Hreidmar of Svartalfheim grimaced at the updates streaming into his throne room. The ages are shifting; Demons roam the world, war rages across land and sea, and the dead rise once again.
Chaos, he murmurs as his aged eyes skim the reports. In the centuries he ruled Svartalfheim, hes seen wars and violent upheavals co and go. So were fought for resources, others for vanity, but the worst were, are, always the wars led by the gods.
Still, even when the gods cause problems, it has never gotten so chaotic. They had restraint and goals. Not even the gods dared to flip the table without planning where the chips would fall.
When Hreidmar finally finishes the report, he sets it down on the table and assays the expressions of his nobility for their thoughts. Most specifically, he asures how much ad is in their crystal goblets.
All dwarves have a love for alcohol, and that love is expressed in their culture. When they are happy, they drink a lot- usually several large gulps if not the entire mug. When they aren't happy, then it is more nuanced. A single gulp or even a small sip is taken. But, when they are distressed, then a middling effect is seen. Several large gulps, but never the entirety of the mug.
And just from that, he notes the differences of wisdom brought on with age. His oldest nobles are distressed while the younger ones are curious, and so of the youngest are happy over the events happening. They wish for change, ignorant of how costly change can truly be.
The gods and their gas. he murmurs again, though this ti loud enough for the others to hear.
Aye, and a dangerous ga they play. his friend, [Smith Lord] Forad, adds with a grimace. The other elder [Nobles] closest to his throne nod in agreent. As for those most lacking in the wisdom of a long life and gray beard, they sit idle and listen.
Then, Hreidmar begins, his voice rumbling with power and age, Let us prepare the blackguard- silently, might I add. The populace need not know of what is transpiring in the wider world just yet. Right now, it is best to prepare and listen. I do not want my city to be in so kind of uproar.
The stone doors to the throne room squeak open as two [Royal Guards] clad in full black armor push. Once halfway open, a portly dwarf with goggles and a long braided beard rushes inside. The man doesnt bow or apologize as he rushes to the king. Sweat gleams off his brow by the ti he reaches the throne.
Your eminence, there is an uproar at the docks.
___________________________________
Svartalfheims docks are, to Quasis surprise, very very well defended. They are located within the mountain that the dwarves call their ho. A massive water cave built into the side of Svartalfheim opens tall and wide enough to fit half a dozen dreadnought class ships through the opening.
At the top of the cave's mouth are black steel towers holding hundreds of cannons all ard and ready to fire at any ship that attempts to co near. As the ShadeHaven, Dwarven Anvil, and the Navis near the entrance, all of the cannons swerve to the three ships. But they don't fire as the Dwarven Anvil, flying the kingdom's colors, takes the lead.
As they enter through the caves mouth, the inner area expands into a port housing a good hundred ships at the very least. Most of the ships are dwarven made and owned, but a few also carry the colors of other nations as well. Atop the cave are reinforced stalactites with bridges built between them. From those bridges are thousands of enchanted crystals that give the port an eerie glow.
Near the center of the cavern, hanging from the top is a pillar of tal where dwarves swing glowing light sticks. It takes a mont for to realize that they are directing ships, and another mont to figure out the process. With a red light pointed at the ShadeHaven and the Navis, a dwarf with two green sticks points one at the Dwarven Anvil and another towards an open space for the dreadnought. The open space lights up green at the sa ti to signal docking clearance.
Once the Dwarven Anvil reaches a berth made of tal, the next ship to be directed is the Navis. The castle of a ship is directed to an area absent of ships. The Navis, or more specifically the turtle, climbs atop a spacious piece of rock. It yawns and then falls asleep.
When it is the ShadeHavens turn, the dwarves are left dumbfounded as my own ship exceeds the size of the Dwarven Anvil, which makes parking a chore. It also doesn't help that the experienced and higher level [Dockworkers] are staring at my ship like an ex-lover that was presud dead.
Eventually, after a good five minutes of waiting, ships are moved around until an entire section of a port is left vacant. A green light from above and the opened section tells to park the ShadeHaven. With the ship parked, I lower the plank and prepare to head down. But I stop as Im t not by a crowd, but a literal army of short bearded n.
Short bearded n that are in the midst of emotional turmoil. Many are crying with tears streaming down their soggy beards. Others are staring with their mouths agape. And so, weirdly enough, are intensely touching ShadeHavens hull with a reverence bordering on rapture or orgasm.
Why are they licking the hull? Wait, why do so of them have a bulge betwe-e
Make way! Make way! I SAID MAKE WAY YOU DAMN COCK FOR BRAIN HORNY SHITS!
A woman's voice, a very deep one, forces the crowd to part, allowing a clearly aged female dwarf to hobble past them with a cane. At her heels is Molucca with a shit eating grin on his face.
