On leaving the village, they can hear the sound of Curtmar and Poltak yelling, "Get back here!"
After a mile of running, the machine slows, largely so Borkin doesn't have to keep holding on.
Borkin let's go and walks alongside Krankos, "Nice, that 'aught to give us some distance, good job laddy."
"You're welcome my friend."
About another half a mile down the road, Borkin begins to feel the full impact of the last few days. "Fuck mi, I'm knackered!" he proclaims.
"What is meant by 'knackered?'"
"I dunno, like, tired, exhausted... Yu'know, jus'... need some rest."
"Why don't you rest then?"
Borkin chuckles, "An' how do ya suppose we do that? ya can't rest 'n' walk at the same time."
"We could stop then so you can rest?"
"Yeah, sure, let's stop 'n' let the horde after us just catch up. Nah, we need to keep going."
"Well... how about you sleep on the cart? I can keep going so we stay on track."
Borkin looks up at Krankos curiously, "What 'bout you? Do ya not need rest?"
"Well… Elmforge don't sleep, we tend to meditate or otherwise relax while the squishes sleep."
Perhaps Borkin would take offence at being called a ‘squishy,’ but he is far too tired to argue, legs wobbling with each step. Instead he replies, "Okay tin man, as long as ya sure. Just wake me up if anything happens."
Krankos nods, "Of course."
Borkin climbs on top of the cart. Whilst uncomfortable, the covers and fabric on the top provide some cushion. Though at this moment in time, Borkin could probably sleep on the gravel road.
Krankos continues to push the cart with Borkin fast asleep for a few miles further. Even Nibbles climbs up onto Krankos's shoulder to get some sleep. It continues following the single track road which seems to stretch for miles. For hours the machine gets to enjoy the peace and freedom, admiring animals on either side of the path and the beautiful scenery.
Walking along, everything going well, Krankos self-congratulates itself for doing a much better job at escorting Borkin than it did protecting the forest.
Then the tranquility of the road is broken to the sound of trotting hooves and horns. Krankos stops to see what is causing all the commotion. In the distance is a battalion of dwarfs. Unlike their encounter with Beewick, these dwarfs are on steeds and look far better prepared for a fight.
Another blow of the horn and a small flock of crows appear outward from the group. They fly towards Krankos and hover, high over their targets.
Although Krankos always enjoyed a good fight, it doesn't want to risk the safety of Borkin and Nibbles. With the commotion, Krankos calls Borkin’s name and shakes both Borkin and the cart; this wakes Nibbles but the most it can get of Borkin is random murmurings.
Krankos looks around but there isn't anywhere nearby to hide, with grassy fields on either side of the road. Up ahead is a forest, "Okay Nibbles, we need to get cover by those trees. If I try to run this cart to where the road meets the trees we can slip away from the dwarfs. Can you try and wake up Borkin?"
Nibbles nods with its signature squeak of agreement as it swoops towards Borkin.
Krankos once again lifts the cart handles and sprints along the path to get closer to the forest. Unfortunately for Krankos, it isn't as easy to get away this time and the dwarfs have already closed quite a large gap.
All the while, Nibbles uses a nut to bang against Borkin's head. When this doesn’t work, Nibbles begins pulling Borkin's beard and hair but only manages the occasional wriggle.
As they approach the forest road, the sounds of the dwarfs shouting and horns get louder. One voice stands out from the rest, it is Curtmar, "Get that Elmforge!"
The noise and movement is still not enough to wake Borkin; this amazes Krankos, "How in Elmmora is he still asleep?!?"
Nibbles shrugs in response and continues its attempts to wake Borkin.
Shortly after, arrows begin flying towards them.
"Nibbles, take cover!" Krankos commands. Every arrow either misses or is blocked by Krankos's towering body.
Just as they approach the footpath through the forest, a fire arrow hits the left wheel of the cart. The flaming arrow gets stuck between a wheel causing it to heat before catching fire.
"We need to find cover, now!" Krankos yells with little time before they come to a grinding halt, allowing the dwarfs to catch up.
Surprisingly, it is the smell of the burning wheel that finally pulls Borkin from his deep sleep. As his eyes slowly open, Borkin sees Krankos running with the trees and smoke in the background. The wheel crumbles and the left side of the cart falls to the ground. Although half asleep, Borkin is able to grab one of the ropes and prevent himself smashing against the road. The cart scrapes along the floor to a stop.
