Discovery: New Beginnings

Amid the dwarven hall’s merriment, two mighty tankards, brimming with sweet brew, were shoved in front of Jarvis and Fenton. Fenton’s slender fingers snapped around the smooth wooden handle without hesitation, but Jarvis pushed his own stein away as a low groan escaped from his throat. As laughter boomed throughout the hall, Ferrek downed the last of his ale. With a belch, the dwarf slammed the empty mug on the table as his mouth curled into a devilish grin. “Bring me another!” With trembling fingers, Jarvis slid his drink toward his guide. “Here’s a fresh one for you.” The dwarven king leaned forward, placing a thick finger against Jarvis’s tankard as his lips drew to a thin line. With a gentle push, the stein reversed its course, stopping just in front of the human leader. His thick finger tapped the stein’s rim while Gilras’s eyes darkened. “It’s impolite to refuse a drink offered freely.” “I wasn’t trying to offend.” Gilras cleared his throat with a hearty growl. “The only excuse not to partake is that something is wrong with what’s been given.” Fenton’s lips spread wide as he lifted his fresh mug. “I’ve never tasted a better brew.” “Agreed,” Jarvis said, pulling the tankard away from the king’s fingers. “Unfortunately, I don’t share your constitution. If I enjoy more of this marvelous ale, I won’t be able to ask what happened to Tarian’s colony.” Ferrek chuckled as an attendant replaced his stein. He drank half the fresh mug and sighed as he laid the stein down and wiped his face with his sleeve. “Gilras, remember all our stories.” “What about them?” Gilras asked as he leaned back in his chair. “Keep in mind our new friends are just like Tarian’s folk from your father’s time. All our tales from that era highlight their inability to match our tolerance or love for grog.” The king stroked his beard as his gaze drifted toward Jarvis. His stubby fingers combed through the thick hair at his neck while a heavy silence settled across the room. “You’re not wrong, but I expected more from this new batch of humans, considering how you described their battles with the horde.” “After all this time, and despite their mighty weapons, they’re still frail in comparison to us.” Ferrek lifted his tankard and tapped Jarvis’s shoulder. “But even if you are on the verge of collapsing, it’s polite to taste every drink given to you.” Jarvis closed his eyes as he lifted the tankard off the table and took a small sip. As he placed it down, he licked his lips as a sigh rushed out. “Now, what can you tell us about Tarian’s colony and what became of it?” “Not much,” the dwarven king said, clasping his hands. “It was a little before my time.” “Your kin was nothing more than legend,” Ferrek said, waving his brew about. Gilras sighed and took a pull from his tankard. “My father, Fitik, ruled during Tarian’s expedition, Jarvis.” “Is he still alive?” “You are fortunate,” Gilras said as he slowly swirled the ale about his stein...