*Esgir's presence had been less frequent of late, but the runesmith still made several trips a week to the tower, where he would often be found amidst stacks of books. As much knowledge as it contained, the tower was still frustratingly ill equipped for the dwarf's line of research. Huffing a bit as he stroked his beard a bit in aggravation.*
*Scratching his own beard, not 100% sure how to continue, Malkonius attempts a response*
"Well, while I'm not sure as teh what you and Marloff 'ad been discussin', I 'll try to offer meh help! I think that books may not be the best o' places to find this information. A vision is personal, yours and yours alone my friend. I myself have been hearin' some things as of late, even more vivid while I sleep. I talked to the earth for guidance, and it didn't disappoint. Remember, the rocks always know more than we. Their wisdom is boundless."
*Taking a seat, realizing that there is much more to discuss here than just the location of a book*
"Aye, I've heard about the Tower bein' on fire... I rushed over here, soon as we escaped from the Astral. I was relieved to see it still standin'. Flux and fire, I've seen too many things dear to me nearly destroyed this past year. As fer the man in the water, aye, I saw that meself. I still can't believe that Thalenir went and reached into the river and became an Immortal. I have some questions to get through to Thareon when the time comes, but ... I suppose now is not that time. Tell me, Esgir; what can I do to help ease your mind?"
*Perplexed, but eager to help*
"More of the visions... do ya mean more of these particular visions, or just visions in general? I may be a mage of some order, but this seems like it may be a question for a proper Seer or Oracle, if the second. If yer tryin' to delve into these specific visions, maybe I can help yeh further."
*Shaking my head.*
"Nae, not these specific visions, but..."
*Sighing heavily, the crushing weight of it all still heavy on his mind.*
"Malkonius... Aye knew Forgehome would be attacked... aye warned them... they prepared f'r it... we repelled th' attack... but then they came back... this time with the 'art of Espidrel... they... they just came in an'... an'..."
*Bowing my head, fingers running back through my hair.*
*With an understanding, but firm tone*
"Esgir, friend... I was there for the second attack. I know the horrors that may be wrought against one and their own. You yerself have studied and dabbled in wizardries, so yeh must understand, there's no good in changin' the past. What's done is done, lad - be glad that at the very least Stein wasn't completely successful. We have the Forgefather to look to now, and I'm sure he won't be glad to see one o' his own followers stuck on this issue. Yeh really can't keep beatin' down on yerself for any of this, and none of it is any fault of yours. Yeh gotta keep pushin' forward now, or we'll never move past this rut.
*Malkonius slams his fist down on the table with a mighty 'thunk'*
" By the Beards of the First Dwarves, I will protect mine and my own. I will protect all other Smallfolk while I'm at it, as well as this whole damned town."
*Standing*
"Ye don't understand! It was my fault! They only kidnapped King Guldar th' first time! Aye thought aye could stop it! All aye did was get 'im killed! King Guldar, my brother, all our people; their blood is on my 'ands because aye thought the immortals had given me a gift- aye thought aye'd been sent back so aye could stop it- but that was'nae the case... what was the point o' it all..."
*panting as he wiped his eyes, the runesmith obviously agitated and distraught over it all.*
*Malkonius snaps up to his feet, reaches over, and slaps Esgir across the face*
"PULL YERSELF TOGETHER! Half the problem here is yeh ain't thinkin', Esgir! How exactly was it yer fault? Did YOU kidnap the King? Did YOU slaughter innocent clansfolk? No, yeh didn't. And what's the point, yeh ask? What if yeh hadn't warned us? Could you imagine how much worse things could be if yeh hadn't tried to do what you thought was right? Yeh acted with clear conscious and pure intent, and NOBODY can blame yeh fer that! And believe me, Esgir, nobody is blamin' yeh for what happened! If you can find a single person who can look yeh in the eye and tell you that yer' responsible for ANY of this, you bring em' to me! I'll give 'em a rightful kick in the arse for thinkin' so foolishly!"
*Malkonius seems to settle down a bit, and takes his seat once more*
"Kraggsmas is comin' up soon... Fu Chu is tasked with finding a new King for the Dwarves. Our world is settlin' finally, and if we cannot look forward and move on, how can we expect other, less steeled Dwarves to do the same?"
*Pausing for some time, and choosing his words carefully before continuing...*
"Esgir... I thought yer mind, body, and soul to be tempered as Adamant... Was I wrong all this time? Is your resolve truly soft as Sandstone?"
*Realizing that he still came off more harsh than he meant to with his previous comment, Malkonius produces two mugs, and fills them both with the ale from his flask*
"Drink some of this, Esgir. I mean yeh no ill will or harm... I should know better than to doubt yeh. You've proven yerself many a time to me in all of our dealin's, and in combat. I will help yeh clear up any more of these visions ye've been havin', but let's focus on the future, aye?"
*The slam across the face caught Esgir off guard, leaving him a bit stunned as Malkonius continued.*
"My mettle may 'ave been tested Malkonius, but consider it only a tempering. Aye, when it happened until now aye was soft, but only because aye was bein' reforged. Marloff helped me t' cool some, an' now you have tempered me further my friend. Aye'll not falter, aye'll do all aye can for our clan an' kin, an' all smallfolk as well."
*Sitting down with you, though not touching the holy water.*
"Aye've vowed t' nae touch the holy water ag'in til aye've found a way t' set things right with m'self. Though I do find the smell of a good, strong, dwarven ale t' be quite calming still. Aye'll look t' th' future with ye, an' t' Kraggsmas, an' t' helping my clansman master Fu Chu in his task."
*Malkonius is cheering up considerably at hearing these words*
"Aye, Esgir! Now those are words of a soul forged of Adamant, my friend!"
*Malkonius downs his cup with a few gulps, and rests his mug on the table*
"Ahhh. To the future! And to new beginnings!"
*Malkonius packs his mug, and picks up the remaining mug, and starts sipping from it as he walks away towards his room*
"If yeh need to discuss any further with me, I'll be around the Tower. I'm not too hard to find, so don't hesitate. I'm going to take my leave for now, but I think I'l lbe seeing you around soon!"
Malkonius noticed Esgir sitting alone in the Library, and could tell by how he was treating his beard that he must be a bit aggitated.
"Esgir, meh friend! Is there somethin' I can help ya find?"