His attacks came hard and fast causing her shield arm to ache, but his over zealous assault left him wide open for a counter attack. Just as his sword connected with her buckler once more she stepped forward into the blow and shoved, normally this move would never of worked against him he was too clever for it, but today he was clearly unfocused and so promptly fell on his ass.

Eyes full of anger stabbed upwards at her as she stood over him and for just a moment it looked as if he might leap to his feet and continue the fight. Undaunted however she sheathed her sword and offered him her hand, the rage instantly vanished and his shoulder slumped as he accepted her aid and climbed to his feet.

“Come on lets get a drink and you can tell me what it is that’s bugging you?” she decided, with a nod he followed her off the sparring floor careful to avoid the others who were still practicing.

“Greetings Commander Velvet, I am Drink bot 648, how may I serve you?” asked a large and bulky machine.

“Two large waters please,” she told it, inserting a small white punch card into the relevant slot.

“One moment please,” the machine replied, there the sound of cogs spinning and then liquid being poured. “Your order is complete please take you beverages and have a nice day,” and two large mugs of water arose out of its top, taking their drinks the pair moved off to the benches close by.

“Ok spill it Tout’Sweet,” she demanded, not unkindly, the younger gnome swallowed a mouthful of his water and leaned back.

“It’s Asta, we had a huge fight this morning,” he admitted with a sigh.

“Another one, what was it about this time?” she inquired.

“The Archmage said that our daughter Tinker’tot ‘great’ potential in wielding the arcane arts, so much so in fact he all but demanded that we bring her to the Mage Hall so that she could be tested.” He explained.

“WHAT!” Velvet yelled in shock causing a few surprised glances in her direction. “But she’s only seven years old,” she added at normal volume.

“I know,” he agreed. “I told him that Asta and me we would discuss it tonight after we both had time to think about it. But I just before I came out here Maestro arrived to tell me that she has taken Tinker’tot to the Archmage already.”

“Then you better get over there,” Velvet declared, he looked up surprised. “Look you don’t have the focus for this and your daughter needs you now, I know how pushy and persistent the Archmage can be, so go.”

“Thank you,” Tout’Sweet said and hurried towards the exit of the sparring chamber. Velvet watched him go with a growing sense of dread in her stomach, she knew the Archmage was a notorious womanizer who was known to harass and pester those females he took a liking to. Years ago she had been the focus of his unwanted attentions, until one night she had had enough and kneed him in the groin, as he lay on the ground she warned him never to touch her again or he would end up castrated. If Tout’Sweet’s wife Asta was spending so much time in his presence then the commander could only think of one reason why, and for her friends sake she hoped she was wrong.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * *

“Yeeow!! Why you little…” screamed an enraged voice as Tout’Sweet enter the Mage’s Hall. Only a few moments after he had entered the entrance chamber a door flew open at the other end and a young pink haired gnome ran out, her face streaked with tears. She saw him and accelerated towards him throwing herself the last few feet into his open arms.

“DADDY! Save me!” she called as she covered the distance between them, just as he caught her and hug her small body to his own the cause of her flight appeared in the doorway, Archmage Ringus Cogturn. “That’s him daddy, he the one who show me scary things and said nasty stuff about you,” the little girl said loudly then hid her face in his shoulder and sobbed.

“I did nothing of the kind,” the Archmage retorted his face beetroot red as he reached down and rubbed his shin. “And you Mister Tout’Sweet have no business in this hall so kindly return the child to her mother and leave, or I’ll have you escorted out.”

“Why you arrogant son of a bit…” Tout’Sweet began to yell as the chamber began to fill up with startled onlookers, suddenly a hand was gently placed on his shoulder and he looked to see his old friend, and powerful mage, Maestro standing at his side.

“Explain yourself Ringus?” Maestro demanded to know, his tone was steady but there was a very clear hint of displeasure. “What do you mean by testing the magical talents of this child?”

“The young girl has the potential to become a caster like ourselves,” Ringus stated. “I was merely testing to see the strengths of her abilites,” he explained loftily, Maestro’s face changed from an expression of mistrust to one of outrage and horror.

“You go too far!” Maestro responded and most of the gnomes around nodded their agreement. “She is only seven, that’s far too young to undergo the testing that we put our initiates through, besides even if she was of age the rules firmly state that the tests are overseen by the heads of the Frost, Fire and Arcane orders not just by you Ringus.” By now the onlookers had formed into two groups the larger stood behind Maestro while a smaller one stood behind Archmage Ringus.