Velika Waterarm
Level 331 [Sovereign Cavern Harbormistress]
One of the oldest dwarves in Svartalfheim, Velika is in charge of the entire kingdom's naval production, organization, and trade.
Shit. Shes dangerous.
Velika raises an eyebrow at , knowing full well that Id just analyzed her. She attempts to do the sa, but as always, it fails, as I glean from her frown.
When she finally arrives, the old woman takes a long look at the ship. She takes it all in, a short mont of genuine interest. The look is reminiscent of eting a long lost friend and noting all the changes.
Then she looks up at .
Thor's bulging sacks, from what sen filled cooch did you resurrect the Haven?
I can't help but grin at the woman's choice of words, It's the ShadeHaven now, and I found it derelict way to the south. The forr crew left it in disrepair.
Still grinning, the woman tilts her head towards the frontal skull of the ship, So to fix it, you boned it and steeped it in your necrotizing goop.
Inside and out. Im a good man, and thorough.
The woman laughs loudly, I like you. You have spunk! She taps her cane on the stone ground, [Morph Cavern: Custom Construction].
To my surprise and utter amazent, ambient mana flows from all directions towards the elder woman. As the mana coalesces, the earth trembles and morphs. A wave of stone pushes dwarves back while the foundation shifts. My ship rises, pushed up as supports morph into existence and surround my ship. Stairs, platforms, rapports, lights, and various other objects surround my ship. In a re minute, the port transitioned to a wharf fully capable of housing and modifying the Shadehaven.
With the ship now raised, a bout of silence passes over all those present. They have a full view of the ship and all of the external changes that have been made.
Stop googling and get your cream filled asses back to work, She yells at the peanut gallery. They look at her with pleading, puppy-dog eyes.
Oh? she grins maliciously at the dwarves, Are you disobeying ? Do I have to publicly castrate another of you shits again?
Her question brings forth a mory in all of the dwarves present. A combined shudder from every dwarf shakes the foundation for a mont. They all glance wantonly at my ship before grumbling back to work.
Velika shakes her head at the disgruntled workforce before shifting her focus to . Are you going to stand up there stroking your dick or are you going to introduce yourself properly?
Taking the point, I walk down the stairs with Jessica silently at my side. Ever since shed realized that she is a bit of a sadist, shed beco far less sociable. Though, that could be because shed yet to forgive for sleeping with Teuta. In my defense, I was drunk and have no mory of what happened that night.
When we reach the bottom, I step in front of the aged dwarf and bow. A pleasure to et you, [Harbormistress]. My na is Bone, captain of the ShadeHaven.
Don't lie to , cumstain. Your na is Quasi Eludo.
Surprised, I glance at Molucca who replies with a shake of his head.
Really now, and how did you find out my na? I was under the impression that my Alias is still secret.
Velika grins, You don't know, do you?
Ummm, no?
The old woman grins wider, Well, that's fine. Youll figure it out. In the anti, let's talk about updating the Haven's capabilities and na change, shall we?
Id rather not. Id like to keep the ship's capabilities a secret.
Velika shrugs, That's fine, just know youll never be able to undock your ship ever again.
I don't think you could stop .
Velika laughs. Ill be in my office when you change your mind. She looks at Molucca with a huge shit-eating grin on his face, as for you, Hreidmar wants an imdiate report. Hes not good with change.
With her peace done, the older lady hobbles away on a cane.
As she leaves, Molucca looks to , I did warn you bout the [Harbormistress]. I suggest getting that docuntation started before you enter the city proper.
Ehh, shes cocky and interesting, but not that impressive.
Molucca shakes his head. He points at my ship, You said you control the ship with your mind. Can you do it now?
Surprised at the question, I searched for the connection between myself and my ship and found nothing. Nada. It's as though the connection doesn't even exist anymore.
How?
This cavern and all the ships inside it belong to her when they dock. All skills, enchantnts, and capabilities of the ships are placed into permanent stasis until she decides to release them.
Fuck . So I have to actually do docunt stuff?
Everyone not part of Svartalfheims military does. Testudo is probably already in her office with his [Lawyers]. Molucca straightens his scruffy beard, Anyhow, I need to report to the [King]. It shouldn't take more than a day. When Im done, I can take you to the Hers statue you want to go to.
Molucca runs off and leaves and Jessica standing alone.
I attempt to connect to my ship again, but no dice. The connection isn't there, even though I feel like it should be. It's actually quite a blow to my pride.
Fine, I reach into my shadow and retrieve a small bag of crystals. I hand them to Jessica, No need for you to suffer bureaucracy. Mind going into the city and getting us so lodging at the best Inn in the city?
Jessica takes the bag and nods. She starts walking away in the sa direction that Molucca went. As she leaves, I start making my way towards the slender, vertical, oval building in the center of the port. A building directly between two shorter circular ones.
Reviews
All reviews (0)