Back to the dwarves

The walk back to the wagons was uneventful, despite Roland constantly looking over his shoulder and jumping at every unfamiliar sound.

The dwarves had managed to right the toppled wagon, repack most of the supplies, and were now working on replacing the broken axle. They seemed to be having some trouble.

“Roland!” Claude shouted when he saw us. “Where in the bloody Deep did ye go?”

“Sorry, Steinvar. I lost me nerve when the horses spooked.”

Claude shook his head. “Git yer arse over here and help with the axle.”

Then he turned to us. “Thank ye. Ye’ve done us a great service. Don’t know what we would’ve done if we lost Roland.” He shook his head. “We've no great treasure to offer ye, but we kin spare some coin. Twenty silver, and provisions enough ta last a few days.”

“That’s very generous,” Ami said.

“Yes, thank you,” I agreed.

A thought occurred to me. “You said you were having trouble with the axle?”

“Aye. Damned thing busted, an’ the spare snapped when the wagon went arse over ale.”

“Mind if I take a look?”

“We’ll be here all day as it is. Any help ye kin give is appreciated.”

I gave him a nod, and we all headed over to the wagon.

The dwarves had cut down a tree and were in the process of shaving the bark off and removing the branches.

The old axles were large wooden beams with iron fittings securing the wheels. Both had split along the grain and lay in two pieces. The one that still had the wheels attached was also badly splintered on one end, the iron fittings hanging loose and nearly pulled free.

I’d only tried to use Mend on my shirt before, but this couldn't be that much more difficult, right? It was wood, not iron.

I tried to alter Mend to increase both its power and area of effect.

I grinned and cast the spell on the spare.

The two halves pulled together. Wood cracked and groaned as the broken grain knitted itself back together, the splinters drawing inward until the beam was whole again.

“Deep and Dark!” Claude shouted. “We could use a lad like ye on our expedition.”

I gave him a grin, then walked over to the other axle and cast the spell again.

The pieces snapped back together. The splintered end pulled inward, becoming solid once more. Even the iron fittings seemed to respond, the nails drawing themselves back into the wood and tightening around the axle.

Claude shook his head. “I don’t know how ta thank ye for yer help.”

“No need,” I told him. “We’re happy to help.”

He marched over to one of the packs and rooted around inside for a moment. When he returned, he pressed an iron token into my hand. “Here, lad. Show this at the Holds. It’ll tell ‘em we owe ye a favor.”

Then he turned to the others. “Leave the log, lads, and fill the wagons. We got an axle!”

The dwarves cheered and set to work.

Fabian made his way over to me. “I ain’t got a lot ta give,” he said. “But at least take this.” He handed me a knife and leather sheath. “It’s a knife ‘a good make. Won’t break, and long as ye keep it sharp, it’ll never fail ye.”

The knife wasn't magical, but even with my limited knowledge, I could tell it was well made.

The handle was wrapped in leather. The blade was thick and single-edged, tapering to a hooked point at the end. The sheath was dark leather, worked with the symbol of an axe and shield. Everything was stitched and riveted together, built more for durability than beauty.

“Thank you,” I told him. “I’m sure this will come in handy.”

Claude handed the provisions and coin to Ami, and we finally parted ways with the dwarves enthusiastically waving goodbye.

“Yes!” Ami screamed. “I got a level!” She rushed over to Valentia, pulled her into a huge hug, and jumped up and down.

“Me too!” the blonde squealed, returning her girlfriend’s enthusiasm.

I grinned as I watched the two of them celebrate.

After a few minutes, they finally calmed down, opened their character sheets, and spent their points.

While Valentia was happy, Ami was positively glowing. It made sense. She'd been level one only a few moments ago.

“Do you get a level, Riven?” Valentia asked when she was finished.

“No, but I’m really close.”

She gave me her trademark optimistic smile. “Well, let's go and see if we can get you that level!”

She took Ami's hand in her left and mine in her right, then started pulling us down the road.