I greet you again this month and hope this finds you well.
PH has designated me as his representative for several months. I’m Limbreth from The Bow of Hart Saga and I’ve been providing my thoughts about fantasy quests for the past few months. This time, there’s less of adventure and more about answering the call to assist your companions in ways you never thought necessary.
Consider well the ways of your companions, for you may find yourself in need of their aid when least expected. The dwarven folk, in particular, are known for their steadfast assistance, since they hold dear to their own traditions. Understanding the proper words to speak and the right moments to act can prove invaluable in navigating sensitive circumstances. Knowing what is expected among dwarves is especially important.
Duliwe answered with the wisp of an answering motion. “Those laggards should have left you to die in the cold. Or to the Rokans for their sacrifices.” He stepped closer. “You’ve been away, while we deal with the hard things, those losses.”
Tordug squinted. No backing down. “I heard rumor of that over in the west. Didn’t know it was so bad. My man helped bring some of the people in from that.”
The other dwarf motioned to Limbreth in the shadows. “That’s not a man.”
“Her? She don’t cow to Rokans either. She backs troll-bands down with nothing but a horse and a spare friend or two.”
Duliwe sniffed and took a long drink with arched brows. “Tell me a better tale, Tordug.”
“Really?” Limbreth spoke in dwarvish with a low growl and challenge in her tone. She stepped into the light.
Tordug almost smiled. Almost. Remember, you stand in for Makwi as my champion.
She stepped past Tordug. “You’d let an ax-maid of the death-grip freeze on a mountainside? The Lord of Chokkra too?” She motioned, palm-up, to Tordug.
Tordug paid her high honor with a flourished bow. He gazed at Duliwe and grinned.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Duliwe laughed and motioned the cup and a glance to Tordug. “You’d let this foreign gell without standing raise your honor for you?”
Limbreth snatched the cup from his hand with a slosh of wine that fell across the right side of her white leathers. She whirled, took one knee, and offered the goblet to Tordug, who took it. Before Duliwe could stir from his surprise, she rose and whirled again, drawing a sword with her left hand and holding the point to the sullen dwarf’s neck. With her other hand, she drew her braid around from her back.
Duliwe’s eyes widened as Limbreth’s trinkets flashed in the firelight. His jaw worked, but he choked on his words.
Sheathing her sword, Limbreth ground her teeth and offered her honor to Duliwe with an ax-maid’s bow and the death-grip salute—left-handed. She followed that with a champion’s flourish and then stood with her arms crossed and legs apart beneath the low rafters—like royalty. “I am Limbreth, Princess of Grendon, Maid of the Ax.” She lifted her left fist. “I grip death.” A sudden thought caught in her mind. “I am the Silver Lady of Auguron and both Patroness and Protector of the Wayfarer on the Road. I stand with my honor, in place of Makwi-angk-tho, for Tordug, Lord of Chokkra. Honor him as you would me! Hear him!”
Duliwe stepped back and reached for the table without looking. His cheek quivered beneath the edge of his beard. He shifted his squinted gaze to Tordug. “How could you let outsiders copy our fashion and tradition without due honor? You can’t just march someone in here with these claims!”
Tordug crossed his arms. “Makwi and I pried the sword from her hand. Makwi has done so again since that time. She is worthy of the honor. Ask your officer, he’s done the same. The whole squad saw her death-grip.”
“What of the verse? Let’s hear that!” Duliwe crossed his arms.
Tordug’s voiced lowered to a growl. “Makwi still composes her honor-verse. You shall hear it when he comes—if it’s ready.”
Last month was one of my faulty moments, but this one I enjoyed well. Tordug and Makwi tutored me well along the trail, much to my embarrassment at times. But once I embraced my dwarven honors, I found use for them as you’ve read. A princess should adapt to circumstances as much as the adventurer. In this case, I acted as both and more. But it was fun! That’s enough for now. I’ll return next time with another piece of adventuring guidance you may find useful.
