Bok'mahl

Prologue by Scar

Bok'mahl was the final uprising of the H'rimgar Range; and somewhere among the hillsides around it's feet was concealed the Cache of Ki'ni'ga'it, and there we would find readily prepared shelter with everything a small hunting party could need to recover themselves with food, shelter, clothing, water and healing enough to survive in emergencies for maybe as many as ten hands without hunting. These stockpiles were spread throughout several different territories that I knew of and were used by many peoples as they came and went for hunting.

The existence of such places and their locations are a knowledge reserved for the Hunters of those areas which use them. If one is a Hunter and travels respectfully, one learns the locations of many such things. These cache points were generally a simple dwelling, built and maintained by Hunters with local materials; provisioned and supplied by us, as well as cleaned and respected by us. It was a mutually shared resource; for Hunters and their communities. There were no rules; you took what you needed and left what you could spare. You used the cache, then you cleaned it before restocking it and moving on. There are no Merchants involved, or slaves to be had; such places of available basic necessities operate strictly by the honor system. To misuse such a place is considered a disgrace upon a man's name.

There exists a similar cache within many villages, but they are of common knowledge and used by many people; they are a community resource, a place of sharing without question or concern. in such places, many supplies are laid up by many hands; those who wish share, those who need take. There are no guards, and no questions; and the support of such places are often obligatory to village life. It is said that "one who refuses to share in life is not meant for living in villages"; and such people are often driven from them quickly.

After much careful and thorough scouting it was Nuqi who first among us became aware of the location of the cache; and being the loving tattletale that she has become, she gladly came and told me where it was. The casual cast of her bright vertically slit eyes in Melete's direction, along with her snarl and soft hiss also informed me that her opinion of the woman had not changed. I looked from Nuqi to Melete and then back again to the sleen; with the parting of her jaws, the excited flickering of her tongue and the slow sweeping of her tail, she reassured me that with the slightest indication of my consent she would be most pleased to eat her.

The Cache of Bok;mahl was very clearly of Torvie origins, the form of its construction revealed this much very clearly. The low walls around the shelter had been built of thick sections of dark timbers. They had been harvest and dried, then oiled and charred before being stood in place around the deeply excavated circumference of the exterior walls. To these strong timbers others had been attached and secured to form trusses which would support the roofing materials. The structures walls and roof had been sealed, and then buried. Only a small single opening remained, and it had been carefully concealed by the placements of many stones which now bore the weight of many ages of ice and snow. From a distance, it was seen as nothing more than another small hill among many of the same.

Beyond the hidden door of the cache, the world outside likewise disappeared. The wind ceased and was silent, the snow and the ice were for the moment only memories. It was dry, and silent, and secure. The floor was dry and level, a firepit lay in the center, readily supplied with small neat stacks of kindling and firewood, tinder bundles and pressed cakes of dry ruminant manure. By the door stood a deep and wide barrel for filling with snow to melt for water, and beside it, upon the crushed stones of the floor, sat a large kettle handily placed for the task of filling and warming by the fire.

Sleeping platforms of strong wood and tight rope were lined with thick mats of woven grasses and covered generously with hides; atop these pleasant frames one used their own sleeping gear. All along the walls were low shelves filled with bundles and baskets and barrels. Along the rafters in all directions hung slabs of smoked and salted meats and long strings of dried fruits and vegetables. All the circumference of the walls stood barrel after barrel of many type of daily staples such as salt, and grain for bread, nuts, dried berries, and roots. There were pots and pans and baskets, cups and bowls and kettles and many other daily things. From among all thing things one may take as they wish; and leave as they please for others.

Bok'mahl, the final mountain; had once long ago been a fortress of Torvald origin. There had been much fighting and killing for the sake of controlling Bok'mahl. It was an imposing stronghold concealed within the mountain itself; sealed away from the world outside by it gate sealed against the dark and frozen stone.

