Submitted: 20 July 2000

Grumpy Dwarf searches for his wife

by Ganth Gar'than

A tall dwarf (relatively speaking) burst through the door, and slammed the door shut after him to block the blizzard’s winds. Like a dog, he shook his whole body, throwing snow and ice all over a couple of Warrior Mages huddled over a table next to the door, then went straight for the bar.

“Spiced rum,” he grumbled at Baresh, engrossed with stuffing an intricately carved short bow in his traveler’s pack.

While setting the shot-glass in front of the Dwarf, he noticed a kilt pin bearing the Gar family crest. “Ganth? Is that you??”

Graganth snapped his head up, taking his first look at Baresh. “Surprised you remember me,” he grumbled. “It has been a long time.”

“I knew your father... he frequented here before Mibgluc’s attac-” A sharp look from under Graganth’s heavy brow stopped Baresh short. His gaze locked, describing years of the pain and hardship of his whole family being killed by the mage.

Graganth broke his gaze by downing the shot of rum. The shot glass was slammed back on the bar, and Baresh quickly topped it.

Graganth’s features softened slightly. “That was a long time ago. Much has happened”

Eager to change the subject, Baresh offered, “You were married, right? To that nice Elven lass… Alchise, wasn’t it? How is she?”

Graganth downed the second shot and demanded a third, which Baresh happily obliged.

Graganth gazed down at his wedding band, and nearly whimpers at the sight. He longingly replied, without looking up, “I was hoping you could tell me.”

After a long silence, Graganth took a sip of his whisky and continued speaking, more to himself than to Baresh. “We were travelling into the deserts where Alchise was born, to give birth and complete the Cycle of Life, as she was taught by her tribe. We had just left Therengia heading to the west. She was following me as I hacked the way through the undergrowth. She kept mumbling to herself, as she has been known to do. Then, all of a sudden, she accused me of cheating on her!” Graganth snorted, loudly. “I tried calming her down, but she only got more upset. She then burst into a run, backtracking the path I had already cut. I tried to follow her, but… well, let us just say that she is an exceptional hider.”

Graganth’s features softened once again. Beresh wasn’t sure if it was the whiskey, but then he didn’t care, as long as the stout Dwarf left his weapons put away. “I tried to find her, I really did…” Graganth longingly said. “While searching, I found this odd blue stone laying in the shrubbery. When I picked it up, and started to appraise it, I was swallowed whole by this pulsating purple portal. When I came to, I was in another world, in another body.”

Graganth took another sip of his whiskey, recalling the tale. “It took me seven months to find my way back to Elanthia. But time is apparently distorted in that other world, as when I returned, over two years had passed.”

Graganth growled deep in the back of his throat, and his voice became a bit more haggard. “I have been searching since the tenth month, 361 for Alchise, but no one has seen her.”

Baresh quietly said, “I’m sorry, Ganth. If I see her, I will be sure to tell her you’re looking for her.”

As if his integrity were challenged, Graganth leapt off his barstool, knocking it to the ground. “I never cheated on Alchise!” Graganth burst out. “I have always been faithful! But now, she is lost to me, as well as my child who I have never met!”

“Ganth! Calm down!” Baresh attempted.

Graganth replied with a nerve-wracking roar of rage, not unlike a mountain lion’s. Catching himself before damage was done, Graganth turned tail and nearly sprinted through the bar doors.

Relieved that the tall Dwarf had at least some control, unlike some of his Stone Clan brethren, Baresh calmly picked up the medium-sized sapphire that was left behind, and put it in his tip-jar.