Night before the frost giant assault

Cael rubbed his finger tips onto the red mark that his sword stealth had bourne into the skin below his collarbone.
The march had been long and hard going. There had been no time for rest along the trail into the mountains. Although Dwarves were hardy folk, at least one meal a day was preferable, especially when marching on harsh terrain, in the bitter cold.
Cael was still nursing the minor wound the frost troll scout had delt him that morning.
It was so strange to him, in hindsight, that he should have stood at the head of an army, rallied his troops with a war cry, atop a fresh kill.
Cael had never considered himself to be a proper Dwarf, let alone worthy of his title. Or at least that was the impression his father had given him...
A bitter irony that Gardik`s death had forced Cael to become the Dwarf his father had wanted him to be. Yet he'd never lived to see it.
His younger brother's blood was still on the flagstones outside the grand entrance to their father's stronghold.
Cael was in a pensive mood that evening. Far from his cheerful self. At least he had a lot to be pensive about.
Tomorrow he might very well breathe his last. In defence of human lands. For a woman who didn't give him a second glance...
Cael reflected, not for the first time, he needed a strong ale.
`Sulking brother?` Tela grunted.
Cael raised his eyebrows.
`You'd make a fine rogue Sister`, he quipped back morosely.
`Simple, sneaking up on someone as deaf as you` Tela countered.
She sat down heavily onto the other end of Cael`s bed role.
`Still pining for the prissy bitch` she said, in a matter a fact tone.
Cael actually blushed.
`Sister!` he retorted, `The white Dame...`
Tela snorted, `Brother, go find yourself a bar maid, that woman is never going to look twice at you, and besides a bar wench would be a better roll in the hay no doubt`
Cael was about to snap something back, but thought better of it.
Plus Tela took that moment to produce a bottle of fine brandy from under her cloak.Which certainly helped to smooth over her harsh pronouncements.
_____
They were half way through the brandy before Tela revealed the reason for her visit.
`Brother, I found this among our father's things` Tela slurred, patting Cael on the back with flushed cheeks.
She handed him a letter. It looked rumpled, like someone had tried to ball it up and throw it away.
Cael carefully pealed the pages open. Curious at the importance of it. Tela never much cared for writing if it was not for strategic use.
The letter read...
Dear Garik Thordean (they spelt fathers name wrong to start with!)
It has taken my family much time to acquire your whereabouts. We have also dispatched this letter via a specialist courtier, as no usual rider will venture that far into the mountains. Therefore given the amount of trouble this has been, you can understand why we have instructed the courtier to expect payment from you.
I am writing to you, as the head of the Stone family. It is concerning your son, a one Cael, I believe.
It is of deep disappointment to both our families, that our niece, Layla, bourne your son's bastard. However as we have cared for the child for a full year now, we feel it is high time you offered some form of support!
We are a small family and poor. We cannot support extra mouths.
Layla was my niece, despite shaming herself so acutely. I took her into my home at the pleading of her father. However since she has passed on, with your son's name on her feverish lips no less! We cannot extend the same care to a halfbreed child, when we can barely support ourselves.
Therefore I feel a payment of 5 gold a week is suitable. To support the child.
Or else we shall be forced to leave the child at a charitable institution.
Yours sincerely
Marcus Stone
I eagerly await your reply
Cael stared at his rosy faced sister in horror.
Tela laughed, `congratulations brother, you're a proud father`, slapping him on the back.