Archer's Quiver

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Brothers of the Plain

by Archer»–)›,

formerlly known as Dec

• • •

(25 years before the recapture of Myrgard)

"...and so the thrall came right up behind the wight, ready to strike at us," depicted Ivoldi. "They had just killed a bunch of warriors carrying a shipment of Dwarven artillery to the base camp, but they were, of course, ignorant of it, being dead after all. We ran up a small hill trying to escape the slow but steady pace of the wight. Now all 150 of the thrall were about over the remains and debris of the warriors at this point. Then, the stupid wight dropped his dagger. He had to bend all the way down to pick it up again, but that gave Balin the chance to throw a molitov right at the wight, causing it to explode. Then the Thrall, who were several yards behind the wight, got a little frozen from the puss, but that's not how we beat the entire army. The wight's explosion lit a molitov dud on the ground that rolled over to one of the thrall, still frozen. I expected it to just kill that thrall...Now it turns out, since the warriors were carrying them, there were satchel charges laden all through the debris that the Thrall were walking right on top of." A few laughed, assuming the outcome. "Now when the molitov exploded, it set off a chain reaction that detonated EVERY ONE of the satchel charges and unlit molitovs that were beneath the Thrall's feet! They must have seen the flying molitovs from the base camp!" Laughter roared. "Those explosions just killed most of the thrall, but it turns out a wight was trapped in the mass of thrall, unable to get out, and was burst too, causing a wonderful spread of the Thrall bits across the hills, including one of the axes that fell into the valley below where the undead were planning their attack on our base camp. Balin, of course, was laughing is ASS off! and was rolling on the ground, but I saw down into the valley, and the axe hit a wight squarely in the stomach...and that wight was next to a group of other wights that were being filled with their poison gas, ready to kill us in an hour...but instead it caused another chain reaction that blew up over 700 Thrall, 300 Soulless, 550 Myrmidions, and even froze over 33 Trow right in their footsteps!" All the Dwarves gasped for breath as their laughter choked them. "The damned schrapnell was so hot it lit up like falling stars in reverse motion, powered by the most powerful shockwave that ever shocked the cloudspine, including the last eruption of Cloudspine Volcano of Tharsis, ten centuries ago!"

All the Dwarves laughed and laughed! Balin himself rolled on the ground next to the campfire. He opened his eyes to see a falling star. "That was a good one, Ivoldi. Let's hear another."

Ivoldi took out his shishcabob from the fire. "All right."

"Another true story!" requested Ari.

Hmm..." thought Ivoldi, "let's see." He thought back to ancient times. "How about the story of Eiren and Beiren, leaders and rulers of the plains."

"Sure, never heard that story, only read mentions of it in books," remarked Duri. "Then you'll like this...103 years ago lived our Dwarven ancestors on the Mustard Plain. They were nomadic for the most part. During that spring, the twin brothers of Eiren and Beiren were born. Beiren was more of a dreamer, but Eiren was a definite leader who helped to lead the Dwarves in several crippling attacks against the Ghols, including damming away their water supply that came from up river and killing several hundreds of them that were in a valley, using bombardment.

"Beiren began to realize, after his grandfather was killed by a Ghol, that he should help in the struggle for Dwarven life by joining the team called the Tyraders, as named by Eiren. Beiren learned and picked up the skills of molitov cocktail throwing (molitov being the word in ancient Dwarf for destructive), and in actually leading a secondary group of Dwarves, second to only his brother.

"Soon, Beiren started to challenge Eiren to friendly contests in molitov throwing. They almost always tied. A little argument between them soon occurred. 'Oh yeah,' said Beiren, 'if you're better than me, prove it!' 'Okay,' replied Eiren, 'I'll bring Dwarven kind out of nomadic existence and into civilization. We've heard much of great cities in the West, I think now is the time to make one of our own.' And so, Eiren founded the city of Myrgard, which means "civilization" in ancient Dwarf.

"Beiren didn't like to be out-done by his very brother, and so, as he helped to construct Myrgard, he made detailed plans for his own city of which he named Stoneheim, meaning "second half" in the ancient Dwarven language. Beiren went to the people of the lower plains and brought them together into a colony and a community, socially related. Beiren turned out to be just a natural leader as Eiren. Before the last stones in Myrgard were placed, Beiren began to create the city of Stoneheim, almost exactly identical to Myrgard, including the population.

