"...What they promised me," she began, "was that after the mission was completed, the escort team would accompany me to Duviliel, on the other side of Kulen Mountain. They promised me a house and money, so my daughter and I could start a new life." She gazed lovingly at the sleeping infant.

  "No, miss. That's impossible," Jim immediately objected. "We're not going to Duviliel. I, Lord Walin, young Fendi, and Wilton—who's still fast asleep—our guilds, our properties, our families—except for me, since I'm still single—everything we have is in Crividsylvan. Like the sacred Sylvanwood trees of Crivi, we dwarves have our roots firmly planted there. The Godmans promised us they would repeal The Humanoid Act. That means not just dwarves, but even goblins and halflings would benefit... Truthfully, I'm not doing this for them, but for myself and my kin... But the fact remains: after completing the mission, we will return to Crividsylvan, not Duviliel. I'm sorry, miss."

  Caroline Tobias fixed her gaze on Walin. "I'm sorry."

  Then it was Fendi Firshield's turn. "Please," she said softly.

  "Perhaps you could start anew in Crivi..." he offered as his final answer.

  "I will NOT go back!" She leapt to her feet, the infant sliding from her lap onto the grass, still asleep. "I'm not going back there!" Her emotions erupted uncontrollably. "I HATE Crivi! I hate the dead family I left there, I hate those smug, scheming Southerners, I hate goblins, I hate halflings, I hate dwarves!" Caroline's spittle flew as she raged. "Since none of you will help me, I'll wait for the other dwarves to arrive. Maybe they'll have more conscience and wisdom than you lot. Repeal The Humanoid Act? Cancel your residency taxes?" Her smile twisted into something wicked, almost repulsive. "You've been reading fairy tales, gentlemen. Why not ask for a princess while you're at it? Don't be so naive. Those Godmans running Crivi hate you more than I do. You think they'll give you a better life? They'll find some excuse to hang you all when you get back--maybe with slightly longer ropes." She made a contemptuous gesture indicating height. "If you were smart, you'd come with me to Duviliel. At least we could be outlaws. Going back to Crivi? That's a death sentence."

  Caroline's unrestrained shouting scattered nearby birds, and the stones on the cart shifted slightly.

  Fendi and Walin sat stunned by her outburst. Only Jim Harad matched her intensity: "Miss, your words have insulted me, my companions, and all dwarfkind." He glared at her. "That alone would justify my treating you with contempt. But I'll forgive you and not hold you accountable—provided you keep your mouth shut for the next few hours and sit quietly. Do that, and we'll forget this happened."

  "What? Did I hit a nerve?" she persisted. "Fine, I'll be quiet until the other dwarves get here. Go chase your dreams to your deaths. I know what's coming for you."

  "SILENCE!"

  Caroline sat down sullenly, gathering the baby into her arms. "It's futile, miss," Walin Barklo Vaslov said calmly. "I understand your feelings, but waiting for Toyef won't help you. It won't change anything. Toyef has a wife and children in Crivi, and like us, he accepted the same terms. He wouldn't abandon his family just for you and your daughter..."

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Caroline stared vacantly ahead, her glassy eyes unfocused. "I agree with Lord Walin," Fendi added gently. "The chances of Mr. Bilinski helping you are practically non-existent. Besides, crossing Kulen Mountain is nearly impossible. Surely you remember—though it's an unpleasant memory—what that Cynthian knight told us today. With our current supplies and equipment, we'd only make it halfway up the Western Kulen Mountains before becoming nothing but bones and legends. But you have another option," he said earnestly. "Tomorrow morning, after we complete the mission, we'll receive aid from Godman cavalry. We can return to Crivi together and confront those who promised you things, even if it might prove fruitless. Of course, I believe there was simply a communication error—perhaps the Southerners didn't explain things clearly, leading to these misunderstandings. But I'm confident that with proper negotiation, any problem can be resolved."

  "I understand."

  The young dwarf sighed with relief. "That's excellent."

  "I understand your plan," she said, her eyes flashing coldly. "You've been in cahoots with the Godmans all along. Everything you promised me was a lie..." Her words accelerated, growing more agitated. "You never meant to take me to Duviliel. The house, the money--all lies. I bet the other person doesn't know either. I'm just a showpiece, a dandelion on display for everyone to see."

  Holar Peter Wilton stirred from his rest.

  "We didn't use you, miss," Jim Harad said, still stern but more measured. "We're simply helping each other."

  "You dwarves are good at fairy tales because you're all fucking liars," Caroline sneered. "Helping each other? What did I get out of it? You get to walk around proud when The Humanoid Act is gone. And me? I get nothing--just this baby!"

  Holar Peter Wilton sat up.

  "We can demand accountability from the Godmans, but arguing now accomplishes nothing. Understand this, miss," Walin said, sitting cross-legged. "We cannot go to Duviliel—that's non-negotiable. But we can return together—that's what we offer. Even if the Godmans deny everything and refuse to help—which would be deplorable—we dwarves will still support you. Once the Act is repealed, we'll reclaim our guilds, and our frozen assets will become available again. I believe," he glanced at Fendi for confirmation, "we'll provide you with all the assistance we possibly can."

  "What a charming tale," Caroline smiled bitterly, shaking her head. The baby slept on peacefully. "Too bad she's too young to appreciate it."

  "Miss—"

  Holar Peter Wilton approached the wagon.

  "I won't argue further or make trouble. I won't run away. I know I couldn't survive crossing the mountains alone. I'll return with you after the mission," she concluded, her final words barely audible, more like a whisper to herself: "But you dwarves shouldn't count on your new lives."

  Holar Peter Wilton moved silently behind Caroline Tobias.

  "Excuse me," Fendi Firshield asked, puzzled. "What did you just say?"

  She leaned close to the young dwarf's ear, almost singing: "I said, I'm not letting you get a new life." Suddenly, her face drained of color. "Oh... no, no." She looked around frantically. "Where is he?" Fendi stared at her like a child witnessing magic for the first time. "Damn it, damn it!" She cursed, reaching behind her head to untie her hair band. "He..." Her eyes widened in terror.

  The pitch-black axe cleaved deep into Caroline Tobias's neck.

  Fendi Firshield, Walin Barklo Vaslov, and Jim Harad stood frozen. None had time to react.

  Blood splattered across the ground, across Holar Peter Wilton's face, and onto Wyrm Ember. Only the infant remained untouched, the crimson spray somehow consciously avoiding her. Now, she awakened.

  Caroline collapsed to the ground.