The Treasure of the Dwarven City

THe Release

This is the last chapter in this short story, SO PLEASE FAN, VOTE, AND COMMENT =)

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Roger and the king walked through the town. Accompanying the were five guards, all using the sword. However, once or twice Roger looked back and saw two dwarves following them with longbows, arrows at the ready.When Roger told this to the king, he was told that they were backup.

As they walked many dwarves came to see the king and human. They bowed and asked the king what was to happen to Roger. It's funny, Roger thought, they just ignore me. The guards were tense, and kept their hands unto their swords. They eyed the dwarves threateningly and many of them backed off. The archers slipped into a parallel alley, to avoid the crowd. Roger could sometimes see them through a gap in the buildings. The group soon reached the inn, and the crowd dispersed, mumbling to themselves.

The king opened the door and Torac looked up from where he was cleaning some drinking glasses with a towel. He quickly put down the glasses and come over. Apart from Torac, there were only three other dwarves, eating a late breakfast together. They looked like hunters or farmers, wearing a course, brown leather. They carried no visible weapons, but Roger could see the bulge from a dagger under their coats.They also looked surprised to see the king but quickly finished when they saw the guards.

"What can I do for you, my majesty?" asked Torac.

"Well, we're not eating lunch here. But if you'll be so kind, please pack Roger some meat in this pack. He's considered free and will need food to travel home." answered the king, handing Torac a yellow,small backpack with a lot of pockets. Torac took the pack and went behind the bar, disappearing into a small room. They could here some noise coming from there.

"Wait here. I need to get something. Oh, and I need one of you guards to spread the news that Roger was ruled free. Anyone who tries to kill of kidnap him will be executed," commanded the king. He went to the stairs and quickly disappeared. Roger waited, watching as the three other dwarves stacked their plates on the bar, and shouldered past them as they left. Torac came back, this time the yellow backpack bulging. The smell of raw and cooked meat wafted to Roger.

"This is for you, Roger. And where did the king go?" asked Torac. He handed the pack, now bulging with meat, to Roger. Roger took it and noted appreciatively on how it weighed a lot. Torac looked around, trying to see where the king went. And then they heard the king thumping down the stairs. Roger and Torac both turned, to find the king holding the red backpack. The one with all the gold and treasure.

The king came up to Roger and handed him the gold. "Here, you can have this. Just make sure you don't tell or let anyone see you."

"Oh, thanks! I never thought I would see that again," Roger said gratefully. To think that the gold caused all this trouble. He held the meat in his left hand, and the gold in his right. He reached in and grabbed one gold coin before zipping the pack. Then, deciding which was more important, he slung his gold unto his back.

He gave Torac the coin. "This is for the meat and letting me sleep here." explained Roger. Torac took it, eyeing him appreciatively.

"Thanks, Roger. Out of all the humans, I think your the best. Rest assured I will be telling my children about how I once housed the famous human thief," he said, his eyes twinkling.

"Well, I guess the farewells are done. I can't be gone for long, so lets get going!" said the king.

One day later...

Roger walked, quivering with anticipation. The backpack with gold weighed Roger down considerably. The yellow pack, which he held in his hands, was light. Having feasted ravenously, the packs supply rapidly diminished.

Roger was alone, as the king had gone back after showing Roger out of the city and to the spot where Roger was ambushed previously. He remembered how anxious he was to get home and show his family the gold.

He cleared the trees, and smiled. His family was outside his home. His parents was sitting on a parch, watching the sky. They seemed sad, and Roger realized that they were worried about him. His brother was farther out, picking some berries. They didn't see him yet, grinned roger mischievously. Reaching down, he grabbed a pine cone. Then, contemplating what to do, decided to throw the cone at his brother. It hit him on the back and he yelped.

Then his entire family turned and shouted when they saw him. His brother rushed and tackled him, while his parents smiled. The sun was shining and the birds sang. In that moment, Roger knew that his family was more important to him than the gold. And he just knew, that the entire time in the dwarven kingdom, he had tried to escape, just to be with his family again.