"Beiren also created his own anti-Ghol team, called the Fenders, meaning "killers of Ghols" in the ancient Dwarven language. It was costumary for Eiren's Tyraders to have a tattoo put on their right arms, a hammer in the shape of a "T." Beiren did a similar thing for his own Ghol-killing clan; a tattoo with the letter "F" in the shape of a blazing wing was necessary on the left arm of every member. The left arm was chosen because some members were already clansmen of the Tyraders with tattoos on their right arms.

"Eiren was somewhat infuriated that Beiren had made his own city just to contest Eiren's good fortune. The two great leaders of the Dwarven kind would not speak to each other for weeks, but the people despised this hatred. They forced their leaders to meet each other on neutral grounds. That neutral land, halfway between the two cities, was the exact spot where the two twin brothers were born. The heartfelt emotions of their respective peoples caused the two brothers to make up and to actually ally with each other and help each other when another was in need.

"The two cities lived happily and in harmony. They were completely allied in their battles and war against the Ghols. They coexisted quite comfortably. The two leaders would go out hunting together, even. The great leadership of the two even promoted the peoples to make identical, 12 meter high, granite statues of both in the squares of both towns. The only difference between the two statues were their inscriptions.

"Then came the day, several years later, when the Ghols became more and more numerous and more and more intelligent. They previously had a hard time trying to break past the fortified walls of Myrgard, but now they were actually getting to the top of the walls before dying. This scared the people greatly, but Eiren was ignorant of it, for he had cooped himself up in his little home.

"Eiren had almost completely removed himself from the direct command of the Tyraders and left his seconds in command in charge of the Ghol killing. Eiren had become a little power-hungry but also a little unleaderly of his people. At one point he left the town for several months completely to fight Thrall in the Cloudspine, when he should have kept home and dealt with the more important business at hand. One year, he didn't even come out on the Myrgard founding anniversary. This worried his people greatly. Even the co-leaders were neglecting responsibility, letting barely trained soldiers defend the city.

"This neglection was far too much for many of the people to handle. Many, therefore, left the town and joined the well prospering Stoneheim. Beiren never neglected his people, except one time when he was called away to the Cloudspine by the Forces of Light to make a deal involving soldier trading. Other Dwarves from Myrgard left to go to safer towns in the West to protect their children from the nearly unstoppable Ghol attacks. Some others just left to join the Forces of Light and to help kill the Fallen.

"Communication was also grinding to a halt between the two cities. Only the traveling Dwarves who were members of both cities knew what was going on in either. Both the lack of communication and what he heard from the traveling Dwarves caused Beiren to take a little action. He did love his brother, but needed to help his fellow Dwarves, so he made his decision...

"Beiren came right into the middle of the square and took one look around, perhaps not as long as he should have, but he got enough information: The people were few and distraught in the town. Only a third remained of the original high total. A few of Beiren's closer Myrgardian friends reexplained to him the situation. This only made him more definite in his following words that he projected loudly to all of the members, including Eiren and the others. 'Eiren!' called Beiren. 'This city is slowly shrinking in strength and in force. We need to take action! Hold your people to this town, find more nomadic tribes and clans to contribute to the town's defense. I refuse to watch the the city, the city that I have defended and carried the army's tattoo on my very arm, die in vein like this! When we founded our towns, so many years ago, we agreed that if something ever went terribly wrong with our cities we would place Festdordnereiregal into action.' Festdordnereiregal is the word from the ancient Dwarven language meaning "Strict" or "Military Law," described Ivoldi. 'I will do this here if you do not get this city back on its Dwarven feet. I helped build this city up with my bare hands, and I will not see it fall; not to the Ghols, not to the Fallen.' With that, Beiren returned to his pony and rode it back to Stoneheim before sunset.

