The Cursed Ones (Rukkin Forgehammer)

[dmshepard]

Bah! Who needs them! If in their self-righteousness they wander blindly into the Abyss, then it is a fate well deserved! To turn away help from a devout dwarf such as I. "Praise Pelor!" they say! May Moradin's hammer strike true and proud and forever be heard throughout the land of men and dwarf alike.

But enough about those fools. It looks like another night in Ferrowstil, another night of choking down that wretched brew they dare call ale. But Just one more. Just one more night.

No more.

I awoke late the next morning, my stomach still lurching from the stew that was served the night before. I muttered a prayer to Moradin to help me keep it down and began strapping my full plate on over my weathered skin and bronze beard. I would finally leave this infested town and make my way to Claveport - and pray like no other dwarf that Rrollf Was still there.

I paid the ragged inn keeper more than the room was worth. Maybe he'll use it to make some improvements. Or, more likely, on more cheap ale. Whatever he did with it wasn't my problem.

My problem was the dark clouds that brewed over the Crooked Spine, the treacherous mountain range I had to cross to reach Claveport. I sighed heavily, knowing I should stay a few days more, but I couldn't have held my tongue or my dinner for another night. There were those out there who needed me. Their days were numbered. It was imperative for me to see Rrollf as soon as possible.

With a heavy sigh I slung my pack over my shoulder, and, resting one hand on my hammer, set out down the rough and winding path, leaving Ferrowstil for the last time.

[dmshepard]

The rain engulfed me before I could reach cover, soaking me thoroughly. Slogging along the muddy trail, my eyes darted around the rough hills, looking for some sort of protection from the elements. Instead, I saw a dark shadow looming in the grayness ahead of me.

I kept my head down and didn't break stride. I knew giants were common in these parts, and also knew they were mostly wary of travelers, ever since the Summer of Storms. Ferowstil had kept the brutes in check, and they dared not invoke their wrath. And so, I didn't expect the stone that blasted into my shoulder, sending me spinning to the ground.

I rolled onto my back quickly, bringing my hammer up in defense, but the shadow was gone. No more stones came as I climbed back to my feet. I looked around to regain my bearings, and caught my eye on an overhang I had missed before. Tucked neatly behind a scrag bush and barely big enough to squeeze under, I knew that I would have missed it had I not been interrupted. I didn't stop to dwell on the coincidence long, crawling into the shelter, looking for shadows in the fog.

[dmshepard]

The chill bit into me deeply, and there was no fire to warm my weary and aching bones. A heavy bruise had formed on my shoulder, though the pain wasn't enough to take my mind off the cold.

Then the footsteps came.

I would recognize them anywhere; mangy orcs never could march worth a damn. I remained still, not in the mood for a scrap in my current condition, and trapped in a small nook in the mountains. I listened as they drew near, telling myself that they could never find my hidden shelter.

The footsteps grew closer. I held my freezing breath, not daring to so much as shift. Closer still. They were speaking now, calling out to each other their need for cover.

Closer.

I could hear them just outside. I finally moved, slowly, reaching for my hammer. The scrub brush outside the cave trembled. My grip tightened.

There was a sound like the clap of thunder, but it came from all around. Orcs cried out in fear, anger, and agony. Another clap, louder than the first, left my holding my ears. Then all sound subsided, save for the wind and rain. Orc blood trickled in front of me.

I waited through the night with no sleep, afraid of whatever demon had saved me, afraid I may be next.

[dmshepard]

I flew through the mountain pass at a mad pace, the images of some unknown terror striking down a band of orcs like they were flies still chasing me. I could not wait to be rid of this place. Still, Ishould have known better than to practice haste over the unforgiving crags of the Crooked Spine.

I saw the beast before it saw me. A massive, reptilian body covered in prickly grey scales and a set of teeth that could shred though armor. I wasn't sure if it was sleeping or not, and I stepped carefully to a nearby boulder. It took a deep,hollow beath and looked back at me,studying me, deciding if I was worth a meal.

My hammer in front of me, I made it clear I would not go without a fight. We stared at each other for a silent eternity, neither of us daring to flinch. Finally,the beast had enough, whipping around and launching its massive scaly body toward me, claws and teeth first.