Chapter 7 Chapter 5 Total War

Santilla Xingyao returned to her campfire. The consul of Mirabar is also a mage. She came out this time to find some roots and mushrooms as the casting materials for the new spell she was experimenting with.In a meadow south of the desolate pass, Santilla found a lot, so she came back with a bag full of clothes. She was about to call her companions to come and help, and the words burst out in a cackle of giggles when she saw the dwarf.The little dwarf huddled up beside the campfire, rubbing his hands together, and wrapped his cloak tightly around his body. But even that can't hide the most iconic feature of the body: a large hooked nose.

"Nose hair burns if you get any closer," Santilla said as she got closer to the campfire. "It's windy at midnight," said the dwarf. "The weather is abnormal," Santilla said.Although autumn is coming, it is still summer after all. "Naturally, but camping would be a pain in the ass," Nanfedo muttered. Santilla giggled again, sat across from him, and was about to pour out the things in her skirt.Just then, she stopped, noticing that the dwarf was staring at her exposed leg.Santilla thought it was ridiculous; of course she was a beautiful woman, and those slender legs alone exceeded the dwarf's height.She moved slightly so that the dwarf could see better, and Nanfred's mouth opened wide.

When the dwarf looked up, he saw Santilla looking at him with a surprised smile on her pretty face. Nanfudo blinked quickly, cleared his throat, and became a little embarrassed, as if he had gone somewhere he shouldn't have been.Santilla watched his every move as he tipped the tubers and mushrooms from his skirt to the ground. "Do you think life is boring?" she asked after a while, beginning to sort the pile by size and type. "Do you feel that life has no passion?" Folding his arms, Nanfodo moved a little closer to the fire. "Passion?" "Have you forgotten what it's like to be adventurous, Nanfudo dear?" Santilla asked. "Has the day-to-day life of beakers and solutions made you forget the thrill of blasting goblins with fireballs?"

Nan Fudo looked at her curiously. "If I remember correctly, the Nanfudo I saw at Baldur's Gate a few years ago can still do one or two spells." Santilla said. "But none as crude as Fireball!" argued the dwarf, waving his little hand, "Ha! Fireball! Next time you should say Lightning! No, no, Santilla, I prefer the elemental ones Magic from power." "Ah, yes." Santilla replied, "Of course, I should have known earlier that illusion and alchemy are actually the same thing." Nanfudo's eyes widened. He was employed by Santilla's superior, Erastu, Marquis of Mirabar.

The purpose is to gain a competitive advantage over Mithril Hall by improving the quality of the ore through alchemy.Every time he reported the results to the Marquis, Santilla always sneered at his reason that dwarf alchemy is an imprecise discipline and requires trial and error.Even more unfortunate, his efforts at Mirabar were almost unsuccessful, something Santilla hit him with every now and then. "What do you want to say?" the dwarf asked bluntly. Santilla laughed and continued sorting her mushrooms. "You don't believe in alchemy at all, do you?" "Isn't that obvious?"

"Then why did you recommend me to Marquis Erastu?" Nanfudo asked. "I remember he learned about my fame through Santilla Xingyao." "I don't know anything about alchemy," Santilla explained. "But I never said that I didn't know or like Nanfudo." After a moment of silence, Santilla glanced at Nanfudo and found that he was staring at herself curiously. "If the Marquis of Erastu is determined to waste the money, it's better to give Nanfu some more, at least a little bit." Santilla explained with a smirk. The alchemist nodded, but his confused expression clearly told her that he didn't know whether to thank her or blame her.

She likes it. "The food is gone, and I have to carry these things." The dwarf looked at Santilla's harvest and said sourly. "Is it too heavy?" She responded sarcastically, "One small mushroom is enough for poor little Nanfuduo." Speaking of throwing a small white mushroom over the fire, Nanfudo reached out to catch it, but the mushroom bounced off his hand and hit his big nose, causing Santilla to burst into laughter. Nanfudo frowned, bent down to pick up the mushroom calmly, looked at it carefully, and was still muttering something, Santilla was ready to defend, with both hands in front of her body, ready to block the mushroom, but Half a dozen identical mushrooms flew towards her.

"Good job!" Santilla yelled, laughing louder as the real mushroom hit her on the forehead and the phantom passed through her body. "If anyone offends Nanford, he must be careful," said the dwarf, puffing out his chest so that the cloak drew him more tightly. "I have a few things here to spice up dinner," Santilla said, grabbing two handfuls full of mushrooms and tubers. "If you're eating enough—and it's no problem for you, of course—we can take it easy." Just as Nanfudo was about to say something, he was interrupted by the sound of horseshoes, and the two of them remembered that their camp was just beside the road.

