A Dwarf's Tale: Will of a Silver Coin
Chapter 20

“Tor, I didn’t know you knew how to cook?” Talma had brought over all of the tableware and set it up under the large tent.

“I have been practicing cooking meats and some vegetables over open fires. I figured it would be a nice change if I have dinner made tonight. I invited the others over too. But be easy on me with the criticisms. I’m still new at this.”

“You won’t get any from me. I feel like this has been a great day. And I don’t have to clean anything!”

“You may not feel that way after you tasted my cooking.”

“You’ll be fine Tor.”

I checked the meat, potatoes, and corn in front of me. It was a nice and warm, first day of spring evening. With the remaining rock from the fall, I made a huge open pit fire. The dwarven smith that stayed, made a nice metal grill fitted on it. As a treat to the dwarves and humans that stayed here in the area, I invited them all for an evening meal. Earlier today, I took down a nice buck, shot from my new bow that I created. The venison smelled good grilling and the vegetables were sizzling up nicely.

A couple of months had passed since we put an end to the horde army. There were ten dwarf families that stayed behind, as well as a dwarven blacksmith. Also, around a dozen soldiers from Stalvinport also settled here in the area as well. The area is now known as Tyna’s Gambit. This was in dedication since Tyna nearly lost her life in defending this land. She kept saying she didn’t need all of the fuss. However, none of us would hear of it. As it were, she retired from being a librarian. Instead, she lived with Kosser in several trees very near his house. Tyna and Kosser were now teachers to the children here. Steve was also a teacher of the very young. At the same time, true to his word, Kosser was teaching him in the ways of the arcane. Stella and David were off in Stalvinport. Woodard hugged Stella and she became his personal priest in training. Tomas and Bram travelled down from Stalvinport to get David. They made him an officer in training and off they went.

The soldiers, now from Tyna’s Gambit, also paid them to learn new skills, borrowed their books. Trappers, farmers, furriers, leatherworkers, and most important, several new farms, were now in this hamlet. Calvin was made the leader by vote. However, they wanted Calvin to preside for the rest of his life. No more mayors, or votes, or anything like that. The children, in turn, also helped Calvin and Talma with their farm. At the moment, they were playing with Griff and her new clutch of grifflings. The boys were catching small fish and the girls were handing the fish to them. When a big fish was caught, that went to mama Griff. Griff laid there, keeping a watchful eye over all of her children. We still didn’t know what to call them, but Griff had cooed the first time she heard the term. So, she approved. All three were female. Their names, were Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Not to be confused with the chestnut filly also named Autumn. We decided, that ‘Winter’, was not to be used for naming anyone or anything. We had a rough winter, and all of us were glad that it is over.

Thompson, reclaimed the eastern towns. He was a very good commander. Very few casualties and only several more had perished. The undead that remained were destroyed. The horde, many more were destroyed until they begged for parley. Thompson oversaw all negotiations. All the survivors of the horde wanted to do was to return to their lands in the south. I guess they finally have seen enough death and bloodshed for a long while. Overall, it was a good reclamation of the lands. Upon Calvin’s suggestion, Thompson was made Commander of the Plains. The towns had signed treaties and became a confederation. While each town had their own government and troops, Thompson became their diplomat, their commander, and their liaison. He was also their protector. I personally felt they made a very good choice about this. Samos opened up full trade with the towns again. With King Samos’ help, the rebuilding of the towns were well underway.

Thompson also initiated communications with the dragons. Stormstrike headed this movement on the dragon’s side. He argued that they were indirectly responsible for what happened to the towns. Their seclusion almost allowed a horrible evil to beset the lands. Stormstrike wanted no more blood on his claws, as he said. Also, he is setting up a monthly meeting with the towns in the plains, Sigur Fortress, and Stalvinport. I saw that as a great opportunity for a good strengthening and building something even better from the ashes of war.

I saw a huge horse coming up. Torid had arrived. He got off of his horse, and walked up.

“Torid, good to see you again!”

“Tor! Talma! Good to see you.”

Talma hugged him and I shook hands. “You are just about in time for dinner.”

