Fowl stared at his screen, still amazed at what the system had given him. [ Unique Bloodline Created ] [ Awaiting System’s Acceptance ] [ Bloodline Accepted ] [ Bloodline - Unique - Bloodline of the Chosen One of a God ] [ Bonuses Determined ] [ 40% Bonus to All Stats ] [ 40% Bonus to Hit Points ] “If you don’t stop looking like that at your information, I’m going to think you don’t care about me,” Batrire teased. “Please, woman. You know I love you, but this bloodline… How… I mean, how is it this good?!” “So you do remember what mine was?” she asked. Fowl grunted and nodded. He recalled what Batrire had shown him a minute ago. [ Unique Bloodline Created ] [ Awaiting System’s Acceptance ] [ Bloodline Accepted ] [ Bloodline - Unique - Bloodline of the Healer ] [ Bonuses Determined ] [ 65% Bonus to All Stats ] [ 20% Bonus to INT / WIS ] [ 20% Bonus to Healing Effects ] “Yeah… I remember. Seems the system might have loved you more in some ways, but all I can think about is how the skill I got might have influenced mine. Now with both of our bloodlines and what Jazzjak… err, Bryg, says, the potential child of the two we have chosen to be king and queen will be…” “Almost like Max?” Batrire teased. Fowl chuckled and shook his head. “No… not that broken but close.” He turned, bent down on his knee, and looked up at his wife. “Know that no matter what, I love you. More than all the ale, gold, gems, power, or anything else. Even with these crazy things that have happened in the last… fifteen years? Every day, I am thankful to Ockrim and the others for this moment. “Even if…” Fowl’s voice caught in his throat. “It’s okay, my love,” Batrire said, her hand caressing his cheek. “We didn’t know.” Taking a deep breath, Fowl nodded, took his wife’s rough hand and kissed it. It’s not fair. Whoever made this stupid rule, may the system curse you! His heart hurt when Bryg told them news he had wondered about. No child… Why… I mean, I get it, but why can’t gods have children with other gods!? And then to hear that some do with their creation… “Let it go, my love,” Batrire said, grabbing his beard with her other hand and pulling him to his feet. “We have something most will never have. A chance to spend eternity together, and I swear if you pout the entire time, I’ll make it feel far longer.” He chuckled and nodded, kissing her on the lips for a moment. A cough came from behind, and Batrire pushed him away, chuckling. “Thank you for not groaning, Bryg. Sorry if our way of showing affection isn’t for everyone.” “Do not apologize,” their helper replied. “I simply wanted to announce my presence before things… progressed like they did last time.” Fowl snorted and turned, winking at their herald in his breastplate of overlapping tankard lids. “Yeah… that wasn’t how we planned it, and no one should be initiated like that into the realm of dwarven lovemaking.” Bryg chuckled. “Your idea of lovemaking and some of the other races is far different, but who am I to judge. In all my years, I have seen many variations, and that was minor compared to most. In fact, if you want, I could tell you of—” “No, that won’t be necessary,” Batrire said, cutting him off. “We have something else to do. Lots of things to prepare for and take care of, if you don’t mind.” “Ahh yes, the wedding and the bloodlines. You two are very different from the others,” Bryg stated. “I understand all the races are different, but I must admit, you caught me off guard with your choices.” “It’s the dwarven way,” Fowl replied. “Find a pair of dwarves who love each other and understand that family comes first. Then put them through a few tests to ensure they truly love each other. If neither draws blood and they still go home together at night, well, you know they can make it through anything.” “And your parents did this to you?” Both dwarves laughed and shook their heads. “No,” Fowl said. “I went against my family’s legacy, she left her home, and we became adventurers. When we showed up, both willing to stand up to our families and forsake them for each other, they knew we would be forever bound.” “What was I thinking?” Batrire asked, winking at Fowl. “Giving up a life in a bar serving drunken dwarves over being a goddess.” Bryg grinned at them both. “Well if you’re ready, there is a whole city waiting for this moment.” “We’ll be there in a minute. Let the two love birds know we are about to arrive.” Bowing, his armor clanking as he did, Bryg then turned, vanishing through a doorway off to the side of the room they were standing in. “You ready for this, my love?” Fowl asked. “Our first real big moment on this world.” “Uh… and the rest of that stuff? It wasn’t?” Fowl shook his head. “Not compared to choosing our king and queen, giving our bloodlines, and handing out the rest of our sparks. In a single day we’re about to do everything we’re supposed to. You and I both know that this day is what will set our kingdom apart from the rest. No longer will we be the ones without a true leader. In fact we’ll have a king and queen. Max and Tanila aren’t going to have this for a while, I believe. Even Cordellia won’t have a pair. We’re the first.” “Does that really matter?” Batrire asked. “Being the first?” Fowl grunted and nodded. “It does to me. I know that sounds petty, but we’re different. They’re our family. Heck, Max is my half-brother, but you and I know what this means as dwarves . Tell me that if Ockrim himself did this for our people or for us, you wouldn’t feel the same way.” Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. She nodded and winked at him. “Just checking. Now then, let’s get ready and go marry those two.” Fowl took a step back and held out his arms. “Hocus docus!” he shouted, snapping his fingers. Gone was the simple leather he wore, replaced with his full set of adventuring armor, each piece glistening in the light of the room. “It’s hocus pocus, you dork,” Batrire said, rolling her eyes. “And it’s ! Hocus pocus!” She cast a small spell, causing herself to glow as her ornate red and white healing robes appeared, the staff that Max had crafted for her now held in one hand. “If you got it, flaunt it. Now let’s go.” The pair of them laughed and took turns hip-checking each other as they made their way to the doorway and down the light-gem illuminated hallway. Soon they found themselves at the door that led outside. Fowl gave a simple tap on the metal door with his hammer, causing a loud echo to ring out around them. Both opened up, revealing the large amphitheater that had been created for this moment. Every dwarf that could come was present, lining the seats that surrounded the main attraction. Hundreds of warriors in armor lined a walkway that the pair took. Dozens of anvils were set on each side, and as they walked, the blacksmith beside them struck the metal with a hammer. The ringing of metal on metal rang out as they walked. Each step was marked with the sound of their presence. Shouts, cheers, and applause came from the crowds as Fowl and Batrire made their way to the main anvil and the pair that waited for them. ’Tis a shame that neither has a real family… Fowl’s heart ached at knowing so many were alone upon the creation of this world. Some had been set together as husband and wives. Children were always put with parents, Bryg informed them. But dwarves were family-based beings. Not having deep bloodlines was hard to imagine. Yet knowing they were about to create one that stretched for potentially hundreds of thousands of years felt amazing. Latest content published on novel{f}ire.net “Focus,” Batrire whispered. “Your steps are off.” Adjusting his stride, Fowl focused and nodded. “Sorry, just caught up in the moment.” He saw her wink at him before turning and nodding at those gathered. Soon they stood behind the anvil, facing the duo who were about to be married. Korrun was a fine-looking dwarf. His beard was a blond one, glistening with oil and braided with gems and rings. His smile was infectious, and the fact that the dwarf was a healer had been almost comical based on Korrun’s amazing physical build. His soon-to-be wife, Melgret, was a stout woman, red hair, green eyes and a temperament that reminded Fowl of Batrire’s. The difference was that the dwarf was a fighter, and from what the reports said, an amazing one for so early in all this. Raising his hand, the noise in the crowd went silent. “Children,” Batrire called out. “Today, we bear witness to a new era in the kingdom of Hearth Deep! Today we choose for our people the pair who will rule over you all and love you as their own!” A cheer broke out, sounding louder than a thunderstorm overhead as every dwarf shouted, stomped their feet, and clapped. Giving them a moment to celebrate, Fowl finally raised his hand again and silenced them. “Melgret and Korrun, approach.” The pair moved from opposite sides, each wearing a simple white robe. Neither had armor nor weapons on them. Today, they would be forged into something new. “We have tested you, and the love you profess to have for each other is pure,” Fowl shouted. “It didn’t waver, crack, or fade. When frustration and anger came, you both worked together to overcome the trials we set before you. That is what marriage is. That is what a king and queen must have. Today, we not only marry you but grant you both our bloodlines.” Cheers and shouts came again from the crowd, and Fowl only let it go on for a few heartbeats before cutting it off. “You have seen how marriages are normally done,” Batrire announced. “Today is different. Unlike all the others, this one is unique and shall not be copied ever again. What happens today is only possible because we are doing this.” Fowl studied the pair before them. A pair of blue eyes and a pair of