1061 New Era.
150 years before the birth of Geralt of Rivia.
Mahakam.
Mount Carbon.
Several days later.
Merinelteratsin, also known as Merlin.
Things were going according to the outcome I had predicted.
Either I’m that smart, or the locals are that predictable…
Or I studied well in my past life and understand how social interactions work…
It doesn’t really matter, only the result matters.
After that memorable chugging of four mugs of one of the dwarves’ strongest ales, rumors about the unusual elf spread like wildfire.
Especially considering the fact that the tavern keeper Einar sent us to more prestigious places of roughly the same kind — to drink, chat, and maybe eat.
It wasn’t a restaurant or a café yet, but it was no longer a simple tavern.
Something in between, unique to the dwarves.
And in these places, we also pleasantly shocked the public by actively drinking.
I even started slowly plying Nimue with alcohol to make sure they heard about us.
Though, my companion herself bet she could drink more than me, and that she was such a strong dragoness that dwarf alcohol was nothing to her…
And what was the result?
I was the only one left standing, the dwarves were in total shock, and in my arms was a drunken elfess muttering something, who was actually a huge multi-ton scaly machine of death under a disguise.
A disguise I already wanted to take off and fly…
A real itch…
It was in this state that we were found, so to speak, by knowledgeable people and, at the same time, messengers of important people who had heard the rumors.
Right on the porch of one of the taverns, yes.
“Master Merlin?” a gnome of no less businesslike appearance inquired matter-of-factly…
And oh god, how much the Witcher gnomes resemble the goblins and, partially, the house-elves of Harry Potter!
Long, even floppy ears, a long nose…
And that businesslike grip…
“The very same, Master…” fighting with all my might against the encroaching intoxication, I asked in as even a tone as possible.
Damn it…
He must have timed it for when I can’t think at full capacity…
“Percival Wittelsbach.
I have the honor of being a hired employee and authorized representative of the great Fu Clan,” the representative of the third most senior race on the Continent, after dragons and vrans respectively, introduced himself with dignity.
“And the honor is mine to make such an acquaintance…” I nodded slightly in return, recalling that yes, Fu was indeed one of the most numerous clans in Mahakam.
They own their own city and mines, smelters, steel mills…
In short, everything that Mahakam is famous for throughout the rest of the world.
You could go further and say that it’s because of clans like this that this mountain range got such a reputation.
“I have the opportunity to speak for the Fu Clan on certain matters that might interest you…” running a careful, penetrating gaze over my face and clothes, the far-from-young gnome was clearly assessing my solvency.
“Your clan is mainly engaged in smithing and mining…
Of course, that’s if we oversimplify greatly,” feeling the alcoholic fog beginning to thicken, I decided to get down to business.
“Our interests lie in a slightly different field of activity.”
“Yes, architecture and construction,” the long-nosed gnome showed his understanding, since I hadn’t mentioned exactly what I was interested in from the dwarves at every step.
“Exactly.
I am still…” I furrowed my brow slightly.
I had overdone it with the drink after all; I could have drunk less with the locals over the last few days.
“Still interested in the creators, but unfortunately…” I sighed and spread one hand, as the other was holding the peacefully snoring Nimue.
“That’s not the field of activity of the esteemed Fu Clan.”
“Of course, it’s not our main direction,” the gnome corrected me, and only thanks to my dragon reflexes did I notice a slight smile on his face that flickered for a moment.
“But I ask you not to underestimate the connections of our clan, which can act as an intermediary in such a matter.
And I’ll note — the other clans are still just watching you, while we decided to show trust and initiative…”
“As a guest in this place, I appreciate that,” I continued our diplomatic relations.
“But probably, other clans…
Could make up for such a fault.” Judging by how the gnome’s long nose drooped slightly, he was clearly unhappy that I wasn’t a trusting idiot, even though I looked young.
Because I was practically telling him in plain terms that the Fus shouldn’t get too cocky, and other clans could offer no worse terms.
“Rest assured, two sorcerers can be of much greater help to us than to other clans…” the gnome’s eyes flashed as he went on the offensive.
