Fire moved to hug her, but put her arms down, scared to hurt her.
“No, of course not. I love you, but I didn’t want to bring you into my world, where the Pantheon would do anything to get an advantage over me, like using you or your father as hostages.” Fire’s face fell as she fought emotions.
“You could have seen me once, just once as a child.” Deia wiped her eyes.
“I wanted to so badly. I watched you with my familiars and different spells, and I even stood outside your tree many times, but every time I turned away,” Fire admitted.
“She is pretty stubborn,” Mal growled, giving a disapproving look to Fire. “But you must know that she did that to try to protect us. She loves us deeply and has always watched over us.”
Deia wanted to hug Fire, but she didn’t know whether that would be good or bad and she still wanted to appear strong and defiant.
“Well, are you going to hug her or mope on my shoulder?” Dave whispered into her ear, giving her a slight push.
It was what Deia needed. New tears flooded down her face as she wrapped her arms around Fire. Mal and Dave stood to the side, watching as Fire and Deia cried and shook together.
It took some time before they were able to separate from each other.
For hours, they talked; they laughed and they cried and Deia got to know the woman her father had adventured and learned beside, before falling in love with each other and making her. She learned of Fire’s fears, why she had kept away from both Mal and Deia to protect them. How Malsour and Induca wanted to meet the daughter of Fire, practically their aunt, and had taken on the role of guardians and then friends.
By the time they left, Deia was mentally and emotionally drained. She was the daughter of the Lady of Fire. Her half-sister was Denur, the mother of Dragons, and her mother created the mage’s college and guild.
Suzy was shocked but she’d learned so many crazy things since coming to Emerilia, it was just another Tuesday.
Malsour and Induca seemed relieved with not having to keep the secret anymore. Anna seemed to have figured it out, either on her own or by her father telling her.
Fire was nothing like what Deia had expected and so much of what she was hoping for. Deia fell asleep holding Dave, content in the knowledge she’d gained.
***
Mal felt a breeze from his open window. “You going to stand there or join me?” he asked sleepily.
“How did you know it was me?” Fire closed the door to his balcony.
“Know you anywhere, even with a different face.” Mal yawned and pulled the sheets back on his bed.
Fire got in as he pulled the sheets back over her and wrapped his arms over her.
Mal nearly fell back asleep before Fire turned over, her eyes looking into his.
“Mal, you awake?”
“No.”
“So, what now, though? She knows about me and we talked, but what do we do now?”
Mal opened one eye, getting comfortable in the bed. “She is a grown woman. She has her own things she needs to do. Right now, all we can do is wish her luck. Think of her as just another college student at this point. Get to know her—her desires, wants, aspirations, talk about the future and your lives together. I raised her by treating her as I would like to be treated. Talk, don’t dictate; you’d be surprised how well it goes.”
“But I’m her mom, shouldn’t I…I don’t know? Do something?”
“Ignil, you are her mother, but she’s her own woman. She’s a couple of centuries old. She’s seen some stuff in her time and she deserves your respect. Get to know her like you did last night; don’t try to push yourself on her,” Mal said.
“I thought that it would be such a big deal when it happened,” Fire said into Mal’s chest.
“She grew up, Ignil. She grew up much faster than I ever thought, that was for sure.” Mal snorted, shaking his head.
“What?”
“I remember my mother and father telling me that children always grow up faster than you would ever think. One day, you’re watching them crawl. The next, they’re walking out your door and out into their own adventures.”
Fire squeezed Mal’s arm, reassuring him.
“The pain has lessened over the years, but I still haven’t forgiven the Pantheon. Sure, some of you do good, but we shouldn’t have them lording over us all the time. Down here on Emerilia, at least some rules are put into place against certain conduct. Where the Pantheon is concerned, they think they’re above it all and try to destroy our rules just because they want more power.” Mal sighed. “Your siblings are something else.”
Fire snorted. “Yeah, I’ll be happy as can be when they meet the people who they have lorded over face-to-face.”
“I feel that it’s coming.” Mal’s words sounded like a hopeful promise.
“I do, too,” Fire said, scared for what it would bring. The Pantheon was not going to fall easily.
Chapter 27: Progress
Dave touched the mirror, accessing its conferencing ability. He appeared in a simple room with two chairs facing a fireplace.
Kol, the old dwarf, waved him over. Even without eyes, he had the uncanny ability to know where everyone and everything was, usually even better than people with eyes because of a spell he used constantly, similar to Dave’s Touch of the Land, that allowed him to sense everything around him and look through it.
“We’ve placed the order. We should have it soon,” Kol said.
“Good, good.” Dave smiled.
“Are you sure about this? The amount of resources—it could give you an easy life until the end of your days.”
“It could, but it wouldn’t be as interesting as what might happen with connecting Cliff-Hill to the rest of Emerilia. I hope that we’re ready for expansion.” Dave rubbed his hands together.
“Always the…what was it? Industrialist, was it?”
“You listened to Suzy too much while she was there.” Dave groaned.
