Quoted By:
"MOVE, DAMN YOU!"
The air split with the sound of
whips biting flesh, and the chimes
of metal beating stone. The very
cave was a cacophany of sound, yet
Sinfel kept watch. The men, under
the hard hand of the Drow, have
toiled for the better part of a
month. And the fruit of their
labor?
Iron, cold, dead iron. Yet the
mountain was greedy. Every pound
of metal came at the cost of sweat,
even blood at times dire. But with
great sacrifice comes greater
reward, or so Sinfel thought.
The weapon master
watched with a cat’s interest over
the toiling men. He was not alone
of course, Drow guards kept their
whips ever ready, and quite a few
had their crossbows steady.
He tried to hide his scowl.
Like these men would risk any foul play.
No fear of whip or bite could make them
work any harder. In truth, their collars
were invisible, that unbreakable chain
woven around a mans heart. Fidelity to
something Sinfel could not truly grasp.
“Reminds you of home, does it
not?” Sinfel ignored the newcomers
comment. His attention drawn to a man
mouthing a silent prayer.
“Today a dusty mine, tomorrow silk
and spice. Before you’ll know it Sinfel,
the Mistress will soon grow too big for
us all. What then shall you do, no longer
her precious lapdog?”
Sinfel did not need to look at Habta
to know he was grinning. The praying
man was quickly whipped back into work.
“Of course, we should count our
blessings. If she ever contacted you
know who, we might all be joining her
in the Pit…”
~
Kidane sipped delicately from the
oaken mug, it’s color stained over the
years from various drinks. Today’s
refreshment was a honey mead, an
experience that delighted her, with a
flavor that hinted of the alpine air and
earthy tone of sunkissed barley.
“I take it you approve, Matron?”
Spoke a confident, if slightly hesitant
human of advanced years. “If my lady
permitted me, I can sim-”
She raised a finger from her hand,
silencing him. He bowed his head,
revealing the House mark of Shi da’ra
upon his bald pate. She smiled at that.
“Now, back to business.” She turned
her attention to the large map strewn
across the table with its various figures
and details scribbled.
"Yes great Matron. As planned, the
mine has borne fruit. We have enough
iron to not only replace needed
equipment, but we can build a surplus.
The labor pool however is stretched.
It is winter, but the men will want to return
to for sowing soon. Come spring, when
the ice melts, we can engage in river trade.
We can import enough grains to cover for
the year, if we are willing to offer
something. Of course, it’ll be raiding
season too. Orcs, bandits, and the
barbarians will take what they can, and
torch the rest. I know not what this year
may bring, the Orcs were unusually
peaceful last season.”
VOTE:
>Scout in a certain direction (specify)
>Conquer north village
>Try to commune with the Goddess.
>Investigate town across river.
