A Malevolent Rebirth: A D&D Story

| Call to Arms | Wastelands of Evergreen | Part 3 |

The party stands before King Holdo within his throne chamber.

King Holdo clutches his head in anger and distress.

"HOW?! HOW DID THEY BREACH OUR GATES?!"

A dwarven soldier in ornate armor kneels before Holdo.

"A goliath my lord. He killed our gate protectors and opened the doors. We believe it ta have been the mercenary Aukan."

Holdo's face goes red with rage, his beard flares up like the hair on a dog's neck.

"Ingrate, traitor. How could he turn against his own countrymen, after we housed him and treated him like one of our own."

Alain lifts his head up.

"Great King Holdo if I may."

The dwarven king looks at the party for the first time since the party entered the chambers.

"Speak."

Alain swallows.

"If it's revenge you seek, or a chance to ensure this never happens again. Help us with our plan."

King Holdo sits up and tilts his head.

"And what might I ask, is yer plan?"

Alain looks the king in the eyes.

"We're planning an attack on the lizardfolk stronghold in Aquaforge. We've already gotten the assistance of Evergreen city, we just need the might of the dwarves at our back, so please."

Holdo raises a hand.

"I've just lost more than half of my fighting force, I've lost my people, I've lost pieces of my city, and you want me to send men to fight and die out there?"

Alain holds his gaze.

"Yes."

Zasheida lifts her head as well.

"King Holdo. We are also planning to contact the adventurers guild and councils of Brimstone for assistance, but we need to do something to buy time until they get here, we need your help. Only by dwarven might may we stand a chance."

King Holdo leans back in his throne and ushers one of his captains over.

They whisper back and forth for about two minutes before the king sends the captain off, out of the manor.

King Holdo looks back at Alain, Zasheida, and the rest of the party.

"Twenty. I will give you twenty men. Nothing more."

Alain drops his head back to the ground.

"Thank you, great King Holdo."

King Holdo stands.

"Where shall my men meet the soldiers of Evergreen?"

Zasheida maintains eye contact with the King.

"The crossroads, where the road between Holdo and Evergreen city meets the road into Aquaforge."

King Holdo nods.

"They will depart at dawn, I hereby grant you all have the rank of captain among my soldiers, it should make organizing easier when it comes time to deploy."

Alain nods.

"Thank you."

King Holdo turns away and begins to exit.

"Now, leave me. I need time to think."

The party all rise and exit the manor grounds.

Zavari looks to the party.