Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Request

For Kardek, life had been going rather well as of late. After the dangers in the mine were resolved, the duergar discovered a vein of silver, which produced a steady stream of wealth and further solidified Kardek’s position as governor. With his newfound resources, Kardek ensured that several persistent adversaries “disappeared forever,” and frequently hosted banquets to flaunt his affluence. Now, all of Brandon Stonehold knew of Governor Kardek’s generosity and the riches under his command.

Each day, Kardek indulged in convivial feasts, basking in praise and adulation. He was now the most esteemed ruler in all of Brandon Stonehold, and to Kardek, nothing could be more important.

If there was anything that still unsettled him, it was the towering obsidian spire beyond the city walls—a thorn that lodged in his throat, impossible to ignore. Despite the agreement he had reached with that necromancer, who could say how things would end? So far, relations remained peaceful, but Kardek could not rest easy. He secretly wished the necromancer would leave and never return, though he could do nothing more than hope.

“Governor Kardek?”

The voice of his attendant jolted him back from his thoughts. He turned to gaze at the resplendent hall, filled with raucous celebration, the aroma of roast meat and strong drink mingling in the air, the duergar’s singing and toasts echoing like a dream.

“What is it?”

Kardek noticed his attendant’s eyes flick toward the obsidian spire before quickly averting them. He said nothing more. That tower had become an open secret among the citizens of Brandon Stonehold. Kardek knew well that many duergar harbored suspicions about the necromancer, but fear of the mage’s power and his connection to their governor kept them silent.

Perhaps he should quietly let it be known that his relationship with the necromancer was not as close as people assumed? If he did, would someone take it upon themselves to act? Maybe it was time to offer a nudge to those who resented the mage.

“...Governor, the mage’s envoy is waiting outside for you...”

“What?!”

Kardek’s mind, still wandering, snapped back to attention at the attendant’s words. He stifled a startled cry, hastily covering his mouth and glancing around in alarm. Fortunately, the din of the duergar drowned out his outburst. Only a few drunken dwarves nearby cast a bleary glance in his direction, but paid him no mind. They were too occupied with their revelry.

“When did she arrive?”

Now regaining his composure, Kardek pulled his attendant aside and whispered urgently.

“Just now. She said she has important matters to discuss with you.”

“Why didn’t you say so sooner!”

Kardek stamped his foot and slapped his hapless servant, then hurriedly left the bustling hall.

At the entrance, Kardek soon caught sight of the dark elf standing below the steps, cloaked from head to toe. She stood in the shadow of the doorway, so perfectly blended with the gloom that Kardek might not have seen her had he not been looking carefully.

Damn dark elves...

Muttering to himself, Kardek forced a welcoming smile onto his face and approached Verna.

“Why, Miss Verna, it’s been so long! I never expected you to grace us with your presence—my apologies for not greeting you sooner. We’re in the middle of a feast—would you care to join us? I’m certain everyone would be delighted to welcome you.”

“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Kardek.”

Verna’s tone was as cold as ever—whether she bore a grudge against the duergar governor, or against her master for sending her, or perhaps both, was impossible to say.

“I’ve come only to deliver a request on behalf of the mage.”

“A request?”

To Kardek, the difference between a request and an order was negligible—indeed, a request might even be worse.

“Yes. The mage had intended to come in person, but ultimately decided to send me to speak to you.”

“And what does the mage require of me?”

At this, Kardek felt a surge of relief. If the necromancer had come himself, Kardek would have had no choice but to acquiesce to any demand, no matter how outrageous, or face dire consequences—and with them, total loss of face before his people. Still, even agreeing to such demands was humiliating. He glanced back at the hall, where the songs of the duergar grew ever louder. Clearly, they were deep in their cups. Perhaps by morning, they would remember nothing of this night or his departure.

“It’s as follows.”

Verna ignored Kardek’s expression and continued. “You must be aware that not far from Brandon Stonehold, there’s a tribe of goblins.”

“Of course I know.”

Kardek’s face darkened. Those damn goblins were the bane of his existence, darting about the outskirts, harassing merchants, and tarnishing the city’s reputation. He had organized several campaigns against them, all ending in failure—the goblins were unmatched in the art of escape, and his duergar dared not stray far from the city. The goblins were not formidable, but they were persistent pests. Kardek had considered wiping them out, but for the duergar, such a task was far from simple.

“If you’re willing, the mage can help you with this little problem—but he’ll need your cooperation.”

So that was it.

Kardek understood at last: the necromancer wanted to eliminate the goblins, but needed Brandon Stonehold’s involvement. But why? A necromancer hardly needed help—so long as he had enough undead, he could handle anything. What use did he have for Kardek’s people?

“And what do you require of us?”

Kardek was not so naïve as to believe in such generosity. No one, above or below ground, rendered services without reward—especially not a necromancer eager to solve his problems.

“It’s very simple.”

Verna was clearly prepared for this. She raised an eyebrow and replied at once, “The mage wishes to claim ownership of the land once the goblins are destroyed.”

So that was it!

Now Kardek understood. Normally, once the goblins were gone, Brandon Stonehold would expand into their territory. As a “visionary and ambitious” governor, Kardek looked forward to the city’s growth and the glory such an accomplishment would bring. Perhaps he would even earn the title of “Elder” and a statue in the Hall of Heroes. The goblins had made this impossible, but if they were removed, the city could grow unimpeded.

The mage must have realized this—perhaps he’d already discovered something of value there, which was why he made the request. If he helped wipe out the goblins, it was only natural he’d expect payment. For all their cunning, duergar honored their bargains with equals.

Still, Kardek hesitated. He had no idea what treasures might lie in the goblins’ lair—what if there was a priceless vein of ore?

“Miss Verna, might I ask... is there anything of value there...?”

“Don’t be mistaken.”

Before Kardek could finish, Verna cut him off coldly. “The mage chose that land only because it suits his magical experiments, nothing more. There’s nothing there you’d want. If you’re unwilling, so be it.”

“That’s no problem at all!”

Hearing that magic was involved, Kardek’s interest faded. Duergar had little use for magic—unless there were gems or ore involved, the rest was worthless. Relieved, he smiled broadly at Verna.

“Please tell the mage that Brandon Stonehold is committed to securing the trade routes from all threats. These goblins are our sworn foes. We will dispatch our finest troops to aid the mage in eliminating these pests!”

Kardek spoke with such gravity and sincerity that, had a light shone upon him, he might have been mistaken for a paladin. But in the next moment, his true nature returned.

“However... heh, Miss Verna, as you know, our manpower is stretched thin. It may take some time to assemble a suitably elite force...”

Verna did not respond. Instead, she flicked her wrist, and with a heavy thud, a rectangular iron box landed before Kardek, who started in surprise. He glanced at Verna, then opened the box. The contents immediately set his eyes agleam.

“These are...?”

Inside were two gleaming longswords, exquisitely crafted and adorned with intricate patterns, their blades shimmering with magical light—clearly treasures of great value.

“These belonged to the thieves who dared trespass in the mage’s domain days ago.”

Verna, for once, spoke the truth.

“We have no use for them, but the mage knows the duergar’s fondness for collecting weapons, so he sent them as a gift. If you’re interested, they’re yours.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly...”

Though he protested, Kardek hastily closed the box and clutched it to his chest. Such magically wrought weapons, crafted with surface techniques, were exceedingly rare and precious to a duergar collector.

“Rest assured, Miss Verna. Securing the trade routes is the sacred duty of Brandon Stonehold. Tell the mage that within two days, we will muster our best troops and join him in wiping out those wretched vermin!”