"After Beiren left, Duri stood forward and called to Eiren through his pane-less window, 'Beiren is right! There are very few of us still here, defending against the Ghols. We've got to do something about it. How do you expect us to have a civilization when Ghols attack every night, and you don't even help us fight them? We are on round-the-clock watches trying to keep the town safe, and I often have to two-team against a Ghol attack with a guy who hasn't even been properly trained! Please do something.' The very leaderly Dwarf named Solblindi stepped forward too and called from the vacant square out to the city. 'Fellow Myrgardians, we are proud to fight as a group, but being Beiren's friend, he is right. We lose more Dwarves to the Ghols, Forces of Dark, and abandoners than we get from boring and nomad-recruiting. We all need to do something.' No one was sure that Eiren had heard.

"Exactly eight days after his arrival in Myrgard, Beiren returned again to follow up, knowing that nothing had yet happened, as he had heard from his communicators. 'Eiren, I came here over a week ago and a still have had no answer from you, through communication by page or otherwise. I give three days to contact me by any means. If you don't take MAJOR step to revive your people, physically and spiritually, I will place Festdordnereiregal into action. And if you'll notice, I'm great friends with all of Myrgard and they aren't too happy with the way things are going, so not many will contest my decision. So, brother, come up with a plan of action or you will be out of action.' Beiren turned and rode back to Stoneheim. Beiren was a good leader, but diplomacy was not his strong point. He had a rather powerful temper that made him very passionate, but very stubborn. So far he was keeping it under control...However, the very next day he returned to Myrgard. He walked into the town square and looked up towards Eiren's home on the hill, which had no glass in the windows like everyone else; a result of the heat. 'Eiren, Eiren, Eiren...brother, things have grown rather depressing this day. Myrgard,' Beiren said to everyone, 'take a look back at our history...once a strong and fearless people that was held together no matter what adversity arose. Our security was taken controlled by whom we thought was a good leader, Eiren...who NEVER HELPS THE TOWN!' Beiren's anger was becoming quite apparent. 'You see, that's my BIGGEST deal. Have any of you EVER seen Eiren out of his house and fighting the Ghols with you?I haven't. I will admit he is a good city planner, but that is about all. We need to have a STRONG leader...a LEADER who fights by your side...a leader that knows how to keep things under control...a leader that will build this city back up into the status of the Mustard plain, where it belongs!' Beiren spoke as loud as he could. 'I HEREBY IMPOSE FESTDORDNEREIREGAL UPON THIS CITY. ANY WHO OBJECT, PLEASE SAY SO. I WILL BRING THE TYRADERS UP TO PAR AND WILL ASSIGN A NEW AND STRONG LEADER THAT WILL NOT ONLY BRING THE MOLITOVS BACK INTO THE FACES OF THE GHOLS, BUT WHO WILL ALSO LEAD THE DWARVES AGAINST THE FORCES OF THE DARK. ANY MYRGARDIAN WHO IS UP TO THIS CHALLENGE, CONTACT ME...AND ANY WHO QUESTIONS MY JUDGMENT, STEP FORWARD AND LET THYSELF BE KNOWN. HAIL BEIREN, YOUR TEMPORARY LEADER!' A few cheered for a moment, until they heard the doors of the elite on the hill creep open. Haddings then came towards Beiren and said, 'I am with you, my friend, but perhaps you should have waited until your deadline in two days.' 'I agree,' said Solblindi, 'and I'm going to disband my Ghol-killing squadron until this is taken care of.'

