^^ Argent-Bane ^^

--- Dimitri ---

The King gazed at me calculatingly, and nodded. "I believe you are correct... surprise me, Dimitri the Dwarf." He smirked.

I nodded and gathered a large pile of silver coins, about fifty feet tall and wide. "This should be enough..." I murmured, and then counted them, writing down the number of silver pieces I'd taken, (for tax purposes).

Before they commented, I lit my hammer on fire with lightning, and began melting the pile of silver. I decided it wasn't enough, so I added more, keeping careful count.

Once I had what I viewed as a healthy weight, (about a quarter of the Rune-Hammer,) I let it cool, and then began compressing it with my hands alone, setting my hammer aside.

Once I couldn't fold it anymore, I re-ignited my hammer, and set in on it, heating it with each strike.

It shrank quickly before the amazed eyes of the Dwarves, and soon enough I started details, crafting a double-headed axe, with a Blade-breaker on each side, and something to catch and hold throats on the top, weighted for both throwing and striking, all combining into a good, all-round weapon.

I sharpened it slowly, and then hummed. "Now if only I could Heat-Treat it... but I don't have my materials..." I shrugged and tested its strength, finding it strong, but only maybe half as strong as I could make it, if I had my crystals and forge.

I wrapped the handle in leather, and then carved my signature into the blade, leaving a space in the middle for a Rune-Stone. "That should do it." I nodded, and tossed the axe to Holden.

He caught it with an appreciative grunt, and spun it in his hands, swinging it a few times. "Well balanced... a good Axe... heavier than Bronze, but that's obvious... yes. Interesting." He handed the axe to the King, who strained to lift it, I noticed, unlike his brother.

"Got a bit of weight to it, eh?" He chuckled.

The princess approached them, and traced the characters on the head. "What do these say?"

"It reads, in ancient Dwarfish, 'I am of the Hammer of Dimitri the Dwarf, Warriorborn of the Fabled Fell.' And the other side names it 'Argent-Bane'." I answered easily.

She blinked slowly. "You speak and read Ancient Dwarfish?"

I shrugged. "I'm of the Fell. We know all the Old languages, and most of the Current... though there are new languages to learn, apparently, and I'm very happy to know that."

She nodded slowly and hefted the axe, making her grandfather raise an eyebrow, then twirled it in her hand. "It's a good Axe... well-balanced... but too heavy for a normal Dwarf. Only a Royal would be able to lift this."

I raised an eyebrow in mirror to hers. "Royals are stronger than normal dwarves?"

She nodded. "Yes. It's in our blood, just as it's in yours. The gods asked of our ancestors weapons, and we didn't disappoint them, so we were given Gifts."

I laughed. "We receive diamonds and magic gems for selling our weapons to the gods! You got a sweet deal there!!"

Davila snickered. "As if. Diamonds are better than strength. Strength can be gained by training. But Diamonds..." she grinned.

Princess Indra interjected. "Wait, you receive? Present tense?"

I nodded. "Aye. The New Gods always want weapons and Rune-Stones. We are always eager to do trade with them. Especially Odin's brood, and Ra's, as well. They breed like rabbits, they do." I scratched my chin, thinking about the gods I'd met.

The King laughed. "That doesn't surprise me, actually. The legends of Giants making weapons for the Gods are many and varied. That there is truth to them shouldn't shock anyone... but what are the Gods like?" He asked me, looking unnecessarily eager.

I blinked. "Which ones?"

"Any of them, all of them." He shook his head.

"I haven't met them all... that's like asking what Giants are like. They're a race of beings, and they squabble. There are good ones, bad ones, kind and evil, craftsmen and destroyers." I shrugged.

"The Gods actually fight? I thought they sent mortals to do that sort of thing." He hummed.

