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In a quaint little tavern somewhere in the grasslands far away from the mountains sat Valder. The tavern was mostly empty at this point of the night, but still the Dwarf didn't go to bed. The only other people, a bald Half-Orc bartender, was cleaning some mugs, and a cloaked human eating some late night stew, were barely even paying attention to the Dwarf. Valder would lean back against the wall. At times like this he was very much homesick. He longed to return to Ironfang, his lost honour returned to him. With a deep sigh, Valder closed his eyes and started thinking back about that fateful day where he received the praise and glory of both friend and foe alike. He considered it even today to be his most precious memory. Tonight he would dream of that moment again as he dozed off.

Ironfang Keep, many years back

The mountain of Ironfang was a sight to see! The entire mountain was carved out to become a metropolis for the Shield Dwarves. Ironfang Keep featured homes carved straight out of the mountain's insides, bridges closing the gaps between the mountain's many ravines, long and high hallways and beautiful stonework. Each and every hallway featured various statues larger than Giants, engraved walls telling tales of Dwarven ancestors and well lit torches making sure one would not lose any sense of time.

Ironfang had always been a busy city. In the last few 100 years it became a trader's haven, ensuring Ironfang remained rich. Travellers could also find solace within the mountain's walls, for the cold weather outside was hard to endure at times. All this ensured Ironfang was never a boring place, despite the fact the mountain itself is a war zone.

Deep below the mountain's roots lie the Duergar menace, staging coup d'êtats upon Ironfang's mines, while at the peaks of the mountains battles were fought constantly with the Goblins who seek nothing more but the eradication of the Dwarves and claim Ironfang as their own. And last but not least, Orcish clans lay siege to Ironfang's trade routes at times. Despite all this constant danger, it's barely noticeable by visitors. The Dwarves are many and stand their ground admirably.

However, today was different. One of the many forts around Ironfang was taken over by Goblin warbands. Kal'Gara keep is a small fort across a narrow bridge leading straight to Ironfang's civilian quarters. The bridge was built over an exceptionally large chasm, dangerous to cross when the winds are fierce. Inside of the gate leading to Kal'Gara was a tavern known as the Steelore Inn. Today however, it was not filled with patrons, but soldiers, trying to plan their next move. The Goblins could stage many guerilla attacks in the city if the Dwarves allowed them to keep the fort. It was of the utmost importance that it get retrieved as soon as possible. Any mercenaries would also have to apply here if they wanted to make some quick coin. Help was urgently required.

Inside the tavern was a blonde haired Dwarf with a large scar across his left eye, rendering it blind. His beard was thick and bushy while the hair on his head was thin and wispey. He sat hunched over a map of Kal'Gara keep with a few of his underlings discussing possible tactics. His name was Umber Stonebeard, one of the higher ranking captains within Ironfang.

Walking down the hallway came Valder, much younger than he is now with only half the beard he has now, but with surprisingly long hair (perhaps a machination of his dream). Under his elbow he held his helmet as he rushed for Steelore inn.

A strange man had recently entered the tavern, and almost immediately placed himself in its most dimly lit corner. It was a wise choice, given that this man was exactly what most of these dwarves were there to slay in the first place. A tall, red-skinned humanoid of sharp features, wearing a ragged prisoner's garb. He had not been trusted with weaponry yet, out of fear that he would do what comes so naturally to his kind, but he stood with a pride unaffected by all the hateful glares, insults and even threats he got from the dwarves he found himself surrounded by.

Those responsible for enlisting mercenaries had already been informed: the hobgoblin prisoner, Prabu, will take up a blade against his kin in exchange for his freedom. His motives were questionable and nobody trusted him as far as they could throw him, but the need for soldiers was dire and he was skilled - as the dwarves he had fought and slain during the previous goblin incursions could have attested to if they weren't with Moradin now.

Finally Valder had reached the inn. As soon he entered, the soldier stood up. They were in the presence of a knight, but Valder just made a hand signal signifying that they should remain seated. He quickly hurried over to the captain."Ah, you're here, good." the commander spoke."A pleasure to work with you, lord Stonebeard. What is our sit-..." His eyes darted to the corner. He recognized the bastard sitting there. He had read the reports. Prabu, a true scourge of Dwarves. He had killed countless Dwarves already and now he was too cowardly to properly face death and instead bargain for his freedom."Yer to babysit him, sir. We need soldiers to fight this war. He's a soldier, so he's here. King's orders."