"'BEIREN!' called Grerr son of Nori as he exited his house on the hill. He stood next to the other elite as they exited their own houses, including Eiren. Grerr waited until everyone in the town was looking at him. 'Now...I know Beiren has had good intentions to place this city under Festdordnereiregal, but let me inform Beiren of something. He is playing dictator in a town that is not even his. Did I give him permission to lead me? No. Did I ask him to take over for Eiren? No. Did we ever have a vote that allowed for Myrgardians to determine what should be the next course of action? Once again, unfortunately, no. I think you jumped the molitov on this one, Beiren.' Grerr starting walking down the steps slowly towards the center of the square. 'I mean, Eiren has brought these people together very well, and I think you are just searching for a reason to get yourself in charge.' Beiren was stunned by this obvious untruth. His actions were very hasty, but he had not ever wanted to takeover a city. 'No OFFENSE or anything,' he said, approaching, 'but if you don't drop this pointless charade, I'm going to declare Festdordnereiregal on Stoneheim, just to take it over, and make them follow ME. I can do that, right?' he asked, gesturing with his hands. 'I mean, even thought I'm not a Stoneheimer, it'd be okay since, you know, Beiren, you aren't even a Myrgardian...Don't give us that Myrgard is Stoneheim fedrisal, because they are two, separate cities with two, separate leaders. You can make a choice, Beiren,' he said, standing right in front of Beiren, 'get rid of your little Stoneheim with your little Fenders or step away from Myrgard.' Beiren was absolutely stunned beyond belief. He had come to save his fellow people. Now he was being rejected by the very people who bore him. Now about the Festdordnereiregal fedrisal. What is something was wrong with Eiren? What if his second cousin's great uncle's aunt's roommate's friend was killed by a Thrall and was heartbroken over it? Would it be fair to take the town away from him?' Grerr stared right in Balin's eyes. 'As I said before, Beiren, stop this charade...because even if Eiren were not fit for leading the Tyraders and Myrgard, neither would you be.' He opened a small book. 'The pecking order is readily available in our libraries and right here in my hand, that is if you want to see the order of succession.' He turned to a page. 'It clearly goes: Eiren, Sorik, and then myself.' He snapped the book shut. 'You went above us, Beiren, and you asked, if anyone disagreed with your actions, let them be heard. Well, Beiren, here you are. This is how I feel, and I outright disagree with your actions. Thank you, and have a nice day!' An evil and sarcastic smile crossed Grerr's face as he turned and went back up the steps to his cohordes.

Haddings walked up to the top of the steps and joined the rest of the elite in their stand. The others watched in silence for a moment. Beiren's EXTREME temper raged more furiously than all the molitov explosions he'd seen in his entire life. But, by magic of fortune, he controlled himself, though he was about ready to throw a molitov right at Grerr's head. Beiren summed up his thoughts and spoke. 'If this town will not allow me to help it, then I leave it. Just to let you all know, I have three Myrgardian Tyraders going through PROPER training to join the Fenders of Stoneheim. I'm sure you will see them on the battlefield...if you ever step onto it. Farewell.' Beiren sattled up on his pony and was almost off, when Haddings spoke up. 'How could you think that, Beiren...that you could just march in here and take over? Grerr of Nori is right, you have no authority over this city.' Another Earthshaker for poor Beiren, he was just betrayed by the person who said he would help. Beiren then left and returned to Stoneheim. When he reached his house, he burned off the tattoo of the hammer in the shape of a "T" for Tyraders.

"The next day, Solblindi anounced through letter that Solblindi had decided to leave both cities and war squadrons to become nomadic again, and would come back when things would be settled. The following day after that, Eiren sent his official response to the situation by letter. He read it allowed in the town square of Myrgard. 'I went to fight the Fallen in the Cloudspine for two weeks, come back to my own town, and what do I find? Beiren (heretofore, to be called the Dwarven Ghol - D.G.) Has set out to organize a coup against the established Myrgard Civilization! I let it slip that I would be away for a while, then everyone starts saying that Myrgard is dead! He even gives an ultimatum! What nerve! The D.G. has ALWAYS suffered from severe mood swings since he was 7 months old, and not so hidden ambitions! This Ghol, I call him that because he tries to unrulefully take over Myrgard and enslave us, has declared himself new leader of the city of Myrgard!' He laughed greatly as he read to his people. 'THIS IS NOT SO! I now, with a heavy heart,' he sarcassed, 'excommunicate this disloyal 36 inch Ghol from Myrgard altogether! Hit the road, Vamos! Get OUT! Scram! To the members of The Fenders, you are welcome to leave the Dwarven Ghol and to join the real civilization, Myrgard. It's very name means "civilization"! Your,' he laughed a bit, 'LEADER...is obviously unstable. Think about it...If I couldn't trust him, can you?....CAN you? Solblindi, please don't be so hasty. I understand that you have been very upset by the Ghol! Stay with your friends, the Myrgardians. D.G. never really been one of us, he has plotted this against his very brother for a long time and has jumped at what he saw as the first opportunity! Reconsider, my friend! The traitor will go! If I were going to step down, If I were going to step down, my successor would be Sorik or Grerr son of Nori! THEY are loyal! Honorable! Fierce! Noble! The Dwarven Ghol has NONE of these qualities! He could NEVER lead Myrgard or the Tyraders! I let him hang around thinking he could learn these things, but I obviously failed. The experiment is now OVER! He must now go back to his trailer of a town.

