Arrival at Othrikar

After almost 12 days on the road both Hilfar and Ullfar were getting close to their destination. Hilfar travelled on foot, pulling forth a poney laden with barrels of pipeweed, and a barrel of food. Fish tightly packed and roasted by Master Kandral. The wind was chill here, biting the nose and cheeks. Hilfar tucked his warm hat over his ears as they passed over the barren hills. They have not encountered anyone since Trestlebridge. The ruins and the landscape showed signs that this region used to be full of activity, long ago. But all they saw was a cobbled road, winding over grassy hills facing cold winds.They walked up a steep hill and saw the gate of Othrikar. 



The iron gate was closed and a dwarf stopped them "Halt! Identify yourselves!". Hilfar saw three dwarf guards upon the pillars next to the gate with drawn bows. Hilfar put up his hands to show they were empty, with one hand he reached inside his garment. The guards were very edgy for some reason. Hilfar took out a letter and gave it to the guard "We have come in the name of the Longbeard Trading Company". The guard inspected the seal at the end of the letter and nodded, the other guards unloaded their bows at a sign of the gateguard. The guard muttered "Very well, you may enter."

With a rattling sound the iron gate opened before them. They slowly entered the old mining facility looking around their new home. A young dwarf came running at them "Masters? You came from the blue mountains, have you not?". Ullfar nodded eyeing the boy curiously. The boy beckoned at them "Leave your horses here at master Pickwell, and follow me! If you please." Both dwarves followed the boy who ran to the central plaza. Ullfar and Hilfar were looking around them, the stone builldings look somewhat withered and the dwarfs they encountered a bit grumpy in the chill wind. At the central plaza they set their eyes upon the ore melting station. It was not used for weeks, so it seems. The young dwarf led them to an older dwarf that was bend over a table full of papers, the younger dwarf beckoned them to comes closer.



The old dwarf looked up and stared at the new arrivals for some time. Hilfar gave the letter to him which he took without a word. After a long pauze of thorough inspection he looked up and walked to them, a smile appeared on his face "Welcome master Hilfar and master Ullfar, welcome to Othrikar!". Both bowed at his kind words "At yer service!". The old dwarf bowed in return "Birgir Listmaker, at yours, we expected your arrival and made proper arrangements". Birgir rummaged in a drawer of his table and fetched a large key which he gave to Hilfar "Here ye go, this will unlock yer new office". He pointed at the door across the central plaza, closer to the entrance. Birgir spoke in a deep voice "I suggest you get yourselves settled in your new chambers and get to work as soon as possible". Birgir gave them a note from his pocket "Here, this list tells you all the available jobs that are assigned to your position here. Anyone that will apply I will send to you directly, master Hilfar".

Hilfar placed the key in the hole and the door creaked open showing a neatly decorated room that was well lit. The room was also very cold, and the amount of dust on the shelves hinted that this room was not used for many days. Ullfar immediately started to light the fireplace, which took him quite some time as all the logs were wet and cold. Hilfar inspected the job list "Looks like they need two miners father, the right job for you, dont you say?". Ullfar grumbled something unhearable. Hilfar walked to the cabinet with old journals. He searched the shelf and found the most recent journal. He blows off the dust which made him cough. He rummaged through the pages and found the last journal entry, according to the date it was an entry written almost two years ago.

...This will be my last entry during my days as Uzraku Azjâr. It saddens me that my last entry is a grim one. Another caravan with silver ore was lost to the Dourhands this month, just confirmed by my loyal scout. That is one lost caravan too much, we are done here. I hate to admit it, but I am getting too old for this and decided to retire back to Thorin's Halls where I hopefully can be of some more use. I wish any successor the best of luck for you will need it...

Fergil Coalburner


Hilfar closed the journal and placed it back on the shelf. He stared at it for a while as the words of the last entry went through his head. The warmth of the fire place could be felt on his cheeks by now. Ullfar walked up to him with a frown on his face "What are ye standing there for? Get your lazy behind to work, we got some cleaning to do!".