Games of the Powerful

by William E Samela

  ~~~~

  The sun had risen as it always does in the mountains the sunlight racing across the valley floor as it rose over the tops of the surrounding mountains. Gilia was already up adding wood to the hearth and preparing breakfast for her husband and son still snoring in their beds before the sun had time to climb the highest mountains in the east. The snoring is music to her ears; music she would never grow tired of hearing and with one snoring son missing from the chorus made her worry greatly. She continued stirring a simmering pot of porridge thinking about her missing son. Her porridge is unlike any others, hers is better than the normal meal from grains, and legumes cooked in milk she added cinnamon for flavor, and dried sweet fruit that gave it a sweet taste that would stick to hardworking dwarf's ribs until lunchtime. With the porridge nearly done, she lamented that no one thought to make fresh bread for wiping the bowls clean. Before she left, she would see that the ovens are cleaned and fires lit but she did not know what good that would do because she did not have much faith in the men having the ability to make bread. She certainly knew her two could not and for that, matter neither could her third.

  “Ye tois snorin' bears gie yer butts up th' day is a wastin',” she yelled from the hearth amply rewarded hearing groans of disgruntlement coming from the back rooms. “Come on ye men gie up while th' porridge is hot.” Spooning porridge into large soup bowls Gilia set them on the table in the middle of the room.

  Dulgar and Hairytoes staggered from the hallway leading from the back rooms slumping unceremoniously into two chairs yawning and rubbing their eyes with the backs of their hands. They were about to pick up the spoons to dig in when Gilia stopped them. “Nae ye don’t ye unwashed scoondrels thaur is a pitcher an' bowl 'at has fresh water an' a bar ay soap go wash before breakfest. Thaur is a towel thaur tae dry aff wi tay' an' dinnae wipe yer hands dry oan yer clothes,” she commanded in that tone of hers that brooked no disobedience. This time not only were they grunting and groaning about the unfairness of it, they added a whole heap of whining in for good measure. Chuckling to herself, she thought about how much love she has for all three of her men and the fear she had for them nagging at the edges of her mind.

  Quickly returning to their seats at the table they devoured two bowls of porridge before Gilia could get halfway through her bowl and with loud sighs pushed away the table rubbing their stomachs in contentment. Again, Gilia had to laugh to herself her men are so much alike. She looked around the main room and sighed wondering which family had owned this house. The design of the house is to her liking with a main room and fireplace made of granite; everything is made of granite she thought, with three bedrooms down the hall. The room is conveniently set up so cooking and eating is done in the same room, which makes it a lot more useful. If she were going to stay in this house the animal skins, mostly cattle covering the wooden floors would need to go outside and beaten with a stick. She vaguely heard her husband calling her name intruding on her thoughts.

  “Whit had ye sae troobled 'at ye could nae hear me call yer name?” Dulgar asked worriedly.

  “Ah was thinkin' about th' folk 'at thes hoose belonged tae an' how sad thes is.” Dulgar put his head down thinking about all the friends from this village gone forever.

  “Ah know it is sad mom Ah miss mah friends tay but we need tae fin' Celedryl. Ah hink we shoods leave as suin as we can,” Hairytoes said trying to change the subject.

  “Yer reit son we need tae be up an' about doing whit needs tae be done nae wishin' things waur not what they ur,” Dulgar added standing in front of his chair.

  “We shaa leave at midday Hairy, thaur is still a lot ay doing 'at must gie done before we leave yer faither tae fend fur himself. Ah cannae fathom why we did nae bring more ay th' women folk wi' us tae tak' care ay ye helpless men,” Gilia laughed getting a light slap on the behind by her husband making her shriek laughing even more.

  The two men hurried to the bedrooms getting dressed quickly returning wearing leather sleeveless jerkins with heavy bearskin furs cut rectangular with a hole cut in the center for their heads, and a wide belt around their waists securing the furs to their bodies. The design would allow their arms to move freely in battle and keep them warm at the same time. Hairytoes had Orcslayer hanging from his baldric while his father had shoved a huge double bladed war ax in his belt.

  Heading for the door, they waved to Gilia on the way out quickly closing the door behind them. Walking along, they noticed the air still had a chill to it, their breath clouding the air in front of them. Hairytoes noticed most of the snow had melted making the ground soggy in places. At least the cows can find what was left of the summer grass until later when they would feed them grain that will surely help them get their strength back he thought walking next to his paw.

  “Guid day Hairy when do we be aff tae fin' Celedryl,” a female dwarf yelled down from a nearby roof where she is doing some needful repairs.

  “Guid day Donella me mom says it shant be much past noon sup,” Hairytoes cheerfully answered. Donella is a young even by dwarf standards, with hazel eyes that sparkled with laughter, and long brown hair braided tightly into a ponytail.

  “Hairy, when ur ye gonnae ask 'at lassie tae marry?” Dulgar asked quizzically.

  “Ah well; Ah am nae tay sure paw. Ah mean she may not want me fur a guidman,” he replied blushing furiously a sight itself for a dwarf. Thinking it a very good thing, that Donella was not close enough to see him blushing he hurried to keep up with his da.

