Chapter 1
A small human figure runs by, the small green fungi chiming underfoot as their feet race along the dim passage.
“Oops!”
Thud
The small person sprawls face first in the dirt. Large red mushrooms light her form with a warm hue as bugs scurry away in fear.
“Owwwee….. grimy hellfire that hurt! Stupid rocks! Stupid mushrooms! Stupid feet tripping on earth!”
*Those dumb pixes never maintain these tunnels properly. Can never trust a fae to do an honest work around here* She mentally grumbled, pushing herself upright, and looking around the area. Her brown hair was tightly bound in a bun with a single silver dragon pin holding it up. She had mild acne and a large lumpy nose adorned her face.
Briskly brushing off the dirt from her leather apron and trousers; a soft gong echoes in the dim light.
Looking up in panic, “Shit! I’m late again. Olga is going to have my head if I miss starting the forge one more time!” She wailed scrambling to her feet. The small woman dashed off down the tunnel leaving only dust and scurrying bugs in her wake. Arriving at the end of the tunnel, bright lanterns, and a large forge light an open workspace.
“Shit shit shit….” Muttering under her breath she walked into the room. The room fell silent. Several bearded men and women turned to look at her.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the hairless one herself. You’re late. Again.” The strongest of the small bearded women spoke. She had a powerful air of a warrior about her, and her red beard was full and decorated with many jewels and metal trinkets down the braids. She wore a leather tunic and trousers. Over it was a black apron made of scales that shimmered in the light of the fire as she strode forward.
“My deepest apologies Metalsmith Olga. I had a faulty alarm cricket this morning.” The late dwarf bowed deeply, forehead to the cool earth. Inwardly she was cursing herself for forgetting to get a new cricket after smushing the last one in morning grogginess.
“I find that hard to believe. You used that excuse yesterday.” Olga’s tone was cold.
*shit, I must be distracted today. How could I be so stupid. Stupid stupid stupid* Her mind scolded herself.
“However; I find that I do not care. Get to work. There is a new batch of old weapons. Take care of it.” Olga turned her back and strode back to the forge.
She breathed a sigh of relief inwardly and bowed again. “Thank you honourable Warrior Metalsmith.” Then scurried off to the corner with a pile of old rusty items, found in ancient caverns and caves dappled in tombs and ancient ruins. The busywork of the forge resumed and the silence of the forge was broken once again.
*I hope none of these items are cursed today, last one yesterday could have taken my arm off if I wasn’t lucky.* She clutched her arm and shivered.
“Hey Dragon lover,” sneered one of the younger male ruin-seekers with a scraggly beard. “You forgot some of these yesterday.”
He tossed a cartload of old weapons and helmets and other items at her feet. They clanged and clattered, adding to the cacophony.
“The name’s Ena runt, and you shall never amount to anything with that carelessness Herbert.” She snapped at him
“Oooh it’s Ena from the cursed house of Fafnir. Full of dragon lovers the lot of you…. There, that a better introduction hairless excuse for a dwarf?” Herbert spat at her feet and turned his back with a sarcastic laugh.
Ena gritted her teeth and fists. *don’t say something stupid, don’t say something stupid, don’t say some…*
“At least I won’t have a patchy scrawny beard that shows what a disgrace of a dwarf I am. I mean, you can’t even wield a proper weapon of magic. What a pity your family wasted their bread with you and decided to send you to the ruins to die. It’s only a matter of time before you pick up a cursed item, and well…..” Ena let out a sharp laugh. “You don’t need me to fill you in on what happens after that.”
*aw dragon buttocks. Me and my dumb mouth.*
Herbert’s eyes darkened with rage. “The only reason you are here right now is cause your father slept around and his mistresses feel pity for you. All you are is a daughter of a disgraced mother who couldn’t even keep a husband.”
Red. All she saw was red. “You take it back! How dare you dishonour my father and mother with your LIES!” Lunging with a guttural roar, fist curled back, she swung wildly trying to hit something. Anything. To make him regret. To make him feel the pain.
Dimly in the background through the red haze she heard shouts of alarm and fear. All she could see was red, except for her target. Scrawny, slimy, scum of the earth, Herbert. His expression of distain had been replaced by one of terror, as he fell to the ground scrambling backwards. Ena felt a growl leave her throat as she stalked closer and closer.
*He’s whimpering in fear, can you taste it in the air* a slithering voice crept in her head. *Hurry! Kill him before he gets away!* it screeched in the excitement.
Ena paused and shook her head. *Huh? What’s going on?*
*Noo, kill it. Kill it. Let’s revel in the blood.* the voice whimpered as it faded into the background. The red slowly leaving her sight she began to become aware of the surroundings in the smithy. She shook her head again.
Gradually the axes, scared dwarves and broken chains at her feet became apparent.
“Huh? What’s going on?” With a raspy and broken voice she whispered, as the room started spinning. Olga looked at her with pity.
*This must be serious. I’ve never seen Olga’s face like that.* That was the last thought she had before everything went dark.