“And this will prompt the Fu Clan to show much greater loyalty to you than others…” the word ‘rivals’ practically hung in the air.
“…even if they wanted to.
But the details, of course, I can only tell after…”
“I’ve heard about the problems your esteemed Fu Clan has with various monsters and creatures in your mines and cities…” I interrupted the excited gnome in a soft tone, leaning forward slightly and flashing my dragon eyes.
The effect of the elongated pupils was caused by the same banal thing — the fear of damaging my eyesight during metamorphism.
“And since there’s no point in hiding that we are sorcerers…” I thought for a moment, but soon regretfully dismissed the idea of curing the alcoholic fog with sorcery.
There are witnesses here; they can’t hear, but they could see.
“It’s worth noting that we are quite good at combat magic, as we are students of aep Dabair himself, and even here they must have heard of him.”
“Students?..” the gnome muttered with a note of surprise slipping through.
He didn’t know, he just didn’t know!
“That changes things somewhat…
But one way or another, Master Merlin.
Since you are aware of some temporary troubles of our clan, I suggest we discuss them in a more…
Decent place.”
“I have nothing against it.
Besides, my companion has immersed herself too deeply in the study of…
Local cultural traditions,” I smiled slightly, drawing a smirk from the gnome, who clearly liked that phrasing.
How little it takes for the people and non-humans of the Middle Ages to be happy, honestly…
Hoisting the barefoot Nimue into my arms, I followed the gnome, who trotted along on his short legs toward one of the countless corridors.
* * *
Residence of the dwarven Fu Clan.
The next morning.
After letting us sleep it off, and then allowing us to privately cure our hangovers with magic, the local Very Important Men and Women summoned us to them.
On Earth, I would have been much more nervous meeting someone of the same level of power and responsibility…
But when you have a clear awareness that you could burn such an interlocutor to a crisp with magic, everything becomes much easier.
I won’t even mention returning to my dragon form…
Because the meeting place turned out to be too small even for Nimue, let alone my bulk?..
“Esteemed Merlin, esteemed Nimue,” began the dwarf seated at the head of a solid semicircular stone table, its inner curve facing us.
“I am glad to see you accepted our invitation to discuss certain matters…
I am Gunnrad Fuchs, current head of the Great Clan Fuchs.”
“Greetings, esteemed Fuchs,” I replied with a light, meaningless smile, taking the seats offered to us.
And not flimsy wooden stools, but quite solid and sturdy chairs, painted and undoubtedly expensive.
“I must ask you to demonstrate your sorcery, for the final reassurance of both agreeing parties,” Gunnrad requested, exchanging glances with those seated at the table.
Dwarves take the matter of sorcerers very seriously.
Simply because for every thousand human or elven sorcerers, they have one.
And currently, there seem to be none at all in Mahakam, so sorcerers were more than in demand here.
Excellent skills and physical strength, combined with the best equipment, solve most of the dwarves’ and gnomes’ problems…
But sometimes there are moments where magic is indispensable.
“I suppose…” now it was our turn to exchange glances with Nimue.
“Will this convince you sufficiently?” I ignited a nearly perfect sphere of fire above my palm, tilting my head slightly to the side.
The Golden Dragoness merely grinned and did the same, causing the dwarves to lean back somewhat from such…
a vivid demonstration of our talents.
“Mhm.
We have no further doubts,” the head of the Fuchs clan pronounced, met with the agreeing and satisfied nods of the other dwarves and even one gnome.
“Then I will briefly outline our wishes for the application of your sorcerous abilities and skills…
For some time now, a considerable number of various monsters have appeared in one of our mines, which are completely hindering further work.
And alas, but…” the head exchanged a glance with the only dwarf in armor and received a grim nod from him.
“That is their territory, and we are losing many warriors, which is not to our benefit.
Various resources can be earned, but obtaining new troops is far more difficult.
However, I think you understand this as…
students of the elven Elder.”
“And you decided that sorcerers, who so conveniently turned up, could help you with this matter?” I concluded logically, leaning back in my chair.
“Precisely,” Gunnrad confirmed directly, stroking his considerable beard.
“We drew this conclusion based on the fact that you arrived just the two of you and showed no wariness during your entire stay.