"The letter was a fueling for Beiren's temper, greater than he had ever felt. He RAN all the way to Myrgard, his pony in tow. He marched right up to Eiren's door and broke it down, but he spoke loud enough for all of Myrgard to hear. 'Ok, Eiren, now you have gone over then line. The Ghol? And what's this shartune about any Stoneheimer is welcome to join "the real city." you have stepped over a line that was drawn. I am moving for war between our cities. I had no intentions of HELPING this city fall. I even got out there to the nomads and got new members. But frick it. I will aid the destruction of this pewny town. YOU WILL FALL, MY BROTHER!' Beiren returned to Stoneheim once again, his temper undoused with water.

"As you probably can all tell, Eiren was somewhat mad in the respect that he couldn't stop pushing Beiren's buttons to infuriate him. Beiren was mad in his own right, he couldn't stop being angry at all because Eiren would not let the situation lye. Eiren decided to go to Stoneheim itself. He marched right into the center of town and admired the identical design. 'Beiren!' he called. 'Stay the hell out of Myrgard...for good! I am not interested in war with a neurotic like you! JUST GO AWAY! I gave you a chance to be somebody and you failed!' Beiren exited his house, infuriated that that Eiren came all the way to his own city to demean him.' Eiren now spoke to everyone in general; quite a lot of people, far more than Eiren was used to. 'ALL STONEHEIMERS ARE WELCOME WITH OPEN ARMS TO JOIN MYRGARD AND THE TYRADERS! DO YOU REALLY WANT TO FOLLOW A TRAITOR WITHOUT A SENSE OF HONOR, LOYALTY, AND VERY LIMITED ORIGINAL CITY DESIGN SKILLS?' He laughed at Beiren as he came into view. 'BE SERIOUS MY DWARVEN BROTHERS! BEIREN IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE A LOOOOOOOOSER! THIS PLOT WAS HIS AND HIS ALONE! HE IS NO LONGER WORTHY OF BEING FOLLOWED! Myrgard is your true home!' he spoke more softly. 'Beiren's only redeeming virtue was that he was one of us! BUT NO LONGER! WELCOME HOME TO MYRGARD! And I would have sent you all this by letter, but none of it was getting though. I wonder why...' With that he remounted his pony and returned to Myrgard.

"When Eiren returned home, Duri marched right up to him and spoke his peace, obviously audible to the rest of the town. 'Ok, Eiren, this has to stop! Enough of this childish name calling. Beiren should quit with his hotheadedness. Eiren, enough name calling. If Stoneheim wants to leave and join Myrgard that's fine, but training still should be had. Why have the same fault Stoneheim had and recruit people that will only make the degrade of the city. If you want no ties with each other, then just forget each other, get each others belongings from the house and leave. War with each other will do nothing. If you want to see who's better, fine we go and play endless matches.' He turned to his people. Myrgard, enough with this fedrisal, we should just try and further ourselves, enough with childish fedrisal. Look toward the future! As I said to Eiren, "I wanna see Myrgard on their feet and/or Dwarven Steroids. We need to have a meeting at the town hall.

"Eiren had listened to Duri's every word, but they were in seeming vein. 'Duri, that was very nice, but there is nothing to figure out. The situation is very simple, Beiren, not Stoneheim, tried to seize control but no one followed. We are not and never will be at war with Stoneheim. I have the utmost regard for most Stoneheimers and will not harbor ill will against them. I thought that was clear. Beiren is out and we are moving on and that's that. By the way, my name calling was very restrained yet accurate. (who could possibly disagree with the facts here?' he said aside.) 'He may do whatever he wishes, just not here. Is that clear? My offer to take in Stonheimers is for their own good, surely they must realize that what I said is accurate. No meeting is necessary, I know back stabbing when I FEEL it.' This seemed rather insane or Duri, all this was based on intuition that was never truth. 'As far as I am concerned, this matter is finished and I hope not to have to discuss it again! Is that understood, Tyrader??' Duri gave a grudging response, 'Yes, sir.'

