As Nathan fell asleep, on the other side Liam and Winston returned from selling the wine barrels, made their way to their respective rooms, and slept after checking the area a little.
As the night gone the next day arrived in Glimmerforge, Nathan awoke to the soft, golden glow of morning sunlight beaming into his room through the ventilation shafts.
He stretched his arms, feeling the warmth on his face, and took a moment to relish the novelty of an underground city bathed in daylight.
After a good night's rest, he was eager to continue his exploration of Glimmerforge and perhaps learn more about the mysterious monster in the mines. Nathan dressed in his common attire, ready to blend in with the city's bustling inhabitants.
As he made his way downstairs, the inn's dining area was already a hive of activity, with dwarves and travelers alike savoring their breakfast. The hearty aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, inviting patrons to indulge in a meal that promised to be as hearty as the tales told the night before.
In this relaxed yet purposeful ambiance, the clinking of mugs, the clatter of utensils, and the occasional hearty laughter of the dwarven patrons filled the room. It was a place where the day began with determination but carried the promise of camaraderie and warm companionship.
The lighting within the inn was a unique spectacle. Lamps filled with oil were placed on each table, casting a warm and intimate glow that illuminated the faces of patrons engrossed in their meals and conversations.
Along the walls, lamps imbued with light magic radiated a soft, steady luminescence, creating a play of light and shadow that added to the inn's rustic charm.
Meanwhile, in their respective rooms, Liam and Winston also began to stir from their slumber. They had returned from selling the wine barrels the previous evening and, like Nathan, were eager to embrace the new day in Glimmerforge.
Winston, always the organized and methodical one, took a moment to inspect the room for any potential signs of intrusion or disturbance. Satisfied with their lodgings, he proceeded to dress for the day, making sure to don his 'Thomas' disguise.
Liam, on the other hand, had a more carefree and jovial demeanor. He greeted the morning with a cheerful whistle, excited about the prospects of their adventures in the dwarven city. With a grin, he too prepared for the day ahead, adopting his 'Lucas' persona.
Once both Liam and Winston were ready, they exchanged knowing glances and headed downstairs to join Nathan for breakfast.
Nathan, with a friendly smile, gestured for Winston and Liam to take their seats at the table where he had joined the three dwarves from the previous evening. The dwarves looked up, their faces lighting up with recognition as they saw the companions returning.
One of the dwarves, the stout fellow with the thick beard, greeted them warmly. "Ah, you're back! These must be your friends you were talking about last night."
Nathan introduced his companions with a nod of affirmation. "Indeed, they are. Allow me to formally introduce you. This is Lucas, and this old one is Thomas. We're travelers from the Valdyr Kingdom, here to explore the wonders of Glimmerforge."
The dwarves exchanged friendly nods and greetings with Liam and Winston. The older dwarf, who had shared stories about the mine, extended a hand to Winston. "I'm Brogar, and these are my friends, Torin and Durn. A pleasure to meet you all."
Nathan said while looking at Winston, "These three were telling me the rumors about some kind of monster in the mine yesterday, I was just going to ask them about how I can go down the lower shafts of the mines, I want to see that monster myself and see if I can defeat him."
Winston, deeply concerned for Nathan's safety, couldn't help but voice his worries. "No, I can't let you go there; it's dangerous. What if you get lost in the mines? You might not even be able to get any help for days."
Nathan, his determination unwavering, responded with a childlike pout, "But I wanna go! I'll fight that monster, you know how strong I am. And if you think it's dangerous, why not send Lucas with me?"
Liam, who had been engrossed in his meal, suddenly choked on a piece of pork upon hearing his name mentioned. He coughed and beat his chest with his hands, trying to clear his airway.
After recovering, he grinned and said, "Me? What would I do down those mines? I wanted to explore the place I discovered with Thomas yesterday night coming back. Won't that be fun?"
Winston, deep in thought while holding his chin with his hands, finally responded, "Hmm, if Lucas were to go with you, I think you'd be safe."
Liam, feeling ignored and wanting to make his point, pointed the pork leg at Winston and exclaimed, "Huh, you're completely ignoring what I want to do! Can't a young man have some fun in his life?"
Nathan sitting his head on the table watching the two and chuckled and mussed to himself "They are talking like some crappy senior lecturing the eager junior. Winston's got his 'experienced' hat on, and Liam's just the eager rookie, ready to break all the rules."
Winston, cleaning his monocle and placing it back on his eye, said sternly to Liam, "No, your side activities are not that important. You need to go with Nathaniel and keep him safe."