  “Son ye hae much tae learn abit dwarf women an' whit they like an' whit they dislike. Aw women nae matter th' race ur hard tae know, they will bewilder an' beguile ye at every turn sae ye need tae be oan yer toes Hairy.” His father laughed at his little joke. “Listen tae what Ah say son an' ask 'er before anither does. If 'at happens, ye will never know whether she loved ye or not,” Dulgar continued heading directly for the cattle pens.

  “Guid day Dulgar we ur gonnae need a lot more fence posts tae pen these cattle in an' tae sharpen fur th' berm. We could use more shovels if we can gie them alang wi' th' hands tae work them,” Mummbleflump yelled from across the pasture. Mummbleflump had his long hair in twin warriors braids since he left home and trimmed his once long blond beard close to his face.

  “Look tae th' eest," Hairytoes yelled in excitement pointing in that direction. Marching in a long line a group of dwarfs came toward them their weapons reflecting in the morning sunlight.

  “Can ye teel who it micht be Hairy?” Dulgar asked, noticing others coming forward to greet the marching dwarfs.

  “Nae paw they are still a wee tay far,” Hairytoes replied. A few excited moments passed when Hairytoes shouted, “Paw 'at is Strongtooth an' his clan a comin' uir way.” Following the outburst, a murmuring of his name trickled back to the dwarfs coming from the village.

  “Guid day Strongtooth, it is guid tae see ye thes fine morn,” Dulgar shouted in greeting.

  “Guid day Dulgar it has bin a lang time since we hae seen ye. Hoo is that cantankeroos clan leader ay yours an' his sweet guidwife? Nae tae mention hoo is mah sister daein' is she beatin' ye about th' head an' shoolders like she did me when we waur kids,” Strongtooth yelled back chuckling as he said it. Dulgar likes and respects his wife's brother very much and would gratefully fight by his side. He is a strong and flamboyant dwarf with flaming red hair and beard that never went gray. His weapon of choice is the largest battle-axe any dwarf has ever wielded in battle. It had massive twelve-inch blades and a three-foot hardwood handle. Some have suggested the weapon has some innate abilities of course, no one can say what they are and Strongtooth has never been forthcoming.

  “At leest once a day mah brither,” Dulgar said hurrying forward warmly clasping Strongtooth forearms in greeting. All about them friends and relatives were greeting each other in the same fashion creating raucous and jovial atmosphere for a time. “Strongtooth please feed ye men Ah am sure they ur hungry not having breakfest yit thes morn. Yer sister is back at one ay th' vaca
nt hooses 'at we used last nicht an' Ah am sure thaur is still her special porridge 'at she likes tae make warm by th' fire,” Dulgar invited as they broke up with most either going back to work or to eat at the cook fires.

  Clasping Hairytooth’s forearms in greeting Strongtooth asked, “Guid day Hairy it is guid tae see ye laddie. Hoo hae ye bin since th' lest time Ah saw ye?”

  “Guid day uncle Ah hae bin doing well an' it is guid tae see ye tay. It has bin ages since we lest seen each other.”

  “Hae ye asked 'at yoong lassie fur 'er hand in marriage yit or are ye still sittin' oan 'at stump thinkin' about it?” Strongtooth asked with a smile and a wink directed toward Dulgar who laughed under his breath.

  “Nae uncle Ah am still workin' up mah nerve tae ask 'er,” he answered honestly suddenly embarrassed.

  “Look laddie dinnae be embarrassed, Ah could charge intae battle an' fight orcs easier than askin' mah misses fur 'er hain,” Strongtooth advised him in all seriousness.

  Walking back into the village Dulgar showed Strongtooth around explaining the layout of the village. Strongtooth was very impressed with what Celedryl’s brethren were able to accomplish since the last time he had visited. He had heard that it had grown into an impressive village very prosperous during the trading season. When they reached the front door of the house, Dulgar stopped whispering to Strongtooth to go right in and surprise Gilia. Dulgar and Hairytoes waited as Strongtooth opened the door quickly closing it behind him. For a moment, not a sound came from the house then a loud squeal of delight and pleasant surprise came from inside the house. They waited outside letting them reunite in private all the while Gilia is scolding Strongtooth for staying away so long. After a moment, they walked inside to save Strongtooth any further tongue-lashing.

  In mere moments, Gilia had warm mead on the kitchen table for all and hot porridge for Strongtooth. Relaxing at the table, they enjoyed each other’s company chatting about the cool weather and other inconsequential cares of village life living in the mountains. After his second bowl of porridge and mug of warm mead, Strongtooth eased back from the table with a sigh of contentment. Gilia had to laugh all dwarf men are alike, at least all the ones she cares about.

  “Mammy an' Ah ur gonnae find Celedryl, we should be leavin' efter noon sups,” Hairytoes opened the conversation.