Valder spat to the ground."Goblin scum." He cursed as he looked around. A few mercenaries had showed up. One of which was quite clearly a sorcerer, sitting in a different corner of the tavern, hooded and cloaked. More people were expected to show up.

The creature glared from the corner, following the conversation between the two dwarves in silence. His eyes glistened in the darkness - they were a sickly yellow. His face twisted into a sneer at the choice of words, particularly 'babysit', but whatever displeasure the hobgoblin felt, he did not voice. All for the best, too, as he figured that the dwarves around him were just aching for one good reason to mob him.

Valder was near seething. A Hobgoblin, of all creatures, has to fight alongside him to take out his own kin."What guarantees do we have he doesn't just screw us over and joins the motherless bastards down in Kal'gara?" Stonebeard shrugged."We don't, really. I dislike this bloody situation as much as you do, Sir. But I'm not one to refuse our liege, and neither are you, may I remind you."

Valder sighed. It was true of course. He was bound to King Argan's wishes, and thus could not deny the Hobgoblin being here. Valder spoke no more and walked over to Prabu."You, red prick, you're coming with me. I'm not letting you out of my bloody sight if I can help it.

Soon, with all the mercenaries having applied, the group of soldiers was ordered to move towards the gate leading to the bridge of Kal'Gara keep. The soldiers were quiet as they walked, with only the sound of their steel boots hitting the stone floor below ringing down the ears of the folk passing by. Soon they could feel the cold, cutting wind of the outside when they neared the Kal'gara gate.

The hobgoblin follows, not a single word escaping his lips despite his clear state of annoyance. He at least has the small satisfaction of being by far the tallest man in the room full of dwarves, and he capitalizes on it by standing tall and proud, even as the sudden chilling wind makes him flinch for a moment.

He is ready to slay his brothers and sisters for the race he hates the most. No hesitation, no guilt.

Valder looked determined. With the Dwarves was Prabu, as well as a mage and two more archers who signed up as mercenaries. He was certain this battle could be won. What he wasn't certain about was the Hobgoblin he had in tow. He expected a sword in his back if he ever gave him one. The Dwarf was extremely reluctant to trust this Prabu.

Once outside, the soldiers were given a view of the Kal'gara bridge. If it would storm, this narrow yet beautiful bridge would be nearly invisible. A mist hung around the pillars that kept the bridge up, making it so it's impossible the judge how long a fall would be. The winds were strong up here in the mountain as well, so risk of falling down was big.

And there, in the distance, was Kal'gara keep. A large fortress with high walls and a steel gate. It was difficult to imagine storming this place. The Goblins and Hobgoblins had nestled in deep within this stone keep and could bombard anyone coming over the bridge. For a moment Valder cursed his people's stonework.

"Alright, lads! Settle down. I'll request reinforcements. I know there's not many but we're not enough to take them out. Stand guard against anyone trying to cross that bridge." The commander ordered before turning back to the mountain.

It seemed their doom was still a bit off until reinforcements came. Valder turned to Prabu."Alright, scum. Time to make yourself useful. What do you know about the pricks that are in our fortress? They of your stinking clan?"

"I know that they are many. I know that they are fierce. I know that they are not of my own clan, not that it matters."

He pauses, and the corner of his mouth twists into a sardonic grin. "Whatever you and yours have in mind for this suicide mission, gaa'taat, do it fast. They will not waste time in building up their defenses and reinforcing their position. It is what we do best."

He crosses his arms. "If you expect me to fight, I am puzzled as to why I haven't been armed yet. Do you fear what a single, lone hobgoblin can do that much, even when in the middle of your own forces?"

The sorcerer unhooded herself as she stepped forward to look over the scene, revealing herself to be a little deep gnome lady wizard with dark grey skin and loose oily black hair that seemed to glisten in the light. Her short height and finery might make her appear less than fit for battle but her stern red eyes and elegant blue robes unmistakably marked her a fine wizard.

Calmly the gnome took a thick spellbook out of her bag and leafed through the pages in a somewhat dainty manner until she found what she was looking for. "I could try and melt the locks or blast the door to pieces but I would much rather save my spells for the upcoming battle, Commander Valder." The gnome lady said in a matter of fact voice as she tilted her head up to study the door.