"What the fuck?!?" Borkin exclaims, "The hell is going on?!?" Borkin then sees the dwarven battalion fast approaching, "Shit. Why didn't ya wake me?!"
Krankos remains silent, fixated on the battalion headed toward them.
While Borkin dusts himself off, Krankos suggests, "We should hide."
"Sure, jus’, let's get this moved into cover," Borkin responds, gesturing to the cart.
"We don't have time for that," Krankos retorts.
Borkin looks at Krankos like it's truly insane, "Nah, not leavin' ma stuff behind. Not for those bastards that's for sure."
Krankos reiterates, "They will catch up if we do not move quickly. The cart will slow us down and give us away."
Although Borkin understood fully what Krankos meant and even agreed to an extent, this didn't convince him otherwise. "Listen 'ere, this isn't jus’ stuff, it's ma fuckin' livlihood. There's no point goin' anywhere if we don't have this with us."
For guidance, Krankos looks at Nibbles who doesn't want to leave the cart either, though knowing Nibbles this was because of shiny things.
Krankos concedes, "Very well."
Borkin takes the front with Krankos lifting the back. They only manage to make it a few inches before the front drops.
"It's too heavy 'n' still got sleepy arms."
Krankos glances back before commanding, "Okay, lift it on its side."
"What? My stuff might fall out!"
"It's tied up pretty well and I might be able to carry the cart myself if I can get a good grip using the fixings."
Borkin is taken back but nods slowly.
Krankos then moves to the right of the cart to lift it on its left side to stand it upright. Borkin guides the top, holding it, making sure nothing spills out and fixings are stable.
With the cart on its side, Krankos begins walking around before an arrow flies across its face, sticking into the underside of the cart. Nibbles quickly hides under the cape.
The battalion halts, bows drawn and ready to fire with three dwarven party leaders at the front, Poltak just behind. Leading them is Curtmar, standing front and centre with everyone else behind him. The other two leaders are unfamiliar to both Krankos and Borkin. One is a broad female dwarf by the name of Nadeer. She wears thick, leather armour and controls the ranged soldiers and crows. The other has heavy armour resembling what Bonvere wore. He is known as Hordor and controls the troops from Beewick.
The ranged troops have a target symbol with a bow around it and arrow through it. Hordor's troops don't have any noticeable insignia. Curtmar's men have blue banners with a white insignia on them, similar to the mark on Krankos's leg.
"Stop right there Elmforge!" Curtmar commands. "No point running any longer."
Krankos turns and stands in the centre of the road.
"Don't think you can hide either Borkin!" Curtmar continues.
"Who is Borkin?" Although his dwarven friend knows this is a poor attempt at trying to cover for him, he still appreciates it all the same and stays behind cover.
But Curtmar is no fool and Karnir told him everything. "I know he is with you. Don't be a fool. Show yourself!"
Krankos quickly glances towards Borkin, giving him a slight nod. Borkin uses the cover of the cart in an attempt to sneak into the forest. Before he can even leave cover, a crossbow bolt is fired, sticking into the tree ahead of him.
"Stop wasting my time!" Curtmar's tone now much harsher, sick of waiting around.
He steps out into the road to rejoin Krankos, almost waddling from embarrassment and nervousness, "Oh, hey, didn't see ya there."
Curtmar smiles, "Might need to get those eyes checked then. Now, I'm sure the last we spoke I told you lying to us was a death sentence."
Borkin gulps as Krankos replies, "Technically he didn't. I did take out two dwarfs that were being cruel, punched him in the face and took two swords. Without paying."
"And yet now we find you both running off together," Curtmar's tone accusatory. "Why would that be?"
"I'm his Escort."
Some of the dwarven battalion chuckle to themselves,
Borkin shouts up, "Not like that!!"
"Sorry, Borkin didn't want me telling anyone. I think he's embarrassed." Krankos adds.
The remaining battalion chuckle. Borkin, beside himself with what Krankos just said, sees Poltak's face lifted from the comment which only unnerves him more.
Curtmar's face, however, remains still and focused. "Interesting..." Curtmar says curiously, trying to work out if there is more to the machine than its unusual design.
