Submitted: 27 June 2000

Sirolarn Stomped by Dwarves

by Solrac Nabori

"Solrac Nabori, long time no 'see'!" (Baresh almost said 'smell' but he noticed the dwarf appeared rather serious.)

Solrac jumps on a stool by the bar, looks around, and failing to recognize anyone and noticing the tavern to be almost empty, just a human and some Gor’Togs playing some game with dice, he shifts his attention to Baresh. Besides the wet leather and Viper Oil stench, Baresh can smell news or tales when Solrac comes by his establishment. Otherwise, as Baresh well knows, he would get drunk with the provisions by the Brook west of Crossing or from the strong stuff Naresha will sneak out from the Empath’s room.

"Heavy meetings... the last Stone Clan meeting was ripe with controversy. Yet; You know what? Clannish unity and discipline saved the day. If Hegemonic has one talent (besides being able to stomp around while clad in heavy plate) it is to make our strength as individuals to be pulled in for the clan. We meet dissent with discussion, compromise, and love for each others."

Baresh serves another Spiced Rum shot and places it before the bald dwarf. Solrac looks at it, finishes up the one in his hand and grabs the second shot. He grunts playfully to Baresh and scratches the scarred dome of his head.

"Now Solrac, What caused the controversy?" asks Baresh

"The Prince Sirolarn’s announced visit to Stone Clan. Hegemonic had told us that the Prince (Solrac grunts mockingly to himself) had announced his interest in visiting the clan. Various members of the clan took this news very differently."

Solrac sips at the strong flavored rum. He looks around, and after noticing no one seemed to be particularly interested in his conversation, except Baresh, continued.

"For some, it was an honor and a first, such a figure as a Prince to show interest in the Stone Clan. Some mentioned that he had expressed great admiration for the defense that the clan and the dwarfs had put on against Sorrow and in safeguarding the Book." Solrac grunts teasingly at Baresh and Baresh has to ask:

"And for others?" the Barkeep offers the query that was already hanging in the air.

"For others . . ." Solrac finishes his rum and disgustedly licks the entire glass, rim to bottom, before continuing, "For others it was a dangerous development. Specially, if the visit were to include visiting the Room of Light, where we guard the Book. Although most of the concerns to Sirolarn are based in rumors, rumors are not necessarily lies or mistaken information, they can also be unsubstantiated truths. The Sorrow condemnation by the Prince, is not proof, the tragic manner in which he rose to his present position, which bespeaks of incredibly powerful magic, points toward a liaison between him and mages whose powers are like nothing recognized and approved of, even among magic ninnies. Are you out of this rum Baresh?"

Baresh serves a shot to Solrac.

"And yet, Solrac, I understand that this Prince has made himself so accessible to the common people, thus impressing many. His Feast at the Keep, his submitting himself to questions from the people . . . No other Prince is remembered as taken these extraordinary steps to get close and find out the feel of his people. Why so much mistrust?"

Solrac sips at his rum and looks at Baresh as if he were a magician . . .

"Baresh, I can only tell you this. A usually aloof husband who suddenly starts bringing flowers home, is suspicious, a Ringmaster that suddenly starts spending time with the clowns is looking for information about which members of the troupe are planning to escape, and a Pony that suddenly kicks to death a sweet woman, had someone else at the bridle . . . "

The young dwarf grunts sadly to himself and goes silent for a minute or two. Baresh takes a bottle of Granny #3 Whisky to the players in the table and coming back and seen Solrac still silent taps him cautiously on his shoulder.

"Solrac?"

"Yes, well Baresh, that kind behavior of the Prince means nothing, or can mean many different things. Usually, I despise thinking wrong of others until their actions’ merit so. Nevertheless, where the Book and the Clan are concerned, we must err in the safe side. Therefore, we decided to receive him at the Clan. Our duty to be gracious Hosts to Sirorlan will only yield to our duty toward the book. We all agreed that unless, and until, the Prince does requests to see the Book, we would then decide, if we would allow him to or not."

Solrac gets a some silver coins from a Rotten Boar Stomach made into a Pouch and gives them to Baresh, "Give me the rest of that bottle."

"And the Prince came, Baresh. As Bubbinster said ‘He came, he stomped, he conquered!’"

"What?" - Baresh asks.

"He accepted our Grek’s Ale. The Prince came as a Friend. Respectful, gracious, with two ears to listen and only one mouth to talk. He was wise. He thought before answering our questions. When Bubbinster and Atwun performed the ‘Charge of the Short Brigade’ he was invited to Stomp with us and he did it. The same when at the end these fine bards performed the ‘Stone Clan March’."

Baresh waves good bye to Blakarin and his friends as they leave the establishment.

"But was there more than singing, dancing and drinking?" asks Baresh

Solrac guzzles some Spiced Rum and belches with such intensity that the Wall Mirror behind Baresh fogs. With blood-red eyes he continues.

"Indeed. The Prince congratulated the Stone Clan for their efforts in safeguarding the book. He probed some into our defenses. He mentioned how everywhere he went, people always ask what was he going to do to help the dwarven folks at Stone Clan. He answered a potentially charged question put to him by Grimslayer and Prometheus."

"What did they ask?"

"Bluntly and directly, what did the Prince expected from Stone Clan in exchange for this ‘alliance’. Before we all got drunker and forgot, Since the Prince was offering friendship and help . . . What was Stone Clan supposed to do in consideration."

Solrac gulps some more rum.

"Grek ale makes me thirsty. - Solrac grunts playfully at Baresh - The Prince took longer to answer that one than Naresha did to accept my Engagement ring!" Solrac splodes in laughter, grunts dreamingly to himself and continues, "Still, finally he answered like a politician ‘I expect Stone Clan to continue being the heart of Zolurem’. Nice ring to it ah . . . but vaguer that a Thief Guru." Solrac scratches his head.

"The heart of Zolurem he said . . . What did he meant Solrac?" asks Baresh while serving himself some Pale Ale.

"Well . . . some might say one meaning is that Stone Clan is part of Zolurem . . . but as that is another hot topic . . . lets also remember that . . . Loves teaches us that no one is master of his heart! It is necessary to live, but no one can master it."

"In any case, we did appoint Hegemonic as our ambassador to the Prince. Not a representative . . . an Ambassador. The Prince praised Hegemonic, which does shows the Prince is a just man. The Prince also gave Hegemonic a Band with the Seal of Zolurem to wear around his head. We gave him a Dwarven Great Helm and a Dwarven Hammer as tokens of friendship."

A group a Gnomes enters the bar and climbs, more than sit, on the stools. Solrac finishes up the bottle of Spiced Rum, jumps from his stool and starts Stomping Angrily around while Singing in a coarse voice:

"We March! We March!" (Which aparently is all he has memorize of the song)

He then starts for the door, stumbles on a table, falls on his face, and curls under a table from where Baresh drags him out of the bar at closing time and leaves him safely by the road still asleep, snoring like a sick horse and repeating "No . . . the Centaur, Odnalor . . . the Centaur, No!.... "