Fix me Up

Draig was staring at the 'forge' Ari had spoken of before looking at the Goblin Queen with a deadpan.

Crude molds and stone wheels however there was no hammer or anvil to speak of, looking towards the girl Draig couldn't help but ask.

"Is this your only forge?" asked the killer with a bit disappointment

"It is the royal forge, this where my elite guards get there weapons." smiled Ari proudly causing Draig to look at her strangely.

"I am afraid this forge is unusable to me..." sighed Draig though he didn't reveal the true level of his disappointment.

"I know it looks complicated but it's super easy to use after you get the hang of it." started Ari causing Draig to look at the girl with a sour face.

"The issue is its too simple..." answered Draig causing Ari to look at him bizarrely.

"This is how everyone does it." started Ari only for Draig to stop her.

"I can assure you there is a much better way to be making weapons... Our alliance still stands though it seems you are unable to help me." explained Draig as he left the Forge with Ari in tow.

She noticed that they were heading towards the exit causing her to look at him oddly, she had thought that the killer would take up residence in the castle with her after all.

"Are you going back to that cave?" asked Ari checking if her theory was correct.

"I am, that is where I live now after all." answered Draig as he began the long trek up.

Ari followed close behind him like a puppy, the events from before leaving her feeling a bit helpless before the killer or maybe it was her Goblin nature that was taking effect but she continued following all the way back to his cave where a charred black boar sat over his fire that was now smoldering.

---------Draig's Enclave-----

Draig and Ari arrived back at his cave only to find a shocking sight, a small platoon of Dwarves standing guard.

"Stand behind me" stated Draig as he confidently stepped forward causing the dwarves to go on high alert.

"Halt, state your business." commanded a burly looking Dwarf who's mustache actually appeared to be incredibly thick nose hair.

"State your business, this is my home and I want to know why you all have once again gathered here." stated Draig casting a dangerous look at the cocky attitude of the half stacked tub of lard.

"Make way, the Queens guest has arrived." called out the burly Dwarf paying Draig no mind.

"I really hope you do something stupid so I can kill you." stated Draig openly causing the Dwarf to bristle a bit but he didn't act.

--------

Draig stepped into his cave with Ari holding onto his side from behind as she peeked around Draig to see Eliza sitting there with a fire already going and what seemed like gifts?

"To what do I owe the pleasure." stated Draig as he recalled this one to be particularly fiery.

"I wish to make amends and seek a mutual relationship." answered Eliza noticing Ari attached to Draig looking at her warily.

'Seems he is not one to hold grudges at least' thought Eliza as she watched the duo, however it didn't take long for her to understand Ari's change behavior as she kept very close to Draig.

"So what is all this." asked Draig gesturing to some of the treasures gathered.

"A gift in return for an Alliance." answered Eliza causing Draig to sigh before something occurred to him.

"I have no need for gold or treasure, I have nothing to spend it on." explained Draig causing Eliza to look a bit dismayed.

"W-Well, I am sure we can find something that would better suit your tastes." started Eliza however Draig already knew what he wanted.

"Are dwarves really talented in the art of forging." asked Draig cutting straight to the point causing Eliza to nod as she saw hope yet.

"Of course we are some of the finest craftsmen around" smiled Eliza bringing her fist to her chest as if swearing by it.

"Then I do need something, in return I will agree to your alliance." cut in Draig causing Eliza to widen her eyes.

'You know this diplomacy thing isn't so hard.' smiled Eliza internally.

"Of course, how can I assist you." asked Eliza.

"I need hammers, an anvil, a forge, ingots, bellows and finally a quench." stated Draig causing Eliza to look at him surprised.

"A-Are you sure that's what you want, if it's a matter of weapons I assure the Dwarven craftsmanship is nothing to scoff at." started Eliza only for Draig to shake his head.

"Bring me these things, the weapons I use are made in a special way." answered Draig causing Eliza to perk up.

"Tell me about the process, perhaps we already know of the techniques you use." asked Eliza as she seemed more interested.

"It's a secret method passed down through my people, I am afraid I am unable to reveal the process to you." answered Draig causing Eliza to deflate.

"Ah yes, there are some Dwarven families that are the same. Very well, I will bring you the things that you have asked for. Just give me some time to gather them." nodded Eliza as she stood up and gestured for the guards to gather the treasures she had brought.

