Rise of the Last Dragon Rider - Chapter 032 - A dwarven ally (Patreon)

Are you taking it easy, or are you trying to fly faster?  What are your stats?

Kaen had been judging how fast they were going by the land moving beneath them, and it felt like Pammon was covering more ground even with a steady beat of his wings.

I am not trying to fly faster; I just am.  I think the griffons have played a role in this.  In fact, let me see something.

Simple Status Check

*****

Pammon

Young Dragon

HP  - 4000/4000

MP  - 600/600

STR  - 50

CON - 55

DEX - 65

WIS - 30

INT - 35

*****

It would appear that I have grown during these last few days of rest.  Perhaps we should restock and see if we can find any more griffons.

Not on your life.

They were already higher in the sky than usual, but both of them had learned from that last encounter that staying low was not a smart move when traveling in a zone with flying creatures.

I am glad it appears there was some gain from all of this but we are way behind on time and need to restock.

Even worse is the clouds off in the distance.  It will rain in a few days, and we may be flying back in a storm.

Glancing behind them, Kaen noticed the clouds off in the distance but it was too far for him to tell if they were rain ones or not.  Flying home in the rain was not fun and flying above storm clouds was not easy.

I know what you are thinking, and my answer is no.  I will not attempt that again.

Grinning, Kaen knew it wasn’t a good idea.  The air was too thin even for him and that kind of time.  Had he not been strapped in he would have fallen from Pammon’s back.  The headache it had given him lasted for hours, but it was a valuable lesson to learn.

Well, judging by the map we should get to the dwarven gates an hour or so before sunset.  Here is hoping no one mistakes us for the other dragon.

The sun was barely over the trees in the west as Kaen and Pammon slowly flew up the main road leading toward the massive metal gates built into the mountain. The dwarves had cut the mountain flat, and a large stone bridge connected the gap that was dug out before coming to the entrance to the mountain.

Small openings were set within the rocky face, and massive balistas and launchers that housed harpoons that looked like they could easily strike them down were pointed in their direction.

Pammon was telling Kaen all of the defenses long before they got close.  He could only see the two giant dwarves statues they had carved in the mountain on both sides of the gate.  One was a dwarf with a shield and a hammer, outfitted in what he guessed was plate armor, and the other was a dwarf in a robe with a staff.  Even a mile off, one could make out them.

The dwarves under us have noticed, and that sound you have heard echoes from the fortress.  It appears the door is closing on the keep.

We expected all this.  Elies told us where to head and to stop.  You are almost there.

Snorting, Pammon slowed down his approach and turned slightly, aiming for a section to the west of the city where a large building and a field were.

The one with the red, white, and yellow striped flag?

That’s the one. Hopefully, the dwarf we are looking for is there.

A crowd had approached, and torches were lit as the two of them sat in the clearing, waiting for the chaos to end.

Initially, armed dwarves showed up with weapons, pointing bows and crossbows at them.  They had been nervous and kept a distance from Kaen, but word had reached them about a new dragon rider over a year ago.  He was still amazed at how fearful they really were.

Your friend… the dwarf with the beard. Gertrude, I believe, was not this fearful of me.

You also saved her life.  That goes a long way to earning someone's trust.

Snorting, Pammon watched as a group of three dwarves came through the makeshift crowd and approached them.

One female and two male dwarves.  I don’t know if I should be proud of myself for being able to tell the difference.

Snickering, Kaen unhooked and dropped from Pammon, taking a few steps toward the three who were approaching him.

“Dragon Rider Kaen, I assume?” asked the older-looking dwarf.

“Lady Elnidith, if I am correct?”

She nodded and chuckled as she stroked her red and white beard.  Her age had turned most of the beard and her hair white but a few red streaks still ran through it.  Her face was marred by a scar on a cheek and weathered skin that did not hide her age at all.

“It would appear Elies spoke of my beauty to you,” she replied with a slight bow.  “I must say rumors of your appearance and size do neither of you justice.  We are honored to have you visit us finally.”

One of the men next to her gave a sharp whistle and all those who were still standing with their weapons pointed in this direction put them away and began to disperse.

“These two are my right-hand men.  Brabrel is the ugly one with the dark black hair and my number two.  Kirus is the better-looking one and my third in command.”

Glancing at the two dwarves, Kaen realized they looked exactly alike, and each was smiling and not saying a word.  The two of them had dark black hair and beards, both braided exactly the same way.  The only difference was their eyes.  One had a brown and green eye, and the other had a green and brown eye.

“Oh, that’s right,” Kaen stated as if he could tell a difference.  “Elies had told me that Brabrel had the ugly eye while Kirus was much better looking.”

The dwarf on her right scowled while the one on her left began laughing.

Hearing Kaen’s comment and how they responded, Elnidith groaned before smiling.

"Those two knuckleheads can't keep a straight face if their life depended on it.  By now you know which one is which and I see that Elies either shared some of his wisdom and tact with you or you come prepared."

"I'd like to think a little bit of both."

Nodding, she motioned to the building behind her.

