Dwarven treaties for the King

[Corothius Encinosa]

Syados Edge: ‡It had been a good several days if not a week since he'd left
Skull island, and the situation that had arisen in that area. It might not
have been a bad idea, returning to ones home for a respite of time. Time had
been spent ensuring that all of his commanders had good reports, and that
a bad one was dealt with accordingly. Included on that day was a time
available to the public, or moreso to visitors who were on good enough terms
with his ruling the surrounding land to actually be able to enter the massive
estate of the castle without being killed or put in the dungeon upon
greeting. If not by the outlying patrols themselves. Nonetheless, his
throneroom would be the scene we would spy in upon. Several huge pillars of marble were standing
in parrallel lengths down the inner portions of the large chamber to hold up
the light enrichening dome even higher above their heads where dust slowly
drifted through sunbeams that showered the room with it's own decadence of
light. Torches were embedde d in esconses along the walls, between tapestries
muralling one artists portrayal of something or another he considered worthy
to be looked upon from his throne. There of course...were many, many details that
could be spoken upon that you noticed if you sat upon that high structure of
a seat long enough in your life. For now though, people were being admitted
into the chamber, only a few at a time, so as not to scare the rest from
speaking to him if one happened to lose his head from a random swing of a
guards blade."Next...."‡

Dance of the Rot: ::He could hear the call of the lord through the heavy
doors ahead of him. He came with not only himself, but an entire retinue of
dwarves. Political advisors, cultural researchers, translators and a small
deployment of personal guard. Though none of this people were more important to
him than the man who stood at his side. His brother, Modi. Under one arm
was tucked a set of three bronze tubes, ornately scrawled with the sharp,
angular artwork of his people. These three tubes had been capped with thick
corks and tied togeather with a pair of leather belts while one of his men
held a large red marble chest that was almost as tall as the dwarf who
carried it, though much less wide. Tipping his crowned head to his brother, he looked
to the guards who pulled the doors open to allow the dwarves to enter into
the chambers. There were ten of them in total, who moved with the precision
and organization of a drilled military unit untill they came to stop before the
throne.::

Imaboggle: ::Modi glanced around the throne room briefly, his face
impassive. He would not allow himself to express any sort of emotion beyond
polite indifference in the presence of these barbarians, despite the fact
that he felt an unwanted sense of admiration at the craftmanship of the hall's
architecture. He kept his hand draped over a small, ceremonially jeweled (but
no less razor sharp) axe that was prominently displayed in his belt, and at
his brother's signal,marched proudly down the barbarian's hall. Modi kept his eyes
straight ahead and his back straighter. Any sign of immaturity that might
have given away his youth was gone, and he looked every inch the son of a
warrior king. He stepped aside to allow the other dwarves carrying the marble
chest to set it down in front of the throne, and stood at one side of it
while Magni stood at the other.::-d-

Syados Edge: ‡It was perhaps part of a warriors code to always have his
weapon upon him. Without it, one felt not himself, felt as though a part of
him was missing. And with it, a sense of helplessness was about a good many
warrior who might face him unarmed. It had been considered, the dangers and
whatnot of such a situation. Yet, his guards were keen upon their duties. The
people entering the halls watched thoroughly the entire time they waited to
ensure no thought crossed anyones mind as to being there to assassinate him. And
if they passed that mental challenge, there were a half dozen archers in the
balconies above where alcoves had been chiseled away into the stone of the
mountain that the castle was built into. Many walls of it had beeen built up with
rocks, boulders, and chiseled craftsmanship> Whilst others were still the
walls of the mountains themselves. Tunnels and corridors through the
mountains had produced the boulders and whatnot that built the walls throughout the
great castle. When it was built, was unknown to many, though stories from
dwarves at times came to their ears with tales that it was made from their
hands along with alllied humns at the time. Little though was truly known of its
ancestry. Now though, it was in the hands of Vitharr and the legion or more
of men who had come to serve and share in his wealth. The procession of
dwarves was an honored lot when they came to visit him. They were known to him
already, to some degree, but they were not ones he indulged in tankards of
ale with when this meeting was through. Not yet at least. There were another
dozen men lining the base of the three-plane dias that led to the throne. These
were donned with shields, helms to conceal their thoughts and reactions to
the courts activity, and cloaks nearly worn like robes to conceal even more.
Their shields were larger than most, taken from some southern territories no
doubt, and well suitable for the use to make a wall before the king if the
occurance arose. Vitharr remained in the plush comfort of his throne whilst
the procession came to a still before him. Honor was spoken towards them as
his voice rose up to echo easily against the walls surrounding.-"...What
brings ye and yer kin into my halls?"‡

