The Riches Below

Charpter 1 - Niamh

The night had been long, with only a scant two hours of sleep. But as the sun rose over the Danah forest, casting a warm glow over the land, she knew that her wait was almost over. All alone, but she could hear the distant noise of approaching wagons. Her heart raced as the sound grew louder and the dust rose.

This was the moment. The moment. She had expected to be amazed, but she had not anticipated it would be so soon. The sight before her was overwhelming, with horses of golden hair, archers from Valtar and even Sakari prisoners in a separate wagon. This was only the third of many wagons. Niamh's spirit soared as she embarked upon her journey, despite the hardships that lay ahead. For her, the journey was as much an adventure as the destination, a chance to meet new people and experience new sights and smells. As the miles were gained, the landscapes that stretched out before her were nothing short of breathtaking.

Roman's letter had promised a generous sum of silver for her services, but Niamh would have undertaken this journey for nothing. The druidic community in which she had grown up was insular and stifling, and it had been slowly suffocating her soul. Her eyes yearned for color and her ears ached for tales of heroes and monsters. The rise of Dungeonlords once again brought more meaning to her life. And so, she had set out to cross Vallar, the first step on a journey that would fulfill her heart's desire.

Niamh was well aware that her age and small stature could be an issue in the settlement. But she was determined not to let it hold her back. She had come prepared, with four crates in tow - two large, one medium, and one small - as well as two bags and her most prized possession: a dagger known as Theverderisakothanah. Though it had a long and storied history, passed down through twelve generations of her family, Niamh had given it a more manageable nickname: Thanah.

Thanah was a formidable weapon in the hands of a skilled warrior, but Niamh had never been one for physical combat. She found it difficult to kill even the smallest of creatures and had never entertained the thought of fighting against a human or a beast. Instead, she used Thanah for the tasks that were expected of a druid healer: cutting herbs, extracting juice from seeds, and the like. The only time she had ever felt blood on her hands while wielding it was when she had accidentally cut her own palm. Despite its history of bloodshed, Niamh found comfort in knowing that Thanah was always by her side, a loyal war veteran companion in her journey as a druid healer.

As she made her way towards the settlement, she knew that she would not be alone in her profession. From what she had heard, the camp was growing larger and larger, and she imagined that there would be at least ten to fifteen healers there to support the community. Though she knew she would be the only druid among them, she couldn't help but wonder if she might find any of her cousins from the Kolhan tribe among their number. Though they spoke a slightly different dialect, it all derived from Verderis, and she knew that if they were to speak slowly, communication would not be an issue. Perhaps they might even be able to share some of their knowledge of the ancient ways. Her heart raced with anticipation as she drew ever closer to her destination.

Niamh journeyed with her wagon, the eighth in a caravan of countless others, traversing the northeast region. The scorching sun beat down upon her skin some days, while other nights saw her lips crack in the bitter cold. A remedy for this came to her mind, a blend of cocoa butter and peppermint, one of the first brews she had learned at the tender age of four. As expected, Niamh's lips were not the only ones to benefit from her remedy, she shared it with her fellow travelers, earning her the gratitude of all, particularly a Ferianean blacksmith known as Brock Buri, or Bulba, for his imposing physique.

"Unique piece of steel you got there," said Bulba, as he looked at the dagger in Niamh's hand. "I would never be able to replicate that."

"Thank you," said Niamh, as she carefully examined the blade of her dagger. "It's called Thanah."

"How come you could not replicate it?" Niamh asked, looking up at Bulba. "I know you lack the magic, but how about the physical aspect of it?"

"The physical aspect of it is not the issue," Bulba replied, his gaze never leaving the dagger. "It's the history and the magic imbued within it. The white steel alone is rare enough, but it's the blessings and the blood that has been shed with it that makes it truly unique. I'm no wizard, but I know a veteran weapon when I see one. I may be a skilled blacksmith, but I could never replicate the power and legacy that Thanah holds."

"Yes, it holds great power and significance for my family and my tribe," said Niamh, her eyes growing distant as she thought of her ancestors who had wielded the dagger before her. "It's been passed down through generations of druid healers, and it's been used in many battles and conflicts."

"And yet, you choose to use it for cutting plants and extracting juices, instead of wielding it in battle," Bulba said, his tone curious but respectful.

"The power of Thanah is not limited to just physical combat," Niamh replied, her voice soft but firm. "It has the power to heal as well. And as a druid healer, it is my duty to use it for the betterment, not for destruction."

"I see," Bulba said, nodding. "It's a different perspective, but one that I can respect. It's not often that one finds a weapon with such power and history that is used for peaceful means."

"Powerful, that's a proper way to put it." Niamh said, her gaze returning to the dagger in her hand. "And I am honored to be its caretaker. It has been my companion and my guide on my journey as a druid healer."

They both went silent for seconds.

"And what's in those big crates?" Bulba asked, his eyes scanning the rows of wooden containers. "You seem to have brought quite a bit with you."

"Ah, the big crates," Niamh replied, a hint of a smile on her lips. "They contain a diverse array of plant materials, each with its own unique properties."

"For example," she continued, "I have some 'aloe vera' leaves, which are great for treating burns and skin irritations. I also have some 'turmeric' root, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to treat a variety of ailments. And I have some 'tulsi' leaves, which are known for their ability to promote respiratory health."

Bulba raised an eyebrow. "And what else?"

"I also have some pepper, Niamh said, "which has antimicrobial properties and can help with digestion. I have some 'elachi', which is used to treat colds and coughs.Ginger as well, which is a natural pain reliever and can also help with digestion. I also have some gooseberry leaves, which are known for their ability to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss."

"Prevent hair loss?" Bulba laughed. "How will that be useful against a giant spider?"

"Gorgorth is known to have a leg full of hair, right?" Niamh chuckled. "If anything bad happens to her, I may aid the monster."

Bulba laughed. "I thought you were on our side? Slaying the monster mission?"

"I am," Niamh said, "but you know druids are nature lovers, right? Even though she is a merciless monster... she is from nature."

"You are young and clever," Bulba said. "I like that."

"Thank you, Bulba," Niamh replied.

That night Niamh knew she made her first friend.