The Beard- My first Warhammer story

The Beard

            The seven Dwarven emissaries slammed open the door to Phoenix King Caledor II’s sparkling throne room. The chief amongst them, Snorson Goldseeker, yelled to the arrogant king on his high throne, “Gotrek Starbreaker, High King of the Dwarven Kingdoms, has made his reply to your arrogance. He has declared that no dwarf makes a plea to man, god, or elf, and he will not plea for recompense or explanation for the actions of raiding Elgi scum. He demands that you pay us twice the original gold in response to your rude reply to our request.” Snorson turned to another dwarf, and the dwarf handed him a long piece of parchment. “This is the official demand of the High King himself, and it would be wise for you to read it and get it through your thick wine-clouded skull.” Snorson walked to the throne of the Phoenix King, and shoved the lengthy demands into the hands of a waiting attendant.

            The elven attendant quickly handed the papers to Caledor II. He hastily bowed and made his retreat to the side of the throne. Caledor, who until this pointed had been brooding in his chair, suddenly rose and took the paper. He carelessly ripped it into two pieces and with elven magic, burnt it with a thought. He haughtily said, “Ha. See what your High King thinks of that. I refuse to give gold to someone I must look so far below to see.”

            The dwarven emissaries were aghast. Snorson hissed in seething anger. He replied, very softly, “You will regret that, elf. The Dawi people do not forget such slights. That act of simple blind stupidity will cost you and your cowardly people, who do not have a sense of honor. I shall take my leave and bring news of your crime to the High King. He will decide the proper course of action.” The dwarf turned to leave, and his fellow diplomats turned with him. Caledor gave a nod to the guards at the door, and they moved in front of it and brandished their halberds as the dwarves tried to get past.

            “What is this treachery, elf? You dare to block the way of a high ambassador of the Dwarves! This is an outrage. What will you do next, cut our beards and pour our ale into the sea?” said Snorson.

            “That is exactly what I intend to do, idiotic dwarf. Guards, take the stunted ones into custody. And, please, cut those atrociously dirty beards from their warped features.” Snorson drew his axe. And all hell broke loose.

            When Snorson awoke, he was in a cell. He felt a rocking, and heard the call of seabirds. “Cursed elgi, they knocked me out and put me on a ship. And where’s me lads?” The cell was empty. Then it hit Snorson as he felt his cheek with his hands.

            He didn’t have his beard.