"We should move inside if you are ok with it.  If you would like, I will have a guard stay near your dragon, Pammon.  I will also call for some food to be brought to him.  Any idea how long the two of you are planning on staying?"

"Only for a day or two if I can help it.  I need to resupply and head back to Ebonmount, but if the king were willing to see me, I would like to at least present myself before him.

Elnidith studied Kaen's face as she stood there, running her hand along her beard braids.  After a moment, she nodded her head and snapped her finger at the one who was Kirus.

He gave a bow and a slight smile before taking off in a jog.

"He will see if the King is willing to see you.  Perhaps he will, but for now, let's move inside and take care of other things."

Are you going to be ok out here?  I can stay if you want.

I have no fear of these dwarves.  I doubt any of them could pierce my scales when I am on the ground, and a good blast of flame would send them running.  Not that I considered any of that.

"Pammon says he would be happy to stay here and appreciates the kindness of the dwarves for bringing him food.  I may have to pay for some if he eats too much."

Laughing, Elnidith waved off his comment and motioned for him to follow her.

As they walked toward the building he would be staying in, Kaen watched the dwarves staring at him.

"Why is everyone giving me a weird look?" Kaen whispered as he bent down to her ear.

"Most had not believed it was true.  A new dragon rider," Elnidith answered, her own voice was hushed and low.  "I would have struggled to believe if Elies had not sent me a letter himself.  Many believed Aldric was just making things up for a while when the report of the Ebonmount attack occurred."

Glancing around her and looking at the faces in the crowd, she frowned before she turned back.

"I had hoped one who owes you much would have been here, but most likely, he will arrive tomorrow."

"Who owes me?  No one owes me anything."

Cackling as she walked, she put her hand on Kaen's back and smiled.

"My dear boy, you know nothing of a blood debt."

Sitting at their table, Kaen noticed how much taller he felt when everyone was gathered in Elnidith’s main room.  The ceiling was slightly lower than what he was used to from Sulenda and the other homes in Ebonmount.  Since most dwarves were a good six to twelve inches shorter than him, it made sense that all their tables and chairs were shorter.

The chair he was sitting in was one she had stated was for when Elies or others had visited and it lifted him higher so that his legs were not scrunched.

The table was right against his legs, and he smiled as they began bringing out lots of different meats, cheeses, bread, and a few different ales as well.

“Could I bother you for milk or water instead?”

Raising an eyebrow, Elnidith glanced around the room, and the assortment of half a dozen dwarves who were at other tables glanced at his request.

“No ale? I mean, that seems almost like an insult,” she stated as she snapped her finger and motioned to a young dwarf who ran off to fetch what he had requested.  “I don’t know of any dwarves here who drink milk except those on their mother's teets.”

A raucous laughter echoed around the room as dwarves slapped their hands on the table from her comment.

“Let’s just say that I don’t handle alcohol very well, and I would like to keep my mind clear tonight and the next few days.”

“It’s your reputation,” she replied with a chuckle.  “Most here will give you grief, but I understand your desire to keep a clear mind.  If you change your tune, let me know, and I can have one of the boys fetch the stuff we give the two-year-olds.”

A dwarf nearby started coughing and choking as ale flowed from his nostrils and down his beard.  Elnidith’s statement had tickled something deep inside him, and his table mate was slapping his choking friend's back while cackling at Kaen’s expense.

Brabel leaned across the table, took the tankard of ale that had been sitting before him, and gave a wink.

“Since you won’t be enjoying this fine vintage, I shall suffer through it,” he declared before lifting it to his lips and guzzling the frothy drink down.

Tsking at him, Elnidith just smiled as she sat in her chair and motioned for Kaen to begin eating.

“I won’t tell you how special that ale was, but perhaps one day, when you grow a real beard, we can talk about trying to get you some more.”

Rubbing his hand on his chin, Kaen felt the stubble that had turned into a thicker patch.  He hadn’t bothered trying to shave at all the last week, and now he wondered if he should keep it or shave it off.

Kaen loaded up his plate by grabbing some of the roasted boar they put before him and a few pieces of bread.

He could sense that Pammon was also eating, and a content sigh came through their bond.

While he ate, Kaen glanced around the room and saw all the different shields and the colors that decorated them.

“What is with all the shields?”

Elnidith motioned to Brabel, who smiled as he paused his stuffing of some meat into a roll.

“Those are all shields representing families that have served in the elite squad that Elnidith is responsible for.  This outpost handles all threats inside and outside the city walls.  If there be a fight, she is like your adventurer guild but without all that drama.”

“But you do have an adventurer guild,” Kaen stated between bites.  “I know that some of our best warriors have come from your kingdom.”

Grinning at that compliment, Brabel nodded as he pointed his meat-filled roll at Elnidith.

“Aye, we do, but they have nothing on the core squad that follows her command.  I doubt you would find a better mind in all the land, though she won’t brag on herself.”

Grinning, Kaen turned to look at Elnidith, and she shook her head after a few seconds.

“Something tells me you are going to ask me about something, and I doubt I want to know what it is.”

Taking another bite, Kaen nodded.