green eyes never looked at him or Batrire. Instead, each was locked upon the dwarf across from them. They held hands, smiling, and a few tears escaped both of their eyes. “Place your left hands on the anvil,” Fowl said. Each of them took a deep breath and nodded, moving toward the spot as instructed. He could see that each wore not their own wedding ring but their spouse’s on their left ring finger. Fowl and Batrire both pulled out a chisel and a small forge hammer. Each placed the sharp metal tip at the base of their finger against the dwarf’s hand. “Today I shall take your fingers and place them on your spouse’s hand. There I shall heal it, causing it to join your flesh. From this moment on, wherever you go, they will always be with you. Not only will the ring they wear now be a gift to you but also their very flesh,” Batrire said quietly. “From this moment on, nothing shall separate you both except death. Speak now if you do not desire this.” Melgret and Korrun looked at one another and nodded once. Neither said a word, eyes only looking once again at the dwarf they would marry. “Then may the sound of metal, bone, and flesh echo through our land,” Fowl said. As one they brought the hammers down, and the tip of the chisel removed the fingers at the joint. Blood began to flow on the anvil, and yet neither dwarf moved their hands. Korrun winced once, but Melgret simply nodded and smiled. Batrire took the finger Fowl offered, each trading as they both set them in place. The one who had healed the party as they climbed through the tower placed a hand over each appendage, blood spilling out, and an emerald green color surrounded their injuries. No one spoke in the massive auditorium; it appeared everyone was holding their breath. Seconds passed, and then the light faded. Fowl produced a large jug of water from his storage and began to pour the clear liquid over the hands of the two dwarves. Soon, the mess that had been created was gone, and they could see that both male and female dwarf now had a slightly shorter or longer finger on their left hand. “You two are now one!” Batrire shouted. “Husband and wife are what you have become!” The crowd cheered as Fowl gave the couple a moment to look at what had taken place. “How?” Melgret whispered. “I mean… when Korrun heals me…” “That is because he is not a god,” Batrire replied. “Now, bend your knees, face your people. The time has come for the next part.” “Bah, let them kiss first,” Fowl said. His wife rolled her eyes and nodded. “I did forget that part, didn’t I?” Melgret didn’t wait for permission, reaching over and grabbing Korrun’s beard, pulling the dwarf to her, and locking lips, making the grunting sounds most dwarves did when making out in public. “Let the boy breathe,” Batrire teased. Both newly married dwarves laughed as they pulled apart, flushed with embarrassment. “Sorry, I got carried away,” Melgret said. “Oh, don’t apologize,” Fowl replied. “She is the same way. But the time has come. Kneel before your new children. It is time to become the mother and father to every dwarf that is present and is to come.” For the first time Fowl could remember, the warrior seemed to falter, and Korrun grabbed her arm, helping her to kneel. “Worry not, you’ll make a fine mother,” Korrun whispered. Fowl felt a wet spot forming in his eye and sniffed, casting it away as he moved to stand behind the soon-to-be queen. Batrire moved to stand behind Korrun. Each pulled a simple gold crown out. It was nothing but a simple band of gold wrapped with silver. In time, it would change. Gems would be added, and enchantments would be cast upon it. For now it was a reminder of where everything started. Pure and simple. Silence hung in the air as the dwarves watched and waited. “From this moment on, Batrire and I bestow our gifts, our bloodline and our sparks upon these two. They shall rule over you, but they shall love you as their own. In the coming days, they shall choose others to stand beside them, to fight with them, and to conquer the dungeons and the tower. They are to be your king and queen, your mother and your father!” No one spoke, and it felt like no one breathed as the simple crowns were still inches from Korrun’s and Melgret’s heads. “Take my blessing, my blood, and my spark,” Fowl said. “Carry this burden together, love our people, and make them your own,” Batrire added. As they placed the crowns upon the two newlywed dwarves, light radiated upon them as each was given a gift that would shape their lives and every dwarf that came after. “Dwarves! Behold your parents!” Bryg called out. He had been a few dozen yards away and began banging a small hammer against his chestplate, sending waves of magic that radiated outward, flooding the space with power. A thunderous roar, louder than either Fowl or Batrire could ever remember, shook the very stones they stood upon.