Chapter 32: My Old Home Is Right in This Little Village

Chapter 32: My Old Home Is Right in This Little Village

Francesca was the daughter of the elven sage, Ithlinne.

Unlike the elven sage who advocated peace, Francesca had participated in the Aelirenn Uprising two centuries ago.

Although the uprising ultimately ended in failure, Francesca never gave up her desire to reclaim the elven territory, Dol Blathanna.

Because of this, some people said that Francesca was connected to the non-human rebellions that were springing up in the Northern Kingdoms.

Of course, Francesca herself had never admitted it, but thinking about it, it was impossible to admit such a thing.

However, Lynn knew better than Istrad.

The rumors were true.

Francesca was indeed connected to the elven rebels later known as the Scoia'tael.

Although it couldn't be said that Francesca was behind all the non-human rebellions, it was certain that some Scoia'tael commando units were directly or indirectly influenced by her.

Not only that, the agreement Francesca reached with the Nilfgaardian Emperor to reclaim Dol Blathanna would make even her father shudder.

Although Istrad didn't know these things, out of his innate political sense, he would rather not have the bounty offered by Aedirn, and didn't want to be targeted by the supporters of the non-human rebellions.

Especially since this person was a core member of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers.

Lynn thought for a while, and added: "Your Excellency, we guarantee that we will never tell anyone, but you don't need to worry about us, but the others in the caravan."

Faced with Lynn's suggestion, Istrad shook his head with a smile.

"Master Lynn, you are actually overthinking it. The guards in the caravan are all my confidants and can be trusted."

"As for Yarpen and the others... I will give him a big bag of gold enough to shut Yarpen and the other dwarves up."

"If you want to talk about which race's reputation is most trustworthy in this world, dwarves are definitely one of them. At least I have never seen a dwarf who broke his promise."

Speaking of this, Istrad suddenly laughed at himself: "In this regard, we humans are the typical example of saying one thing to someone's face and another behind their back."

...

The first stop of Istrad's caravan was the dwarves' homeland, Mahakam.

The Mahakam Mountains were located between the Kingdoms of Temeria and Aedirn.

Legally, it was a vassal state of Temeria.

But it enjoyed a high degree of autonomy.

Although Mahakam was called the dwarves' homeland, the Mahakam Mountains were originally inhabited by gnomes.

The dwarves came to the Mahakam Mountains about three or four thousand years ago.

Because of their similar lifestyles, they began to share this mountain range.

The mineral resources in the Mahakam Mountains were extremely rich, and the quality of the iron ore produced here was considered to be the best in the world.

In addition to iron ore, it was also home to the largest and highest quality armory in the north.

This was also the reason why Istrad's caravan set Mahakam as its first stop.

On the one hand, it was to bring daily necessities to the dwarves and gnomes in the mountains, and on the other hand, it was to purchase high-quality dwarven weapons from Mahakam.

...

Since the encounter with the elven commando unit in the jungle a few days ago, the caravan had not encountered any other dangers.

When the caravan arrived at the village at the foot of the Mahakam Mountains, Yarpen and other dwarves found Istrad and said that they wanted to stay in the village. They would rejoin the caravan after it came down from the mountain.

Anyway, the caravan would not encounter danger in Mahakam, so it didn't matter if they were there or not.

Although Yarpen didn't explain the reason, Istrad agreed to their request.

In this way, the caravan rested in the village for one night.

When they went up the mountain the next day, Yarpen and other dwarves didn't leave with the caravan, but watched the caravan go up the mountain.

On the way up the mountain, the two human guards next to Lynn and Geralt couldn't help but talk in a low voice.

"Isn't Mahakam the dwarves' homeland? Why don't Yarpen and the others want to go home and take a look?"

"Who knows, maybe they have some unspeakable secrets."

Geralt heard their conversation and suddenly said.

"No, they don't not want to go back, they can't go back."

The two guards heard this and immediately asked respectfully.

"Master, do you know this too? Tell us about it."

Istrad's men were all from the Principality of Tretogor.

Tretogor was culturally very close to Kovir.

After all, before the Poviss split, they used to be one country.

Istrad's men had no problem with Witchers.

At most, they were curious about the rumors about Witchers.

And after Lynn and Geralt showed their skills, they quickly won the respect of everyone in the caravan.

Even when they camped in the wild every day, they didn't need to do it themselves, and someone would take the initiative to do everything for them.

Geralt continued.

"Mahakam is a conservative and xenophobic land."

"The dwarves living in Mahakam are bound by various traditions. If they can't bear it and leave the mountains, they will be regarded as traitors."

"That's why Yarpen and the others have to stay in the village at the foot of the mountain. If they go up the mountain with us, it may cause us trouble."

...

When the mountain road narrowed to barely accommodate a large wagon, a solid fortress appeared in front of them.

And these were not all of Mahakam's outer defenses.

Lynn looked up and looked up.

Two watchtowers clung to the steep rock walls on both sides, and a weathered gray stone arch bridge connected them in the middle.

Silent faces watched them from the arrow slits, battlements and stone bridges.

"Outsiders, this is Mahakam, state your purpose!" A rough voice came down from the city wall.

Istrad rode his horse, laboriously passing through the gaps between the wagons, and came to the front of the team.

He took out a badge from his clothes and held it high.

The badge shone in the sun.

"I have the special permission of Elder Brouver Hoog."

The dwarven captain on the battlements squinted and carefully identified the authenticity of the badge.

"Well, this is indeed the Mahakam badge. Boys, lift the alert."

Soon, the city gate opened.

Twenty or so dwarves stood on both sides.

The leading dwarf nodded to Istrad.

"Outsiders, you can pass."

Istrad thanked him.

Then he shouted to the team behind him.

"Guard captain, bring down a barrel of Mahakam spirits from the second last wagon."

The leading dwarf quickly waved his hand: "Stop, we don't accept bribes."

Istrad said with a smile.

"This is not a bribe, but a token of appreciation. You have worked hard to stand guard here. It's not bad to have a drink when you have free time."

"I believe that Elder Brouver would understand you if he knew."

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