Flooded city

We passed the border calmly. The dwarves gave the grimy guard a paw and moved on. So we found ourselves in a no man’s land between states.

Several hours passed. The dwarves in my cart began to shout something loudly. I realized this is not good. I took a closer look. Oh God. A crowd of magical beasts is coming towards us. My companion didn’t know what to do either, so he just pressed himself against me. Looks with sweet eyes. How can you not protect this? I began to read spells.

– What are you thinking? This is why we came here. – Mateo said proudly. I looked at the other dwarves. They were not afraid, on the contrary, they rejoiced. – We are animal hunters, boy. Sit quietly in the cart, we will do everything ourselves.

The dwarves took the carts to the side of the road. We stood with nets along the road. A crowd of animals rushed towards them. The first of them began to approach. They caught them with nets. And they stunned them with arrows from crossbows. Although they were small, no more than twenty meters in height, they were dexterous. By the time the herd of magical beasts left, they had caught fifty magical beasts. Mostly large birds. But among them were five magic wolves and a hippopotamus.

– They are migrating now. It’s time to hunt. – Said Mateo, covered in sweat. He was clearly pleased with himself. “We caught such beauties.” And also in no man’s land. You don’t have to pay taxes for catching, only for importing. Profitable. Hooray guys.

All the dwarves shouted joyfully. It was a good day for them. Soph pulled away from me, snorting disdainfully. I realized that I had to end this.

“Hit me and we’ll forget about that conversation.” “I thought he would answer something and start a manly conversation.” But the blow came quickly. In the jaw. In my most valuable place on my face.

– Everyone has passed. “He, apparently having calmed down, continued. – So our fellow gnomes are smugglers. They steal animals during migration and then sell them locally. With the proceeds they buy various goods in Magma and sell them in the country of Otis people. Smart. And most importantly, it’s almost legal. Dwarven border guards do not read well and documents are easy to forge.

– That’s right brother. – Said the cheerful gnome, building a cage on the second cart. – You adventurers will have to switch to a reptile. We need carts like we need cages.

– Let’s go, Mikhail. I get seasick on them, so I’ll sit in the back. I don’t like animals at all. – He said, helping me get up from the floor of the cart. His shot is good.

We got the animal young, but calm. Although the thief still didn’t like him. He stood rooted to the spot in front of him. Everything is shaking. Beat him.

– Are you afraid of reptiles? They are kind. I tamed a lot of these at the academy. “I said and deftly sat on him. Then he patted the green head. This is how they become kinder.

– No, I’m not afraid of them. – Said the shaking Soph. And when the beast began to sniff him, he fell to the ground, closing his eyes. The dwarves, to their credit, did not laugh at him but continued to silently build the cages.

– Sit behind me and close your eyes. He won’t bite, I promise.

– Fine. But if you cheat and he bites me. “He showed me his little fist. Although I already knew its strength.

– I promise.

I got off the reptile. He made her lie down on the ground. The companion sat on him with difficulty. I ordered the beast to stand up. He stood up with lightning speed. The guy began to tremble.

– Close your eyes and don’t open them.

He closed. Apparently he began to trust me. I mounted the beast. He took his hands and put them on his waist. He could not resist and grabbed me. He has strong hands. Nimble fingers.

– That the dwarf brothers are going to Magma.

– Yes. Cheers to the guys on the reptile. – Said the gnome. Everyone else started shouting joyfully. Apparently they are good guys.

Ten minutes and we continued on our way. Cages full of bound animals. Dwarfs singing funny songs. And the cute guy behind me who cursed all the reptiles in this sinful world. This is the song they sang. The senior dwarf translated it for me.

“On the road of stone we go home, we go

Along the road made of planks we go home, we go

Along the road of rubble we go home, we go

We’re going home off-road, we’re going

The road doesn’t matter to us. Only one thing is important to us.

That we’re going home, we’re going

For many years we have been jumping from city to city.

For many years we have been jumping from village to village.

For many years we have been jumping from deserts to forests.

The main thing is not to forget at the end.

That we’re going home, we’re going.

We don’t need wealth and gold.

We don’t need peace and comfort.