Holding the onyx up before me, I used a casting point to enter its depths. It was a very different feeling from the gemstones. Instead of a feeling like I was gliding around inside the gem, this felt like I was trudging around through sand. It did not stop me, but I was often off balance, and it was not as smooth a journey.

  Still, I discovered the available abilities in the onyx, and the rarest option was the stone golem. It could be called upon, perhaps one in a thousand random efforts.

  But my ability was not random, and my command was solid. I called upon the magical golem, a protector spirit of stone and nature.

  The stone flashed a dark purple color, nearly black. It was an unusual special effect.

  I looked up to the king. “I command it with words rather than my mind, so none can question its duty to our hall.”

  I stared at the golem and said in ancient dwarven, “I command that you immediately stand guard at the summoning circle and defend this hall from any evil race or corruption that enters for the period of one year from this hour, at which time you must immediately depart back to where you came.”

  Magical contracts must be clear and have a set start and end time. I did not have much time to do deep readings on this subject, but glancing through the gem book lent to me by the grandmaster jeweler in Keelwell when Jonathan and I met with him, I did learn a few things. My instinct told me that with this level of golem, I could give no more complex instructions than I had and expect it to remain no longer than I demanded. Failure to establish the correct parameters could mean a breaking of the contract, which allowed the golem to run free of its own accord, either to flee or fight as it desired.

  The golem bowed to me and moved to stand at the edge of the circle, right where the captain had stood when we first met yesterday. I made eye contact with the captain, and he smiled and nodded to me.

  I turned back to the king and bowed once more.

  He nodded to me and then turned with a smirk on his lips. “How does the Master’s Council judge this brother’s claims?”

  They talked among themselves for a moment, and then Druella said to them, “Enough. None of you can do what he did. He found the flaw in seconds and pulled forth both rarity and extraordinary rarity effects with a minute’s effort. Vote now so our king might hear the lad out.”

  However they voted, it was not apparent to me. But in less than a minute, she strode over to me and bowed deeply. “You are most welcome, Stone Speaker. I am Druella Ubermafic. I am the guild master of the Copper Mountain gem workers. I invite you to join our guild and the fellowship of the Master’s Council.”

  All eyes turned to me.

  What do I say? I asked Bella.

  Say you gladly accept, you idiot. She laughed.

  I smiled widely and said, “I gladly accept!”

  The dwarves all around the hall erupted into cheers.

  I asked Druella, “Was I supposed to say or do anything else?”

  “You could have given a long speech of acceptance. But I’m glad you chose the simpler path. Too many speeches already today. Don’t you think so?” She asked with a chuckle.

  “I agree,” I said, laughing with her.

  She bowed once more, pulled out a large copper key from her pocket, and handed it to me. “This is my key, I’ll make a new one. This is for you. I’ll explain what it means later.” With that, she turned and walked back among the masters, and all eyes turned to the king.

  “Well,” he started, “now that the question and answer session has ended,” there was laughter among the common folk present, “we shall get to more serious matters.”

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  He sat forward again. “You asked for food and military assistance. This is my decision. Seven hundred seventy-seven dwarves, each from our three active wall brigades, will travel back with you to Keelwell. Each shall carry as much food as they can manage along with their normal equipment. This will provide 2,331 soldiers plus officers. I will also invite one of my trusted commanders to join to lead our defensive forces and advise what we know about combating goblins.”

  One of the soldiers near the king strode forward. “I volunteer for this mission, my king.”

  The king nodded to him. “I had you in mind, General.” He introduced the officer to me. “This is Master General Udebark Ringweaver. A brother. But he is better known as-” and here the king raised his voice at the end and motioned to the people.

  They responded by shouting, “Goblin Smasher!”

  The general looked at me and shrugged. “It's not without merit, but another gave me that title.”

  The king looked offended. “Another? It was none other than a dwarf prince in the making. I’ll thank you for remembering that.” But his smile belied the tone of his voice.

  “As you say, my king.” The general responded.

  King Flavar looked back at me. “Now, let’s talk about the crafting needs. What would you like?”

  I thought about it for a moment. “There are five crafting areas that could use assistance. The humans are working diligently in four of the areas, but lack time and resources.”

  “Name the four areas and then your fifth request.” He said.

  “There is a need for 28pt stones for defense. The best option might be 28pt black onyx to produce an army of golems to defend the walls.”

  “Understood.” He said, “What else?”

  “Gemstones are of especial value to our people, and I would not ask us to part with a single emerald. However, 7pt and 14pt tourmaline for air elemental defense, and 7pt and 14pt topaz for fire elemental attacks would be helpful.”

  “Understood.” He stated without commitment. “What else?”

  “I have a special ability to imbue crystals with first-level mage spells. As many 7pt only crystals that could be produced would be very useful. I have mostly been using them lately for healing spells.”

  “Excellent choice and easily accommodated.” He stated, indicating some level of agreement upon assistance with that particular request. “What is your fourth request?”

