Bright, much brighter than usual, the moon shone peacefully over the roofs of the small town.

The shadows flitted happily through the streets, drawing bizarre figures on the gravel paths.

The wind whispered long forgotten stories from the old days, but only the trees nodded in agreement, as if they wanted to support the plaintive storyteller.

Etrirus also heard the melancholy chants as he gazed at the houses from the cliffs.

Far too long he sat there and tried to drown himself with his tears, which ran hot down his cheeks. Again he buried his red and puffy eyes in his hands. In front of him was the village in which he had once romped through the streets as a happy child, but he had to leave it. It was far too dangerous for his friends and loved ones if he stayed.

His dreams had told him that now was the right time to leave the protective home behind.That is how it was, and that is how it was determined for a long time, but the reasons were never given. The stars stood confused at his birth and confused they now led him on the way.

When he got up he brushed the dust off his already battered lederhosen. No more than a small bundle of things that were dear to him, the clothes he wore and a little provisions should be his companions for the trip.

It was the first time for him that he went out into the big wide world. With a heavy heart he hit the big main street and padded with uncertain steps into the darkness.

Many days of march drained his strength, he had been far too cowardly to rest for the night. The times and especially the contemporaries were far too uncertain. When he was already afraid that his feet would no longer be able to support him, he saw huge walls in the distance. He had never seen anything like it. Curiosity fired his steps again, his heart beat faster and his pupils dilated as he stood in front of the gigantic city walls.It is hard to imagine that this monster was built by human hands. No, it must have been giants who had enclosed the city stone by stone, his thoughts jerked.

His eyes slowly scanned the panorama that was new to him. His throat tightened when he saw something even more fantastic than the high city walls. A huge sculpture with sparkling battlements, overwhelming ornaments and many towers towered high in the blue sky.

But a violent jolt suddenly pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Well, little one? Close your mouth and don't even dream of ever being able to see the thing from the inside!", A dirty laugh rang out behind him. The man who had just cheated on him of a few trains of thought disappeared through the gate laughing. Etrius dragged himself in the same direction, his stomach growling loudly. Now he could see what was hidden behind the huge walls. Lots of wood, but also stone houses stood close together to the right and left of the paved street.The growling grew louder and louder, his stomach demanded payment for the long journey.

Between the many houses he saw one with a sign that showed a golden pony. Loud noise, but also a mixture of aromas of beer and roast struck him. Here he was right!

He made his way purposefully through the uncoordinated, staggering guests of the tavern.

"Good man, please bring me some milk and something to eat, bread and cheese, I am very grateful." he called to the busy man behind the counter.

"A MILK? What do you want here, little one? Go home, your mom will be waiting for you!", He replied with a loud chuckle.

"Please dear sir, I'm thirsty and I'm hungry, please be so good ..." It was slowly becoming difficult for him to maintain the courtesy his mother had always preached to him. With a shake of the head, the landlord collected the desired items.

"So, kid. That makes two coppers."With these words the landlord put the things in front of him and held up his hand.

"Copper? What is it?" Confusion spreads across the young man's face. "Money my little one, you won't get anything without money." grunted the slightly sour host. What Etrius needed now was within his grasp, but shouldn't he get it because he was missing something called money? That hadn't happened in his village, everyone had worked and got what you needed when you needed it. His eyes were already filling with tears when the landlord was about to put the things away. Suddenly a loud noise tore him out of his self-pity, next to him the counter shattered, a huge war hammer tore it to shreds with ease. The innkeeper stared with dilated pupils at the culprit who had wielded the weapon and Etrius also stood rigid with shock, without even daring to look sideways.

A loud, grim voice finally boomed from diagonally behind him:"By the beard of Moradin, I, Rurik, paladin Moradin the forge of souls, keeper of the fortress of Karak Atzguhl, keeper of the teachings of resentment, guardian of the dwarf empire, son of Ehberg, bearer of the holy hammer Treckmar-Orkschädelspalter, builder of the shafts of Karak Dronk, in the 15th generation of the honorable Ungard clan, do not allow this poor boy to go on starving! Take a look at him, he is almost falling over! ". Shivering, the man behind the counter pulled his hands away from the delicacies served.

“Rurik, why don't you say that the fellow belongs to you instead of destroying my counter?” The question was answered with a grim look from Rurik. Etrius slowly turned his head to one side. Where did he end up here? A person about 1.20 meters tall stood next to him. Long red hair peeked out from under the silver helmet, which was provided with 2 large horns, but his beard was longer than the hair.Lots of braids and gold rings made it a unique work of art. It was difficult to see a flash of chain mail under the heavy armor. In his hand he held a war hammer that was just as big as the little fighting machine itself. His green eyes looked at him mildly.

"Well, kid, then enjoy it. The next time you have a little copper with you, the good person who runs the shop here has to live off something."

"Yes, you just have to say who has ..." the landlord began, but for security reasons he preferred to continue the train of thought he had started out loud for himself.

"D-D-Dan-an-anke." Etrius stuttered, “Who, who are you, or rather what are you?” He knew that it was impolite and probably very foolish to ask just that, but the curiosity in him was immense. Rurik laughed out loud

"Oh little one, you don't come from here, do you? I'm Rurik, a dwarf. But human, what are you doing here?This is no place for you. "