You also carried no weapons, so your profession was the obvious conclusion.”
Clever.
This was exactly what I had counted on.
The masses, due to the lack of magic use, couldn’t possibly guess such a thing, but sentients who saw the whole picture and held power caught on instantly.
Given the demand for sorcerers among the dwarves, they would quickly decide to use us…
They even brought us before the very head of one of the strongest clans…
However, sorcerers have always been close to the powerful — their scarcity and usefulness saw to that.
“We are quite good at battle magic,” I remarked, not bothering to clarify that we were equally poor at alchemy, runes, enchantment…
and other such things.
After all, two years is little even for battle magic, let alone anything else?
Even ninety-year-old sorcerers can’t master everything.
“But the one burning question remains — payment for our labors.”
“We know you came here for…
Architects and stone masters…” the dwarf reminded me of his awareness again.
“That is a rather unusual desire, given that you elves prefer to build your own palaces — and you don’t build fortifications at all…” a noticeable note of reproach crept into the bearded man’s voice.
“I had no doubt you would draw the right conclusions,” I snorted almost inaudibly, and, cupping my chin with my fingers, continued with curiosity: “But first, allow me to ask why you didn’t choose human sorcerers?
Even if we exclude those who serve the human kings dreaming of taking you as vassals…” at this point, the dwarves’ faces became thoroughly displeased.
“There are still many who, like you, maintain neutrality?
Besides, there are also witchers.”
“Oh!
Here I’ll even speak a bit…
We don’t trust the human race…
You elves, though you drove us into the mountains in your time, yet…” he gestured around the richly decorated room.
Various paintings, hanging weapons, carvings, fabrics…
In short, expensive and rich, with constant inclusions of their clan’s coat of arms.
“This allowed us to prosper even more.
Besides…
You are at least understandable.
Your motives are clear and familiar to us, unlike those of humans.
They are very…
different.
And sometimes they are guided in their deeds and desires by things completely unfamiliar and incomprehensible to us.
After all, we have known you for millennia, and them…
One and a half dwarf or gnome lifespans…
And among you, there are those born even before their appearance!
And the witchers…
Witchers are incomprehensible beings, and besides, they had some problems of their own…”
“Thank you for satisfying my curiosity,” I nodded gratefully, glancing at Nimue.
After all, it was mostly for her sake that I asked that question.
Although I myself didn’t know a few details that would be useful to me in the future.
“Then let’s move on to the contract under which you are hiring us.”
“Yes, your compensation,” Gunnrad Fuchs agreed with me, tapping his fingers on the table.
“State in more detail your desire for architects and stone workers…”
“Speaking briefly and to the point — you will need to properly arrange one large cave in the Blue Mountains,” I began, pulling out a parchment with preliminary sketches and a list of wishes, then handing it to the gnome who scurried over to me on errands.
He checked the paper from all sides for poisons, and, convinced there was nothing there, passed it to our interlocutor, who spent several minutes peering and reading through what was shown.
unusual,” the dwarf said diplomatically, though his expression made it obvious he wanted to cry out in dismay and understand why exactly this was needed.
“I suppose you won’t tell us why you need…
something like this?”
“I’m afraid that’s an internal matter of Shaerrawedd,” I diplomatically pinned it all on the state that would be abandoned by the elves in about five years.
Simlas is already preparing a new place of residence near the Blue Mountains and moving resources there.
And essentially, our draconic affairs and his affairs too, since we are sort of allies in some matters.
“And you will allow the builders to know of this place’s existence?” the dwarf asked distrustfully.
“Honestly, esteemed Fuchs…
You yourself just spoke about the relations between the races of the Continent…
You are not interested in expansion or external affairs beyond this mountain range.” I spread my hands, smiling with my eyes closed and my head slightly tilted.
“We have nothing to divide, and no reason to feud either.
Besides, dwarves and gnomes are also among the Elder Races, and have concepts of honor and dignity, unlike most humans…”
Of course, badmouthing my former race isn’t very cool, but…
Medieval humans are extremely far from the ones I know.
Culture, society, language, behavior…
The only thing we have in common is appearance, and that’s it.
