The Keeper of Tales

by Jonathon Mast

  We woke to no dawn. This surprised me little, but it made waking all the more difficult. I saw Abani had similar problems. Galatea’s eyes darted from spot to spot. She had tossed and turned all night. Daragen, though, was as alert as he ever was. He was far more comfortable here than he had predicted he would be. I could not read the expressions of the elves.

  Lazul paced and muttered to himself, “I said it might be a while before we were greeted, but that does not make me comfortable with waiting.”

  About an hour after we blessed our bread, we heard armor clanking from beyond the reach of our light. It drew steadily closer until we saw shimmerings in the darkness, reflections of the fire that burned bright beside us. Then we saw the gleaming armor of dwarves and the shining edges of axe blades. I could not immediately count the warriors that came to meet us. They were many, but the darkness hid their exact number.

  Lazul greeted them with a grand bow. “Ah, my cousins! I greet you! I am Lazul, Chieftain of the Jaed, your kin. I bid you peace and merry drinking! I ask for passage through your kingdom to my own lands beyond.” When he finished speaking, he rose from his bow, a great grin upon his face. “It’s good to see dwarven soldiers again.” He paused, surveying the warriors assembled before him, and then added, “Although I see your armor is not as well-made as my own people’s.” His smile broadened.

  One of the dwarves stepped forward. His armor was studded with red jewels, and his beard was long and dark. One eye was obscured by a scar over his face. “Greetings, Lazul of Jaed, if that is who you are. We confess we don’t trust you. No one uttered the words that must be spoken upon entering dwarven lands. Do you mean to insult us even as you ask the boon of permission to travel our caverns?” His voice was sharp, and I could tell he held this insult personally, whoever he was.

  Lazul was bewildered. “Words at the gate?” And then a cloud once again seemed to pass before his eyes. “Ah, cousins, let me explain. I know that none can speak the stories as well as the natives of their own land. I wished my companions here to hear your tale as only you could tell it. If I were in my own lands, I would have told our tale three times better than you could, but alas, I know not your story as well as I know my own.”

  I was thankful Lazul was so swift to correct his mistake. The words at the gate must have been one of the stories taken from him by the Blue Riders. I wasn’t sure these dwarves would wait for the explanation that would require, though.

  The lead warrior considered a moment before answering, “Very well. You will accompany us to the eastern throne of our kingdom. You will be seen and plead your case. I will speak the story.”

  The other guards gathered around us, and now I could see that their number was great. Yolian and Cerulean once again spoke the orbs into existence, and we set off into the black.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The lead warrior spoke as we traveled. “And so, after they were formed from the dust of the earth, the dwarves sought to travel and see this world that they lived in. First, they dug east, and then west, and then north, and then south. They found many new stones that they saved and studied, and discovered many cunning ways to use them. Then they dug down until they found a stone they knew they should not cut through, for surely it held back the waters of creation below. Finally, they turned their sight upward and decided to see how high they might design the caverns of their kingdoms.

  “The great dwarves, Erza and Thyst and Edramon, they dug ever upwards until they shattered a last layer of rock and saw that there was no more stone above! They knew not what to make of this strange thing. Light poured in. They had never encountered such a sight. Eventually, Erza led the way into a world that had no stone rafters above. He saw the blue of the sky and the white of clouds. He saw trees and pools of water. He could not understand what he saw.

  “The three chiefs sat about the hole in the earth they had created and argued for many days about what was now around them. Finally, they came to their conclusion. ‘We have found the gates to the afterworld.’ They decided. ‘This must be punishment for dwarves that keep not to the paths of wisdom.’

  “They agreed to build a great gate to the upper world. They would ward these gates with as many runes as they might conceive. They carved stone warriors that would hold vengeful spirits at bay. And so, the first gates were built.

  “To this day they still warn trespassers. They promise welcome to those with good intentions. And now this story is complete. And now we shall travel in silence to the throne that Minos sits upon.” The dwarf stopped talking.

