Unspeakable Secrets The Alchemist Series (A Dark Medieval Progression Fantasy)

Chapter 82 Magna'dur

The dwarves laughed at that.

"Ye saved a lot of good dwarves you two. And Seamus said you're one hells of a merchant family. I've looked through the paperwork Seamus has for ye. Can't imagine who'd want to buy some of the stuff on there, but he says you do well for yourselves. Guess it takes all sorts," she said.

Naturally, the papers showed only what Connor wanted them to, though he'd had to include a few strange things just so people didn't get suspicious when they heard of some of his deals in the places they'd passed through. That and the occasional glance some curious soul stole into their wagon.

"We get by," Connor said with a smile.

"What'd I tell you?" Seamus said.

The woman grinned and nodded at him. "Aye," she said, "like tall dwarves. And he truly speaks the gray tongue?"

"Like he's been doing it fifty years. Better than half the dwarves I know," Seamus said.

"Well then, welcome and well met Merchants Winters and Winters. Enjoy your stay in Magna'dur and thank you for bringing my brother back to me."

With that the woman strode off, going about her duties with the rest of those seeking entry into the city.

"Hey," said one of her dwarven guards when they were far enough to think themselves out of Connor and Adelia's hearing, "never had winter underground. Now we've got two of 'em."

A couple of the dwarves chuckled and the rest groaned.

Seamus climbed aboard their wagon rather than his own for some reason, and Connor helped him up to join them.

"It'll be good to be home," Seamus said.

"Sounds like you're a bit homesick?" Connor asked.

"Aye... I think I am," Seamus agreed, "there were some tough times... times I worried I was failing my girl. But we came through. I thought I needed to get away from the city a bit. And... maybe I did at that. But, can't help feeling like I'll have to pass on managing my caravan to someone else. Not much of an explorer I'm sad to say. Prefer a good bed and a quiet life."

The dwarf spoke with a wistful, thoughtful note to his voice as though having a conversation with himself and saying only bits and pieces of what was going on inside him.

"Still... time away helped clear my head of... foolishness," Seamus said.

"Foolishness?" Connor asked as he offered him a drink from his waterskin.

"Aye," Seamus said darkly before taking a drink with a nod of thanks, "Bah! Listen to me talking nonsense. Maybe my head isn't as clear as I've been thinking eh? Forgive me my rambling."

"No need for forgiveness, master dwarf," Connor said, "We all have our burdens and if you wish to speak of them, I'd be happy to listen."

"Thank you, Jack," Seamus said, "Might be I'll take you up on that someday. It's like I've been walking through a haze. Things looked twisted and angry to me. Thought for a long while that the world was broken and needed fixing. Now, I think it was me that needed fixing. World's looking a good sight better to me now.

"Perhaps it's not always such a good place. Maybe there be things that are wrong... but I see it clearer now. Or maybe it's just that life doesn't look quite so dark and scary when Elizabeth here is making the horrors of the world check under their beds for a change. Will you two be helping with the skree while you're in the city?"

"I'll likely be kept busy with setting everything up. I don't expect I'll get much of a chance, but I think Elizabeth has been looking forward to it, haven't you, kitten?" Connor asked with a look at her.