Chapter Seven The Whos and the Whys
Alexander walked into the private room to find both Caleb and the large man who’d asked him two good questions in the square. They rose as he entered.
“Gentlemen. Please have a seat. Caleb, the captain has already told me there’s no better man we could have with us at Dire Keep. And I know of your desire for vengeance. I fully support that desire. I have only one question. When the enemy is at hand, will you follow orders?”
He didn’t need to elaborate. Caleb knew he was saying he couldn’t have a loose cannon running around. “You’ll have my oath on it,” Caleb simply said.
“Good enough for me. Welcome aboard. Martin will bring you lunch if you like. You can eat in peace and quiet in the restaurant. We’ll be meeting at our guild house at sunset. There’ll be food and drink. We’ve arranged for rooms both here, and at The Stallion, if you’d like one.”
Caleb hesitated. “Sir, if I might say something?”
“Of course, Caleb. And call me Alexander.”
“Alexander. I was a guard in this city for many years. I know the citizens here. I could help you with your choosing, to make sure you get good people. Starting with the oversized oaf sitting next to me. He’s a troublemaker, he is. Always with the practical jokes. And he’s over fond of the ladies. But there’s none better to have at your back in a fight. He also happens to be my cousin, Collin.”
Alexander looked at the big man. “Collin. I’m not sure if that was a good recommendation, or a bad one. Tell me, what do you do when you’re not fighting back to back with your cousin?”
The big man smiled. “I’ve been a soldier. And a mercenary. And a farmer. I was trained as a carpenter before I ran off to join the army. Woodwork is in my blood.”
“Well, as it happens, we need fighters, farmers, and woodworkers. The keep has been abandoned for centuries, and most of the furniture has rotted away. Can you help make beds and chairs so that we can get folks out of tents and into more permanent quarters?”
“Aye, I can do that. Just give me some tools, some space, and wood to work with.”
“And you’re both okay with swearing an oath to Greystone and Dire Keep?”
Both men nodded their heads.
“Then welcome to both of you.” He shook both men’s hands.
“Now, can you think of others whom you’d recommend, and that you believe might want to go?”
The two men put their heads together and compared notes. Caleb counting off candidates on his fingers. He got to four.
“Yes, Sir,” Collin spoke. Alexander just sighed.
“Okay. Here’s what I propose. Caleb, please stay here and coach me as we bring in volunteers. Collin, you go and see if you can round up the… four? folks you just agreed on.”
Men of few words, both of them nodded. Collin got up and left the room. After about ten seconds, he came back in and sat down.
Alexander, seeing that he wasn’t going to get an explanation without asking… asked, “Change your mind?”
“Ha! Nope. All of them be sittin’ outside in the restaurant.” Collin grinned. Alexander couldn’t help but laugh.
“Right. Then how bout you pick one and call them in? And ask Martin to bring in food for the three of us?”
Without another word, Collin was up again, and gone.
And so it went. Volunteers came in. Alexander spoke to them. Collin and Caleb added their two cents. Over a period of two hours, sixty volunteers applied. Some never made it past the door, with either Caleb or Collin chasing them away. One of them Collin threw a knife at. “He owes me money” was the terse explanation. All in all, there were forty acceptable candidates, plus the two cousins. Farmers, hunters, soldiers, and crafters. All men, with the exception of Edna, who wanted to come and cook for those who were going to fight the Dark One. Alexander was hesitant until she said she’d worked at Millicent’s bakery for a few years before she got married. The thought of pastries convinced him.
Alexander headed back to the compound. He only had about fifteen minutes before the portal to Broken Mountain needed to be opened. He was curious to see how many dwarves wanted to relocate to Dire Keep.
It turned out to be many.