“Good. Talma cooking always good!”

“Not tonight. Tor is cooking.”

“Huh? Then, cooking may not be so good. But friends and drink are always good. So, it is all good!”

“Thanks Torid. You haven’t even tried it yet.”

“I joking you Tor. It will be good.”

“How is Valice?”

“Good! Woodard give me surprises.”

“Oh? What kind?”

“Well, after fight, we go back to town. He tells me to follow him to church. I go there, and he hands me blue bottle. He says to give to Valice. I do that. She drinks it. She no sick anymore! Also, she many years younger! I cry and dance with her. She asks me where I get. I told her. She goes to Woodard, and they talk. Then, they date. Now, they getting married! And soon! Next month they marry. And I am going to have dad with mom!”

“Torid, I’m so happy for you! For all of you.” Talma hugged Torid again, and he hugged her back.

“Oh, that not all. Woodard said I can learn being priest. I think on your words Tor. I do great fighting. Tyna hurt though, I thought she would die. I want to heal and fight. So, I learning priest with soon to be dad. While learning, young woman also finished learning. New priest there. Young priest woman, Dana. She and I are dating! She so beautiful! Tor, you right. There is a forge for every hammer.”

“Torid, I am glad to hear all of this. Where is Dana?”

“Oh, she with Bram. She is helping a town with teaching healing. She will be back in a week. We come back then ok?”

“I count on it Torid. I count on it.”

“I have picture. When Steve visit David and Stella, he made a picture. He is good painter. He then made it smaller so I can carry with me.” He pulled out a scroll. Talma and I both looked. If the painting did her even a bit of justice, she was extremely pretty. Tall, built like a warrior too, with raven hair and green eyes.

“Torid, she is very pretty.”

“Thanks Talma. I have favor to ask. When we come back, can you make her dress? I look for dresses in town. All pretty, but not for Dana. Could you please?”

“Torid, I would be happy to.”

“Thank you! Tonight gonna be good night!”

“And what is this good night about?” Calvin came up and shook Torid’s hand.

Talma retold everything and showed the painting to Calvin. “Torid, mighty fine looking woman you have there. You better take good care of her.”

“By the looks of her, they can take care of each other.” I winked in saying that. “We already have a good example of that now don’t we?”

Torid guffawed at that. I chuckled too as I flipped over the venison. Talma and Calvin were actually blushing a bit. More guests were arriving at this point. Steve, Kosser, and Tyna came up too. This was going to be a happy night, even if the food wasn’t going to be all that great. But hey, still remains to be seen, as I seasoned the potatoes and corn.

Calvin hugged his wife and held her hand. “Looks like all is well that ends well.”

“Indeed Calvin. Indeed.”

“All is not ended. Tor, what about memory? You wanted your memory back.” Torid asked me with a slightly frowned face.

“Torid, I’m ok with it. Truly I am. Look, sure, I would always like to know. And one day, I will venture out and see about my homelands. Stormstrike said he would accompany me, something about another dragon clan in the area to visit and parley with. But look at the memories being made here. I lost family and friends, but gained family and friends. So, I do agree with Calvin. All is well that ends well.”

“But your hammer and forge Tor?”

“As I said. I will replace out one day. Probably quite soon. But there are still loose ends to tie up here first. It will be at least a month. There is now a wedding to attend isn’t there?” I smiled at Torid.

“Ok Tor. If you good, then I’m good.”

“I am at peace right now Torid. So, yes, I am good.”

“Then, we get drunk tonight!”

I chuckled. “Maybe Torid, maybe. We’ll see.”

The food was just about ready. I put all of the food on the various platters that Talma brought out. Mothers and fathers were calling the kids over for dinner. The grifflings and Griff came over too. For them, I kept a haunch that wasn’t cooked and put it on a huge platter for them. The grifflings came up to me and started to gently paw at me. I got down on the ground and petted each of them for a minute. I got up and caressed Griff’s beak. She put her head on my chest and rubbed up against me. I looked towards the guests. They were getting their plates and starting to get food. I make sure there were a lot of potatoes and corn to consider for Kosser and Tyna to have food. Yeah, this is what the ends well means. Community.