Dance of the Rot: ::He spoke up, his voice deep and resonating, echoing
within the chamber as he motioned for the dwarf who had placed the chest at
the kings feet to open it.:: "I come on behalf of my Karak. The Copper Ruby
Mountains as you call it. We seek independance, and ask that you release your claim
upon the land you took from my people." ::As the lid of the chest was pulled
free, it would expose a mighty weapon set upon black cloth, held in place by
carved blocks of stone. It was an impressive warhammer, built not for the
hands of a dwarf but a man, though clearly built by dwarves themself. It was
as beautiful as it was effective, the head plated in polished bronze and
carved with the emblem on the side of the head to show a dwarf drinking from a
horn which used the back spike as the horn its self, while the striking face
was the dwarfs shield and his crown a spike upon the top. The hilt was of
wire wrapped leather, bronze plated bars running down each side to reinforce the
wooden haft. Working free the top most tube from the bundle under his arm,
he held it in front of him.:: "I have with me several treaties for you to
examine that will decide the fate of our people."

Imaboggle: ::Modi deliberately kept his eyes on the throne in front of him,
unwavering and cold. His emotions were the complete opposite, a hot spike of
resentment twisting through his stomach and chest. No human was worthy of
this treasure,especially not these bandits and barbarians. It was expertly
crafted by their father's most lauded weaponsmiths, and the thought of this
manling weilding such artistry was enough to make Modi's blood boil. He was
trained in the art of courtly affairs though, and managed to keep his emotions off
his face and out of his body language by keeping his eyes off the hammer,
although it was a bit of a struggle. "We desire peace, and hope this gift
will ease the problems of our troubles with one another." The words were spoken
in a cool and flat voice, obviously spoken from memorization rather than
actual intent.::-d-

Syados Edge: ‡There were of course, choices to be considered when such a
proclamation came to his court. For it would affect matters in the future
with immense possibiliites. His attentions though were at first upon the
hammer when it was revealed. The awe that was inspired upon his features to
produce was well fitted as the artistical carvings that were used to form the
hammer in such a fashion took his mind for a brief series of moments as he
looked it over. He would rise up when Modi spoke. Casual, and revealed the feel of
honor that was being bestowed upon him, first by the procession, and then by
the gift. As the barbariand king, he had plundered and pillaged many a town
and city alike already. Such providing him the means to take up the title he
now possessed, the men he had, and this castle and surrounding, as well as
distant lands. Yet the hammer seemed to be an unearthed treasure that he had
yet to have found or added to his wall of trophies. He would walk towards it with
that strut of a gait that embellished the use of muscles that were attached
well to the framework of bones somewhere within. Torches had a way with his
features when they fell upon their otherwise stoic residue of awe. When he
would come to stand before the hammer, he would reach forth to grasp it and
if permitted, draw it into the grip of both of his hands to test and obtain a
closer inspectionof the legendary work done upon it.-"....Speak to me your
treaties, this gift is enough to listen to what you have come to me to speak
of further. "‡

Dance of the Rot: ::He was permited, none would stop him, at least not upon
his command. Upon hefting it he would find it slightly heavier than would be
the norm, though clearly made of steel, perhaps folded a great many times
under the bronzed plating. Magni gave a soft smile, pleased to see that the
king was so taken with the gift. He looked up to the much taller man with a
glint in his one good eye, the other socket was filled with a star ruby as a
result of a rather explosive mining accident some time ago.:: "It is a simple
request that you relinquish your claim to our lands, those in the Copper Ruby
Mountains and the surrounding areas. Your mines that bore into our mountains
and homes. Your foresters who strip bare out lowlands and your taxation
upon our treasuries and all other activies that encroche upon our
independence from your Kingdom."