The portal opened, and Master Ironhammer led the way with his six master smiths. Alexander formally welcomed them all as he was introduced. They were followed closely by Thea and the lads. Behind them were two heaping wagons of barrels, caskets, and crates of drink. Thea directed them toward Brick’s cellar. Next came a couple wagons of supplies for Whitehall, escorted by a dozen dwarven guards in full plate. Those continued right on out the gate and headed for the village. Finally, there came four more wagons carrying a mixture of supplies and dwarves. These circled the courtyard to make room for the others to pass through. Once all of the wagons were parked as far out of the way as possible, all of the dwarves dismounted and headed for the dragon forge. Alexander couldn’t help but smile. Brick was about to be mobbed!
Thea and the lads hung back. Alexander motioned them into the house. He sat them down in the lounge.
“I’d like to offer each of you an invitation to join the Greystone Guild,” he began. Harin and Dvorn high-fived each other. Thea smacked them both on the head.
“I can see there is some interest.” Alexander smiled. “Do any of you have questions, or concerns?”
Garen raised a hand. “Will we still be allowed to study our crafts?”
“Of course! Harin here will be fortunate, or unfortunate, to be able to study here at the dragon forge, under SEVEN masters.” The dwarves all chuckled. Masters were known to be surly and short-tempered.
“I’m afraid I don’t have a master mason here for you to study under, Garen and Dvorn. But there is one at Whitehall. And maybe in the short term you can study with an experienced mason at the keep? I don’t yet know if there are any in the group of volunteers.”
“There be a master mason and three journeymen in the group outside,” Thea informed him. She produced a list. “Twelve guards that ye see’d escorting the wagons to Whitehall. They’ll be returnin’ tonight. Four carpenters. Four farmers. Five hunters. Two alchemists. Four smiths that be willin’ to work the keep, but that ask for a chance to work the dragon forge later.” She smiled at that. “Meanin’, when most of the masters be gone.” She continued the list. “There be two merchants what want to set up shops. Three cooks. One brew master who asks that room be made for a brewery, and three o’ his apprentices. Three laundresses who wish to set up a shop as well, and charge for their services. One chamberlain, and his apprentice. There be also ten miners coming from one o’ the far clan mines. They be arriving tomorrow. It were faster for them to come straight here by land than to go back to the Mountain and use the portal.”
Thea set down the list. “There be plenty more what wish to come. But me King hand-picked these fer the start. Every one o’ them’s trained as a warrior, and can fight at need. Except maybe the chamberlain. His heart’s willing, but he be nearly five hundred years old.”
“Thank you, Thea. Very helpful, as always. First, let’s get the formalities over with.” He sent them each a guild invite. They all accepted.
“Okay. Most immediately, Thea. I need you to introduce me to the Chamberlain and his apprentice. We’re having a feast tonight, and his help in organizing would be appreciated. Lads, there are deliveries coming in near constantly. Supplies for the keep, and supplies for the feast. I’ll need you to help get things set up. We need tables and chairs in the courtyard for eating. Someplace to set up a rather large bar… you get the idea. I’m going to put you at the chamberlain’s disposal for the next few hours. OK?” They all nodded.
“Okay, you all have medallions that let you in and out of the wards. Dvorn, while I speak to the chancellor, would you run outside and find Corporal Jenkins at the outer gate? Ask him to come and see me?”
The four dwarves all headed outside on their various errands.
Thea quickly returned with a v
ery old dwarf, and a very young one.
“Alexander, this be Master Silverbeard. And his apprentice, Lola.” She introduced them.
Alexander smiled, and reached out to shake their hands. “Welcome to Stormforge, and to Greystone Manor,” he said, motioning for them to sit.
“Thank ye, Sir Knight,” the elder dwarf said. “I’d not thought to have another adventure afore I die. This be a good challenge. And good training fer me Lola, here.” Lola bowed her head.
“So, it was explained to you what we’re doing? And the dangers involved? And call me Alexander, please.”
