Author’s Note: Last chapter marking beginning of first arc. Hope you enjoyed, and will continue to do so. Anyways, without further ado, chapter 11.

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Lomar’s POV:

Everyone in Lumber heard loud roar and saw smoke rising in the distance, from direction in which lied Plenty. After some time, there was one loud, lasting bellow. All villagers were afraid, I pitied Vars, who was responsible for everyone’s safety, and had no idea what course of action to take. Should we run? Should we send people to investigate? Roar started dying out, but we still remained wary. Mayor Cordel and Vars decided to wait and see, so we waited.

At sundown, we saw group of people in tattered clothes running in direction of the village. They looked like bandits, but were unarmed and there weren’t many of them. And their shouts from the distance made all of us pale. Dragon. Dragon came, destroying everything in its path. Plenty was gone, its citizens wiped out, only smoke and ashes remaining.

We all turned to Vars for guidance. He didn’t say anything, just opened and closed his mouth. Mayor showed that he was the right man on the right place, because he quickly regained his bearing, and started giving orders to people.

“Leave everything not essential, take only things which can be carried and won’t slow you down. Send messenger on the fastest horse to the nearest city, and follow after him in couple of separate groups, using forest as cover. At least one protector is to go with each group, everyone remember to take weapons! It’s still wild land out here, we may be chased by dragon, but spear in your gut will kill you just as effectively!”

I started moving, looking one last time in direction of what was once known as Plenty. The only thing I could offer, was silent prayer for those killed. In face of Dragon, what could a man do?

Dwarven Council of Rasgar Hold, just after Rasgar’s attack:

At the moment, the room of meetings was filled with worried and angry dwarves in heated discussion, with one giant standing on the side. He only looked calmly at arguing dwarves, deep in thought. One councilman was trying to convince others, but with everyone against his idea it was going bad.

“We have to look for survivors! Maybe there were some stragglers out of town, during attack?”

“What nonsense are you spouting! Are you suggesting we draw drake’s attention to our home? Do you really want to doom our city, for small chance of saving few humans?”

“Your ancestors were human as well, don’t forget that! Though we may have changed in Avalon, our roots are the same!”

“STOP!”

Finally, leader of council couldn’t take it anymore and stood up.

“But, Gavran, I think…”

“Enough Romulus. I know you are passionate about humans, seeing as you are a child of first generation. But its lost cause. We will hereby vote on closing the gates of Rasgar Hold, until we ascertain from outside, that the danger has passed. Those for say yea…”

All except giant and dwarf called Gavran raised their voices.

“…and those against say nay.”

Giant remained silent, while Gavran with voice filled with stubbornness and anger said nay.

“The majority have spoken. We immediately close the gates. To those outside I can only say: may the gods be with them.”

And with strike of hammer, the meeting was finished. Romulus cursing others for fools and cowards, went out storming his way through the town hall and scaring people. Leader of the council, who was also Dwarf Lord, the mayor of Rasgar Hold looked after his back and smiled sadly. He then turned to giant nearby, who didn’t leave with others and started speaking.

“What do YOU think? Should I have overruled vote and scouted the situation first? We did leave few dozen of our brethren out to die.”

The giant responded for the first time, with deep voice sounding like avalanche from afar.

“No, what you did, as a person responsible for this community, was right. There is no correct decision in this situation, the fact, that dragon never came to your city so far, doesn’t mean he won’t come this time after all. But the gates should slow it down, and give your people time to evacuate through Portal. There is only one big problem with gates being closed. You have no idea what will be happening outside. You can remain closed for years, until someone manages to bring you news about dragon being gone.”

Dwarf Lord looked at the giant with helplessness on his face.

“And what am I supposed to do? Send others to die? The Lower Passages became danger zone in previous generation, so unless you are hiding couple of A ranked parties under those clothes of yours, we have no way out. Except gates, which will be closed soon, and Portal, which leads couple of thousand kilometers from here.”

Giant smiled suspiciously after hearing what was said. Dwarf Lord frowned upon seeing this, and when an idea came to his mind, he started protesting, even though nothing was said.

“No, no, no, no, no way! I will not allow the first ambassador of different race to go to his death! You are our chance to establish first friendly contacts with giants since the last purge!”

“Just listen, I can leave here before you close the gate. That way I will only have to go through Lower Passage once, on my way back. It will lessen risk by 50%”

“50% not counting bloody fucking dragon you mean. You don’t know these mountains, just as you don’t know Lower Passage. So even if you don’t end up as lizard’s chopstick, you will rot in spiders belly. Or be yeti’s meal. Look, I also want to know what is going on outside, but situation is as it is. No one would agree to guide you on your folly adventure, knowing the circumstances and your path.”

“Oh, that’s where you are mistaken. I think I will find one willing to do so pretty easily.”

“HA! If you do, I will eat my beard. No sane dwarf will go into spiders den willingly, especially if dragons are on the menu as well.”

“You better prepare plate then, because I am going.”

With these words said giant left the council room with cursing dwarf lord behind. Brom (giant), left in the direction he could meet certain human loving dwarf, while the lord went to order closure of the gates.