“Well, it is a well-known aspect of dwarves, and if someone wanted to drive a wedge between you and the King, or merely between the humans and dwarves, it would be a good place to start. In fact, it would be the ideal place.”

  I nodded my head. “That was our concern as well. It came up during the Special Services briefing just before you sent for me.”

  The Duke nodded. “Then what do you propose, and shouldn’t it be you rather than me intervening?”

  I turned to Isaac. He said, “It’s a fair point. You are the one who brought them here.”

  “I know. But as we discussed this, I asked Captain Hufnar whether, in a purely technical sense, the dwarf soldiers were here under my authority, the General’s, or the Duke’s.”

  “What did he say?” The Duke asked, curious.

  He had to think about it, and then he said that the soldiers are here at my request, under the leadership of the General, and at the honor of the Duke. So he said it was all three.”

  The Duke sat back in his chair. “Well, that muddies the waters.”

  Isaac said, I think the best option is an immediate meeting with the General and you two are present. Jon and I will step out. Our enemies will certainly try something, and we had better head this off sooner than later.”

  “I agree.” The Duke said. He turned to Jonathan. “Jon, please send for the General on an urgent matter that requires his advice. Let the messenger also inform him that it is a private meeting with him, me, and the Patron.”

  Jon stood up and exited the room, sending the messenger to the General personally.

  “What was your second item?” Isaac asked after Jonathan had departed.

  “It can also come up at the meeting with the General. He asked the dwarf captain to float some things past me. One of them involved his worries that idle dwarves lead to trouble.”

  The Duke slapped his leg quietly. “That’s excellent. So he is already thinking about these kinds of things. That will make the meeting go more smoothly.”

  Isaac kept looking at me. “You said that your second item was a suggestion.”

  “Yes,” I agreed. “We have identified a location for the Ears Academy, a complex of stone buildings consisting of an entire city block right across from the 7th Boro Bridge.”

  “I am aware.” Said the Duke. “Your journeymen found it and put a request through to Jonathan to expedite. I’m fine with it.”

  “Me as well, but it will take a lot of work, and labor is in short supply.”

  Isaac snapped his fingers. “Perfect! You want to ask the General if some of the dwarves can be used as laborers.”

  The Duke frowned. “Won’t that insult their honor? The very thing we are trying to avoid.” He asked.

  I shook my head no. “Actually, I think it will solve several potential issues. I discovered that the vast majority of the dwarves are craftsmen. Dwarves serve in seven, seven-year drafts of military service regardless of gender across the ages of twenty-one to one hundred twenty-one, with breaks in service between their seven-year terms. Very few are soldiers. They represent crafters of all types, and several will be masters.”

  “I did not know that.” The Duke replied.

  “I have Captain Hufnar getting me a list of all their crafts and ranks. He stated that there were certainly a number of masters present.”

  The Duke saw where I was going and agreed, “They could be helpful in more than one area.” He said.

  “Yes, they could offer suggestions for defense works and improvements in addition to other general labor,” Isaac added.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “My thoughts exactly. Human construction is not well respected by dwarves, and having spent time with them, I understand why. The General did not mention anything immediately because criticizing a dwarf’s construction-”

  The Duke finished, “Would be an insult to honor and open to challenge.” He shook his head. “There is going to be as much political balancing with them as I deal with among my own people.”

  “Let’s hope not,” Isaac said and shot the Duke a significant look.

  Something passed between them, but if they wanted me to know, they would share.

  “Well, we can’t discuss this anymore until the General gets here, but that gives us a partial solution if we cannot prohibit honor challenges entirely.”

  “Then let’s ask Gwydion the big question.” Isaac prompted.

  I looked from Isaac to the Duke. “What question is that?”

  The Duke smiled, “The question of how soon you leave to meet with the elves.”

  “Oh,” I said. “THAT question.”

  “Isaac said you two already discussed it.” The Duke began.

  “Yes, but we did not get very far. We got distracted.” I replied and looked up at the Dwarven Copper circlet the Majordomo was wearing.

  The Duke saw where I glanced and replied, “Oh yes, Isaac’s new accoutrement. It is quite impressive. It looks princely.”

  Isaac flashed the Duke an annoyed look.

  I slapped myself on the head, and both men were startled.

  You need to stop doing that, Gwydion. It throws people off and makes you look childish. Bella observed.

  “Sorry, my liege, it just dawned on me that I have been providing magical protections all around, but that I should have made something for you by now. First, in fact.”

  Isaac nodded. “I have been counseling him on the same thing.”

  “But I am not a mage, gentlemen.” The Duke said patiently, having had this discussion many times before.

  “You don’t need to be,” I said. “You will have a complete understanding of the magic once you wear it. Remember, we are making rings for your soldiers; certainly, they are not mages and many may not even be educated.”

