Submitted: 17 May 2000

One Day in the Tavern...

by Anonymous

Suddenly he is brought out of his musings by a messenger, a small halfling boy who appears to be quite beat up. The boy looks around fearfully for Hegemonic or Worrclan, and seeing them not present, he speaks excitedly "Baresh, you are not going to believe this! Wagons are arriving, straight from the Black Mountains, dozens of em!"

The barkeep looks puzzled and speaks "Wot? Wagons? Why, I didn't order anything from the Black Mountains! What is their cargo? Speak up, boy!"

The lad blurts out "Ale and beer! Barrel after barrel! A kings ransom in brew! The drivers say it is from some one with the initials B. B., they say it is for the dwarves of stone clan, and it's all already paid for!" The boy hurries outside where wagon after wagon is arriving, and unloading their kegs.

"Better go tell Solrac, Hegemonic and the rest, looks like I better hire extra help, for the dwarves are gonna party tonite!" The door closes behind the boy, and Baresh is left alone with his thoughts once again. The tavern then takes on a strange quiet, then a haunting voice suddenly fills the tavern, chanting in song:

In a faraway land that I come from,
there is a town known as Dweerby Run.
The town is known for its army of knights,
Proud defenders of all of our rights.

The knights were great fighters, defending us well,
til a giant king cometh, by the name of Ferell.
Ferell was all evil, there is not a doubt,
he gathered the giants, intent on a rout.

He told them together, they could strike the Knights down,
then they would be free, to eat up our town.
The giants all listened, thought Ferell would be right,
they came to destroy us, they came in the night.

But giants are big, they make lots of noise,
so before they could get us, our knights were all poised.

Watchin history being made,
It's the stomp of the short brigade!
When your hopes begin to fade,
It's the stomp of the short brigade!

(The ghostly sounds of stomping made by many dwarven feet can be heard, ringing throughout the tavern, though no dwarves are present)

They met on a field, outside of the Run,
knights on their horses, the giants need none.
Ferell came out swinging, leading the way,
the giants all followed, on that cool autumn day.

The battle began at the first rays of light,
Knights and the giants in a horrible fight.
Sadly the Knights, began to lose hope,
for the giants had pinned them, against the town slope.

All seemed to be lost, there was panic and fear,
til out from the town, some dwarves did appear.
How to describe it? The brigade it was short.
What good would they do? Big doubts we would court.

The dwarves began marching, towards Ferell and crew,
the giants all laughed, until they turned blue.

Watchin history being made,
It's the stomp of the short brigade!
When your hopes begin to fade,
It's the stomp of the short brigade!

(The ghostly sounds of stomping made by many dwarven feet can be heard, ringing throughout the tavern, though no dwarves are present)

Still on the dwarves marched, stomping their feet,
right past the Knights, to giants to meet.
The giants just finished, crushing the Knights,
now it was time, to put out dwarven lights.

The dwarves started charging, as fast as they could,
the giants got ready to stomp on them good.
Then they were amongst them, and battle began,
dwarf against giant, what was their plan?

Hope came back reeling, when we looked at the fight,
for the giants were reeling, from short dwarven might!
We all rubbed our eyes, it couldn't be true,
slaying of giants, dwarves just couldn't do!

But happened it did, as we watched giants fall,
til finally Ferell, gave the retreating call.
When the dust cleared, the giants had paid,
the price that was due from the short dwarven brigade!

Watchin history being made,
It's the stomp of the short brigade!
When your hopes begin to fade,
It's the stomp of the short brigade!

(The ghostly sounds of stomping dwarven feet suddenly cease, and you hear a faint ghostly whisper say 'Kin, Stone, and Steel', then all is silent)