Dwarven Ruby

by Richard S. Tuttle

  “We will not be stopping here for the night,” announced Master Khatama. “I want to push on further so that we have more daylight in Ongchi tomorrow. We will eat and rest a short while and then return to the road.”

  Tedi slid the staff back on his mount and turned to help Bin-lu with the fire.

  “What happened to you up on that hill earlier?” asked Bin-lu. “It looked like you were struck by lightning. Your whole body glowed brightly.”

  “I guess I was struck by lightning,” conceded Tedi. “It was some type of magic performed by Master Khatama. It did not hurt really, although the sensations that I felt were strange. I could feel the rain boiling on my skin. Magic frightens me.”

  “It can be a wondrous thing,” nodded Bin-lu, “but it scares me too. Maybe when we stop for the night, you can give me some lessons with the staff. I know how to use one, but practice with a partner is always better.”

  “That would please me,” smiled Tedi. “What do you know of Master Khatama? I mean are you concerned about his memory loss?”

  “He is old,” shrugged Bin-lu. “People forget things when they get old. It is not a problem. Besides, his memory is improving today.”

  “It’s improving?” questioned Tedi. “How is it improving?”

  “I listened to him talking with Niki today,” replied Bin-lu. “She was excited that he remembered someone named Fredrik. They talked about times past when they had met. Niki seemed quite pleased.”

  “What was I pleased about?” asked Niki as she sat by the fire.

  “Bin-lu was telling me that Master Khatama’s memory was improving today,” offered Tedi.

  “You shouldn’t let such things worry you,” responded Niki. “He may forget things, but he is still a good teacher. He has taught me much. Things that will be needed to rescue your mother. I will play a major part in the rescue.”

  A tremor raced down Tedi’s spine as he remembered past times when Niki’s magic had failed to perform when needed. He hoped that Master Khatama had taught her well.

  “I thought it best to get the meal out of the way before we stopped,” offered Boris as he approached the fire. “We will have a cold camp tonight. It is not wise to announce your presence close to the capital city of Lanoir.”

  “What is the plan for tomorrow?” asked Tedi. “The others seem to have some idea of what is going to happen.”

  “Your purpose is to find and protect your mother,” responded Master Khatama. “Bin-lu shall help guide you. His looks are obviously Lanoirian and that will be needed inside the palace. Be especially careful that you do not kill him when you practice staffs tonight.”

  Tedi’s mouth fell open as understanding dawned on him. He had not thought of the dangers of using his new staff during practice.

  “Perhaps I should use my old staff for practice,” suggested Tedi.

  “Nonsense,” Master Khatama replied gruffly. “You must learn the nuances of your new staff. Give your old one to Bin-lu for practice. He will not be using a staff tomorrow though. He will be using your sword.”

  “But Bin-lu is not good with sword,” objected Tedi. “That doesn’t make sense.”

  “Trust me,” smiled Master Khatama. “What more must I do to gain your confidence?”

  “I am sorry, Master Khatama,” frowned Tedi. “I know that you are a powerful mage, but I cannot help wondering about things that do not make sense to me.”

  “You are much like Tanya in her early years,” laughed Boris. “You see things only in the logical plane. Tanya learned to accept things beyond her comprehension. You too shall learn.”

  Tedi was stunned by Master Khatama’s mention of Tanya’s early years. Only hours ago the old man could not remember Tanya at all. Was Master Khatama losing his memory? Or was he going insane? How could he not remember Tanya one hour and remember her early years just hours later?

  “Don’t worry about it,” smiled Boris as he retrieved a roast from the back of the wagon and handed it to Bin-lu. “It will all become clear to you tomorrow. Let us get our meal taken care of and get back on the road.”

  * * *

  Klarg gazed out over the plain before the hill he was standing on. Calastano and Hagik stood alongside him as they watched the Lanoirian army approaching.

  “Your men will use spells that are not easily detected?” questioned Klarg.

  “My men are professionals,” snarled Hagik. “Do not question me about their performance. Do you forget who is commanding this operation?”