I scratched the top of Griff’s head and let go of her. Going over to the food and grabbing a plate, I load up on the food. I sat down inside of the large tent and started digging in. I tasted the steak. Not bad. Not up to Talma’s standards, but not bad at all. Likewise, I was getting some compliments too. At least no one is saying they do not enjoy it. I take it as a positive.

“Hey Calvin, while we eat, do you mind if I bring up a bit of business with you since everyone is here?”

“No Cotun, go ahead. I do not think anyone would object.”

There were no shakes of the heads. Everyone was actually listening intently. Cotun was the dwarven metalsmith.

“Good. Thank you everyone. As everyone knows, I have a forge at the river. And thank you to everyone who helped made it. I wanted to ask if anyone has any problems with opening a general store there too? I would fund it in having it built. I was wondering if any of you would like to help?”

“Cotun, I think it is a great idea. We can also allow for other goods to be sold there too. A general store, where everything that we produce can be sold there. Have folks come here for a change.” Calvin gave his approval; I could tell. “Also, with the increased relations between Stalvinport and the plains towns, there will be additional travelers coming through.”

“Good. King Samos is at work on clearing and rebuilding the path to come here through the mountains.”

“Then, let us put it up for a vote. All in favor?”

“Aye!” There was a chorus of voices.

“Any against?” You heard the crickets chirp.

“It is settled. We’ll start drawing up plans for the general store tomorrow then.”

“Very good. Thank you everyone for your support.”

Yes, the hamlet was coming along nicely. Everyone here also heeds Tyna as well. When she suggests a new thicket of trees, everyone goes to work planting new trees. She has been pointing out which fields needs replenishment, and there are already plans for that too. Tyna, with Kosser’s help, has been drawing up plans of building a house of plants. This house can grow plants year round regardless of the weather. While not a druid, Tyna was the next best thing. Everyone readily responds too. Yes, we have turned into a community.

Everyone started to discuss various events. Torid toasted with me. He was intent on getting drunk. Me, I was content on drinking ale. A couple of the dwarves were pulling out a horn and a stringed instrument. Several of the women pulled out various woodwind instruments. I will have to get myself better educated on the instruments one day. There were several couples that started to dance. The children were dancing already. The sun was already set, but the torches were lit. After an hour, Calvin took one of the goblets and gently beat on it with a fork. Everyone quieted down.

“Everyone, with the first day of spring, a new adventure is here with us. New beginnings, new friends, new family. But, I want us to take a moment, and have a minute of silence. Silence for those that lost their lives, that couldn’t be with us to celebrate. Let us give pause and remember them.” Calvin tinged the glass again, and bowed his head. We all did as well. After a minute, several of the dwarven males started to hum in a chorus. Then, one of the dwarven males started singing.

“From ancient evils, and forgotten lores”

“Terror came forth, and we looked at death’s door”

“Untold horrors came, looking to kill”

“Destruction and chaos reigned, for peace to be stilled”

“Our hearts wavered, but did not fall”

“Taking the fight to evil, we rallied to the call”

“To those that have fallen, the land with your blood did stain”

“We shall always remember, you have not died in vain”

Several of the women followed up with higher pitched singing voices. Adding to this were melodies of the instruments at hand. This became a hauntingly beautiful set of melodies. It is true. We will never forget.

A few minutes later, the music stopped as well as the singing. Calvin stood up. “Thank you everyone, to those here, and those looking at us from the heavens.” Everyone raised their glasses and goblets in toast, and drank.

Suddenly, the horses in their fences neighed frantically. They ran to the fence closest to us and pressed up against it. We all looked confused. I got up from the table and looked over. The torchlight was making it hard for me to see with my night sight. So, I went over to the horses. Torid had joined me. When we got there, I could not believe my eyes. There were walking figures heading towards us. From here, my night sight allowed me a better view. From as much as my vision allowed me, there were undead walking in this direction. Scores, no hundreds, of zombies and ghouls were shambling towards us. “Torid, we need to get back now!” We ran back.

