Under the mountain

The gates of the mountain throne stand open before you. Clarissa leads you in, and heavily armed and armored guards bow as you pass. Clarissa wears her armor and carries her axe as she leads you down a wide, well lit corridor. It looks like something out of an epic, something you would see as a special effects shot in a film. The floors are smooth as glass, the lights are some kind of magical globes set into walls and ceilings. Dwarves fall silent as you pass, and you occasionally see what you assume are humans mixed in.

Clarissa explains as you walk. “There are quite a few humans from the new world who have settled here. It seems there are quite a few humans with a bit of a thing for dwarven women.”

You chuckle. Clarissa smiles at you. “It is fortunate for them that the feeling is generally mutual. For one reason or another, dwarven men are actually rather rare. Most dwarf births are female, and we don’t know why. Something to do with our origins, it’s assumed. No one knows what they are, but it’s thought that dwarves started as monster girls that bred over generations with humans, turning eventually into...well, us.”

You nod. “That would explain the gender split.”

Clarissa nods. “Since men are rather rare, they tend to stay somewhat secluded, becoming scholars and advisors. The highest advisory in the kingdom is Forgefather Unir. That’s who I’m taking you to now.”

“And he’s not your political leader?”

She shakes her head. “Not really. We have a high council, and they are our leaders, but the word of the Forgefather is highly respected. And the daughters of the forge, like myself, are his agents, for lack of a better term. The Forgefather handles the prophecies in addition to running the grand forge. Our seers report to him, he reports to the council.”

You nod, as Clarissa leads you into an ornate doorway with images of anvils and hammers engraved on it. “Which is why I’m going to him, not the council.”

“Correct. The council has empowered him to speak with their authority. I’m sure he will have more details than I know.”

She stops before a set of heavy metal doors. “You and I go in alone. I’m sorry, but the rest of the girls have to wait. If the alliance is agreed upon, they will be allowed entrance, but until then, the tradition must be observed.”

You nod, and give each of the girls a quick kiss before turning to Clarissa. You smile and give her a kiss on the cheek, making her blush. “Let’s go then. I’m very interested in meeting Forgefather Unir.”

Clarissa smiles, and presses her palm to the door. There is a clunk, and the sound of gears as the heavy doors swing open. Illuminated by the light of the forge, a broad shouldered, bearded figure beckons you inside.