"Beiren, no longer welcome to Myrgard, he was kept out by guards armed with molitovs, sent Jari, his young and skilled page, to read a message for him. Jari waited until he received all attention. 'Beiren wished for you all to hear this: Eiren, you better shut the frick up. You said yourself let it drop. Some (not all) are ready to war. So I would watch your self. One more thing. The ones from Myrgard who defend this city like Eiren, Sorik, Grerr, Duri, and Solblindi, they are never on the battlefield. The ones that are on have already signed up for the Fenders. But I said no, help your own city build back up. Just thought you would like to know, my dear Brother.' Jari was about to return to Stoneheim when Trakk from Stoneheim came to the gates of Myrgard. 'Well I realize that I hold no rank in the Tyraders or in Myrgard, and i never wish to....BUT, Eiren, in what you have said in the last few communicees confuses me...For one, I love how you said earlier that all Fenders can leave Stoneheim and join the real city, Myrgard. When, in fact, in the last few weeks, at any given time, there has been more Stoneheimers on the battlefield than Myrgardians...Hell I RARELY see any Myrgardians fighting at all so in fact wouldn't Stoneheim be the "Real City" that you talk about? as for you saying Beiren cannot be trusted...I have one thing to say; AT LEAST HE SHOWS HIMSELF ON THE BATTLEFIELD. You have no problem with each others towns and realize that there is no need for war, BUT if you please stop saying this berkinsnit about Stoneheimers leaving and following under Myrgard...for gods sake, go find your own members...that is the only way you can expand. Don't go trying to steal our members...I am totally appalled at the fact that you call Beiren a bad leader also when you are only there for your "fame" in the West...a REAL leader would get in the battles with the Ghols and fight...I guess that shows what type of a leader you are huh...I used to hold you in high respect, BUT the way you have handled this matter, I lost all that I had for you...plus, war would be useless with a squadron that is never outside of its gates...what, would the Fenders fight no one but the Ghols? For gods sake, the only Myrgardians on the field now a days are GREAT friends with a lot of Stoneheimers. That is all I have to say for now.' Jari and Trakk then left for home.

The next day, Grerr son of Nori came to Myrgard to speak with Beiren personally. 'Ummm...Beiren, are you smoking the juice from Mustard flower? I'm never on Myth?!? Did you really say that?!!? Maybe you aren't working at the right spots, or at the right times, or maybe you hide behind one of the Ghols' worship stones, because I assure you I have been on a lot recently... Just thought I'd throw that out there!' Another sarcastic smile crossed his face. 'Have a nice day, all."

"Norling watched a Myrgardian make another mockery of Stoneheim. That same day, he went to Myrgard to talk to the people. 'Hello, reasonable people of Myrgard. Few of you likely know me, but I am just simple townsman seeing this eruption of unneccesary verbal violence. Let us just let this situation lye. Your city will take care of whatever problems it might have, and we can take care of whatever problems we have. Does that sound reasonable? We'll get back to each other in a month and see how things are going, hopefully everything will be fine.' Norling was about to leave when he saw Grerr, then faced him. 'Pardon me, Grerr, but I do not believe that you are on the battlefield often. I am fighting Ghols almost 24 hours a day, as my friends and aquantences can contest. To be honest, I've never seen you on in the entire 2-3 months I've been exclusive to the battlefield. Perhaps you were under a different name or Mustard Flower yourself? Just missing each other at the right times, I guess. All have a good day.' Norling returned to Stoneheim.

"Meanwhile, in Stoneheim, the very skilled Dwarf who got payed, nicknamed 'Dwarven Mercinary,' as a result, became exceeding upset with this Civil Dwarven War. He therefore set out to create his own anti-Ghol clan and help to defeat the fallen with his own people. If only he could have heard the words and true feelings of the peoples of Stoneheim and Myrgard could have realized that there was nothing truely to fear or dislike, he would have stayed. However, much to great disappointment and despair, he left, headed North. If only he could have stayed a little longer...

