64 lines
3.3 KiB
Plaintext
64 lines
3.3 KiB
Plaintext
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.
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And Brother Jod, who Chief didn't trust with diplomacy.
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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).
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Calvin and his yaks entered in, led by Kab.
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The President looked wore formal coat, and Chief wished he had a better outfit than his nice jacket and clean boots.
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Instead of the Helm, Calvin wore a simple circlet, made of a dark wood inlaid with a delicate gold pattern.
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―Welcome, dear guests. Please, President Calvin, join me here.
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Calvin and one of the other yaks came to join Chief, along with Kab.
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―Chief, this is Vaughan, one of my most trusted advisors.
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I thank you again for your hospitality.
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Kab has been very helpful.
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―No problem, Your Presidentness.
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―Please, just call me Calvin.
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―Of course, that's no problem.
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We don't usually find ourselves hosting foreign leaders here.
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We seldom see other Border dwarrows, either.
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Calvin nodded, and spoke between slow bites.
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―Chief, I'm here because the Meadowlark is under threat.
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We think that Mountberg might be able to help us.
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Unfortunately, we ran into a problem at the Sea-Gate.
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As we sighted the entrance, we saw a Hawk approach overhead, and the sight may have spooked the guards at the gate.
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The barrier was raised before we could come close, and our shouts were either unheard or ignored.
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―Why is it you think Mountberg would help?
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―Whatever is attacking the Meadowlark will be capable of attacking the Voice of Dwarrows.
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I know that Galvarelli and Mountberg have been isolated from each other, but I hope to convince them that we have a common enemy.
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So again, I hope you will be able to help us reach them.
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―I wish you luck, Calvin.
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But, I fear that help from Mountberg is unlikely.
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You see, Mountberg has largely closed itself off from the rest of the world, even from Border dwarrows like us.
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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.
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The yak named Vaughan began to speak, but Chief pushed on.
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―I do think we can offer you another form of help, however.
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As I mentioned earlier, Westgate is close to the Temple of the Rock.
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There's a mountain goat there, who I believe is considered quite knowledgeable by your people.
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Along with some of the more learned dwarrows in the area.
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Between them, I'm sure they'll be able to offer you something more.
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Calvin kept his eyes low, thinknig for a moment before answering.
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―Speaking to an Elder would likely help.
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I don't know whether we have a lot of time available to us.
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Is the journey far?
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―Normally, we have a Path to the temple open at all times.
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Recently though, we've been closing them more often when they're not in use.
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But opening it again would not take long.
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You might actually be one of the rare yaks to witness a Pathbreaking.
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Going through the Path would be quite short.
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We could have you at the Temple tonight if we started immediately after dinner.
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