Imaboggle: ::Modi's expression did not change as his brother attempted to
parley with the barbarian. He bit his tongue as his irritation at the entire
situation grew, the anger lumping in his throat as Magni described the
devastation andinjustices that had been exacted agains their lands and their
people. And he could do nothing, say nothing, other than polite and
mind-numbingly dull pleasantries. Modi knew d**n well there was no reason for
him to be there with
Magni, other than to make an appearance and to bear the royal
weapon of status. True, he was young and father wanted him to travel, gain
experience through action rather than a tutored lesson, but he still felt
useless. He shifted his weight to his other leg, waiting for Magni to finish his
speech. Modi's thoughts turned to war and the slim possibility that the
barbarian king might refuse their gift, the desire to see these murderers and
bandits driven out of the dwarven lands lifting his spirits slightly. The side of his
face twitched into a very faint smile at the thought.::-d-

Syados Edge: ‡Such words he heard were indeed the sort that would come with
a treaty. They in fact made him feel a little bad for a moment, but just a
moment. He took a moment to consider the prospect turning about to walk back
up to the dias with his new toy. It's weight might have been considerable for
someone else, like kat, who his other hammer had run off to without as well
as one of his blades. Something he noted before he left the isle to return to
his homeland. This though was far better, and he began to grin in imaginative
glee at the prospect of finding someone to use it upon and test its various
angles of opportunity. He would turn about as he came to stand before his
throne again. Shifting it about his palm as it'd be turned about. His eyes
finally lifting up to counter the dwarves below once more..="I find such a
treasure to be something I would want to see more of. Since I have had the
mines in your mountains run, I have not found the metals to form such a
weapon unfortunately. You though, have...and probably know quite alot more
about where to obtain more of such, and even more importantly, what to do
with such metals." ....not like they didn't know such, it though..was an open
thought...one he was perhaps using to aid in his decision. -"...it'd be
better if I merely had you do the work for me instead...and craft these items
for me...and perhaps more like them...to make my men superior in these lands. I have
other mines...in other lands...I have forests..in other lands...closer even
than yours. and distant as well....quite distant. hmmm"....he left teh matter
open for a few moments, incase the dwarves sought to throw something in to
persuade him with...‡

Dance of the Rot: ::He could see where he was going, and was all ready in
the process of putting the scroll tube away and grasping at another one as
Vitharr continued. Removing the tube, he was stopped dead in his motion as
he spoke of the one thing he required above the lumber and the mines. His
lips drew thin, lid giving a slight twitch over the gem stone eye of red.::
"Indeed, we have a plentiful supply of iron in the deep mines, as well as the
knowledge of how to turn it into steel. We would be willing to trade this
substance with you, should such Independence be reached. We would be willing
to offer up weapons of similar caliber to what you now hold up for trade as
well." ::He gave a firm nod, though it seemed the spoken word was going to be what
was battled with, not the papers he had prepaired, so he let the tube rest in
his hand at his side. For once brief moment, his gaze flicked towards his
brother, wondering if they were experiancing the same thoughts at the
moment.::

Imaboggle: ::Modi only half-listened to the barbarian king as he watched him
play with his new toy. There was only a sense of vague disgust in Modi's
heart now, which he felt was vast improvement to the anger that had
threatened to bubble out of him. The feeling didn't last long as his eyes widened in
outrage at the barbarian's next words. He shot a quick, heated glance at his
brother, who was giving him a pointed look and obviously thinking the same
thing Modi was. How dare he! The sheer impudence and disrespect of the manling forced
the former feelings of fury back into the forefront of Modi's heart, and his
fingers whitened on the hilt of the ceremonial axe. He was just about ready
to bury it when he caught himself, realizing that would probably be seen as
a faux pas amongst the humans, even amongst ones he hated and wished to go to
war with. "I'd take care how you speak, sir," began Modi in a voice that
teetered on the edge of violence.::-d-

Syados Edge: -‡Vitharr would shift his gaze to Modi with a curious perk of a
brow. As if there was something wrong with the dwarves mind to go about
threatening him, in his own throneroom. He spoke further in that depthed
tone, one that had been used on his men as well as his dogs in giving commands. that
they were loyal and smart enough to obey with quick deliberateness, something
he was used to. His guards shifted not though, nor did the sound of a bows
twine begin to twane in the distance.="What words do you speak of? Do you not
seek to gain riches for your labors? And allow those who travel the world to
reveal the wondrous works of your people?" Such words were spoken with that
angle of an entrepreneur, ready to persuade the angered dwarf into seeing
things his way, with a twisted edge of malice and cruelty waiting to be added
to it for effect, just waiting but unspoken. All knew well that it existed in
these lands because of he and his men. The hammer was hefted upwards and
sent to be propped aginst the broad ridge of his shoulder where it weighed
into flesh but strict against muscles.‡

