The morning sun peeked through the trees as Caelen, Zira, and Garin made their way deeper into the forest. Their boots pressed into the soft dirt, leaves crunching underfoot.
"We've never been this far," Garin said, looking around.
"Good. That ans no one's picked this place clean," Caelen replied.
They moved slowly, scanning the area. Zira pointed to a patch of brown near a small hill.
"Clay," she said.
Caelen knelt down and touched it. Wet and thick.
[System: Clay ×10 added to inventory]
They walked a bit further and discovered so bones lying around under a tree.
[System: Bones ×8 added to inventory]
"Looks like an old animal den," Zira said.
Garin took a step forward. "What's this?" He looked down and pulled it.
[System: Spring Onion ×6 added to inventory]
Caelen grinned. "Looks like dinner."
As they ventured further, the trees grew fewer. They noticed a cave behind so boulders.
"Another one?" Garin asked.
"Let's take a look," Caelen replied.
They entered. The cave was dark and chilly.
Then they stiffened.
Towards the rear wall, two little bodies slept snoring. Beards, stout physiques, heavy boots. Dwarves.
"Uh." Garin breathed quietly. "Are they. Drunk?"
The air was filled with the stench of stale ale.
One of the dwarves snorted and sat up, rubbing at his eyes. "Who's walking' around?"
The other groaned. "Tell 'em to quit yellin'. My head's ringin'."
Caelen raised his hands. "Hey—sorry. We didn't intend to surprise you."
The first dwarf picked up a short-handled axe. "Back away! We don't need soone along!"
Zira and Garin held their hands up, prepared.
"Wait," said Caelen hastily. "We don't co to fight. We are just exploring."
The second dwarf blinked at him. "You speak well for a human. What do you want?"
"Nothing. Just wondering. What are you doing out here?"
The first dwarf complained. "Got expelled. Our clan did not approve of our. hobbies."
"Hobbies?" asked Caelen.
"Drinking, primarily," muttered the second dwarf.
The first dwarf eyed Caelen. "Who are you, then?"
"Na's Caelen. This is Zira and Garin. We have a small village not too far from here."
The second dwarf snorted. "A village? Out here?"
Caelen reached into his pack and pulled out his mythril pickaxe.
Both dwarves stared.
"That's mythril," the first one whispered.
"You mined that?" the second asked, wide-eyed.
Caelen nodded. "With this."
The dwarves looked at each other.
"I'm Borin," said the first dwarf. "And this sack of complaints is Dorgrim."
Dorgrim grunted. "You dragged into this ss, Borin."
Caelen smiled. "Would you like to join us? We could make use of talented hands. Tools, nails, repairs."
Borin stroked his beard. "Hmm. what's in this for us?"
"You get to eat, and have a place to sleep, and as much tal to play with as we can find," Caelen replied.
Dorgrim spoke up. "And ale?"
Caelen groaned. "If I ever get around to brewing it, fine."
Borin nudged Dorgrim. "We're in."
Zira smiled. "Just like that?"
"We've had enough of damp caves and angry rats," Dorgrim said. "Your deal sounds warm."
They packed up their bags—mostly empty bottles and a rusty hamr—and followed the group back.
It took a while, but by afternoon, they reached the village. Rena and Miko ran out to see the newcors.
"Who are they?" Miko asked.
"More friends," Zira said with a grin.
Dorgrim leaned on his walking stick. "You didn't say there were kids."
Borin took a look about the village. "It's small. but you've got real stone, fences, even animals."
Caelen nodded. "It's coming along. Bit by bit."
The dwarves gazed at the blacksmith hut and forge.
"You did all this?" Borin asked.
"Yep."
Dorgrim smirked. "It's not bad. Needs more soot."
"Co on," Caelen said. "I'll take you to where you can sleep. Then we'll discuss tools."
Borin cracked his knuckles. "Sounds good. And maybe sothing warm to eat?
"Got corn and eggs," Caelen said. "No ale, though."
Dorgrim sighed. "We'll live."
Zira looked at Caelen and whispered, "They're strange."
Caelen whispered back, "not really."
They were ho again—and now with two dwarves who, for all their grumbling, just might help the village grow stronger.
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