  “The spells will not be detectable beyond a few leagues,” interrupted Calastano. “The only people who stand a chance of detecting them will be the Lanoirians. Was your man able to determine if they have mages among their number?”

  “He could not be sure,” replied Klarg as he clenched his fists in anger. “It is not typical for border patrols to include magicians, but it is possible.”

  “It will matter little,” shrugged Calastano. “By the time our mages cast their spells, it will be too late for the Lanoirians. That is if all of the Lanoirians enter the trap.”

  “They will all enter,” promised Klarg. “They have little choice. This gorge is perfect for our plan. To go around would cost them too much time this close to Barouk.”

  “I am curious about your knowledge of shields,” frowned Calastano. “Dark Riders are not known for any knowledge of magic. How is it you knew what shields to ask for, and where they needed to be placed?”

  “I was the victim of a similar trap,” conceded Klarg. “It was effective enough to wipe out all of my men and the Black Devil leading us.”

  “Who sprung the trap?” asked Hagik.

  “Garth Shado,” spat Klarg. “My men never had a chance.”

  “Isn’t he the one who found the Children of the Prophecy?” pushed Hagik. “And how did you survive?”

  “He is the one who found the Children,” nodded Klarg.

  “I believe that Garth Shado and Alexander Tork are the same person,” interjected Calastano.

  “That would not surprise me,” responded Klarg. “As to how I survived? My assigned witch was a fool. She ordered my men into the trap in haste. I argued against it and demanded that we make sure our rear was covered before entering the gorge. She told me to check the rear as she ordered my men into the trap. I heard the sounds of battle and turned around to join the fight. That was when Shado sped past me. By the time I got to the gorge it was over.”

  “So you hid like a coward?” accused Hagik. “And how dare you speak of a Black Devil in such a derogatory term as witch?”

  “A coward?” spat Klarg as he glared into Hagik’s eyes. “Only a fool would have continued the battle when all was lost. Do I serve Sarac better by dying with my men, or by living to report the appearance of the Children of the Prophecy? Were it not for my report, Sarac would not have knowledge that they had been found. As for Wolinda, she was a fool. Black Devils and Dark Riders may have different talents, but we must work together to ensure Sarac’s survival. Wolinda was also far too impressed with her position to accept suggestions from a mere Dark Rider. That is why she is dead now. Perhaps her problem is shared by more Black Devils than anyone cares to admit.”

  “Are you insinuating that my leadership is less than your standards will accept?” scowled Hagik. “You can easily be removed from your position, Klarg. Or worse. Do not try my patience.”

  “I have made no comments about your leadership, yet,” retorted Klarg. “You should be careful who you call a coward though. I am not the only one here to be the sole survivor of his mission.”

  “Enough!” interrupted Calastano. “Let us stop this verbal dueling long enough to destroy the Lanoirian army that is after us. Both of you should look carefully at each other’s records before you decide to hate each other. You have both had exceptional service to the Dark One. You have both been the victims of clever battle tactics that resulted in great losses. So have I. We need to work together well to accomplish our task. I ask you both to set your
animosity aside while we are together. We will all die if we fail in this mission, and I am not ready to die.”

  “I apologize,” declared Klarg as he shook his head. “I knew both you had fine records before I accepted this position. Some things from the past should be forgotten and not perpetuated. It won’t happen again.”

  “Your apology is accepted,” responded Hagik gruffly. “I hope this plan of yours works.”

  Klarg seethed with anger, but he hid it well. Hagik was no better than Wolinda, no matter what his record said. Klarg was sure that Hagik would take the credit if the plan worked. Hagik would also blame Klarg if it failed. He had seen Hagik’s type before, and yet Klarg still lived. This mission would be no different than the others. Somewhere along the way, Hagik would die. Klarg would make sure of that.

  “It is almost time to start the attack,” Klarg stated as the Lanoirian army started entering the mouth of the gorge. As soon as the last man is in the gorge, the battle begins.”