"The rider has seen our campfire," the dwarf reminded. He retreated into the shadows, even smaller under the wrap of his cloak, and began to cast the spell with a wave of his arms. Santilla glanced at the dwarf in surprise, and quickly shifted her attention to the road.As an experienced adventurer, she doesn't feel intimidated, not to mention her spells and weapons are enough to protect her. But the matter suddenly became urgent, as if the camp was under attack, Santilla let out a soft cry and prepared to hide aside. Fortunately, she soon noticed that the spell was not issued by the enemy, but Nanfudo's masterpiece. She looked at the dwarf, who was grinning at her from under the hood, and at the same time put a finger to his lips, indicating that She keeps quiet.

The sound of hooves approached, a strong sorrel horse, carrying a human rider in a gray cloak. He reined in the horse, flipped off the horse skillfully, patted the dust off his body, and politely bowed deeply to a tree several feet high. The rider is about forty years old, his black hair is only a little gray at the sideburns, a broadsword is hung on his left side, and a dagger is pinned to his right side. When walking, his right hand is casually resting on the dagger. This posture is It seemed to others that it was all for convenience, but for an experienced adventurer like Santilla, this person's posture was not that simple. The angle of his right arm was just right for him to quickly pull out the dagger and throw it out in an instant.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Dwarf," the tall man said to the tree, and Santilla tried not to laugh. She looked at Nanfudo, who desperately signaled her to be quiet, and then started waving his fingers again. "I'm Galen Foss from Nesmere." The visitor introduced himself. "I am Nanfuldo, alchemist to the Marquess of Mirabar." The tree spoke through the dwarf's illusion. "Please tell us what is the purpose of your coming here, you are far from home." "You too," Galen said. "Of course, but this is our camp." Nan Fodo replied manipulating the tree. Galen bowed again. "I have bad news from Nesmeer," he said. "The mire and trolls of the Trollwaste have attacked, and we're in dire straits. I don't even know if our men will last this far." "We're going back to Mirabar at once," said a voice beside him.Santilla came out from the shadows and came to Galen. His eyes widened, Nanfudo dispelled the illusion, and Galen Firth blinked hard to understand what was going on. "I am the Archon of Mirabar," Santilla explained when Galen looked at her. "Let's go back to Mirabar immediately, and I will persuade the Marquis to send troops to reinforce you." "Someone has gone to inform the Marquis." Galen said, still blinking his eyes and looking around. "My task is to go to Mithril Hall to inform His Majesty Bruno Warhammer." The real Nanfredo finally appeared on the other side of the camp, and Galen glanced back and forth between his and the phantom's position, trying to figure out what had happened, why he had spoken to a tree and bowed to it. "Mithral Hall is also our destination." Nanfudo said as he walked over, Galen was still staring at him. "Forgive me for using illusion on you, Nisme rider, you have to be careful anyway, right?" "Of course," Galen said, "this is especially important for mesmers." Nanfudo smiled and bowed. "His horse was sweating a lot," Santilla said. "It can't go on its way tonight. Stay and have dinner with us, and talk about what happened to Nesme in detail. We will go with you to see King Bruno and try our best to persuade him to reinforce you." "Thank you so much, my lord," Galen replied. He stepped aside to find a place to tie the horse. "It's not good." Nanfudo said to Santilla when there were only the two of them left in the camp. "I only hope that the Marquis can sympathize with Nesme's plight. He has not been very friendly to outsiders recently." Santilla replied. "King Bruenor will send reinforcements." Nanfudo said, Galen Foss happened to come over and heard their conversation. "I just hope that King Bruno can let go of the past." Guy said, and the two looked at him full of doubts. "When he passed our property a few years ago," the newcomer found a place to sit near the fire, "our patrols took offense at him." He dropped his eyes and added quickly Said, "But we are not afraid or jealous of King Bruno, but his friend, a dark elf." "Drizzt Do'Urden," Santilla said. "Yes, Bruno is a friend who always keeps many people at arm's length." "Anyway, I hope the dwarves will let go of the past," Gay said, "and realize that reaching out to Nesmeer in distress is also helping oneself." "According to what we know about King Bruno, you may get nothing." Nanfudo interjected, and Santilla also nodded in agreement. Galen nodded, disappointment palpable. Night fell upon them, and the bad news from Nesmere seemed all the more terrifying in the darkness. "Your greedy friend has done a great job!" Bankner Braunanwell and a few partners watched a dwarf team crossing the Guardian's Canyon from east to west, and said to Catti-brie Said. "He can calculate." Catti-brie commented. "Oh—hmm." Pike Shijian echoed. "Yeah, once the valley behind is safe, we'll feel more at ease." Pike Stoneshoulders also stepped in. "But I still think the ridge to the west is an important point." All eyes were on the northwest side—the ridge Ivan had mentioned, which seemed to be the only accessible high ground. "There are giants in the orc army," said