  “Are ye laddie, 'at is fine 'at ye dae such a thing'. Hoo is th' puir lassie? Ah cannae imagine whit it must be like tae lose yer entire clan,” Strongtooth said sadly.

  Hairytoes told him everything that has befallen them since the massacre and like every telling Strongtooth sat in his chair saddened and amazed at the story. If he did not know his nephew, he would think what he heard was nothing more than a fireside story for kids to enjoy before going to bed. To have people from another world come to Rhewan is beyond anything he has ever heard. Suddenly, hearing shouts coming from outside, they quickly grabbed their weapons, and rushed outside, as a large contingent of armed humans marched into the village from the west. Bristling with weapons each carried long spears and enormous shields with massive broadswords at their waists. Dressed in short sleeve leather jerkins with knee length heavy chainmail, leather pants and boots these men are assuredly dressed for battle. The apparent leader of this group marched his men directly down the center of the village toward them giving the dwarfs the impression that they were not here to socialize. Not knowing what to expect, many of the dwarfs who had been working and eating formed up behind Strongtooth and Dulgar with Hairytoes standing next to them ready for battle if the humans so desire it.

  “Guid day mah friends, greetings tae ye it is guid 'at ye have arrived thes day,” Strongtooth opened the discourse.

  “We shall see dwarf whether it is or not. What has occurred here that dwarfs are living in a human village and where is the clan that lived here?” the human leader asked rudely with no pretense of a greeting. That caused some murmuring among the dwarfs adding to the palpable tension as the human warriors were fingering their weapons with questioning looks full of mistrust.

  Not one to back down from a display of rudeness and open hostility Strongtooth walked right up to the giant of a human with his hand on his ax handle and looked up at him with an angry expression. The man is huge, so huge two or three dwarfs could fit inside him. His long blond hair pulled tightly into a ponytail framed the top and sides of his face with a neatly trimmed blond beard cut close to his square jaw completing the picture. It is his blue eyes that got Strongtooth’s attention most, for they held intelligence and intensity of a strong warrior that lets his sword do most of his talking. Strongtooth made note of battle scars running the length of the massive warrior's arms crisscrossing his broad shoulders confirming what he already knew. He would have to make this warrior respect him and backing down from him now would end any chance of doing that.

  “Guid day Ah say again mah name is Strongtooth clan leader from th' northern clans an' if ye want tae continue thes conversation wi' uir weapons insteid of words we will gladly oblige ye,” Strongtooth brought the challenge loud enough for men and dwarf to hear. The tension between two became palpable with many murmurs in agreement from the dwarfs and grumblings from the humans with both sides reaching for their weapons.

  “Hauld thaur ye blusterin' fools now isnae th' time tae prove who has th' biggest weapon an' strongest arm. Ah imagine both ay ye can hack an' slash with th' best ay them sae stand doon before Ah have tae whip both ay ye wi' a switch,” Gilia admonished them pushing her way between the two warriors who had no choice but to step back from each other of hurt a dwarf women in the process. That would bring them more shame than either would like, and since her interference allowed the two stalwart warriors to back down from each other, they were able save face with their men. The tension dropped dramatically as men and dwarfs chuckled at the shamed expressions on their leaders faces.

  “My name is Bjorngrim we come from the next valley to the west and a little north,” he said in greeting handing his spear to one of his men reaching out to clasp wrists with Strongtooth.

  “It is a pleasure tae make ye acquaintance Bjorngreem an' ye should be concerned 'at th' village is occupied by dwarfs with nae humans about fur they ur aw deid save one killed by orcs." Strongtooth let that that bit of news sink in watching the expressions change from pure shock to red-faced anger on the faces of Bjorngrim and his men. He sincerely empathized with them because he had already felt the emotions plaguing them now. “Ah am truly sorry fur thes fur we hud many friends from thes clan wi' nae one closer than mah friend Dulgar here an' Berek fur they waur bloodied together fightin' orcs in th' moontains north ay haur,” Strongtooth continued. Stepping forward as an equal, Dulgar enthusiastically clasped hands with Bjorngrim.

  “It is my honor to meet you friend Dulgar for Berek spoke of you as a beloved brother and gallant warrior,” Bjorngrim said bowing his head.

  “Aye Bjorngrim it is truly a honur tae meet ye fur word ay yer bravery in battle has reached our ears far tae th' east. Stories of valor such as yoors will travel fest from hearth to hearth,” Dulgar also bowed his head in respect.

  “Bjorngrim may Ah suggest 'at yer men fin' a place tae store their weapons in any ay th' vacant hooses an' rest from their trek through th' moontains? Noon sups will be ready before ye know it an' th' men can feest an' drink mead while we discuss whit tae dae next, an" we hae much tae teel ye,” Strongtooth said politely.

  “Well enough Strongtooth my men are footsore from the forced march and a fight with a small hunting party of orcs days past that has left a few with minor injuries that need tending to. I did not know whether anything had befallen my friend Berek so I decided we would trek here to see if anything was amiss. I am deeply saddened by what has happened to my brethren and would be willing to listen especially over a cup of warm mead,” Bjorngrim smiled.