Three dwarves sit at a magnificent wooden table. At its head sits a grey-haired dwarf. His long silver hair is messy and bristled, as if fighting against the tense air in the room. His beard, just as long, is threaded with thin braids, though they fail to hide the disorder brought by age. His eyebrows are almost invisible — white and thin — and his aged face gives Valerie a sense of authority and wisdom, mixed with a faint shiver down her spine.
On each side of the table sit two others: one slightly older, the other just beginning to show his first grey hairs. The elder looks calm but decisive. His brown braided hair and neatly kept beard give him a refined air.
The youngest, however, looks far more intimidating and somehow dangerily familiar. A dark, heavy beard frames his face beneath thick black eyebrows. The only skin visible is his large red nose and his enormous forehead, which seems to stretch all the way to the back of his neck. A few drops of blood stain one of his sleeves.
A memory flashes before Valerie's eyes. It was him. Marion has noticed too. Her fists clench hard. Valerie grabs her hand in an attempt to steady her — and herself. Their eyes return to the scene.
Kneeling before them is the clumsy dwarf who had bumped into the door earlier. Short, neatly combed hair and a thinner build than the others, a fragile look for a dwarf.
- Lord Igion... forgive this subordinate for not noticing your presence sooner.
- Do not worry, Envoy of Realms. Raise your head and tell me what has happened.
- My Lord... i-it's the humans. Th-they... they... it's horrible.
The dwarf collapses to his knees again, the loose leather of his trousers spreading across the floor. He stares down, hands trembling. Cornelious steps forward, kneeling beside him to offer comfort.
- It's okay, Petrov. Breathe...
- They killed them... th-they-
- Spit it out! Who did they kill?!
Darian slams his fist on the table, anger flaring once again. Valerie trembles with the noise. Marion's face hardens.
- Th-the humans brought our women... th-their he-heads!!
- What?!
- Their heads are impaled on their spears... and they show them as trophies.
Valerie's vision blurs — not from tears, but from the image clawing its way back into her mind. Red hair. A wall of spears.
Lord Igion's composed gaze falters, the steady restraint in his eyes hardens into something narrow and sharp. Darian, on the other hand, cannot contain his fury. He clenches his fist and slams it on the table.
- Who dares commit such an atrocity?! Those heartless human bastards!
Petrov still kneels, trembling at Darian's words. Cornelious helps him to his feet and offers a steadying nod.
- A knight stands before the fortress walls... with his men—cavalry right behind him.
- Did he make any demmands?
Cornelious' voice is calm but laced with worry.
- He wishes to negociate...
- What kind negotiation is this?! They already killed our women.
- We should hear what they have to say, Darian.
- Hear them?! I'll gather our men and see their heads on our axes before I let another human speak!
The loud voices shake Valerie out of her fear. She clenches Marion's hand, keeping herself from giving in to the trauma. "It's okay. I am not in the castle. I am not thirdteen anymore. I can face my fears head-on. I need to."
She steps out from hiding. Shaking and driven by fear, she fights the panic trying to burst out of her chest.
- Wait!!!
The dwarves react instantly.
- A human! Protect the Lord!
Darian lunges before Lord Igion, one arm shielding him while the other clenches into a ready fist. His three bearded followers scramble to attack. Valerie backs away, heart pounding.
- Valerie!
Marion darts forward, blocking the dwarves with her arms spread.
- Please, wait. I don't want to hurt you, sirs.
- Is that a threat?!! Do you think we can't take a filthy human? Seize her!!
Their heavy boots thunder against the floor as they charge. But before they can reach the women, the air cracks with the sharp sound of steel.
Baliot emerges from the shadows, landing between them with a thud. His massive axe gleams under the sun light, the weight of it enough to send the three dwarves stumbling back. His glare is sharp, protective — primal.
The hall freezes.
- Baliot?! What do you think you're doing?
- Sir, please, calm down. I'm not here to fight. I want to help you.
Valerie steps forward, legs trembling, but her chin lifts. Darian frowns, muscles tense, ready to strike again — until Cornelious raises a hand, silently urging him to stop. Lord Igion's quiet gaze decides the matter.
- Baliot, step aside. Cornelious, Darian... stand down.
The dwarves obey reluctantly. Marion reaches for Valerie's arm, instinctively pulling her back.
- Lady Marion, it's okay.
Marion hesitates, eyes full of warning, but Valerie's steady look — a spark of conviction — makes her relent. She steps aside.
Lord Igion's gaze falls on the young woman.
- You're one of the captured humans, aren't you? How do you think you can help us?
- I... I–
Her voice quivers, but she forces herself to meet his stare. The old dwarf's presence is heavy — not cruel, but commanding, weathered by years of burden. Though he does not hate all humans, he hasn't met a trustworthy one in many years. He must protect his people — every dwarf depends on him. In times like these, trust is a luxury he cannot afford. That, more than hatred, fuels the hostility in his voice.
- Let me end this without more bloodshed... I can scare them away.
Lord Igion narrows his eyes.
- And why should we trust someone who betrays her own kind? How did you get here, girl? Who are you to stand before me and tell me what to do?
His voice hits her like a hammer. For a moment, her courage falters — but she holds her ground. "Negotiations are tough. However a princess doesn't back down."
A quiet fire ignites behind her eyes. She finally has a plan — now she only has to make him believe in it. Drawing a steady breath, she lifts her chin and squares her shoulders.
- I belong to the Kryon Bonesses family. I am one of the heirs of King Jullius Hernefesto Kryon Bonesses.
Silence fills up the room. Cornelious is the first coming back from the shock.
- An heir of the crown...?
King Jullius is known for his bad temper and like for bloodbaths. He rules harshly and greedly. The princess, Queen Raphysis daughter, is the only offical princess of the Kingdom.
- Bind her! We can use her as a hostage.
- Stop, Darian! Lord Igion will decide what will happen to her.
Lord Igion raise his hands, making the dwarf step back once more. Another moment of silence fall upon them. Valerie, keeping her compousure, makes herself heard.
- I can help you. I have a plan to save you from this. Please, sirs, believe me.
Master Igion looked her in the eyes for a brief moment — then smiled faintly.
- Let's greet our guests and then discuss what will come next.