Baltoth walked the road north, his war axe heavy against his back. The silver armor caught the light as he moved. He needed to reach Emperor Lexios. The bond between them had been forged in the grimlock-infested mines, and Baltoth had never left his side since. A dwarf stepped into the road ahead. He wore miner's clothes and carried a pickaxe over his shoulder. His beard was brown and thick, his eyes sharp with recognition. He raised one hand and planted the pickaxe in the dirt between them. "Baltoth." The dwarf's voice was rough. "I know you. We worked the deep tunnels together when the grimlocks came." Baltoth stopped. The dwarf pointed back toward the mountains, where the carved stone entrance to the old mines stood against the cliff face. "Your place is there. With your people. Not playing dress-up in some human's court." He crossed his arms. "Come home."