Ivan. "They might arrange some there." "The giants can't reach us there," Banneker replied, having mentioned it once before. "Too far." "But it still has strategic value for them," Ivan retorted. "As long as a few scouts are arranged there, the form of the battlefield will be clear at a glance." "That's a good place," agreed Torger Hammer. "Have your scouts ever scouted there?" "Going," Togg reported. "My people said it was a tunnel, and they guessed that the other party wanted to occupy it first." "Yes." Ivan said. "I'll go and see," Togg said. "I'll find out the details of the tunnel." "What if they find you?" asked Banneker. "The orcs will tear you apart. I can't take that risk." "They won't find it," Togg assured him. "There is an entrance near the back of the cliff in Guardian Canyon, just go down from the west, let's go back quickly, no problem." Banneker looked at Ivan, then Catti-brie and Wulfgar. "Catti-brie and I will meet the tunnel mouth," Wulfgar said. Banneker looked back at their line of defense. They had already repelled two charges of the orcs. Although the second charge was less threatening than the first, the orc commander just let the troops keep attacking to interrupt the attack. The progress of the dwarves in building fortifications.Banneker understood this tactic, but also felt a little headache. But the second charge did not interrupt the plans of the dwarves, and Banneker's warriors repelled them easily, and the work of the fortifications did not stop at all.The fortifications made of stones and soil are basically formed, and the charge of the orcs will stop here.The rope nets that the engineers had laid on the cliff were almost complete, and Banneker knew he would receive reinforcements from one hundred to two hundred dwarves. Once the orcs charged, many dwarves stood behind their brethren, losing all joy in the fight. "Take half of your people and clean up the tunnel." Banneker ordered Togg, "After you go there, take a good look at what's in the north, understand?" "Promise to complete the task!" Togg said with a smile. "Heh-heh...heh," Pike said. "Come back if there are too many orcs," Banneker added. "I don't want to tell King Bruno that all the new friends died in battle before entering Mithril Hall." "Togg of Mirabar and his troops will not be defeated by the stinking orcs," insisted Togg. "Even if there are a hundred giants to help out there!" Singers McCluf agreed.The gray-haired old dwarf stood by Togg's side, and they were good friends.In fact, Singers and Torger's family have been friendly for centuries. When Marquis Eratus reprimanded Togg for warmly entertaining Bruno and his party, Singers was the first to stand on Torgue's side, and he was also one of the organizers of the departure of the Mirabar dwarves.Under their leadership, more than 400 of Mirabar's best dwarf craftsmen left their hometown and embarked on the road to Mithril Hall. After a long journey, when the new homeland appeared opposite the Guardian Canyon, they met the survivors who escaped from Shallow Water Town, and Bruno, who was seriously injured, was among them.Togg, Singers, and the dwarves of Mirabar valiantly helped them repel the pursuers. Even with the entire Horde of Orcs standing before them, even with the endless fighting, not a single Mirabar dwarf showed even the slightest hint of affection for returning home. not even one. The expressions on the faces of the three new guests suggested that the person on the throne of Mithril Hall was not what each of them expected, but Regis ignored the bewildered expressions on the faces of the three. "I am the Regent of Mithril Hall," Regis explained, "and hold power temporarily in Bruenor's name." "Where's your lord?" Galen Foss asked, anxious in his voice. "Recovering from a serious injury." Regis wished he was lying now. "He has been sticking to the front line of the Guardian Canyon, and you have seen the battle there when you came here." Galen wanted to say something again, but Regis spoke first with a serious face. "I've heard rumors of three," said the halfling. "It doesn't sound so good. At this very moment, before I answer any of your questions, I must know who you really are and why." "Galen Foss, cavalry from Nesmeer." Galen's keen intuition as a rider made him catch a subtle scowl on Regis' face. "Come and ask King Bruno to send reinforcements to support our city surrounded by trolls." Regis raised a hand to his chin, and glanced at the Warhammer dwarves standing nearby.Nesme was too far from here, could he keep Bruno's people from taking the risk?He nodded to Galen, but said nothing. "You are the Archon of Mirabar," Regis said, turning to Santilla. "I have visited your city, and I know you." "Your bone carving skills are very popular in Mirabar, Lord Regent." Santilla said politely and bowed deeply. "Santila Xingyao is willing to serve Mithril Hall. This is my assistant, Nanfudo." "Serving Mithril Hall?" Regis repeated. "Or the dwarves who came to inspect you?" The dwarf next to Santilla was a little embarrassed, but Santilla just smiled. "I hope Torgg and the others are doing well," she replied, showing no sign of displeasure at the fact that Torgg and his dwarves had left. "But you didn't join them," Regis said. Santilla laughed off the obvious sarcasm, "I do not approve of Togg's choice, nor do I want to leave Mirabar with his people, but I suggest that Marquis Eratus allow them to leave. Togg and his people leave Mirabar was devastated by everyone." "When they