Davila snorted. "They're like us Giants, they fight amongst themselves, and they have wars. They die and give birth. They just have magic that's much stronger than anyone else's, and they live much longer. About 5,000 years, for a minor god... Odin has been alive almost 6, from my count. His father was a bit of an asshat, if you ask me."

Indra looked confused. "Borr? Why?"

"He hunted and nearly exterminated all Giants, not just the Frost Giants, and culled us nearly to extinction, until we made our Haven, Giant Country, and escaped his Hunt." She grumbled.

I nodded. "Indeed. Borr was a piece of work... but-"

"DIMITRIIIIIIIII!!!" Demos screamed as he streaked into the room, running from a small hoard of baby Dungeon Dragons.

I blinked. "Demos? What've you done?"

He hid behind me, and I tossed him to Davila. Then I tackled the biggest of the brood, nearly twice my size and weight.

The rest circled us, forgetting Demos, and began snarling, egging on the wrestling match.

I translated as best I could, whilst avoiding the baby Dragon's Claws, which could rip even my skin if I allowed them to press too hard.

'Get him!!!'
'EGG BREAKER!!!'
'DEMON!'

I growled. "DEMOS! WHAT DID YOU DO?"

He shivered. "I was doing work with the Geomancers while you spoke to the King... then a few hours ago, they all freaked out about an assassination, and I got lost without my guide... and I ended up dropping a boulder over a cliff... I didn't know they were down there!" He babbled excuses.

I growled and pinned the dragon by its horns. "You're a fucking moron, Demos! Now I have to fight an entire brood of Dungeon Dragons, and their mother!"

"The boulder killed the mother, actually... and one of the smaller kits." He mumbled.

I froze, then let go of the dragon, who had admitted defeat. The others circled me warily, so I squatted and spoke in their language, looking them in the eyes. "I am sorry that my mage is a moron... he didn't mean to hurt you or your mother."

They hissed, and circled tighter, showing they had no intentions of backing off from their hunt.. "Egg-Breaker... mother-taker... mischief-Maker..." they kept rhyming things, as their kind were inclined to do.

I stared at them all as they entered my line of sight, never looking away. Then I started following them, one at a time, winning the game when they blinked or looked away.

When I'd gotten to them all, they finally stopped circling, and laid down, crying a piteous moan.

I sighed. "Well, they're not killing anyone... I'll take them when I leave. It'll be easier than leaving them with no mother... Demos, lead me to where you dropped the boulder. King Sathorn, I bid you good day. It would seem I have other duties to attend."

He nodded. "Indeed... when you return to Giant Country, come here first, and we can work out a Treaty or Trade agreement further than simple allowances."

I bowed my head. "Perfect. Until again, King Sathorn, Royal Family." I said, and then had Demos lead me and the dragons away, while Davila walked a small distance behind us, wary of any nasty surprises.

---

I hummed at the chasm, and nodded. "Deep enough that a boulder would kill a dragon... hmm." I drew a small pick from my belt, and began descending into the chasm. The dragons followed easily, as Dungeon Dragons were natural climbers and diggers, often digging their own tunnels and traps.

The bottom, nearly 300 feet down, was slick with blood and water, which made me tsk. "Dammit, Demos..."

I held up a light, letting the baby dragons get used to it, and then searched the shattered egg-shells made of precious gems for an unhatched egg or another dragon.

Other than the two dead dragons, plus the massive stash of seemingly worthless muscovite, there was a pile of Wolfram Ore, which I placed my light-crystal on to create a larger light.

I flinched when the pile shifted, and a white Diamond egg with blue veins was able to be glimpsed. The Wolfram was heating up, and causing the egg to Quicken.

I stopped it quickly, and the egg relaxed, the baby dragon inside going back to sleep.

I grinned, celebrating quietly, then began making a large litter for all the open eggs and the one unhatched one.

Then the bodies of the two dragons, still mostly intact, were next. I had it all hauled up, carefully, and then transported to my carriage, where it took up all of the free room, but it was worth it, definitely.

