galvarelli/dinneratwestgate.txt

Chief had two tables set, one smaller where he could sit with Calvin and Brother Kab, and a longer one for Calvin's yaks, along with a few dwarrows Chief trusted.
And Brother Jod, who Chief didn't trust with diplomacy.
His chefs had managed to accommodate their odd guests, with some well-preserved silage they had found stored in a larder, supplemented by some fresh clover, thin shavings of a well-mineraled salt crystal (which Chief felt a pang of regret sharing) and some raw sugar beets (which Chief felt a pang of regret leaving raw, rather than in a delicious soup).
Chief hoped the language barrier wouldn't be too bad.
There were a few others who spoke the Open Tongue.

Calvin and his yaks entered in, led by Kab.
The President looked wore formal coat, and Chief wished he had a better outfit than his nice jacket and clean boots.
Instead of the Helm, Calvin wore a simple circlet, made of a dark wood inlaid with a delicate gold pattern.

―Welcome, dear guests. Please, President Calvin, join me here.

Calvin and one of the other yaks came to join Chief, along with Kab.

―Chief, this is Vaughan, one of my most trusted advisors.
	I thank you again for your hospitality.
	Kab has been very helpful.

―No problem, Your Presidentness.

―Please, just call me Calvin.

―Of course, that's no problem.
	We don't usually find ourselves hosting foreign leaders here.
	We seldom see other Border dwarrows, either.

Calvin nodded, and spoke between slow bites.

―Chief, I'm here because the Meadowlark is under threat.
	We think that Mountberg might be able to help us.
	Unfortunately, we ran into a problem at the Sea-Gate.
	As we sighted the entrance, we saw a Hawk approach overhead, and the sight may have spooked the guards at the gate.
	The barrier was raised before we could come close, and our shouts were either unheard or ignored.

―Why is it you think Mountberg would help?

―Whatever is attacking the Meadowlark will be capable of attacking the Voice of Dwarrows.
	I know that Galvarelli and Mountberg have been isolated from each other, but I hope to convince them that we have a common enemy.
	So again, I hope you will be able to help us reach them.

―What do you mean by an attack on the Meadowlark?

Kab gave Chief a quizzical look.
―The Meadowlark is what the Beasts call their Great Voice, he explained to Kab in Border.

―It started as a minor curiosity, a couple months ago, Calvin said.
	Yaks hearing indistinct whispers through the night, yaks with no history of hallucinations.
	But our hospitals saw more and more cases, of people unable to sleep.
	We isolated the source of the voices to the hair, not like the actual voice of the Meadowlark.
	Consultation with experts in the Meadowlark said it seemed to be no normal disease.

―I wish you luck, Calvin, but I fear that help from Mountberg is unlikely.
	You see, Mountberg has largely closed itself off from the rest of the world, even from Border dwarrows like us.
	Other Border towns would likely be happy to help, but apart from a handful of Pathbreakers there's not a lot we can actually do.
	I do think we can offer you another form of help, however.
	As I mentioned earlier, Westgate is close to the Temple of the Rock.
	There's a mountain goat there, who I believe is considered quite knowledgeable by your people.
	Along with some of the more learned dwarrows in the area.
	Between them, I'm sure they'll be able to offer you something more.

Calvin kept his eyes low, thinking for a moment before answering.

―Speaking to an Elder would likely help.
	At least as long as there's no chance of our dealing with Mountberg, we have nothing to lose.
	I don't know whether we have a lot of time available to us.
	Is the journey far?

―Normally, we have a Path to the temple open at all times.
	Recently though, we've been closing them more often when they're not in use.
	But opening it again would not take long.
	You might actually be one of the rare yaks to witness a Pathbreaking.
	Going through the Path would be quick.
	We could have you at the Temple tomorrow morning if we started immediately after a quick breakfast.

―Would they be willing to grant us an audience with such short notice?

―Ah, of course.
	Calvin, the Elder is a mountain goat stuck indoors and the dwarrow templars will have nothing better to do.
	There's more as well.
	This Elder has been warning us about a Curse of some kind.
	She was sick for a little while, couldn't say how, but recovered.
	Sent a message to the Border towns that if any sick Beasts came through, to send them to her for healing.
	Not sure if it's related, but it was a couple months ago.
	Timing lines up.
	Anyway, I'm sure he'll have more to say.
	Eat up, and we can get to work after.


The remainder of the dinner went smoothly, with Brother Kab there to chat to Chief about travel plans in Border.
Calvin, meanwhile, seemed to withdraw into himself a bit.
Chief looked at the other table.
Brother Jod looked uncomfortable, but Sister Omig seemed captivated by the yak guards.
Particularly the very tall one Chief had kept his eye on.

Chief excused himself from his table and pulled Jod and Omig aside.
―Both of you, he said in Border.
	We'll be heading out to the Temple after an early breakfast tomorrow.
	Will you both be ready for that?

Omig nodded enthusiastically.
Jod looked more skeptical.
―Chief, are you absolutely sure we want to help them?
	I know, the Helm is a symbol of the Compact, whatever.
	But seriously, we have no idea who they are.
	We don't even know if they are who they claim.
	He could have stolen the Helm and learned some Dwarrowtongue.
	God knows whether their kind even lock up their treasures, or just put it out in some field.

―Jod! I can't have you disrespecting our guests like that.
	We should honour the Compact, but more than that, we should help them because they're asking for help.
	Besides, between you and Omig their warriors shouldn't be too much trouble if it comes to it, right?

Jod nodded.
The poor bastard would always fall for flattery.