Ch 96 - Enter Heirya

The wagon stood parked on the winding mountain road leading to the Heirya Kingdom, precariously perched on the steep cliffs. The biting wind howled through the peaks, but Luc lounged lazily in the wagon, arms folded behind his head, gazing up at the sky. It was the first time I had seen him truly relax, without his usual air of caution. It felt strange.

Meanwhile, I kept watch, tending to the campfire with idle hands. The flickering flames cast dancing shadows against the rocky terrain as I stole occasional glances at Luc, who seemed unusually at ease.

“How much longer are we going to wait here?” I finally asked, unable to hide my impatience.

Without so much as a glance in my direction, Luc exhaled a slow breath. “Not much longer now.”

I frowned, poking at the fire with a stick. “We're running low on supplies. Unless you have a plan, we need to start rationing.”

A smirk tugged at the corner of Luc’s lips.
“Relax, kid. We’ll be restocking soon enough, and for free.”

I shot him a skeptical look. “Uh-huh. And if this brilliant plan of yours doesn’t work out, I’ll be forced to use your stash of sweets as emergency rations.”

That got his attention. Luc immediately sat up, his usual bored expression replaced with mock alarm. “Okay, now let’s not be hasty. Some things are sacred, kid.”

I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the fire. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky transformed into a breathtaking blend of deep purples and fiery oranges. Despite my unease, I had to admit—this place had its moments.

I moved over to the bulls, stroking their thick woolly hides as I fed them. The beasts grunted in contentment, their warm breath misting in the cold air.

Then, I heard it.

A distant rumble. Faint at first, but growing louder by the second. The rhythmic pounding of hooves against stone sent a shiver down my spine. Dust clouds rose from the upper path, signalling the approach of something or someone—fast.

“Something’s coming!” I called out, instantly reaching for my daggers. My body tensed as I scanned the road ahead, my heartbeat quickening.

Luc sat up, his smirk widening into something almost… wicked. He stretched his arms, as if shaking off drowsiness, then hopped off the wagon with an eerie calmness.

“About time they showed up,” he muttered, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or even more worried.

The dust cloud rose got closer, and soon, a group of monstrous Three-Tusked Boars came charging toward us, their riders clad in gleaming armor. At the head of the group, I recognized the same dwarven warrior from before—the fierce, braided woman who had confronted us at the border. Only this time, she looked even less thrilled to see us.

Luc idly poked the fire with a stick, utterly ignoring the impending arrival. I, on the other hand, reached for my daggers, unsure whether we were about to be welcomed or attacked.

The boars came to an abrupt stop before our camp, kicking up a small storm of dust and snow. The leader swung off her mount, her armored boots hitting the ground with a heavy thud. Her piercing eyes locked onto Luc with a glare sharp enough to cut steel.

“You’re still here,” she spat, glaring at Luc. “Humans. Always scheming.”

Luc didn’t even look up. “Oh, were we supposed to vanish into thin air? My bad. We were just about to leave. Didn’t mean to trouble you.”

The woman’s scowl deepened. “No need to go. We’ll escort you to the kingdom ourselves. Be grateful.”

Luc finally stood, stretching his arms out with exaggerated nonchalance. “Huh? No, no, that’s quite alright. We don’t want to impose. I’m sure there’s nothing worthwhile among my goods to interest your people, anyway. The Heiryans already have everything the earth offers, don’t they?”

A flicker of hesitation crossed the dwarves’ faces. Their leader remained stoic, but I caught the way her fingers tightened around her spear.

Luc sighed dramatically and began packing up. “Well, guess we’ll just head back to Zephinya. There are plenty of buyers there who’d pay a fine price for what I have.”

The dwarven leader took a step forward, forcing a smile. “As I said, you’re welcome to the Heirya Kingdom. We came down here specifically to escort you. Now, stop this ridiculous melodrama and come with us.”

Luc feigned surprise. “Melodrama? Me? Perish the thought. I simply wouldn’t dream of stepping into your great kingdom after being so… warmly welcomed earlier.”

The woman’s jaw clenched. Her fellow warriors murmured to each other in hushed voices, their expressions conflicted. Luc was not going to comply easily.

Luc turned away with a sigh. “Just tell Lord Jaltar I apologize for the inconvenience. I’m sure he’ll manage without my goods. We’ll take our leave.”

That did it.

With a sharp thunk, the dwarven woman drove her spear into the ground, her entire body trembling with frustration. I tensed, gripping my daggers, unsure if we were about to fight.

“Alright, fine!” she snapped. “You’re right. Lord Jaltar has instructed us to escort you to finalize your deal. He’s ready to accept your offer. Now, get moving.”

Luc quirked a brow, clearly enjoying himself. “Oh? Is that a fact? But I thought my kind weren’t welcome here. I wouldn’t want to overstep.”

The dwarven woman furrowed her brows, confused by Luc's dramatic behavior. She could only grit her teeth as she reflected on her past actions that led to this situation.

