Before heading out to get supplied, Krankos grabs a handful of nuts and seeds for Nibbles. It finds a rag left from one of the villagers after yesterday's encounter and wraps the nuts and seeds in the rag, tying it and hooking it between its plates.
They head East from the forest, avoiding the dwarven villagers from the North that attacked the previous day.
Trudging through miles of the dead forest and dense woods Krankos and Nibbles come to a pathway. The path has a signpost, one arrow pointing towards Beewick to the West and another arrow pointing to the East, though the text has worn over time.
Nibbles shifts its head towards the East with a little squeak.
“Agreed,” Krankos replies.
Although it is a fairly quiet journey, the company of a fluffy companion relaxing on its shoulder is comforting. After months of solitude, it is just nice to have something alive by its side. At the very least Nibbles listens to the machines singing and thoughts. Krankos shares the dream from last night, assuring Nibbles it was thrilled they are both together.
Five miles down the road, Krankos and Nibbles arrive at a very small town called Dalford. It is so small, there are no guards or walls and consists of one single road with a few buildings on either side. While there are a few dwarfs on the street, nobody seems to even glance at the Elmforge.
"Might need to find you some cover," Krankos says to Nibbles, "don't want anybody getting angry because I brought a ‘Warbringer’ to their village."
Near the edge of the village is an old, tattered, tan fabric. Krankos grabs the fabric, lifts it over its head and pulls it down to tear a hole forming a cape. "There we go, now you can hide within this cape." Krankos says proudly as Nibbles hides underneath it.
It is unclear why Nibbles hides, maybe to play along, perhaps to prevent being found for other reasons or just for warmth.
Regardless, Krankos proceeds, walking up to an elder female dwarf at a tanning rack, "Hello, I am a forest-watcher, person..."
The lady turns around. Her eyes widen; surprised to see an Elmforge, especially in these parts, "A Woodguard?" she asks quizzically.
"Yes. Where could I buy some weapons and supplies? I have forests to protect.”
This is met with a look of confusion, "You could always try Borkin's Goods."
"Thank you, where can I find this shop?"
She points down the road, "It's... It's just up the single road."
“Ah, I see, thank you.” Krankos says with a nod and continues onward.
There is a sign up ahead, barely legible, but ‘Borkin's Goods’ can be read. The shop isn't the most pleasant looking of places but it is better than most buildings in Dalford. To the left of the shop is an old, well-used anvil and furnace resting on a stone surface.
Borkin’s shop is filled with an array of trinkets he’s collected over time, making money where he can. Although Borkin doesn’t expect anyone other than dwarfs to visit his shop, the doorway was about seven feet high with the roof a few inches taller allowing most folks in; though the rest of the furnishings and equipment are designed for dwarfs.
As they reach the shop Krankos hears an angry dwarf shouting, "Nah, You ain't getting ma goods this time without coin. I've 'ad enough of yous in Beewick threatening me, takin' shit and making false promises 'o' payment!"
Krankos whispers to Nibbles, "I believe that must be Borkin."
Borkin is small for a dwarf, about three and a half feet tall. Though he wears golden trinkets and rings, his clothes are tattered and worn, clearly deprived in recent years. He is slim; if it wasn't for his strong accent, facial features and thick black beard he could easily be mistaken for a Halfling.
There are two other dwarfs known as Rotdir and Armdan. They are both closer to four feet. Whilst they aren’t very muscular, they are larger than Borkin and it was clear they had more money.
"You don't understand, there's a fucking Elmforge running about and we need more weapons to bring it down," Rotdir yells.
Armdan continues, "Aye it's already taken out Bonvere, it won't be long before it rages war on us all!"
Borkin replies, "I dun't give two arses about 'Bonvere', the rat bastard, you can all get fucked for all I care, I need the coin!"
"Is that your final answer? You treacherous little bastard. Guess we need to tear your shop to pieces then..." Rotdir says, staring down Borkin.
At this point Krankos is at the shop door. It can hear everything and feel the tremors.
Nibbles peeks its head out.
"Best if you keep hidden, don't want them seeing you? Will try to sneak around them."
Nibbles hides once again as Krankos ducks down, opening the door. The moment Krankos enters, the dwarfs turn.
"Fuck, it's the fucking Elmforge!" they say in unison.
Krankos whispers to Nibbles, "Damn, they spotted me. Keep down, don’t think they have noticed you."
They draw their weapons. Krankos walks up to them and smacks their heads together, creating a loud thud. Armdan is dazed and misses his swing however Rotdir hits Krankos in the chest knocking it back.
Krankos rebounds and lunges forward and connects its fist to the underside of Rotdir's chin, knocking him out cold. Armdan makes a second attempt to hit the machine but Krankos slides to the side and hits him square in the face as he collapses to the floor.
Borkin, taken aback by the situation, looks at Krankos and the two knocked out dwarfs from Beewick. "So you're the Elmforge eh?" Borkin nods approvingly, "Well if you take out bastards like these I'll throw my services to you."
Krankos tilts its head, unsure what is meant by 'throw his services.’ before replying, "Greetings, I have been told you are the man to speak to for supplies. I am a Woodguard you see and I have a forest to protect. There is nothing special about it, I promise, but I need to protect it because I am a Woodguard."