Liam, feeling a little down and still chewing on his pork leg, muttered begrudgingly, "Fine, fine, I'll go. So, old man Brogar, please stop chugging down the ale and tell us how we can go down the mines."
Brogar, with cheeks reddened from his drink, leaned in and said with a hearty laugh, "Burp, hey, young man, you can say anything about me, but don't say anything about my ale. As for going down the mines, just go to the city council to get permission. But I must warn you, it'll take at least a month before you can get it."
Nathan, with a gloomy expression and puppy-dog eyes, couldn't help but ask, "Old man Brogar, is there not any faster way to get down there? We're not staying in this city for too long, and we can't wait a whole month."
Brogar, stroking his beard in thought, muttered, "Hmm, any other way…" as he tried to recall.
Suddenly, Durn slapped Brogar on the back, making his beard shake, and slammed his mug on the table. He boomed, "Hey, old fool, did that jog your memory? Can't you remember any other way? Look at that child's face; try harder to remember."
Brogar, in good-natured anger, grabbed Durn's beard and retorted, "Who are you calling an old man? You're not much younger than me!" The exchange between the two dwarves drew laughter from those nearby, including Nathan, Liam, and Winston, lightening the mood in the inn's dining area.
Torin, finishing his ale, picked his pickaxe and urged his companions "Hey, you two fools, it's almost time to go to work. Finish your ale faster."
He then remembered something regarding Nathan's inquiry and turned to offer a suggestion, "Hey, young lad, if you want to go down into the mines, the council is hiring people to map the mine shafts. That might be your chance to get down there. That's all I know."
With that, Durn grabbed his and Brogar's pickaxes and prepared to head to work. with a smile, he said to Nathan"Goodbye, lad. It was nice talking to you."
But Brogar, still holding onto his beloved ale, protested loudly, "No, no, my ale! I still haven't finished it!"
Torin then grabbed his collar back and dragged him away saying "Just come, you already drank so much" Brogar flinging his arms saying "No, my ale!"
As Torin dragged the protesting Brogar away, the inn's patrons couldn't help but laugh at the scene. The jovial dwarves, with their strong spirits and friendly demeanor, had left a lasting impression on Nathan and his companions.
Nathan, Liam, and Winston watched as the dwarves disappeared from view, still amused by the encounter. Nathan couldn't help but feel grateful for the information Torin had shared about the opportunity to map the mine shafts.
It seemed like a promising way to explore the depths of Glimmerforge and perhaps uncover more about the mysterious monster lurking below.
But Nathan's face wore a hint of disappointment as he glanced at Winston, voicing his concerns in a subdued tone. "Even if I can go down as someone making maps, but the truth is I don't even know how to make them."
Winston, ever the practical one, raised an eyebrow and replied, "Well, that's a minor obstacle. We can always learn, and I'm sure there are plenty of resources available in Glimmerforge for you to pick up the necessary skills."
Before Nathan could respond, Liam, with a proud and confident expression, exhaled heavily from his nose, as if he were about to reveal a well-kept secret. He gestured towards himself with a flourish and chimed in, "Don't worry, when I am here, you don't need to worry about that."
Nathan's eyes lit up with curiosity, and he leaned in, eager to hear what Liam had to say. "What do you mean, Liam?"
Liam's demeanor shifted slightly, and a hint of a shadow crossed his face as he reminisced about the past. His voice softened, carrying a note of vulnerability, as he continued,
"Well, my father taught me most of these things. He always said it in his strict voice, with a stick in his hand and an unwavering gaze." Liam paused for a moment, a shiver running down his spine as he recalled those stern lessons.
"A warrior must know how to survive, even if he is the only one living after his battle," Liam recited his father's words, his voice carrying the weight of those teachings. "So, you have to know how to read and make maps."
Nathan's confusion deepened as he processed Liam's revelation. He furrowed his brow and inquired, "Liam, are you sure? Baron Frostblade was really friendly when I came to Silverbrook."
Liam, his expression a mix of emotions, nodded solemnly. "Yeah, Father may be strict to me, but he had his reasons. He wanted to make me strong, to ensure I could survive any battle or conditions life might throw at me. I wouldn't be as strong as I am at this young age if he hadn't been so strict with his teachings."
With a nod, he said, "I understand, Liam. It's clear that you've gained a valuable set of skills and resilience from those teachings. I appreciate you sharing this with me, now all left is going then."
With their bonds deepened by the sharing of personal stories and a newfound determination, the trio continued their breakfast, ready to face the challenges and mysteries that awaited them in the dwarven city.