It was the beginning of autumn, a season that brings many storms into the mountains with an intensity that is unknown to those that do not live in them. Hail was clattering on the paved road and Asudrom had the luck to be caught in this weather on his way the courtyard of Thrain. He drew his thick wool cloak against him and slid the hood and held the hood tight over his head as he clasped it with his hand near his throat.. The iron tips on his boots thudded along with those of the few dwarves that followed him.
Thogen Hammerstrike , grunting as he went the tallest and broadest of the company by far, he was the only one that didn't keep his head down, his bulging nose steamed out hot breath that vaporated in the wind battering his features.. Not unlike the jewellery in Asudrom's beard so did Thogen's iron clasps send jingling and metallic sounds echoing into their surroundings..
Another was Kveltrild one carrying packages, flaming beard flapping left and right and holding on tight to the possesion. Even in the storm the warm, mouth-watering smell of feshly baked bread surrounded the supposed female of the company. She too had a few decorations in the beard, a sign of wealth and perhaps even status.
Then another dwarf came along Augir, a cultured dwarf whom was the only dwarf that shared only friendship with the others. For he swore an oath to a different lord then the others.
All together they stood before the great statue of Thrain, though small it was for dwarves and they paid it little attention, they entered a great stone house, it seemed hewn from a great rock, for no blocks of stone were seen in the walls, but then again the weather did assist little in this. Asudrom knocked the door with a broad finger, .. they waited several heartbeats and with some more incistance he knocked harder .. Creaking of locks could be heard.. some more turning mechanisms and then the door opened slightly, no voice came from beyond.. "It is us master without voice.", Asudrom said in a pleasant enough voice and a hand with one finger lifted fell into view. The door shut and a final amount of creaks and turning could be heard.. The dwarves looked at eachother, getting a little impatient as the wind kept slamming into them and hail clattered on all of them without mercy or signs of stopping. The door opened fully and a monkish figure greeted them, hands tugged within the large sleeves on the opposite arm. Below a hood there was a short grey beard visible, a curled point on the dwarf' chin beckoning them as the mysterious figure still didn't speak, but a smile of welcome was evident nonetheless.
The wet company entered, flapping their cloaks, Asudrom puffed his cheecks as the sudden warmth of the room slapped them in the face, but he regained himself and bowed before the monkish figure. The others entered, hailstones dropping out of their beards and muddy puddles quickly appeared where they stood, several others dwarves approached and politely they all removed their cloaks and handed them over to the helpfull servants. "Ah master of whispers!", Asudrom jested as he outstretched his arms, a flush already appearing on his cheecks and the two silver teeth in his mouth reflecting the light of the fires of smithies within, "It is good to see you again. Me and my friends are most pleased that you could recieve us and have time for our comissions! My only regret is not bringing the sun with me!" The monkish figure didn't speak and raised a brow that was a little dissaproving of Asudrom's manner perhaps, nonetheless he returned his head in a bow as all the others gathered themselves next to Asudrom himself.
Thogen was first for he had no cloak that he needed to give, a vast silver chain dangled from his neck and shone dimly in the light. He bowed before the Hushed one. "Thogen, son of Thagon, son of Thag!", he said by manner of introduction, " At your service!"
The Hushed one bowed his head, not returning a similar introduction of his own, he did smile warmly this time though in welcome to Thogen.
Kveltrild merely bowed her head and stretched out both arms to hand over the package she held, handing it over if the unspeaking dwarf would take it. He finally took his hands from his sleeves and sniffed carefully over the package as he held it. He bowed his head to Kveltrild.
Finally Augir introduced aswell, "Augir Stonefist, at your service.", he said while picking yet another hailstone from his black beard, "I am most keen to see the great crafts you perform of which master Asudrom speaks with so much praise!"
