Chapter 19: Dwarvish City

I lifted my head as Lily rode up to the three prisoners we’d freed.

“Hello.” I said, sliding off of Lily. The orc woman came forwards to hug me tightly. I blanched, as she was naked, but then I quickly hugged her back, tightly.

“I’m Dura. Thank you for saving my life.” she murmured into my shoulder as I rubbed her bare green back.

“No problem.” I told her. I glanced at the human girl who was huddled together with the boy, eyes wide and fearful.

“What’s your name?” I asked her kindly.

“They’ve not spoken a single word since I’ve seen them.” Dura said.

“She spoke to me during the rescue.” I shrugged.

“What’s your name, then?” Dura asked. The girl said nothing.

“I suppose they’re traumatized. They **** that poor girl so many times.” Dura admitted.

“Are there any towns nearby? The savages took all of my weapons. Fay’s too.” Lily said.

“Damn! They took Eclipse?” I asked. Lily nodded.

“There’s a dwarvish city not far from here. Norngrim. Where were you guys headed?” Dura asked.

“Northhall.” I explained. Dura’s eyes widened.

“I see. Well, the road from Norngrim to Northhall isn’t easy in the slightest. But if you need weapons, you go to a dwarvish city.” Dura advised. I nodded.

“Let’s go, then.” I said. I offered Lily’s back to the human siblings, and they climbed up warily. Lily moved at a slow trot so Dura and I could keep up. The gorgeous orc woman seemed friendly with me, and her magnificent tits bouncing with every step made her very likable.

“How far to Norngrim?” Lily called to Dura, who looked up from our riveting conversation about orc wars.

“Less than an hour’s journey!” Dura called back. Lily nodded.

———

“And that was how King Grund tore apart the Drake of the Second Realm.” Dura finished her epic story, just as we reached the path leading to the gate of Norngrim.

“Halt!” a voice thundered. Two men who came up to about the bottom of my ribcage came forwards, but they definitely looked threatening. They were muscular dwarves brandishing long spears.

“Whoa!” I said, holding my hands up. The dwarves scowled at Dura.

“Why are you joined by a naked orc?” one of the dwarves scowled.

“I sprung her from the savages’ prison not far from here. We don’t have weapons and she obviously doesn’t have any clothes.” I said.

“But she’s an orc!” the other dwarf protested.

“And?” Dura drawled.

“She’s a nice orc.” I defended her.

“Hmm... if you’ll vouch for her, then I guess it’s alright. We don’t mind humans. Or taurans. But orcs have hunted dwarves for a very long time. If she does anything wrong, you’ll both be cast out of Norngrim.” the first dwarf growled.

“Deal.” I said. Dura gave me a surprised look, but said nothing.

“Come. We’ll get you through the gate.” the second dwarf said, and both turned to lead us.

“Do you really trust me that much?” Dura asked curiously. I touched her hand.

“Yes, I do.” I said seriously. She smiled a little shyly at me.

We all entered Norngrim, and lots of dwarves started whispering as Dura passed, naked and defiant. The two dwarves led us to the inn, where they assigned rooms. Dura and I got one, the human siblings another, and Lily and Fay a third. The barkeep, a gruff dwarf, brought us a change of clothes, and I thanked him.

Turning back to my room, I found Dura looking out the window, her gorgeous ass visible. I tossed her some clothes, and she caught them.

“Hm. Thanks.” Dura said. I pulled off my chain mail, and pulled off the tunic and pants I’d gotten from Doctor Ashwood, and changed into these clothes from the dwarves. To my surprise, they had chain mail sewn into them, making them extremely high defense, yet still incredibly comfy. I patted my chest and found the material soft to the touch but resistant when I hit it. Dura was clad in a tight tank top and pants of the same material. She grabbed the strip of cloth that had been included with her clothing bundle and used it to tie up her mane of black hair.

“How do I look?” Dura joked.

“Beautiful.” I grinned. She smirked.

“You’re not bad yourself.” Dura winked. I grabbed my elvish sword and strapped it over my back, and hefted my wooden shield, but Dura took it from me, and snapped it over her knee.

“Hey!” I protested.

“We’re in a dwarf city! They have real shields you can buy. You do have gold, right?” Dura checked. I thought to the heavy bag of gold coins that King Rolan had given me. I pulled it out of my inventory.

“Yeah, I do.” I said.