Kol cracked one of his rare smiles and clapped Dave on the shoulder. The man was the grandfather and mentor that Dave had never had.
“We’ve got all of the smithies working on your order. They’re of good steel and sturdy design, but they’re by no means the best weapons we’ve made. We’re coming out at above twenty percent production,” Kol said.
“Awesome. I’ll tell Suzy that. She’s the one setting up this deal.”
“Who are we arming with all of this? Those weapons and armor are much heavier than what a human might use. Not as graceful as what an Elf uses and too big for a Dwarf.” Kol might not have eyes but his interest was clear.
“A month and a half and you’ll see. Make sure that you’ve got the forge’s emblem hammered into the middle of the shield and on every blade,” Dave said.
“Almost makes me think that you’re preparing for a war, boy.” Kol dropped his voice lower.
“One is coming, but this—just think of it as a nice big surprise.” He paused; a wide and cruel smile spread across his face. “One that the Dark Lord is going to lose his shit over.”
“Well, I can get behind that.” Kol clapped Dave on the back. “Now, I guess I better get this meeting started.”
Dave followed Kol out of the eaves around the main table. The Dwarves pored over different plans that they had—arguing, looking thoughtful, making useful suggestions—or they might be just sitting down and talking with their friends.
As Kol walked in, they all finished up their different conversations and drifted toward the large table.
Kol took his time, so that everyone was seated.
“All right, calling this meeting of hammer-wielding vagabonds to session.” Kol hit a hammer on the table. A few smiles and proud looks were on the Dwarves’ faces around the tables.
“Okay, resources have been doled out. We also have a report from the forces that have been moved to Mithsia Mountains to train. The lord of the mountain, Fend, has thanked us for sending him the reinforcements he needs, so that he c
ould switch his forces off and on the wall. We’ve been getting good reports from the training commanders in the area. Seems that there are some beasts in the area that are rather difficult to kill. The training has been good for our people. Also, a number of dungeons have been found in the area and are being farmed by different Dwarven warband and warclans for training. The commanders believe that we will be able to extend deeper into the mountains with this new training. We will check on their progress in two weeks, at which time Rola will be running this seat.” Kol actually sounded excited for once.
He really hates leading this all, Dave thought with a snort.
“We also have news from Dave, regarding the new materials that he has been processing for us.” Kol waved to Dave.
“Thanks, Kol. Okay, so, production is slowing down. The refineries I had access to are moving to other resources that the owners need. It will mean that there will be less of the materials to go around. That said, there still will be shipments. Also, the Stone Raiders’ first priority is to get refineries going for the sole purpose of refining out multiple materials. I was wondering if there was anyone who had designed a refinery to separate out any and all different metals and then smelt them down into ingots?” Dave looked around. He had an idea, but it would be hard to do.
No one seemed to have a suggestion.
“I know that we’re working on mass refineries that would be able to work with one metal, refining it out and turning it out into ingots and then the crud from that getting run into the other refineries to get out any other metals within it,” Edmur said.
“Do you know what the power requirements and material requirements would be like to make one of those refinery plants?” Dave asked.
“I’m not sure, but I could find out,” Edmur said.
“If you could, that would be awesome. In the meantime, I have another solution based off what I did back on Earth. I’ve patented it, but if anyone needs a refiner to just throw all their raw ores into and have it separated out by category, let me know—I’ll pass you a plan. It can be scaled up or down as needed.” Dave took his seat.
“Any other announcements?” Kol looked around the table.
Gonda put up her hand. Kol waved for her to talk.
“We have been experimenting with the new materials. Specifically, after a talk and the information from Jeeves, we’ve been able to start capturing large Mana charge through panels that have taken awhile to perfect. We’ve also been working with the material graphene extensively. We have found that a layer of graphene, while it cannot hold runes by itself, if combined into most materials it will allow for a new Magical Circuit or two to be added to the metal,” Gonda said with some well-deserved pride.
The Dwarves clapped at their fellow Master Smith’s achievement. Gonda took her seat. The Dwarves to either side congratulated her as Kol waited for the clapping to die down.
“Anything else?” Kol looked around. No one said anything.
Dave raised his hand again.
“Dave?” Kol said, looking curious.
“It might be an idea for Aldamire to be on higher alert over the next two months. I trust you all, but this information was given to me with the condition it was not to be shared.” Dave looked around the table. The happy expressions from earlier turned into frowns and beard tugging as they looked to Dave. “Hopefully, in less than three months, I will be able to tell you all.”
“We will take it under advisement,” Kol said. “Do you have any information on where this threat might come from?”
“Possibly the northwest.”
“Understood. This information will not leave the council. I will inform clan commanders myself. Fren, make sure that the Aldamire warclans are ready for whatever might happen.” Kol looked to the Master Smith who called Aldamire Mountain home.
“It will be done.” Fren was not one for many words but when he did speak, it was not wasted breath.
“Good. Meeting adjourned.” Kol hit his hammer down on the table.
***
“Wait, what?” Alkao asked Dwayne as he finished speaking.