  “You at least went to university,” Isaac said to the Duke.

  “And I recall a particularly challenging professor of mine.” They smiled.

  I did not realize the Duke went to university, but I shouldn’t be surprised. He had to be educated somewhere. Maybe that was how he got to know my father. They would be around the same age.

  The Duke sighed. “And what would you recommend?”

  I turned to Isaac. “With the Bishop gone, is there anyone who can cast Death’s Door?”

  Isaac looked surprised. “I was not aware you knew about that advanced magic.”

  I did not admit to having it as a gift from the Bishop. “It helps to have a best friend who is a promising young cleric.”

  He laughed. “Of course, Steven. Still, I would not have thought journeymen would know of it.”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “Would any of the others be able to cast it on the Duke or on an object he kept with him?”

  Isaac thought. “I am not sure. If not, I bet we could find someone at the capital. It's a good thought. Add some body armor, a protective ward or guardian, and some healing, and he would be better off than he is right now. We’d need to keep it just between us three.” He cautioned.

  The Duke sighed again. “Do what you think is right. I’d like something for my wife, my son, and my daughter as well if we are going to go there.”

  I said, “I just completed three Dwarven Copper rings, but we have a slew of bracers as well. The bracers could all work for you, the Duchess, Finndo, and Gwidllyn. It will shift its size, just like rings, to fit the wearer. They are worn against your skin but under clothes, so they would be hidden. I can add five sockets, or better yet, ask one of the other masters to make seven sockets in them. We have a variety of gems and stones. I can see to it.”

  “What if my wife is uncomfortable with the bracers?” The Duke asked.

  I pulled out my necklace. “I can make another one of these for her to wear under her clothing as well. It would be unseen. If you prefer, we can also add rings and a circlet.”

  Isaac looked at the necklace. “You can make a five-socketed necklace along with rings?”

  I smiled. “Yes, it is not easy, but it is straightforward.”

  There was a knock on the door.

  “We’ll take care of it,” Isaac said to the Duke and nodded to me as he stood up.

  “I’ll walk Isaac to the door and bring the General in,” I said, and then paused, looking at them both. “Red has some very specific ideas about traps for the goblins, but he fears the enemy learning about them. Should I bring him to the War Council to discuss it directly?

  They both passed another significant look between them. The Duke replied, “Have Red meet alone with Isaac or you both; it will draw less attention. Anyone coming and going from here will be scrutinized, I’m sure.”

  I got the feeling that his response was only half an answer and that something went unsaid, but I nodded in understanding and said, “As you wish.”

  I opened the door, and Isaac excused himself. The dwarf General was a little blustery until he saw me, and we both grinned widely and clasped arms.

  “You meet me at the door, Patron?” He asked.

  “I feared an old warrior like you might have difficulty reaching your seat unescorted.”

  The General barked a loud laugh and slapped my back, which sent me scooting forward several feet. “Getting annoyed already with so many bodyguards, eh?” He smiled even wider. “Get used to it, lad. You went from forgettable to unforgettable overnight.” He looked sad, “I’d wish that on a goblin but not a young dwarf like yourself.”

  He turned to the Duke and declared loudly, “Duke, it is a pleasure to see you in good health once more.” And he marched in and chose a seat directly across from the Duke, where Jon had been sitting. I chose the seat to the General’s right as a signal of subtle allegiance, which I thought he'd appreciate.

  He nodded to me once as I took that seat in acknowledgement of his senior role and my acceptance of it. He then turned to the Duke. “I assume this is about the soldiers and how to keep them out of mischief?”

  Dwarves were often direct. Many humans found them abrasive. I found them clear. But they were not fools and understood deception as well as any intelligent race.

  They just didn’t fuss with as many niceties unless you were family. And then they were a bit of a handful as I discovered at the Hold.

  “It is.” The Duke replied. “And since it is just the three of us, I would prefer first names rather than titles if that is okay with you, General.”

  “It is the same way with my king in private. I am Udebark Ringweaver. You may call me Udebark.”

  “Then you may call me Philip.” The Duke replied. “And you already know Gwydion.”

  The General looked at me and nodded again, “Patron.”

  “Please, Master General, call me Gwydion.”

  He smiled again, showing those large, blunt dwarven teeth. “And you will call me Udebark, little brother.”

  I smiled back and nodded to him in respect.

  “Good, now that the formalities are over, let’s talk openly and without threat of insult to honor, no matter what the words spoken may appear.” The Duke stated.

  “As it is also with my king.” The General replied and continued, “I am concerned that the soldiers will get restless, wander, and cause trouble. Such is it with soldiers, the realm over, and while battle is near, it is not so near that idleness will not enter their hearts. I do not have the time or depth in my chain of command to tolerate such nonsense.”

  “I agree.” The Duke replied. “Do you have a suggestion?”