Zain was currently residing in King Durin's castle. He had a meeting with the king earlier about the situation with gnomes. Currently, he was in his room and was leaving tomorrow morning to meet the gnomes.

Laying on his bed, he was in deep thought.

"Why are you still up, kid?"

Raina entered the room silently. She had taken Draig to bed. He was told to limit his food intake because the dwarves were already in bad situations. And he would eat their supplies for a month in just one day.

After making sure that Draig doesn't cause any trouble and putting him to bed, Raina came to check up on Zain.

"Raina, I was thinking about what Durin told us about the war with gnomes. According to him, gnomes are leading a suicidal attack on them. But this doesn't seem right."

"My plan was to provide the gnomes enough resources so they can carry on the assault for a longer period. Because of that dwarves would have suffered more losses and would need our help."

"But from the looks of it, there is something that is pressuring the gnomes to do a suicidal attack on dwarves. This put our plan at risk as both gnomes and dwarves would just end up wiping out each other. Something is going on in these mountains that we are unaware of. I keep getting a feeling like something bad going to happen."

"You don't have to worry. I will protect you and Draig. And also make sure you safely return to Vermillion city."

"Thank you, Raina. I feel more at ease."

Raina left the room after conversing with Zain for a while.

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The next day, Zain and his group went deeper into the mountains travelling through large caves from the border of dwarves towards the gnomes' stronghold. Their journey continued in silent caves lightened up by their magic lamps. Only their footsteps could be heard.

After two days of journey, they finally reached their destination, the gnomes' stronghold. It was Castle in the middle of a huge dome-like hollow space in the mountain, the rest of the area filled with barracks and shops.

When they reached the entrance of the stronghold, Gnomes were quick to react. They immediately sent a squadron as a messenger to talk with Zain's group. They had come riding on pony-like mechanical mounts.

The gnome riding in front approached the group and said.

"Esteemed guests, I am the general of gnome army. Welcome to the gnomes stronghold. I don't know what it is that brought you here but we are in a time of war. So, please state the purpose of your visit."

Raina came forward and replied.

"I am Raina, knight under Duke Zeidan Bane Currently, accompanying young master Zain Bane. We would like to meet your King."

After knowing their identity the gnomes grew more respectful and they were soon escorted to the castle in the stronghold.

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In the castle of the stronghold.

Zain was standing in the main hall in front of the King of gnomes with Raina and Draig by his side. And the rest of his group waiting outside.

The hall was pretty small compared to the one in Vermillion city. It had no lavish things only simple marble.

"You are in the audience of King Morgz Hanbell of Gnome tribes." said the gnome standing beside the King's throne.

The king of gnomes had a very similar appearance to other gnomes he just had a red cape and a rusty lamp-like black crown.

"So, travellers from the plain lands. It's been a long time since we had an audience with your kind. But I am afraid you arrived at the wrong occasion. We gnomes tribes are at war with dwarves of Bourbon. I am quite curious about your visit to our lands."

The gnome king had deduced that they were not simple people, he tried to be respectful so as not to offend Zain's group.

"I won't beat around the bush as I know you have gotten enough supplies for your people to survive winter. So, tell me why are you still hell-bent on raiding dwarves when winter is just coming to end."

This was what bothering Zain the most right now. He had planned to support gnomes with food so they could pressure dwarves more. So, the arrogant dwarven king Durin would receive his help to fight gnomes and feel grateful to him.

But for some reason, gnomes were going crazy attacking dwarves relentlessly when clearly they have the resources they need for winter. It was sure that the war between them and the dwarves would last longer as they had supplies and numerical advantage. But they were being very reckless like it was a do-or-die situation which was clearly not the case as they had enough resources even if they don't fight the dwarves.

This was the reason why Zain want to find out what forced gnomes to attack dwarves so relentlessly even to the point of giving away their life.

The Gnome King's face turned ugly. He stood up from his throne and walked in front of Zain. Raina was ready to attack at any point Gnome King make a move against Zain. But contrary to her thinking, the Gnome King knelt on the ground.

The Gnome King Morgz said.

"Lord, I beg! I beg you! Please save us."

Soon tears started flowing from his eyes. This wasn't a situation Zain was expecting. He gave Raina a signal and she let out her powerful aura. She said in loud voice.

"Get up! Explain the whole story clearly without leaving a thing. Why are you crying? What are you this scared of?"

The Gnome King quickly jolted up as he got scared by terrifying pressure from Raina. He wiped his tears with his sleeves and started explaining the whole situation.

The matter started one month ago just before Zain send a letter to help gnomes in the war. It was an autumn month and everyone was preparing to fight with dwarves to get better resources from them.

The main Gnome tribes lived deeper in the mountains. That day was just like any other day. People doing their daily tasks. The children of tribes use to play on the outskirts of tribes. But something unexpected happened that day.