A Dwarf's Tale: Will of a Silver Coin

I woke up from my sleep by the rays of the morning sun. I could tell last night was not a dream, since I had Griff’s head in my lap still. I reached down to scratch her head. It moved a bit, but only to get her head more comfortable in my lap. Funny how things work out isn’t it? That is when I heard the scream.

The scream shattered the morning silence, coming from behind us. It wasn’t upon us, but it was fairly near. Griff, immediately stood up, but then I noticed her faltering. She had a wound near that wing; a broken shaft of an arrow was protruding from the wing. But that wasn’t my immediate concern. It was that scream. There was another scream, and this time, a large growl to follow. I stood up as well, and quickly went to the direction of that scream.

In the distance I saw a small figure of a young human boy running towards our direction. Behind the boy, was a wolf. But, this wolf was huge. It stood five feet at the top of the haunch, the fur a pale grey, with a head as massive as a bear’s head. A worg, not a wolf, was chasing the boy. The boy had a good lead, but the strides of that massive worg would cut down that lead fast. I made my decision in an instant. I ran quickly towards the boy. Griff was also on the move, following me as quickly as she could. Looking back though, she faltered. I knew she has not recovered her strength just yet. No matter, my attention was back to the boy running still straight to me “This way! Run to me!” The boy nodded to me and ran as fast as he could. However, I knew that I would miss the boy by mere feet before the worg would overtake him. I pulled out my hatchet, raised my arm back. “Duck!” The boy dropped immediately, and I let the hatchet fly.

Where I had bad luck last night with having a hoof print on my forehead, this time, my luck did not fail me. The hatchet flew, straight on course, and hit the massive worg, the blade of the hatchet imbedding itself in the right part of the skull just above the eye. The worg’s scream replaced the boy’s, its pain telling by the intensity of the bellow. While it did stop the worg from running towards the boy, it did not go down. And I knew it wouldn’t. It is like bouncing a horse shoe nail against someone’s head-painful, but not lethal. I never stopped running; in fact, I willed my legs to pump faster. I jumped over the prone boy and crashed my body into the worg’s, my momentum overcoming its size and we both tumbled on the ground.

The worg did not take too kindly to my hatchet nor being knocked over. Its fierce strength, intensified by pain, was immense. I latched onto it from behind, my arms interlocked just beneath the front paws, my hands gripping each other and squeezing the worg. After a few seconds, I could not maintain my grip, as it got loose. I got up immediately and brandished my sword. The worg also regained itself, and laid in low, snarling at me. The hatchet worked itself out of the worg’s skull, but I was rewarded with a steady gush of blood blinding the right eye and dripping down its head. He was sizing me up, and I he. This animal would be now extremely dangerous. Worgs are smarter and more cunning than their smaller counterparts. The row of teeth was more like an assortment of small daggers, while the claws could easily tear livestock hide to shreds in seconds. And here I was, shirtless, with no armor, brandishing a sword, putting it between the worg and myself. How do I end up in these situations?

The worg had enough of waiting. It was done sizing me up, as it leapt towards me. Ducking and turning to my side, I evaded the attack. The worg landed a few feet from where I was previously standing and flipped around quickly. I held the blade between us once again. It leapt again, and once more, I ducked and turned to my side. The worg, stopped for a moment. I guess it was not used to prey like myself. Prey would either run away from it, or face it head on. My simple tactics seems to be confusing it. I wondered what it’s next tactic would be. I didn’t have long to wait. The worg performed a short jump, landed on its front paws and swung the rear part of his body around, crashing into me from my right side. I went with it, rolled through and came up to my feet. The worg spun around, expecting me to be on the ground, but then paused when I kept the blade between us again. It barked at me once.

Did the worg just curse at me? If it was a humanoid opponent, I would expect this. But an oversized wolf? Could it be possible? Then I thought about Griff for a second. Yeap, it is possible. I noticed something else too. The worg maneuvered its way between me and the boy still laying on the ground yards away. Did the beast do this on purpose?

Again, my question was quickly answered, when it sprinted after the boy. Yelling in frustration, I ran after the worg. Damn it! It would get to the boy before I could get to the worg! However, neither myself nor the worg factored in one more component to this sticky equation: Griff.

