So We Met In A Tavern.

In this World, or the next.

A solitary dwarf covered in blood pushes his way thru the massive iron gates of Huldir. The look of anger and determination is set upon his face. Once inside, only dwarves are seen ...or allowed in these halls.

"Galrom!" A Dwarven voice calls out, yet not heard as he moves thru the crowd toward the Citadel.

"GALROM!" The voice is louder this time as it grows closer.

He pushes his way past any careless pedestrian, shoving them to the sides with protest. Until they see him. His full plate armor is damaged and split in places, and his vestments are smeared with orc and friends blood alike. The anvil of Moradin can be scarcely made out. He's badly injured, yet anger pushes him forward.

He has the dress of a cleric, more specifically a warpriest, Hammer of Moradin, and the other dwarves step to the side making out his position.

Finally, he's grabbed and pulled close.

"GALROM!" He shouts in his face.

"Let me go!" He says. "Where's that piss stain excuse fer a captn?" He says to the other man, grabbing him back.

"I mean ta split his skull ta see if he's got a brain!"

"Yer coming with me first!" He says.

"Aye!" He growls "Right after I kill em! So git offa me NOW!"

"You'll come now Galrom...and that's mother's orders. Yer not ta defy her say so!" Jerking him by the breastplate.

Galrom looked into his brothers eyes. "I'm in no mood Romgal!"

"I know, but I'm yer older brother and you'll do as I say fer now eh?" He says in return.

Galrom seethes in anger, but it begins to subside. His older brother is one of the few Galrom respects unconditionally.

He followed his mother's footsteps as a cleric, she chose the path of life, he chose the path of war. He had been given certain privileges because of her and was selected as an elite Hammerer into the military order of Moradin.

Hassana Shatterstone was the Thanes personal cleric, and she served as a noble in the inner sanctum of Huldirs stronghold. To defy her orders, is the same to defy the Thane himself.

Defeated he pushes Romgal away. "AYE! Alright! I'll go!"

Romgal begins to lead him away. "What happened?."

Galrom looks to his brother. "Aren't ya goin ta ask if I'm ok?"

Romgal gives a hesitant side look. "Ya marched two days by yerself and kin still push me around....I'd say yer just fine!" Still looking at him.

Galrom looks down. "They're all dead...and it's that bastards fault. He sent us all in there knowin' we'd all be killed."

"Well yer not all killed now are ya?"

"Yeah....and that's not sittin well with me fer the moment." Galrom heads to the family home.

His parents greet him in a rush. Armod, his father, begins to undo the various straps and buckles releasing the smashed and broken pieces.

Hassana enters the room, her vestments are pure and clean and emblazoned with Moradins anvil and accentuated with royal colors.

"Magruna" She motions to his sister. "Collect his armor and take them to the Smith. He will need them for Captain Oakmanes victory celebration."

Galrom stands quickly. "I'll see all the planes of hell before I celebrate that HIDEOUS, ANVIL-HEADED, TOSSERS so called victory!" He growls. "He's a murderer."

"He's your Captain and your leader....and the nephew ta the Thane. So unless you plan on getting yourself killed, then I suggest ya pull in your thoughts and shut yer trap!"

Magruna collects his gear and heads out quickly.

Galroms mouth drops open feeling betrayed. His voice lowers. "He got everyone killed....he couldn't lead ants to his arse hole effen he covered it in honey!" He steps to his mother. "Can't ya see he's dangerous?"

"I know....we all know." She steps closer to him taking his hands. She begins to heal his wounds as radiant light flows from her to him.

"I'll not have me second born throw his life away." She says gently. "Moradin has plans for you. Great plans."

"Well, I'll not listen ta another thing, or take an order from that man's scrawny, pig faced, sewer hole of a mouth!" He says defiantly. "And furthermore, he better stear clear of me, or I'll cave in his maw with Skull splitter." Gripping the handle of his hammer.

"You'll do nothing!" She said. "Go bathe! Get some ale, and we'll talk... but for now... you'll do nothing!"

"Aye!" He turns to walk away, releasing her hands. "How do you know Moradin favors me?" He asked.

"Because I've foreseen another world that needs you, Galrom. Moradin will guide you there." She says. "We will miss you greatly, but you will return one day." A look of concern on her face.

Galrom nods and leaves the room. Armod takes his wife's hand.

"I've seen that look Hassana, what is it?" He asked.

"He'll not return until after we've returned to the anvil." She turns to Armod. "Effen ya say something, he'll never leave. And ya know it!"

He nods. "What will become of him?" He asked.

"He'll be favored by the Thane." She smiled,"presented Oathkeeper, a new Warhammer. Then, he will be sent out to learn by himself, away from the stronghold. He will be on his own. He will take it as exile, but he'll find love, and then she will die. Moradin will send him to another time and world far from here, and he will grow, and he will become a master of his skill and trade. He will find another love despite his reluctance to find one. Then he and his bride will return, and they will rule Huldir together."

"How is that possible?" He asked

"Moradin has shown it to me, so it is fact. I do not know how, but Galrom will be led to his fate. He is favored by far greater than our Thane."

She smiles, a single tear falls as she understands her sacrifice will strengthen all of Huldir, and lets Galrom fulfill his place in the threads of time.