Rava and Lowan walked into the throne room. It was as grand a reception area as one would see among dwarvenkind. A red carpet led the way to a massive stone dais upon which sat a throne flanked by massive statues of armored dwarves, double-headed axes resting in front of them as they stood silent vigil. Flanking the red carpet was seating for ministers and guild leaders. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXLdkgumBj
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWaCd2rewF
Seated on the massive throne was a dwarf with fiery red hair. He had a wide and toothy grin, crow's feet prominent near the corner of his eyes, and golden beads decorated his fiery red beard. Resting on top of his head was a heavy-looking cast-iron crown.
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaBdLNF4gx
As soon as Heradrum and Lowan’s eyes met, Heradrums brow furrowed, his expression turning serious. “What has transpired outside my halls to leave you so sharpened, Duke Lowan?” He said and put a hand to his chin, scratching his beard.
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOO3EFZbH6
“It has been far too long, King Heradrum. Much has happened, and it is simply Lowan now.” Lowan responded with a bow, Rava following a blink after. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBypNoCQAmT
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZctaxEEIQU
Heradrum nodded. “Leave us,” he commanded, and all present servants, elders, and ministers left. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcTxxESDun
Once the hall emptied, he stood up and walked over to them, clasping Lowan’s hand firmly. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHwZGA2fc5
“Do you bring troubles to my hall, Lowan?” he asked. To Rava, it seemed like they were looking eye to eye, the dwarf turning from jolly to imposing with words and mannerisms alone.
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUiGhru2XE
“It might be I do, old friend.” Lowan said and sucked in a breath before continuing. “Hannodell, the rotten, dirty snake, has killed Rivana and now aims for my grandson, Rava.” He said as he presented Rava with his open hand.
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbEbZebEY9
Heradrum’s expression grew somber. “I am sorry, old friend.” He turned to Rava, looking him up and down. “A sharpened blade for sure, that one; damn shame, so young.” he gave Lowan a judging quirk of his brow. “A damn shame.”
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkOiOFe66b
“Necessity has made it so, not any will of mine. Had I the choice, he’d be in some college somewhere drinking, fighting, fucking, and skipping out on his lessons,” Lowan said and shook his head. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibr1IeFHMl
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JDWCcpkI5
“Why is Hannodell hunting the boy, and why did he kill Rivana?” Heradrum asked. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYWrmR20oe
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0Q4y18a9g
“It is better you not -” Lowan started saying but was interrupted by a “Horsecock!” from Heradrum. “You bring these troubles to my halls and expect me to help you without knowing what threatens me and my kin?” He said as he shook his head. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3jtT4G0Kc
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6w9U96OnY
“The Enlightened.” Lowan said. Heradrum froze. Moments that seemed to contain an eternity passing in silence. “Ah fuckin’ finally!” Heradrum said with a smile returning to his face. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMC3P0fGWP
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrHWW6NZTV
Lowan was dumbfounded then, for the first time since Rava had gotten to know him. Heradrum then turned to Rava. “So you’re one of them, are ya?” He said. Rava looked at Lowan, who just responded with a shrug. “Yes, Heradrum Ironwrought, king of Hanul Pass.” Was all he managed to say before Heradrum interrupted him with a raised palm.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8l8KDhGsA
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrUwBZuy9i
“Call me uncle!” He said with a smile. Smacking Rava on the shoulder with his bear-like paw, almost toppling him over. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bdxuVfxdW
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxikAfCcduv
“H..how did you know?” Lowan asked. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H2gtwb5eU
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwHbFV7vFR
“Korrakh!” Came the jolly reply. Lowan quirked his eyebrow. “Ugh, my great great great great something grandfather told me something along these lines would happen.” He said as he started walking off. “Finally, I can fulfill my calling!” He said as he motioned them to follow. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe0VeNuJEQ
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGWFXhR9VG
They followed Heradrum behind the throne, where he pushed some specific parts of the statue, and a winding staircase suddenly formed after a hatch slid away. The stairs led to a room filled with the most intricate armor and weapons proudly on display. 410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aQK6fTil7
410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnLHKfzIBM
Heradrum walked over to a chest that was placed on a pedestal. “I had these commissioned by the finest smith in all of dwarvenkind, Morail Dawnhammer.” He said as he opened the chest, revealing two short swords in their scabbards, “The sister blades, Talon and Wing.” He said and unsheated one of them. A blade as black as night, thrumming with magic. “They will serve you well, benighted one.” He said and held the blade out with the handle towards Rava.410Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCInYTBvsa
