The Greystone Chronicles Book Two: The Dire Lands

by Dave Willmarth

  Alexander paused for a moment. He’d been talking a lot about sending runners in the last hour. That was inefficient.

  “Actually, let me ask you something. Both of you. I’ve begun recruiting, adding to Greystone’s membership. Prince Kai of the dragons was the first to join. Thea and her three lads just joined a few minutes ago. I’m extending that offer to the two of you. This means I’m putting a great deal of trust in you. Bringing you into the family, so to speak. All of the volunteers will become citizens of the keep, but a much smaller number will be welcomed into the guild. You need not decide now.”

  “I’d be honored.” Jenkins bowed his head. Alexander sent him a guild invite, which he accepted. “Thank you, Alexander. I’ll head back to give the good news to my men.”

  “If you need anything, use guild chat. One of us will be there to help.” Alexander shook his hand again as he left.

  Master Silverbeard asked, “Will ye include me granddaughter in yer guild, as well?”

  “Your grand… Lola is your granddaughter? I see. Well, I’ll need to speak with her first. And make sure she understands the risks and responsibilities. But if you vouch for her abilities and courage, I don’t see why not.”

  “Then I accept.” The old dwarf nodded his head once. “I’ll serve ye as guild chamberlain. That’ll include me duties at the keep, and here at the manor. Who’s yer treasurer?”

  Sending him the guild invite, Alexander said, “I suppose that’d be me. We’ve not had much in the way of complicated needs before last week. This manor has only become ours very recently, and the same with the keep. If you want the job, it’s yours.”

  “Not me, lad. Lola. That girl’s skill with numbers be uncanny.” Silverbeard smiled. Proud of his granddaughter.

  “Okay then, I’ll speak to her about it. In the meantime, I’ll show you the guild vault, then we’ll check on things outside, and head to Whitehall.”

  Alexander led Silverbeard to the guild vault. The old dwarf’s eyes widened at the sheer bulk of treasure inside. Most especially when he saw the selection of items from Fibble’s hole. He began to reach a hand toward the mithril ball on the back shelf, then paused to look at Alexander.

  “Go ahead. Are you able to analyze it?” Alexander asked.

  “HA! I be a chamberlain, lad. With four centuries of experience. I be fully aware of the value of things. I be versed in the magic of defense, transportation, and healing. I know political protocol for royal visits, and the best way to fold a bedsheet. And all that be in between.”

  He held up the artifact. “This be a truly wondrous thing. And there be a bar o’ skymetal…” His voice faded away. “I admit to doubtin’ ye, lad. When ye spoke of yer wealth. The value o’ just these items here on this shelf could fund yer keep for a decade. And ye can make yer own wealth as needed. I see’d the artifact ye made fer me King. Just sittin’ there casual as ye please, he said. Ye just closed yer eyes and pulled out some stone and made it right there.”

  “Well, I’m glad you believe me, now. And speaking of that…” He pulled out another chunk of obsidian. This one he formed into a flat disc, like a pendant. He focused his magic, sending the healing spell through his hand into the stone. Again, he spiraled it down as tightly as he could toward the center of the stone. There was much more room in this one. Still, he stopped at 3,000 mana. Then he added the Undying spell.

  Salvation Pendant

  Item Level: Epic, Unique

  This pendant will allow the wearer to use regenerative light magic to restore 2,000 hp to a friendly target. Charges: 20/20. Undying: Should the bearer receive a mortal blow, the wand will maintain bearer at 1% health, preventing death.

  Skill level up! Enchanting skill +1

  Handing the pendant to Silverbeard, he said, “I can’t have my chamberlain slain by a stray arrow. You hold onto this. Have Lainey or one of the crafters make you a chain. It will be your symbol of office. And if need be, you can help heal the most urgently injured in a crisis.”

  The ancient dwarf’s hands trembled as he accepted the gift. “Such a thing… Thank ye, lad.”

  “My pleasure. As soon as I have time, I’ll be providing all the keep’s citizens with a trinket that holds the ‘Undying’ enchantment. Hopefully that will help cut down on our losses. Now, are you ready to see Whitehall?”

  At the old man’s nod, Alexander teleported them both to the cellar of the Whitehall chapel.

  Silverbeard’s mouth opened as if he were going to speak, but no sound came out. He moved to the altar of clear obsidian, laying a hand on it. Dropping to one knee, he murmured a lengthy prayer to Durin. As he prayed, the pulsing light in the center of the altar began to glow brighter. It engulfed the old dwarf, then seemed to infuse him.

  When he ceased praying and rose to his feet, he had tears in his eyes. “Thank ye again, lad.”

  Taking a good look at his new chamberlain, he could swear the man looked younger. “Are you also a paladin of Durin?” he asked.

  “Aye, lad. At least, I were in me younger days. And when I heard o’ this place, I knew it was a good place to make one final visit with me god before I be leavin’ this life. I prayed for the strength to see ye and the guild through the upcoming war. I think both gods heard me. Me body feels stronger than it has in a hundred years!”

  Alexander smiled. “I saw the light surround you, and you look much younger than you did five minutes ago. I’m glad we had time to come. Now, let’s see if we can talk the priest into joining us?”