* Skar Long ago, Torvald had claimed Bok'mahl; before them, terrible beasts had held the claim. It is said that "among the cliffs of dark Bok'mahl, the bones of many of Torvald's men lie among the bones of many Kurii." I do not know, but I could certainly understand why the caverns of Bok'mahl were desirable and had been fought for.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 listens to the story of the place we near and will probably visit as we travel, or at least I had hoped so, I found what my Master was telling me to be most fascinating.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I followed Nuqi who had found the path to the hidden entrance of imposing Bok'mahl. I kept an eye on Melete and the animals. I motioned to Melete and called her to my arms; pulling her close against myself for warmth I huddled closely with her and spoke softly by her ear. "Nuqi, and I will enter first. You and the others will wait here for the moment, go bring a torch and my short spear."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 nuzzles him before responding "Yes, my Master" and it was with a sigh I peeled away from him to go and fetch his short spear and a torch from the sled, returning swiftly to pass them to him.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I chose the short spear because sometimes a fast thrust in the dark saved a man's life. I studied the entrance carefully; the Torvalds mind was ripe with ingenuity to say the least. I marveled at the simplicity of its design; one smaller door stood well sealed within a second and larger door. Once sealed within the mountain, only a handful of men could hold the fortification indefinitely,

S̱ƙɑɍ: have you stone and steel woman?

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 stays with Ember and the Verr, my right-hand hovering over the handle of m, my knife, my dark gaze locked on my Master and N,uqi upon hearing him I turned to him confused as that was not a term I was used to.

𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘: Master? Stone and Steel?

* S̱ƙɑɍ I grasped the heavy iron ring of the smaller entrance, it groaned upon its hinges; but it did openly smoothly and fully. Whatever might be lurking in the darkness beyond and watching that single point of entry was now very well aware that we were here. I grunted sarcastically at her "come here woman, light the damned torch."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 moves to him catching on now and lights his torch with the one I had brought from the sled

* S̱ƙɑɍ I gave her a look of confused annoyance, then I snarled at her before taking the short spear from her hand and moving fully into the entrance of Bok'mahl. "woman, tend the animals." I whistled for Nuqi, sending her ahead into the darkness of the cavern ahead as I raised the torch in my hand aloft and looked around as my eyes adjusted to this newer darkness and firelight

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 moves back to the Verr and where Ember waited and I saw to the Verr giving them a small ration of water while I saw to their harnesses, not undoing them just yet until told it was all clear. Giving Ember the correct hand sign, I sent her into the surrounding area to hunt and check for anything that makes her leery

* S̱ƙɑɍ finding the shape of a strong torch set well within iron bands upon the stone wall, I lit it for the light it was meant to cast. Looking around myself slowly I saw the iron banded hinges of the larger door of mighty timbers. By the light of the wall sconce I another to the right of the gates locking mechanism, and lit it also.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 watches for Ember's return, as well as my Master and Nuqi, staying on high alert while tending to the Verr, even they were cooperating this time

* S̱ƙɑɍ I studied the chamber as Nuqi quickly explored others; I spoke loudly toward the smaller door "woman, bring your torch."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 hears my Master and quickly I moved to join him, holding my torch out as I reach him though I am curiously looking around "Here my Master."

* S̱ƙɑɍ I studied the locking mechanism of the larger gate closely because the chamber where I now stood could be sealed from the world outside. I did not look away from the gate as I spoke. "Look around, light any torches you find."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 "Yes, my Master" pulls my knife free and I begin walking the length of the wall inside the chamber and lit torches in the wall as I found them, each wall had one torch each in the exact middle of the wall within, it was enough to allow us to see though dimly which had me looking for stands that held candles or torches to light them as well.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I grasped the large handle of the latch and turned it, I watched with great curiosity as thick iron bolts turned and strong timbers withdrew easily from within stone sockets. "Woman, to me."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 turns on the balls of my feet and to his side I hurried

S̱ƙɑɍ: Go outside, secure the Verr, keep them in hand.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I listened to the unmistakable metallic clink and groan as immense hinges turned and began to carry the gate wide as I pushed against it with only a mild effort.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 responds with "Yes, my Master" before I head from the chamber we were in and back into the bitter cold, I quickly secure the Verr and the Sleds, their leads I kept in my left hand while the other I kept free to use my knife or a spear if I had to, the torch on the large sled kept us from being in the total darkness

* S̱ƙɑɍ I knew for the Verr the sight of the larger gate swing outward toward them would be startling

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 keeps a tight hold on the leads, giving Ember a nod as she returns and prowls to my side, her gaze staying alert.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I began to lean into the heavy gate know and was impressed with how easily it moved outward from the inside, yet remained all but impenetrable from the outside once secured again. I shouted into the wind as the strong gate swung wide "woman, bring the Verr."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 gives the Verr's leads a yank as they try to pull back when the gate moved, with wild eyes they held their place, though I think it was more because Ember was in front of them until she heard my order and she sauntered in like she owned the place leaving me to lead the Verr, I don't think she had forgiven me for bringing a spirit in our midst but she was at least not out to eat me like Nuqi was