Borkin's face scrunches and shakes his head slowly, "'Ey, whateva ya say, ya saved ma shop, so I'm in ya favour. What can I do ya for?"
"I'm just looking for supplies,"
"Aye, what kinda supplies? Weapons? Rations?"
Krankos simply replies, "Yes."
Borkin sighs, "Fuck knows why dwarfs are so scared of an Elmforge. You're guna need to be a 'lil bit more specific than that."
"Okay... What weapons do you have?"
Borkin pulls out a roll and uncovers a collection of swords and staffs. "It ain't much; still practising ma smithin' but it's the best I can do for ya."
Nibbles peaks its head out slightly.
"Whatcha got there?" Borkin asks.
Krankos tries to cover Nibbles, "Nothing!" While angrily whispering, "Why did you leave cover?!?" as Nibbles fights to see Borkin, climbing around the machine’s hands.
"Woah, relax there buddy, I'm just asking. Honestly you can trust mi," Borkin assures.
Although there is some hesitancy with Krankos, due to believing Nibbles is a Warbringer, Borkin hasn't threatened Nibbles or called for backup. Krankos cups Nibbles in its hands and lowers the squirrel down as it jumps out onto the counter.
"Hey there 'lil guy, whatchu doin' with this 'ere Elmforge?" Borkin says in a light tone.
"I am protecting it. It is part of my forest and the dwarfs seem to think it is a Warbringer.”
"Is that so?" Borkin says, looking down at Nibbles, "Well I can't see why you would cause any trouble."
This assures Krankos that Borkin is a trustworthy dwarf.
"Well, pleased to meet you both. So what weapon you wanting?" Borkin asks, gesturing to the assortment of weapons placed on the table.
Nibbles moves to a Rapier and looks up at Krankos.
"You want me to have this one?"
Nibbles nods.
Borkin’s face lights up with odd amazement, "That's one fucking smart squirrel ya got there. That'll be twenty velgen, discount for your help with these morons."
Krankos stands awkwardly. "Oh, I... I don't have any velgen..."
Borkin smiles, looks down and mumbles, "Of course... Tell ya what; help me clear these guys out back, pack up ma shit and escort mi to the City of Mount Lyke and you can have the Rapier and this Shortsword for free."
Krankos looks at Borkin and then down to the blades, "I'm sorry, I can't escort you. I really do have to return to our forest."
Borkin sighs, "I understand. Okay... 'Ow 'bout, I take the velgen out of these gents pockets. Ya take the two swords and dump these guys as far away as ya can, maybe take them back to ya forest. Their coin will pay for the swords and damages. How 'bout that?"
Krankos nods with delightment, "Thank you my good friend."
"No problem ma gud... tin man, though I will be leaving early in mornin' if you do change ya mind." Borkin replies as they shake hands.
With a small nod of acknowledgement from Krankos, it states, "My name is Krankos by the way."
Borkin smiles, eyebrows scrunched, still confused about the events overall. He collects fifty velgen in total, thirty-eight from Armdan and twelve from Rotdir. "Pleasure doin' business with ya. Now punch me in the face."
"Why?"
"'Coz I need it to look like I actually tried to stop ya if you’re not escorting mi."
Krankos nods and punches Borkin.
Blood pours from his nose, "Fuck! Ya hurt ya bastard."
Krankos puts the swords into their scabbards around its waist and lifts the two dwarfs on its shoulders, “Sorry.”
"Nah, I asked for it, din’t I... literally. Now if I tell ya to stop, just ignore mi ‘n’ keep going!"
Krankos leaves the shop and runs down the road with the two dwarfs on its shoulders.
Borkin runs out, holding his nose, "That fucking Elmforge! Get back here with those bloody swords!"
Krankos now understands why Borkin said not to stop as it ignores its friend and continues running.
As they approach the signpost near the forest, they see a very large cloud of smoke in the distance. "Can you see that Nibbles, where could that be from?"
Nibbles replies with a nervous squeak before hiding away.
As Krankos and Nibbles continue onwards, the smoke gets larger and darker and a feeling of dread begins to creep into their stomachs. Krankos never felt this way before. It isn't fear, but something inside telling them there is danger ahead.
Getting closer to the scorched landscape around the mountain, the small forest could be seen, now in flames. Thick black smoke fills the sky. The large flames create a silhouette of something up ahead. It is unclear what this silhouette is, only the shaking and feeling of dread tells them not to get any closer.
Krankos turns to Nibbles, "I'm sorry Nibbles... Apparently I'm not meant to be a Woodguard..."
Nibbles replies with a scared little squeak in agreement.
The figure appears to turn towards them. Unsure what it is, Krankos suggests, "Maybe we should go..."
Another nervous squeak in agreement.
The figure marches towards them, the feeling of dread increasing. They turn and run towards the road.
By the time they reach the road, the feeling of dread has gone. Krankos cannot see or feel anything approaching. Feeling much safer, it puts the dwarfs down.
"What now Nibbles?"
Nibbles points towards the worn signpost.
"You want to escort Borkin?"
Nibbles nods and squeaks.
As Krankos and Nibbles begin their journey back to Dalford, Krankos says, "Perhaps I'm an escort service, maybe that is my purpose..."
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