Book 4: Chapter 11: Balin – Into The Unknown
Balin gave Annie a hug and a kiss. “I promise, we’ll be back soon, love.”
“You’d better be!” His golden haired love gave him a thump on the chest before heading back to join the clan.
“Well, this should be fun, eh?” Raysdotter said chipperly. She adjusted the clasps on her black studded leather armor.
“Just keep smiling and look confident.” Starshine muttered, waving at an adventurer she recognized in the crowd. “I’m going to be sick. There’re two Dukes here!”
“At least your face is hidden behind your visor, and if you throw up it will all just pool in your armor. Not all of us are so lucky!” Aishablue whined. “Gods damn it, Pete! You never said it would be a show!”
Balin chuckled. “It’s me brother. How could it be anythin’ but a spectacle?”
The ‘Grand Opening’ as his brother was calling it was being held in a secret space deep within the Army Barracks in Blackwall. They’d needed to get special passes to get in, before they were blindfolded, had their Abilities suppressed by a [Blank], then were led through twisting tunnels to where they now were – a cavernous black space where every wall was made of adamantine, and there wasn’t a single door to be seen.
For it's sheer size, it was still packed with people. There was the full Thirsty Goat family, including Kirk, who was looking relieved that he didn’t have to duck for once. Duke Schist was in attendance with a collection of city officials, all of whom were milling about making sure their paperwork was in order. And finally there were Duke Barnes and her armed guards, all of whom looked vaguely amused at the chaos.
Then there were the mages and [Engineers] from the army, who were constantly running to and fro, checking runes and defenses to ensure everything was in working order.