Humble Beginnings (13)
The corridor reeked with a nauseating stench and choking dust, making it hard to even breathe. It hadn't been this bad when we'd entered the mine earlier, but stepping out right after getting used to the fresh mint scent from Ukun's workshop made it hit extra hard. No wonder he wanted to build a bathhouse in the mine... I totally got where he was coming from.
Both of us clamped handkerchiefs over our noses and mouths, scrambling into the lift and hauling ass back to the surface.
Out at the mine entrance, we gulped in huge breaths like divers breaking the surface after a deep dive. The thick summer air even felt cool and refreshing.
"Hey, Ukun. Let's bust open that underground water vein running past the mine."
"And then what?"
"Flood the damn place and dump in some soap flakes."
"Hahaha!!"
"Scrub those dwarf bastards clean and hang 'em out front to dry crisp."
"Why the hell didn't I think of that? Ha!"
Ukun slapped his forehead and bellowed with laughter. He was so damn loud that passing dwarves scowled and spat curses.
"Crazy fuckers. Pipe down!"
The elders were still huddled there, deep in study and debate over the Holy Sword. They'd hauled out magnifiers and tools, dissecting it like pros.
Time to bounce, so I reached over their heads and snatched up the sword.
"Whoa! Leaving already?!"
"Gotta. Too much shit to do."
The elders made no bones about their disappointment, staring at the blade in my hand like lovesick puppies.
"No plans to stick around Kazahur a few more days? We'd roll out the VIP carpet."
"One more minute in that mine and I'd suffocate."
"Then we'll whip up digs right by the entrance! Don't picture some shitty human tent—we could build a palace in an hour flat if we felt like it!"
"Tempting, but roads calling."
They even floated leaving the sword behind and picking it up later. Fat chance.
"Fair enough. Swing by again soon, then. We'll make it worth your while."
"I'll think it over."
That set them off—they grabbed Ukun's collar and lit into him.
"Ukun! You little shit! Get this honorable guest back to Kazahur, come hell or high water! We won't bitch about baths, just do it!"
"Gack! Gotcha!"
Freed from their grip, Ukun shoved me along, hustling down the stairs.
"Safe travels—see you soon, human!"
The elders waved with warm smiles and fond eyes. Dust puffed from their sleeves. From wanting to bury me headfirst when we met to this—all over one sword. Dwarves really were simple creatures.
"Those batshit old coots... must've jammed their heads between a hammer and anvil... 'baths are fine now'...?"
Ukun muttered as we headed to the Hell Horse, then suddenly looked up at me.
"Hey, Balder. Thanks. You showing up finally got those stubborn fossils to acknowledge me."
"That so? Figured they just said it to lure me back."
"Dwarves are bullheaded—never hand out compliments easy. Elders? The worst of the lot. For them to say that? Huge deal."
"Huh. Glad it worked out."
Before mounting up, Ukun cracked open his bag to double-check the uzarburunt.
"Ehehe... Never dreamed I'd snag this so easy... Everything's set now..."
He muttered slyly as he climbed on. I hopped up behind, kicking the Hell Horse into gear.
"So, can I sell any leftovers?"
"To who? Non-dwarves couldn't do jack with it."
"Eh? Then where'd that 2,000-gold figure come from? Gotta be trading going on for prices to form."
"Dwarves, mine-to-mine. Demand's sky-high, gagabur seed's dried up—prices went nuts."
"Sell to dwarves, then. Cover costs at least?"
Ukun clammed up, pondering.
"Yeah... They'd kill for scraps. Should work."
"Good. Guess I'll babysit your ass on-site. No siphoning a drop."
"Kraaak! You accusing a dwarf of stealing materials?! We don't waste a goddamn speck!"
He yanked for his hammer mid-ride and nearly tumbled off. If I hadn't grabbed him, his face would've been roadkill.
"So, uzarburunt secured—rest of the build cost?"
"Pure materials? Under 300 gold."
"Fair. This level? Half roofed, half open-air."
"Your call. Expandable later."
Perfect. Dwarven no-bullshit answers. And his skills? Proven gold.
A human contractor would've nickel-and-dimed every angle.
"But Balder. You got the coin? Your fancy vibe needs premium stuff—could hit 400."
"Money... yeah."
"Cash upfront. Humans are scam artists—stall on payment, they screw you."
"Cash. My decision, punk."
Ukun went quiet, stunned at dropping 400 gold cold.
He finally spoke. "No way... selling the inn?!"
"Haha, you nuts? Build a bathhouse then ditch the inn? Need both. Gotta keep scaling up."
"Scaling? More builds?"
"Duh. Inn plus bathhouse now, but plans are growing. Running the place opened my eyes—big dreams."
"Hmm... bigger dreams..."
Ukun mulled it over deep.
Before heading to Rosens, we detoured to Bue for the bank. Rosens lacked a noble guild branch—kingdom central banks covered direct territories, but I needed the guild one for Kekers Marquis's intro letter.
The capital eyed noble cash flowing into direct lands warily, but Bue's scale outstripped central banks alone. Had to greenlight guild branches.
Noble-backed, the guild bank's entrance screamed class: marble pillars, spotless counters. Even in summer heat, staff in crisp uniforms smiled politely at everyone—noble, commoner, beggar alike—as long as business was straight.
Beggars probably couldn't waltz in, though.
A guard with a sword at his hip greeted us.
"Good day, sir. How may I assist?"
"Here to withdraw. Got an intro from a certain someone."
I fished out Kekers Marquis's letter. The guard's eyes bugged—he snatched it and bolted inside.
"What the hell? Why's he running?"
"Beats me."
As we waited clueless, the guard rushed back with a middle-aged man in tow.
"These are the gentlemen, branch manager!"
"Greetings. I'm the branch manager here. Your relation to Marquis Kekers... no, come this way. Not out here—my office for a chat."
He bowed and scraped, ushering us in.
Sipping cool green tea in the plush office, I fed the manager a mix of lies and bluster about my "ties" to the marquis—made him buy that my dad and the marquis were old drinking buddies.
Then: wanted to cash in the intro for some funds.
"Of course! Happy to. How much?"
"Hmm... say, 400 gold."
He frowned slightly, cocking his head.
"Four hundred? What for...?"
"Building something. 300's fine if too steep."
"Three to four hundred... for a building?"
The manager looked downright pained, scratching his head.
What...? Did I fuck up somewhere...?