* S̱ƙɑɍ I hurried them along past myself and into the main entrance of dark and imposing Bok'mahl; "get them inside and out of the way."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 leads them to the clearing as I hear him making sure they and myself were well out of the way, and I turned to see how the gate swung shut.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I stepped outside the wide door and began to push against it now, returning it to its sealing position, I heaved against the gate until its swing halted; and with a distinct click breaking the night air, the passing of strong timbers returning to their deep stone sockets could be heard.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I hurried into the enclosed space and pulled the smaller and equally well-made door of timbers closed behind me.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 watches in awe as we are closed in and the rest of the world is locked out

*S̱ƙɑɍ "pick a tunnel and follow it, lit any torches you find, move quickly"

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 responds "Yes, my Master" while moving and giving Ember the hand signal to lead the way and down a tunnel we went, lighting any and all torches I come across, so far there seemed to be one every five paces, though each new one was on the opposite wall of the last one lit which lit the tunnel fairly clearly as we went.

S̱ƙɑɍ: "There are sure to be chambers here beneath Bok'mahl; look for those meant for housing livestock, sleeping and cooking.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 follows the tunnel noting chambers opening up here and there along the way, each new opening I sent Ember in first, then I followed and lit whatever torches I found though in some instances I found two chambers that were missing one, all others had at least one torch though most had two and rarely sometimes three.

* S̱ƙɑɍ Nuqi and I followed the cavern to our right, and I lit only four torches before entering a larger chamber clearly meant for shelter and amply provisioned for exactly that purpose. I shouted into the cavern toward the direction I had come from "stables here!"

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 smiles hearing him and I call back... I have found two with no torches, the other two are for cooking and living in! I was standing in the chamber where they obviously did all the cooking, it had more than one firepit and clay ovens, something I had heard of but never seen before now.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I explored the stable cautiously but quickly and returned to where the gate and door stood. I gathered the leads of the three Verr and led them away to where they would be sheltered for the time being. I sampled with my fingers and lips some of the water contained within a large and circular basin within the chamber. I noted that from somewhere higher above in the darkness, water dripped and fell upon the surface of the water slowly. The water tasted fresh and clean. I allowed the Verr to drink from it an be at their leisure for a time while I continued my exploration.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I entered the central cavern and began to pass through it lighting torches as I passed them. Each torch it seemed was placed upon the wall in an a fashion as to cast its light upon the entrance of a chamber within the opposite wall. Along this chambers length I lit six torches revealing six chambers. I did not explore them further for the moment. I returned to the gates of Bok'mahl and called for Melete. "woman, to me."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 explores the cooking cavern, without waiting to be told, I got a fire going in one fire pit, then I too lit a fire in one of the clay ovens before I took the torch and went into the other main cavern and there I saw many places to sit and a couple piles of furs, but here there was only one big main fire pit and using the wood there I got a fire going there as well before I then went to check out the two smaller rooms, and I realized those were private sleeping areas, I figured for now we could ignore them unless my Master wanted to use one of them.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 hearing him call to me, I grabbed my torch and began to trek my way back to look for him to find him near the gates.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I nodded toward the central cavern "unlit chambers. unsearched. " To my right I thrust my chin "stables, mostly unlit, unexplored; and you?"

𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘: I found the kitchens, a main hall and two sleep caverns, the rest I do not know what is, just storage I am thinking

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 smiles as I say to him 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘: I lit fires in the kitchen and the main hall to warm up and for cooking.

S̱ƙɑɍ: I believe we are alone here, but we should verify that. we will work one cavern at a time, and the chambers it contains. Let's start with the stables.

𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘: Yes, my Master, that sounds like a wise idea

* S̱ƙɑɍ I whistled for Nuqi and sent her ahead to sniff and snuffle as she would before us. I followed her with my torch held aloft in my left hand and the short spear gripped firmly and angled readily by my side. I lit torches as I passed them. The chamber was large and circular and evenly spaced around its circumference were sturdy pens fashioned to isolate fifteen animals of good size securely.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 followed close behind him, my eyes moving from one sturdy pen to the next as the torchlight revealed the chamber. Pens of that size were no small matter, and I found myself wondering what manner of creatures had once been kept here.

