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News » Feast at Serpic-Moreal - 1B
Drunk Dwarves in
Feast of Serpic-Moreal
Chapter 1: Life after Death - Part Two
...
While the soldiers had mass and height to their advantage, they did not meet their challengers with any sign of a coming victory. The dwarves came in low, forcing the humans to extend their attacks. While the extra distance took the power from the swings of the soldiers, the small men were able to connect with their weapons while they still had their maximum force. The human men had longer strides for movement, but the extra distance took extra time allowing the dwarves to get in a slice on a leg. The opening engagement was decidedly in the favor of the smaller group.
Combat did not turn in the favor of the soldiers as the battle continued. The shorter people opposing them seemed to be able to determine where a weapon was directed, and move away from the line of attack. The humans also had problems with the furniture in the room, while the dwarves' small forms easily fit between the scattered tables and chairs. The soldiers soon realized that they had taken on a battle with the wrong opponents in unfavorable terrain.
As the first soldier hit the door to flee back outside, he found himself prevented by other military personnel. There was an initial look of hope in seeing a fellow comrade. The defeated countenances of all the soldiers that had been fighting a losing battle dropped to complete humiliation as the new arrivals started laughing. Combat ceased as the roars of the soldiers blocking the doorway filled the building.
Scorplin takes up the challenge of returning to his home.
Drunk Dwarves in
Feast of Serpic-Moreal
Chapter 1: Life after Death - Part Two
The lead soldier at the door and those with him were all humans. They stood proud. Weapons were not out, although their countenances were stern attempting to broadcast their willingness to face trouble.
Five dwarves moved forward with weapons at the ready. They showed no fear of the soldiers. Even when the military personnel drew their weapons in preparation to meet the challenge, the small dark-skinned men moved forward displaying every intention to do battle.
While the soldiers had mass and height to their advantage, they did not meet their challengers with any sign of a coming victory. The dwarves came in low, forcing the humans to extend their attacks. While the extra distance took the power from the swings of the soldiers, the small men were able to connect with their weapons while they still had their maximum force. The human men had longer strides for movement, but the extra distance took extra time allowing the dwarves to get in a slice on a leg. The opening engagement was decidedly in the favor of the smaller group.
Combat did not turn in the favor of the soldiers as the battle continued. The shorter people opposing them seemed to be able to determine where a weapon was directed, and move away from the line of attack. The humans also had problems with the furniture in the room, while the dwarves' small forms easily fit between the scattered tables and chairs. The soldiers soon realized that they had taken on a battle with the wrong opponents in unfavorable terrain.
As the first soldier hit the door to flee back outside, he found himself prevented by other military personnel. There was an initial look of hope in seeing a fellow comrade. The defeated countenances of all the soldiers that had been fighting a losing battle dropped to complete humiliation as the new arrivals started laughing. Combat ceased as the roars of the soldiers blocking the doorway filled the building.
One soldier said, "Borshik, we told these guys here to announce that they were new to the military and looking for new blood to join theirs. I guess they did not use those words."
The leader of the dwarves wiped his sword on the pants of the man that was before him as he replied, "We would not have gone easy on them if they did. The viscount only deserves the best."
"He is losing some of his best in your squad. There was a hope that you would sing a battle song as you joined with these men."
"The viscount has no primary threats at the moment. We are taking advantage of the relative peace to seek glory, not to leave the land undefended."
"Yeah, I heard. Your team however really does not have the skills to take on Serpic-Moreal."
"We now do."
Scorplin was planning to leave before the fight started. There was some enjoyment in watching the battle, but now that it was over he felt the alcohol that he had consumed. Feeling very much in need of going to bed, he rose to go to his room.
Borshik considered the human mage rising to be a desire to be introduced, "This is Scorplin. He agreed to leave with us."
The military leader saluted as he said, "Lord Scorplin? Is this true?"
The unarmored human looked to recognize the soldier, but returned the salute simply with a knowledge he had worked with a number of those in the service of the viscount. "I believe that I need to get away and recover my thoughts. These dwarves mentioned a place where I have never been, so, yes, I agreed to join them."
"Most do not return from Serpic-Moreal, Lord Scorplin."
"I know my abilities. After seeing my new companions handle themselves in a fight, I feel that I will be safe enough."
"Oh, Borshik and his men can fight. The problem with them is when they are not fighting. They tend to carry their alcohol with them, and drink it like water."
"Reality has really been too familiar a companion as of late, Captain. The attitude of Borshik and his men I find comforting."
"I understand, Lord Scorplin. I know the loss that you recently suffered."
"Thank you, Captain. Now, here is some money. Buy your boys a round with my new companions and leave as friends. I will leave with these dwarves tomorrow evening, and upon our return wealthier than the viscount. I do not want any bad feelings."
The cheer from the dwarves was loud. The leader of the soldiers saluted the human mage, then turned to the owner of the establishment to order drinks. The military then sounded a hearty cheer as well.
Scorplin went to his private room smiling, but once the door was closed he found himself working hard to prevent great sobs from leaving his form. He really did not understand, as he had been on numerous jobs that had taken him from his family. Before there had always been the expectation to see his wife and children again, but now he knew that they were not there waiting for him. His home was not even there. He cried as he allowed his thoughts to consider if the loss would be worse if he was alone in his own bedroom. Only after the tears stopped flowing did he remove his clothes and settle into the bed.