--------

A short bit after Eliza had left Ari clenched to Draig's side looked at her disappearing figure with wariness.

"I don't like how she was looking at you" stated the Goblin Queen.

"Yeah well she has the things I need to repair my sword, unlike your cast and sharpen method." remarked Draig causing Ari to look at him with puffed cheeks.

"Still don't like her." stated Ari as Draig stood causing her to release him.

Emptying his pouches he was down to his last good kunai with only a handful of Shuriken, his sword was in pieces and he was really beginning to smell himself.

It was at this point that Draig remembered something and gave chase to Eliza.

---------- Eliza's platoon------

The Dwarf queen felt rather pleased with how the encounter had gone, it was easier than what she had imagined however her thoughts were quickly put on hold as a familiar black armor appeared before her.

"I forgot one thing." stated Draig as he came closer.

"U-Uh, yeah" asked Eliza wondering how he had gotten in front of them so fast.

"I need a pickaxe." explained Draig causing the surrounding dwarves to look at him oddly but approvingly, they could after all respect someone who enjoyed labor.

"S-sure, I will include that with your forge and other supplies." answered Eliza causing the Dwarves to look at Draig appraisingly.

Nodding Draig seemingly disappeared leaving the platoon standing there.

"Your highness, you have a very interesting friend. I can tell he is of good character." nodded one dwarf as if hinting.

"It is so rare for other races to take interest in our line of work, definitely someone to keep around." came another, this was followed by all sorts of fatherly mutterings causing Eliza to groan.

------------Draig's enclave------

Draig returned to his cave and noticed the sun was already beginning to set.

'I didn't waste that much time did I?" wondered Draig as he walked inside to find Ari still there though now there seemed to be some new additions to his cave.

"What is all this" asked Draig gesturing to the rough spun curtain that now hung at the entrance to the cave along with the primitively made bed laying by his trunk, along with the lanterns hanging from the ceiling.

He was honestly more interested in how Ari had accomplished this so fast, he hadn't been gone long yet she had somehow managed to go to Gob Glow and back to bring these things.

"Consider this one of the perks of our Alliance." stated Ari proudly as she through a blanket over the mattress she had brought to the cave.

"Then thank you." answered Draig awkwardly as the rough fabric of Ari's dress lifted enough to give him a glimpse of her winking eye while she was fixing the bed.

"Of course." beamed Ari the little goblin smiling brightly.

"Now sit there and relax while I cook you some dinner." nodded the gob as she rummaged through a previously unnoticed sack.

Draig was truly curious how this little goblin had managed to carry all this so fast.

While the Goblin Queen set about her self appointed task Draig was digesting all the new information he had gained today, he considered himself lucky that things had worked out but this was mostly due to his boosted physical prowess which he still had no explanation for.

He knew what his capabilities were and as much as he would like to say nothing had changed, he would unfortunately be lying if he said otherwise. He didn't possess the strength to blow an opponents flesh to bits with a fist nor did he possess the speed that allowed him to seemingly vanish. These were all things that had only started happening after he had arrived on this continent which begged the question of what had changed.

Alas he didn't know enough to form a hypothesis, looking up Ari was leaned over sniffing from the pot she was stirring, her tightest hole peeking at him causing him to look away.

'This goblin is too shameless.' thought Draig as he was brought from his thoughts by a bowl of what looked like curry was set before him.

Ari then stared at him beckoning him to take a bite, needing no prompting Draig helped himself before looking at the Goblin in surprise.

"It's good." stated Draig causing Ari to smile before looking at him in an aggrieved manner.

"You don't have to look so shocked." complained Ari before she made herself a bowl.

Thus the two sat in a momentary silence other than the sound of spoon scraping bowls, after they had finished Ari poured Draig a glass of... something.

Tasting it, Draig almost spat it out. The burning sensation was quite familiar to him, it was liquor and strong at that.

He looked at Ari as if she had gone crazy.

"Did you like it? The guys said that you would like it if I poured it for you" smiled Ari causing Draig to sigh as he drank down the cup taking the little remnant in the bottom and tossing to the fire he wasn't too surprised to see it ignite almost instantly which sparked and idea in his head.

'Well that's something to try another day' thought the killer as he stood and made his way to the bed that Ari had prepared.

The alcohol already seeming to take effect though he'd only had that one glass, this was shown by the fact the moment his body hit the mattress he was out.