* S̱ƙɑɍ Upon strong timber frames above each enclosure were large thick mounds of dry grasses and bundles of reeds.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 looks about in wonder and asks, "Who tends places such as these?" walking now to look in a pen that Ember was sniffing about in.

* S̱ƙɑɍ The torches I had lit in passing now showed me awestruck eyes a well-supplied staple of thick and wide timbers set firmly within stone; iron banded gates, and a very precisely shaped trench of fresh water which passed from basin to basin, one within each pen for drinking of fresh water. The elegant simplicity of this watering system amazed me, and I decided I would study it at length later on. I heard her question and replied matter of factly "We are using it, so we must tend it woman; what we use, we replace."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 moved closer to inspect the water channels, impressed by the care and craftsmanship that had gone into the construction of this place. "Someone went to considerable trouble to make certain these animals were well cared for.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 nods understanding his words, but confused this space was not lived in regularly as it was seemingly perfect.

* S̱ƙɑɍ before each pen stood large and heavily lidded wooden bins. Opening one such lid, I discovered they held grains, salt, and molasses. I considered this detail carefully as I proceeded around the chamber studying it in order to understand it.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 dips my finger in the molasses bringing it to my mouth and stiffles a moan, never had I tasted such before and I was instantly hooked and must find out how to get more of this.

S̱ƙɑɍ: "This was a Fortress of the Torvalds men once. This would have housed a detail of fifteen animals, well fed and rested; and ready for heavy use. Come, the central cavern is next."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 nods listening, the Panther Girls of the Northern Forest had a severe dislike of the men of Torvaldsland, pushing down a shudder I followed him, my thought for once I kept to myself.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I whistled for Nuqi and send her ahead of us toward the opening of the central cavern from which the light of six torches glowed up the walls and the six dark chambers within them.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 keeps Ember behind us, she was good for keeping an eye on things from behind while Nuqi went ahead, they did work well together which I still found to be a very odd thing, though I did not question it.

* S̱ƙɑɍ sweeping my torch ahead of me into a chamber I found it to be a common opening which concealed within its darkness two more openings quarried from within the stone.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 holding my torch out, I turned and lit up the opposite walls better lighting the two openings

* S̱ƙɑɍ lighting a torch upon the wall illuminated twin excavations of stone, each of which had been outfitted for simple private sleeping arrangements. "Twelve platforms I count, one per chamber; a dozen men at arms were billeted here close together in this arrangement. It is called a barracks."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 peers in to the openings, both were lacking in the warmth needing so I hear myself saying, "Those could use more furs and better lighting." nods knowingly and then hushes listening to him.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 says "barracks" trying the word out and filing away it's meaning

S̱ƙɑɍ: we use what we need woman, nothing more, nothing less.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 nods in understanding

* S̱ƙɑɍ I swept the torch in my left hand toward the cavern she had explored quickly earlier. "show me what you found." I recalled Nuqi from her wanderings and sent her ahead before Melete to ensure the safety of my woman as I gave her permission to take the lead and tell me what she had seen as we explored it now together.

S̱ƙɑɍ: Were there more sleeping quarters? Did you see provisions? Was there a kitchen or a bathing area?

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 grins and eagerly leads him to the corridor leading to caverns I had went through a bit ago, two large and two small saying as we enter the main room, "This I would call the main hall, it is set for eating and gathering." points to the two chambers that are dark as we now stand by the fire I had lit in the pit, "Those are private sleeping areas but had no torches and over there is one huge kitchen, I have never seen anything like it." points in the direction of the other larger lit up cavern.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I was almost certain that she had already told me this and I had not been paying attention as well as I should have.

𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘: I started fires too!

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 smiles proudly because she was ready to get in an actual kitchen and cook.

S̱ƙɑɍ: "Okay woman, tonight our supplies do not exist, Go to that kitchen to see what you can find and make from it. I will tend the animals, you tend the fires."

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 stops hiding her smile of excitement and dashes off calling as she goes, "They have HERBS here!" her laughter soon follows her as she dashes into the kitchen cavern.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I stuck the torch I carried into an empty iron band set upon the wall nearby and turned away to go and tend to the considerations of the animals. Nuqi I assigned to guard the small entrance door. I would not dare to secure that door from within and leave another man or woman outside without the haven of its sheltered entrance.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 begins poking in this and looking in that, figuring out where everything was kept and I kept discovering more and more treasures from butter, to actual sugar and salt and more of that molasses I liked.