“Damn! Who’d you rob?” she chuckled.

“No one! I did a favor for a royal.” I shrugged. Dura gave an approving smile.

“Alright, well, let’s go shopping.” she smiled, and extended a hand. I took it, and Dura and I left the inn hand in hand and we strolled through the town.

“There’s a smith.” Dura pointed with the hand not clasped in mine. A sign of an anvil hung off a sturdy metal pole and we headed inside.

A greying dwarf with a full beard greeted us. A very pretty blond dwarf was sitting on the counter, counting a bag of gold. A dwarf in his twenties was waiting impatiently for her to finish.

“What can I help you with?” the grey dwarf asked.

“I’d like a shield, please.” I said.

“A shield? Easily done. What about a nice chestplate as well?” he suggested. Dura studied me.

“I’d love that, actually.” I grinned.

“Excellent! I trust you have sufficient gold?” the grey dwarf asked.

“How much is it?” I asked.

“It’ll be 23 gold pieces total.” he said apologetically. I reached into my inventory and pulled out 23 pieces.

“Here you go, sir.” I smiled. He slid the pieces along to the pretty blond girl for counting, and grabbed some scrolls. He unfurled one and I saw a really cool shield design.

“Does that work?” he asked. I nodded emphatically.

“That’s awesome.” I grinned.

“Good! I’ll get that one started, now for the chestplate. How about this?” he asked, and held up a chestplate schematic.

“Looks good to me.” I smiled.

“Excellent, excellent. I’ll get straight to work, if... Gymdielle! Count this man’s gold.” the grey dwarf chided. The pretty blond dwarf sighed and quickly counted my gold.

“23.” she said. The grey dwarf nodded.

“This will be done in a bit.” he promised. I turned to leave, and both dwarves gasped.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“Is that an elvish sword on your back? What’s its name?” the blond dwarf, Gymnielle, gasped.

“Name?” I repeated, confused. I drew the blade and placed it on the table.

“Impressive. Where did you acquire it?” the grey dwarf asked.

“An elvish village very far from here.” I shrugged. Gymnielle went and grabbed a magnifying glass, then returned, and magnified the swirling black accent on the pure gold handle.

“Are those runes?” I asked, and Dura leaned in beside me as we watched Gymnielle transcribe elven symbols onto a sheet of parchment.

“Stormcaller.” Gymnielle translated after a minute.

“That’s the name of the sword?” I asked, lifting it.

“Why?” Dura asked.

“The blade has a dormant power. It can summon lightning.” Gymnielle explained.

“Can you trigger it?” I asked.

“Not yet. It can only be wielded by a Level 7. And you’re level 3.” Gymnielle apologized. I nodded.

“Understood.” I said a little disappointed.

“But the power will naturally unlock when he levels up?” Dura checked. Gymnielle nodded.

“Awesome.” I grinned.

“Well, I better get crafting.” the grey dwarf said, and left. Gymnielle reached out to touch my hand.

“You’re an adventurer, right?” she asked. I met her eager brown eyes.

“Yes.” I admitted.

“Please take me with you.” she begged. I winced. How many girls was this who just wanted to leave their town? Two? Three? Lots.

“Uh, do you wanna come?” I asked her. Gymnielle really was quite pretty. She had a braid of honey blond hair falling down her shoulder, along with decent tits, a toned body, and thick thighs and wide hips. Most dwarves were curvier than they were bustier, I’d noticed walking through Norngrim.

“Absolutely! I’m so done being Dad’s forge assistant. I want to see the world!” she begged.

“Ok, you can come. If you find me a cartographer.” I said.

“Deal!” she said eagerly. She slid across the counter in a smooth movement. She stood up to my ribs, and hurried to lead me out of the forge. Dura and I followed Gymnielle down the road into an unmarked house.

“Here’s Norngrim’s cartographer!” she announced.

“I need a map of the Fifth Realm.” I said. He nodded and grabbed one. He handed it to me, and my map menu, which had been blank, filled in the Fifth Realm. I could see the path leading to Norngrim, as well as my location, which was a RELIEF.

“Thank you.” I nodded to the man, and the three of us left the cartographer’s house.

“So... I can come?” Gymnielle asked hopefully.

“Yes, Gymnielle, you can come.” I nodded.

“Oh, please. Call me Ellie.” she smiled.

“Ok, Ellie.” I smiled back.