The morning bath was considered a luxury since he expected to get dirty moving about his property. Still, Scorplin felt that he needed to start his days at his best, so had ordered the hot water. He was glad that he had gone to the effort when a light rap sounded at the door that was revealed to be by the hand of a lovely maid.
"Lord Scorplin, the viscountess is waiting outside in a coach. She will take you to your property."
The man had put on a robe, but still did not fully open the door for the lady. He recognized the lady as one of the prime servants of Viscountess Mefrinell. He actually felt that it should have been Baroness Azimay, who was his direct superior, although understood that he actually worked more with the viscount than with those whom he actually paid fealty for protection of his property.
"I am grateful for the hospitality, but how did she know?"
"A request was made this morning for a company of dwarves to excavate your property. Considering that the viscount already has men in the area securing the area against another rockslide, it was easily gained. The viscountess wants you to know that she does feel your loss."
The nobles had their own spell-caster, but he was a showman and not someone capable of deciphering the truly arcane. If the viscount had a mystery that he needed investigated, or wanted a new spell for his sorcerer to cast, he would hire Scorplin to do the necessary research. He enjoyed being around the castle, but saw the spectacle of court more as entertainment than serious business. The nobles' sorcerer however reveled in the politics, so Scorplin never challenged the man for his position.
"I am almost ready. Tell the viscountess that I shall be down shortly."
The maid left, and Scorplin closed the door to finish preparing himself. Knowing that he would spend time with a noble lady had the man pleased that he had taken the bath. Some steps of his morning ritual he had skipped however, but now he went back and assured himself that he was at his best.
Viscountess Mefrinell had taken her time to look attractive. Scorplin had often looked at his wife wondering if the noble lady really was lovely. He only saw her in the best of clothes and cosmetics. Scorplin considered his wife one of the most attractive ladies in town when she took her time, but always enjoyed her form even when she was not at her best. He often wondered however if the viscount was also so pleased in his private moments with his wife.
The coach was roomy, and the noble lady had the tone of her voice soft as Scorplin entered, "My husband was hopeful that your desire to excavate was a sign that you would be staying."
"No, dear lady. I will be leaving with Borshik and his men. They simply understand the reputation of the place where we are heading. The excavation was ordered in the hope that something that could help us will be removed. I however would at least try to see that my family has a proper burial."
"Serpic-Moreal is not a proper burial place, Scorplin."
"It is a place of interest to one of my profession though, Viscountess. I have heard the bad, but wish to see things for myself. I suspect that those we know of as never returning simply left for other places. I promise that I will return."
"There is a ball at the New Year in the castle of our king that I want you to attend. I feel that you need to find another lady. You are a good man, Scorplin, and I don't want my realm to lose you."
"I promise to make the story of my journey not to sound as boring as I expect it to be. I will not promise that my wife will yet be absent from thoughts, but I might only be seeking something to warm my bed."
"Not in the middle of summer, Scorplin. Still, I will work with you to make your winter warm."
Scorplin was familiar enough with the noble lady to continue with the innuendoes. He knew that she enjoyed them. Generally, it was his wife that shared in the comments as he and the viscount tried to look like that they were not understanding the chatter although turning their heads to chuckle along with others listening. At the moment he however was willing to display his ability with the references just in order to regain some sense of a time before his life was destroyed.
Scorplin had property in the Barony of Perkunth, which was a major property of the Viscounty of Hochork. Perkunth was a strange holding that truthfully did not please humans or dwarves. There were towers marking the places of business and life. A façade of the front of a castle on the side of a mountain marked the entrance to the baron's home. Those with good eyes could make out balconies and windows set into the sheer wall of stone that looked out on a narrow valley. No real river flowed between the mountain heights, although the stream would become a strong torrent in spring. There were humans living in the wooded areas, but they were woodsmen and hunters. Dwarves lived beneath the stony ground, but the mountain rock was too porous to give a clean home with a solid sense of security. While most in Perkunth were happy, the cheerful talk of the citizens would include comments about how things were better elsewhere.
Scorplin had his own lab in a tower set as a part of a stone mansion built into the side of a mountain. His family had historically been sculpturers. His older brother had tried to take up the business, but had taken off with the army after failing on a contract. Scorplin had finished the job, then returned to his work for the viscount to create a safe passage through a very hot section deep underground before moving on to other arcane contracts. He never worked on sculpting again. Scorplin did work with his children on carving stone, but he had not yet made up his mind to what future he would push his son, and being that the child was only four he did not consider that he had to rush in a decision. Arriving at the site where the mansion one stood, Scorplin held back tears feeling that he had not truly prepared his family about how to treat rock.
The viscountess admitted that she had been watching the man, even as she tried to sound gracious, "If you desire, you may stay here. I will have the workers send any item of worth to you for evaluation."
"No, dear lady. The items that might help me on my adventure might not appear to be valuable. I will need to oversee the labor."
"There is no telling where your family were when the tragedy occurred."
It was hard for Scorplin to hold back tears as he answered, "I know exactly where they were, Viscountess. They were not with me."
The lady's voice went soft as she asked, "Are you sure that you want to come?"
"I am not afraid of others seeing me cry. I will however be ashamed should a member of my family be found and I am not there to cry. I will also be ashamed should something be found that could help me, yet my own fear of others seeing me cry prevented me from being there to recognize and claim it."
"Then, Scorplin, I will escort you to your past and hopefully something to aid your future."
Borshik shows up inebriated in the next installment.
Posted by TerishD on Thursday, March 06, 2008 (22:48:50) (533 reads)
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