The journeymen laughed at how the low cost had surprised me.

  Daniel chimed in. “The purchase price of one gold is extremely low, of course, but early estimates are over ten thousand gold in initial repairs across the complex, and that could grow because we don’t have a labor force and many of the upper city tradesmen won’t go into the lower city. Unfortunately, lower city tradesmen, when you can find them, are worried about ghosts.”

  Grolin began, “First off, ghosts are only one kind of spirit and I said there are no-”

  Daniel raised his hands. “Sorry, Grolin, I was just catching the Patron up on things we have spoken about for the past twelve hours.”

  Grolin raised his hands, “Of course, my apologies, Daniel.”

  The dwarf captain cleared his throat and began stroking his beard.

  “Do you have an idea or something to add, Hufnar?” I asked.

  “I may.” He said. “After my, ahem, briefing with the General about adding more soldiers to your team, he commented that his biggest worry is the idleness of the soldiers. He can’t just drill them all day. He will drill them every day, of course, to learn the city and mutual tactics, but not all day. And turning them loose on the city may itself create problems. But he does not want to keep them locked up at the arena. I was asked to discuss this with you, and I think I have an idea.”

  Everyone was paying close attention to him. This was his first meeting and a chance to either start out looking good or not so much.

  “My idea is to have some of my people volunteer to conduct repairs. Very few of our soldiers are career soldiers; mostly just us officers, and some sergeants have chosen that path. By far, the majority are crafters doing one of their seven, seven-year drafts as part of our Hold defense. Some are apprentices, many would be like your journeymen, but I also know that we have a number of masters present as well who are nearly through with their forty-nine-year service.”

  I saw others nodding their heads, and I said, “That is brilliant! In addition to this idea, which we can work out in more detail, I would like a tally of what areas of crafting they possess. We may have defensive needs all over the city that dwarven masters and crafters could help with.”

  He squirmed in his chair. “That was the second topic I was to bring up diplomatically. From the dwarves' perspective, and realize I mean no personal insult here,” he said as he looked around the table, “but human stone work and defenses are a little shoddy. We have been under constant attack, every day, for centuries at our Eastern Gate. We build once to last for millennia, not for single occupancy ownership.”

  The others looked around. I did not see any insulted looks, just hopefulness. Hufnar picked up on the same thing and let out a deep sigh.

  “Criticizing stonework is an offense worthy of a personal honor challenge. I admit to being a little concerned about bringing this forward.”

  “I am glad you did!” I said. I turned back to the team. “What kind of repairs are needed?”

  Red drew forth a parchment, looked at Biff and Adriana, who waved him to continue, and he said, “I won’t go through it all, but it is significant. The wooden roofs are rotten, floors are weak in many places or also rotten through, stonework is cracking in some places, vermin are all over, and no water, heat, sewer-” he twirled his hand in the air, “you get the picture.”

  Hufnar was stroking his beard again. I had picked up that this was a sign he had something to say.

  “Hufnar, what are your initial thoughts?”

  “Well, I am not a crafter. I dabbled as all younglings do in order to choose their professions, but it would seem to me that wooden roofs are a bad idea. Especially in a time of war, when fire will be the weapon of choice during a siege by our enemies.”

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  “Stone would be too heavy for the human stonework,” I observed.

  “True. Your foundations would likely not hold up unless it was originally designed for a stone roof. But, I think that a metal roof would offer more protection from the weather, ignore fire, and last far longer with minimal repairs.”

  I nodded. “What metal would you suggest?”

  He looked offended. “Why, copper, of course!”

  Everyone around the room laughed.

  “Many dwarves would be familiar with our favored metal, and it would be treated to keep its shine, and it would be very easy and malleable to work with around your edges, and-” he was at a loss for a word. He struggled and then said, “The devices I see that direct your rainwater.”

  “Oh, eaves.” Said Wilma.

  Biff cast her a big smile.

  “And if we could use your warehouse floor to create a forge, we could create the metal strips for the roof on location.”

  Red agreed. “The warehouse should be the first priority.”

  Another thought struck me. “Hufnar, in a purely technical sense, are the soldiers here under my authority, the General’s, or the Duke’s?”

  He tilted his head. “The soldiers are here at your request, under the leadership of the General at the honor of the Duke. So, all three, I guess?” He said.

  Adriana knew me well. “What are you thinking, Gwyd?”

  “When the captain mentioned honor, it dawned on me that there is a cultural divide around that topic, and it could be an explosive subject.”

  Simon said, “And one an enemy spy could use against us if he is aware of it.”

  “Exactly,” I replied.

  “Hufanr,” I asked, “if I, the General, or the Duke forbade any dwarf from claiming honor challenge privileges while serving in the human city, would that fly?”