My former contemporaries are much closer to the current elves with their love of freedom than they are to the local humans!..
Well, and thinking purely pragmatically — it’s very convenient to lean on the unity of the Elder Races and contrast them with humans in moments like these.
If I really need to, I can badmouth the elves and the short folk too.
“Well, it’s no wonder you have letters of credence from your Elder.
You certainly know how to talk…” the clan leader tried not to show it, but his people aren’t very good at hiding emotions.
So I saw him actually straighten up from the praise.
“We agree to arrange something like that…
Depending on how much you help us.
The more you do, the better your project will be.
Everything will be fair and square, tit for tat.”
“Then we have an agreement, esteemed Gunnrad.” I exchanged glances with the frankly bored Nimue, then turned back to the bearded short-statured man.
“Will you need time, or can we head to the place that needs to be cleansed of monsters and beasts right now?”
“Clan Fuchs believes in your abilities, esteemed sorcerers, but if you should valiantly lay down your heads, I would not want to explain myself to the esteemed Simlas Finn aep Dabair,” the dwarf shook his head.
“We will gather troops to assist and support your sorcery; this will take a couple of days.
In the meantime, you will be considered our honored guests, who are welcome.”
“Yes, one more thing.
We need to extend your permission to stay here…
I’m afraid it expired yesterday…” I spread my hands, smiling guiltily.
“Ha!
Esteemed sorcerer, you need not worry about such trifles while you are under the protection of our great clan,” Gunnrad said proudly, straightening up even more.
The other dwarves and the gnome supported him with agreeing nods and substantial strokes of their impressive beards.
Having concluded the preliminary agreements, we found ourselves back in the shared quarters allocated to us.
It seems the dwarves have an inkling about the nature of the relationship between a mixed-sex pair of elves, hmm…
“You were surprisingly polite with them…” Nimue finally voiced her pent-up surprise, sprawling out on the featherbeds and pillows in her favorite pose.
“But you’re not my father; you don’t like these…” the word ‘bipeds’ hung in the air.
“That much.”
“And your father doesn’t like them much either.
But the nuance here is different.
Politeness, like threats, are two sides of the same coin called persuasion.
And you need to flip that coin at the right moment.
It’s not difficult, and the effect will be significant,” I stated my point of view, somewhat surprised that this wasn’t an obvious thing for most sentient beings.
“A fool will use only one, but a wise man will use both,” Nimue immediately said in a thoughtful tone.
“A very, very good expression,” I nodded with satisfaction, once again feeling more like a teacher than a future partner to Nimue.
Although…
What’s to stop a teacher and student from being in a relationship, if it’s all fine by the law?
We’re not in some anime where a Japanese MC trope chooses some quarrelsome peers over a magnificent teacher.
Hachiman Hikigaya, that’s a dig at you!..
“Besides…” I continued, after using a small breeze to make sure there were no various hidden holes for spying on guests.
“This isn’t our territory, and we should be good guests.
We have to interact with someone not of our race in every way and more.
Since we’ve agreed that we’re not ordinary lazybones who only love four things: eating, sleeping, hoarding gold, and scaring someone.”
“You know…
Against the backdrop of what the bi…
the locals do…
even this starts to seem like a meager set of desires and actions for our lifespans…
And we live longer…” the blonde person shook her head with noticeable sluggishness, cupping her neat chin with her fingers.
“Following your favorite logical chains…
The longer you live, the more time you have, the more time you can spend on a greater number of actions…
And limiting yourself to the four you mentioned…
Somehow…”
“Exactly,” I said, inwardly rubbing my hands together, and began to implement my party policy.
“So we can devote a whole heap of time to studying the only thing worthy of our kind, and the only thing that can occupy our long lives.”
“Magic…” the golden-eyed person nodded in agreement, collapsing back onto the pillows.
“After we return, we’ll delve into it much deeper than we do now.
Probably…
Yes…
You’re right.
It’s much deeper than just a simple means of enhancing forms like ours, as I dared to think.”
“Splendid…
But for now, let’s recall all the underground creatures we know of.
I don’t want to be unpleasantly surprised later by beings half-forgotten even by the elves…”