Davila complained a bit about not having a bed, so I caved, and gently broke all the eggs flat, then making a giant rectangular package, wrapped in leathers, on the roof, with the skins and bones I'd gotten from the corpses lashed to the top in another package, thus freeing up all the space inside, except what was taken up by the egg sitting next to the bed.

It was about 5 feet by 5 feet, a near-perfect sphere, and hot to the touch, with high amounts of static running over the surface constantly.

The Wolfram that had been piled around it had drained off the electricity, emitting heat, so I hummed, and replaced it, allowing the energy to travel down into the Homunculi, and the lightning-jar.

"All in all, a rather good day... despite obvious losses and dubious gains." I hummed at the Seven dragons sitting around us. "They won't fit inside the carriage, and I don't think Gruner would appreciate the company either way..."

"Attach leads to them, like horses on a trail." Davila shrugged, petting one of them happily.

I hummed. "That will be... difficult... but I suppose necessary... alright, little ones. I've got a very special Cave System for you." I said softly.

---

"You're sure this is a good idea?" Davila asked for the hundredth time.

I released the leashes, snapping the collars, and the dragons darted down into the tunnels on the Portal Island.

"Their kind lived here before. They can live here again." I answered, and looked up at the sun. "We've been gone only three weeks, can you believe it?" I chuckled.

She nodded, and breathed the air. "Yes... now let's get back to work. The dwarves and elves are one thing, the humans will be much trickier."

I nodded and set the dragon loot in the cave, while the baby dragons immediately began stacking shiny rocks they'd found as the start of their hoard. "Remember, these are only a Loan. Don't get attacked, I'll be back for them in a few months." I said warningly.

They grumbled in response, and I chuckled, walking out and boarding the carriage as it drove back through the portal.

---

I watched the humans below us, munching on a few apples from my belt pouch, as they milled around, preparing for some sort of festival.

Davila hummed, gazing at them over my shoulder. "They are... industrious."

I chuckled. "Yes. They get work done quickly, but lack Art. Their Crafts are all mass-produced. Nothing has a true purpose, nor a soul. Their industriousness has killed their artists spirits."

She hummed again. "Ah well... now, I'd like to give birth in Giant Country, and I only have two weeks left." She poked my cheek slowly.

I smiled. "Indeed... I wish I'd thought about the fact that you had to leave when I chased you... would've waited on getting started with the humans..."

She kissed my jaw and leaned against my shoulder. "Yes, well... so be it. I shall join your father, and give birth, then rejoin you." She shrugged.

"Nonsense. Your place would be raising the child until he is ready for the Arcanum." I huffed.

She grinned. "No, you're wrong. My place is here, helping you with your mission. And if I have to bring my newborn son with me, I will."

I grinned and kissed her. "The image amuses me very much... what about Tamil? I wonder how long elf breeding takes?"

She hummed. "I will gather her along the way, and introduce her to your father, then, once our children are born and consecrated to the Fell, we will join you and introduce you to your children."

Demos cleared his throat. "Uhm... Tamil won't be ready to give birth for another four or five months... the gestation period for elves, dwarves, and humans is eight-nine Lunar months from conception."

I blinked. "Truly? Well then... she can meet my clan, witness my firstborn, and then give birth amongst her people." I nodded.

He cleared his throat again, nervously tugging his collar. "Uhm... you... don't want to be there?"

"Of course I do. But I've been given a mission by the Elders, and I can't just wait for four months. Look what I've done, in four months, Demos. Four months, and ties to the dwarves and elves. In another four, I could have the humans begging me to sell wares to them." I laughed.

He hummed. "Or... you could rest with just the elves and dwarves, for now, test out the economy, and such..."

I blinked. "Well... true... I wouldn't want to flood a weak economy with high-value goods... you speak truth, Demos. I will test the economies of the kingdoms of man, and also the economies of dwarves and elves. And the Council will likely be happy with my progress. They expected the worst, after all."