As the chuckles die down, Curtmar continues, "Well how about this... we shall leave Borkin and his belongings if you come with us."
Krankos looks down briefly at Borkin who is gently shaking his head. "How do I know I can trust you? I don't even know your name."
The machine's reply makes Curtmar all the more curious; it seems odd that, despite a battalion ready to attack, the Elmforge is more concerned that it didn't know his name. With a nod, accepting it for what it is, Curtmar replies, "Of course. My name is Curtmar. What go by you, Elmforge?"
"I am Krankos."
Nibbles feels brave and peaks out from cover.
"What is that?" Curtmar asks, seeing something moving. Karnir said she thought she saw a squirrel with the machine back in the village but Curtmar wasn't sure if she was fully sane.
"Nibbles. A squirrel under my protection."
Borkin shakes his head, whispering to himself anxiously, “Not sure ya want to be sharing all this tin man.”
Curtmar smiles again. His intrigue for the machine grows further still. "I see, so what happened back in the woods? What happened to the Beewick villagers?"
"You tell me. I was protecting the forest and Nibbles. Then they came with weapons and torches."
"So you attacked the villagers?"
"I protected the forest... Before something burnt it down..."
Borkin finally jumps in. "Shut it!" he snaps at Krankos.
Hordor speaks up. "It's a bloody liar, Bonvere was just chopping down trees before this crazed Elmforge attacked us."
Curtmar raises his voice, "Quiet Hordor!"
Borkin whispers to Krankos, "We 'aught to get outta 'ere..."
Though Krankos isn't sure why Borkin doesn't trust them, it trusts him enough to listen regardless.
"So what say you, Krankos?" Curtmar prompts again.
"I need to finish escorting Borkin so he can set up his shop first. I promised."
"I see," Curtmar replies, understanding and respecting its resolve. "Let us make a deal then. We help you to the next town and then you come with us. I promise Borkin will be left alone and in peace."
Krankos considers this, looking to Borkin for advice who gestures for Krankos to come closer. Krankos holds its hand out to the battalion to excuse itself while it speaks to Borkin quietly.
"Ya can't go with 'em, trust mi. Who knows what they will use ya for. Besides, I said Mount Lyke, not some random town."
"But, they seem okay. Though you are right, I did agree to Mount Lyke. Maybe they can help us there?"
Borkin snaps whilst trying not to alert them, "No! Listen. Things are way more complicated than ya think. Ya can't trust 'em."
The machine stands and faces Curtmar, stepping slightly closer. "I am sorry, but I cannot go with you."
Curtmar nods, "Very well," gesturing to Nadeer.
She signals to her archers who then pull back their bows, ready to fire.
Curtmar turns back to Krankos, "Surrender now or we shall fire. Do you want to risk the lives of those you protect?"
A smirk gleams from Curtmar. A smirk of victory. He has Krankos in a very difficult position. It wants to take Borkin's advice but cannot risk their lives.
Before Krankos can respond, an archer falls from their steed. Everyone looks around confused, even Krankos and Borkin peer over at a distance to see what happened.
"Is he drunk?" Curtmar asks.
Nadeer climbs from her steed and walks over. She finds a sharp feather-looking projectile lodged in the side of the archer's neck, the flesh around the impact is bluey-purple. "He's dead..." Nadeer states, "...appears to be a projectile laced with poison."
Hordor intervenes, "It's that bloody Elmforge! It's led us into a trap!"
Hordor’s troops become unsettled, ready to attack. Before they do, a bird-like creature flies from the trees, firing a hail of feathers towards them.
"Take cover!" Curtmar commands.
The soldiers lift their shields upwards and, with the archers, huddle together for protection. Hordor's men are not as disciplined and charge; many getting hit by the flurry.
Amidst all the distractions, Borkin sees their opportunity and runs to his cart, "Krankos now!"
Krankos rushes over and lifts the cart with surprising ease. A few archers fire at them but Krankos uses the bottom of the cart as a shield and enters the dense forest.
By the time the flurries come to an end, most of Hordor’s men are dead along with a few archers.
Looking into the forest, through the thick trees, there is no sign of Borkin or Krankos. Curtmar turns to the battalion, "Looks like we are hunting on foot now."
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