-12th day of the 10th month of 1527

With only just having returned, Wren once more set out to towards the dwarven kingdom of Hallstatt, before the first snows came and it almost became impossible to traverse due to the heavy snows. Caldor heavily protested as Wren had only just returned, but the Elders agreed that with the wise idea that it would be better for the Matriarch to set out and return before the first snow’s fall. With that in mind, Wren took the entire troop of Gryphons with her with a plan in mind, while the villagers built additional temporary winter homes.

Rather than heading to Master Aram’s place, Wren set out for the dwarven city. Leaving the griffins at a dwarven outpost above ground, Wren easily made her way down through the highway down below and grins at the incredibly detailed walls and magical crystals in the walls that lit the smooth, trodden roads.

With a sigh, Wren emerges from the highway tunnel into a large stone city built with towering spirals and brightly lit magical crystals that lit the city as though it was daytime. The city is filled with glowing shops connected to craftsman forging smitheries and more. The dwarven children run across the slick dark paved roads playing with mechanical toys and other types of toys. The streets are filled with buyers as carriages pulled by reptilian creatures carry the wealthier or more impatient dwarves through the city. And frankly speaking, dwarves were not ones to hold their temper, patience was not a virtue nor an ability, but rather a one in a million miraculous character trait.

Wren makes her way down familiar streets as familiar residents begin to appear. Most of them wave, but the craftsmen, in particular, call out to jest and tease, “Wren, you better not be going to the craftsman quarters again?”

“Why?” Wren impishly yelled back.

“Because if you are, please let me know so I can stay clear of the explosion!” The craftsman called out causing the rest to break out in laughter.

Wren snorts at the reply and sticks her tongue at them causing those teasing her to roar that much louder in laughter. “I take that as a firm, yes,” another dwarf called out.

Ignoring their good-natured teases, Wren smiles and waves goodbye to them as she makes her to the home of her magic master, Aquila. Wren firmly knocks on the door as Wren had quickly learned early on during her mentorship that not knocking on the door led to things that could never be unseen by ones horrified eyes. Thankfully, Aquila is alone when she opens the door.

The very petite, heavily curved Aquila squeals in delight as Wren kneels down to be hugged. Aquila excitedly tosses her blond hair over her shoulder as her emerald eyes sparkle with delight. “How lucky, Aram just arrived a few days ago and is still in the city!” Aquila squealed.

Despite being pint-sized, the size of a dwarf, Aquila firmly drags Wren away to the current residence of Aram. Wren actually pales at seeing where Aram was staying at. The home wasn’t hideous, but elegant and well-crafted denoting wealth. But what bothered Wren, was rather whose home it is, the craftsman guild leader’s residence, Augustus Stone. Augustus and Wren did not get along for one single reason, because Wren was a phantom of destruction.

“Maybe, I should just wait at your place,’ Wren feebly protested.

“Nonsense,” Aquila pointedly declared as she knocked on the front door. “And if that bully says anything I’ll freeze his beard off!” Aquila triumphantly added.

“Only you would dare,” Wren deadpanned. “Because I wouldn’t.”

The door swings open to reveal a face like iron, a short muscular body, and a gray beard with unyielding harsh eyes. Aquila sweetly says, “My dear student’s master, my cousin, is here. May we come in to see him?”

“No,” Augustus said without hesitation and moved to slam the door.

Aquila emerald eyes glow dangerously as Aquila firmly sticks her foot in the doorway and shoves the door open. “Care to say that again to my face, Augustus?” Aquila ominously growled.

Wren immediately retreats backward at seeing the incoming battle. “You heard me the first time, I said, NO!” Augustus steadfastly roared back.

“Oh, it’s going to be like that is it?” Aquila pointedly said as she rolled up her sleeves.

Augustus firmly plants himself in the doorway and raises his own fists up. “Bring it on, wench,” Augustus growled.

Wren solemnly considers if perhaps, she should seek a strong shelter, before she is dragged into this violent dispute. Suddenly a firm hand pinches Augustus ear as a short, sturdy woman with chin-length salt and pepper colored hair, drags Augustus inside. Smiling gently, Medila, Augustus’s wife and council member of the Craftsmen guild said, “Augustus, what have I told you about using foul language in this household?”

Augustus winces as he rubs his sore ear and protests, “But she started it!”

Medila maintains her gentle, but iron like gaze. “I see dear, in which case, you still need to apologize,” Medila firmly ordered.

Augustus looks like he wants to kill himself as he non-sincerely says, “Sorry, Aquila.”

Aquila sniffs and says, “I just wanted to see my cousin and this callous husband of yours Medila picked a fight with me.”

“Did he now?” Medila said as she eyes began to glow. Augustus shrinks as Medila only points to a door as Augustus fearfully enters the nearby room. “Aram is in the parlor room, you two go on ahead,” Medila said as she follows her husband and firmly closes the door behind her.

Aquila snickers triumphantly, “Serves your right.” Proudly tossing her hair over her shoulders, Aquila says, “Hurry up and come in!”

Wren quickly does so as she closes the door and murmurs, “Medila still scares me.”

“Why she’s such a sweet old lady?” Aquila said.

Wren stares at Aquila with dumbfounded eyes. Maybe it was just Wren, but did Aquila not sense the bloodthirsty emerging from the room next door? Or better yet, why was the guild master so afraid of his wife? And Augustus Stone wasn’t afraid of anything including the dwarven king!