“Josh wants to put a teleport pad in the middle of what you want to be your city. He will write up an agreement for you, like other businesses that have these teleport pads do. Give you part of the profits, a tax on it as well as certain rights to expedite stuff that you want to move. He is also willing to write up agreement for a payment plan, at just plus five percent cost if you would like to purchase it from the Stone Raiders,” Dwayne said.
Alkao laughed at what Dwayne was saying and Josh was proposing. A teleport pad was one of the greatest resources that a kingdom, let alone a town, had.
“While it is operating, what will the tax be?” Alkao asked.
“Five percent on the total value of the goods,” Dwayne said.
“That’s robbery!” the trader leader for the Devil’s Crater said. “We can do two percent tops!”
“Five percent and it stands. It would take you three weeks through forests to get to the next city. Who may want to trade with you or want to kill you. With the new teleport pad, we will also have traders who have recently joined our guild setting up a branch if you allow it. If they are allowed, they will buy goods for what the median price is on the market, no tax or anything on those transactions unless you place one. Also, the terminal is available for other transactions,” Dwayne said.
Rather smart having him as the one doing this deal, Alkao thought, placating the trader leader with a wave of his hand. Dwayne is one of the smartest and hardest commanders I know when fighting. When it comes to guild business, he’s as strong as that shield he uses.
“Okay, we are interested in it. That said, we will be losing money with this new tax and you know that we don’t want to reveal who we are or where we come from until after we defeat the Demon Horde.”
“With having a trading branch here, we can give you better prices. We were already adding a tax and then the cost of transporting materials. As for the war, Dave has an offer that he is willing to field. Suzy has made the condition be on the teleport pad.” Dwayne’s stoic features twisted into a grin. “She said if you took this deal, she wouldn’t kick your ass.”
Silence filled the room till Alkao laughed out loud.
“Very well. Please send over the contract and I will have a look over it. I believe that if it is everything that you have said, then we can come to an agreement.”
Dwayne opened his interface and Alkao saw a message appear in his inbox.
“The deal that Suzy has is to arm the Devil’s Crater Army and train your blacksmiths properly. Dave owns a smithy back in Cliff-Hill. He’s increased his production to make weapons and shields for your forces: swords, pikes, all of it. He is ready to produce them at cost. She is also opening recruiting for the smithies up to your people so they can improve their skills. They would learn through working and making better items, also earning them room and board as well as a smith’s wage for anything that they make above those two costs,” Dwayne said, sounding as if he was having to remember it all.
“That is a generous offer.” Alkao looked to the crafter’s leader. “I think this is more in your realm.”
“Yes, sir!” the crafter said with a grim look on his face. “What kind of learning will these blacksmiths receive?”
“Well, Dave is a Dwarven Master Smith, second tier. His master is the one who runs the forge. So, it will be the best in the world other than having them stuffed in a Dwarven mountain,” Dwayne said.
Alkao hid a smile at the crafter leader’s face, his look of shock apparent.
“I think that our blacksmiths would be eager to learn, but the issue comes down to payment,” Alkao said.
“We are willing to extend a payment plan for four months after the Demon Horde is defeated. We do not think that we will be able to arm all of your forces. Suzy thinks that will take six months with the DCA rotating through Cliff-Hill to get sized and then the armor made. Well, unless our other friends are cap
able of doing it.” Dwayne tapped his chin in thought, using the abbreviated version of Devil’s Crater Army, much like how the People of Emerilia were called POEs.
Alkao wondered who these mysterious friends were that the Stone Raiders had been helping for so long. Dwayne and Kim had assured him that he would meet some of them soon enough.
“I think that will be something for the leader of the traders here to talk about with Suzy and Dave.” Alkao looked to the leader.
The Beast Kin nodded, her expression guarded. Alkao was impressed with her skills and the way in which she held herself.
“So is that a yes for the teleport pad? I swear, Josh is messaging me more than a horny teenager in their first relationship,” Dwayne grumbled.
“I think so.” Alkao smiled. A few others in the room hid their amusement, primarily Alkao’s brothers. They and their armies had seen or met the Stone Raiders and now had a rather interesting idea of who they were. In training, they were mad devils, but every other time, they were goofing off or going off to the dungeons for “fun.”
“Good. Now I just have to deal with Kim complaining about walking all the way here.” Dwayne shook his head and snorted as he pressed a command. His mouth moved, but Alkao couldn’t make out words nor read his lips properly.
“He’ll be here within twenty or so minutes. Suzy won’t be here for another two days. Same for the trading branch coming from Verlun,” Dwayne said. “I hope you don’t mind if I say I am looking forward to checking out your dungeons and caves instead of constant meetings.” Dwayne grinned.
“I know that the more risky of us think that way. Fortunately, we have much more level heads to keep us on course.” Alkao smiled.
“Well, your councils are definitely less…insane than my fellow guild leaders.”
***
The teleport pad disappeared from the storage room a few minutes ago. Now, all of the Stone Raiders who wanted to come stood in the teleport pad control room.
New Horizons (Emerilia Book 4) Page 27