Don Pedro was the first of the others to enter the room.
“Why are there 4 chairs here?” He asked, “If I knew you would bring lackeys, I would have brought some of my own”
“Only one is a lackey," D3 replied, “His purpose will be to report on a threat he has been studying.”
“I heard that sir,” Hans said as he entered the room with a small stack of papers.
“His word, not mine,” D3 said, “Is Dark Two with you?”
“He will be arriving momentarily, sir.”
“‘Lackey’ is an accurate one, I do presume, if you collect intel for him. Don Pedro, by the way, nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine sir.” Hans replied.
“Please have a seat while we wait for Two’s arrival, he needs to hear this too.” D3 said.
With that Don Pedro sat down in the chair facing the door while Hans took the opposite one. D3 took a swig of rum just before Dark Two entered.
“Have I missed anything?” he said as he took the final empty seat.
“No, we were waiting for you,” D3 replied.
“Morning, Lord Clan Master,” Don Pedro said, scoffing slightly.
“Good morning Don,” Two replied calmly.
“Now that we are all here, Hans, would you care to report on your findings for us?” D3 asked.
“Of course, sir. I have done some preliminary examinations of the fortress and have found that there may be more to the foul magicks than we originally expected.” Hans replied.
“Don’t mind me, I am completely friendly…” Don Pedro said.
“We know that,” D3 said glancing at Don, “Continue.”
“Over the years the magicks that have been gathering here have seeped into the very rock itself,” Hans said as he passed around some pages, “I have found that, in some places, they seem to have softened the rock.”
“What?” Two interjected.
“I’m not sure if the masons will be happy or horrified by that,” D3 commented.
“Probably both,” Don replied, “But I will get to that in time, please, go on.”
“From what I can tell the magicks have been warping the very fabric of reality around and within DoomFortests,” Hans said, “It is what I believe caused the recent temporal reset.”
“Please, elaborate on this temporal issue.” D3 said.
“I originally arrived on the 28th of Malachite last year, however, as I’m sure you all know, I arrived on the 27th of Slate instead. I have lived out the year 1069 twice.”
“Most odd. Don Pedro, what do you know of this?” D3 asked.
“I know it is not our doing,” Don replied, “But I wish to address that at the end of the meeting. All I can say is that Regenreich is finally starting to take this place seriously, partly due to my requests, and partly because of how…um…unusual this place is.”
“Unusual? How?” D3 said, “Aside from the obvious.”
“All in due time,” Don said, “All in due time…Let the honourable gentleman finish his report first.”
“Very well. You may continue Hans.”
“Thank you,” Hans replied, “I believe the magicks may have played a part in the number of Forgotten Beasts that have appeared over the years as well as the recent occurrence with the levitating dwarf. I believe it may have also contributed to the 'heresy battle' that ensued. What I ask is that you do your own examinations while I complete mine. We need to know the extent of what is going on here.”
“Very well then. Once we have figured this out, we need to deal with this issue. I assume we have the cooperation the Regenriech in this?” D3 asked.
“Yes and No. You have my cooperation. I have cooperation of Regenreich,” Don said, “I discussed this with the Clan master some time ago.”
“Good enough for our purposes I suppose.” D3 said.
“I will do what I can,” was Two’s simple reply.
“One more thing,” Hans said, “We should prepare an escape plan. We do not know when or even if the rock around us will collapse but it is best that we not take any chances.”
“I had a tunnel dug out years ago for that purpose. I will check to make sure it is still there,” D3 said, “I will make certain to reinforce it if it is still intact.”
“Correction: you need an escape plan. And I already have some... starts in that department, but once again, at the end,” Don said.
“Now, on to the next matter,” D3 said, “I have done my best to provide the requested materials to you during my reign. What exactly do you intend to do it them?”
“Well, I suppose I owe you that much... consider it the prize for winning that round of the Game...” Don said, “Devilish code by the way, truly evil, if I may say so... I intend to bring stability to this place, by any means necessary. Those materials will provide a foundation for said stability. After that is done I shall withdraw from this place and let mortals do as mortals will...”
“I hope your planned stability will help with the other problems,” D3 said, “By the way, what do you mean by stability?”
Don Pedro chuckled slightly before saying, “Sustainability, safety for citizens and guests, economic and cultural progress... I could throw more buzzwords that Sales Department would use but I will be honest with you. We want this place to support dwarves, and have them be alive and happy, as long as it is possible. That means giving you the means to defend yourselves, without our further involvement, from whatever threatens your lives.”
“Very well then,” D3 replied, “Now I think it was time you were enlightened at to my plans. Tell me, Don Pedro, do you agree that it is wasteful for dwarves to war with each other over petty differences?”
“It is a loaded question, my friend, and my answer is even more loaded. I have walked a thousand worlds. Seen potential of millions of sapient races. Most of them destroyed by their own hubris. But I have also seen what happens when absolute order is implemented, where no dispute is had, for all is the same,” Don said, “And trust me, you do not wish to see it.”
“That is not my goal. My goal is for a unified dwarven race.”
“Noble idea, but the line is thin,” Don replied, “If you wish I will talk with you later about this... although I would rather discuss it with your Mom”
“We don't seek to dominate the world. That just seems like entirely too much trouble to be worth it,” D3 said, “We shall discuss this later. For now all you need to know is this, we don't intend to end all conflict, merely find a way to resolve it in a less wasteful manner.”
“Good,” Don said, “Now I have a few things to say, if nobody minds.”
“Go on.”
“As I said Regenreich has increased the priority of this project,” Don continued, “Once I get the Rutile Hat we will be put into a special state that is going to be more or less beneficial for duration, but may cause some... discomfort and confusion akin to what Hans has experienced. I assure you it is nothing to worry about, it is not harmful... unless you are one of our enemies that is. It will work more or less as if everything has slowed down, from water flow, to temperature, to even physical processes... apart from dwarves. That is all, I just wished to warn you, I’m not sure if there will be any possibility of it later...”
“Very well,” D3 replied, “So long as it does not harm the fortress.”
“Does the Clan Master have anything to say?” Don asked.
“Not right now,” Two said.
“Well then, if you’ll excuse me I have some paperwork to do,” Don said.
“Very well. I believe we are done here,” D3 replied, “Actually, take this coin of yours back.”
“What for? I do not need it.”
“I have no need, and it's not so pretty for me to want it.”
“Give it to a random person then, I can make more on demand,” Don replied.
“Who would it be funny to give it to? Also, Hans, don't wander off, I have an assignment for you."
“Of course sir.”
“Oh, I have an idea...” Don suggested, “How about our dear Inquisitor? I feel that he will be a major pain in my ethereal arse...That should confuse him a bit.”
“Sounds good. If you need something from him, let me know. I have certain strings I may be able to pull.....” D3 replied.
“I need him to stop being a theocrat,” Don said, “But I suppose that will not happen... Either way, good day.”
“Before you go,” Hans said, “If you ever wish to chat idly about mortals and their follies. I’m always up for a good laugh.”
Don Pedro simply nodded as he left the room, followed closely by Dark Two.
Hans then turned back to D3, “Now what is this assignment sir?”
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Topic: The Hastening of Doomforests (Read 432296 times)