Chương 104: Chapter 103 – Fearus Maximus

"I don't know about this, Celestia. Even with extra guards, it's still going to cause quite a stir when we get them outside," Grim said, glancing over at the restless group.

"Momma, how much longer?" Thai called across the room, lifting her head off her father's shoulder.

"I'm sleepy and want to take a nap." Then she let her head drop back down.

"I don't know, sweetheart," Sheera said, walking back toward Rowan and Thai. She shot Celestia a haggard glance.

"Hopefully not too much longer."

"I's sorry for the delay, folks. I's really am. Your safety and comforts is our primary concern," Grim said, checking the clock.

"The guard should be here very soon tos escort us through the city." He turned to Celestia, motioning for her to take it from there.

"Listen up, guys. I know you've all had a very long couple of days, but you have to understand this was all put together at the very last minute. There were bound to be hiccups along the way," she said, giving the group a harried look.

"There was no way anyone would have been able to predict the logistical nightmare we are currently looking at. I don't know about the rest of you, but I am thankful that so much attention is being given to our safety and well-being while we are here." She stepped closer to the group.

"Celestia, we already have security. I thought that's what I was here for," Ray said.

"Why do we need more?"

"Okay, I'm going to put it to you guys in the simplest terms possible. Up until today, these people had no idea you even existed. They have never seen an Elf, or a Goblin, and not many have actually had any interaction with a fairy. We are going to create quite the spectacle traipsing down the street. We don't want to cause a mass panic." She turned to Grim.

"Not sure if any of you really noticed, but there is a considerable size difference between you and Grim, and he's on the taller side for dwarves." She took a deep breath before continuing.

"Look at it from their perspective. How would any of you react if a band of giants came walking down your street, especially you, Sheera?" She paused, turning to her.

"Your first instinct would be to protect Thai from the perceived threat." Then she turned to Rowan.

"And you, Rowan, would instinctively want to protect your wife and child." She sighed heavily.

"Look, guys, there doesn't have to be an actual threat, just a perceived one. Just one false move, one loud noise, and it would be like throwing a match into dry kindling." The group looked to one another and nodded as they began to understand.

"That's only the first challenge. The second challenge is that dwarven infrastructure is not exactly designed for people who are as tall or as large as some of us. I know you haven't been outside yet, so you're unfamiliar with the dwarven realm, but it's set up for much smaller individuals. They have a canal system to shuttle people around. There are bridges that, Ray, you would knock yourself out on even if you ducked.

The gondolas themselves aren't large enough to accommodate one, let alone the entire group of us," Celestia said, seeing the group relax.

"We found a workaround, but it is not without its own challenges. They have a cargo system they use for transporting large stone blocks from the quarries to various work sites throughout the realm. They've been arranging for us to use these larger vessels, but it all takes time and coordination. So please be patient. We're doing the best we can." No sooner had Celestia finished speaking, a young dwarf rushed into the room. He headed straight for Grim and handed him a document.

"It's from Colonel Stonehenge, sir. He said to tell you he can only spare five of us," he said quickly, before standing at attention. Grim looked down at the paper and returned his eyes to the young soldier. He watched anxiously as the young dwarf suddenly whipped his head toward the movement he'd caught out of the corner of his eye. Maximus' eyes went wide, and Grim could see the subtle throb of the vein in his neck quicken. Color drained from his face so fast Grim thought the lad might faint.

Without a second thought, he slipped out from the desk and got behind the young man, ready to catch him if he collapsed. Grim looked up just in time to see the young dwarf's face.

"It's alright, Maximus. These are our guests. These are the folks we will be escorting to Shadowborne Villa."

"Sir?" he asked, his whispered voice trembling.

"What are they?" His eyes never left the group, his hand instinctively wrapping around the dagger's hilt he carried on his belt. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Maximus," he called out, getting the young dwarf's attention.

"There really is no need for that," Grim said, moving out from behind the soldier. He motioned to Celestia.

"This is Celestia. She is a fairy and the emissary for our guests," he added as he walked closer to the group. Maximus stood, wide-eyed, frozen in place. Grim decided it was best to handle the introductions in stages. He figured this would give the lad a chance to pick his jaw up off the floor between each one.

"Hello, Maximus," Celestia said, stooping down to his level.

"It's very nice to meet you, and I hope that you are not put off by me or my companion's size." Maximus tipped his hat shakily.

