“I know… just give me one more moment.” “What’s he doing?” Fowl asked. His sonar told him that Tanila was shaking her head, pointing at all the chests in the vault they were standing in. “He’s taking inventory one last time. Dagon promised him he could borrow a few more items, and Max knows he won’t have time to keep going back and forth between the kingdoms collecting reagents. You are in for a treat, is all I can say.” Fowl frowned, and Max could sense Tanila smiling. “Just let it go, dear. We both know he’s good about taking care of you,” Batrire said. “That sounded so wrong,” Cordellia complained. “Bah, don’t make me talk about Rakonath or I’ll–” “You two, stop that!” Max shouted. “I’m done, we can go.” “No,” Max said as he wagged a finger at them. “We’re about to do something so significant you each need to be on your best behavior.” Fowl snorted and smiled. Cordellia started to chuckle until she saw the glare she got from him. “I got it, I’ll behave.” He turned to see Tanila smiling at him, a proud look on her face. “Who knew we’d have a dwarf and elf child long before this one?” she replied, rubbing her belly. “Gods, I hope they’re better behaved than those two,” Max groaned. “My jaw is sore,” Cordellia complained, pointing a finger at Fowl before he could speak. “From smiling!” “Sure… anyways, we’re almost done,” their warrior said as he held out a hand, helping Batrire down from the open top carriage. “Max, how many were there?” “An exact count or roughly?” “Roughly is good,” Tanila replied. Doing some math, he smiled and held up eight fingers. “About eight thousand, give or take four hundred and seventy-two.” “Those are the ones I can remember seeing,” Max informed his friend. “Now then, the King is up there. Shall we go?” The five moved through the gate's opening and toward the tower. Guards lined the inside, each of them the honor guard that protected Dagon and Velda. Both of the dwarven royalty had on their armor, each decked out as if going to battle. “Am I missing something?” Cordellia whispered. “No, it’s just how they are out in public,” Batrire replied. Trumpets began to play, and the deep sound of drums reverberated around the inner walls of the tower grounds. The drums matched each step, and Max ignored his desire to walk faster, wanting to see if they would match his faster cadence. Ten yards from the King and Queen, the drums stopped. Max could sense the dwarves who were allowed to be present for this moment. Faction members, family and friends all stood behind the guards, a small buzz of whispers as they watched this moment. “Friends!” Dagon bellowed. “Today we celebrate this party by doing something none of us may ever see again in our lifetime!” Cheers and applause echoed off the walls, and after about ten seconds, the King raised his hand and silenced them. “A gift,” Velda said, holding out a gold chest. “Batrire Hammerfall, wife of Fowl Hammerfall, come and take this token of our support for you and your group as you carry Ockrim’s blessing.” Their healer sniffed once and then moved forward, bowing low before taking the box and bowing again. “We are honored to be Ockrim’s children and to carry his blessing. We are grateful for the gift you have given us.” Velda stepped forward, took Batrire’s head between her hands, and kissed her forehead. “Go, child. Return to us so that we may see a glimpse of your power.” Both women returned to where they had started and Max could sense the electricity in the air. “Fowl, Batrire, Tanila, Cordellia and Max. Please step forward.” All five of them obeyed the dwarf's request and went off to their right. “Kneel to receive the blessing of Ockrim!” Silence was their answer. The five of them knelt, heads held high, as Dagon smiled at them all. The King stepped forward, and a plain golden cup appeared in his hand. In the other hand was a clear liquid in a bottle from which Max could feel power. “Our god has given us a gift, and these five will share in something only a few dwarves in our history have ever tasted. Even I have not sampled it!” A murmur rose for a moment, but the gaze of the King made them all go silent. He poured the liquid into the golden cup, ensuring none was spilled. “Drink, sister and enjoy the blessing of our god.” Cordellia took a sip from the cup he held, and Max sensed the way she vibrated afterward. “Drink, sister and know our god watches over you.” Tanila went next and Max would have swore her hair glowed just a little more. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. “Drink, fellow dwarf and may Ockrim be proud of the child you are.” Max smiled as Dagon held the cup to his lips. He took a drink and immediately felt like his body was on fire as the liquid was absorbed before it ran down his throat. [ Blessing of Ockrim Granted - 10% Stat Bonus for 30 days ] I’m certain that’s not how it goes yet it seems… fitting. 