“Everyone! Muster. Undead! Hundreds of them. Zombies and ghouls!”

Calvin stepped up. “Women, take the all of the children and head west! Men, scramble with weapons and provide cover!”

I bolted for my room. I grabbed my staff, sword, and axe. Running back out the door, I tossed to Torid my axe.

“Tor, where they came from?”

“No time to think about that now. We need to protect the women and children!”

“Ok, you right. We go smash!”

“Only smash when they get close. We need to give them time.”

“Ok, I do.”

The undead were getting closer. The women started heading west, when screams came from them as well. “They are here too!”

I ran to the west. Sure enough, hundreds there too…I did a quick run in a circle. Hundreds, no thousands of undead have surrounded us. My mind raced quickly. The house? No, the barn. Enough room to fit and there was a second floor. “Everyone, into the barn now!” The women ferried the children to the barn.

“Calvin! It is no good! We are surrounded! Head for the barn! Torid, close all of the doors and lock the beams in place! I’ll cover the front door!”

“Got it Tor!” Torid dashed inside, and started to do just that. His large frame and strength allowed him to secure the heavy beams in place. A good thing that the barn was made out of thick wood instead of thin. I would of preferred stone, but it will have to do. The women got inside. Griff ferried her grifflings to the top. I yelled to the women and children. “Get up the ramp with Griff!” They did so. The men were coming into the barn, running faster than the undead could move. The zombies and ghouls were closing in however. Getting a quick moment, I pondered Torid’s question. Where the hell did all of these undead come from? And who or what was controlling them? We destroyed the ‘Leader’ vampire. Kosser confirmed it. But someone had to be controlling them. They were ignoring the animals, and heading straight for us. I could see some went into the house too. What in the hells is happening? The undead were knocking over torches. Several even stepped over the grill which was still burning high. I saw the flames hit the clothing of the zombies and ghouls. They were not burning. Do what? The undead were not burning? They were immune to fire? Oh this is just wonderful. And the clothing? I did not recognize the clothing at all. It is nothing that I have ever seen. I did recognize two things however with the clothing. Some of them had the emblems of Cloverdale, and the rest was with Alifax. What the devil?

Calvin stood with me at the doorway. He saw that the undead were not burning. He turned and looked at me. “What do we do?”

“Have Kosser spell up an elemental. It worked at the river. Should work here too.”

“Already trying that Tor. There is a problem, I cannot spell cast!”

“Neither can I!” Tyna exclaimed as well.

“What!” Oh this was just great. This was getting better and better. “Calvin get inside!” He went, and I followed. I closed the door and locked it. Problem was, that door could be compromised very soon. It wasn’t very thick. I put my back against it. “Men, pull down several short beams! We need to reinforce the door!” The men did that quickly, taking down several of the non support beams inside of the barn. We propped these beams up against the door. All the while, the undead were banging at this door, and the other doors within the barn. For the moment, we held them at bay. The children were crying, as the mothers were trying to comfort them.

“Calvin, Tor, what do we do?”

“I don’t know. Tor?”

“Well, believe it or not, I get a feeling they do not want to kill us.”

“What the hell makes you think that?”

“Several reasons. One, they are not attacking and eating the animals. Two, they surrounded us. Three, Kosser cannot spell cast. Steve, can you?”

Steve tried to do a simple spell, but no energies came forth. “No, I can’t!”

“That cements it. We are in a field where magic cannot be employed. That’s reason number three. And four, some went into the house. They want us alive.”

“Ok, but who or what is doing this?”

“Torid asked that question. No idea.”

“They want us so they can turn us to undead minions I bet.”

“That is a good guess, and a plausible one. Tor, I don’t think we are getting out of this one.” Kosser came up to Calvin and me. “Their clothing. I only seen that clothing in books from Cloverdale.”

“I thought I recognized the insignias. Calvin, how long can the barn hold?”

“I withstood it for all types of weather. I never would of thought of this.”

As on cue, we hard cracks from the main door. Suddenly, a ghoulish hand busted through the wood of the door.

