105 Construct - Dwarf's Marvelous Invention
Someone’s powerful grip pulled the druid out of the sea. He didn’t even understood what had happened, greedily
gulping air.
The ice was littered with dead, and as it turned out not only undead. A huge mechanoid stood before him - a well
made metal golem. Some dwarfs bustled out behind him. Bearded folk still roamed the land, finishing off yet
living zombies and rescuing their brethren survivors.
The dwarfs decided to take the druid into their settlement, and there he would be dealt with properly. Dwarfs and
humans were always better friendly rather than with elves.
They told the druid about the strange undead activity nearby. Four days they hang out not far from their lands -
by the wasteland or by the coast, and here today at the sea. Than the king decided to get rid of the wandering
plague and sent an executing party to cut down those zombies, before it made some evil here.
Those mechanoids impressed the druid - tall, twice as high as human, heavily defended and having perfect
appearance. It went and made some steam.
Mission was complete and there was no reason for staying here longer, they moved towards the town. It was
located to the north-west of here at the foothills before the wastelands. There was a bit milder climate, and the
spring come was in the air.
The way is not close and took about several hours; the good side of it was the absence of any encounters, surely
some of the dwarves had to have a luck talisman, no other way…
Clouds sadly tightened, blocking the sun completely by what it started to be a little stuffy, and those steam
walkers only made things worse.
The settlement recalled stone dugouts similar to turtle shell. Buildings soaked into the ground seemed to be
unapproachable for any enemy.
By the time arrived, druid changed his clothing and dried out. It was hard to find suitable sized clothes, but
something was found anyhow. After that he moved to the council of the elders.
The throne hall was a massive domed stone structure, growing from the ground, set on a small hill not far away
from the central square. Mighty walls and interesting carvings attracted the human, he had never seen a dwarven
town before. What surprised the most that was the complete absence of floor covering. Couldn’t they, having
such buildings, afford themselves at least a wooden floor?
The king and four of his elders, one of which was a female, welcomed the druid to the wide oval table. The throne
was completely chock-a-block to it, maybe for less disturbance by the meal and ale, no other way.
Druid told them about the last events: of spirit encounters, about the almost lost forest and about the bottoms of
the wasteland. But when he announced his age everyone laughed a good minute, but seeing human telling truth,
silenced in amazement. Such an ally would be a good investment, especially after so many impenetrable and
complicated trials.
When the second dinner was served everybody heard a strange noise. Most of dwarves were in the hall or not far
away and couldn’t notice a huge army of green-skins that marched towards the town.
The murmur stopped - an old familiar had appeared right from the ground - the basilisk. Maybe if there was a stone
floor it could have stuck there, but never mind. He crushed a huge column with its lousy tail. The ceiling stood but
to stay here longer was a bad idea. Everyone spread out closer to the walls and exits, though there were enough of
them - the main one, behind the kitchen and two by the sides. The spirit looked around, found his target and
attacked the druid with his fanged jaw just to fright him and to make a tail strike.
The human didn’t really expect that kind of arrogance (forgetting how it was the first time), fell and grouped to
bounce away. At the same time the beast tasted a bunch of sharp throwing axes, and understanding that a panic
attack succeeded - dug out of here.
Everyone ran out, most of dwarves headed to armory, others to strengthen the settlement. Preparations for the
upcoming battle began.
The enemy advanced from the south-west and there was no need to protect their rear, especially having a massive
wind-blocking wall from the sea side.
Barricades grew up like mushrooms and the town seemed to be almost prepared. Arbalesters occupied the
windows but those who sought battle were already at the first rows. Their heavy armor was outstanding, they
looked up very beautiful in it and at the same time little funny by that large tower shields that they were carrying
which were higher than they.
Army of the green-skins already stood still at the gates and waited for further commands. Silence before the storm.
Goblins, snakemen, several ogres and other beasts, obviously came from the caves, versus brave dwarves and
theirs constructs. Druid - against the earth spirit. By the way he wasn’t showing his snout at the field now.
The beast showed up unexpectedly thus announcing the beginning of the battle. Monsters charged in battle with
their hoarse-squeaking cries. Druid came to challenge the most dexterous and threw a “root growth” spell,
immobilizing them. Now the way to the basilisk was free.
Dwarves had their own unique tactics - a change of strike position and retreat, which made them almost invincible.
Not quite prepared for that kind of offence primitives could not even stand against such a squall, not saying about
attacking - flew in different directions with every hit.
The battle was not easy and magic stopped to terrify the green ones. Several times druid managed to avoid the
cutting beast jaws, but the last bite was missed. His hip was hurt, and the pain forced him to fell on the knees.
When the spirit decided to get rid of the druid completely, he understood that he was fully surrounded by dwarves.
The rest of his army already fled. There was nothing left to do but flee either, and wait…