"Hello, Ma'am, the pleasure is…" He paused, his voice shaky.

"Is… is all mine."

"Over here, lad," Grim called, motioning to Maximus, who was now appeared fixated on Celestia. Celestia let out a little giggle as she stood up straight.

"You'll be fine, Maximus, I promise. Let's go meet my friends," she said, stepping away and encouraging him to follow. Maximus hesitantly began moving closer to the group. Celestia put a hand on his shoulder, coaxing him forward.

"This is Ray. He is a goblin," Celestia said warmly. Grim watched Maximus crane his neck to look up at him. Ray crouched and stuck his hand out to the young dwarf.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, young man. I look forward to working with you and your team." Maximus stared at Ray's outstretched hand before finally taking it, his own hand trembling. Ray's large hand wrapped gently around the dwarf's smaller one, shaking it softly, like an adult might with a small child. Slowly, Maximus's tense posture relaxed as Ray released his hand.

"This is Sheera. She is an elf," Grim said as Maximus once again stretched his neck to look at her.

"Pleasure, Ma'am," he said, gently tipping his hat.

"It's all mine," she replied.

"This is my husband, Rowan, and our daughter Thai," she said, motioning to the pair, "but it seems Thai has had enough for today and has decided to take a nap." She chuckled.

"Excuse me for not shaking your hand, young man, but as you can see, I have my hands full at the moment," Rowan said, repositioning Thai, who was now dead weight.

"It's alright, sir. I's have young ones at homes, myself. It's amazing how they cans just be running around one minute and then be soundly sleeping the next," Maximus said with a smile.

"Okay, now that everyone is acquainted with one another, we can get down to business," Grim said, his expression turning serious.

"The Colonel Stonehenge, in his infinite wisdoms, has decided he cans only spares five guards to escort yous safely to Shadowborne Villa." His words dripped with sarcasm and disgust.

"As you can sees by young Maximus' reaction to the sight of you—no offense here intended, Max," he said, turning to the young man before turning back to the group, "we wills be facing stares and glares from the local folk." He looked thoughtfully at the group before continuing.

"Expect all kinds of gasps and gawks, whispers and moans. I'm guessing there will be a lot of finger pointing and the occasional curse." He sighed.

"My advice…" he paused for effect, "don't engage. Don't dos anything to startle or riles them up. The guards and meself will do our best tos prevent any overzealous townsfolk from inciting a riot or a lynchin', but the sooner we make it tos the transport, the better."

"Mister Steelcutter," Ray said, stepping forward, "may I interject my thoughts here?"

"Please, calls me Grimwald, or Grim," he smiled.

"No need to be standin' on formality heres." He snickered.

"You and I's will come to knows each other quite well during your stay, so we mights as well drop the pretenses now," he began, "and by all means, I's think you may be able to add some valuable insight tos our predicament."

"Thank you, Grim," Ray said, smiling at the dwarf before turning to their group.

"We need to keep Thai in the middle," he said, looking at Rowan.

"She is our most vulnerable. Sheera, Rowan, you too, stay on the inside. Celestia and I will flank your sides while the guards do their best to maintain the perimeter. Our group needs to appear as small as we can. Stay close to one another until we are better able to gauge public reaction." Ray then cast Grim a glance.

"Grim, if the crowd becomes violent, would you prefer that I focus on offensive or defensive positioning?" Grim paused before answering.

"Good question. First and foremost, defense. But if the need be, you haves authority to gos on the offensive. Don't gets me wrong…" He paused, giving Ray a cautionary glance.

"I don't want a bloodbath on our hands, but getting to our destination safely is what matters most."

"Our goal is to maintain good will with the locals," Celestia began, standing to face the group.

"They will be our hosts for the foreseeable future. The last thing we need, or want, is any animosity between us and the locals," she said, looking directly at Ray. Ray rolled his eyes at her.

"Celestia, if you're concerned that I might start ripping townspeople apart, relax. Considering the size difference between us and the locals, I can hold an offensive position without causing any bodily harm." He snickered.

"If I stood there and growled at them real loud, I think they would back off without much effort," he said, grinning at Grim. Grim chuckled.

"Celestia, if the local folks get out of hand, a bumps on the head or a good shove in the other direction is usually all it will take."

"Well, on that note, the guards are downstairs waiting fors us. Ready or not, here we go," Grim said, leading the way to the door.