Chapter 202 (1/2)

Published

at 30th of July 2019 12:50:07 PM

Chapter 202

”Ah, Joseph! So good to see you again!” chimed in the dwarven king, as he walked towards them, halfway through the keep . ”Removing the system in this realm has been immense fun for us! Watching the humans struggle has been incredibly humorous . We've even had several groups of humans approach us for aid, in light of the recent changes . Trade is flouris.h.i.+ng better than ever!”

”So glad I could be of a.s.sistance, your majesty,” Joseph said, coming to a halt next to him .

Stella pulled out several chairs and a table, from her purse, and three mugs of ale, that the other dwarves in the street were staring at in envy . The king wasted no time in hopping into his chair, and lifting his mug cheerfully .

Joseph sat, and sipped at his, being careful not to get too much foam on his face . Stella didn't waste any effort in that, taking a deep gulp, and wiping her mouth with satisfaction .

”Delicious!” sighed the king, setting his mug down after finis.h.i.+ng half in one go, and wiping his mouth with his sleeve .

”I've come to see you, about an issue I would like to discuss,” said Joseph, carefully choosing his words .

”Well, speak up, no need to beat around the bush . Need us to beat up on someone, or something? Build something for ye?”

”Actually, I have recently relocated a city full of gnomes just south of your mountains . I would like to request you keep an eye on them, and keep them safe from any monsters in the area . They've been sheltered for several hundred years from all dangers, and don't have a clue how to protect themselves . ”

The dwarven king sloshed the ale around in his mug, as he thought about the request .

”We've got our hands full with the changes that are still going on, with the loss of the system, but I think we can handle your request . Nothing much lives to the south of our mountains, at least, not since ye took all them beast people away . What will you be paying us? I'm not thinking ale will cover this . We have babes that need bellies filled, and wives to please . My dwarves won't be able to do that with babysittin' your gnomes . ”

Joseph nodded, turning to Stella, who pulled out a bar of mithril . The king's eyes lit up, and the muttering around them, from the dwarves talking among themselves, stopped .

”I have several more of these, that could be traded, and I can provide you with plenty of food . ”

The king glanced at him, before reaching out and taking the bar . Hefting it, he bit into it, then pulled out a dagger and tried to scratch it .

”This is the real stuff . How'd you come across this?”

Joseph took another drink of his ale, then set it down and sat back . ”Does it matter? I can get more from my realm . What kind of food did you want?”

”Just for babysitten' a city full of gnomes?” The king looked at him incredulously . ”What are they to ye?”

”I have a vested interest in their well-being . If you can keep them safe for me, so I don't have to, I can bring you forty bars of that, and five wagons of food?”