Dungeons & Disappointment

Chapter 46: Audience with the King

"Alright, Pomu, were gonna get you outta that little jar and into the better lantern." I said, earning a nod from Pomu. "Do you guys think she understands me?"

"Eh, one way to find out." Haneen said, holding the lantern as I slowly unscrewed the top of the lantern.

I smiled. "Alright Pomu, just go to the lantern."

I took the lid off, and immediately, she flew up into the air, hovering right in front of me as her wings flapped furiously.

"Weeet weeet!" She squeaked, giving me a happy look, right before she flew over, and sat on Finana's shoulder.

As I was watching, she grabbed Finana's fin and rubbed her face against it, but Finana grabbed her, which wasn't that difficult since her hand was double the size of Pomu. She held Pomu in front of her and up to me as she struggled in her grasp, wiggling as her wings flapped.

"Pomu, calm down." I said. "Listen we can't have you flying around, so here's the rule. Until we say you can come out, stay in the lantern. You'll be safe there."

She stopped wiggling in Finana's grasp, giving me a nod, and when Finana let her go, she flew straight into the lantern, casting her fairy light over the sides of it. She walked around inside the lantern for a moment, then settled down and started to fall asleep.

"Awww." I mused, attaching the lantern to my pack. "Alright, where to get an audience with the king?"

"Alright, come on!" Finana said, and she led the way towards the massive, stone gates that led into the mountain.

We all started filing behind her, making sure that our possessions were protected well, and as we ere making our way to the gates, BahnBarr fell in line next to me. Dwarves kept giving us funny looks, obviously not stoked with the fact that we brought an elf into their city, but thankfully, none of them said anything.

"How are you holding up?" She asked.

"I'm alright." I said. "You think this guy is gonna listen to us?"

She shrugged. "To go to war? Probably not if we just ask nicely. If we find his daughter, then I imagine he'll be much more inclined to talk it over. Just keeps your hopes low and your Halberd high. I highly, HIGHLY doubt his daughter is just 'lost in the woods' or something like that."

"You think she was taken?"

"Definitely."

"By who?"

"Now thats the part I don't know." She replied. "And I'm afraid thats the part we're gonna have to find out."

I nodded, looking out at the bustling city around us, the gates to the inner mountain growing larger and larger. I was able to make out more and more details of the gate, being that it was constantly patrolled by dwarves on little balconies and walkways. On either side of the gate, there were two large towers built out of the mountain, and on each, there were a pair of huge ballista that were aimed at the sky, no doubt in case of a dragon attack. BahnBarr patted me on the shoulder, then looked at the lantern and smiled.

"Man, I knew fairies were sleepy, but by the good name of Mystra she is out like a light."

I smiled. "Eh, let her get her beauty sleep."

After that, we marched in silence, making sure that Ormgaul kept his hands to himself as we passed shops and merchant stalls, and finally, we made it to the gates, where six dwarves in plate mail stopped us.

"Oi!" The one in the lead said, sticking his halberd int the ground. "What is your business here?"

"We're here to see the king!" I said, stepping to the front.