Rise of the Last Dragon Rider - Chapter 037 - A king in a mountain (Patreon)

Kaen had felt flustered, shifting on his feet from side to side after getting off of Pammon before the bridge to the mountain entrance.

I’m not a fan of all those weapons that are still pointed at you.  Surely, the King must know I would notice such an act.

Pammon huffed and snorted, causing the dwarves who were near them to back up a little.  He flashed a toothy grin and turned, preparing to fly away from the bridge.

Just because someone feels they need to show their power does not mean they are smart enough to know when to use it.  Something tells me that this was done for a reason, and a foolish one at that.  Regardless, I will go back to Marfo’s property and finish consuming the gifts he has for me.

Seriously?  Kaen chuckled as he watched Pammon take off, heading south from the gate.  How can you still need to eat?  I am impressed you are even able to fly after the dozen or so things I know you enjoyed already.

Pammon laughed, his thrum unable to be heard by Kaen, but both of them knew he was laughing through their bond.

How do you think Marfo would feel if I did not accept all of his gifts?  I wouldn’t want my actions to bring him any shame or dishonor.

Kaen gave up trying to debate with Pammon, knowing that part of his mindset was correct.

Just don’t make yourself ill.  I’ll try to let you know a little bit before we are done so you can come back here for me.

He felt Pammon’s acknowledgment of that statement but also could feel the anticipation Pammon had at eating more.

Smiling, Kaen moved to where his escort was waiting, giving a smile and a slight bow.

“Dragon Rider Kaen,” a stocky dwarf dressed in an almost golden set of chainmail stepped out from the other dwarves waiting in line.  “I am Dagan and will escort you to King Bosgreth.  Are you ready to proceed?”

“I am,” Kaen replied as he saw the men and women before him.

Each of the dwarves wore a set of chain armor, carrying a shield and a sword or hammer.  Their armor glistened, appearing to have been freshly polished with oil, and an emblem was emblazoned on each of their chests.  A hammer and a sword crossed in gold on the twelve warriors before him.  Only Dagan had a silver version of that crest on his.

Giving a grunt as he quickly snapped his head a little, Dagan turned on his heels and proceeded to walk toward the bridge.

With no instruction given, Kaen quickly strode ahead, moving in beside the man who gave him a side glance.

He could hear the twelve dwarves escorting them from behind fall into position and follow them.

Kaen marveled at the stonework of the bridge and how a few lines ran every twenty feet or so across the entire bridge.  Huge chains were taunt, connected to massive metal rings on the sides of the stone bridge.

“Do these pieces hinge?” Kaen asked as he studied the way the bridge was built.

Not giving more than a small nod of his head, Dagan kept his brown eyes forward, walking in a steady and sharp pattern, matched by the entourage behind them.

The bridge was at least sixty feet wide, yet they were walking down the middle of it for some reason, causing all the carts or people traveling either way, to move to the sides and stop as they walked toward the entrance.

Some dwarves waved and gave greetings but most remained quiet. Kaen guessed because of the expression on Dagan and the other dwarves behind him.

Not to let the moment pass, Kaen took in everything he could about this quarter-mile walk.

The stone the bridge was cut out of was massive blocks larger than him, and he had no idea how much each weighed.  The way they all fit together perfectly was even more impressive than that stonework he had seen in the guild hall.

The two statues flanking both sides of the bridge appeared to be just as impressive as the two back on Galdin’s door to his office.  Kaen walked in silence as he gazed upon them, wondering how men and women had cut them from the rock.  It must have taken a long time, but it felt like statues were about to come out of the mountain and start moving on their own.

The giant thirty-foot tall gate that stood open beckoned them inside as they walked toward it.  The stone doors appeared to be over five feet thick each, yet somehow they could be opened and closed with ease from the inside.

The knowledge that most would never imagine regarding stonework had either been lost or was still kept a secret as Kaen took everything in.  He had no doubt the dwarves who had built this were also the ones responsible for the castle and walls in Ebonmount.  Too many small things looked exactly alike.

Once past the massive gates, long tunnels and walkways began to appear inside the mountain.  He had wanted to see the ramparts and defending areas, but Dagan had told him they were not for viewing and keeping Bosgreth waiting was not an option.

For miles, they walked deep into the mountain, taking massive stairs cut right into it, down long tunnels, lit with countless light orbs.

A huge market was off to the side on one of the levels they were passing, with hundreds of dwarves shouting and haggling over prices.

He saw young dwarves running and playing in one tunnel they passed.  Tossing a ball and hitting it with a stick before running to a safe point as the other team tried to pelt them with a smaller ball.