Calvin readied his weapon. “At least, not more than one can get in through here. Let’s hope our weapons still work. Maybe we can make a better barrier from the undead bodies we will produce.”

Torid ran up. “The east door breaking! They be in soon!”

For the first time, I am truly at a loss. Another ghoul’s hand pushed into the wood of the door. “Tyna, fly to Stalvinport as fast as you can. Bring the troops. We’ll try to hold out.”

“But what about everyone else?”

“Just do it Tyna!”

Tyna flew out from the second floor.

“Ok, men, six cover this door, everyone else, cover the east door. When they come through, we will have to fight them. It is the only thing I can think of. Calvin and I will be here at this door. Torid help the others with the east door.”

“You don’t mean to say we are going to fight thousands of these things?”

“You got anything else? I am all ears at this point.”

No one said a word. The women and children screamed from above. Several of us raced up the ramp. The ghouls were coming in from the opening I built for Griff. What the hell? We all pushed over these ghouls. They fell back to the ground, and now I see how. The ghouls were on each other’s shoulders, reaching up here to get us.

“Ok, new plan! Four at front door, six here, and the rest at the east door! Torid, east. Calvin up here. I’ll cover the front.”

“Yes sir!” we all shifted positions. By the time they moved and were done, the undead came forth again. This time, the front door here was in half pieces already. The support beams could not continue to hold for much longer. The east door was breaking apart as well. Damn it all!

“This isn’t going to work! Men, fall back to the top of the ramp!” The human and dwarven men ran for the ramp. I looked on the wall and saw a bucket of grease. Having a quick thought, I grabbed the bucket, a heavy push broom, and followed. Downstairs, we heard the wood continue to break and splinter. Quickly, I handed the broom to Calvin. “Coat the ramp when I pour!” He nodded as I poured some of the contents on the ramp. He quickly spread the grease on the planks as we moved up the ramp. The doors broke when we just finished. I set down the bucket and wielded my bastard sword.

“Maybe we can choke the ramp once they get past the grease?”

“Calvin, that’s our only option at this point. Hold out and pray that Tyna is able to get reinforcements.”

He nodded, his face grim. All of our faces were grim. I wished that Griff and her kids could get away. The grifflings could not fly yet, and Griff wasn’t about to leave them. Seeing rope on the wall, I quickly got it and got a mad idea. I cut off three large lengths and made crude harnesses. In each harness, I slung each of the grifflings inside and secured the harnesses to Griff.

“Griff, replace Tyna! Get her to town!”

She screeched, looked at her kids, and put her head in my chest.

“Go Griff! You and Tyna are our only chance!”

She looked at the women and children, turned once, went to the platform. Griff took off. At least they should be able flee and get to town. I turned my attention back at the ramp. Of course, the zombies and ghouls figured out we were at the top. Fortunately, my coated grease idea with the ramp was having good effect. Every time they tried to climb the ramp, the grease would cause them to slip and fall back down, knocking into more zombies and ghouls. There was quite a milling at the bottom of the ramp.

“Ok men, the grease won’t last forever. When in weapon’s reach, aim for the legs. The more mass of bodies we can get at the bottom of the ramp, the better.”

“Yes sir!”

“Tor!”

“What Steve?”

“Have some of the planking ripped up! We can cover the opening of the ramp and have everyone stand on it as a barrier. It should buy us more time!”

“Good idea! Men, you heard Steve! Do it!”

Some of the men went and started working up the planking from the far corner, away from the women. I was half expecting Torid to be one of them. Instead, he was crouched and swinging my two handed axe downwards into the zombies and ghouls. His extra reach came in handy. He was chopping them apart and causing the others to move over them. Mostly, it was the dwarven men quickly ripping up the planks. They started stacking the planks near the ramp opening.

“Kosser, come here. What is causing the magic from not working. I know, an anti magic field. Question, where is it at?”

“Tor, I think every single one of those undead have such a field.”

“All of them?”

“I think so.”

“Great, just great. But how is it that they keep moving then? Isn’t it magic that animates them?”

“Not if they are created undead, no.”

