The start to riches

This was the first time Sam had gone to the great cave network of Mount Luna. Coming from the village of Dunwell the most he had ever seen was hills. His father would tell him tales of his mining adventures, but it had been two years since his father's passing and now it was his turn to work the mines. This was only Sam's second job and he had been very lucky to get this one. The foreman on the last job had seen Sam's work and had taken a liking to to him.

"So.. Sam was it?" Asked a brown bearded dwarf "My names Rudger, old Klaus told me your a good worker nearly as good as a dwarf" he laughed. Klaus was the foreman and him and Rudger were the only dwarfs out of the twenty workers. The group divided on two different carriages. "It's in my blood I guess, my family are generations of miners" said Sam examining the dwarfs black smudged face, body built like a whiskey barrel. "Well I'm glad it is, this is a big job we got here lad. Mana crystals" Rudgers eyes lit up. If there was one thing for certain about dwarfs, they loved them some rare crystals.

The carriages stopped just outside the cave entrance. They had taken a thin pathway, just enough for horses and carriages just about mid way up Mount Luna. Sam and the rest proceeded to take tools and bags off the carriages. A tall rather stocky lad hauled up next to Sam and started helping take bags and torches off the carriage. Sam looked at him, his was only just over 5 foot himself so was used to looking up at most people, but this guy was much taller than the average person.

"I have seen trees smaller than you" joked Sam "My names Sam from the village of Dunwell." He extended his hand to the tall guy. He didn't move much as Sam spoke to him, his eyes just moved over and fixed onto Sam. A few moments passed that felt like a lifetime before he finally spoke "I am Gaar from Ironside." He spoke very monotone, his eyes moved back to his task as he carried on. Sam had heard about Ironside from his father, a great iron city up north in the cold lands. Where everyone was built strong and powerful, not the smartest his father would say but strong as a bison. They called it the iron blood, and it came down from giants, this was the folklore anyway.

Klaus gathered the party at the entrance, everyone was carrying a pick axe, bag and a unlit torch. Rudger was stood next to him as they surveyed the crowd gathered in front of them. "Now we all know why we're here and the job at hand. I picked out this team myself and I expect you all to give me your very best." Klaus paused for a minute and looked over the crowd, I ginger beard reaching down to his chest which then split off to two separate dreadlocks that reached down to his waist. He was a little bit taller than Rudger but not as wide, you could tell who was the brains and braun between the two. He turned and looked to the entrance. "This mountain has stood for aslong as the elves history books, and still there are many places yet explored. It is believed there are mana crystals in this place, and it's our job to get them and bring them back." Chatter broke out between the workers, excitement over the prospect of how much gold would be made from this venture.

Mana crystals are the holy grail of resource in Angesland. Used by mages for creating seals and new spells. Mason's use them to help enchant buildings to ward away from other spells. The paladins use them for holy rituals used to connect with the heavens. The only problem with mana crystals was most were harvested in time, wars meant they were needed more and being none rewnable the years meant less and less.

Klaus turned back to the workers with a little glint in his eye, the first bit of happiness on his face Sam had seen. "Now I know your all thinking there's no chance, that this another lie about a location." His smile widened a little more, Rudger had joined in with a smile of his own and Sam had guessed they both knew something extra. "Well lads the good news is this has come from Queen Medina herself!" He puffed out his chest, obviously proud of the fact he had spoken to the Queen of the city of Diamantia.

The crowd started to perk up again, more chattering with the crowd more excitement,more talks of being rich. Well apart from Gaar who Sam could see above everyone else, still with his vacant stare the only one showing no emotion. "Being the best foreman this side of the mountain" proclaimed Klaus the proudness emanating from him, "I have been tasked with retrieving them, Rudger here" he pointed to Rudger, he reshuffled his composure to look more the part. "He is the number two on this job, I would go as far ad to say his nearly as good as a foreman as me."

It was unsual for two foremen to share a job, but then with mana crystals involved the gold they would make would be the same as a years worth of work mining other materials. Sam pondered on this, maybe there would be two teams? Or maybe the extra knowledge could help with the workload so they could take more quickly? Either way for now Sam just had to get his head down and do what he does best, what his father taught him. If this job was as big as they were saying maybe he could set up his widow mother and siblings, they had been hard done by since Sam's dad had died and being a new miner to the trade he wasn't getting as many jobs as he father would. He was lucky to get onto the last job. Klaus was passing through the village when he met Sam. He was originally looking for his Dad for this job when he found Sam instead. He said he would trial Sam on a job he had before and now here he was, staring at Mount Luna the promise of riches at hand.