Paths Be Forged

The mood around you, descending back down the mountainside, was strange. Braun, who turned from General to Refugee in the span of a day, had personally escorted you and the Queen out of the hold, as a means to ensure you were protected from any collateral damage or the target of any violent extremists. This means that you weren't privvy to see what all might have happened in the ensuing chaos, and those who followed Braun into exile weren't speaking of what they saw or experienced. There was little conversation at all in fact.

Braun knew his people, to be sure, likely better than the King, and had left with a procession of refugees in the scores. His grand plated armor was left in the hands of the King it would seem, as he walked among the others in clothes no different than the others. Though they obviously had little time to prepare, the travelers were well equipped, with a haversack on the backs of every dwarvish man, woman, and child. On one hand, you admired their resiliency and pragmatism, being able to travel so well, and yet you could feel a palpable melancholy. None could admit it, but there had to be severe loss from all of their possessions they left behind. Families were no doubt disrupted and destroyed, even more damaging in a culture that prides itself on family lines as much as the Dwarvish clans do.

Someone couldn't be bothered by the negativity. If there was ever a vaccine to trauma, it was youthful ignorance. A young lad had run up to catch you and Vercion. It was in fact one of the rascals who you had met earlier today, dropping off clothing. He practically beamed as he looked up at Vercion.

"Hi" He began simply, waving

"Why, hello" Vercion replied with a smile and a wave back "I'm Vercion, and I don't think we've met yet. Who are you?"

"I'm Thimn. You're really pretty." A number of the dwarvish adults who were pretending to not notice or listen snapped their attention to his flagrant outburst. He hadn't technically done anything wrong, but he was being very forward.

"Why thank you Thimn" Vercion's face was turning pink in embarassment.

"Are you really _really _a Queen?" he asks, causing the adults to begin visibly glaring, a few even start looking in the line for Thimn's parents.

"Yes, well, sort of" Vercion replied, incapable of not cutting down her own credibility. "I should be Queen, but my kingdom was defeated and taken over by people who hated my ancestors. We're trying to rebuild the things the way they were"

"And that's what we're here for!" Thimn replied excitedly "we're expert builders, all of us!"

"Than I'm sure it'll be easy." The Queen patted his head gently "I'm looking forward to see what you can do when we get started."

"It'll be great. Oh, I have a gift for you." He reached into a pocket and pulled out a hair brooch.

"Oh Thimn, I ca-" You grab Vercion's hand gently and shake your head. Speaking quietly "refusing a gift would be disrespectful, even with them having so little right now." The Queen nodded gently and turned back

"It's very pretty Thimn, thank you. I'm sure to use this soon."

"Your welcome. My mother gave it to me when Da and me left. She said to keep it as a memory, but I'll never forget her, so I guess I'll let you have it. Besides, we'll see her soon I'm sure."

Neither you or her were able to quite find the words to explain to the young dwarf that there was no going back. The Queen looked into your eyes longingly for help for an instant, but all you could provide was a shrug. Vercion adjusted her hair to wear the brooch immediately, feeling anything short would be improper.

"Thank you Thimn. You're a very sweet and helpful young Dwarf, and I'm sure we'll become fast friends."

"Okay boy, that's enough of that" Braun finally stepped in, pushing the lad away "Go back to your Da" The young dwarf ran off as he was told, with the disgraced general taking his place.

"He's a good lad. Never a burden, tries to involve himself in everything. Wish he were my own."

"He has a charming smile" You add.

"That he does" Braun's own grin shown through his beard "Something we could use a little more of in these days."

"Are you not sad for what has happened, General?"

"I hate it!" Braun said with a chuckle "I would have liked nothing more than to walk down this path with my kin and my king, ready to make the world take notice of Hammerdeep once again, right the wrong of our ancestors. I never wished to be King, contrary to what my cousin thinks. I just wish that I could have helped him more to be the King that our Great Grandfather had been, and that our people need. Despite that, I will hold my head high knowing that what I am doing is right. This march is correct. All that I am, all that I hope, in this life, I am ready to stake upon this."

"Here here" A graybearded bystander spoke up. Braun locked eyes with the old soul, and the two put their hands on each others shoulders.

"Form ranks and move with purpose!" The graybeard shouted to the crowd, finding initial chaos "We've a General and a Queen about us. Show them what you're made of. March!"

You shift to the side and pull Vercion out from the column, quickly forming and filling in your vacancy. Before long, a song broke out to help keep the time, and boost the morale. All steps moved with strength, all voices rang with purpose. It was a rare sight to behold, one that caused the hairs on your body to stand

"Come you, lad, and join us a warrior, We will march from home down below,

Courage up! And don now your armour, It is time to meet with the foe.

Hear the sound emerge from the mountain, Beat the drum, and march one by one,

Draw your steel and hold it before you, Hammerdeep, the war has begun!

From the dawn of time we have stood here, Answer now the call to engage,

In the face of evil, defiant, Let us be the birth of an age.

Blazing up inside you a fire, Iron heart, let the beat grow,

Element of adamant, loyal, It is time to vanquish the foe,

Look around, remember your brothers, Let your shield be armour for them,

Throw your spear and let it strike thunder, Draw your axe, and do it again!

From the dawn of time we have stood here, Answer now the call to engage,

In the face of evil, defiant, Let us be the birth of an age.

Nerve of steel, the heart of a mountain, Stoic hand, a bundle won’t break,

Loyal rage, inside a volcano, Stand your ground, make the earth quake.

Drive we out the evil before us, Smash the skulls against the young rock,

Die in hope: eternity crowns you, Stay your course, continue to walk…

From the dawn of time we have stood here, Answer now the call to engage,

In the face of evil, defiant, Let us be the birth of an age.