Kingdom of Dwarf

All of a sudden Arin who was sitting inside was already out after the vibrations of surroundings curious to look for the source. Just then, Arin, watching the fight with fear and not able to stop himself after seeing the person who saved his life was in danger and sprang into action.Dustin who saw Arin and was about to tell him to not move stumbled as he saw Arin picking up a rock and hurled it at the attacker with all his might. The rock struck the attacker's arm, causing him to stumble and misjudge his strike. Instead of killing Borin, the attacker's sword sliced through the air and severed his left hand.

The attacker screamed in agony, clutching the bleeding stump where his hand had been. He glared at Arin with a hatred that burned like fire. "You will pay for this, boy," he hissed. "You've made yourself a target of the Shadowfang."

Before anyone could react, the attacker disappeared in a swirl of dark smoke, leaving behind a lingering sense of dread.

Borin struggled to his feet, breathing heavily. "Arin, you saved my life," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "But who was that man?"

Dustin's face was pale, his eyes wide with realization. "He didn't give his name, but his robes and magic... he must be an assassin from the Shadowfang, a notorious organization known for their deadly efficiency. They never fail a mission."

Arin swallowed hard, the weight of the situation sinking in. "So, because of me, they've failed."

Dustin nodded solemnly. "Yes, Arin. You've made yourself their target. But you also showed incredible bravery."

Arin’s mind raced with a mix of fear and determination. He had acted instinctually, but the repercussions were now all too real. As the adrenaline of the fight began to wear off, he noticed the other soldiers who had been knocked unconscious by the initial attack. Slowly, they began to stir, groaning and clutching their heads as they came to.

“Is everyone alright?” Borin asked, his voice still shaky. The soldiers nodded weakly, their faces pale but determined to push on.

“We need to get to the castle,” Dustin said, helping Borin to his feet. “There, we can tend to the injured properly and report this attack to the authorities.”

The group, battered and weary, made their way to the castle. As they approached the massive gates, Arin’s heart pounded in his chest. The castle was an architectural marvel, built into the side of a mountain. Its stone walls towered above them, designed to intimidate and protect. The entrance was guarded by enormous automatic doors, a feat of dwarven engineering. These doors, crafted from ancient iron and adorned with intricate carvings, slid open smoothly as the group approached, revealing a grand hall lit by flickering torches and glowing crystals embedded in the walls.

Arin’s awe was momentarily overshadowed by a fleeting glimpse of a girl passing by, her long hair flowing behind her as she disappeared into one of the many corridors. He didn’t have time to dwell on it as the guards at the gate took one look at the group and immediately sprang into action, calling for medics and alerting the higher-ups.

A tall dwarf with an air of command strode towards them, his armor gleaming even in the dim light. “What happened here?” he demanded, his eyes scanning the wounded soldiers and the weary expressions on their faces.

Dustin stepped forward, still supporting Borin. “We were ambushed by an assassin from the Shadowfang. This boy,” he nodded towards Arin, “saved us. He diverted the assassin’s strike and gave us a chance to fight back.”

The authoritative dwarf’s stern expression softened slightly as he looked at Arin. “Brave indeed,” he said. “Medics, take the wounded and see to their injuries immediately. The rest of you, come with me. The king needs to hear about this.”

Arin felt a mixture of relief and anxiety as they were led further into the castle. The grandeur of the interior was overwhelming. Tapestries depicting historic battles and heroic deeds of ancient dwarves adorned the walls. Chandeliers crafted from precious metals and crystals cast a warm glow, creating an atmosphere both majestic and intimidating. Everything was scaled for dwarven height, making the ceilings feel even higher and the furniture even sturdier.

As they walked through the corridors, Arin couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. He glanced around nervously, but no one else seemed to notice.

Suddenly, as they were about to enter the king’s chamber, a group of dwarves in dark uniforms appeared. “This one,” one of them said, pointing at Arin. “He needs to be detained.”

“What? Why?” Arin exclaimed, panic rising in his chest. “I’ve done nothing wrong!”

“You’re a human,” the dwarf replied coldly. “And humans aren’t treated with the same courtesy here. You’ll need to prove your innocence.”

Before he could protest further, Arin was grabbed roughly and led away. As he was being dragged through the winding corridors, he caught another glimpse of the girl he had seen earlier. This time, she was closer, and he noticed her striking features: a grown chest and an air of maturity that suggested she was a few years older than him.

“Wait! Please, I’m innocent!” Arin shouted as he was dragged down into the dimly lit dungeons. He was thrown into a cell, the heavy iron door clanging shut behind him.

Arin slumped against the cold stone wall, his thoughts racing. How could this have happened? One moment he was saving a friend’s life, and now he was locked in a dungeon. The fear that had been simmering since the attack now bubbled to the surface. Doubt gnawed at him, but he forced himself to stay calm. He had to think clearly if he was going to prove his innocence.

As the hours passed, Arin’s mind churned with plans and possibilities. He knew he had to stay calm and think clearly if he was going to prove his innocence. The memory of the attacker’s hatred-filled eyes and his ominous promise echoed in his mind. He couldn’t afford to let fear paralyze him.

Arin’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching his cell. The same girl he had seen earlier appeared at the door, carrying a tray of food. She had kind eyes and a gentle demeanor, which contrasted with the harsh surroundings of the dungeon.

“Here,” she said softly, sliding the tray through a small opening. “Eat something. You’ll need your strength.”

“Thank you,” Arin replied, his voice hoarse. “What’s your name?”

“Lyra,” she said, giving him a small smile. “I believe you’re innocent, Arin. Not all of us think humans are enemies.”

Arin felt a glimmer of hope. “Lyra, can you help me? I need to prove my innocence. There must be a way to show the king that I’m not a threat.”

Lyra nodded. “My father is out for the day, but when he returns, he’ll be able to help. He’s a high-ranking official, and he’ll listen to reason. Just stay strong, Arin. We’ll find a way to clear your name.”

Arin studied Lyra’s features, her confidence giving him a sense of reassurance. She was slightly taller than the average dwarf, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, and her eyes held a mixture of determination and kindness.