  “Many human mages are capable of creating Single Use Spell rings. I am among them. A request for as many pure copper rings usable with simple mage spells of the first and second levels would be gratefully accepted. No human, elf, or other race can create pure copper as our Hold can produce it.”

  There was the thumping of feet and wooden weapon hafts all across the room in agreement with my pronouncement.

  “Most nobly stated and most easily provided. All four of these things, the humans can provide for themselves with range of skill and craftsmanship. What is your fifth request that they cannot accomplish?”

  “My king, I ask for the creation of circlets and bracers made from Dwarven Copper that might be enchanted by the humans and used to defend their warriors, priests, and mages. All of whom will be on the walls defending the city.”

  He was silent for a while. This was a big ask. If dwarves were stingy around gems, they were fanatical about their prized possession, Dwarven Copper.”

  He pointed at me. “Did you craft the circlet, rings, and bracers that you wear?”

  “The bracers were a gift from my human enchanter master, the earrings were a present from my druid mother, I crafted the circlet,” I glanced at my grandfather out of the corner of my eye, “and I crafted the rings,” I stated.

  “And your craftings, they are all Dwarven Copper?” He asked.

  “The circlet and nine of my ten rings are Dwarven Copper made by my own hands,” I replied. “The tenth ring is home to my battle staff.”

  I figured it would not help my case to say that I made the staff myself through elf magic, so I let that pass and overlooked the earrings and bracers being made of Elven Silver.

  “And your word that none have learned how you made them?” He asked carefully.

  Bella, you are certain nobody has discovered the secrets of crafting Darven Copper? I asked as I stood up taller.

  None, Gwydion.

  “My king, I give you my word as a brother, that none know our Hold’s secret among the humans.”

  “And I accept your word as a brother. You are also Elfkin. Do any elves know of our secret?” He asked shrewdly.

  “My king, I give you my word as a brother, that I have not shared or allowed knowledge of our Hold’s secret to any elf, human, or other mortal creature.”

  “Understand that I ask these questions so that all may hear your words, not because any here doubt your honor.”

  “I understand, my king. I take no offense.”

  “As it should be.” He said and sat back on his throne and thought about my requests. It took around five minutes of deliberating, during which time every dwarf and I stood still and awaited his decision.

  He sat up and said, “You asked for food and military assistance. I made my decision. You have asked for crafting assistance. Here is my decision. “No work of dwarven craftsmanship will be demanded of any worker who has created it.”

  My heart sank. I could tell from the number of common people and even masters who stirred that they were surprised and perhaps even saddened.

  “However,” he continued. “I order that for the next twenty-four hours, all craftsmanship of pure copper rings, crystal 7pt gemstones, onyx 28pt gemstones, tourmaline 7pt and 14pt gemstones, and topaz 7pt and 14pt gemstones are the property of brother Gwydion to take back to the city of Keelwell and be used in its defense.”

  People cheered his decision. It was a fair compromise, and because of the way he phrased it, if anyone decided to donate their crafts, they could. They just would not be compelled to do so.

  “Furthermore,” the king announced as the hall quieted. “Furthermore, you will meet with our masters to determine what can be done regarding Dwarven Copper weapons, armor, circlets, torques, bracers, and shields.” He turned to the Masters Council. “While it is in my authority to compel some assistance, I defer to the skill, knowledge, and wisdom of the Master’s Council to devise a plan. Their capacity far exceeds the crown’s in this regard. It is our hope and intention that help is provided, but I leave it to the Masters to decide how this is accomplished.”

  They nodded their approval.

  “Additionally, also at the discretion of the Council, I suggest that this Dwarven Master,” and he pointed at me, “receive an apprentice to travel back with him. The dangers are great, and if the decision is to await the outcome of the city, the crown understands, but a master without an apprentice is like a hammer without a handle.”

  I started to say something, and Bella interrupted, Be silent, Gwydion. He is honoring you highly.

  So I stayed silent.

  The King stood and bowed deeply to the assembled Master’s Council. “My pride has put us at odds from time to time, my cousins. And I won’t pretend that it will not happen again in the future. But today we are united. Pride and shame from me, you, and our people almost cost us everything. Our future. The lives of our wee and those yet to be. We have twenty-four hours to send our brother off with honor. Let’s begin!”

  There was cacophonous shouting and pounding of boots and weapons upon the stone floor. It was a sound that echoed all throughout the great hall and the miles of hallways and rooms beyond.

  The AL whispered into my ear. Enchanter Gwydion earns an ability point and a spell or skill point for advancing the Keelwell Needs Help! quest. Attribute points may be assigned immediately. Spell and skill points must be reclaimed at a guild hall or sanctuary. Dwarven Prestige changes from level negative five, Awful, to level five Estimable. Additions and notes have been added to your Book of Quests that remain unread.

  I thought my answer to the AL. Please place the ability point into Strength.