9 Orzammar

A battle-ax came swinging through the air aimed at his body and Nero that saw it coming rather easily had to only bend backward with his upper body to let it fly by his face only few inches away.

From the view of the spectators, it was a very acrobatic movement not many could perform with such quickness and speed. It was not like the attacks from the shorter men that stood opposite to him were slow or anything.

Dwarves had the innate muscle strength needed to wield heavy weapons as easily as wielding a small twig. Their point of gravity being low also helped them in that regard.

And their heavy plated armor was also nothing to scoff at and all the counter-attacks that Nero performed in the nick of opportunity were mainly stopped by the metal.

With not all of his counters being successful it sure dragged the fight out for quite a while now.

But that didn't mean that everything was just scraped off and for naught. From the last slash that Nero just did a second ago at one leg, one could now see the dwarf hobble slightly in response.

Besides that, Nero was still fine stamina wise. The dwarf had rather heavy breathing that he could already hear clearly from him.

So after distancing himself from his opponent Nero twirled his blade playfully with a smirk on his face.

The dwarf scoffed at that display and placed the two-handed battle-ax on his shoulders.

"I think I had enough. The rumors seem to be true. I give up.", said the dwarf.

"Hmm? Giving up? I thought there were no such words in the dwarven language?", asked Nero back quickly.

"Don't be absurd. We have been exchanging blows for at least 10 minutes now. If it were not for your damn blade, we would be in a stalemate forever. And unlike others, I am not the kind of guy that does not value a good fight. I learned a lot just in this one.", laughed the dwarf now and then looked towards another dwarf that stood at the side. "What are you waiting for? Announce the result."

"...Ah, of course, your highness...and the winner by surrender.... is Nero of House Cousland!" At first, the referee was shocked by what he heard from the prince but he still had to announce the result.

That got a rather weird reaction from the spectators. Or should one say it was a normal reaction that was more of surprised whispering and shock from the result?

Most of the people present actually considered the win going to the prince. But no one had expected him to surrender in such a fashion.

While noticing the reactions Nero sheaved his sword and approached the dwarf.

"That was a good fight, Duran. Let's do it again sometime.", said Nero and stretched out his arm towards him.

The dwarven prince Duran smirked and accepted the handshake. "Of course. I won't just ignore a good fight like that. Now, let's go back to father for the actual prize, shall we?"

Nero only chuckled lightly. This fight was actually a result of Nero's request to the King.

His original purpose in coming to Orzammar was to get the key to a Thaig entrance at the Stormcoast in Highever.

One may say what you want about dwarfs hating the surface, but they were pretty strict in controlling their deep road entrances at the surface. At least those close to their capital.

So much so that one had to get a key to enter them. Just goes to say how large the dwarven empire once was and how farstretched the tunnel system really is.

The fact of it being closed up alone surprised Nero when he went ahead and wanted to start an expedition down the deep roads to get a feel for the threat that the Darkspawn posed. But mostly because he wanted to take a look at how much time he had left.

He was sure the time of the Blight was coming closer and closer. But when exactly it would happen was another matter.

So standing a short time later in front of the King of Orzammar again he could only place a smile on his face while holding his helmet at the side of his hips.

Nero's light blue eyes kept track of the King's movements. He saw that the King was also more than surprised and even had a skeptical look on his face.

"So you have proven yourself worthy.", said the old voice. "Then, by all means, I hereby give you the key to the stone gate of the Stormcoast. But be warned. Every Darkspawn and other threat crawling out of it will be your own responsibility..."

"That I am aware of, your majesty.", answered Nero to the Kings' words.

"No, you are not, child." The king sighed. "The grey warden are conscripting members right now. It is said another blight is on the rising."

That got Nero to frown. "The grey warden were already in Orzammar for that matter?"

"They were. But nothing is certain yet. They only took a look around for members for now. I am just warning you that it may be more dangerous than you think. It is a noble cause going down the deep roads to clear them. We even appreciate it that you help us regain some of our roads. But for many centuries those roads have become deathtraps only the bravest dare explore...I would not want a young man like yourself to get killed there just because of that."

"I understand your concern, your majesty. And I am grateful for it. But if the grey warden are being active, that means they at least have some concern. To keep my homeland safe, I should also prepare. It is all the more reason to secure that entrance.", responded Nero.

"That is true. Well, may we meet again." But before Nero could leave the King chuckled lightly. "Oh, and please greet your father for me. It has been some time since we last had a drink together."

"You know my father?", asked Nero in surprise. It was not like the king made any signs to that before and only mentioned it now.

Looking around like being watched the king made sure that most of the people that were in the throne room left before talking further. "Yes, I know him. After all, we had all been a little bit busy when the civil war happened in Ferelden. Both of us being much younger at the time, of course. It is good to see that you and my sons met and got to know each other as well. Some fates are truly intertwined."

"I see" Nero smiled. "I will make sure to deliver your request for a drink. Though a mother may very well dislike that.", added Nero with a small chuckle.

"By the stone! Don't tell Eleanor anything about that! You know what, forget what I said. Just greet him from me." The king seemed to be flustered out of the sudden and that let Nero raise a brow. Good thing no one but the royal guards saw that or else everyone would wonder what made him that way.

After the king cleared his throat and became kingly again he nodded to him for his departure.

Nero smiled and bowed lightly before he left the throne room.

When he was outside he looked back up at the ceiling. The red lava that flowed underneath every structure close by was the only source of light that illuminated everything. It really was a unique experience being in the capital of the dwarves.

And he learned some things that he was not aware of. Especially noteworthy his father's relationships. Joke aside, he had to make sure the entrance of the deep roads at the Stormcoast is secured firmly.

He had already built a settlement with firm walls around the entrance and placed the headquarters of his Silver Hand mercenary group there.

Nero actually should have made this trip for the key a lot sooner all things considered.

But now he had to hurry up to actively explore the inside of it and capture some of it to fortify against threats. For if the Blight starts there, it would speak disaster for him.

He would lose the men stationed at the newly built Storm Peak Fortress and all the effort he put into training his man would be in vain. About 10.000 men would just go down the drain. It made a shudder run down his spine.

And Nero had to take into consideration that the grey warden were active for a reason. Not much time remained. Warden-Commander Duncan of Ferelden was probably looking around for his members currently and getting the help of the king.

Maybe a few years remained. At least that amount. For it took a while to mobilize an army and forge alliances. And Nero would have heard about that mobilization if it were imminent.

So much to do but so little time available. Now Nero knew what it felt like to be on a deadline - literally.