The World of Strife

Half an hour later, I was once again clothed. Wearing my long-sleeved white chemise, black pants, and dark gray knee-high boots. All that while being on my way towards the kitchen, which was the warmest place in this godforsaken cave, thanks to the hearthfire going on.

When I stepped into the slightly familiar place, I immediately felt better, sensing the warmth that seemed to be a constant of all active kitchens, regardless of the world.

Before I could bask in the sensation, I heard a gruff voice shouting in my direction.

"Which good-for-nothing bastard is this again? I swear, if anybody else asks if dinner is ready yet, I am going to snap their… oh? It's you, lass? A rare sight to see you here without Emrum or Tymur tailing you around." — I heard the familiar voice of the outpost's chief cook.

He was a short, brown-haired, and shockingly beardless dwarf. The very first one I saw, without an obscenely large facial hair crown. That was the reason I could remember his face somewhat, but that wasn't something I could say about his name. Of which I have no idea.

I nodded to him, deciding that introductions were in order. — "I am Selora, it is a pleasure to meet you, sir?" — I leaned my head to the side questioningly.

"I see. My name is Yulmulir Dimbrewer. It's the first time we officially met, but I have seen you and heard a lot about you, young witch. Believe me, I would love to spend my time engaging in idle chatter, but unfortunately, I have a lot of work to attend to with this group of dimwits. There are a lot of preparations to finish before dinner is ready to be served. So I have to cut it short. What can I help you with?"

I looked at the dwarf and decided to be straightforward.

"I, well… it happens to be that I just washed my hair… and aside from maybe the barracks, this is the only place that came to mind which is warm enough to dry it. Can I sit next to the fire? I promise I won't be in the way…"

As I spoke, the man finally noticed my wet hair. He showed me an ominous smirk before saying.

"Fine. But I have a rule here… only people working in the kitchen can stay in the kitchen. Lucky for you, I have just the right thing, lass… a bag of potatoes waiting to be peeled."

Great… just what I needed after all that ruckus since I woke up… but the idea of going back to the cold corridors wasn't appealing. Catching a cold before having to go on a large-scale underground operation doesn't sound good either.

I eventually nodded. — "Fine, anything better than freezing in the corridors…" — The outpost is warmer than the outer cave, but it is still far from comfortable. Just not freezing.

"There are spare chairs in that corner. Behind the table there… yes, pull one next to a fire… Oh, and you can find potatoes in that direction. I need an entire bag peeled and ready." — The man stated in a bossy tone. — "Ah, and call me over when the water is starting to boil in the pot."

I nodded, then asked. — "Do I need to cut up the potatoes in a preferred way?"

The man smiled, waving my question off nonchalantly.

"Don't bother, the boys will handle that part." — That said, he went back to the other side of the kitchen, and I lost sight of him. However, I could hear various sounds associated with the process of cooking and the occasional shouts or curses leaking out of the inner section of the kitchen, where most of the work was being done by a bunch of dimwits, as the chief cook called them.

I sighed, once again getting the short end of the stick. My mood only worsened when I saw the ridiculously large potato bags. It will be a challenge to haul it over to the fire, not to mention peeling them.

Another of those moments when you are better off being a man, it seems. Or just not this short and thin as me. I was barely taller than the dwarves… What sort of joke is that, seriously? Not that the dwarves were as small as you would expect…

Based on my observations, I am at best 160 centimeters tall. However, I had a feeling I didn't even reach that height in reality. It was something to get used to since I was around 188 centimeters tall in my previous life.

The dwarfs were generally around 150-155 centimeters, while I was objectively somewhere between 155-160 centimeters.

I imagine that if I weren't surrounded by dwarfs, who were still around ten centimeters shorter than me on average. Everything would feel strangely tall and intimidating from my new point of view.

I sighed… no reason to worry over spilt milk. It's better to focus on my current task. And there are no advantages of being tall in a cave that is proportioned to accommodate dwarves, anyway.

I tugged up my sleeves with a weird sense of determination…

"I might be short now, and a girl, but I won't be bested by a bag of potatoes. You'd better prepare yourself, my old nemesis, back from the army days."

With that said, I grabbed one bag and began to painstakingly drag it over to the fire, where I had placed the chair earlier.

I opened the bag and picked up the uppermost potato.

"Oh! This is pretty nice, a surprisingly high-quality crop. This will be tasty, at least."

The light in the darkness was that I loved potato-based food. Every type.

~oOo~

A few hours later, I was sitting alone at a dinner table placed in a corner of the kitchen. Lazily looking at the hustle and bustle of the kitchen staff. The dinner was ready, and they were serving it to the people gathered in the dining hall, which was right next to the considerably smaller kitchen.

