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The Quest
Deep in Blackburrow "Better a gnoll then tha blasted sky over m'head", mutters the dwarf. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deep in Thought "Sir, ye summoned me?" Lorithar Stonebreaker turned from where he watched the miner's pull another cart full of precious metals from deep below Kaladim. Before him stood a young Dwarf in traveling clothes, his assistant Breg. "Aye laddy, I did.", clasping his hands behind his back, the Cleric turned to watch the miner's again, "Any word from Wulfhere yet? He has been in tha field fer many a day now." "Yes m'lord, a runner came in from Qeynos late last night. Wulfhere gives word that he has bin ter the Human city, and that he is planning ter strike oot north. Somethin aboot an Orc Bracer and some Gnolls...", at this the young assistant fished around in his coat pocket and brought forth a letter written in clear, bold Dwarven runes, "I have tha letter here." Lorithar took the letter and dismissed Breg with a wave of his hand. Looking about to make sure no one could see him, the old Dwarf donned a pair of spectacles (finely crafted, of Gnomish make) and peered at the crumpled parchment. The writing was definatly Wulfhere's. He adhered to the old Dwarven ways and still wrote his messages in Dwarven Runes instead of the hasty, jumbled Common script oft time used by the younger Dwarves of this day and age. "So," Lorithar thought to himself, "he's made it through tha Gorge in one piece." It never was Wulfhere's style to take the easier route. Permitting himself a slight chuckle, he folded the note and tucked it away in one of his belt-pouches. "Brell be wit ye lad...", he muttered as he turned to watch the Miner's again, "Brell be wit ye." Lorithar Stonebreaker -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land of Midnight Sitting at a table in the Fish Ale of Qeynos was Wulfhere of Kaladim. A young elf sat on the table itself for he was exceedingly drunk. "Ahh lad, yee shoudn't be trying to keep with a dwarf
doncha know?" The elf reeled and tried to stand but fell back, his head reeling. Nearby, Trumpy Irontoe laughed and ordered another honey mead with a rude burp. "When does your companion arrive?" asked the elf in a slurred voice. "Soon lad soon. You'll know when my brother arrives. More ale?" "Nnn.. no thanks sir. I'm not feeling so well." replied the elf Refilling his stein, the dwarf drank deeply of the cool frothy ale. From outside came the sounds of a minor commotion. Shouts were heard in a foreign tongue. Only Wulfhere and Trumpy laughed while the other patrons shrugged and returned to their own thoughts. "Wulfhere! Show yourself lad! This place is a mazed of longlegs!" a loud shout was heard. "In here Clanagen! I've managed to find a druid to
bind yee lad." Entering the pub, a stout dwarf clad in full bronze platemail peered about before spying the table where sat Wulfhere. Clasping arms in a warriors handshake the two greeted each other. Wulfhere handed the other a stein of ale which quickly disappeared. "Barmaid! And another for my brother! Keep them coming until the keg is dry!" 'What news Wulf? Where are we going?" "North lad. Far north where it be cold and dark. Everfrost
Peaks." "Elf! Lad how are yee feeling? Can yee cast yere spell? Times a wastin!" Laid out on the table the young elf was bleary eyed and moaning softly. The two dwarves shared an approving wink and stelled in to finish yet another keg of the local ale. The journey into Midnight will have to wait a few hours after all. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land of Frost "Hold up lad!" spoke a dwarf over the howl of the arctic wind. A light snow was falling and the tempurature was dropping. Next to him, his brother in arms shook himself against the cold. Before them stood a young man clad in light furs. "I can show you the way" he said, "Tundra Jack knows where you need to go." Whispering, the two dwarves conferred. They had been following their "guide" for hours. Several times the party got separated. Amidst snow orcs, goblins and huge mammoths this could be fatal. "I dunna think the lad's anything but lost Clan"
grumbles Wulfhere. "Come on! It's this way. I know it" encouraged the youth. More hours past as they tramped north and west across the frozen tundra. The feeble sun tried to poke above the horizon. All about was snow, ice, and gloom. Finally a tall stone building could be seen ahead. "There!" cried the human "I told you I new the way" Approaching the structure, they found a covered entrance ocupied by a shivering barbarian wench. She looked up but didn't greet the new arrivals. Is wasn't long before the sound of a small army was heard approaching. Out of the snow and haze came a huge polar bear! Along side it was a giant man, a barbarian, in armor and warm furs. "Hail Tundra Jack!" Glaring at the human, the two dwarves exchange a glance. Wulfhere gripped his hammer more tightly but then relaxed. "Ah well lad. We'll be camping here me thinks. It's time to rest before we continue our seach." WIth that Clanagen and Wulfhere made camp inside the stone tower. Clan was asleep almost before he unrolled his bedding. Wulf spent a some minutes thanking the youth for his efforts, forcing a smile while he spoke. "Filthy humans! You've ruined your own lands ..." roared a snow orc as it charge out of the wastes. Blow after deadly blow, the orc pressed its attack on the helpless human. The youth tried to dodge this way and that but to no avail. The dwarf shouted at the top of his lungs and charge the orc, "Hammers High!" The snow orc was startled and turned on this new foe. Pressing in with rapid heavy blows, the dwarf quickly had the orc on the run. As the brute fell face first into the snow, the youth began praying to his god. Blue mists surrounded him as his wounds began to heal instantly but too slowly. "Brell provides lad" spoke the dwarf in a calm voice as the a deeper blue mist appeared around the lad. The youth was almost fully healed by this, a smile appearing on the dwarf's face for the first time that the youth had seen in the past days. Wulfhere turned to examine the fallen orc paying particular attention to the arms and wrists. "Reet! I've been searchin for one of these as well!" he exclaimed, pulling the wrist band off and wiping it clean in the snow.
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