Griff had caught up, and when the worg spun around to get to the boy, Griff leapt in the air and came down beak first. That magnificent beak, impaled the worg straight top of the skull. A sickening bone crushing sound could be heard, and the worg dropped instantly, the body lifeless on the ground. It was a clean instant kill! I stopped running, stunned for a second, and then put away my bastard sword. I waited to see what Griff would do next. I didn’t have long to wait. Griff walked over to the body’s rear haunches, and started to tear into it. Griff, to celebrate, started having breakfast with the worg’s body. Not knowing how Griff would react, I took a wide berth around her, and got to the boy. Along the way, I spied my hatchet, picked it up, and put it away.

When I got to the boy, it was actually more of a human youth, a teenager, but not long a teenager. My guess was that he was thirteen or fourteen. Slight of frame with shoulder length sandy hair and freckles, the youth picked himself up slowly and stood up. His eyes were also looking me over, as well as witnessing Griff’s feasting upon the worg’s body.

“Thank you sir dwarf. At least, I think you are a dwarf. But you are huge to be a dwarf.” Yeah, I suppose I best get used to that.

“Yes child, I am a dwarf. My name is Tor. What do people call you?”

“I am Steve, Steve Randoss.”

“Well Steve Randoss, what were you doing when you got this worg’s attention?”

“Sir Tor, I was tending sheep when...”

“Please, just Tor ok? Drop the sir part.”

“Yes sir, I mean, Tor. Anyways, I was tending sheep for my father’s farm. My brothers and I all take turns. Today was my turn for tending the sheep. This huge wolf came and I was scared. But, I didn’t want to disappoint my father or my brothers. So, I chased after the worg. But, it broke my staff when it clamped onto it with its teeth. I said a small spell, putting it to sleep, and ran. But, the spell wore off, and it ran off after me. I ran and ran, thinking I was going to die, thinking of the feeling the fangs sinking into me. I screamed, and then, that’s when I noticed you and ran to you.”

I allowed his words to sink in. A farm nearby. “Tell me, how far is your farm from here?”

“Not far Tor. Maybe a mile or a bit more.”

“Well, I’ve had a hell of a night, and a rough start of the morning. I wouldn’t mind coming to this farm of yours. Besides, worgs usually travel in packs. It would do my conscience no good to save you from one worg, only to have you eaten by another. I shall join you and escort you back. Perhaps we should pick up your sheep as well, if there are any left to be gathered.”

“Tor, I would deeply appreciate that! I am not a fighter.”

“I understand. Wait a moment.”

I walked to Griff. Upon getting close, I spoke gently. “Griff, can you hear me?”

Griff looked up from its grizzly meal, and actually cooed at me a bit. Yeah, she can understand me. That’s a good thing.

“Griff, I’m going to take the boy over there. Farm there. When you done, you come to me. Understand?”

Griff cooed at me, and returned back to the grizzly meal set before her. But, how could I blame her? She did deal the killing blow did she not? I walked back to Steve. “Ok, let’s go. Lead the way.”

Steve nodded, and started walking off to the southwest. I followed the youth and reflected on what he told me. A youth, watching sheep, stumbles across a worg and went after it. The point that catches my attention, is that he casted a magical spell. Someone so young, slings magic around. I’m no fighter he said. In my opinion, there is more than one way to perform combat.

A short while later, I could hear the bleating of sheep. That means that Steve will not come back empty handed. One should be thankful for small miracles. Steve took a few minutes to gather the sheep together and was happy. This was because he informed me that all of the sheep are present. I smiled at him, but found that a bit strange. First, a worg does not travel alone. They normally travel in packs of three to six. Second, a worg would stalk silently and snatch its prey. The fact that the worg just leapt out, and didn’t snatch any of the sheep, seemed odd to me. At any rate, I kept my thoughts to myself, and helped the youth gather his father sheep. Slowly we made our way to the southwest again, assuming to his father’s farm.

We arrived at the farm. And it was a good sized farm. There were a dozen cows with several calves present, a fenced in area of pigs, and some chickens in a coop. The farmhouse, a decent two story home, made out of wood and stone with glass in the windows. While not a wealthy place, I could tell this farm was not struggling either. In many ways, it was refreshing. Perhaps this was a place where I could rest and gather myself properly. It has been only yesterday since I woke up. We neared the farmhouse, and Steve was leading the sheep into a pen. An older human man emerges from the house, and walked towards us. I can only assume this is Steve’s father.

“Steve, you are back early. And you are a mess. Did something happen?”

