Isaac could feel the carriage jostling along the old roads that dominated the north. They were built by the empire at its height by its Dwarven architects but now they were unkept and unmaintained. They were covered with bumps, holes and divots and the sides were beginning to be reclaimed by nature.

  He began to slowly open his eyes only to realize it wasn't the movement of the cart that woke him but his steward gently shaking his shoulder. Isaac rubbed the sleep from his eyes and attempted to take in his surroundings.

  “What is it, Chauncey? Where are we? In the city?” He asked impatiently before his eyes could adjust and allow him to see for himself.

  “No, Master Isaac. We're outside the city still but we're crossing the construction of the canal. You told me to inform you when we got this close.” The steward informed Isaac.

  “Right. I did say that.” Isaac sat up straight, stretched, and looked around.

  They began to approach a bridge that was built not even a year ago. It was obviously newer in comparison to most of the old roads they took. It was larger than any bridge Isaac could recall in his personal memory or historical studies. It was a drawbridge of massive size that dropped down on both sides to meet in the middle. It was a marvel of engineering and perhaps the biggest bridge ever built but that wouldn't surprise Isaac. It had to cross over an immense excavation site. It was a cut into the earth that was incredibly deep, wide, and stretched eastward beyond visibility.

  On the West side of the bridge was a dam that did not lack in size either. A massive double door of modern dwarven engineering like its drawbridge counterpart. It matched the height and width of the excavation of earth below the bridge. On its other side it held back a vast lake.

  Beyond the bridge, on the northwest horizon, sitting on the edge of the great lake stood Syagon. It was the capital of the Kingdom Isaac served and where he had been called back to.

  The carriage almost made its way to the edge of the bridge and Isaac could see numerous humans and dwarves working tirelessly throughout the excavation. His eyes scanned across looking for one specific individual. He suddenly without warning stood up and started making his way to exit the carriage while it was still in motion. His personal steward, Chauncey and the other steward sent to retrieve him both immediately panicked trying to grab at Isaac as he dodged their attempts.

  “By the Gods!” Chauncey said nearly falling out of his seat trying to put Isaac in his. “Don't fall!”

  “Isaac! Sit down this instant!” The 2nd steward yelled, sounding more worried about another delay.

  The driver of the carriage took note of the commotion behind him and began to slow the cart to a stop.

  “We were due back at around noon today and it's clearly past noon.” Isaac said as he swung the carriage door open and began to slide out as soon as the cart slowed enough for him to do so. “Late is late and late is typical of me. I'm sure a few minutes will make no difference. I'll still be late no matter what.” He trudged off quickly without looking back to avoid their annoyed looks and yelled back to them. “I'll be right back!”

  He went straight to the closest set of wooden scaffolding and climbed his way down to below the bridge. It took a few minutes as Isaac avoided looking down as he took the various ramps and ladders. He sighed with relief when he reached the bottom and began to walk around aimlessly.

  He looked at each dwarf that passed him and the others in his vicinity and ignored the taller humans. None seemed familiar and there were thousands at work. Isaac finally stood frozen, overwhelmed by the loud noise and constant commotion. This must be what a battlefield feels like.

  A gravelly warm voice yelled from deep within the crowd at the heart of the chaos. “Isaac!”

  Isaac searched for the source and finally found who he was looking for. A dwarf with long dark scraggly hair and a bushy beard. He was taller than most dwarves but shorter than the average man at around 5 feet tall. “Thrawn!” Isaac's slender frame allowed him to slip through the crowd quickly and he paid attention to avoid the heavy carts filled with construction materials. Finally he reached his friend.

  They reached out to each other and they clasped arms. “It's a busy day I see.” Isaac yelled over the noise of the crowd.

  “Winter’s coming fast and we can't work in snow and ice.” Thrawn said with a huge grin across his face. Isaac couldn't remember a time he wasn't smiling in some way. “We won't be done this year but I think there's a chance we could be wrapping up as early as next spring.” Thrawn looked around inspecting his surroundings before covering the side of his mouth with his free hand and whispering loudly. “Long as no one else gets in my way and things go according to my plans.” He laughed loudly amused by himself.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Isaac spoke to Thrawn as they made their way to an area with a canopy for the overseers of the site. “You got more people though. You did say you were lacking manpower a couple weeks ago. Did they fulfill your request?”

  They sat at a table and enjoyed their escape from the bright sun, loud noise, and chaos around them.

  Thrawn signaled to a person nearby and two tankards of water were brought over as he spoke. “I need Dwarves and they keep sending me more humans.” He lifted his tankard and nearly downed it in one go then slammed it into the table. “I have no hate for humans and you know this. I probably should but really I don't. My problem is - they don't like working for me. They're too damn good to take direction from any dwarf let alone my outspoken ass.”

