Heating up the forge (full version)

[Jpyric: My jokes got you to start this so I might as well finish the chapter, right? I don't know why I wrote this.]

You approach, and the dwarf walks towards you as the heavy doors close behind you. You greet him, you take a moment to look at him. His bearded face is craggy and scarred from forge work, and soot covers him. He spends most of his waking hours here if his bare chest and arms are any indication. His skin shines as the glow of the forge fires reflect off his sweat, making the well-defined muscles under it catch your eye as he approaches. Stopping before you, he speaks in a gruff, but friendly voice.

“Ahh, the young mage of prophecy arrives. Greetings, I am Forgefather Unir. I’m sure Clarissa told you many of the boring details. I apologize for the conditions, but this is traditional, you understand. We forge an alliance where we forge our steel.”

You nod. “As traditions go, it’s relatively innocuous. I see the symbolism, at least.”

The grizzled dwarf smiles at you. “Indeed. However, I'd like to offer you something less traditional as well... I have an unusual proposition for you.”

You raise an eyebrow. Whatever the dwarf is suggesting, he seems hesitant to say it. “I’m always up for a new experience. I'd like to hear your proposal”

“The earth speaks to me. It has told me much about you since your arrival in the old world, especially about your interaction with the girls around you. What I hear is encouraging, but I think you need more experience in your harem, and a dwarven touch...” He grins and winks at you, and you have the distinct impression he's not talking about the dwarf who escorted you here.

You smile. The stocky, bearded man is rather attractive... "I'd have to ask the girls how they feel about another man joining the harem. But they're an accepting bunch, even if they'll never stop ribbing me about this. I have to ask though, what would this mean for Clarissa? I thought she was prophesied to join me."

Clarissa, who had been forgotten in the background until now, comes closer. "Is there a reason only one of us could join you? I know Yura only saw one dwarf in her visions too, but that doesn't mean there can't be another."

The forge seems to grow hotter as she smiles at you and Unir hopefully. The Forgefather chuckles. “She's right. But ultimately, we can't **** you to accept either of us. All we can ask is that you think about it and discuss it with your girls. In the meantime, let's sit and talk about the alliance you came here for.”