10% for 30 days… a true gift from a god for a tower climber nearing the end. “Drink, brother dwarf. Know that I call you a friend and speak of you to our god.” Fowl sniffed as the cup came close and took a bigger sip, requiring Dagon to pull the cup from his lips. “Drink, sister dwarf. May our god bless your children and you.” Batrire’s body trembled as she took the drink. “They have been blessed! May we celebrate this moment with a song!” Dagon shouted. Drums began to beat, and a low hum came for a few seconds. Ockrim, Lord of Forge and Flame, You bless the blood from which we came. ‎ Your hammer shields, your fire guides, ‎ Through deepest dark where honor bides. We carve your name in stone and steel, ‎ Our oath is bond, our truth is real. ‎ In halls of gold or fields of strife, ‎ Your strength endures, our shield in life. O Children bold, let voices ring, ‎ With Ockrim's might in everything! ‎ We march as one, by clan and kin, ‎ Till mountain falls and stars grow dim. The deep voices of all the dwarves faded, and Max could feel a vibration that seemed to linger in his chest. “Rise, adventurers, and go forth.” Max and the other four stood, bowing slightly before moving toward the tower portal behind the King. As one they stood there, the crowd now silent as each of them glanced at the other. Smiles were present and nods came as they knew a special moment had come. “No matter what is offered, none of us takes it,” Fowl said quietly. “We conquer this for all of our people and ourselves.” “Well spoken,” Max said. “Now then, warriors first.” His eyes didn’t need to adjust like they usually did. One moment, they stood outside the tower; the next, in a vast hall stretching for miles. The ceiling was moving, worlds and stars drifting through the darkness, yet light filled every nook and cranny of the place. Before them stood a crowd, a horde of creatures of all shapes and sizes, some cloaked and others not. Fowl stopped as laughter came from the gathered group. “You have come, and the honor of this moment is ours.” Max turned to his left and then realized his sonar wasn’t working. Near them was Phaius and Ockrim. “You five are here and this is a moment for you to celebrate what you have accomplished and hear what is offered,” the human god continued. “Before you stand those who have deemed this moment worthy of their time. Some may seek you out and offer you a chance to be their chosen one. If you are swayed by what they offer, simply say, ‘I accept your terms and pledge my blood,’ while touching, and you will be taken from here to a new world.” “But if you decide that nothing offered is worthy of giving up the climb, then seek us and we shall send you home,” Ockrim stated. “For now, welcome to the hall of gods and enjoy this moment.” The dwarven god before them clapped his hands, and a melody of music came from everywhere, just faint enough to hear without being so loud as to overpower the crowd's murmurs. Both gods moved toward them, smiling and holding out their hands. “What are they wearing?” Tanila asked. Max shrugged as he saw the same loose-fitting clothes, almost like a toga. Each one shimmered, and he knew there was power in them. “Congratulations, my children,” Ockrim said as he motioned to the group. “That includes you, Max Hoste.” “Hey now, no stealing my people,” Phaius joked. “She did not come,” Ockrim said, shaking his head at their ranger. “She is… engaged in other activities due to her decisions. Fear not, there are many other elven gods here who are more than willing to offer you far greater things than she ever would.” Max took the hand that was offered to him by Phaius, and the god leaned in, drawing him close for a quick hug. “ Be prepared, steady yourself. You and I know you must push onward.” Phaius laughed as if Max had told him some funny joke, and their greeting was over in a moment. “So now, what?” Fowl asked. Those words were like someone had pulled the plug on an ale cask and the crowd surged forward, encircling them and all calling out to them. It was almost an assault to his senses and Max was grateful that his sonar wasn’t working, imagining how bad it would be at this moment. Dozens called out his name, and he still heard others calling out to his friends. A loud snap sounded throughout the hall, and the place went silent. The initial rush of gods that had been there was gone, and laughter came from the crowd still standing in the spots they had been moments ago. “Some forget that you’re not supposed to act in such a way,” Phaius informed them. “Every time it happens. Now, you five may go out as a group or wait, but gods will come and they will court you.” “Do we have to go?” Max asked. Ockrim displayed teeth through his well-manicured beard, grinning from ear to ear. “No. There will be many disappointed beings in the crowd. Some will be possible allies and others will be threats. Right now you could meet them, not sure which category they belong in. Others may dislike your denying of the offer they give,” the dwarven god stated. “In the end, this moment will go on as long as you desire.” Max felt Tanila squeeze his arm. “I’m done. What about the rest of you?” she asked. “Feels like I’m wasting the blessing of my god just standing around here,” Fowl joked. “Besides, ale back home that needs to be drunk.” “I go where you all go,” Cordellia said. Max looked at Batrire, who waved a hand at the crowd, which was shifting slightly and growing smaller as it seemed to already know what was about to happen. “I’m stuck with this guy, so it looks like we’re going home to celebrate.” Max nodded and turned to the two gods, who stood there, each with a smile and sparkle in their eyes. “We’re done. We’d like to go back home.” “Very well,” Ockrim said. “Be safe, adventurers, and good luck on the last trial.” A sound came and Max felt his sonar go active. Dwarves were moving everywhere. Someone’s question stoppe,d and then a cacophony of confusion erupted. Max and the others saw Dagon and Velda looking back at them, barely having reached the gate. “Goblin shite,” Fowl muttered. “This is going to be a long day.”