Lugging the bear carcass behind them, Simon and Lewis hitched the two goats as rides to trek all the way to Clan Steelrun. "Phew! So Simon, what's your home like? I'm just asking for a friend, that's all..."
Seeing how his Dwarven friend glared at him, Lewis promptly corrected himself, arms waving. Seeing him genuinely curious, Simon sighed a breath of deep relief, before turning back to the front. "It's a deeply patriarchal society, where any sort of unmanliness is deemed as heresy. If you also stick out and do not align yourself with the true core precepts of your clan, you are deemed as traitors, thereby sentenced to death, or worse...
Exile..."
Despite Simon's face not being visible, Lewis could still feel the Dwarf's rage and despondency. He knew something must've happened to him, and if his guesses are correct, this can of worms is much more dangerous than he could've thought so.
As he walked, head in thoughts, a large shadow slowly appeared above him. Broken from his musings, his eyes widened in awe at the sight before him.
Tall pillars dotted the mountain, and clouds were seen circling above the highest peaks, creating hues of rainbow colours. Snow, whiter than newborn babes, covered the peaks, the clashing colours of the dirt, further accentuating its purity. Himlar goats could be seen grazing the sparse regions where there was grass, breathing life into the desolate region.
But that was not what took his breath away
Tall, majestic wheels could be seen turning, churning what appeared to be molten iron through their paddles. As they passed through the fresh, crisp air, Lewis swore he saw the molten mixture glimmering before falling back down.
Whooom...
Turning his head, he witnessed tall chimney stacks, pouring fumes out of their gigantic mouths, breathing life into the mountains. Though as an Engineer he knew that it would pollute the environment, surprisingly, he saw that most of the greenery on the mountains was concentrated where the ashes fell. As he gazed at the majestic scenery before him, the beautiful scenery imprinting in his mind, a sudden cry jolted him from his stupor.
"Oi, watch where ur goin', cunt!"
Shocked, Lewis stared ahead, wanting to find out who or what called him. But staring forwards, he was met with nothing but the pure, white snow, and a giant, large...hole?
"Down here, you ass of a Human!"
Looking down, he was met with the owner of the voice:
A short, stubby, 1.5 m tall...'man'... stood below him, anger visible on his face. Wielding a pickaxe and a shovel on his back, the Dwarf was hopping on his foot, evidence of the fact that Lewis had stepped on his toes. "Asshole, don't you see where ur going!? Damn you and ur Human heights, making fools of us Dwarves! Why, if it were up to me–"
"Sorry sir, this is my friend's first time in Himlond, and he doesn't know the customs of the place very well. I hope you have in your rock heartbroken forgive him, all for the sake of the Allfather..."
Seeing Simon speaking up for Lewis struck the Dwarf as odd, but he did not mind it, for many an eccentric Dwarf mingled with outsiders (the most famous one being Durmast). He knew himself that it was probably Lewis's first time to Himlond, and he wanted to scam– ehem, teach this tongue man about the tricks of society. Despite being guaranteed by Simon, the Dwarf still wanted to wrangle a couple of gold coins from the unsuspecting Lewis, but stopped in his tracks. In the upper left corner of Simon's chest was a badge, a badge embellished with a hammer striking a piece of steel ingot...
A badge made of Diamondium
Gulping in fear, the Dwarf quickly changed his tune. "W-well sire, you're very right of course. Since he's new, he does not know the customs of our land. I'm sorry for trying to cheat you, and have a good day!"
Running so fast that smoke could be seen coming from his heels, the Dwarf quickly skidaddled his way out of the line...
Wait, line!?
It was only then did Lewis remember what he had forgotten
In front of him were many Dwarves, some with pickaxes, some with large bundles over their shoulders, and some with animals laden with wares from other nations. A large bazaar could be seen beyond the large gate, filled abuzz with the myriad cries of the many Dwarves that came here, all looking to buy and sell their wares.
"Welcome... to Stahlingrad!"