  “I don’t think so. But maybe. Nothing like this partnership has been done in quite some time, and never in isolation and defense of a city like this. Maybe. I just don’t know.” He admitted.

  “I’ll bring it up with the Duke today,” I said.

  Sooner than you think. Bella said. A messenger just arrived and is asking that you attend an urgent meeting with the Duke and Majordomo in the War Room.

  I would have stood up, but at these meetings the chairs were removed to make it move more quickly. But Biff sensed something was off with my body language. His hand went to his side, where his new Dwarven Copper sword, called a gladius, was sheathed.

  Simon also picked up on it. “What's wrong, Gwydion?” He asked.

  “I have just been summoned to the War Room. Biff, you're with me. Captain, I want you to stay with the team leaders and work with them on a plan we can get to the General in an hour or so. Sorry to leave so soon, everyone. Red, the meeting is yours. Break when completed and back to work.”

  Biff was already out the door and pulling together “the dozen” as they were calling their shift patrols. There were three brawlers, three inquisitors, three city Watch, and now three dwarves.

  They had gotten so good at this that I just walked across the floor and out the door, and they formed around me. They moved as I moved. It was pretty cool, actually. But then I recalled the Bishop and why they were with me. Death by poison, by assassin’s blade, by magic, by dozens and dozens of means could be seconds away.

  Good. Bella said. Stay focused and serious. You won’t see it coming. But hopefully I will or they will. Trust in us, but be wary!

  The walk to the City’s Keep and the Duke’s War Room was uneventful except for more well-wishers and an occasional cheer or two. All we needed was a couple of clowns, balloons, some paparazzi, and maybe a float, and we’d have a parade.

  Be nice. Bella scolded.

  But seriously, there are a dozen armed guards walking me down the street for maybe a quarter mile. It’s embarrassing. I said, trying not to sound ungrateful.

  Then you are the only one feeling that way. I can tell you that your guards’ nerves are all on edge. They are expecting an attack on you every time you leave. When you were gone, they did not sleep very well and drilled how to deal with different surprise attacks on you.

  Oh. I didn’t know that. I admitted, feeling a bit guilty for all their efforts.

  You mean more to the city than you realize. She said gently.

  Biff walked me directly to the War Room and waited outside in the hallway with a couple of the Duke’s Dogs. They nodded to each other but did not talk. The other guards had been asked to wait in the courtyard for our return as usual.

  The War Room looked empty with just the Duke, Isaac, and Jon sitting in there.

  When I walked in, the Duke stood up from where he was seated and strode over. He shook my hand. “You really pulled off a miracle with the dwarves. The King raved about you to anyone who would listen. You certainly won him over.”

  Isaac said, “And painted an even bigger target on your chest because of it. Whoever is out there working against us knows your part in this and how important your continued safety is for the success of dwarven human relations.”

  The mood turned somber.

  Isaac pointed to my bracers. “I see some new glitter. Gifts from more admiring fans?” He smiled to take the sting out of the words.

  Isaac had given me ten, 14pt diamonds back what seemed like weeks ago, but it was only days.

  “Sort of,” I said awkwardly.

  Isaac waved it off. “Sorry, I was just teasing. Given the turn of events, yet again, I think that whatever you can pull to defend yourself is smart. You are more than a mere nuisance to the enemy, now. The dwarves didn’t help you in the eyes of our enemies.” He said, turning serious once more.

  “Well, the dwarves did help you in the eyes of your fellow citizens of the city.” Said the Duke. “We are greatly appreciative of it.”

  “Actually, I had a couple of things I wanted to share about the topic of the dwarves,” I stated.

  The Duke motioned to a fourth chair nearby them. I scooted it closer and sat down. “I have something for you as well, but let’s start with your thoughts.” The Duke offered.

  “It’s two things. One is a worry and the other is a suggestion.” I began.

  Jon smiled. “As of this morning, we are calling those opportunities.” He glanced sideways at Isaac but said no more.

  Isaac turned to the Duke and said, “I thought secretaries were supposed to take notes, not make jokes.”

  The Duke smiled mechanically, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He was under enormous stress. “Go ahead, Gwydion. These two have been trying to cheer me up all morning, and all they have managed is to annoy me.”

  That brought smiles all around.

  I continued. “My, umm, first opportunity involves dwarven honor. I was wondering if you could speak with the Dwarven General and see if there is a way to put a hold on this while they are in the city.”

  The Duke replied, “Is it really that big of a deal, and wouldn’t it be better coming from you?”

  Isaac put a finger up to his lips and then stroked his beard. “I see where Gwydion is going with this, and I never even considered it, at least not in the way he suggested.”

  The Duke turned to Isaac. “You think we should be concerned?”