Krazkhuraz

The journey was relatively uneventful, despite the mounting sexual tensions.

Finally they were at the base of the mountain home of the dwarves. The grand ornate gates towered further up the mountain, a stone road leading up to it. Statues of dwarven warriors flanked either side of the road, guiding their way and served as a warning of the might they'd face if they were hostile.

Outside the gates was a permanent camp of traders waiting to get in, surface dwarves trying to keep ties to the home they'd never be allowed to return to and humans who'd made a living being mediators between the dwarves and the surfacers.

Augusta and Livia took a moment to look at the wares on display from the traders while Marcus, Aine and Julia approached the gates. Three heavily armored dwarves stood in front like statues, one in the center was clearly the leader.

"Names and business in Krazkhuraz." The dwarf demands, rather than asks, the information.

"Legate-Lord Marcus Valerius, Lady Aine Conant, accompanied by Julia, Livia and Augusta Valerius and our escort. Here to negotiate with Queen Kozzala." Marcus replies in an official and straighforward tone.

"Valerius?" He asks, not containing his surprise. "Emmisaries from your emperor?" He asks.

"Not this time." Marcus replies. "This is about our shared security in this region."

"Hmm." The dwarf gruffly hums. He clearly has thoughts on the matter but is professional enough to keep them to himself. "Well a Conant is always welcome in Krazkhuraz." He says looking to Aine. "Open the gates." He commands and moments later the heavy metal gates open with a groan, the gate guards bow as you begin to enter. "Come I'll escort you." He says, leading the way.

Inside their eyes take a moment to adjust. There is no natural light, instead the grand entrance hall is lit with a reddish glow of strange lanterns, inside of which is some kind of glowing plant.

"A word, my lord." The dwarf says quietly, letting his professionalism drop briefly. "Our queen is young and ambitious, but a good woman. We've switched monarchs much too often recently. We need stability. If you want any deal to stand, you might need to ensure she maintains her throne."

"Thank you. We'll do what we can and with luck, we'll all come out of this deal in much stronger positions." Marcus replies reassuringly.

Another heavy gate opens further in, allowing them their first view of the city. All the humans gasped in awe. Unlike sprawling human cities, there was a verticality that they'd never seen. Walkways, buildings carved directly from the mountain and aqueducts spread above and below them, reaching towards the top of the moutain and stretching deep below it. There was no way to see the bottom. The whole mountain had been hollowed out. Every stone surface they could see featured intricate carvings, some with gilded details. The care and craftsmanship was clear everywhere they looked.

"Millions must live here..." Julia mutters in amazement.

"Barely." Their dwarf escort says with a sigh. "Once, in the days of the Dwarozzok Empire maybe but... We've lost many to the goblins. We have no direct contact with the other dwarven kingdoms anymore." He lets out a bitter laugh. "There's more of our kin on the surface than below now and we're too proud to let them in. That's why we need Queen Kozzala."

"She wants to change things?" Marcus asks.

"Aye. She wants to give the surfacers a place, open more trade, make a real effort to reclaim our territory."

They entered a stone box, once inside the dwarf pulled a lever and they started rising at an impressive rate. Marcus had never experienced anything like this and his stomach churned uneasily at the experience.

The population decline became more obvious as they headed up towards the palace district. The streets were only busy in some areas, certain sections of the city that they could see were completely empty, clearly long since abandoned.

Finally the stone box came to a sudden stop in front of an immaculate plaza. A small green park was being grown under some kind of magical light, a grand fountain in the center. On either side were imposing buildings, one with statues of scholars, the other with statues of noble looking dwarves. Directly in front was another building that put the others to shame. A palace that displayed the full wealth and power of the ancient dwarves. Marble, gold and gems were woven into the structure proudly. Rather than the organic lighting of the rest of the city, here magic was used, a rarity for a dwarven city. Floating orbs of light were dotted around, only emphasising the excessive wealth on display.

