Master Of None

The meeting had lasted minutes and been filled with ups and downs. So much so that the party could only read over the new quest they had to wonder if it had really just happened. ”Leader, the king was very...different, than what we know.” Su was the first to come out of her own head and speak. 

The golems were leading them toward an opened downward staircase that appeared to be well traveled. There were even rotating hooks on the ceiling to attach large bags. The mechanisms were hidden from view as they rotated downwards and upwards. 

”I did not think he was actually king at first either, but he proved it with the quest showing up. It is strange that they act this way but it makes sense. The way the pride of a dwarf works does not seem to be in their standing but in their ability to craft and lead.” Walker was actually glad to see this. If this was the case they were going to meet many more honest dwarves than he expected. 

”I thought he was going to keep us at the surface longer. It looked like there was almost nothing up there to do, even the inns were changed in to storage areas.” Gil had been worried they would have been required to stay on the surface for much longer and not make any progress at all. 

”Has anyone else realized that we have to deal with this spirit crafting thing? You know, the thing that the elves hate completely?” Remey was the first to bring up the main problem they faced. 

”Yes, we need to figure it out. But I have a feeling that there is something missing between the elves and the dwarves. They both have spirits as part of their culture. The elves speak to them and use them to understand the world better. The dwarves guide them in to weapon forging and create powerful weapons. But both require them to better their people. The real question is how can the two meld together safely?”

Walker posed this question while they followed the golems down the steps. The unending darkness below them was only broken by the lanterns holding crystals that illuminated the stairs. ”There has to be a way for them to come together, I can’t imagine that the dwarves can’t even speak to spirits they use in their crafting, right?” Gil had a feeling that he was speaking the opposite of the truth but wanted to see proof. 

”We should not draw inferences before we know the truth. We will need to meet spirit craftsmen and see how they operate their craft.” Su made sure to slow the assumptions Gil was making. She knew that they were completely in the dark when it came to these forging methods.

”I think I am also more worried about the pests they keep calling the yellow slimes. He even went as far as to warn us that they go after the metal more. We have a decent amount in our gear but not as much as the golems. That could mean their armies are being devoured as we speak, along with tools, everything they craft, and their ores.” Walker felt that this was not a small problem for the dwarves and that it was worse than expected. 

”Well, if we saw them on the surface chasing after the steel skinned worms then I bet they are pretty common down here. We even saw them start to melt together to attack us. So gross.” Remey was afraid that they were about to encounter many more of the slimes this way.

”They could definitely form together more easily than the purple slimes that needed to devour each other to grow. It seems that since their bodies are acidic and they break things down inside them that it is easier for them to combine together. It worried me that we will find a massive slime more easily, or even worse something further grown.” 

Walker fell in to silence with this worry. He knew that there could be something that had grown past the massive slime stage and possibly to a lord slime. If this happened then it would take a serious amount of effort to defeat a slime like this. He was not sure the party would manage in such a different environment like the caves. 

”Leader, we have come this far and have a duty to protect people. I believe we can do whatever we require and stop these slimes.” Su was full of confidence still. She had no reason to doubt the partys’ power and the things they could do with it. Her words were enough to focus everyone. 

”I’m surprised he didn’t say anything about Midnight and Onyx. They are both sure to be monsters that they don’t see here, right?” Remey spoke up with something she had just realized. 

”I would assume it is because they are used to living near dragons maybe? They are the only race that I am sure has spotted them coming and going from the mountains. It might be something they are used to.” Walker could see this as a possibility. On the other hand, Midnight was making dramatic huffing and slight growls in annoyance since she had not received more attention while the king spoke. She was used to the reactions of the kings and queens thus far being more grand than the surface kings. 

”Sister says she will get more attention later when she defeats all the slimes. The kings will need to show her their acknowledgment.” Onyx shared Midnights’ thoughts and made Walker smile despite the dangers to come. He knew that having Midnight motivated like this would only help them as they went on towards their goals. The only thing that was nagging at him was the fact that he couldn’t hear any hustle or bustle from below them, a clear sign that something may be wrong. 

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