  The two of them climbed the stairs to the ground floor, Master Siverbeard moving a good bit faster than he had been. Not finding the priest inside the chapel, they headed out into the village. Alexander took Silverbeard and introduced him to Millicent and her ladies, snagging them a bag full of treats for the feast, and one each for them to snack on. They cleaned out the bakery’s entire supply. Theresa said the priest was at the inn, seeing to a wounded farmer.

  Moving on toward the inn, they were greeted by villagers, human and dwarf alike. The dwarves bowed low to Master Silverbeard. Dwarves who’d lived as long as he had were highly revered.

  Arriving at the inn, they found the priest talking with a farmer named Eli over a bowl of stew. “Alexander!” the priest called out in greeting. “Come join us.”

  Alexander and Silverbeard sat at the table with them. “Father Ignatius, Eli, this is Master Silverbeard. Our new chamberlain, and the newest member of the Greystone guild.” Greetings were exchanged. “Theresa said you were here for some healing?”

  “Yes, Eli here lost an argument with his plow horse. A few crushed ribs. All better now.” Eli smiled as he continued to eat his stew. Major healings made a man hungry. The body used its own resources, directed by the magic, to heal itself. Those resources needed replenishing.

  “I’m glad to hear you’re okay, Eli.” Alexander clapped the man on the back. “Father, how would you like to take a little field trip? A day or two? To a very dangerous place with a high likelihood of battle, where the odds are there will be many injured to help?”

  “HA!” Father Ignatius laughed. “This wouldn’t have to do with that message about Dire Keep, would it?”

  “That very place. In the morning, we’re taking a force of roughly a hundred volunteers and occupying the keep. We’re going to rebuild and improve its defenses, just as we did here. And I want to consecrate a chapel there, same as yours.” Alexander grinned at him.

  “That be a wondrous chapel,” Silverbeard added. “Ye must be quite proud.”

  Father Ignatius took a good look at the dwarf. “I see you’ve already received a blessing. And from both gods. May I?” he reached a hand out to Silverbeard, who nodded.

  The priest placed a hand on Silverbeard’s shoulder. “Your heart was failing. But no longer. I’d say you’ve got at least another fifty or sixty years in you. Assuming you don’t get yourself killed at Dire Keep!” He grinned.

  “BWAHAHAHA!” the old dwarf laughed. “Not likely. The lad give’d m
e this.” He held out the pendant for the priest to inspect.

  “I see you’ve been experimenting with enchanting again, Alexander. At least with this, you’re not likely to blow yourself up, or cook your own meat from the inside!”

  Grinning and blushing at the same time, Alexander replied, “Yes, well, I’ve had some coaching from Fitz. The Undying spell is easy. As you know, most of the villagers have something enchanted with that spell, now. The other is just a gradual infusion of healing. I could make you one, as well. As payment for a couple days of your time?”

  “I need no payment, Alexander. I’ll come and help with your chapel. But I’ll not refuse a gift that would help me heal those in need.” The priest smiled.

  “Done!” Alexander thumped the table. “You can come back with us now, if you’d like. We’ll give you some time to pack while I show Master Silverbeard around. There will be a feast tonight at our compound, and you can meet all of the new citizens of the keep.”

  “You might want to add one more to your list,” the priest said. “When I saw the announcement about Dire Keep, I figured you were going to need a healer. I sent word to my superiors, asking them to send you someone. They should have arrived in Stormforge today.”

  “We’ll keep an eye out for them. Thank you,” Alexander said.

  The three got up and headed outside, leaving Eli power-eating a second bowl of stew. As the priest hurried off to pack for the trip, Alexander and Silverbeard strolled around the village. Alexander pointed out the new walls, and all the newly constructed homes for the dwarven farmers and their families. Silverbeard stopped at the home of the family who’d lost their child. He hugged the boy’s mother and offered his condolences. They both cried a bit as Alexander recounted the boy’s part in the children’s ‘attack’ on the two Kings just before the battle.

  As they left the house, Father Ignatius was approaching. Alexander gathered them together, and teleported them back to the compound. With so many people running about, he teleported them to the 2nd floor landing of the manor house. They needed to designate a teleport pad that could be kept clear.

  Alexander set both men free to wander about, explore, and meet people. Stepping out on the balcony outside his suite, he observed the bustle below. Wagons piled with furniture were moving into the courtyard, being directed by Thea. Other wagons were being unloaded, or directed somewhere to be unloaded. Sixteen long tables with chairs were set up in the garden area. Each table sat 6 on each side. Probably more seating than they needed, but then unexpected guests showed up at any party.

  Heading downstairs, he found Mrs. O’Malley in the kitchen. “Alexander! This is a wondrous kitchen!” she exclaimed when she saw him walk in.

  “I’m glad you like it. I figured it would be easier for you to cook here,” he said.

  “Aye, that’s for sure. And when we build the Ogre II at your new keep, the kitchen’s going to look exactly like this!” She smiled. Then she kicked him out. “We’ve got work to do. You’re in the way!”

