Bathgate, A [Icor Tales 02] In The Hall of the Ancients by Andrew Bathgate

Author:Andrew Bathgate
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2021-07-07T04:00:00+00:00

Over the next hour, the dwarves mapped out the positions of the enemy forces they had scouted. They ordered several jugs of beer, and some mead.

Tom sat back to reflect on the information.

“What do you think, lad?” said Ayeth. “You’ve beaten these Merconians before. Can you do it again?”

Tom eyed the dwarves. Their physique was very impressive. “Are all dwarves as muscular as you four?”

Ayeth nodded. “Aye, lad, they got more muscle than human folk, that’s for sure.”

“They must be a tough kill for a human,” Tom said carefully.

Ayeth nodded again but slower. “Aye…” He paused. “… and there’s forty thousand of us stritzballs headed right for yee.”

Tom scratched his chin. “What are dwarves’ weaknesses?”

“We have none!” asserted Sam with some pride. “And Bristledons are all going to be wearing malgum plate. They’ll be hard as nails.”

“Doesn’t this plate armor make them less … agile?” asked Tom.

Ayeth stood, banged his malgum plate chest with his fist, and then did a cartwheel. “Not with our strength, lad, and the way the plate is articulated. We wear it like a second skin.”

Stritz! thought Tom. “Can they swim in it?”

The dwarves looked to each other and shook their heads.

“So, a moat might be effective, then?” said Tom.

“They know there’s a moat around the city and so they’ll be prepared with planks to cross it. They won’t like it, mind you, but they’ll get the job done. Dwarves ain’t fools; they’ll know every inch of this city before they attack it. So do you think we stand a chance?”

Tom took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Well, the five kingdoms have each promised thirty thousand men, and we have brought ten thousand more, so we have one hundred and sixty thousand all together. Last year the Merconians had us outnumbered four to one, and we won. But this time they have forty thousand dwarves, Crimson Wizards, and cannon… I don’t know how we win… I just don’t know.”

Firesh chuckled. “I thought you would at least pour some sugar in our ears.”

Tom assessed Firesh. Would he prefer lies? No, I don’t think so. “I have come to appreciate the truth. I understand that lies have their purpose, especially in war. A truth is a plain thing. It is simple. It just is what it is. Whereas a lie can be tailored to fulfil a need, to serve a purpose. But lies have legs, they can get away from you, and the thieving little stritzers rob you of your credibility.”

Firesh roared a laugh. “So, we’re completely stritzed?”

“Pretty much,” said Tom.

“Well… I thank the Goddess for my life,” said Firesh.

“I thank the Goddess for my life,” said Tom in response.

Everyone in the room joined the rest of the prayer:

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