He was amazed at how much life was here inside the mountain.  Perhaps Bosgreth might be right and the dwarves could survive for a while.  Taking the bridge and breaking down their defenses would be difficult.

If an army camped out on the other side of the bridge, leaving the mountain would be just as difficult, with no way to get out except to push through the barricade that would seal them in.

Dagan ignored his questions and continued walking, leading him deeper into the mountain.

A sudden shift in the amount of carved statues of dwarves let Kaen know he was coming upon the throne room.

There were massive, thirty-foot-tall statues on each side of the hallway he had entered.  The hall had to be at least forty feet wide and just as tall.  A dozen statues on each side stood watch over him and the others as they walked across the polished stone floor.

People stared and pointed yet none said a word as they moved to the side, allowing them passage to a room he could see past all this.

At the far end of the hall was another set of double stone doors however these were coated in gold and had a mural depicting multiple scenes of dwarves fighting goblins, orcs, trolls, and other foul creatures.  At the top of the door on the right was a mural showing them defeating a dragon.

Doing his best not to chuckle, Kaen wasn’t sure if this was an actual event or just something they believed they could do.

Dagan had watched Kaen as they drew close to the final set of doors and seeing the look on Kaen’s face shift a little, finally spoke.

“These are the stories of when our kings were so fierce that all the other races came to us, begging and paying for help,” he stated, his voice about as soft as sandpaper against ones skin.  “There was a time when we were considered the greatest race.”

Kaen nodded, giving a smile as he tried to seem impressed.  Replying was not an option as he knew he might say something that would be more of a question about that statement versus belief in it.

With no reply, Dagan increased his stride a little as they moved to where Bosgreth awaited them.

It felt weird to Kaen as he strode into the throne room that after being inside Aldric’s and Havannath’s castle and keep, that neither was as ostentacious as King Bosgreth.  Everywhere he looked were stone or gold statues and carvings.  Some as tall as the thirty foot ceiling in the throne room, others only ten feet tall.  Most were decorated with gems and other fine stones.  A long rug that was finer than any he had seen in the other two kings' courts ran the entire length of this fifty-yard-long room.

At the far end was a throne easily eight feet tall, almost dwarfing King Bosgreth as he sat, in a set of full gold-colored armor.

What the heck is with kings and their need for golden armor…

As they entered the door all of those gathered inside hushed, watching Kaen as he moved along the carpet, finally believing that a new dragon rider had been found.  He could see the men and women as they pointed and whispered to each other, keeping his face focused on Bosgreth, who was rigid like a rock on his throne.

Each of their steps echoed through the massive room, regardless of the carpet they were walking on.

When they were ten feet from the king, Dagan held up his hand, stopping and causing Kaen to stop behind him while the twelve guards escorting him continued past him and spread out before the throne.

Once everyone was in position and facing Kaen, Dagan gave a slight bow toward Bosgreth before turning to face Kaen.

“Dragon Rider Kaen, you have the honor of being in the presence of King Bosgreth Crownholder.”

Noticing the movement in Dagan’s eyes, Kaen gave a deep bow.

“It is my honor to meet you KingBosgreth,” he declared as he stood up.  “Thank you for allowing me to finally meet you.”

A small smirk appeared on the face of the wrinkled and aged king.  It was evident where his nickname Lightbeard came from because most of it was missing, having been drawn together in a single braid, ordained with more ornaments to help give it size.  His black eyes still had a glow of intelligence and wisdom behind them but everything else about the dwarf looked tired, weighed down by the responsibilities and length of his life.

“You honor yourself with your words,” Bosgreth called out, his voice almost rasp like even though it was deep.  “What brings you to our kingdom besides seeking our aid and supplies?”

Grateful for years spent with elves who had often tested his patience and the curt way they spoke, Kaen kept his face calm, not expressing the frustration he felt at this moment.

“I know you are aware of the coming darkness and the changes across the land I have seen and heard of how you are preparing to protect your people.”

Pausing, Kaen watched for a moment as he saw Bosgreth shift on his throne but when he had not replied or interrupted, Kaen continued.

“I witnessed firsthand how great your warriors are when they helped defend the mountain of Ebonmount from a surprise invasion by the orcs and goblins.  I was grateful for their sword, mace, and shield skill as we stood together to fight back the invading force.”

Seeing Bosgreth begin to open his mouth, Kaen waited.

“Some might be grateful for the way you speak about our warriors,” he declared, shifting slightly in his throne as he watched Kaen.  “What I heard was that your dragon is what protected the entire kingdom of Ebonmount while our people were cut down by the army before them.  How many of my people might have been saved had you not hidden your dragon?”

The silence in the room was almost deafening after he stopped speaking.  Kaen felt every eye upon him as they waited for an answer.