Dance of the Rot: ::His left hand, the only one visible as the right was
hiden by the cowl of his cape, was risen up. Leaving his hand up and palm up
so that his sibling would veiw the back of his metal clad hand.:: "Modi..."
::He stated cooly, though never taking his eyes from the King.:: "As I said.
We are willing to offer similar caliber weapons and such metals they are made
of through trade. The metals can be mined and smelted quickly enough, but
much care and work is placed into our weapos, and thus very few will be open
to trade, and only those made of steel, such as the hammer you hold. Should
you agree to the treaty, that is. We will also offer other more mundane
thing, such as Mammoth and Rhinox pelts, gems and master crafted tools. However
out weapons, metalurgy and our technology is our own to keep, as our are
Runes." ::He let his hand fall to attend to the scroll again, offering up the
tube.:: "Do you accept these terms?"

Imaboggle: ::Modi's anger shifted into outraged shock at the insulting tone
and words.He looked back to his brother in disbelief, ready to ask him why he
did not speak or voice his own opinions on the matter, when the sharp
movement of Magni's hands and his cool, professional tone made Modi react as if he'd
been slapped in the face. His hands didn't loosen from the axe, and the tight
lines of anger around his mouth and eyes didn't relax, but he averted his
eyes and stepped slightly behind the chest so Magni could have the floor.
His eyes darted between the barbarian king and his brother as they talked, a
muscle working in his cheek as he ground his teeth together.::-d-

Syados Edge: ‡The king of barbarians had no council standing nearby to
negate this idea upon, he had only his men, whom he wouldn't confide upon in
these matters, nor did he get a glimpse of their thoughts as they were guised
in helms. Helms that evaded how ready they were incase blade was thrown, or a
hand twitched too tightly upon a paritcular axe. For barbarians, they were
quite well trained and disciplined. Yet their lord was moreso the barbarian
in comparison. a snicker even loosened from his lips to the way such a situation
was handled, if not from the fuller description of terms that were laid out
upon the air between them. His brows would scrutinize the matter for a
moment, to think and discern this from that as a callloused hand would come up to
rub stroke at the not so freshly shaven attributes upon his chin. After a
moment or three he would push the hammer off of his shoulder to let it weigh
in the air for a moment before it was deftly twisted forward to let gravity pull
it downwards towards the ground. An awaiting second hand catching it beneath
the head and in turn letting it bounce a time or three judgingly as the brass
plates rapped against palm and fingers alike.-"...Hmm..it is of splendid
make. It no doubt would take longer to make an abundance of these and be of
the same quality. We humans have a shorter life than you dwarves, and I doubt
that my men could be given a number of these to satisfy my wishes, traded or not.
I will keep this one, as a gift, and a token of the trade that will commence
between our two kingdoms. You may have what is yours, and what you know about
it. I do not need to have men in my power masters over others in their
labor. I need my men in other lands, with weapons in their hands....bringing
me the riches that will buy ....these...from your people. i will agree to
these terms.."‚‡

Dance of the Rot: "Very well." ::He breathed a deep sigh of relief, his form
visibly relaxing as shoulders hung a bit looser.:: "You will be givin the
same price as others who purchase such items from our people for both the
weapons and the metals, if you wish to purchase the steel. When will your people
take leave of our lands?" ::A fair question or so he thought. After all with
his release of the lands, he would no doubt call back the slaves who worked
the mines and the lumberyards, as well as their task masters.:: "I
understand if it takes some time. It will give us time to work trade routs
towards your cities and towns."

Imaboggle: ::Modi rolled his eyes, all pretense at polite conversation and
interaction gone, as his brother still attempted to play diplomat with the
bandits. Father was going to be furious at this outburst once he heard of it,
which was nearly impossible to avoid since the old man constantly had his
metaphorical ears to the ground, but Modi didn't care in the slightest. To
watch this slaver, this murderous king snicker at him behind a dwarven-made
hammer which heshould never have been allowed in the first place, was nigh
unbearable. He scowled and tapped his fingers restlessly on the top of the
axe as the barbarian agreed to the terms, wishing dearly that something would
spark the ignition of war between Magni and the king. It was the only thing that
made sense to him, since the thought of getting into bed with these invaders
filled him with a sense of revulsion.::-d-

