Pride of Dwarves

Dwarves have always lived in the mountains. Humans have always lived on the coast and in the plains. Now, as they both move toward the foothills, the frontier becomes a source of both conflict and trade.   +++   The little villages near the mountains get the occasional Wanderer -- a dwarf traveling without obvious agenda, willing to work for a night's lodging, traveler's necessities, or a friendly conversation.   In a town too small to have a name, an orphaned human girl offers a wandering dwarf shelter through a blizzard and earns a lifelong friend.   +++   Dwarves live in fastnesses, women and children and a single adult man. His position is precarious, depending on his ability to beat out all contenders for his wives' beds. When a Dwarf boy is fully grown, he goes out equipped by mothers and father to travel where he might and grow strong.   To Wander until he can defeat a standing father and claim a home.   Some of them don't want that.   In a Human town too small to have a name, one such Wanderer is given hospitality in a storm.