“Fine,” Ringus relented but his tone was still hard, then looking toward Tout’Sweet, it was clear that had the warrior not been holding his daughter he would have gone for the Archmage. “Take your daughter and get out, but as soon as she is of age, she will take the tests,” he added before turning and striding from the room with his small group tow, Tout’Sweet was disappointed but not surprised to see that Asta was one of them her expression like thunder, which mirrored his own.

“Come on we better get you two out of here,” Maestro commented as the room began to empty. With Tinker’tot still in his arms Tout’Sweet allowed his friend to guide him out of the Mage’s Guild.

“Thank you for helping my daddy Uncle Maestro,” the sleepy child commented as they walked through the techno city that was their home.

“Anytime kiddo,” the mage laughed ruffling her hair. “You know Asta is not just going to let this go,” he said to Tout’Sweet.

“Tell me about it,” the warrior sighed already anticipating yet another screaming fight. “Look, could you do me a favour, take Tinker’tot for tonight? I don’t want her hearing us fight, again.”

“Any time,” his friend answered and took the now sleeping child from him.

By now they had arrived at the family’s small home in what passed as the military sector of the city. The two parted ways and Tout’Sweet headed inside to clean up and prepare for Asta return and the next inevitable and huge fight that would ensue when she did. All he could think of as he closed the door was how tired he was of them all.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * *

“Do you know how much embarrassment you cause me today you self righteous…” Asta began yelling as soon as the front door closed behind her.

“Embarrassment!” Tout’Sweet yelled back cutting her off. “Archmage Ringus was about to put our daughter through the most terrifying event of her life and you weren’t going to do anything to stop him.”

“Our daughter is one of the most magically gifted children that Ringus has ever encountered,” she countered. “Any good father would want what was best for his child,” she declared and Tout’Sweet was up on his feet the moment she did.

“What kind of a mother places her own child in danger to further her own ambitions?” He demanded to know. “If when Tinker’tot is older she chooses to become a mage then I’m all for it, but only when she understands the risks involved, and even I know that when dealing with the arcane there are many.”

“No more so than in your little army, with all your swords and armour, I mean what does Gnomeregan need a army for anyway? It’s not like anything can threaten us here, despite what your precious Commander Velvet thinks.” Asta mocked.

“At least as a solider I can trust that my sword is not going to suddenly leap out of my hand and stab me through the chest can you say the same about the weapons that you use?” he spat back at her. “Maestro told me that you lost two of number a few weeks back when they were attempting to combine their spells with an automatic sentry.”

“Pfft, Trust my brother to go blabbing about mage business to outsiders,” Asta stated her voice loaded contempt. “You’d think as the head of the Frost Order he would have more sense.”

“And there it is,” Tout’Sweet yelled throwing his hands in the air. “This pathetic jealousy of your brother once again reveals itself as the reason behind your actions.” In reaction to this Asta sucked in her breath through her teeth making a loud hissing noise.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied hauntingly.

“Of course you do,” he almost laughed. “You just can’t stand the fact that he is more powerful and skilled than you are. Its embarrassing hearing about all the schemes and plans you put into motion just too out do him.” Asta did not reply but Tout’Sweet had known long enough to know that now she was well and truly enraged.

“Is that so,” was all Asta said. “Well then I think I’ll pack a few things and stay at the mage halls for a few days,” she stated and walked straight out the door slamming it behind her. As soon as she was gone Tout’Sweet collapsed into the chair he behind him, closing his eyes in exhaustion.

For what seemed like an eternity the house was silent as he sat in his chair his head resting against the back of the chair. He welcomed the silence as his mind once again tried to figure out what had gone wrong in his marriage and what if anything could be done to fix it, exhaustion though both physical and mental soon over came him and he fell into a trouble sleep.

“Wake up daddy, your having a bad dream,” came a tired but noticeably worried young voice, opening his eyes he saw Tinker’tot standing in front of him looking concerned.

“I’m fine little one,” he said as she climbed on to his lap. “I’m just sleepy like you,” he added as she snuggled into him and yawned.

“How was my sister?” Maestro asked appearing from the kitchen with a drink in his hand.

“Well I think things are going to get worse before they get better,” was all Tout’Sweet could say, though he did not say it he did think ‘if they get better that is’.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
(3 Weeks Later)
* * * * * * * * * * * *

The situation however did not get better or worse but rather seemed to calm down. Asta as she had declared did not return to the house, apart to pick up some clothes and various spell reagents. This left Tout’Sweet and Tinker’Tot for the most part on their own in the family home, but what caught them by surprise was that they had a lot more visitors coming round to see them. The most frequent was actually Velvet who was there almost every day checking to see how the pair was doing.