My hair was now dry enough. It didn't bother me anymore. Still, after the recent incident with two particular dwarves, I didn't feel like eating in the dining hall. It would have been a foreseeably awkward dinner, anyway, and I don't want to think about those things.

I heard a pair of heavy steps getting closer. I looked up, seeing the chief cook coming over with two plates of food in his hands.

He placed one in front of me, and I got distracted by the flavourful scent of roasted meat covered in distinctly foreign seasonings. I also saw a tasty pile of mashed potatoes at the side of my plate, and I accepted it gratefully.

Just noticed how hungry I was. Before I could dig in, I felt a warm hand patting my head, going as far as to playfully tickle the elongated end of my left ear in a single smooth movement.

The tingling sensation was completely foreign to me. My ears were never ticklish before.

I attempted to move my head to the side, while short bursts of giggles left my mouth unconsciously.

"Ah, stop that!" — I shouted at the man, but there was no edge to my voice. Still, he stopped teasing me and sat down across from my seat.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
"Sorry about that." — The man chuckled, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"I don't know what came over me… It's a foolish little thing, but you reminded me of my daughter. Stupid girl is over forty and still tends to get into these moping phases at times."

"Even so, she gets that starry look in her eyes when I bring her dinner, just like you did now. I guess I miss her more than I thought. She is such a willful child; no doubt that is the reason why she isn't married yet. I was already married for three years at her age. Can you believe it? And I am a man. Men tend to marry later, at least in the dwarven culture you see. But, enough about boring stuff. We should eat before our food gets cold."

I nodded, glad that I didn't have to continue that sort of conversation. Marriage was not something I could think about in my current situation. Well… more like I couldn't bear to think about it.

I took a bite from the now already familiar, slightly sweet-tasting meat. The taste was just like back in the cave when Lord Axis blessed our food.

I didn't dare to pray now, fearing that he might do something outrageous once again. Maybe creating grilled fish out of thin air? Who knows…

I got the feeling that he didn't like my attempts to hide the true extent of my association with him. Still, I prayed for him to understand the reasons behind my actions. I didn't know enough of this word to make such outrageous statements. It was doomed to fail without extensive preparations.

Based on his mild aura, he reluctantly accepted my pleas, at least for now.

We ate our food in contented silence for a while, then I heard Yulmulir's voice once again.

"Come to think of it, you wouldn't have any inkling why Tymur and Emrum looked so suspiciously pale, right?"

I coughed, my face blushing slightly as I recalled the potential reason for that.

"I thought so." — The man chuckled at the other end of the table. — "I just hope that you didn't curse them…"

My eyes widened at the audacity. — "I wouldn't do such a thing! It was just an accident, and they overreacted…" — I mumbled the last words.

Yulmulir showed a cunning smile. — "Ah, I am glad to hear that… because it was getting on my nerves to deal with their constant pestering…" — He said in a louder voice, nodding sideways where a slightly ajar kitchen door was.

I noticed two familiar people peeking around the corner. Both of them jerked nervously, realizing that they were being exposed.

"Now, why don't you tell them that too, lass? Oh, and you are welcome to peel potatoes any time. I was quite satisfied with your work today. These good-for-nothings only understand how to chop things up, be that with axes or knives. A woman's hands are undoubtedly indispensable for any quality kitchen. This is the first time I dared to make mashed potatoes instead of baking them without peeling. All thanks to your presence."

I stared at him, trying to figure out if he was attempting to drop some ill-mannered joke on me. It was not the case, though. With that realization, my annoyance from having to peel those vegetables seemed to soften considerably. I decided to give a reluctant answer. — "Well… I might think about it when I have the time. My fingers are still numb from peeling so much at once, you know."

The man burst out in jovial laughter, and I couldn't help but smile at his antics.

"You know my rules, lass; if you want to stay in the kitchen, you have to work in the kitchen. And since I don't see any of you working right now, you'd better get out of here before I put my boots to asses."

I caught his amused smirk, but did not think for a second that he wouldn't follow through with that threat. Therefore, I gathered my things and quickly skittered out of the kitchen, once again welcomed by the solemn coldness of the dining hall.

Next to me stood those two dwarves who were similarly thrown out, squirming in their visible discomfort.

I sighed… It was seriously not that big of a deal that they saw me in my underwear… Back on Earth, people didn't even blink anymore at seeing women walking around in swimsuits.

I was just about to turn towards them and explain that I wasn't bothered by what happened when Emrum grabbed me by my hand and pulled me out of the dining room, right into an abandoned corner of the nearest corridor. Tymur followed close by, a few steps behind us.

