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Chapter-19 Gnome Stronghold

  Zain was currently residing in King Durin's castle, a grand structure hewn from the living rock of the mountain. Earlier, he had an important and revealing meeting with the king about the escalating situation with the gnomes. Now, alone in his room, he mulled over the details, aware that they had to depart early the next morning to negotiate with the gnomes.

  Lying on his bed, Zain was deep in thought, the soft flicker of candlelight casting shadows on the stone walls. His mind raced with the complexities of the unfolding conflict.

  "Why are you still up, kid?" a familiar voice broke the silence.

  Raina entered the room silently, her presence both comforting and formidable. She had earlier taken Draig to bed, ensuring he adhered to the strict instructions given by the dwarves to limit his food intake. Draig's voracious appetite could consume a month's worth of their precious supplies in just a day, a burden they could ill afford.

  After securing Draig's compliance and settling him into bed, Raina came to check on Zain, her concern for his well-being evident.

  "Raina, I was thinking about what Durin told us regarding the war with the gnomes. According to him, the gnomes are conducting a suicidal campaign against them. But something doesn’t seem right." Zain confided, his brow furrowing with worry.

  "My plan was to provide the gnomes enough resources so they could sustain their assault longer, causing the dwarves some more trouble and forcing them to seek our help. But from the looks of it, something is pressuring the gnomes to resort to these desperate measures. This puts our entire plan at risk. Both gnomes and dwarves might end up annihilating each other. There’s something deeper going on in these mountains that we’re not aware of. I have this nagging feeling that something terrible is about to happen."

  "You don't have to worry, Zain." Raina reassured him, her voice steady and soothing. "I will protect you and Draig. I will ensure you return safely to Vermillion City."

  "Thank you, Raina. Your words do put me at ease." Zain replied, offering a small, grateful smile.

  After their conversation, Raina left the room, leaving Zain to his thoughts once more. He lay back on the bed, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders, but he took solace in Raina’s unwavering loyalty and strength.

  ---

  The next day, Zain and his group delved deeper into the mountains, their path taking them through vast, echoing caves that stretched from the dwarven border toward the gnomes' stronghold. The journey was a somber one, the silence of the caves broken only by the faint, steady sound of their footsteps and the soft glow of their magic lamps casting eerie shadows on the damp walls.

  The war was at a standstill, with both armies regrouping and reorganizing within their respective strongholds, preparing for the next inevitable clash. As Zain's group progressed, they encountered the grim aftermath of previous battles, the bodies of fallen dwarves and gnomes lying scattered, a stark reminder of the war’s brutal toll.

  After a day of arduous travel, they finally reached their destination, the gnomes' stronghold. It was an imposing castle nestled within a colossal dome-like hollow space in the mountain, surrounded by barracks and shops, the air thick with tension and the faint clang of metal on metal.

  As they approached the entrance of the stronghold, the gnomes reacted quickly, a squadron riding out on pony-like mechanical mounts to intercept them. The general of the gnome army, riding at the front, approached with a stern expression.

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  "Esteemed guests, I am the general of the gnome army. Welcome to the gnomes' stronghold. I don't know what has brought you here, but we are in a time of war. Please state the purpose of your visit." he said, his tone both formal and wary.

  Raina stepped forward, her demeanor calm and authoritative. "I am Raina, a knight under Duke Izark Gremory, currently accompanying young master Zain Gremory. We request an audience with your king."

  Upon learning their identity, the gnomes' initial suspicion gave way to a more respectful demeanor. They soon escorted Zain and his group to the castle within the stronghold, the atmosphere tense but hopeful.

  ---

  In the austere main hall of the gnomes' castle, Zain stood before King Morgz Hanbell, with Raina and Draig flanking him. The rest of his group waited outside, their presence a silent testament to the gravity of the situation. The hall, unlike the grandiose ones of Vermillion City, was simple and functional, with marble floors and minimal decorations.

  "You are in the presence of King Morgz Hanbell of the Gnome tribes." announced the gnome standing beside the king's throne, his voice echoing in the sparse chamber.

  King Morgz, distinguished by his red cape and a rusty, lamp-like black crown, bore a solemn expression as he regarded Zain and his companions. "So, travelers from the plains. It's been a long time since we had an audience with your kind. But I’m afraid you arrived at a bad time. We gnome tribes are at war with the dwarves of Bourbon. I am quite curious about your visit to our lands."

  The gnome king's keen eyes and respectful tone indicated he understood the significance of their visit. Zain met his gaze, his voice firm as he spoke.

  "I won't beat around the bush, King Morgz. I know you have enough supplies for your people to survive the winter. So, tell me why you are still determined to raid the dwarves when winter is just coming to an end."

  This question was the crux of Zain's concern. He had intended to support the gnomes with food to pressure the dwarves, making the proud King Durin more inclined to accept his help. However, the gnomes' relentless aggression, despite having adequate resources, suggested a more dire underlying issue.

  King Morgz's face turned grim. Rising from his throne, he approached Zain, his movements slow and deliberate. Raina tensed, ready to defend Zain if necessary, but instead, the king knelt before him, tears welling in his eyes.

  "Lord, I beg you! Please save us." King Morgz pleaded, his voice breaking.

  This was an unexpected turn. Zain signaled to Raina, who released her powerful aura, her voice commanding as she spoke, "Get up! Explain the whole story clearly without leaving anything out. Why are you crying? What are you scared of?"

  Frightened by the terrifying pressure from Raina, the Gnome King quickly stood, wiping his tears with his sleeves. He began to explain the dire situation that had befallen his people.

  The trouble began a month ago, just before Zain had sent a letter offering aid to the gnomes. It was autumn, and preparations for the seasonal skirmishes with the dwarves were underway. The gnome tribes, residing deeper within the mountains, were going about their daily lives, unaware of the looming catastrophe.

  On that fateful day, the tranquility of the gnome settlements was shattered when children playing in the outskirts of the tribes returned home in a state of terror. Their faces were pale, and their eyes wide with fear. Parents, alarmed by their children's distress, pressed them for answers, struggling to comprehend the horror they described.

  The children had been playing in a small, interconnected cave system—a favorite spot due to its safety and the soft, luminescent pigment that lit the walls. But that day, the familiar caves had transformed into a nightmare.

  King Morgz's voice trembled as he recounted these events, the weight of his responsibility evident. "We thought we could handle it, that it was just our minds playing tricks on us. But the more we ignored it, the worse it got. These… things… whatever they are, they are driving us to desperation. We attack the dwarves not out of greed or strategy, but because we have no choice. We need to keep our people busy, to distract them from the terror lurking in the shadows of our home."

  The room fell silent, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Zain's plan had never accounted for such a scenario. He realized that the conflict between the gnomes and dwarves was merely a surface issue, masking a deeper, more sinister threat.

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