  I could not tell if the last few sentences were part of the story or not. The story felt cut off, as if he were annoyed at having to repeat it. In a dwarf’s mouth it should have included an index of stones they used, or gems they cut. There usually was a meticulous recitation of methods employed as well. All this was absent. Of course, it was also possible he told it in such a way because he knew Lazul should have spoken it.

  I hoped that this abbreviated telling didn’t anger the tale.

  Shortly after the end of the tale, the stone warriors stopped lining the walkway, and instead bare cave wall showed. We began a steady slant downward. The street was still smooth. All I could hear was the clanking of armor, the tread of our feet, and the clopping of hooves on stone. The temperature grew cooler, though no one else indicated they felt it. Perhaps my old skin was more sensitive to such things.

  The path began narrowing, necessitating us to begin walking closer together. And then the walls drew even nearer, eventually causing us to lead our horses single file. A dwarven warrior separated each of our companions, except Karen Cordolis who rode in secret in a pack on Lazul’s back. We traveled this way for nearly an hour.

  Suddenly the walls flared out, and we entered a place lit by burning oils that produced no smoke. The light was much brighter than I would have expected. Brighter, I thought, than the sun. It took my eyes a moment to adjust. We were walking on a bridge now. It crossed a great chasm, at least fifty paces across. Glancing back, I saw stone platforms. Dwarven warriors stood on them, arrows notched on short bows that followed us across the chasm. I found myself thinking that this would be a safe place to withstand a siege.

  A dark thought followed: this would be a hard place to escape.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The bridge led us to a city perched on the edge of the abyss. It looked like the place that my father had promised I would go to upon my death. The many colors and precious stones dazzled my eyes. Even the pavement was made of gold. The buildings were immense, each grander and more ornate than the last. Many boasted mosaics of precious stones.

  Lazul looked impressed. “You Graz have outdone yourselves. I must admit, our capitol does not compare to this finery. You have uncovered great veins of precious metals and many mines of stones, I see.”

  “We have,” was the only response.

  And then the ceiling caught my attention, and I knew how this place could be filled with so much light. It was formed of some precious metal, pounded flat and smooth. It was a light golden color, perhaps steel mixed with gold itself. I was not sure such a combination could even exist, yet that is what it appeared to be.

  Up ahead, I heard Lazul speaking with the dwarf who had told the story. “Ah! I see you have perfected platinum!” He pointed to the ceiling far above. “I have to admit, we’ve been struggling with that. But I bet you haven’t mastered the art of forming it into weapons yet! We’ve always been cleverer at forming metals to our purposes than making new ones.”

  The guard handed over his axe, a move I thought showed how overconfident he was. Lazul gazed at the blade and then gasped, “Platinum! On an axe blade! But how could you—”

  The guard snatched the weapon back with a smirk. “Perhaps if the Jaed spent more time working and less time boasting, they would have this elementary metal.”

  Lazul harrumphed, about to respond, but cut himself short. His ear pointed back to his bag. He harrumphed again but kept his mouth
shut.

  A square opened before us. It was magnificent; the buildings that bordered the square shunned all gemstones but were made of huge blocks of stone. In fact, it appeared as if each building was made of a single immense block of pale rock. They were carved in simple, sweeping gestures: great arches, massive balconies, grand windows. In the midst of the square, a simple circular fountain sprayed water that seemed a bit too white to solely be water. It was a simple beauty that did not seem to fit in with the rest of this glittering city. Confused, I gestured to our surroundings as we passed through. “Isn’t there a story that should be told here?”

  “This square has a story, but we do not share it with outsiders,” came the simple reply.

  I glanced at Yolian. He was just as confused as I was. We passed through the square without another word.

  The streets of the city were mostly uninhabited. A few warriors hurried about their business. The buildings continued to vie with one another for attention; some were simple in elegance, others gaudy with an overabundance of glittering jewels. In all, the effect was enough to give me a headache.