I was a bit startled by this strange turn of events, mostly because it was so uncharacteristic of them. My mind was already rowing in circles; something serious must have happened. Was it considering the expedition? Maybe it was postponed because of some unforeseen issues.

Or could it be that the commander didn't react well to my creation magic? Is that it? Oh, god… I hope they didn't intend to capture me as an endless source of gold? Well… more like gold dust… since probably that was the extent of my power now.

Wait… was that another lecture from Lord Axis? How did I not see it before? It was I who thanked him in my prayer that he showed us the joy and futility of life. Right before, he gave me a powerful ability, knowing that I wouldn't be able to use it meaningfully. Knowing how to create while lacking the means to do so. It's like being tasked with making a sculpture without the ability to move your limbs.

The futility of existence. It seems that Lord Axis knows much more about that topic than I would ever anticipate from a God of creation. Thinking about it more deeply, it should have been obvious.

Why does a God of creation need a messenger in the first place? For one reason or another, he must be unable or perhaps unwilling to directly influence the flow of this world. I dare not think that I understand the extent of a god's domain, but all the proof seems to point in this direction.

I might try to ask him tonight through a prayer. Even if I couldn't converse with him in the general meaning of the word.

Satisfied with my plans, I refocused on the present, realizing that Emrum was in the middle of talking about something.

Ah… it seems I kind of zoned out without realizing it. It's better to listen in and attempt to figure out what he was talking about.

"…-ke responsibility, but to do so, we need to know which one of us you choose?"

I blinked slowly.

Come again? Choose for what? Oh, they must be talking about the expedition. Do we have to pair up beforehand? It's like in those games, when you go on a raid in pre-made groups. Well, sorry, Tymur, there is no way I would turn on my battle body in that regard. — "I see… In that case. I choose you, Emrum." — I said with a polite smile.

The man froze, whetting his throat before asking again. — "Are you sure? There is no going back on this…"

I was a bit surprised by the serious tone. Thinking about it for a while, I realized that it wasn't that strange, though. This expedition into deeper sections of the cave was quite dangerous. It was a matter of life and death.

I nodded with a determined expression. — "Yes, of course. I am sure of it." — I turned towards Tymur with an apologetic expression.

Hearing my answer, Emrum nodded seriously. Then he took off a ring from his finger, grabbed my right hand, and pulled it on my ring finger in a decisive motion. All the while, I was blinking and staring stupidly, too confused to say anything. — "There you go, lass. Welcome to the Dimhollow clan."

I saw a bluish flicker of light from the ring and felt as it ominously tightened itself around my flesh, becoming a lot heavier. Simultaneously, a large knot seemed to form in my throat. As the realization became crystal clear, I messed up big time.

As I panickingly whetted my throat to ask the tentative question.

"... Cough-cough… I mean… does this ring have a connection to the expedition? The one we are planning to embark on?"

Tymur smiled. Then froze for a second. He was expecting a different question. — "What are you talking about, girl? Of course, it has nothing to do with that. It is the official proof that you have become an honorable member of one of our ancient warrior clans! Haven't you listened at all?" — The man added with a disbelieving expression.

How could I possibly admit that I didn't? Especially after this…

I blinked, taken aback by what I just heard. — "Wait… w-what? Why would you do that?" — I asked, with a bewildered expression. Couldn't seem to figure out any potential reason for such a random event…

Tymur sighed, then repeated his earlier words.

"You must still be confused. Listen, we were just talking about that as a means for us to be accountable… for intruding on your privacy… We were willing to take you in as an honorary member of one of our clans based on your preference. The chosen clan gains a new member, while also becoming bound to provide a generous dowry for your marriage whenever that will be, which in weight shall balance the damage done to your reputation. It is our way of taking responsibility." — He scratched the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable and hesitant to say anything more. In the end, he still added.

"Your elven customs are known to be rigid about such things. We have made a great mistake… It's our way of showing our sincerity."

What?

Elven customs? Like I would know anything about those… Let's just ignore my uncomfortable lack of knowledge regarding my race and focus on the parts I understand before I make an even bigger fool out of myself.

What does he want to take responsibility for? Is this because they saw me in my undies? Seriously?

With that thought in mind, I decided to state my confusion, not caring anymore how foolish it might look.

"Uhh? I-I think there might be a misunderstanding here… What do you mean by intruding on my privacy? And what does it have to do with your intentions of taking me into your clan? And a dowry? Am I getting married? Since when to whom? For what? I am sorry… but I don't understand any of your reasoning…"

Both men seemed bothered by this statement. They were equally baffled as I was, only for a different reason. I sweat dropped seeing how both dwarves slowly shook their heads, clueless about my confusion.

This is awkward.