hold. You will keep your hair short as well. When you have become clansman you can grow your hair out.” Stronric concluded as he handed the knife back to Bauru.

They both touched their hairs and fussed with their beard braids. Stronric smiled, “Now you look like proper dwarves, lets see if you’ve improved at fighting at all.”