Guards stood to attention along all sides of this plaza, adorned in mithril armor and carrying imposing axes.

Their escort maintained a respectful silence as he led them across. Inside the palace he reported their arrival to a royal aide and they were left to wait while the aide carried the message to the queen. The inside of the palace was somehow more decadent than the outside Here the decorative stonework of the exterior continued but all around were statues made of rare metals, paintings displaying great victories of the dwarven people as well as propaganda showing ancient dwarves teaching humans how to forge metals. It's gaudy but clearly well suited to the empire the palace was built under.

"Queen Kozzala will see you now." The aide announces.

"Good luck lad, lass." Their dwarf escort says, before bowing at Marcus and Aine and leaving.

They're shown to the throne room, only Marcus and Aine go, the rest wait behind. Only the queen and an advisor standing beside her throne is present.

Queen Kozzala is young by dwarf standards, likely 50ish years old which to a dwarf would be like 25 to a human. Her dark red hair is the most common colour among her people. Her pale skin had likely never felt the sun's warmth in her life. Despite the clothes, jewellery and makeup befitting her station, she had signs of coming from more humble origins. Marcus sees the faint subtle burn scars on her hands and arms, masked by makeup, she'd likely worked a forge or fought a fire. She sits in her throne proudly but not naturally. As Marcus is checking her for signs of her past, the queen is also watching Marcus closely, seemingly very interested in the human man.

"Welcome to Krazkhuraz, Marcus Valerius and Aine Conant." She says. "I appologize we couldn't send an escort worthy of you, unfortunately we didn't expect your visit. What brings our oldest human allies and a member of the human imperial family to us?"

"Your majesty. We come with an offer of alliance." Aine says. "An orc horde is gathering and the empire is elsewise preoccupied."

"And you came here to ask for help as we have in times past?" Queen Kozzala asks, more to herself than anything. "I'm sure you've noticed our situation has changed significantly since the last great orc horde?"

"We have, your majesty." Aine continues. "Which is why we want to propose a deal of mutual benefit."

The dwarf queen leans forward, now more interested.

"This is where I come in." Marcus speaks up confidently. "My legion was disbanded by the emperor a few years ago but I still hold the title of Legate and my men are loyal. If you can promise assistance with paying them, either through spoils or directly, I will bring my legion here to fight with your men against the goblin threat."

"Why not use your legion to fight the orcs that menace you so much? Why should I send my stretched forces surfaceside, leaving my city weakened on the promise of future aid?" The queen asks, more interested to hear the answer than directly challenging them.

"You would have the gratitude of the northern lords." Aine adds. "We're not rich but our farm lands are fertile. We can supply food and manpower until Marcus is able to gather his legion." She offers, knowing that the dwarves need both and that Kozzala would like to establish trade anyway.

Kozzala nods thoughtfully as she listens, her eyes darting as she creates a plan in her mind.

"I know enough of your empire that forming a legion without your emperor's permission is seen as high treason and a sign of intent to sieze the throne. I struggle to see why you would do so over this." She says, watching Marcus intently.

"Frankly, I don't want to fight the empire. I pray to the gods the emperor understands but I'm not foolish enough to believe he will..." He sighs. "If I'm executed for this, so be it, but right now those under my care as well as all the people of the the north are threatened. I will do what I must to protect them and the empire as a whole."

Kozzala smiles and nods.

"Good answer." She says. Once again she looks at Marcus, holding something back. "Come, lets talk somewhere more comfortable." She says, gesturing for both to follow as she stands. Marcus can't help but feel she feels much less imposing off her throne, standing at only 3'5".

She leads them through a few hallways until they arrive at a small intimate lounge room. Once inside she tells her aide to make sure they aren't listened to, locks the door and heads over to recline on a sofa before she pours three mugs of ale. She takes a deep drink before sighing and speaking.

"I have an proposal for the sake of both our empires..."