* S̱ƙɑɍ Moving to the stables I began to unburden the animals one by one; removing first the harness which coupled them to their sleds, and after this I released the lashings of their packs and lifted them away from their frames. After this I released the animal from the pack frame harness and lifted it away laying it over the horns of the sled frame. I removed their headgear and leads and body harnesses rigged for heavy pulling. These too I laid aside with each respective sled and pack frame.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 wandered deeper into the cavern, discovering what appeared to be a well-stocked kitchen tucked along one of its walls, with shelves of provisions, jars, sacks of flour, and cooking implements. My fingers moved over the supplies as I gathered what I needed, pleased to find aged bosk steaks, enough flour and other necessities to prepare fresh flatbread. It seemed we would not be wanting for a proper meal tonight, and I set about bringing everything together.

* S̱ƙɑɍ I turned the verr into a common pen together; and gave them good rations of dry sweet grasses, and helpings of grains mixed with a bit of molasses and salt.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 rubbed the aged bosk steaks generously with salt and a blend of fragrant herbs, working the seasoning into the meat before laying each one across the heated flat stones surrounding the fire pit. They sizzled as the fat began to render, releasing a mouthwatering aroma into the cavern while I turned them to cook evenly over the heat.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 left the bosk steaks to cook slowly over the heated stones, turning them occasionally before turning my attention to the flatbread. I worked the flour, water, and a pinch of salt into a smooth, pliable dough, shaped it into flat rounds, and slipped them into the heated clay oven to bake.

* S̱ƙɑɍ passing the entrance of the stable I paused in my steps as I realized along the connecting caverns wall were several slave pens. One among them was slightly larger with a bit more intentional privacy afforded to it than to the smaller slave pens.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 while the steaks sizzled and the flatbread baked, I rummaged through the kitchen shelves until I found a small collection of dried herbs suitable for brewing tea, along with a kettle and a jar of honey. I filled the kettle with fresh water and set it to heat, selecting a fragrant blend of herbs to steep before stirring in a generous spoonful of honey.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 retrieved the wooden paddle I had found among the kitchen implements and carefully slid it beneath the flatbread, drawing each warm round from the clay oven. I stacked them in a cloth-lined basket, their golden surfaces still warm and fragrant from baking.

* S̱ƙɑɍ two smaller slave pens were laid out and neatly arranged to house male and female captives; along with a larger and more private kennel for the slave in charge of overseeing the stables area.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 gathered the basket of warm flatbread, along with a crock of butter and the honey, and carried them into the main hall cavern, setting everything within easy reach near the fire. After arranging the bread, I added several pieces of wood to the fire, coaxing the flames higher and bringing warmth back into the chamber. Satisfied, I returned to the kitchen to check on the steaks and tea.

S̱ƙɑɍ : "Oh Melete!" I called toward the cavern of the cooking and eating area "I have found where you are sleeping." I laughed to myself as I moved toward the sound of her voice.

* 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒 ~𝑺~ 𝑘 poured the hot honey-sweetened tea into a small pot, gathered several cups, and carried them into the main hall, setting them near the fire where the tea would stay warm. Once everything was arranged, I returned to the kitchen to tend to the rest of the meal, thinking if it is not with him I just might actually get some sleep finally, then laughs aloud knowing I was lying to myself.

Closing thoughts by muse-

After spending time within Bok’mahl Hold Hunter Cache, and having my first experience actually cooking in a kitchen, I will admit that I am beginning to understand why people gravitate toward a more domesticated way of living. There is something to be said for having a warm place to rest, a kitchen to prepare a proper meal, and the comforts of a settled home rather than always relying upon what the wilderness provides.

The underground Torvie Stronghold, however, has captured my imagination more than anything else. It is one of the most interesting and intriguing places I have ever had the opportunity to see and explore. There is something almost haunting about walking through the stronghold knowing that life once filled these spaces and that now so much of it remains silent.

I find myself wondering what this place must have looked like in its prime. What were the people like? What did their daily lives consist of? What filled these underground chambers with warmth, conversation, and the sounds of a thriving stronghold? And perhaps most importantly, what happened here? What was it that brought them to their end and left behind the remnants of a people that once called this place home?

I suspect there are far more stories hidden within these walls than we have yet begun to uncover. And I cannot help but want to know them.