  “That is something we can agree on,” snarled Hagik as he turned to look back at the Black Devils who were placed strategically in the gorge and along its rims.

  The gorge bent at a sharp angle two-thirds of the way through. That was where the forward shield barrier had been placed. Another shield barrier would close off the other end of the gorge after the Lanoirians entered. Black Devils and Dark Riders lined the rims of the gorge, just out of sight. Arrows and fireballs from above would annihilate the Lanoirian army as they scurried below. The only possibility of retaliation by the Lanoirians was if they had magicians. Calastano, Hagik, and two more Black Devils on the other rim were reserved for just that purpose. They would seek out any Lanoirian mages and kill them before they could do any damage.

  “They are all in,” smiled Klarg. “Let the fun begin.”

  Hagik gave the signal to erect the rear shield barrier. He saw several Lanoirians react to the spell used to erect the barrier.

  “There are a handful of magicians,” announced Hagik. “Towards the front.”

  “I see them,” nodded Calastano as he launched a fireball at the small knot of men.

  That first fireball set off the battle. Within seconds, fireballs and arrows rained down into the gorge. The Lanoirians were in full panic. The forward group charged through the gorge and slammed into the shield barrier. Those at the rear tried to reverse course and exit the gorge, only to find their exit blocked by an invisible barrier. Some of the Lanoirian soldiers tried to scale the sides of the gorge. Others tried to find cover, but with attacks from both rims, there was no cover to be had. Within ten minutes it was all over.

  “I knew the plan would work,” Hagik declared jubilantly. “Let’s make sure that they are all dead. We do not want any notice given of who attacked them. Better if it looks like the Rangers did it.”

  Klarg rolled his eyes and stormed off to order his men into the gorge to check for survivors. Klarg uncharacteristically led his men into the gorge to check the bodies. He hoped he would find at least one survivor to take his anger out on.

  * * *

  “Stop!” Jenneva called softly.

  “I felt it, too,” offered Tanya.

  “What is it?” Alex asked.

  “Magic,” answered Jenneva. “Battle magic. Low level spells for sure, but battle magic nonetheless. It can’t be far off, either.”

  Alex moved to the front of the small column and pulled out his telescope, a gift from the elven magician Galdan. He continued to the top of the rise and halted. He brought the scope up and scanned the hill in front on him. Alex was panning back and forth with the telescope when Arik halted alongside of him.

  “Do you see anything?” Arik asked softly.

  “Not yet,” Alex whispered. “Wait. Yes, there are men along the rim of a gorge. Black-clothed men. Fireballs going into the gorge. I suspect we may have found Sarac’s Ravens. How is Prince Midge doing? Is he still sleeping?”

  “He hasn’t woken up yet from his flight from the Island of Storms. I am beginning to get worried about him.”

  “That flight almost killed him,” responded Alex. “Still, he should be recuperated by now. See if you can wake him. I would like him to identify the attackers and the victims if he can. Nothing more.”

  Arik reached into his pocket and gently took Prince Midge out. He ran a finger over the fairy’s belly, and Midge giggled and woke up.

  “You interrupted a very nice dream,” complained Prince Midge as he looked around. “Where are we?”

  “We are north of Barouk,” smiled Arik. “We need you to do some spying. Are you well?”

  “I feel wonderful,” replied Prince Midge. “You should have awoken me earlier. I didn’t miss anything, did I?”

  “No,” laughed Arik. “Nothing important at least. There is a battle going on at that next hill,” pointed Arik. “We need to know who is attacking and who is dying. Can you do that?”

  “I can do anything for the Bringer,” saluted Prince Midge.

  “Do nothing more,” warned Alex. “You must not be detected. Also, we will not be here when you return. Look for us further east.”

  “You cannot hide from a fairy,” chirped Prince Midge as he leaped into the air. “I will find you.”

  Alex watched the fairy prince fly until he could no longer follow his progress. He turned and headed back to the Rangers with Arik right behind him.