One of the dwarves leaned toward their leader, whispering something urgent. Her face darkened, and for a long, agonizing moment, she stood frozen in place.

With great reluctance, she turned back to face us. Her shoulders were stiff, and her hands were clenched into fists. Inhaling sharply, she bowed her head just slightly and said, “We apologize for our earlier rudeness. Lord Jaltar has instructed us to escort you to him at once. Please, come with us.”

My eyes widened. The proud Heiryan warriors were bowing?

Luc’s lips curled into a smug smile. “Oh my, now this is unexpected. The mighty dwarves actually humbled themselves before a mere human merchant. If only the world could witness this moment.”

The woman’s nostrils flared, her patience thinning by the second. “We already said sorry. What more do you want?”

Luc tapped his chin, pretending to think it over. “Hmm… well, an apology alone doesn’t quite cover the emotional distress. But! If you were to reimburse us for our supplies and rations, I might be willing to overlook the insult and consider your offer.”

I groaned inwardly. Luc, you greedy bastard.

The dwarven leader ground her teeth so hard I thought they might shatter. “You… bastard.”

She turned to her warriors. “Fine! Pay for them whatever they need. Just get them moving before I change my damn mind.”

With that, the dwarves mounted their boars once more, motioning for us to follow. Luc climbed onto the driver’s seat, whistling a victorious little tune, while I slumped in the back, rubbing my temples.

As the wagon rolled forward, I could feel the dwarven leader’s eyes burning holes into Luc’s back, her expression seething with barely contained fury.

One thing was clear—Lord Jaltar really wanted whatever Luc had brought. Enough to make the proud dwarves swallow their pride.

And now, more than ever, I wanted to know what the hell was inside that damn bag.

The sun had nearly set by the time we returned to the forested heights. The dwarves led us toward the long, snaking wall in the distance. But then, without warning, they changed direction, heading instead toward one of the towering structures.

A sense of unease crept over me. Were they leading us astray—perhaps to an ambush?

I made my way to the driver’s seat, where Luc sat, reins in hand.

“Oi, isn’t the city beyond that wall? Where are they taking us?” I asked.

Luc scoffed, shaking his head. “Kid, there’s no city past that thing. Heck, that’s not even a wall.”

I glanced back at the long, pale structure standing against the horizon. “What? Then what is it? And where are we going?”

Luc rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Can’t say for sure what that thing is. But don’t worry—you’ll see the city soon enough.”

The path wound through the dense forest, zigzagging until we reached a hill with a massive cave entrance. Dwarven guards stood at attention, their expressions stoic. The cave mouth yawned open before us, a tunnel disappearing into the depths of the mountain.

As soon as the guards spotted the dwarven warriors riding their boars, they saluted. Without hesitation, our escort led us downward. The polished stone roads gleamed under the soft glow of embedded crystal rocks, placed at intervals to illuminate the path.

The deeper we went, the more it felt like an endless labyrinth. Countless passageways branched off in different directions, twisting and turning like the veins of the mountain itself. Anyone unfamiliar with these tunnels would surely lose their way.

With every turn, we descended further. Occasionally, we passed dwarves who bowed in respect to our escorts.

After what felt like an eternity—navigating at least fifty caves and countless corridors—we finally emerged into an enormous cavern. No, enormous wasn’t the right word. It was colossal.

The sheer scale of it took my breath away. It was as if an entire mountain had been hollowed out to create this vast underground expanse. Far below, a massive lake stretched across the cavern floor, its dark waters reflecting the warm glow of molten lava that snaked through the rock walls. And at the lake’s heart stood a magnificent city, cradled within an enormous archframe that supported the cavern’s ceiling.

Metallic buildings gleamed under the flickering gemstone lights, while steam engines hissed and rumbled, filling the air with the sounds of industry. Caravans lined the docks, bustling with activity.

I craned my neck, taking in the intricate network of pipes that crisscrossed above, running through the rocky ceiling and disappearing into the unknown beyond. Enormous metal machinery loomed overhead, supporting the cavern’s structure, a marvel of the dwarven engineering.

It was like stepping into a dream—a fantasy brought to life.

“So this is the Heirya Kingdom?” I asked, my eyes wide with awe.

Luc gave a small nod. “Not quite. This is just one of its major cities.”

I turned to him, stunned. “There’s more?”

“Of course. This is just an outpost near the border. The capital lies deeper within the mountains—and from what I’ve heard, it’s even more breathtaking than this.”

I absorbed his words, my gaze locked on the spectacle before me.

Our group followed the spiraling road leading downward, approaching the city’s gates. As we passed, dwarves stopped to stare at us—perhaps it had been a long time since they’d last seen humans.

The guards led us to a massive steel platform outside the city. At a given signal, the platform began to rise, smoothly lifting us toward the city above.

When we finally stepped inside, I couldn’t help but marvel at the craftsmanship surrounding us. Calling the dwarves mere builders would be an insult. Their skill surpassed anything I had ever imagined—this was the work of true masters, architects of wonders beyond mortal hands.