  He signaled for a refill by lifting his tankard and shaking it sporadically. He pointed at Isaac's cup and raised his eyebrows in question. Isaac's cup was still filled to the brim so Isaac waved his hand refusing more.

  Thrawn continued leaning forward on the table as a man refilled his tankard. “The only thing I've seen them do well here is complain. Complaining about dwarves getting paid the same as them or god forbid more. Complaining about me and not a human being in charge of all this. Then complain more when they're asked to work as hard as the dwarf next to them.” He leaned back and ran his fingers through his matted hair. “I need Dwarves. They respect me. Look up to me. They're happy to be paid a fair wage for good work and even happier to be led by their kin. How hard is that to understand?”

  “Not very to me at least but then again we're not the politicians we're dealing with.” Isaac said as he finally took a long sip of his drink.

  Thrawn's smile widened but felt a little more fake now as he began to look over Isaac's shoulder. “Speaking of them.” He said quietly then he waved and yelled at someone behind Isaac. “Nathaniel! How are you today?”

  Isaac nearly spit out his drink but instead only choked on it a little as he stood to address the well groomed man.

  Unlike Thrawn, Nathaniel never smiled and wore glasses hanging on the tip of his nose and he peered over them constantly. He was surrounded by his assistants and subordinates each taking vigorous notes and talking amongst themselves while they followed him. He always managed to make himself stand out as the most dignified but Isaac could never seem to point out how.

  “Nathan! What a surprise.” Isaac reached out to shake his hand.

  “Nathaniel please.” He corrected Isaac while ignoring his hand. He instead walked around Isaac to stand at the side of the table. “and I'm not surprised to see you here.” He gestured to Isaac's chair. “Please take a seat.”

  Isaac felt like a child who had been scolded as he sat back in his chair. “I was only stopping for a moment to ask how things have been while I was gone.” He began pleading lightly. “I was just seeing if Thrawn knew about anything. The King requested I return from my trip early so it must be important.”

  “So important you make a stop to chat along the way?” Nathaniel looked at Isaac annoyed and as Isaac went to explain further Nathaniel interrupted him and kept speaking. “It doesn't matter anyway. I can tell you everything. The request was issued by me at the King’s approval. I'll be leaving later today as part of a delegation going to Foremere for an event. You have been formally asked to be present at this event as well.”

  The little cheerful demeanor that Isaac had left disappeared. “I serve this Kingdom as a court advisor and mage. Why do I need to be in a delegation going across the continent?”

  “Because you're not in the delegation for Foremere. You'll be meeting with someone else who's attending this event. Adam Reacher. Have you heard of him?” Nathaniel watched him closely

  “I’ve heard of him.” Isaac replied “He's popular in the south and he's got a lot of curious ideas. I know he's the main leader of The Order.”

  Nathaniel spoke persistently monotone “Well apparently he knows you and he has demanded your presence. He has a lot of sway in the south so I decided it'd be unwise to not bring you. I informed the king and he concurred.”

  “When do we leave?” Isaac asked, clearly upset.

  “We leave as soon as possible. I have people gathering everyone's things that might be necessary for an extended trip. I'm afraid we won't be stopping by the city.” Nathaniel responded.

  Isaac sank in his chair in disbelief as Thrawn across from him laughed at his obvious displeasure.

  “I wouldn't laugh just yet.” Nathaniel said, causing Thrawn to stop laughing immediately and paled over. “Because I just got another request this morning and you'll be joining us.”

  Thrawn immediately crossed his arms as if pouting, and closed his eyes. “I don't know of this Adam fellow and I don't want to.”

  “Good because he doesn't wanna know you either.” Nathaniel said.

  Thrawn peered up at Nathaniel through his thick eyebrows. “Then what in the world am I going for?”

  “King Declan of Foremere personally requested your presence.” Nathaniel explained, “He didn't really give a reason why but he doesn't really need to. His nation is quickly becoming the new dominant one in the southern regions and it's important we build good relations with its leader.”

  Thrawn and Isaac sat quietly staring at each other in front of Nathaniel. Finally Nathaniel interrupted the silence. “Well if there's no more objections or questions we should probably take our leave. Everything should be packed for both of you and it'll be a short ride to the west coast.”

  Thrawn's jaw dropped and he began to look genuinely upset. “The coast? I thought you said it was south on the main continent? Wouldn't we travel over land.”

  Nathaniel was already looking down at his notes avoiding his eyes. “It is in the south of the main continent. It's also on the west coast. It'll be much quicker than anything else taking a ship.”

  Thrawn slumped into his chair appearing miserable. He looked at Isaac for some kind of assistance and Isaac just laughed at his obvious displeasure. His laughter didn't last long.

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