Holding the book in her hand her head turned to the goblin, nose scunching in disgust almost instantly. "However we would be unwise to ignore the words of our... companion... As he attests to goblins are known to be... if not intelligent certainly cunning when it comes to their defenses. I daresay they'll have prepared some vile traps and tricks..." The dainty gnome lady returned her eyes to Valder, a somewhat more pleasing sight than the monster. "Perhaps we should consider a more indirect approach. Perhaps send scouts to scour for any weaknesses or holes... It does not have to be big, you will find that I have well-prepared myself for this infiltration."

"You'll get a bloody weapon when I say you're entitled to one, maggot. I'll not risk the likes of you stabbing me in the back during a fleeting moment of distraction." He spat at him."You should feel lucky I'm not throwing you over the railing right now." The angered knight added until his attention was drawn to the Deep Gnome.

"I'm well aware of Hobgoblin tactics, lass. But I also know the bridge is too narrow for these goblinoids to even attempt to lay any traps. The fort was meant to be a watchpost of some sorts. A way into the other part of the mountain. The winds are strong here, anything they try to lay down and it'll get blown right off. But sure, I'll keep it in mind. Just keep your fireballs ready in case we've no other options."

A bit later, Umber Stonebeard return with a stern look on his face."We'll be getting no reinforcements, I'm afraid." Valder's jaw dropped."What!? How do they expect us to take back the fortress with no back-up?!" The knight shouted."We don't. We're to hold the perimeter and make sure not one Hobgoblin crosses that bridge."

"Are you mad, Stonebeard!?" Valder shouted, losing all pleasantries."You know damn well that they're not planning on crossing that bridge! They're going to keep the fortress to themselves and establish a perimeter so more of the buggers can enter Ironfang without any issue!" The soldiers looked at one another. They did not like the sound of that.

"I know, Sir Odanar. But my hands are tied. I cannot go against orders coming from the High King himself!"

"You can't, but I sure as hell don't give a damn." The knight spoke angrily as he turned his back on the commander and walked up to the bridge, facing his brethren.

"Are we going to allow these bastards to take over Kal'Gara that easily!?" He shouted at the soldiers and mercenaries alike."Is this what we've become? A bunch of fat, scared Elves? Is that what I'm looking at right now?!" The soldiers looked at one another. A few of them answered "Hell no." The knight pointed his plated finger at them."See, now they have the right idea! I'm not going to stand around here, freezing my arse off just to wait and see if the Hobgoblins want to come out and play! I say we take the fight to them!"

The soldiers' eyes widened."Sir, we can't-"

"Like hell we can't! We all bloody well know leaving those filthy bastards in our fortress will spell out more trouble in the long run! I refuse to let that happen! We've a wizard in our midst! We can blow up the gates with her help, as long as we keep her safe!"

"But the bridge."

"Aye, the Kal'gara bridge is a scary mother. But you forget this is Dwarven stone! Our ancestors built this! Are we about to dishonour them by acting as if the stone's against us?" The reply was a whole hearted "NO!" The knight flashed a toothy smile."Then show me what you're made of! Raise your weapons! If we die tonight, we die with honour, knowing those Goblin scum will not see us as whipped dogs, but as men and women of action! Who is with me!"

The soldiers cheered and smashed their weapons on their shields, making a clattering sound. Stonebeard couldn't even intervene."Then we march on and come back afterwards for a pint of ale on my expense!" Another cheer came from the soldiers as Valder looked at Prabu."And give that bastard a weapon. If he so much as moves funny, you toss him off the bridge. In pieces!"

The hobgoblin can't help but smirk at the display in front of him. This is the kind of thing that warms his cold heart! Worthy adversaries ready to die so they can battle him and his for eternity in Acheron. "Give me a blade and a shield. We shall see if Dwarven craftsmanship is what they make it out to be. If you are smart, you will cover the wizard. They will target her first, and my peers have practice shooting small targets. They will not miss." He shakes his head, an with an amused expression. "And as you form the tight formations your kind is so proud of... pray they don't have firebombs or boiling oil ready."

"But the King said...." Anukha began, but it was no use. Her voice got drowned out in the dwarven ruckus as she protested and seeing the few that might've been on her side for this change their mind as well made her certain she'd have little support in her protest.

Through gritted teeth she drew her wand and shot an angry glare towards the goblin, which she then changed into a grumpy frown as she looked at Valder. "So? Are we off to blatantly disobey the king then?" She hoped in vain the edge in her tone might change some minds, this was not at all the proper thing to do.

