Unwilling Explanations

Jorrick gave a low curse and stormed off into the darkness following the voice of Kespin. The others remained there unmoving as their Dwarven guide grew increasingly agitated.

"We are wasting time." He hissed.

"Then you better start explaining." Balar urged.

Ifran gave a heavy sigh, suddenly deflated. He glanced nervously at Erik as he spoke.

"His name is Orom."

"And you say he is a shaman?" Tiella asked.

"He has an affinity with the earth." He explained, "The earth spirits flock to him like moths round a flame."

"And why would he want to harm us?" She pressed.

"That I do not know. He has been still for half a generation. We thought him dead or lost below he earth."

"There is more to this Dwarf, I know it." rumbled Erik.

"You can trust them." Dyvia urged. "They are good people." she glanced towards Majvok before mumbling "mostly."

"Very well." Ifran said in a hurry to have this done with. "When we came here first there were many Jotun. They were sheltering from the great war and for a time we lived in peace with them."

"What happened to them?" Erik urged.

"Taken by bloodlust and madness." Ifran said. "One by one they turned on each other and us. we were forced to defend ourselves."

"You killed them." Erik accused flatly.

"We tried." Ifran admitted "but the best we could do was hold them back. It was Orom who finally put an end to the madness and it drove him near to insane to do it. He slew thirty of his kin before retreating down here."

There came a heavy crash from above as the gates they had passed through were pulled aside.

"Are you happy now?" Ifran growled as he looked fearfully into the darkness behind them. "Now stay or flee I care not" and with that he turned and ran following the retreating footfalls of jorrick and Kespin.