The Hushed one gave his package to another servant, who quickly made off with it, the dwarf pulled back one of his sleeves and held up a hand.. Making a few intricate gestures with his fingers, allthough slowly. The others watched,but only Asudrom and Kveltrild seemed to comprehend the act. In his deep voice so did Asudrom speak, "I welcome you all in my workshop. I thank you for your trust in me and my service that I provide. I shall be most keen to accept the new comissions of which you undoubtedly shall speak now.".. Kveltrild continued.. "Would you all please be willing to follow me to my small library, we could continue in more detail there perhaps. Also we can take a s-... erm.. oh! Also we can take a seat overthere and you may behold the catalogued inscriptions..." The dwarves looked at eachother, seeming rather keen. Asudrom spoke up, "Ah master Hushed.", so he said for easy reference, "I have a request for you though, to display your fine arts to these here present, so they may better understand that which they come for, as they are not known to the arts of yore as much." Hushed one his face grew serious in an instant, he closed his eyes for a mere moment. As he opened them more signalling followed, Kveltrild spoke first this time, "I shall not reveal the details of my crafts to you, but if it would be pleasing, then I shall converse with you all and display a small measure of knowledge on the runes that ought to be enough for a greater understanding. Would this suffice?"
Asudrom bowed his head, "I do not wish to pry any of your secrets from you and we shall consider ourselves most lucky for even the smallest of demonstrations or a gift of knowledge that you deem fit. We thank you." The others didn't seem very sure about what they should be thankfull for, but they followed the Hushed one to a peacefull corner in the hewn house passing by working dwarves hammering on iron or polishing gems in the dim warm light. Then leaving the sounds of working behind them they came to the space, stacked with old books, a few wooden chairs with thick pillows surrounding a table stood there, oppisite of which were the several bookcases. The Hushed one was quick on his feet and started running his hands over the several spines of the books within.. chin up and standing on the tips of his toes to reach from the upper shelf. The others took their places to sit down and looked at eachother. Except for Thogen who's chair creaked and moaned dangerously under his weight, "This is why I have stone furnishings at home.", he chuckled quietly.. Augir looked at one of the pillows and lifted it up, beholding the exquisite embroidery that held within goosefeathers perhaps or perhaps even filled up with sheepwool. He slapped it and muffled a cough as dust flew out of it, he regained himself and quietly laid the pillow down once more.. "I shall remain standing I believe, to err.. behold the works from a different angle!", he said while dusting off his vestments..
Hushed blew some dust from a book with a green cover, a bright yellow rune was visible on the front.. he laid it down carefully and started turning pages.. The others hovered over it curiously eyes wide with wonder and Hushed one shot them an annoyed glance as they came a bit too close for his liking.. They backed away in their seats or for Augir on his earlier spot next to Thogen. The Hushed one continued turning the pages.. eventually the frown that was on his features vanished and he smiles, turning the book around for them to behold what's in it. They looked and he signalled.. Asudrom spoke up, "Behold this is the service I provide! The crafting of tools is a very fine one, yet I present to you the art of .. laying down spells of yore upon objects." Thogen, Kveltrild and Augir looked impressed, Asudrom pleased with himself and while he did so he took from his belt an object of great splendour.. "Master of runes, would you perhaps accept a comission of mine?" The Hushed one looked up and smiled at him in an inviting gesture to continue perhaps, "I present to you Barkâl ukhdaf, as my sword before I now come ask you to strengthen the spirit of this weapon. For the days that the goblins are expelled from the mountains have yet to come a long time from now!", Asudrom laid a fantastic axe on the table, it's haft was not round, but carved in a six-square, an iron butt at it's end and fine red leather was coiled alongside it's neck. Where the leather ceased to coil any further, the haft was immediately reinforced with iron bars that ran up into the facial features of a dragon made out of bronze, the eye inlaid with a red gem.. The figure's mouth opened and as true as flames from a real one , the surprisingly slender axehead ended up in a razorsharp edge that could split a hair. There it laid and Hushed one his brow rose, he looked over at Asudrom for permission before he took it, then he held it up marvelled at it, not unlike perhaps Thogen and Augir. Hushed one laid the weapon down and immediately began signalling, " What sort of casting would you wish me to perform on it? Shall we perhaps behold the book first so you may see what is available?"
Asudrom nor Kveltrild spoke aloud, he merely nodded, she was already trying to shove herself between the other two still peering down on the various incantations and symbols depicted on the worn parchment...