“Yes father. I was attacked by a worg. And this dwarf saved me. His name is Tor.”

“A worg!?! Are you ok?”

“I’m fine father. And so are the sheep. Thanks to Tor!”

The older man appraised me. I did the same in turn. This man has seen battle. His left leg has a slight limp from an injury in the man’s past. Also, I noticed a real wicked slash running down his forearm. Yes, this man has seen battle before. He walked up to me and shook my hand. “Welcome Tor, my name is Calvin, Calvin Randoss. I do truly appreciate you saving my son’s life. Is there anything I can share with you in gratitude for your help?”

I returned the warrior’s handshake; again, refreshing there is some semblance of normalcy. “Indeed Calvin. Just an opportunity to rest and tend to my wounds would be greatly appreciated.”

“Consider it done friend Tor, consider it done. Talma, we have an honored visitor here!”

A comely older female emerged from the doorway and looks around. She sees her son, and hugs him. Talma looks over Steve, apparent to me if he is hurt. Talma deftly turns Steve around and then back again. Mother’s care and examination, or perhaps she was a former field medic. Time will tell. Satisfied, she then looked at me, and then a look of concern came over her. Talma came to me, and immediately started examining my wounds. Yeap, former field medic. “Ma’am, I am fine thank you”

“You let me be the judge of that. I heard your name is Tor. You know me as Talma. So, introductions out of the way come into our house. I need to properly examine those wounds.”

At first, I was thinking of resisting. However, perhaps she could give a clue or two as to what happened to me yesterday. I relented to her advice, and went into their farmhouse. I was led to a side room. This room looked like an infirmary, with different liquids, salves, towels and cloths lining the walls. I was fairly lucky to come upon this situation. Talma sat me down on a chair, and started probing my wounds. The first place was the hoof print on my forehead.

“You take out a worg yet you get kicked in the face by a mule?”

“No ma’am. That was the left haunch of a hippogriff”

“What were you doing with a hippogriff?”

“I was getting it out of the tree. On my way here, I heard a crash, and noticed the hippogriff in the tree. I got her down, but not before she kicked me.”

“A she hippogriff. Well, your secret of getting your ass kicked by a woman is safe with me. I can’t do much about both black eyes though.”

I chuckled with her. It really was a good point of humor. No nonsense, humor, deft hands and keen eyes. She reminds me of a dwarven woman. “Thanks.”

“Goblin spear. Deep too. Starting to get infected as well. Dirty lot.”

Talma took a clear liquid, and started to cleanse the wound. Whatever that stuff was it was potent. A healthy burn seemed to penetrate right into my core. I let loose a small grunt and winced a bit. Damn, this was like greek fire, but on the inside of your being.

“Two serrated slashes. Probably hobgoblins. Another dirty lot. Infection starting to set in here too.”

Great, more internal fire. Is this where the human adage ‘killing with kindness’ comes into play? I think I would of preferred another kick in the face.

“There, that should prevent any more body rot. You are tough, those wounds are lethal and deep, yet, you are here. Also, because of how deep the wounds are, the purifier would of caused others to have passed out right now.”

“Right now, I wouldn’t object to passing out. Purifier? Apt name for antiseptic.”

She looked at me and her expression softened. “Tor, those wounds, are not just physical. They have a dark magic attached to them. The liquid purifier purges dark magic. I haven’t had to use it for several years.”

That explains much. That explains where a horde of goblins and hobgoblins bested my brethren. The warriors that perished were veterans. Plus, another point that bothered me. Goblins, at least, are disorganized at best. For goblins and hobgoblins to be organized, and with sufficient power to best eighty dwarves, the leader would be impressive. Smart enough to hold such rabble together, have strategy and enough discipline to impart strategy to those without any, and powerful enough to keep the rabble from disorganizing. Goblins and hobgoblins value strength. Leadership through intimidation and fear. I don’t agree with it, but there is no denying the potency.

“What is this?” Talma felt the back of my head, and the fist sized welt there. I actually winced more and let loose a small sigh of pain.

“I’m sorry Tor. I truly do not mean to cause you pain. You have been through enough. But I need to make sure you have no fractures or infection.”