Syados Edge: ‡Vitharrs attentions were upon Modi for some reason, perhaps
the fuse of anger within him, to watch if it would blow, and the dwarf to
fume out his anger as they were known to do on occasions. It was rather
common for them to brawl after a number, or no number at all of the drinks they shared
with one another he was told. A tentative eye returned to magni, his tone
remained in charge and down to business, as if it should be concluded,
soon.-"....Hm..I know not the details of how long it would take to gather all that they
have done so far and bring such back with them. I will send word for them to
make the preparations, and see if there are enough wagons available to do it
all at once. If not, it may take a little longer.. that is quite the distance
to travel. with that lake between our two kingdoms. It will be done though as
you request. If there is no other...business...with me then I will give you
my last thanks..for this gift, and wish you safe paths on your journey home."‡

Dance of the Rot: ::He thought for a long moment, his right hand pushing
aside the cloth of his cape and uncorking the tube to withdraw the scroll and
offer it to the king.:: "There is but one. The Signing of the Treaty. I
wish it to be on record that such a pact has been made between our people." ::He
stated simply. The scroll was of velum, bound fast with red wax, stamped
with the Royal seal of his people that matched the ring of iron about one of
his fingers.::

Imaboggle: ::Modi glared at the king in full force as the barbarian's
attention was placed solely on him. He didn't speak, but the open, unspoken
challenge on his face and in his eyes was very prevalent. He was ready to
fight, in spite of the treaties they had just signed."Should I ask a copper for your
thoughts, sir?" he asked in a low voice, placing a sarcastic tone on the last
word. "Or do you simply like my face? I cannot fault you for this, I do have
impeccably handsome features." The words were foolish and Modi sneered as he
said them, but the tone they were spoken in was menacing and held no mirth.
"How are we to know that you would even honor these treaties? Bandits aren't
exactly known for their loyalty or honesty. You could even be holding our
people as slaves, and we'd never be the wiser," he hissed through clenched
teeth. "And you expect us to simply lay down our wealth to you?"::-d-

Syados Edge: ‡The barbarian lord simply looked upon modi as his outburst
presented him with another problem far unexpected to be heard when settling
peaceful matters between two people. A squaring of his eyes watched modi
whilst he spoke. Taking a moment or two to justify what was said, and discern if he
should be disrespected by the same.-"....Ah..well, i was waiting for
this...outburst..if thats all that you were about to do...and have to say.
The world is a large, very very large place...upon it are many many different people. One
tribes hunters may be another mans' thief or bandit. I do not know what the
future foretells. But...I do know that there is not a smith that I know of
who can master the art put into this hammer as you dwarves have done. If I were to
have you and your kin...killed..this would perhaps be the last of such
weapons I would obtain. I am not of a mind to that. In fact..>I have a
collection of weapons that this will be added to in time...it would be a shame..if it were
one of the last to be placed with my other treasures because of
someones..doubts."‡

Dance of the Rot: ::Magni whirled about, his brow lifted and eyes wide in
great shock as he listened slack jawed at what his brother had said, as if in
complete disbelief.:: "Modi!" ::He barked at him, a look upon his face as if
his brother had just sprouted another head, and that head had then just ate his
brother alive. To think that all this planning was about to go wrong because
of his brothers temper. Though the King remained oddly calm, something Magni
had not expected at all. Indeed his gaze fell upon him with just as much
confussion as he had givin to his brother. The compliment was taken without
much thought to it, but one thing that Modi spoke of resounded within him,
and he had to ask it of Vitharr.:: "Have you taken Dwarfs and slaves?" ::He spoke
with a certain amount of coolness and calm that he had not used before, as if
what he asked was something so strange that he could not even comprehend it
happening.::

Imaboggle: ::The logic of the statement the barbarian king had made wasn't
lost on Modi. Even through a haze of anger he wasn't stupid, and he knew in
the back of his mind that the barbarian wouldn't kill either of the brothers
- so long as they were making him profitable. "These are no peace treaties!
They are more akin to blackmail than anything!" snapped Modi. He ignored his
brother's astonished yelp. "What would you do if we could not meet your
demands? What if we simply refused, as is our right to an invader in our land? Would
you stand by these treaties? I cannot say I foresee you being faithful to
them." Modi took a deep breath as he finished his tirade, and looked over at
his brother as he asked the king about the slaves. Perhaps Magni could be
convinced to stand against this slaver after all.::-d-