"The next and final day before the end, Eiren came to Stoneheim to request an audience, which he received. '1.),' he said, listing, 'You 'Heiman guys are a loyal lot; I admire that! I just wish that maybe you could just possibly take a little time to find out what the facts here are. Trakk, I like you still, brother, but you have been brainwashed. All Stoneheim needs to do is psychologically evaluate the D.G., then decide if "MY X-BROTHER" is worthy of your loyalty. Don't be afraid....comon do some thinking....open your eyes. It can be good for you. I dare you...dig up the truth. 2.) ALL of those who aid us are our allies whether they formally accept the title or not. Though in your case, I make the exception. 3.) You guys should really be careful about getting Grerr mad he is the best fighter out there! 4.) I have indeed heard from disgruntled Fender members; I am not your problem, but I know who is.' On that note, he turned to leave.

"'DEATH TO MYRGARD!' cried Beiren as he threw a molitov down, very close to Eiren; close enough for him to feel the shockwave. 'WAR IS NOW THE ONLY WAY FOR ME TO DEAL WITH THIS. I TRIED TO LET IT GO, I EVEN SAID, LET EIREN MAKE THE NEXT MOVE. DID I NOT? AND HE HAS MADE THE NEXT MOVE. HE AGAIN TRIES TO STEAL MY MEMBERS. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAR-TAKE IN MY ACTIONS; I AM WORKING OUT SIDE OF THE LEADER OF THE FENDERS AND AS A MEMBER, BUT ALL WHO WILL I AM OPEN FOR THE HAND IN DESTROYING THAT CLAN AND U MAY JOIN MY CRUSADE. ALL FENDER MEMBERS, IF YOU THINK MY ACTIONS ARE OVER REACTING THEN REMEMBER WHAT MYRGARD HAS SAID...AGAIN!!! EIREN INSULTS ME. I DEFEND ALL THAT I BELIEVE IN TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.' He stammered. 'THE TRUTH? HAVE YOU DUG UP THE TRUTH? HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING? IF YOU READ FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF COMMON TOWN PACTS, YOU WILL SEE THAT FESTDORDNEREIREGAL IS SOMETHING WE ARE FORCED TO PUT ON OUR CLANS TO HELP THEM WHEN IN NEED. SO I, WHO DEFEND EVERYTHING I BELIEVE IN, STEPPED UP AND TRIED TO HELP THAT CITY, AND IF YOU LOOK, MANY MEMBERS WERE WITH MY IDEA TO DO SO...BUT WHEN I DID "NO, NO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING??" THEY HAD A CHANGE OF HEART. SO THEN I WAS RUDELY BEE HATCHED AT, SO I LEFT. THEN EIREN WOULD NOT STOP WITH HIS ATTACK UPON ME. SO, I TOOK ACTION...AND FIRST THE AMBASSADORS WERE ASKED TO TALK TO THEM. THEY FAILED AND WE LOST 1 IN THE PROCESS. SO, MY NEXT STEP WAS TO BACK OFF AND KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT, AS I DID. MEMBERS OF STONEHEIM ONLY STATED THAT THEY WOULD BACK ME UP SOME WHAT AND THAT THEY DISAGREE WITH BOTH, MINE AND EIREN'S, ACTIONS ON THE WAY WE HANDLED IT...AND STILL I SAID NOTHING, AND THEN EIREN HAS THE NERVE TO SAY THAT...AGAIN!!!! WHAT DO I PLAN TO DO? I WILL NOT BACK DOWN AND I WILL NOT LAY SILENCED. NOW I WILL ONLY DROP IT IF EIREN ADMITS TO GOING OVER BOARD OR HE MEETS ME ON THE BATTLEFIELD. ME AND HIM. 1 ON 1. THE REST OF STONEHEIM, PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT MYRGARD AT ALL. FOR NO REASON AT ALL, GO AND TALK TO THEM. FRIENDS HAVE AND WILL BE LOST. I'M SORRY TO HAVE TO TAKE MY RAGE OUT ON ALL WHO WEAR THE TYRADER TATTOO. THIS IS NOT DIRECTED AT ALL TYRADERS; ONLY THE SELECT FEW WHO DEGRADE US. THESE ALSO SEEM TO BE THE ONES WHO ARE NEVER ON THE BATTLEFIELD... AND I KNOW THAT THIS WILL ENRAGE SOME STONEHEIMERS BUT THIS IS MY BATTLE NOW. I WILL NOT STAND AND LET MYRGARD TALK SHESCHETSIL. THE TYRADERS OF MYRGARD WILL FALL UNDER MY FLAMING BOTTLE.'

