Chapter 44: Tools Upgrade
The night was quiet, lit only by the soft glow of the campfire. Caelen sat near it with the two old dwarves, Borin and Dorgrim. Zira and Garin sat nearby, listening.
"So," Caelen said, tossing a stick into the flames, "where did you two live before ending up in that cave?"
Dorgrim took a sip from his wooden flask and grunted. "Up in the mountains. Deep in the stone halls of Ironridge."
Borin chuckled, his beard twitching. "Used to be nice. Now? Eh. Too many rules. Too many younglings thinkin' they know better."
"They kicked you out?" Garin asked.
Borin waved a hand. "Bah. We left. Sort of. Maybe got a little expelled."
Dorgrim nodded. "Drinking on shift. Loud snoring. Borin blew up a furnace once."
"Only once," Borin said proudly.
Zira raised an eyebrow. "You don't seem too broken up about it."
Borin snorted. "We're too old to care. Besides, this forest's got good drinkin' water."
Caelen laughed. He liked them already.