For some reason, Valder could not help but gain a bit of respect for Prabu. He luckily shook it off quickly before showing any gratitude for his advice."Well, you're a tall prick. We'll form the shield wall, but you're getting in front of the Gnome. They won't see her until it's too late." Valder spoke as everyone formed closely together, dragging the Gnome in their midst."He's not your king, is he? You'll not be the one who gets in trouble for this. Before we leave, I should know your name, friend. I'll want to know who I'm personally funding at the end of this." He said with a grin.

With introductions out of the way, Valder took his place at the very front of the group of Dwarves. They stood in lines of four, just narrow enough not to fall down the bridge. The knight had ordered everyone to tie a rope around one another. So if someone fell, they could easily be pulled back up, or in the worst case scenario; cut off. At least those who fell would have a chance."Ready yourselves, men!" Valder called out."Sir Odanar, this is madness! You can't go through with this! These are MY men!" Stonebeard called out."Either fill in the back or stay here. They're not your men anymore. I command them now, whether you like it or not." Valder spoke determined."I will see you discharged for this!" Stonebeard spat angrily, but Valder ignored it completely."We march!" Stonebeards shouts were no longer heard due to the clatter of steel boots stomping down on Dwarven stone.

"Valdeeer! Valdeeeer! Oh, Moradin... VALDEEEER!!"

The movement did not go unnoticed."What in the name of the Red-Eyes?" A scout atop the gate mumbled to himself."Exarch!" The green skinned creature called down."Exarch! The Dwarves are crossing the bridge!"

A heavily armoured creature with a torn red cape, spiked armour and an elaborate helmet looked up."What?" The heavy voice replied."They're crossing the bridge! Hear for yourself! Do you not hear their stubby little feet march? They're making their move!" The armoured Hobgoblin's reaction was hard to judge, as he stood still for a moment, only to turn around to the hunchbacked figure behind him."Your foresight is false, Gran'dar. You ensured me they would not retaliate." The shaman tightened his grip around his staff, adorned with skulls and guts."I do not know what happened, Exarch Kochma'vol. I read it in the entrails, I did! The Dwarves would not dare cross the bridge! The guts of the lamb rarely lie!" The armoured Hobgoblin known as Kochma'vol turned his head away from the hunchbacked Shaman."It matters little. A few Dwarves are no match for me." The creature turned to speak to the assortment of green skinned Goblins and Hobgoblins."Stand up, maggots!" His voice boomed."The Short Folk have come to reclaim their fortress! Get ready to spill their blood!" The Goblinoids cheered in their monstrous way and quickly armed themselves.

Kochma'vol. This name would be known to anyone. To his enemies he is known simply as The Eyeless One. A masked Hobgoblin warrior who quickly rose to the ranks after losing half of his face during combat against the Shield Dwarves. The loss of his eyes didn't seem to stop this giant of a Hobgoblin. In fact, it only made him stronger. The Eyeless One has killed countless of Dwarves with his bare hands. Those unfortunate enough to survive combat against him end up with both their eyes gauged out and given to his pet Shaman, Gran'dar the Bloodied, for his fortunes and sickening rituals. This was not going to be an easy fight.

Meanwhile back on the bridge, the party of Dwarves and others braved the cutting winds that were nearly strong enough to blow even the heaviest Dwarf off of his feet. But so far the Dwarves pressed on, marching towards the keep. When they neared the middle part of the bridge, the structure became visible at long last.

The Hobgoblin takes his place in front of the magician. The weapons he was given are tested for weight and balance with a series of swift moments, and then, satisfied, he assumes a more traditional stance.

"Stand behind me with the knowledge that if I fall, so do you.", he growls to the gnome. And then, in a less threatening tone, he adds: "Dwarves, as usual, too prideful or thick to follow a simple chain of command, bringing certain death to their subordinates. I do not mind this, for today is a good day to die, but I did not expect the same from you, paaldaask."

As flattered as Anukha was by Valder he could not take away her unease and displeasure at obeying the king... all the same she inclined her head at his request for her name. "My name is Anukha Fashii." The gnome said as she put a hand on her stomach. "And I thank you." She added when he mentioned something about 'funding'.

With pleasantries out of the way Anukha took her place behind the goblin and glared new daggers at the red one when he started talking to her. "Why I..." She sputtered but then he showed a bit more intellect with what followed... even if that too only served to make her grumpier. "If your counterparts across the wall are just as foolish as you in underestimating a wizard I would not wager on their victory!" The gnome lady snapped back. Even though she had her own thoughts about Valder's disobedience she didn't seem ready to talk about that with this red goblin yet. "Now lets move. The sooner we are at that gate the better."