Syados Edge: ‡Vitharr merely stood there, apprehending what was being argued
over, and what was being brought up about matters that shouldn't. He made a
gesture towards the balconies and arrows were knocked, the sounds of
horsehair twined bowstrings being stretched by several wielding arms could be
heard above him. To the same, his men in arms infront of his dias took those
few steps to close the distance between theri two rows to close in the dias
with the protection of their shields, enamled in vivid dyes that were no
doubt shared with the crimsons of blood in their design, and origins in the
same.-"...Magni...take my advice and leave here while you can. It seems you
will need to rewrite your treaties before they can be signed. Next time you
are here...make sure that ..everything...is on them. War is war....prisoners are taken as are the wounded. It
is a long road to return to your mountains. Make sure you are not come upon
by...bandits."‡

Dance of the Rot: ::At his words, Magni said nothing, but instead tucked the
bronze tube into the bundle of three, which he brought in front of him,
holding them all within large hands, though still hardly able to get his
entire hands aroun each.Despite this, his hands clenched, knuckles quickly growing
white as they crumpled under his grip as if they were little more than
styrofoam. Each hand twisted in a different direction, the metal groaning as
it was twisted into a spiral shape and folded in upon each other to form one
thick rod of bronze which he bent into a complex knot, knot after knot untill
it was little more than a ball of bronze which he dropped on the floor with a
clank that broke the crypt like silance that had fallen over the room.:: "We
will take our leave." ::He stated as his hands fell back to his sides.
However they quickly came back fron under the cloth of his robes, holding a
highly ornate flint lock in each hand with a butcher like blade mounted on the under
side of each.:: "I shall take your advice on watching the roads, Vitharr."

Imaboggle: ::Modi bared his teeth in a triumphant grin. Finally, Magni was
starting to see sense. He drew the ornamental axe from his belt and held it
at the ready as he stood at his brother's side. His spirits lifted at the
thought of notthe impending fight, but of the war that would finally drive the
bandits out of their home. He stood with his back against Magni's, and slowly
began walking out of the throne room.::-d-

Syados Edge: ‡The two were allowed to leave the castle entirely of course.
If bandits were to bring them harm, it would not be one of his, At least not
yet. The procession given no more trouble as they took their leave. Vitharrs'
rumble echoed through the chamber in remorse as bowstrings were loosened and
his guards returned to their default position.-"...Dwarves..always in a state
of civil war with one another..."‡

[Corothius Encinosa]

‡When the dwarven procession would take leave of the castle esconsed in the center of the mountains that rose up in the middle of a land that was a vast desert for miles upon miles, but not endless, as distant mountains were in view upon the far distant horizon which could be seen without tree or building in the way, for there was naught but dunes and sand and sometimes the winds that rushed through the same lands from outlying areas as the weather changed throughout the world. The wind was perhaps one of the few good things about traveling through such a landscape, it kept you cool.

Nonetheless, It would be perhaps a few hours time in travelling away from the castle before the dwarves would be able to spy an approaching length of mounted men. In the distance they were just darkly clad men upon horseback. An occasional shimmer from some undeterminable polearm or shafts end a normal amongst their number. They would follow the same path that the dwarves were taking, and in an hours time would catch up to the dwarven procession.

Measures of their own safety were taken in hand when they came within distance that an arrow could be shot between their two groups. Their own group comprised of only a few dozen men ranging from well armed cavalry to lighter armed archers who rode upon horses not so labored with the heaviness of chainmail as were those of the cavalry. There though were furs and immaculate splashings of paint upon many of the steeds that resembled the more barbaric tribes that roamed the northern territories. It was one of the archers who would approach from their number. A shortbow quite useful upon horseback and ships alike was in hand. He though would fit an arrow with an apparent scroll tied about the shaft, the white of the parchment being waved in the air above his head from side to side as if signaling the dwarves who would be looking upon them. For they would wait until they were indeed seen before making this deliberate act.

The arrow would then be shot, not over the heads of the dwarves, or even into their number. But a safe distance behind the procession and off to their flank to ensure it would not accidentally travel too far and hit a dwarf. If the letter scroll was read it would read thus:

Hail,
I have not signed any of your treaties. But these men are being sent to the same mountains you travel to so the message to withdraw my presence in your territory will be given. In the process, these well-armed men will act as your escort. They have been given orders to ensure that no harm comes upon any of your number from unwanted bandits since you'll be going along the same roads.

Vitharr