  Thus it was until we reached a large building that shined bright in glassy stones. It was fronted by several rows of square pillars. Four dwarven guards stood at each of the pillars, their backs to the stone, facing out in four directions. None seemed to pay us any attention. We passed through the columns, coming to a massive arched door that was larger than the gate into the mountain.

  We left our horses with some attendants and continued into the palace itself. We passed through rooms with high ceilings, all formed from stone. In the center of one room, a statue of a dwarf battled a gigantic stone reptile. The carved dwarf must have been three times the size of a flesh-and-blood underdweller, and the reptile nearly filled the room. I had to lift my knees to make sure I didn’t step on its stone tail. I groaned a bit; I was sore from the days of riding. Our guards explained none of the monuments to us. More and more this unnerved me. Stories were meant to be told, outsiders or no.

  Stories were meant to be told.

  My thoughts turned on me. All stories? Even the stories of princes sacrificing themselves? Even stories that made people suspicious of each other?

  I frowned and waved away the thoughts. It was easier when I could just enjoy stories and not have to think about them so much.

  Finally, we came to a circular room that was cooler than all the others we had passed through. Blue gems winked at us from a high, domed ceiling. A round dais stood in the center of the room, and on the dais were two thrones, each magnificent in finery. Beautiful designs were etched in their gold. Clear gems lined the top of the thrones.

  Upon one throne sat a dwarf, resplendent in platinum armor studded with rubies. His eyes darted this way and that, examining each of us but a moment before moving to the next, and then returning to look again on someone he had already viewed. An axe leaned against each side of his throne, and these, too, appeared to be made of platinum.

  On the throne beside him sat a woman. Above all, she held my eye. I could not determine her race; she seemed to be neither dwarf nor man, nor even elf. My eyes couldn’t focus on her. Even if I looked straight at her she appeared blurry. One thing I could tell, though I do not know how: She was beautiful beyond measure. Were I a younger man, I would likely have wooed her, even though she sat beside the ruler she appeared to be married to.

  Beside me, Daragen gasped. He threw himself onto his knees, trembling. “Oh, fair one, bless me, and I shall never want for anything else as long as I survive upon this earth.”

  Galatea’s mouth fell open.

  Yolian’s eyes went wide as he saw what Daragen did. As his lips moved, small golden words traveled from his mouth into Daragen’s ears. I could not hear the tale he told.

  The female form laughed at Daragen. Her voice was like high-pitched bells. “But you do not survive upon the earth, but under it!”

  Daragen was quick to answer, “I cannot survive under it if you don’t give me your blessing.”

  Galatea’s fists tightened.

  The woman answered, “You are a visitor here and need not my blessing. Should you leave our presence, then you shall receive whatever blessing you desire.”

  “Then I shall despair, for I never wish to leave your presence.”

  My eyes went to the dwarven man sitting on the throne. His eyes were on his wife. He nodded at each of her responses. I found my eyes drawn back to her as well.

  Certainly, I should be paying more attention to the matter at hand, speaking with the ruler of the Graz. But while I could hear the conversation, I could not bring my eyes to leave the woman.

  He stood. “I am Minos, Chieftain here until our lord Delos returns. Why have you come to our city? Who are you? What is your purpose here?”

  I heard Lazul take the lead. “I am Lazul, Chieftain of the Jaed, and I come humbly, requesting help. I also come with news that will sadden you and your people.”

  The woman, the princess on the throne, she was smiling at me. That was all that mattered. I heard the king’s words as from afar.

  “What news might sadden a people that dwell in such splendor as this? Tell me, Lazul of Jaed, have you anything so wonderful in all the cities of all your people? We have all that a dwarf might desire. Even now my people mine more fineries.”

  Oh, the queen was still smiling, and she was smiling at me. To be young and foolish again! Perhaps she liked stories! I could tell her one. I could tell her so many stories of what young men did for princesses like her. I could recite epics. Perhaps she would enjoy that!