“Aye, Alexander. We know about the Dark Ones tha’ killed one o’ our own lil’uns at Whitehall. Durin has declared them enemies of all dwarves. We know yer gonna fight ‘em. And ye’ll need help. We be ready to swear our oaths to the dragon, don’t ye worry.”
“Right, then. Thank you. Here’s the challenge you’ll face. The keep’s main structure is damaged, and most everything within is rotted away. The walls are mainly intact, but we need to expand them so that farmers and crafters can work in safety. The keep is built into-”
“Hold there, Alexander. I was there when the keep were built. I know it’s every in and out. Ye need not describe it,” Silverbeard said.
“Excellent! And thank you, for saving me time. If we’re going to work closely together, I want you to feel free to interrupt me, or tell me I’m being stupid, when the need arises.” The old dwarf snorted.
“We have significant resources. Our guild bank has nearly half a million gold in it, as well as several million in valuable artifacts and gear. And we found piles of treasure in the keep. So, we have funds to stock and equip the keep as needed. In addition, we expect the mine will produce significant income once it is up and running. My guildmates, whom you’ll meet this evening, have been purchasing supplies all day. That includes furnishings for all the empty rooms here at the manor, and as many beds and chairs as could be found for the keep. In addition, King Charles is sending us military tents and cots to use as temporary housing.” Alexander paused. The old dwarf was just nodding his head. Lola was taking occasional notes, and he wanted to give her a moment to catch up. Which she did almost instantly.
“As you saw, we’ve got a good supply of dwarven ale and spirits. And we bought food for a hundred people for a month. Here are the lists that Thea made of the Dwarven volunteers. And here’s a list of forty human volunteers. I’m still recruiting, so the total may be over a hundred by morning. But I think we can supplement our food from hunting, fishing, and the like. And we can always buy more supplies. The one-month purchase was in case of a siege.” He paused again. Lola finished writing and smiled at him, letting him know to continue.
“As for tonight, we’re throwing a feast for all the volunteers, plus others, like the masters who are here to work at the dragon forge, some friends, and possibly the royal family of Stormforge. The king has asked us to take his son to the keep, and may be dropping by to deliver him.” This actually caused the old dwarf to raise an eyebrow. “I’ve got the Ogre providing food for two hundred. They should be here shortly to start cooking. I’ve rented thirty rooms for the night at the Ogre, and twenty-five at the Stallion. The Stallion is all suites. At night’s end, I’d like the less rowdy who need rooms sent to the Stallion, and the balance sent to the Ogre. There should be an empty wagon or two available for transport. Though the Stallion is just a few steps away. There will be supply deliveries arriving all afternoon. I’d like you to take over organization of all of these things.”
Silverbeard nodded his head. “The Ogre? That be an inn, not a person, yes?”
Alexander laughed. “Yes. An inn and tavern on the east side of town, run by Martin O’Malley and his family. The Stallion is on the corner three doors down, and is run by a man named Hobson, who will be stopping by to bum some spirits from Brick. That reminds me,” he handed each of them a medallion, “keep these on you. They’ll allow you to pass through the wards on this compound, and the one we’ll be placing on the keep.”
“Now, for housing tonight. We have two guest suites unoccupied here on the 2nd floor of the manor. If you’d like them, they’re yours. The armory building next to the forge has eight small rooms on the upper floors. They should have beds by day’s end. I assumed that Master Ironhammer and the other masters would stay there. Thea has set up above the workshop, where there are four more rooms, minus the one she occupies.” He paused again, this time to think.
“Most of the human volunteers already have homes here in the city. Though some may need rooms at the Ogre if they can’t make it. So, the majority of the dwarves can stay either at the Stallion, or the Ogre, in the fifty-five rooms we have available to us. Those are all prepaid, by the way, as is the food, and all of the incoming supplies. One moment please.”
Alexander called up guild chat. “We have a new chamberlain, Master Silverbeard. Oldest dwarf you’ve ever seen. And his assistant, Lola. As you get back to the compound, find him and update him on your purchases and arrangements. He’s organizing everyone.”
