Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World

The group moved hurriedly through the forest as the howls of beasts grew louder and more frequent. Henry had already counted at least sixty distinct types of howls, but the number was increasing with each passing moment. It seemed as if the creatures had grouped together to hunt them down.

Boris walked beside Henry, with Leier following closely, her hand on her weapon, ready to strike if the dwarf made any suspicious moves or raised a hand toward her liege.

"I've never seen the Ice Giants so restless. It seems we won't be able to leave the village for at least a year" - Boris commented, glancing over his shoulder as if to ensure the creatures weren't right behind them, not bothering with Leier's penetrating gaze.

"Do you often encounter these giants?" -Henry asked, not stopping his steps.

"Aye, every time we go hunting, but we always try to stay out of their sight" - Boris replied, his tone weary as every step seemed to be strenuous, his body sore all over - "They're a constant threat in these parts. Normally, they're scattered, huntin' alone or in small groups. But when we kill some of 'em, they tend to group together to hunt the perpetrator down."

"Strange… How are they managing to locate us?" - Henry asked curiously. It made no sense that these beasts could find them so easily, as if they had some kind of tracking device.

Boris scratched his head and looked up at the black-haired man, jumping over a vine sticking out of the ground - "We don't know for sure, but we think it might have somethin' to do with the gem inside their heads. According to the elders, their spirits are locked there, and when we kill 'em, their spirits latch onto the last person that touched 'em. They can sense their kin's spirit and locate us. And..." Boris hesitated but then decided to continue - "This spirit seems to follow us for eternity. No matter how many years pass, the beasts seem to remember... Because of that, some of our warriors haven't set foot inside the valley for decades." Hearing those words, Henry's eyes remained calm, already calculating the implications of this information and planning strategies to counter it. These Ice Giants could create a significant hindrance to the cavalry that was soon to descend into the Screaming Valley. He couldn't risk losing his troops here.

"That's fine" - Henry said, unperturbed, which seemed to amaze the dwarf.

"It seems like you don't understand, hairless human!" - Boris almost screamed, trying to put some sense into the man. He lowered his voice after hearing Leier behind him reaching for her sword - "What I mean is that you will forever be chased by those living icicles. They are vengeful and will hunt you anywhere you go."

"Anywhere?" - Henry's eyes narrowed as he asked, an idea flickering through his mind that he had to mull over. The information was useful and he could utilize it.

"Yes!" - Boris reiterated - "Anywhere! Do you understand now?"

Henry couldn't help but give a slight smile as he looked at Boris, thinking - "Maybe Luke is also a dwarf. They look so much alike. Look at those eyes."

"Oh, I forgot" - Henry said - "What's your name?"

Boris thumped his chest with a closed fist - "Boris Hammerfel!" - He then pointed towards his brothers - "That's Fili Hammerfel and the other one is Oin Hammerfel."

"Are you blood brothers?" - Henry couldn't help but ask - "No wonder you guys were ready to die for each other."

Boris broke into a coughing fit, torn between embarrassment and irritation - "No! Where do you see such fine hair as mine on those two?" - he said, stroking his long brown beard that reached his waist - " However, we may not share blood, but we've hammered at the same anvil and shared the same beer! We are brothers!" - Boris declared proudly - "And you, human, what's your name?" "Insolent!" - Leier exclaimed, unsheathing her dagger and placing it against the dwarf's neck, ready to behead him - "Such disrespect in front of my liege! I should have beheaded you!"

Despite the sharp edge of the weapon at his neck, Boris wasn't afraid. Instead, he straightened up defiantly, his eyes meeting Henry's with determination. His gaze seemed to say that he didn't do anything wrong.

Henry raised a hand to calm Leier - "It's alright, Leier. I appreciate the dwarf's forthrightness." - He looked back at Boris, his eyes glowing in a purple fire - "I am Henry von Stahl, King of all lands behind these mountains and descendant of Garret von Stahl, the Dragon Slayer and the North's Flame."

Upon hearing the introduction, the dwarf's eyes brightened like a child meeting their hero - "Are you a descendant of Garret, the Son of Fire and Anvil?" - Boris exclaimed excitedly. If not for the dagger at his neck, he would have rushed forward to kneel before the king and reverently grasp his hands.

Henry looked at the dwarf, confused. How did these small people, who had no contact with humans and lived in this desolate valley all their lives, know about the founder of Stahl? And why did they call Garret "Son of Fire and Anvil"?

"Son of Fire and Anvil?" - Henry asked, puzzled, as he had never heard Garret referred to this way.

Boris nodded excitedly while Leier sheathed her sword after Henry signaled her with his eyes - "Yes! The Son of Fire and Anvil, the one who built our village and forged Stormhammer, the chief's weapon. He worked with fire and weapons better than most chiefs, only losing to the God of Dwarfs, Sindri."

Apart from the stories and the place where he found Caelum, this was the first time Henry heard tales of Garret outside of a book. In Stahl, most of Garret's creations and achievements had faded with time. Learning about them from a community with preserved records or oral stories about the founder was fascinating. Henry had many questions, especially since the shards of memory inherited through Caelum were fragmented, showing only mixed and incomprehensible images.

"Can you take me to your village?" - Henry asked, thinking that meeting the dwarf chiefs and gaining their recognition might be easier than he initially thought.