Forging alliances

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 clearly spends most of his waking hours here. Despite that, he seems friendly enough, shaking your hand and speaking in a powerful, gruff 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.”

Unir chuckles. “Very diplomatic. I like you already, master mage. Have no fear, I’m no stuck in his ways elder. Come, sit.”

He indicates a table nearby with refreshments available. “I know it’s uncomfortable here for those not used to the heat. Help yourself to the water.”

You sit, and pour a drink. The heat is oppressive, but then you’re not exactly used to these conditions. Unir sits across from you, and Clarissa stands behind him. He chuckles again. “Clarissa, it’s fine if you sit by him. I can feel the changes in you already.”

Blushing, she does. You glance at her and then look back at Unir. “Should I even ask?”

Unir smiles. “I knew when I sent her she would end up falling for you, and not because of prophecy. As Forgefather, I am also the strongest of dwarven earth mages. The earth itself speaks of you, young mage. And what I hear is encouraging. For both my people, and your relationship with Clarissa. And I’ve known her since she was a child. A poor mentor I’d be if I couldn’t tell the changes in her.”

You nod. “Fair enough. And now what? What happens next?”

“So impatient. First, the earth tells me of a fight at the border. I hear Khadi is no more.”

You nod again. “Indeed, and no small thanks to Clarissa. She struck the final blow.”

He smiles. “And your redeemed Lilim?”

“Kali helped, and healed my wounds. She also said that Khadi was the weakest of her sisters.”

Unir smiles. “Learn this lesson. Do not disparage your own victory. Every loss for the demon lord is a gain for us.”

You raise an eyebrow. “For us? I suppose that’s the elephant in the room. This alliance. You seem willing to go along with it.”

Unir nods. “The world you envision is a world where we all can thrive. You haven’t seen these halls as they should be. Dwarven isolation needs to end. The coming of the new worlders has proven that. Those who have accepted this are happier and have started families already. Dwarves are not a fruitful species, and we need new blood.”

You nod. “I see. And you’re willing to ally with humans and others for that?”

“That and the fact that without uniting, the demon lord wins. We only ask one thing from you. Well, two, but one you’re doing already.”

You gesture for him to continue. “The first is to accept Clarissa as part of your group. Dwarven representation among your group is important. However you did this already, without our insistence.”

You glance at Clarissa, who blushes and smiles at you.

Unir continues. “The other is a more important, and critical to fulfilling the prophecy. We need you to do to our portal what you did to yours.”

You look at him, stunned. “Ok...first, you have a portal? Second, to what end?”

Unir smiles. “Very few know of our portal outside the forge. It’s a guarded secret. And rarely used. As to your second question...according to prophecy, you will unite the worlds. No more old world and new world. No more technology versus magic. Both sides merge, both sides benefit. And all because you.”

“That’s a lot to take in. And a long way off. And what do you do with the portal in the meantime?”

Unir looks at you. “Nothing. More powerful portals increase the magic in your world, bringing it more in line with ours. We will guard it and keep it safe. Think of it as a backup in case something should happen to yours.”

You nod. “I think that can work. If all your people are like Clarissa and you, I have no problems.”

“I thought you might see it like that. Rest assured, young mage, our goals are aligned with yours. Now we just formalize it.”

You smile. “So is there a paper to sign, or some kind of ritual or something?”

Unir laughs. “No, words are enough. Very few are willing to risk the ire of dwarves, and before long the same will be said of you. Tomorrow, we will take you to our portal, and that will be that. For now, Clarissa will guide you and your family to the guest hall.”

With that he stands, and you do the same. Shaking hands, he turns and walks back to the forge. Before he leaves though, he says one more thing over his shoulder. “We will have a gift for you as well, young mage. For now, all I ask is to be good to Clarissa. She is like a daughter to me.”

You nod, and Clarissa smiles. She leads you back out to your waiting girls.