So, this was the elite undead. The true force and killers. Immune to fire and immune to magic. Torid was making quite a mess of the zombies and ghouls. There was a nice pile of hacked up zombies and ghouls down there. The grease was doing its job too. Problem was, is that the body parts were also providing a stepping stone. I looked over at the dwarves getting the planks. I would guess there was enough for one row of completely covering the opening. Cotun, the dwarven smith, bless him. He always carried his basic set of tools with him. He was making short work of getting the planks ripped up. He then went over to each side of the opening, and nailed in a couple of planks running the length of the opening.

“Tor, when did you want to cover this?”

“When they are about half way up the ramp.”

“Ok, getting more planks.” Cotun went back to along the roofs edge to get longer planks.”

“Cotun, what are you doing?” Calvin was helping him.

“Cross cover. Lay in long planks to cover the opening, and then shorter planks cross ways. I nailed the planks there so they will be braced. It will allow for thicker wood protection, as good as thick wood.”

“Damn Cotun! If we live through this, you will see your store built!”

“If we live through this Calvin, I’ll hand build the store.”

Give a dwarf an idea, and he’ll run with it. He was a master builder and engineer to be sure. I started hacking away at the zombies and ghouls too. The bodies were nearing the half way point on the ramp. Grease does not last forever unfortunately, as there was no time allowed for the wood to absorb it. “Cotun, it is close!”

“Ok, move away!” Cotun directed the dwarven men to lay in the planks length wise on the opening, as he nailed them in place on each end. He was a dwarf possessed. Once that was done, the dwarves were taking the shorter planks and laying them crisscrossed and on the former nailed planks running length ways. Again, Cotun, a dwarf possessed, nailed these tight. The ramp opening was closed.

“Ok Tor, did as you wanted. But what makes you think this will only buy a little bit more time?”

“One, no grease was at the undead feet from the barn doors. There is a greased ramp this time. Which leads to point two, they cannot put their weight against the wood to break them. And three, half of us will be standing on the planks to put additional down pressure while the other half continues to hack off the ghouls trying to come onto the platform opening. Also, last two line defense for those undead trying to get to the women and children.”

Cotun nodded. “You are a good strategist Tor. I agree with your assessment.”

“Good. Now, let us hope it works. Men, on the planks. Dwarves, to the platform opening.”

We all shifted positions. This seemed to be working. Right now, we can only play for time. Eventually, the undead will overrun this barn. I just hope the soldiers get here before that happens. If Griff caught up to Tyna, then, it would be an hour to get to town, an hour to muster the troops, and an hour to get them here. Three hours. I relayed my thoughts to everyone. They all were in agreement. We just had to last out and continue to defend our position. I looked down from the platform. The undead were just so numerous. My night sight could not see the end of the undead. As long as we keep them down there, we should be safe for now up here. Suddenly, I heard a deep rumbling. We all heard it. The barn shook a little. Footsteps? Nah, it can’t be. The rumbling of these footsteps got louder and louder. From directly behind us, came a couple of crashes. Looking behind, there were two very large hands, undead hands, that busted through the wooden wall. The fingers gripped the wood and pulled up. Nearly half of the roof was broken off and tossed aside. There, was a seventy foot plus tall darkened robed figure. The women and children screamed so loudly.

“Surprise. All of you are mine now!”

I didn’t even hesitate. I ran towards the darkened figure, my bastard sword extended in an overhead position, as I leapt from the barn onto the figure, swinging my sword. The darkened figure took a hand, and grabbed me, effectively pinning my arms. I struggled, but could not get free. The figure brought me nearer to its hooded head.

“You, dwarf, has caused me enough trouble.”

I felt the figure rear back its arm. Feeling a huge rush of air, I was released, thrown from the giant hand gripping me. I sailed through the air.

“Tor!” I heard multiple voices yelling my name. I was still sailing through the air, knowing what was going to happen. It was a good run. The only thing I was sorry about, is that I ultimately failed my friends. I only hoped that Tyna and Griff made it to Stalvinport, to warn them. At least, my death will be quick. For a split second, I saw the ground approaching. Then, everything turned black..