Dragon Alliance: Rise Against Shadow by J. Michael Fluck Read Free Book Online Page B

throw the weapon up to one hundred yards; it would strike one large opponent (or up to ten man-sized targets) and then return to his hand like a boomerang. Upon hitting a single target, it delivered enough concussion and shocking power to kill a full-grown troll. It can also create a spell shield like Mkel’s and Toderan’s swords were capable of. Upon a successful strike of a giant, it had a 50/50 chance of killing it outright. He also wielded a master-crafted mithril/steel alloy battle-axe in his off hand for balance. Ordin was wearing his mithril-lined dwarven plate armor, likely for the benefit of the regimental commander, as dwarves live for a good fight. In battle, it made him a difficult target to penetrate, but it looked cumbersome, even though it was actually quite light. It also didn’t affect his acute dexterity, surprising for his broad but squat frame.
    While Ordin was the leader of the dwarf clan that inhabited the lower levels of Keystone Weir, he and his brother Dorin also oversaw the mining operations in the bowels of the mountain fortress. Dorin focused on the mining issues while Ordin worked on making the special dragonstone and mithril weapons, and they led their dwarf infantry company together. Ordin was a key member of the Weir council, as the dwarf clan representative, and also oversaw all dragonstone weapon production and updated the Weir on mining issues.
    The burly dwarf stood just shy of five feet tall, but like most dwarves, he was extremely stocky and physically strong. Weighing in at roughly two hundred fifty pounds, he was stronger than most men (save Toderan and Pekram). His well-kept beard and hair were an earthy brown color, and his eyes were a lively light brown-green. He was very jovial and bombastic, but like all dwarves, he could be moody at times and apt to brawl after drinking heavily. Ordin had a good heart though and was usually kind, which sprang from the dwarves’ very strong sense of commitment to their friends and allies. He and his clansmen loved to drink ale and eat good food, often frequenting the Weir’s tavern as well as their own smaller tavern in their living areas in the deep caves and caverns below the Weir.
    Dwarves were extraordinarily tough with high constitutions, which enabled them to stay underground so long. The dwarf clan mined the lower caves of Draden Weir, which was rich in gold, gems, and especially the rare mithril. They kept a small percentage of the wealth, and the rest went to the Weir for its upkeep and pay, with a portion shipped to the capital for the common treasury. The dwarves revered Gallanth and had a great respect for the gold dragon; they owed him their allegiance for his protection, benevolence, and wisdom. While they tolerated elves, they enjoyed the company of humans and halflings more. Most dwarves stood approximately four and a half to five and a half feet tall and weighed between one hundred eighty to two hundred fifty pounds or more. All males wore beards, and even some women sprouted them. Dwarves were adamant in their pursuit of good and to further the cause of the Alliance, but they tended to be loud and bombastic.
    Ordin smiled as he walked over to Mkel and said in his low and gruff voice, “Greetings, my young dragonrider friend.” He gave Mkel a hug, picking him up in the process. “Ordin is as wide as he is tall,” Mkel thought to himself.
    “And good to see you too, Master Ordin,” Mkel replied enthusiastically, putting his hands on Ordin’s shoulders.
    “Greetings to you, Master Dragon,” Ordin said reverently as he turned to face Gallanth, giving him a slight bow.
    “And greetings to you, Master Dwarf. I see you are full of life today as usual,” Gallanth replied.
    “Aye, Master Dragon; I heard through the rocks that Lupek and the rangers found that the giants are on the move. And in other good news, we struck a solid vein of mithril in the northwest lower cavern. Dorin is working on it now,” Ordin stated. The