Chapter 75: Magic musket
After being, led to Karl's house, and meeting his wife, he then instigated a drinking contest with Leo to determine his claims of being immune to alcohol. The result was that Leo had to help put a passed out Karl in his bed before helping Iris and his wife, Runa clean up after their drinking contest.
{the two of you really shouldn't be helping me as our guests you know.} Leo frowned slightly at Runas words, before replying,
{we are the ones that intruded, if I make a mess and make someone else clean it up after intruding in their home then I'm a failure as a person.} Leo said to her. Runa smiled at his words, and went back to cleaning. It was when Iris yawned that she firmly sent the two of them to bed. The two of them didn't say anything back this time, and went to the room Karl loaned to them before passing out as soon as they laid in the bed.
The next morning Karl was already up and talking to his son Lemmik, while his wife was busy making breakfast. When Leo and Iris alerted them by saying "good morning" Karl glared slightly and said,
{you've made me fail as a host boy, how do you plan to compensate my hurt feelings?} his tone sounded rough, but Leo could see he was joking. He smiled before replying to the dwarf,
{if I let you win a round will you call it even? We're at two nothing now.} Karl looked devastated at the realization, and shouted,
{let's head out to the front now boy, a bit of "morning exercise" will be good for us.} Leo had a big smile and gestured that he was to lead the way. After the two left for their "morning exercise" with Lemmik following, Iris started helping Runa with breakfast. Neither one said anything until Runa spoke up,
{thank you for coming. You owe us nothing yet you came all the way here to help us, even taking the Kings route up the mountain. It's also been a while since I've seen Karl so cheerful. He loves a good fight, but the ones coming hold no honor and hopefully your husband is able to help like he says he can.} Iris felt touched at he words, but felt the need to correct something.
{ I'm also helping you know. There's no way I'm staying put while all the men go to spill some blood, have to get the woman's share in don't I?} Runa stared at her in amazement for a moment. She was worried for the young woman, but if she was anything like her husband than she was more than capable on the battlefield. The two continued chatting until the guys returned, with both of the husbands covered in dirt. Karl had a grin on his face while Leo scowled.
{that's my win boy, I'm catching up!} Leo however started smiling, and responded,
{catching up? Are you proud of still being behind old man?} causing Karl's smile to fade as he realized that after the previous night he'd never beat Leo at drinking. After a quick breakfast, Karl said goodbye to Runa, and led the two to the other dwarven Chiefs. They held a meeting to formally meet with Leo and Iris, before Agmundr asked what every dwarf wanted to know.
{you say you came to help us, but what aid can to you provide?} in terms of supplies or reinforcements, they were under siege so there was no way to receive them. Leo silently looked through his pack, and pulled out a blueprint. He didn't want to put his best negotiation piece down so fast, but they needed to mass produce as many as possible before the humans managed to attack. He unrolled the paper, and started explaining.
{I call it a magic musket. I noticed that most of you were using crossbows as a ranged weapon yesterday, these will hopefully even the playing field against chi and man users.} Leo wasn't able to finish his design, but hoped the genius engineers that the dwarves were would be able to complete the design since he provided the first step. Agmundr looked at the design, and his eyes started burning with passion. He saw the blueprint wasn't complete, but he knew that with the kickstart this provided they would not only be able to finish it, but mass produce it before the battle. Leo then continued,
{we also intend to fight alongside you in the battle. My weapon was broken on the way here, I only ask that I might get a replacement.} Agmundr nodded at Leo's words, he had seen the two of them take on the entire encampment singlehandedly. He knew that if push came to shove they would be able to leave guarding one of the tunnels completely to them. Giving Leo a weapon was simple task, they had tons to spare, the main issue was finding what he was best with. He looked at Karl, who saw Agmundr looking at him and knew what he was going to say ahead of time.
{don't worry, I'll make sure that he's properly equipped and that he knows how to use what I give him properly. I've a score to even with boy after all, Hahahahahahaha!} Leo smiled as he realized that he would have plenty of time to get used to his new weapon in the near future. Karl also looked as if there was a light in his eyes at the thought of taking Leo on with actual weapons instead of barehanded.
They continued talking about the various things that were essential, then the meeting ended. Agmundr led the chief smiths to works on the magic musket, while Karl led Leo to pick out a new weapon.
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