  The guards around us hissed. Why were they hissing?

  Oh. Yes. Lazul said something about their chieftain dying, didn’t he?

  Minos answered, “Slain? I have heard of no battles in the world above, and no one would attack him while on his way to the Fabled City or on a return journey. So, either you tell us lies, or you are delusional and should not be allowed to wander back to the light humans crave.”

  I should answer, shouldn’t I? But I should face Minos when I did it. But this queen was so beautiful.

  No. I was a whitebeard. She wouldn’t pay attention to me anyway.

  I was a king. Married. I needed to stop making a fool of myself.

  I told myself to think about how many stories there were about men coming to ruin by cheating on their wives. I thought of all the tales that told of jealous kings.

  Think of the stories.

  I tore my eyes away from the woman and stepped forward, shaking my head to clear it. “Oh wise Minos, know this: It was no mere mortal that attacked your lord.” I licked my lips. The woman’s presence loomed just out of my vision, calling me back to her. I refused to face her. “A craven force struck, never before seen in these lands. I suspect they were sent by Garethen himself, to slay whomever they could.” Was it true? Oh, even if it wasn’t, I wanted this woman’s approval, and such a stretching of the truth might bring it. And there were the dwarves. When talking with dwarves, it was best to speak respectfully of their leaders. If Garethen himself intended to slay Delos, there would be no more honorable way to die than in battle with this force.

  The bells of the woman’s laughter filled the room again. Daragen breathed a pleasant sigh on his knees before me.

  She spoke, “Garethen? As mighty as our lord is, even he would not attract the enmity of a foe so great. No, you have conjured a tale to bring our sympathy. Tell us what you want.”

  Oh, I was foolish. I needed to change the subject. Something that perhaps would distract from my blunder. I turned to the woman on the throne again. “My lady. We request passage through your lands, to Jaed lands beyond.”

  She stood and moved to me. I found myself breathless. She placed a single finger under my chin. Her touch lit a fire in my skin I had not felt since I had first seen Gayala, the woman who would become my wife. I breathed in, sharp.

  Wait. The stories. I shouldn’t have been thinking such things. Not to a woman I wasn’t marr
ied to.

  I was married to Gayala. I loved her. I wanted to return to her.

  “Oh, yes, you want passage through our kingdom.” She glanced at my companions, lowering her finger.

  I blinked. The stories.

  They told tales of women like this. I knew what she was.

  She continued speaking. “Let me see. Four men, two elves, and a dwarf wish passage through our lands. And even this dwarf is not of our people. This seems very suspicious to me. Does it not to you, my Lord?” She looked to Minos.

  My heart beat hard in my chest. Disaster loomed. I blurted, “My Lord, we have things we would discuss with you, things that should not be heard by a woman’s delicate ear. Perhaps, if just Lazul and I could confer with you. Perhaps the rest of our companions can wait here while we go to some private chamber.”

  He did not get the chance to answer, as again the laughter filled the room. “My dear Minos has nothing to hide from me. He tells me everything.” She stood beside his throne, her hands around his arm. Even now I could not bring my eyes to focus on her appearance. It was a maddening thing, but at least I wasn’t as entranced as I had been, now that I knew.

  Lazul had caught on to my plan. I was sure the elves had as well, but as it was easier to have but two speakers, they remained silent. Our dwarf added, “Perhaps the Lord should decide that for himself.”

  The woman looked at him. “But with two of you in a room with him alone, you may attempt to attack him.”

  I answered, “Surely, so mighty a lord can stand against one old man and a dwarf who is clearly inferior.”

  Beside me, Lazul bristled.

  Minos finally spoke. “You are correct. If you have things to say that should be hidden, it is best we speak them in a hidden place. You two certainly seem much weaker and less skilled than I am. We three shall go to a private chamber, and my wife shall await us here and entertain the rest of our guests. Delia, fetch drinks for all these. My strongest ale. By the time you return, I am sure our business will be concluded.”