I nodded. Everything she said made sense. So, bending my head forward, I put up with her examinations. As gentle as she tried to be, my head exploded more and more. That lump on my head was worse than I thought possible. Then, I hear whisper chant, and the pain subsided. Talma was a healer, a priestess! I let loose another sigh, but this one of relief. I also felt my shoulders relax a bit. I didn’t realize that I was so rigid and tense.

“No magic with this one. And no fractures or penetration either. But, it will take days for that to subside. It may even leave a permanent knot.”

“Considering what I have been through ma’am, it would be a small price to pay.”

She came around, and nodded. “You need a drink. And I think I have just the remedy for you. Talma went to a far cabinet, and unlocked it. Pulling out a hefty glass, she pour a bluish liquid from another bottle. The scent of this caught my attention immediately. She offered the glass to me. Looking at the liquid, I couldn’t believe it.

“Dwarf spirits? Talma, you are a dear woman with surprises!”

She laughed. “I’ll be right back Tor. I need to tell Calvin and Steve that you will be ok.”

“Oh, before you go, there is another that is going to arrive.”

“Another dwarf Tor?”

“No, Griff. The hippogriff. I told her to come here”

Talma gave me a quizzical look.

“She won’t hurt you or your family. I’m sure of it. In fact, Griff gave the killing blow to the worg. I just kept it busy while she got into position.”

Talma nodded again. “Be right back Tor,” and left me alone. The combination of the dwarf spirits and her spell, gave me the first real relief from all of my wounds, especially the throbbing of my head. I moved from the chair to one of the two beds. Simple, sturdy, and right now, it was the greatest feeling I have ever felt. “Guess that doesn’t say much since I only remember yesterday.” But right now, I didn’t care. This human family, I could already tell, has a history and a set of codes. That gave me comfort, the first real sense of comfort since yesterday.

After a few minutes, Talma returned. “Your friend Griff had a nasty arrow shaft near the base of her wing. Calvin already removed it, and is tending to her. She also took the remains of that worg with her. Steve told me she arrived only a couple of minutes when I brought you into the house. Seems you have a friend with the hippogriff. Calvin also sliced the corpse with his sword, and slicing off strips of the meat to feed her. Steve’s helping too. My other side David and my daughter Stella have returned too.”

I nodded. I was truly hoping this was the case. Griff was used to contact from people. She wasn’t wild, at least, not completely wild. “Your family is kind to me. Please, ask me how I can repay this kindness.”

“You are kidding right? Tor, you saved my youngest son. I have seen that worg. To think my son would have been ripped apart by that monster...” Talma’s face had a forlorn look. A look, of time past, of past pain. There was no mistake. Tragedy has hit this woman before. Immediately, I felt a bond with this human woman. To survive tragedy, and to keep moving onward, is something I am becoming aware of.

“It is ok Talma. I did not mean...”

“Don’t patronize me!”

I was shocked at the vehemence. Something extreme happened in her past. “I would never ma’am. I already got my ass kicked by a woman. I would prefer not to have that happen again.”

She stood there a moment, then, her expression returned to the one I knew. She laughed. “I am so sorry Tor. You did not deserve any of that. Please forgive me.”

I took her hand in mine. “There is nothing to forgive. It seems we both fight inner demons.”

Talma peered into my eyes. “You, have inner demons?”

“Right now yes. You see, I have no recollection of my memory before yesterday. I call myself Tor because I do not know who I am, what I am, or where I am from. I also know I am not normal at all. Look at me. I am an ogre cursed in a dwarf’s body.”

“You are dwarf Tor. You are more dwarf than you ever dare to realize.”

I looked at her. “What do you mean?”

Talma refilled my spirits, as I drank some more. “It is rare, but not unheard of. Every generation of dwarves from each clan, there is one that is born different. One that is bigger, faster, stronger, and smarter, than the clan dwarves. This usually means a king, a king of kings.”

Could that be it? I was a king? That made a lot of sense. That would explain why I would be the only survivor. Why I would been with a whole clan? Why we were on the move? Was I bringing my brethren to a new place to live? Was it a war party? Did I lead my brethren to their deaths?

“Ma’am, if you what you say is true, then, I am a failed king.”

“Why do you say that Tor?”

I took the next hour, and recounted the past day and this morning. She listened intently, occasionally refilling my spirits. I finished my brief tale as well as finishing the spirits. She offered more, but I held my hand. There was hardly any pain left, but I wanted my mental faculties in order.