The dwarven woman dismounted from her boar with a sharp, deliberate motion. Her braided hair swung over her shoulder as she turned to face us, her expression a mix of irritation and forced professionalism.

“From here on, we go by foot,” she said, her voice clipped. “Lord Jaltar awaits you in the guild hall.”

Luc nodded, his tone dripping with mock sympathy.
“Poor Lord Jaltar. We’ve kept him waiting for far too long.”

The woman’s jaw tightened, but she swallowed her anger, her fists clenching at her sides. “My men will handle your wagon from here and await further instructions. If everything goes well and Lord Jaltar is satisfied with your cargo, then all is well. But if he’s upset with this trade deal…” She paused, her glare icy. “The dwarven warriors will escort you outside the gates. And I’ll be more than happy to lead the charge.”

Luc raised an eyebrow, feigning astonishment. “Oh my, is that a threat I hear? I fear for my dear life now. Perhaps I should rethink my decision to come here.”

Sestia’s smile was cold and sharp.
“You’re already in dwarven territory. If you try to back out now, we’ll just take your cargo by force.”

Luc glanced around, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the dwarven warriors watching us from the shadows of the bustling streets. Their presence was unmistakable, their eyes sharp, and their hands resting on their weapons.

I let out a sigh, stepping closer to Luc. “You’ve had enough fun for today. Stop pissing these people off. I’m not eager to die like you seem to be.”

Luc chuckled, reaching into the back of the wagon and pulling out a heavy bag. I couldn’t see what was inside, but it clinked faintly, like metal or stone. Some rare mineral, perhaps?

“Very well,” Luc said, his tone light. “If everything goes to plan, we won’t be needing this wagon anymore. Thank you for your service, Woolmanes.”

The bulls let out soft, affectionate moos, as if understanding our parting. I gave them one last pat, their rough tongues licking my hand in farewell. The dwarven warriors took the wagon and rolled it away, disappearing into the crowd.

The Dwarven lady led us through the bustling streets of the Dwarven city. The place was a chaotic marvel, teeming with life and energy. Dwarves of all ages moved about with purpose, their hands busy with tools, their voices raised in lively conversation. Workshops and stalls lined the streets, the air filled with the clang of hammers, the hiss of steam, and the glow of molten lava carried in vessels like ordinary grocery bags. The city was alive, a testament to dwarven ingenuity and resilience.

The lamp posts glowed with a warm, steady light, illuminating the city as if it were daytime. Luc and I stood out like giants among the dwarves, drawing curious and sometimes scornful glances as we passed.

Finally, we reached the guild hall—a massive structure of iron and stone, its surface adorned with intricate carvings and banners. Dwarven warriors stood guard at the entrance, their eyes sharp and their postures rigid. The atmosphere was tense, and it only grew worse as a group of dwarven warriors stepped forward, blocking our path.

The Dwarven Lady frowned, her grip on her spear tightening. “What is the meaning of this, Sir Augvare?” she demanded, addressing the older dwarf with a braided beard and a stern expression.

Old dwarf, Augvare, crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping over Luc and me with disdain. “Lady Sestia, what are these humans doing here? This is no place for their kind.”

We finally realized that Lady Sestia was actually the Dwarven Lady.

She then firmly replied, “They are guests of Lord Jaltar. Please step aside.”

Augvare laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “Oh, so now, on his orders, humans can just waltz into our city like they own it? These two have been looking down on us since they arrived.”

I felt the tension in the air thicken, the dwarven warriors around us shifting uneasily. Luc, however, seemed utterly unfazed. He scratched his ear, his tone casual. “Old man, it can’t be helped. If I don’t look down, I might step on your bald head.”

Augvare's face flushed with fury. "You arrogant little—" Sestia stepped between them, her spear raised.

"Enough!" She glared at Luc before looking at the old man,
“This man has a poor sense of humor. Please excuse him."

Luc looked genuinely offended. “My humor is top-notch. Don’t try to belittle it.”

“Shut up!” Sestia snapped, her patience clearly wearing thin. “I’m trying to save your neck!”

The tension was reaching a boiling point when a commanding voice cut through the chaos.

“Let them through.”

All eyes turned to the guild hall’s entrance, where a dwarf in royal robes stood, his presence commanding immediate respect. Sestia and the other dwarven warriors bowed deeply, their anger momentarily forgotten. Even Augvare, though clearly displeased, gave a curt nod.

The noble dwarf’s gaze swept over the scene, his expression unreadable.
“Take them to my room. Now.”

Sestia straightened, her voice firm. “Yes, Lord Jaltar.”

With that, the tension dissolved, and we were ushered into the guild hall, leaving the scowling Augvare and the other warriors behind. As we followed Sestia through the grand halls, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of man Lord Jaltar was—and what kind of deal Luc had struck with him.

Whatever it was, I had a feeling it was about to get a lot more complicated.