Chapter 14
The group was granted permission to pass through the cave owned by Mai. It was already afternoon, and the sun was slowly setting. They stood at the edge of the dragon's domain, with the mountain where Mai resided behind them, while in front of them lay the dwarven land. Before them stretched a vast plain of grass dotted with trees. Some animals grazed peacefully, while others hunted their prey, darting across the grassy expanse.
In the distance, a mountain range loomed, reminiscent of the lands where the group had found Ai and Alex. However, unlike those lands, a city was nestled in the center of this territory—it was the dwarven kingdom, renowned for its hammer and steel, where the craftsmanship of the dwarves was revered.
As the group approached the city, they could see more clearly what it looked like. The city was encircled by walls as tall as the mountains. Within those walls, the front part of the city was bustling with houses, shops, a stadium, and towering buildings. Dwarves moved through the busy streets, buying goods, chatting with one another, and showcasing their strength by lifting large rocks.
Dwarves resembled smaller humans but had distinct body types. Most dwarves were blessed with muscular builds, although some were thinner, particularly the women. The women often had slender bodies, though a few were muscular as well. They wore medieval attire, including tunics, while some men sported handmade armor, showcasing their craftsmanship.
At the back of the city, the mountain range rose majestically. Buildings were attached to the mountains, where high-ranking dwarves resided. On the left side of the range, grand mansions made of rock stood, crafted by master artisans. Lights illuminated the mansions, and the streets leading up to them glowed with additional lighting. Stone bridges connected different mountains, allowing residents to traverse between them without the hassle of descending to the valley below.
At the right side of the back of the city stood a castle that merged with the mountain. Its walls were rocky and black, made of a dark material much harder than normal concrete. At the center of the back side of the city, a statue of a hammer rose, towering as tall as the mountains beside it.
The group approached the main gate of the city, where two dwarven guards stood watch. As the elves—Alex, Ai, and the baby dragon Lana—came closer, the guards pointed their spears at them. Dressed in chainmail armor, the guards looked serious. Alex observed the two dwarves, noting their stature and how they differed from humans; these beings were not the result of a genetic mutation but were a distinct race.
"State your business. Why are you here?" questioned the guard on the left, stepping forward and keeping his spear aimed at the group. Jing dismounted his horse and walked towards the guard, raising both hands to show he meant no harm.
"We aren't here to harm you; we just want to talk," Jing assured, continuing to advance. The guards remained on high alert, but upon noticing Jing's long ears, they recognized him as one of the elven race. Dwarves had welcomed many elves since the Great Merge, noting that the elves who visited were generally peaceful, further easing the guards' tension.
The guards lowered their spears but still looked skeptical. "What business does your group have visiting our city?" asked the guard on the right.
Jing explained their purpose—negotiating a peace treaty with their king.
While Jing spoke, Alex looked around the gate, unfazed by the curiosity of the dwarves peering at them from inside the city. He noted how they regarded the group as if they were aliens. Maya approached Alex, sensing the oddity of being watched. "Isn't it weird to be stared at like you're an outsider?" she asked.
Alex observed the dwarves watching them, but shrugged. "I don't know," he replied. To him, the stares felt familiar; he was used to such scrutiny and found himself indifferent to how others viewed him. It wasn't that he didn't care; rather, he didn't know if he should care about their gazes.
Jing finished speaking with the guards and gestured for the others to approach. They walked over, curious about how the conversation had gone.
The meeting was successful. The guards arranged for someone to inform their king about the negotiations for a peace treaty between the elves and dwarves. They were provided with accommodations for the night, as the king would not be available to negotiate today; it was nearly evening, making it difficult to schedule an appointment.
"So, it will likely be tomorrow?" Leia asked, her exhaustion evident from their journey. She longed to return home, to stay in her room and do nothing, but it seemed her wishes wouldn't be granted just yet.
"Maybe, but the king's duties are demanding, making it hard for him to find time for us," Jing replied, suggesting that they might be staying longer than Leia had anticipated. Her shoulders slumped in response.
"Sir, please follow me. We will lead you to your inn," one of the guards said as he returned, gesturing for the group to follow him.
"Come on, let's go," Jing said as he motioned for the others to follow the guard. They walked through the land of art, where dwarves strived for perfection in their creations.
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Inside the king's castle, a man was at work in his office—the dwarven king. He wore a tunic layered with leather clothing. A middle-aged man, his white hair indicated an unusual trait for the dwarven race, symbolizing to them a blessing from the god of creation.
The only sound in the office was the scratch of his quill against paper. It was a quiet afternoon, and the sun was slowly setting. It felt like just another ordinary day. Suddenly, a guard knocked on the office door.
"Sir, there's someone important who wishes to see you," the guard said, speaking in a formal tone and showing respect, knowing the king managed the city alone.
"Who is it?" the king asked, intrigued.
"It's a group of elves claiming they want to discuss the peace treaty negotiations between the elves and dwarves," the guard replied, his gaze steady and respectful.
The king stopped writing and looked at the guard, signaling for him to continue. "Speak."