Chapter 677: The Pit (1/2)

Chapter 677 The Pit

“Greetins!” one of the beings said as he approached.

Ilea appeared on top of her armor to have a better look. The hall was lit by various magic lighting from above, a warm light filling most of the expansive area. She doubted her not wearing the armor would really be an issue.

The warmachine was piloted by a dwarf, a steel visor open to reveal a bearded face, hardly any skin visible in the tight space of his armored suit. “Name’s Malan, Nice to meet all of you. I can show you around if you like.”

“What’s in it for you, Malan?” Pierce said, looking around before her eyes came to rest on the other two beings. “You guys here to do the same shit?”

“Why are you like this?” Ilea asked, looking at the woman. “Maybe they’re just trying to be nice,” she said, half because she generally gave people the benefit of the doubt, and half just to annoy the woman. The whole feel of this situation reminded her of taxi drivers or local sellers fucking over tourists. Because they quite obviously were tourists.

“Now I understand why everyone loves you,” Pierce answered. “I think we’ll find our own way,” she said to the dwarf before glancing to Ilea. “Except of course, the goddess does not concur.”

“A guide would be nice to be honest,” she said. “What about you two?”

One of them didn’t react, Ilea hearing muffled snoring now that she wasn’t inside her own armor anymore.

“Fuck off,” the other one said.

“Let’s go with that one,” Ilea said.

“Yes, I approve,” Pierce said.

Verena sighed and followed.

“Are you daft?” the dwarf asked, his suit showing a variety of scratches and a halfway done paint job. His machine was about as large as Ilea’s, the pieces however not quite as close to his body.

Ilea could see dozens of weak points, one part near his legs even showing his actual body. Pathetic. I’m the far superior war machine, she thought. “Can you show us around? We’re gullible tourists.”

[Stone Warrior – lvl 200]

“I’d rather blast myself with a heat propelled steel piercer than play guide for you lot,” he answered.

“He’s the right choice,” Pierce said. “Go on, pay him.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be the princess?” Ilea asked, sitting on her armaments again. She noticed the dwarf tense up at the mention of a princess. Hmm, curious.

“Yes, and I order you, with my royal power given to me through a history of violence and conquest, pay this poor dwarf,” Pierce said.

“You’re penniless… again?” Verena said, looking at the other elder.

Pierce’s eyes went wide before she crossed her arms. “Outrageous! Defaming accusations, I tell you. My finances are of no concern to a lowly plebeian like yourself.”

Ilea summoned a few gold pieces. “How much do you want?”

“How much do you have?” the dwarf asked.

She flicked two pieces his way. “Another two if you do a good job,” she said. Ilea wondered how valuable gold even was to them, the guards outside betting several pieces on seemingly casual wagers.

“Double it, and I’m yours for the day,” he said.

Ilea paid up, not even checking how much gold she had in her necklace.

“Great. That’ll pay for my crippling whiskey addiction,” the dwarf said as his machine came to life, the thing standing up. He stretched. More than one bone and piece of metal cracked as he did so.

“What’s your name?” Ilea asked.

“Bralin,” the dwarf said. “And we’re not getting friendly just because you paid me. You get that right?”

“Oh no, I was hoping your services were more extensive,” Pierce said and started towards the tunnel. “I assume it’s this way to the Pit?”

Bralin didn’t answer but followed along, his strides going quite far. “You should put that thing on, by the way. Humans aren’t exactly welcome around here, nor anything else not a dwarf,” he said and paused. “Even most dwarves to be honest.”

“I can’t speak while it’s on,” Ilea said.

“Really? Where the fuck did you get that thing then? I doubt you made it yourself,” he said.

“Why would you doubt her engineering capabilities?” Pierce asked.

The dwarf glanced at her, the slit in his helmet showing his black eyes. “Just a guess.”

“It’s made to kill, not to talk,” Ilea answered. “But yeah, you have something that solves that problem?”

“I do, well not me, but the people I work for. Somber Core smithy. They’re alright, not the best, not the worst. I can make sure you don’t get anything faulty, and ten percent of whatever you spend. But trust me, it’s still more expensive if you go there without me,” he explained.

“What’s one speech item going to cost?” Ilea asked.

“Thirty silver, around that. It’s not incredible but does the job. I suggest you take one that is battle approved. Wouldn’t want to have it break in the middle of your massacre. I do hope you’re not here for reasons of war?” he said.

“How come you think that?” Ilea asked with a perfect smile.

“You give me the shivers. These two are strong, but you… you’re some kind of monster. That living armor is the best I’ve set my eyes on for decades, if not ever. And you treat it like some kind of tool. Most of us here would murder to get our hands on such a machine,” he explained.

“We’re not here to kill anybody. But a Dome was mentioned,” Ilea said.

“Ah sure. I can show it to you, and help you sign up. So I can bet against whatever poor fool is standing across from you,” he said.

“What is it exactly?” Ilea asked.

“A dome. Well it was one at some point. Upside down… more a bowl really. Fights between war machines. Team fights, fights against monsters, tests of strength, durability, and the like, some to the death, some just until one gives up. But you won’t see any of the better machines in there, more shit like this,” he said, tapping his own helmet.

“You didn’t make that one?” Verena asked.

He grunted. “You seem surprised. You’ve been to dwarven cities I assume. The Pit isn’t quite as beautiful or pretentious. Most of those pissers haven’t ever had their chest plates dented in by a matured elf or a wartroll.”

Really? At level two hundred? Ilea thought and checked him with Veteran. Oh. I see.

It turned out Bralin was closer to three twenty. Why and how he hid his actual level from her was a mystery. “How are you hiding your level?”

“Ah… you noticed. Would appreciate it if you can keep that to yourself,” Bralin said. “It’s a skill related to my heritage. Nothing I could teach I’m afraid.”

“You’re hiding your level?” Pierce asked.

“I said keep it fucking down. Or you can find another guide,” the dwarf said.

“What’s he at?” Pierce asked Ilea.

“Three twenty,” Ilea supplied.

“Damn, higher than me. You suddenly became a lot more interesting, Bralin,” Pierce said and walked a little closer to him.

“I’m not attracted to humans,” he said.

“Shame,” Pierce answered.