AKOLOMAR JOINS THE EXPEDITION​
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Kowin looked down upon his blade- pathetic. Unscratched, gold laced, elegant. What kind of a gift ribs you from the marks of your accomplishments? And not just this sword... but the armor! This shiny, perfect armor. Wretched.what if the scars they hide? The stab wounds of the previous war, the Indrik bite from that hunt, the gash across the shoulder from the previous king’s guard... ah how he missed him. Kowin still remembered the glee on that king’s guard’s face when he challenged him to that duel. How they scurried away like giddy children- how they ate together just before the combat.
The only thing better than dying gloriously in battle is winning one. Kowin still remembered the slight smile in his adversaries face right after Kowin pierced his heart- it was a good death. Ahh... you just don’t find many like that king’s guardsmen these days... and what is the reward? Sitting in the royal chamber waiting... watching... clad in shiny things and bored to death. Maddening. Why is it considered treason to challenge the king to a duel?
Kowin’s thoughts were interrupted by a goblin hastily walking in and kneeling before the throne:
“Oh great Orc King Akeer, renowned in combat and with no equal, I bring a message from the Mithril Allince to the north.” The king began to scowl. Kowin never did much care for the little people, and those festering goblins reeked of cowardice. “The Alliance requests your aid great king...”
Akeer slowly began to rise from his throne “And the Alliance promises payment of three wagons of Mithril for your service.”
Akeer slowly sat back in his seat. His scowl turned to a slight smile, as he mulled this over. Kowin didn’t much care for more shiny metals. After a short silence, an advisor orc beside the king spoke out “And what is asked of us in Akolomar for this payment”
The goblin rose his gaze to look upon the advisor “Rumors of the discovery of the Far-Seer have spread across the nearby lands, and as the Alliance is caught in a war, we cannot spare the troops in locating and possessing the tower. For this we ask of you.”
The King’s smile turned serious, as he rose from his throne. He raised his staff, and beat it upon the stone floor, ringing out throughout the chamber. The advisor spoke once again, “We Akolomarans agree to the terms of this agreement, but will require our payment prior to this task.”
“Yes, your highness,” the goblin dropped his gaze again “We expected such, and thus the Mithril is now sitting outside the place doors, covered in hay to look like hay wagons.”
Kowin beamed from ear to ear. For too long has there been peace- for too long there was naught for sport but the hunting of stag and the rare Indrik. Oh how he hoped, that there would be others wanting the tower as well. Ones who would not give it up without a fight. Steady now Kowin, we must fight the urge to become drunk with hope.