Deepforge Read Online Free PDF Page A

We’ll make ready.”
    Grognor hung up the telephone and thought about the conversation. “Hmmm… I’d better take more than just the royal guard. We may run into trouble,” he said to himself.
    As Grognor prepared to leave the next morning, the telephone rang again.
    Travlgnal answered, “Grognor’s chambers.” As he listened, his eyes got very wide and he was visibly shaken. “Hang on… here’s the Emperor!” He handed the phone to Grognor. “Sire, seems we have a situation, you need to take this.”
    Grognor reluctantly took the phone. “This is Grognor.”
    “Sire! They ambushed us! You need to make ready! They’re coming!”
    “What? Who is this?”
    “Sire, this is Colonel Coal at the southern valley entrance to Deepforge Mountain! Hundreds of humans swarmed us, we’ve lost many warriors! They blasted past us and are headed toward Deepforge! They have powder weapons!”
    “Aw, hell. I was afraid of this. They’re protesting us entering the games. Colonel, stand your ground and keep me informed if anything changes.”
    “Yes, Sire!”
    Grognor handed the phone to Travlgnal. “Get me the human ambassador.”
    Before Travlgnal could dial the number, the phone rang. Grognor grabbed it. “Grognor.”
    “This is Taylen again, we just got word that a rogue army is marching on Deepforge. Do you need any help? We have an outpost just west of there, I can get them on the line.”
    “No, Ambassador. I think we can handle it. Is this a protest?”
    “That’s unclear, but it would be my guess. The news of the dwarves entering the games spread like wildfire. With the instant telephone communication we have these days, news travels faster than ever. Rest assured. This was not sanctioned by Queen Kathryn. She has publicly condemned any act of aggression against you.”
    “I believe you, Ambassador. You’re an honorable man. We’ll keep you informed of the progress.”
    “Thank you, Sire…and…we are deeply sorry about this.”
    Grognor hung up the phone and turned to Travlgnal. “Sound the alarm. Let it sound for five minutes.”
    Travlgnal nodded and ran to the wall. He unlocked a small cabinet that revealed a large red button and pressed it. Immediately, an obnoxious pulsating buzz began loudly invading all quarters of Deepforge. Red Alert.
    Deepforge became nearly chaotic as everyone quickly prepared for battle. Grognor was attacked by his armorers who meticulously dressed him up in the finest, toughest armor available. He preferred to wear his two favorite weapons: his hammer and his axe. With his mighty hammer in hand, he climbed the steps to the observation perch. His assistants were right behind him. As he stepped out into the cool air, at least thirty degrees cooler than the perpetually hot interior of Deepforge, he looked out to see dwarven soldiers scrambling to get inside through the Great Door as a massive human army made its way along the mountain river that marked the trail into the Deepforge mountain valley. Grognor sighed. “This may just turn out to be a good day.” He smiled at the prospect of killing humans, one of his favorite pastimes. “If only we could make an official sport out of killing humans, all would be right with the world.” He smiled at his assistants.
    Travlgnal handed Grognor the microphone. “Here you are, Sire.”
    “Thank you, Travlgnal.” He twisted the top of the cylindrical instrument, making the electrical connection to the attached cable, which led into a box, and then into an elaborate sound amplification device that had initially been invented by the gnomes for use in the telephone system. This led to massive speakers distributed in key places throughout the mountain fortress. This specialized public address system was much more powerful, and designed to catch the ear of every citizen. The Deepforge address system was online. He turned up the power so that his voice sounded much as Deccon’s. “WARRIORS, PREPARE FOR BATTLE… PREPARE FOR SPORT!”