RP:Stone By Stone

Summary: Hildegarde visits the mines and runs into Hureig, a loyal giant who has already begun work on clearing the debris. Hildegarde offers her support, and requests that some of the stones be saved for a special purpose.

Frostmaw Mines

Hildegarde elected to visit the mines for more than one reason. Firstly, she wished to pay her respects to those who has been worked to death in the mines. Secondly, she wished to assess the damage and how swiftly it could be repaired. It didn’t look like it could be easily fixed, truth be told. It would be necessary to perhaps invest in some kind of magical assistance. The rubble had filled the mines in the wake of Khitti and Linn’s machinations to free the elves and giants from their confinement, but they hadn’t managed to save everyone: Hildegarde and her army did not arrive soon enough to save all. Fortunately, they had proven victorious in the end and saved those who had been enslaved within the mines when they reached it. Hildegarde leaned forward slightly, fingertips reaching out to touch the rough rubble while in deep contemplation. Much and more would need to be done if Frostmaw were to rebuild itself successfully.

Hureig was not alone when he walked to the mines; he had a trio of giants within him, all wild eyed and ready to finish the day and get their pay. "Alright, runts. You see all the rubble that is in the road and at the mouth of the mine? Let's get all of that cleared out." He pointed a stern finger at the first giant, "If I catch you just moving one rock into different places, you won't get dinner." His accusatory finger swung to the second, "Start high and work your way down. You nearly broke your neck the last time!" And, lastly, there was the third. He received a dirty look with a point, "I know it was you who pissed in the beer. Do it again, and you're outta here! Now all of you, get workin'!" And to their tasks the workers went, which allowed Hureig to see the royal face through the destruction. "Ah! Queen Hildegarde," Hureig was quick to walk over to her and even quicker to bow. He was haler than the last time they had met, but he was still a far cry from what a fully healed giant would be. "I should have known you would come to work, too, but I'm afraid I only have enough silver to pay three workers today."

Hildegarde had not expected to see anyone already working in the mines. She hadn’t yet even decreed or begun to seek out anyone to get to work, having elected instead to give people the time they needed to mourn and grieve for their loss before getting straight to work. It lifted her spirits, though, to see such a keen and hearty attitude taken towards the work. “Master Hureig,” the Silver replied, offering him a likewise bow. She would not accept a bow or bending of the knee lest she had truly earned the respect of the man giving it and Hildegarde felt as though she needed to do one more thing to earn Hureig’s most truest loyalty. His comment about only having sufficient silver to pay three workers earns a laugh and a quick shake of her head, “I am paid in the happiness of my people and the strength of Frostmaw. No need to pay me for my labour,” she replied, ready to lift and move the rock as and when instructed. She wouldn’t wish to disrupt his work, after all. “I actually had an idea for these stones.”

Hureig kept his eyes between Hildegarde and the workers, though one was far more friendly and cordial. "Master Hureig? Master of nothing, you mean!" He took her compliments in stride, though, and with a graciousness that was nigh an antithesis to the near history of the mine. Her mention of idea for the stones brought him to her side, his back to the workers and his gruff voice near a murmur. "Aye, I'm sure you do, Queen Hildegarde. I must admit that the work these Giants are doing is meant to keep them busy and give them something honorable to do. I have them clear the ways, clear the marketplace, and other odd jobs. I give them some coins and a meal at the end of the day, though. If I could give every citizen a task, I would...but I cannot in good conscience have someone work and not give them some pay."

Hildegarde did not explain her idea until Hureig had had his say. The people came first, after all. “I would ask that you come to me for what payment is necessary and what ideas you have for tasks and jobs. This would be helpful to me, truly, and I would be more than willing to foot the bill for who you employ for what tasks,” she told him with a most gracious smile. “As for the stones, however, I would like those of the greatest size or those of the most… well, most solid and unbroken quality to be kept. I intend for them to be made into a memorial for the elves, Kuronii and giants we lost in servitude of Balgruuf within the mines,” she explained, only hesitant for a moment. Perhaps she wanted some approval from a giant on this.

Hureig dipped his head in quiet acknowledgement of her request. Perhaps with the Queen's seal and coffers, larger tasks could be done, more gold could be infused into Frostmaw, and warriors, the aimless, and the anomic could find purpose in meaningful work. It brought a smile all too unaccustomed for his race to his still hollow face. "I cannot speak for elves or Kuronii, but a memorial could bring closure to the families and friends of those we lost. I will make sure the best stones are piled near the mine."

Hildegarde nodded at Hureig’s promise to ensure the best stones would be kept piled together for future use as a memorial. “I spoke to a man who saw spirits. He told me that the elves would not rest until their deaths were remembered and mourned,” she said gently, “and I believe that a memorial will do us good. Not only will it help us remember those we have lost, it will help us to remember a dark day in our history and how we must avoid this path in the future.” The Silver would do what she could to make sure the memorial was tasteful, yet in keeping with Frostmaw’s culture. “But yes, please, do come to me with a list of tasks you wish to set people. I’m about to set our Prime Hunter the task of tracking your mammoths and getting them back to you.”

Hureig was deferentially reverent when Hildegarde spoke about remembering and honoring, but when she mentioned his mammoths? When she outlined her plan to set the Prime Hunter to finding him? There must have been a freak wind, and the ghost wind must have blown some dust into his eyes. It was not out of gratitude and happiness that he had to clean the corners of his eyes with his fingers nor cough his voice from a hitch in his throat. "You are...are too kind, Queen Hildegarde. Too kind by far to a poor servant as I am." Business! That would bring him back to a more composed, presentable manner. "I have ideas that may bring the marketplace back to life quickly, but I will not bother you with those now. Suffice it to say that it would require you to subsidize many of the merchants. Citizens barely have a copper to their name, and I fear without some...help from the Crown, they will not be able to purchase basic necessities. I am also delivering some goods to Larket, Thane Josleen. I will be bringing back as many foodstuffs as I can. Food should not be a luxury good."

Hildegarde shook her head at Hureig’s comment about her being kind. She didn’t feel as though she was being kind. This was merely the work that any ruler ought to do. “I live to serve,” she said dutifully and rather honestly. Servitude was her life and leadership was not free of it nor elevating. One had to dip low if they wished to grasp the crown. “Do see to it that you set up a good relationship in Larket. Make a good impression. Though I am not certain Larket and Frostmaw shall become steadfast allies, I would like to have the option there and a strong relationship ready to form if and when we deem it right,” she explained.

Hureig grunted an agreeable noise when she spoke of a good relationship. He would be on his best manners, however distasteful lowlanders may find said manners...and me most certainly would not bring any of his three workers! "I will be sure to make friends with the local merchants. Kings and Queens may make demands of their servants, but it is the merchants that feed them." He spoke as though it were some old proverb, or perhaps that it should be made a proverb. Either way, he dipped his head in a silent salute. "I am sure I will be able to sway a few Larket merchants to come to the Frostmaw marketplace...Good relations will be cemented, Queen Hildegarde. I swear it. Speaking of which, I must tend to my workers and prepare for my journey. If you will excuse me, Queen Hildegarde."

Hildegarde dipped her head in acknowledgement of Hureig’s promise to be on his best behaviour in the attempt to cement Larketian-Frostmawian relations. “Should you need some formal or new attire, do let me know. I’d be happy to provide this,” a generous Queen indeed. Yet as Hureig bid to be excused, the Silver merely nodded and stepped well out of his way. She’d volunteer to move the rocks as and when she was needed, but if she were to be dismissed, she’d head onwards to the Colosseum.