---

I helped Tamil step into the carriage, and grinned when she sat next to Davila. "Wonderful to see you again, dearest elf." I chuckled, and sat in the driver's seat.

She introduced herself to Holden, who sat stiffly in a corner, still peaked about the 'flying' thing. Apparently Dwarves flew even less than Giants.

We took off swiftly, and headed towards the Portal, which was easy enough. I stopped at the Troll Market, to check its progress, and grinned at the massive hoard of dragons that flocked to the stone forest.

When we walked through it, Holden hummed. "You did this, Elf?" He asked Demos, looking mildly impressed.

"My name is Demos, and yes. I did." He answered simply, as a dragon landed on his hand, and nibbled his sleeve, then darted over to Tamil, who held a handful of berries. They swarmed her hand, and she giggled softly, petting as many as she could.

I smiled and knocked on the door, the echo sounding across the stone forest. The door opened slowly, revealing Oze the Greedless. I frowned. "We're going to have a talk about you not telling me you were a royal, and you having a family." I said before he could speak.

He hummed and looked at Holden. "Hello, my son. Welcome to the Troll Market of Canaan, property of Dimitri the Dwarf." He opened the door fully, and waved us in.

I walked in, and whistled softly. Dragons of all colors flew to and fro, whipping through the air with the speed they were famed for. Some carrying messages, some bags of coins, and others simply chased each other, enjoying the cave.

Merchants crowded around stalls dug from the edges of the rock levels, each selling things from different elvish villages, and the Dwarf kingdoms.

"It was only recently the dwarves came. Your peace-talks with them must've gone well, hmm?" Oze asked, rubbing his beard.

I nodded. "Indeed they did... we return to Giant Country for now... both to report to the Council and for the birth of my firstborn. I am quite excited." I grinned widely.

He chuckled. "Indeed. Even I felt the need for children... Greed in any form has always been something I refused to take part in, but... children? The care of them? That is a sacred calling, indeed. It drove me to... great lengths." He nodded sagely.

Holden snorted softly. "Great lengths, he says... you conquered the entire Dwarven Empire, all twelve Kingdoms, all three hundred and seven Clans, all within a year, then just gave it away!"

Oze gazed at him slowly. "Mind yourself, son... you do not want to offend me."

He flinched. "I apologize, father."

Oze looked at me. "Hmm... anyway. You should enjoy your children, Dimitri. And Davila, I wish you an easy birth, and good luck."

She smiled. "Why thank you, little Dwarf! I do appreciate your wishes... Dimitri? I'm very hungry, let's go? I want to eat in Giant Country. The air here is different."

I hummed and nodded. "Alright, then we'll be off! And this is for you, by the way." I handed him a bottle of silver wheat whiskey, aged about 2,000 years.

He laughed and nodded. "I extend my gratitude... you will be back, though, yes?"

I laughed. "As if I could leave this place for long!!! I belong here, amongst the peoples who live!"

After we finished our goodbyes, we rode the carriage towards the Portal, and waited as Holden viewed it for the first time.

"Now you realize that no Dwarf has EVER entered Giant Country before?" I asked him, and he blinked rapidly, looking away.

"Uh-u, yes, yes. I... I am aware. That... that is the most beautiful crystal I've ever seen..." he breathed.

"It's not a crystal. It's a curtain of magic, created by the rift between the two worlds." I laughed. "Now let's go, eh? I've always been one for breaking rules." I nudged the horses forward, rolling gently through the Portal.

We exited, rolling to a stop on the Portal Island, just as sunrise began.

"Welcome, Demos, Tamil, Gruner, and Holden... to Giant Country." I smiled and gestured dramatically.

They gazed at something behind me, frozen, and I blinked. "Guys? It's beautiful, I know, but-"

Demos screamed like a little girl, and I sighed, turning to see what 'horror' he'd witnessed.