The hobgoblin groans audibly. "You misunderstand, paaldaask. The intent was to dissuade you from stabbing me in the back."

Valder and the Dwarves pressed on, ignoring the banter between Prabu and Anuhka. The snow and wind blew into their faces, but the folk from the deep had good eyes. It was clear, even through the storm, that the Goblinoids were getting on the walls. And they were holding crossbows!

"Shields up!" Valder yelled, raising his own family shield. The Jackalope would save him this day as it did the founder of the Odanar family. Up on the rampart also stood Kochma'vol, his eerie mask looking over the bridge. Valder noticed this just as the volley of bolts was fired upon them."The Eyeless One is up there!" The knight shouted as the bolts made contact with the Dwarves. In a stroke of luck, none of them hit the Dwarves. However, one did cut through the rope keeping a division together. The unlucky sod couldn't stand against the winds on his own and was blown off the bridge in a violent manner once the winds started picking up again."Push onward!" Valder shouted."Keep your shields up! We must get off this damn bridge!"

Now the Goblinoids were reloading, Valder saw another chance."Archers! Fire at will!" The crossbowmen who were at the very back showed their faces from beyond the shield wall, firing their crossbows up at the fortress. Sadly, with the wind this strong, it was difficult to judge whether the bolts would hit their targets. A few managed to connect, causing a few Hobgoblins to fall down into the courtyard from the sheer force of the bolt. The Eyeless One quickly went behind cover, looking down at the Hobgoblins heating up a couple of kettles with oil. Due to the fact they didn't expect any retalliation, the oil wasn't heated yet."How long until the oil boils?!" His voice booms."About five more minutes, Exarch!" One of the Hobgoblins replied as he stoked the fire."Make that one minute, soldier. The Short Folk are nearing the gates!"

More bolts were fired down as the soldiers neared the end of the bridge. These hit much better, causing a few Dwarves to fall to their knees, or even down the bridge, nearly taking a whole division with them in the process if the brave soul didn't cut himself off.

The advance was still the worst part of it. Sure Anukha had no trouble seeing through darkness but a storm like this was almost alien to her and so she had no advantage the dwarves didn't have.

Still, even if her sight was good... she could only see the sky. All around her was a wall of thickly armored dwarves, even the shortest of them being a head and a half taller than her and of course right in front of her she had the red-faced goblin who was big enough that she probably wouldn't be able to see the wall until she was right in front of it.... which had been the entire idea of course.

"Come on... get to the wall." Anukha grumbled in frustration as she stepped forward, ever forward, clutching her wand. Silently she hoped no stray bolt would find it's way through her sky window, she had no spells of a shielding nature... at least none that would be useful in this particular instance...

The hobgoblin, as he marches, roars in his native tongue. It is a song of fierceness and challenge, a call, maybe even a plead. "Your brother marches against you in honorable battle, come and strike him down, and earn an ally in Acheron." It should be noted, however, that warcries aside, he follows the commands by the letter like the disciplined soldier he is. It's simply not a honorable death by combat if you let them kill you.

At long last, the peril of the bridge had ended. Valder set foot on the rock of the mountain on which the fortress stood."Charge!" He shouted as he ran for the wall. The soldiers shouted their battle cry and followed immediately.

"Gran'dar! get the oil boiling! They're here!" The Eyeless One shouted before throwing his massive spear down towards Valder. Valder noticed and stopped dead in his tracks, causing the spear to land only an inch away from him. This filled the Dwarven Knight both with dread and vigor as he looked up at the massive Hobgoblin."You missed, you blind piece of crap!" He shouted before cutting the spear in half. Kochma'vol didn't reply to the petty knight, however. His helmet was set on Prabu, who dared talk to him after betraying his own kind.

"You dare speak to me as an equal? You are no brother of mine! You are as pathetic as a Dwarf and will die like one!" He shouted angrily before turning away from the wall as two pairs of Hobgoblins brought the kettles of burning hot oil up the wall after Gran'dar heated them up.

"Anuhka, prepare your spell! Blast that gate open! We're sitting ducks out here!" Valder ordered as the rest of his soldiers formed a shield wall to protect one another from the crossbow bolts that were raining down on them.