"Beiren took out another molitov and threw it right towards Eiren. Eiren jumped out of the way, but was minorly injured still. Eiren prepared to light is own molitov when Beiren spoke, 'My dear brother, let us take this out of the walls of Stoneheim. I will not let my creation be destroyed like this.' Eiren replied, 'Very well, you Ghol. We will match wits and skill as we did on the plains so many years ago and end this dispute where it started; on the nomadic plains. Eiren ran outside to get the high ground as soon as he could. Beiren was held back by Duri and Norling. 'Don't go!' they said. 'This is foolish, you could get killed.' Beiren thought a moment. 'So could he...' Beiren pushed his way passed his people, now only controlled by pure rage.

"Beiren screamed a terrifying scream that shook Eiren too his core. Beiren ran towards Eiren, throwing molitovs as Eiren dodged. Eiren was in slightly better faculties than his enraged brother, but his lack of practice in so long had weakened his skill. Beiren, not dodging much, was hit about as hard as Eiren. Beiren stumbled as Eiren threw several molitovs in succession in attempt to kill the fumbling Beiren. Beiren finally regained his poise and wits about him to dodge a potentially fatal blow, and roll across the ground behind a rock. They were both as weak as any Dwarf could possibly be, both bleeding badly and losing strength. Eiren tried to run for higher ground again. He was pursued by Beiren and his quick throw of molitovs; each explosion dangerously close to causing Eiren's death. Eiren and Beiren were beyond striking range and looked into each others eyes. They ran towards each other with a collective shriek of fury that even frightened the Ghols in the hills. They both threw at the same time, neither tried to dodge, and both were hit squarely in the head. Their heads were blown off and rolled across the ground with the satchel charges that they carried. They both had lit molitovs next to their corpses, both ready to go off at any second. The wait of the horrified Stoneheimers seemed endless. None of them moved as they watched from the top of the walls. Eiren's ended up giving in first and exploded, bursting all 20 of the satchel charges on the ground, destroying the remains completely, but also sending Beiren's molitov over to the North East and blew up over the heads of the Myrgardians.

"The Myrgardians never heard it though, for a sea of Ghols had decided to attack and take over Myrgard at that very moment the leaders of the plains killed each other. Half of the remaining quarter Myrgardians were killed by molitovs from their kin, and the Ghols took out another 7 Dwarves. They kept the others alive as hostages.

"By the time the mass of Stoneheimers reached Myrgard, it was far too late. The Ghols were already making demands in their hideous language. The Dwarves tried to fight, but were instead confronted by a flowing ocean of Ghols that ran towards the Stoneheimers with cleavers shining and gleaming. The Dwarves tried to run back to Stoneheim, but one third of the Stoneheimers were already captured by the Ghols and put into the future concentration camps the Dwarves would be enslaved to build. The other Dwarves held out at the walls of Stoneheim," much like the Alamo, "until they were forced to abandon it to go and fight the Fallen with the Forces of Light. Some Dwarven groups banded together to gather up the rest of the nomadic tribes and move towards the West...and here we are today."

All the Dwarves around the campfire were entrenched with silent thought. A few of the veterans were actually there during the beginning of the occupation to witness these events that were recounted. "That was a very nice story, Ivoldi," said Ari.

"Thank you, Ari," replied Ivoldi. Now, my cohordes, I think it's time we got some rest. We have to keep Shiver out of the Cloudspine until Winter when the passes freeze close." They all retired to their beds. "Sleep well."

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