Diaries of a Dwarven Rifleman

Her long auburn hair, wet from bathing, was in a single thick braid. Her face was delicate and pretty, but there was strength in it too. Green eyes looked into his, not challengingly but the direct look of an equal. The overall effect, not harmed a bit by the elegant length of exposed leg, was such as to turn his thoughts in an unexpected direction.

She extended a hand and he took it in his own. It was not a soft or delicate hand, but one strong from years of work.

“I wanted to thank you for saving us,” she said simply.

“It's no more than our job, ma'am, but you are most welcome. We couldn't hardly let them steal folk off our land without taking exception.”

“Still, we are grateful to you both. Please extend my thanks to your partner as well.”

He realized abruptly he was still holding her hand between his and released it, feeling his cheeks grow warm.

“I know it's soon to say,” He continued quickly to cover his embarrassment, “But do you know what you folk will do now? Will you be returning to Afmaeltinn lands?”

A strange look passed over her face for an instant before she replied.

“I don't know for certain. I imagine Saewynn and her children will return to her family. For myself I need to think about it when I am not falling-over exhausted,” she said, then grinned, “For tonight it's enough to make it through our meal without falling asleep in my stew.”

“Well, should you decide to stay,” he heard himself saying, and could scarce believe it even as the words left his lips, “I'd admire to have the privilege of calling on you.”

She blinked, processing that for a moment and then smiled.

“I think that I would like that. We shall have to see what the morrow brings,” she said, glancing back at the table, “But for now I must beg your leave… it seems the very disaster I spoke of has occurred.”

Following her gaze he saw that her daughter had indeed fallen asleep at the table; face down in her stew-bowl, which fortunately was mostly empty by that point. They shared a grin and she rolled her eyes and went to the girl's rescue.

He returned to his own place, lost in thought. It was quite unusual for dwarves to take up with Afmaeltinn, but not unheard of. It was rare in no small part because human lives were so much shorter than a dwarf's. Still, it happened from time to time, but he had never suspected it might happen to him.

He considered the matter while he ate. Well, why not? He thought. The fact that she could find humor in life even after all that she had been through simply confirmed his impression of her strength of mind and character that he had formed in their brief acquaintance. She was certainly comely enough in her own way.

Humph, he thought, let it be a thing for future days. He'd asked to call on her, after all, not to marry! Best just to see what the future brought and worry about such things then.

Later that evening Ynghilda sat with them by the fire puffing on a long-stemmed meerschaum pipe. Taarven sat in an overstuffed chair with his injured leg propped on a stool and smoked his old clay pipe while Engvyr contented himself with a mug of hot cider.

“It's a puzzle alright. This last year goblin raids have been stepping up all along the north. Last night's raid was the closest,” she said with a troubled expression, “And they're getting bolder all the time. This keeps up, they'll be attacking the Steadings and Clanhames next.”

Engvyr exchanged worried glances with Taarven. He'd told him earlier about the markings that he'd observed on the dead goblins. Now this. Something was in the wind and they didn't like it one bit.

“I think,” Engvyr said slowly, “I might just take me a ride up towards the Eyrie while you're laid-up. See what's what.”

Ynghilda looked at them sharply.

“You boys know something that I don't?”

“I can't say as we do,” Engvyr responded, “But I mean to find out. These goblins don't seem to be your normal renegades. I'll get that report written out tonight- you just see that it gets to the Station a quick as you can.”

He looked back at his partner.

“And you get healed up quick. I reckon this could shape up to be a right interesting summer.”

Chapter Thirteen