190 Conquering Aritreia
Six days later, Henry was mounted on his horse, leading a powerful force of dwarves, humans, and barbarians that marched behind him. The army made its way through the peaceful but eerie Screaming Valley, where bone-like trees cast long shadows over the snow as a weak sunlight shone upon them. Their heavy steps left deep and chaotic trails as they moved steadily forward.
"Descendant, we'll be arrivin' in two days" - Yngvi said, his voice carrying a hint of unease despite his efforts to sound confident.
Henry glanced over at the dwarf, who clung tightly to Olaro's back as they rode together. Yngvi held an ancient map of the Screaming Valley that had been passed down through generations and generations of chief dwarves, a relic from the days when humans first invaded the valley, kidnapping the a few of them and stealing their works before disappearing hundreds of years ago.
"We just need to follow this pa—" - Yngvi continued, but his words were cut off as the horse beneath him gave a sudden jolt. The map almost slipped from his hands as he clung desperately to Olaro - "Ye bald human with a grand beard! What're ye doin'? Let me get down!"- he shouted, his legs kicking as he tried to dismount, like a kid trying to get down of a toy.
Yngvi, leaning forward from behind Olaro's broad back, tried to see as well. His old eyes looked carefully but also saw no movement. The silence was strange.
"The news of our invasion must have reached their capital by now" - Henry said calmly, though with a sense of confidence - "They've probably moved their soldiers to the main path up the capital, if they haven't already lost the will to defend this side over the years. The Ice Giants never reached this far because they have plenty of food where they are. So, there was never any reason to guard this side... until now."
Henry's words hung in the cold air, like an arrow ready to strike. He didn't want to waste any more time - "Leier!" - he called, and Leier appeared beside him, almost as if she had been there the entire time, like a shadow following him on their journey. Henry handed her a small pouch - "You and Mani need to go to the walls and place these seeds where the structure is weakest. Mani can help you find the right spots since dwarves are experts at building" - he instructed, expecting Leier to be annoyed at having to work with someone else. But surprisingly, she didn't seem to mind. In the past, she would have at least asked to go alone. "Yes, my lord!" - Leier responded, taking the pouch and quickly heading off. She pulled along a small, hairless woman as they raced toward the wall. Even from a distance, Henry could hear the female dwarf teasingly say, "Bald and bold Mani." It didn't take long before the two of them returned. Fortunately, Luna had worked on the seeds earlier, or they might have exploded during the journey. "Yngvi, can you do it?" Henry asked the dwarf. Yngvi immediately jumped down from the horse, taking a deep breath of relief, as if thinking, "Finally free!"
The old dwarf gave Olaro a slightly annoyed look before answering Henry, "Yes, descendant! I'll do it right away." He raised his hammer, which became covered in silvery snakes of energy. As he swung it down, lightning struck the walls, and a great explosion followed.