“You are no failed king Tor. What you describe, could of happened with any one, with any race. Do not despair or live with guilt. Whatever has happened, there are reasons and forces behind it. It seems you now have to solve these mysteries, to bring peace to yourself, and to bring closure to all of the dwarves that have perished.”

Her words sunk in. She was right of course. There has to be an accounting. There has to be retribution. There has to be a reckoning. This kind older human woman has just given me a sense of purpose. It is hard for me to live without a sense of purpose. This I knew it true to my bones. Also, the wisdom of this woman, along with her senses, rang true to my spirit.

A knock at the door broke my reverie. The door opened, and the human male Calvin entered the room. I had a better chance to examine this man. Very well built, but it has seen some tolls. He carried himself with the mark of the warrior, even his middle age or his left leg did not hide this. His eyes and face, shown a sense of concern and protection of any situation present. I also noticed a spear wound, just to the side where his heart would be, the scar looking deep and lethal.

“Is everything ok Talma? Tor?”

I stood up, and shook this man’s hand. He has a warrior’s grip indeed. “All is well Calvin. Your wife is an amazing woman here. You are most fortunate to have her.”

“Don’t I know it? From the day I laid in her arms, she captured my heart.”

That is a common thing to say. But, I saw he was in earnest about it. I smiled back at Calvin. “That is a great thing to say.”

His demeanor changed a bit. “Well, thank you. But, I mean it. I took a large spear here.” He points to his chest. “I laid there dying. I felt my heart not beating anymore. Talma quick reached in, and pumped my heart til I felt it beating again. She was my angel, my savior, my life.”

Insert foot in mouth, chew thoroughly, enjoy flavor. I looked at Talma. She was actually blushing a bit. I winked at her. “Talma that is probably the most unique short story of how to capture a man’s heart I have ever heard.”

Calvin guffawed in laughter and hugged his wife. Aside from the great comedy skit, I could see they were deeply in love with each other.

“I have to ask. How did you get that spear wound?”

“He jumped in my way Tor. An ogre aimed the spear right at me. I would of died if Calvin had not thrown me to the ground. I couldn’t even think of him dying for me. It was the only thing I could think of to do.”

And there you have it. One person’s corniness is another couple’s life bond. That also explained why she had the earlier forlorn hope about her son Steve.

“And I would do it again Talma”, Calvin said softly.

“So, you both were in a battle?”

Talma disengaged from Calvin’s arms and looked at me. “We were at war Tor. Stalvinport needed defending, and we were defending it.”

The port. Of course, made a lot of sense. After that war, they came here and retired.

“I supposed that limp Calvin was also from the war?”

“Nah, she kicked my ass after I healed up from doing something that stupid. She made me promise never to do something that stupid ever again. Problem was she kicked me so hard that my upper leg was nearly broken.”

I wondered if gravy came with this shoe I was chewing on. Oh well.

“Well, at any rate, I am glad your wife Talma tended to me. And, I am glad I have no broken leg from her ministrations either.”

Calvin guffawed again, and Talma blushed as well. This human couple, act more dwarf than human. I liked it. I looked outside of the window. Griff was done eating, and was getting a lot of attention from their kids. Kids? Well, Steve is a teenager. The other boy, David, was older, probably at the age of adult. So was Stella. Anyways, they were cleaning and preening Griff with their hands and a brush. I saw Steve put an old blanket over her hind quarters too. I looked back at the couple. They were looking out the window too, both smiling at the scene with Griff and the kids. Yes, this is a good family, with a good house. I addressed Calvin and Talma.

“You both have been kind to me. And I would hate to impose. But I would need a couple days of rest. But, I fully intend to work around your farm as payment too.”

“We don’t need payment Tor. You saved our apple.”

“I understand. But, it will also give me a chance to not have my body stiffen as I heal from these wounds.”

“You are right my dear wife. Dwarves are so grand. Tor, if you do not mind, there is a new field I wish to clear out. It would be great if you could me and the kids with the rocks and the small trees.”

“Consider it cleared then friend Calvin and Talma. Consider it cleared.”

Talma gave me a hug. It felt good to have simple terms of endearment and affection. Calvin clasped my shoulder, fortunately my right shoulder that doesn’t have any pain it, and shook me gently. Yes, my day started out yesterday in tragedy and misery. But, they say, tomorrow is always a new day. And with his farmer’s family, it promised to end on a good note. I may not remember my past. But for now, these memories are good enough for me.