Tout’Sweet only actually saw his wife a handful of times as she walked around the Mage’s Halls always in the company of Ringus and his flunkies. He was still to mad at what she had done to even attempt to catch her eye just carried on towards the training grounds. He did however feel her angry gaze on his back after he had passed by. During his sparring rounds with the other members of the High Tinker’s elite bodyguard he found himself more focus and found his fighting techniques improving more than he could ever have imagined.

One thing he did notice was that though she was around his home a lot more than anyone else, Velvet had only made a few fleeting visits to the training grounds and always she was in her formal uniform rather than her combat fatigues. Being her second it was left to him to organise the unit’s daily routine, from the guard rotation to the weapons exercises. He knew something was going on but he did not find out till the end of the second week.

“Yay!” Tinker’Tot squealed in excitement. “Aunty Velvets here,” she clapped her hands together and bounce around the room as the pink haired commander entered.

“Hey there kiddo,” Velvet laughed as she hugged the energized youngster. “I need to talk to your daddy for just a moment, then I’ll be through to play with you.” She added.

“Ok, ok, ok,” the little girl replied jumping up and down. “Don’t be too long,” she yelled as she ran from the room. Velvet smiled after the disappearing youngster as Tout’Sweet brought her a drink from the kitchen.

“That some kid you got there,” Velvet said almost wishfully.

“Is Gnomeregan’s number one warrior, the gauntleted fist of the High Tinker getting broody?” he mocked.

“Up yours,” she laughed and sat back in her chair. “Cheers,” she commented as she took a gulp of her drink.

“So what going on with you?” he asked sitting down himself.

“Well I got some good news and some bad news,” she began. “Which do you want first?”

“Ok get the bad out of the way first.”

“Alright, as you will have heard that King Bronzebeard’s brother Muradin is leading an expedition to Northrend,” Velvet stated. “The High Tinker has promised to send some of our most skilled pilots and engineers with them to help them discover more about the origins of the dwarven race.” Tout’Sweet started to have a sinking feeling as he thought he knew where this was going. “Mekkatorque has asked me to take charge of their security while they are accompanying the dwarfs.”

“Ok so what’s the good news?” Tout’Sweet asked though he had a feeling he already knew.

“Well he also told me to give him names for others who could temporarily take my position as his ‘Gauntleted Fist’ while I was away.” She smiled. “I gave him only one name, yours.”

“Ah, Shit,” was all he could say and she burst out laughing and did not stop for a long time.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
(2 Months Later)
* * * * * * * * * * * *

The task he feared would be the most challenging, that of protecting the High Tinker, was not as hard as Tout’Sweet had feared, the eccentric, often reclusive leader of the Gnomish people spent much of his time in the largest and most advanced laboratory in the world, inventing wonders off all shapes and sizes. At all times though he was surrounded at all times by a force of no less that ten body guards all had been chosen personally by Velvet and though he had the right too Tout’Sweet saw no reason to replace them. In addition to these fine warriors five spider tanks and half a dozen automated walkers had been placed under his command for the sole purpose of protecting the city’s greatest mind.

However as he stood next to High Tinker Mekkatorque as he spoke to his closest advisor and friend Mekgineer Thermaplugg, Tout’Sweet could not help but feel that his charge was in danger, there was something about Thermaplugg that the warrior did not like, or trust. The pair were discussing the recent rumours of Trogg sightings in the lower and disused tunnels deep under the city.

“The rumours are just that, rumours,” Thermaplugg assured Mekkatorque. “Nothing more that shadows in the dark scaring the tired and the drunk. Why I sent some of the city guard down there to investigate when the sighting first came to my attention and did not find anything.”

“Well that’s good to know; with the loss the expedition in Northrend the last thing the people need is to worry about a threat this close to home.” The High Tinker stated sadly.

“If you’ll excuse me my friend, some of my experiments need attending too,” Thermaplugg said with a small nod of respect before leaving the room. Tout’Sweet who had remained a short distance away so as not to appear to be eves dropping waited until the advisor had left the room before coming forward.
“So Tout’Sweet,” the High Tinker said. “I wont be leaving the laboratory for the rest of the day you may go home, and spend some time with that lovely little girl of yours.”

