Orengard pushed open the sturdy door to her house within the dwarven settlement called Deepstone hall. Her little brother Nicklaus, ran in past her. He was carrying a loaf of bread, that was almost as big as his head, in a basket.
“Nick” Orengard called after the tottering young dwarf “ye put that bread in the kitchen, and go straighten up yer room, Sarah is going to be here later, and I wont have her seein yer room lookin like a brawl was fought in it.”
Nicklaus looked back at his big sister with a half pout “It’s not that bad”
“Nick I don’t want ta argue with ye.”
“ohhh OK Oren”
With a bit of stretching and pushing Nick set the basket up on the table then shuffled off to his room. His young exuberance somewhat dampened by the prospect of chores. Orengard smiled, as he sulked out of the room. she was not really cross with him...she could not ever be really mad at him...he was all the family she had left since the day ten years ago that both of their parents had been killed by Duergar. from that day to this it had been just the two of them. Orengard was mother, and big sister to Nick and she loved him more than anything, or anyone on, or under the face of the Realms. Orengard set her own basket down on a counter in the kitchen and unpacked the food she had picked up at the market and set to work preparing an evening meal.
A couple hours later Orengard took a moment to stop and think. Nick’s room was set to order once more. The meal was nearly ready, and Nick was washing up for dinner. Orengard stood in the center of the living room in front of the hearth, the warmth of the fire seeping comfortably into her body, easing out the aches of a day spent working the bellows, and pounding iron in the clans forges, all under the critical eyes of the master smiths. Orengard’s eyes traveled up to a bright Battle axe which hung from pegs above the mantel...her mothers axe, the weapon Kiersha Shieldstone had placed into her daughters hands just before she pased over to join Berronar Truesilver, the goddess of home and family, who she had worshiped. Orengard watched the firelight play across the axe’s polished surface catching the warm glow and reflecting it back into Orengard's heart. she felt her mothers spirit like an almost physical presence, and decided tonight would be the night, tonight she would take the next step upon the path the gods had placed before her on the day her parents died.
Orengard's thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door, and an excited Nicklaus, who comes charging out of the washing room, his hands still dripping wet, screaming “Auntie Sarah, Auntie Sarah” at the top of his small lungs. he tugs the door open and hurls himself at the woman behind it. Sarah scoops him up and returns his exuberant hug with one just as warm.
“ach yer soaken wet Nick. Been playin in the wash basin when yer saposed ta be washen aye?”
Nick nods solemnly at Sarah, who smiles and puts him down. “go on dry off afore ye die o’ a cold,”
As Nick scurries off Sarah steps up and gives Orengard a quick sisterly hug. “How are ye lass?”
“Good Sarah, and ye”
“Ach I’m fine just glad ta be home again.”
Orengard smiled and nodded. “How was yer trip?”
Sarah followes Orengard into the kitchen, and takes a seat at the table as Orengard begins to dish up the meal
“It went well, we got doon ta Glen. have a good start on their town they do. will be a grand place one day. Aye grand indeed.”
The evening passes in good company, and good food. Finally the meal is over, and Nicklaus is sound asleep in bed, despite his protest that he was not sleepy. Orengard and Sarah sit in the living room Sarah taking slow pulls from a mug of ale, Orengard sipping a mug of cider and sewing a patch onto the knee of one of Nicks pairs of pants. Sarah studies the young dwarven girl and then asks in a smooth even voice.
“Lass how are ye dooin...Really...And no holden back aye?”
Orengard looks at Sarah for a moment then shrugs. “Alright I sapose. A wee bit tired, now and again, and I still miss my folks...but Nick and I are gettin on fine.”
Sarah nods “aye I sapose ye are at that. Listen...If e’er ye need anythin...ye ask me aye?”
Orengard nods.”there is somethin I need ye ta do fer me.”
“What's that lass?”
Orengard stands and crosses to the fire place she steps up onto a stool and gently takes down her mothers axe she slowly turns to look at Sarah. “Teach me ta use this.”
Sarah looks at Orengard. “where were ye thinkin ta find the time ta learn ta fight?”
“I spoke with my master at the forge...I’ll be cuttin back my time there so I ken learn.”
“I donna ken aboot this lass.”
“Please” Orengard fixed Sarah with the most determined gaze the warrior had ever seen, on a face not locked in combat. “I want ta learn ta fight and be a hearth guard like my mother.”
Sarah studied Orengard for a moment or two “alright...Aye...I’ll teach ye.”
Orengard’s answering smile was one of pure joy.
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Current Character: Orengard Shieldstone Shadowdale/Glen
The Strength of Faith: Chapter 2
Good stuff Tamen...keep them coming! Nice to read dorfy intrigue!-
Killthorne
- Orc Champion
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