  Heading out the back door, he found beds, mattresses, and chairs being unloaded into the workshop building. Several dwarves were setting up a few of the military tents along the back wall. Each of the tents could comfortably sleep three men (or dwarves) on cots, with a chest for each. Or six with bedrolls instead of cots.

  Observing the tent construction, he noticed the small door in the back wall. It was secured with a simple bar on the inside. Not liking the idea of that being so lightly secured, and placed behind a tent where it couldn’t be watched, Alexander raised a stone wall eight feet high right in front of the door. No way it could be opened now.

  Deciding that preparations were well in hand, and that input from him would likely slow things down, he headed back into the house. Sitting at the desk in the study, he checked in with folks in guild chat.

  “Jenkins, everything okay out there?”

  “We’ve had a few crashers who couldn’t give a name for who invited them. We set them aside in case someone wanted to speak to them. There’s a priest of Asclepius out here, asking for an audience. We found one wagon that tried to deliver tainted meat. The drivers were arrested and are being questioned. Lola gave us a copy of the invited citizens list.”, Jenkins reported.

  “Please send the priest in. And have two of your men escort the crashers in as well. I’m in the study. Also, if Mr. Hobson from the Stallion comes by, please let him in. And there will be a dozen dwarven guards returning from Whitehall. Thank you.”

  “Sasha? How goes the shopping?”

  “Good! Got the supplies all purchased. They’ll be delivered this afternoon, or early in the morning. Even bought us a few fruit trees to plant. I’ve got 5 players I want the group to meet. Told them to arrive at sunset.”

  “Great! Thank you.” Alexander continued, “Max, there’s a butt-load of furniture already arriving. How much have you been able to get?”

  “Filled all the vacant rooms at the compound. Plus, another thirty beds with mattresses, sixty chairs of varying styles. Also, twenty sofas, and fifty assorted tables. Mostly nightstands and the like. Though I did get three long dining tables. Most of that won’t arrive until morning. I bought twenty barrels of oats for the horses. We can supplement that with hay the farmers cut. I don’t know anything about farming tools, but I bought two plows, several pitchforks, and a dozen hoes. I figure we can always make them into weapons if we need to. I bought two more big wagons for transportation, and big horses to pull them. We’re still going to need to make several trips tomorrow. At ten miles each way, it might take all day.”

  “Good work, Max! And I’ve been thinking about that. I don’t like the idea of vulnerable caravans going by land. Especially not more than one trip. I’m going to ask Fitz to help me set up a second portal in the courtyard. That way we can move cargo, or troops, directly inside the walls. Okay. Sounds like everybody’s doing great. Just a reminder, when you get back, find Silverbeard or Lola and bring them up to date.”

  Just then, Foster and another guard walked in with a priest, and four citizens. Alexander invited them to join him in the dining room, where he sat everyone down. Except Foster and the other guard, who remained standing behind the four crashers.

  Alexander looked to the priest. “Welcome, father…?”

  “Alric. Please just call me Alric,” the priest said. He was in his late twenties, tall with a muscular build, and long brown hair that was braided down below his shoulders.

  “Alric, then. Would you mind waiting while I deal with these folks?” The priest smiled and nodded his head.

  “Alright, then. One at a time, who are you, and why are you here? I don’t recognize any of you. Starting with you on the left.” He pointed at a short man with a scruffy beard.

  “My name is Claude. I heard you was offering good pay for volunteers. But I heard too late. When I got to the Ogre, you was gone. I’m a tanner and leatherworker by trade, but I can fight if needed!”

  “Okay, thank you. Next?” Alexander looked to the next man. He was tall and thin, with an elongated face and large ears. He looked like he hadn’t eaten in a while.

  “I’m Albert Bonaducci!” The man grinned. “Famous artist and socialite. I wish to record the rebuilding of Dire Keep, and any battles that occur, in my paintings.”

  “I see. Okay, now you.” He indicated the woman in the next chair. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties, though it looked as if she’d lived a hard life. “I’m Mathilda. Most folks just call me Mattie. I’m a cook. Worked at the Ogre before I was knocked up and got married. My husband’s a worthless drunk, and I ain’t seen him in three months. I need work, and this seemed better than most.”

  Alexander motioned to Foster to approach. He leaned down so Alexander could whisper to him, then left the room. “What about your child?” Alexander asked. “I will not be allowing children at the keep until it is much, much safer.”

  Mattie looked down at her hands. “He didn’t survive. It was a rough birthing. Midwife sa
id his heart just couldn’t take it.”

  “Mattie!” Mrs. O’Malley came bounding into the room. When she saw the look on the woman’s face, she lifted her from the chair and gathered her in a hug. Giving Alexander a dirty look, she said, “What’d you do to make our Mattie cry?”

  “It wasn’t him,” Mattie sobbed into her shoulder. “I was just tellin’ him about my son. I still get a bit sad.”

  “Hush, child. You’ll have another soon enough. Once you dump that worthless lout and find a decent man.” Mrs. O’Malley patted her head.

  Alexander spoke up. “Mattie has come here to volunteer to serve at the keep. I take it you can vouch for her?”