  “There is a battle going on at the next hill over,” explained Alex. “We are going to slip around them while they are fighting. We will all be going further east from here, but not in one group. Jenneva, I want you to pair up with Arik. Wylan will go with Tanya. I do not want a trail left for them to see and if they see a trail, I want it to be only two horses, so spread out. Just keep heading east until I catch up with you.”

  “Where are you going?” asked Tanya.

  “I am going to backtrack to erase what I can of our tracks,” replied Alex. “I suspect that the group before us is Sarac’s Ravens. Arik and Tanya will be responsible for covering the tracks in each group. Do not dally because the battle may not last long. It looks like the Black Devils have learned some of our tricks.”

  “You aren’t going to cover our previous tracks for any great length of time, are you?” quizzed Tanya. “Is there some place we should wait for you?”

  “Do not worry about me,” smiled Alex. “I have played this game for a long time. Just keep going east and do not engage the enemy. Do what you must to avoid them. Prince Midge is scouting out the battle now. He will find one of you when he is done. Move out.”

  Without further comment, Alex started backtracking and covering the tracks as best he could. When he reached the center of the next valley, he stopped covering the tracks. He dismounted to pay extra attention to the last set of tracks.

  Kaz, I need your help here. I need a set of tracks angling westward and leading up the hill. Circle around to the next hill and do it again. Do it as many times as you can quickly.

  I understand, Alex. You want it to look like our party turned in this valley and headed westward, but up the slope to a point where it would be hard to track.

  Precisely, my old friend.

  Where will you be when I am done, Alex?

  I will walk eastward, Kaz. Do not take too long, but make the tracks obvious. If you hear anyone coming, abort the mission and meet me. I don’t think it will fool them for too long anyway.

  Kaz snorted and galloped westward. Alex finished covering the northward tracks as best he could and then walked eastward. He did not feel comfortable without Kaz under him, but he knew that Kaz could cover ground much faster without him.

  Alex walked about a league before Kaz suddenly appeared racing across the valley. Alex leaped onto to Kaz’s back and they rode further eastward before ascending the hill.

  That was invigorating. I need to run more often.

  Hopefully it will not be because we need to, Shamta.

  When they reached the top of the hill, Alex called a halt and br
ought out his telescope. He saw the column of riders crossing the valley to his west. They did not appear to be in any hurry. Alex turned his scope eastward and searched for the other Rangers. He could not see them.

  Alex rode part-way down the hill and then turned Kaz eastward along a game trail. The long shadows indicated that nighttime was not far off when he decided to enter the valley. He kept his eyes scanning the valley floor looking for tracks. Both Tanya and Arik were well versed in covering tracks, but Alex knew that tracks are never completely obliterated. It took him a fair amount of time, but he eventually found the tracks he was looking for. Within an hour, the Rangers had reassembled and were heading northward.

  “It was Sarac’s Ravens,” reported Arik. “They massacred a large Lanoirian patrol. Midge said that hundreds died in the gorge.”

  “That will alert Lanoirians everywhere,” frowned Alex. “This trip just got decidedly more dangerous. The Lanoirian army will be alerted to find anyone and everyone traveling in this area. I don’t think our passes are going to do us any good if we are stopped.”

  “What can we do?” asked Arik.

  “Nothing,” frowned Alex. “We will ride late into the night to put as much ground between us and the massacre as we can, but that won’t help us much. If the Lanoirians do not find the party responsible, the circle they search will get ever wider.”

  “Won’t they find Sarac’s Ravens?” questioned Arik.

  “If they do find Sarac’s Ravens,” answered Alex, “there will be more Lanoirian bodies found. Black Devils will not think twice about massacring another group of Lanoirians. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is meant to turn up the heat on us. We are on the run now, from both Sarac’s Ravens and the Lanoirian army.”

  Chapter 4

  Imperial Palace

  Tedi heard a noise and his eyes popped open. The predawn sky was tinged with pink and orange. His ears filtered out the chirping birds and the light breeze rustling the leaves as he tried to focus on the noise he had heard. He reached subconsciously for the sword by his side.