“Thank you sir,” Tout’Sweet saluted and headed for the door, however he was not going home straight away, no there was someone in the barracks that he needed to see.

Due to his station now Tout’Sweet found himself almost constantly harassed by his well meaning but somewhat annoying personal aide. Helen came running after his as he left trying to balance her papers and her bag as she did so, not being a total jerk he stopped and waited for her. Panting slightly she gave him a grateful smile for halting and handed the documents over to him when he held out his hand.

“Go home Helen,” he told her, she looked at him in what seem like dismay and he remembered that Violet had told him once that Helen’s job was her life. “Alright I need to stop by the barracks and see Sergeant Garrotte first come with me, then take the rest of the day off.”

“The rest of the day?!,” Helen replied horrified. “But Commander I have dozens of reports to fill out not to mention the four requisition forms for weapons and armour for the new recruits, and then theres the matter of…” she added speaking rapidly.

“Ok ok, you don’t have to take the day off,” he relented. “But once I have spoken to Garrote I’m going home to spend time with my daughter.” As he added this last bit her expression became one of irritation. He knew that she felt he should not be taking time off either, but she also knew it was not her place to comment.

“Very well Commander,” she nodded formally.

Walking through the streets of his home city, especially the Inventor’s quarter, Tout’Sweet always felt a sense of pride about the fact that his people were clearly the most ingenious and gifted race in all of Azeroth. In fact even as he thought this he spotted a group huge machines the size of the houses around them, it was clear that they were designed for excavation as their arms either ended in a lifting claw or a powerful drill. On the scaffolding around each there was half a dozen engineers working with the frantic energy possess only by gnomes.

Eventually though they entered the much more conservative, by gnome standards, military quarter. Now instead of being surrounded by the strange and wonderful creations of their race most brilliant minds they were now among the many variations of offensive and defensive devices, two gnomes were testing out new types of guns while a third who was their target used an energy shield to deflect their attacks, however as they spotted him looking their way with a disapproving glance and suddenly found something else to test.

Upon entering the barracks Helen dutifully followed him to the training grounds set aside for the army scouts, Tout’Sweet immediately spotted Sergeant Garrotte overseeing the four new recruits who had shown potential in stealth, the commander felt some what sorry for the youngsters as Garrotte was regarded as the toughest and most demanding of all the sergeants.

“Sergeant I would like a word with you,” Tout’Sweet called out, the grizzled veteran made his way over to him, but continued to shout out orders for the recruits as he did so.

“Yes Commander, how may I help you?” he asked saluting.

“How long will it take you to form a scout party and lead them down into the lower tunnels?” Tout’Sweet inquired.

“Well all I have at the moment are these new recruits you sent me, but they have some skills and I can lead them myself,” Garrotte replied. “I can have them ready in about, fifteen mintues.”

“Do it then, there has been numerous reports of Troggs in those areas and I need them confirmed or disproved by our own people,” Tout’Sweet ordered.

“Yes sir,” Garrotte saluted before he turned and strode back to the recruits. At the same time Tout’Sweet and Helen turned and headed out of the scouts training area.

“Helen, how many patrols do we have in the lower parts of the city?” he asked her.

“Well sir, in total, we have a seven, four man patrols walking different routes each day,” she responded without even having to think about it.

“Lets double them both in size and frequency,” he decided after a moment.

“I’ll contact the patrol leader’s right away commander,” she nodded, and then she looked at him for a moment. “May I speak freely sir?” she requested, he nodded. “You’re going out on a major limb with this action, I mean Mekgineer Thermaplugg himself states that there is nothing to these rumours so why are you doing this?”

“Thermaplugg may be correct, but his assurances don’t sit right with me, my instincts are telling me that there is something wrong,” he replied.

“Velvet never liked him either,” Helen commented and gave him a friendly smile. “I’ll see that your officers are aware of how delicate the currant situation is, don’t worry about that.”

“Thank you Helen, I can see why Velvet held you in such high regard,” he complimented her. “I don’t know how I would have managed these last few weeks without you,” he admitted, she laughed politly.

“You should have seen Velvet when she first took up the post,” his aide joked. “Well now I’m sure your daughter will be delighted to so you so don’t keep her waiting.”

The two parted and Tout’Sweet headed out of the barracks and towards his home, he was more eager than ever to see Tinker’Tot and listen to her talk about her day. But deep down he felt the gnawing fear that just under their city something in the dark was watching them, waiting for the right moment to strike, and he really hope that he was wrong…