Chief Engineer Phorsten strode through the outer ring of the fortress and examined the defenses being prepared on the ramparts. Dwarves moved about hastily with metal rods, gears, and stone stationary weapon stands. A team of younger engineers corralled a group of constructs at a build site to deploy a Skysearcher. The human emissaries accompanied Phorsten on his inspection.
“What contraption are your men setting up there?” Varmos was joined by a slew of Starcharters who continued to exchange parchments with one another.
“The Skysearcher was drafted up by our finest minds in the early days of settling in on the mountain.” Phorsten hefted up a troublesome construct that had broken down in their path and examined its underside. A small stone had lodged itself between the gears of the construct and Phorsten reached in with his metallic fingers to pry it free. “If the negotiations proceed as planned with the Yjagtari, then we won’t have need of these weapons. In case we’re being deceived, they work like the cannons that your armies bring out to siege cities but their barrels are narrower and we heat them with the flames of our grand furnace. Those metal rods can be fired from the device at smoldering temperatures and pierce through any invader below or above.” Phorsten knelt beside the construction and scanned over the components. “At least, that’s the idea.”
“You’ve yet to test these weapons?” Urleno uneasily observed as more dwarves rushed up and down the halls.
“Well, we wouldn’t have called for your forces if we knew these beauties would work. Speaking of the troops, you’ve sent for the detachment? If we need to leave in a hurry, these weapons won’t be of much use.”
“Rest assured, Chief Engineer, the summons were sent out. We had garrisoned a small army of forty men and women in a makeshift camp at the edges of the mountain range. Your messenger sent the summons by eagle to inform them that a guide would be sent to retrieve them. I must admit, I have my concerns.”
“How so, Varmos?” The Starcharter had made his way to the edges of the fortress to glance out at the fog in the canyons below.
“What if your messenger does not reach my men? How will they know to deploy? If the beasts show up to raid this far away from the Imperium, the camp will be slaughtered and lead them right to this place.”
“Have faith in your gods, lad. If there’s one perk to being a Stoutkin, it’s that people spend so much time with their nose turned up, they fail to notice the short one sneaking past them.”