“I’ve just informed everyone who’s been out shopping to find you as they return. They’ll give you details on purchases and expected delivery times. I’ve put Thea and her three lads at your disposal for the day. If you need more manpower, grab whoever you see fit to use. Or if you need anything, really, send one of them to find me. I’ve no plans to leave the compound, except for a short trip to Whitehall in a few minutes.”
“If it be a short trip, would ye mind if I tag along?” Silverbeard asked. “Lola here can get things going without me.”
Surprised, Alexander said, “Of course. Someone there you wish to visit?”
“Some thing. I be wantin’ to see the altar blessed by Durin,” the dwarf said.
Alexander smiled. “That’s exactly where I’m going. I want to ask the priest to come with us to the keep long enough to consecrate the ground, as he and Brick did in Whitehall.”
The old dwarf looked to Lola. “Head out and begin to organize things. Stay near the gate to catch deliveries. Use the lads to help with tables and chairs. And get some of our people to set up some tents in the back courtyard against the wall. Have some others see to the horses. Assign the vacant rooms as ye see fit. The masters get priority, o’course.”
He looked to Alexander. “How long till we leave?”
“For Whitehall? I have one more person to meet, then we can go. Actually, you can sit in, if you’d like.”
Silverbeard nodded his head.
As soon as Lola exited the room, Dvorn walked in with Jenkins. They must have been waiting outside. “Thank you, Dvorn. Please go help Lola,” Alexander said as he rose to shake hands with Corporal Jenkins.
“Welcome, Jenkins. Good to see you again. This is Master Silverbeard, our new chamberlain. He’s going to be running the keep’s day to day operations.” The two nodded at each other in greeting. Alexander motioned for the guard to sit.
“Jenkins, I’ll get right to the point. You impressed me at the cemetery the other day. You were observant, and alert enough to warn us about the ambush. And you cared enough to warn us both before we went in, and after we came out. I’ve passed on to Captain Redmond that you went above and beyond. He apparently already knows you well? And he recommended you as a potential volunteer for our forces at the keep.” He stopped to let the man soak all that in.
“I want to stress the word ‘volunteer’. This is not an order in any way. This mission will certainly involve combat with forces under the command of this ‘Dark One’ pretending to be a god. I’m sure you’ve heard about the previous attacks, including the one in the city a few hours ago?”
“Aye, Sir Knight. We heard. Pretty much heard nothing but. I know you dueled a warrior nearly twice your level, and won. I know it was you who discovered his friends in hiding, and nearly died fighting them. I know it was you who healed three o’ my mates who’d have died otherwise. And I watched you and your friends take down those PWP arseho
les in the cemetery without even tryin’ hard. And to answer your question, Sir, yes. I’d like to volunteer. So would Foster, and the rest of the squad at the gate. I’d follow you anywhere, Sir Knight.”
Alexander was taken aback by the corporal’s fervor. “Uh, please, call me Alexander. And that warrior was less than 30 levels above me. Levels can’t overcome stupid. He lost as soon as he challenged me. As for the keep, welcome aboard. How many others in your squad?”
“Five others, sir… Alexander. There be others that want to come as well. All good men.”
“You’ll vouch for the men in your squad? I may not have time to interview them today. They need to know the dangers, and be willing to swear the oaths.”
“I do. And they’re all ready. We know the situation. They’ve each asked today if I’d speak to you about taking us,” Jenkins replied.
“Very good, then. When you see Captain Redmond, inform him that you’re coming with us. I expect he planned it that way.” He grinned at the corporal. “Also, once we set foot in the keep, you will be Sergeant Jenkins. I’m using my rank to promote you. Now, head back out to your squad. I’m relying on you to make sure no spies or freeloaders squeeze through that gate for the feast. If you have doubts about someone, send for me, or one of the Greystones.”
The Greystone Chronicles Book Two: The Dire Lands Page 16