came to Mithril Hall," Regis reminded, "Mithril Hall took them in like brothers, and the friendship forged in battle took root from the moment we met Torg in the valley. They are the Warhammers now, do you understand?" "Understood, although it pains me a lot, I still accept this fact." Santilla bowed again. "Then what are you doing here!" "Please take your time, Lord Regent Regis." Galen Firth interrupted their conversation. "I don't think I'm here to listen to you discussing the resettlement of a group of lost dwarves. Our city is under siege, and there is an urgent need." A few dwarves beside him began to whisper, and the anger in Galen's voice became more and more obvious. "Can you discuss it with Praetor Santilla later?" Regis stopped and stared at Galen. "I heard your plea," said the halfling, "and I sympathize with what happened to Nesme. When we searched and recovered Mithril Hall, we also dealt with those disgusting creatures, and it was quite difficult to deal with them." Their experience." He gave Galen a meaningful look, apparently reminding him of the injustice that Nesmeer's cavalry had done to Bruenor and his companions. "But you can't expect me to send you all the warriors of Mithril Hall, and let us open the door for orcs and giants to drive straight in." Regis continued, glancing at the dwarves.Regis was well served by their nods of approval. "Your situation and request are subject to further discussion. I hope that the facts will be made public and the choice will then be given to Parliament." "Must act quickly!" Galen yelled. "We have the right to give you what you want!" Regis yelled too, standing up from his throne, standing on the high platform just enough to meet Garen's eyes. "I am not King Bruenor, nor anyone's king, I am just regent! An advisor! We will discuss your situation, not only me, but also the dwarves. They know better whether Mithril Hall is going to support Nai Smee, especially now, when we need support ourselves!" "Then, this meeting has nothing to do with me, does it?" Galen asked, meeting Regis' gaze without fear. "yes." "Then I'm leaving now," Galen said. "I request Mithril Hall to at least provide me with a place to rest temporarily." The word "at least" made Regis narrow his eyes. "Of course." He spat out these two words with difficulty. The halfling nodded to the side, and the two dwarves stood beside Galen. Galen bowed hastily and stepped back, his heavy boots pounding on the stone floor. "He's just worried about the fate of his homeland, that's all," Santilla said as Galen stepped back. "Yes." Regis agreed. "Of course I understand his fear and anxiety, but I'm afraid the Warhammers are not very close to Nesmer, and Nesmer has never been friendly to the inhabitants of Mithril Hall. Many years ago when we were still looking for Mithril When I was in the hall, I met a small group of Nesmer riders who were being attacked by mire monsters near the Troll Wastes. At that time, Bruenor rushed to help them without hesitation, and Drizzt and Wulfgar. We rescued them. But I believe they didn't reciprocate." "Because of the drow," Santilla said. "Yes." Regis sighed, shrugged his shoulders lightly, and sat back on the throne. "It's nothing if it's just one time, but it happens from time to time." He was obviously implying what happened to the caravan in Icewind Dale in front of the gate of Mirabar, and Santilla and Nanfuldo looked at each other awkwardly. "After recovering Mithril Hall, Stone Town was also rebuilt." The halfling continued. "Uthgar warriors, not dwarves." "I remember Bexga and his people," Santilla said. "It went very well in the beginning," Regis said. "We were hopeful that the barbarians of Icewind Dale would prosper here. But their goods, high-quality furs, are useless to the dwarves who live underground all year round, if their neighbor Nesmeer can trade with them If so, the Stone Town may still exist today, but now, it has been abandoned." "The life of the residents of Nesme is very difficult," Santilla said. "They have to fight against the enemy in the dangerous wasteland all the time. In the disaster after disaster, they have learned to rely entirely on themselves. Every Nesme family We've all lived through tragedy, and every Nesmeer has seen someone dear to them stolen by trolls." "Indeed," Regis admitted. "I understand, but we can't give Nesme any help right now, not now. King Bruenor is still unconscious, and the orcs are standing at our door." "Then provide them with shelter," Santilla suggested. "Tell them that if one day they are forced to abandon their homeland, they can come to Mithril Hall, where they can find friendship, comfort and shelter." Regis began to nod before she finished speaking, he had also thought about this long-term plan. "Perhaps we have spare men to follow him back to Nesmere," said the halfling. He paused for a moment and snorted, "Really, I actually asked the guest for advice, I am such a good regent!" Just as Santilla was about to answer, Nanfudo intervened: "The best leaders always listen more than they speak." Santilla and Regis both laughed, but soon the halfling asked again: "Is this a sign of wisdom or cowardice?" "When one person's behavior is enough to affect many people, the two are the same thing." Nanfudo replied. Regis savored this evaluation carefully, taking some comfort from it.Of all the leaders he had known, Bruenor was undoubtedly the wisest. If the Dwarf was in doubt about a matter, even the most dangerous, he never showed it.