Dragonvein - Book Three

by Brian D. Anderson

  “Do you think the dwarves are coming?” asked a young sounding voice.

  An older man huffed. “You ask me that just one more time and you won’t need to wait for them. I’ll kill you myself. Like I said. The captain will come back for us. You’ll see.”

  “You’re dreaming,” said a third man. “You saw the same thing I did. I doubt the captain even made it back to port. The bloody dwarves blasted a hole in the ship big enough to drive a wagon through.”

  “He’ll be back,” the other man insisted. “If anyone could keep her afloat, it’s the captain.”

  “Too bad we didn’t have one of those dwarf boats,” remarked a fourth man with a thin raspy voice. “Have you ever heard of anything like that before?”

  This was met by silence.

  Ganix had heard enough. After quickly nodding over to Keira, he charged into view.

  The four soldiers were sat huddled in a tight circle, their weapons on the ground beside them. Ganix's bullish approach caught them completely off-guard. They had barely grabbed their swords and jumped to their feet when he let loose a bolt of blue lightning from his rod, killing one soldier immediately. He was about to aim at the next one when Keira raced in from behind. They had not heard her coming and had no time to react. Afraid that he might accidentally hit the elf, Ganix lowered his weapon.

  Keira's movements were so fast, they were little more than a blur. After plunging her dagger into the nearest foe's heart, she then spun around on her toes and slit the next man’s throat before he could so much as utter a gasp. The remaining soldier, seeing his comrades fall in such rapid succession, immediately tossed his weapon down and dropped to his knees. He was far younger than the others – in his early twenties. Ganix reckoned him to be the first voice he had heard.

  “I surrender,” he cried out. “Please don’t kill me.”

  Keira shoved him hard down onto his back with the flat of her foot and pressed her blood stained blade against his throat. He squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his teeth, awaiting the killing stroke.

  “You will answer our questions, yes?” Keira said, her tone calm and even.

  Sensing that he might yet escape with his life after all, the soldier cracked open his eyes. His words gushed out. “Yes. Yes. I’ll tell you anything if you promise not to kill me.”

  Ganix knelt beside the young man. He should have felt pity. But the fact that the Empire had found this place and had attacked it filled him with rage. Nonetheless, he managed to choke down his emotions and speak calmly. “Soon my people will be here to collect us. You will come with us without resistance. Struggle and my elf companion will see that your death is both long and painful. Am I making myself clear?”

  The youth looked at the king with terror filled eyes. “I’ll do whatever you say. I swear I will. Please, I just want to go home.” Tears streamed down his grime covered face. At this moment he looked more like a distraught, lost child than an enemy soldier.

  “Your Highness,” came a voice from a short distance away.

  Ganix turned to see a young dwarf carrying a large two-handed axe. Behind him stood ten others armed with smaller axes, hammers, and dwarf rods. The captive human was completely ignored. All of their eyes were fixed on Keira. Quickly overcoming their astonishment at seeing one of their ancient enemies on the island, the group surged forward to attack. Ganix hastily sprang to his feet and spread his arms wide.

  “Halt!” he commanded. “This elf is my guest and is not to be harmed.”

  The onrushing dwarves stopped short, though with bewildered expressions on their faces. Apparently untroubled by the display of aggression, Keira rose slowly and sheathed her blade.

  “Take the soldier and hold him,” Ganix continued. “Then bring me to Rakaal.”

  The lead dwarf lowered his eyes. “Rakaal is dead, Your Highness.”

  Ganix felt a cold pain stab into his stomach. “Dead? How?”

  The dwarf pointed to the human. “When they attacked, we repelled them by using the three remaining boats. Rakaal insisted on going with us and was sadly consumed by a fire blower during the battle.”

  The news of his cousin's fate struck Ganix like a blow to the face. His legs began to wobble, but Keira was at his side in a flash to steady him.

  “I’m fine,” he said weakly after a moment or two. He took a deep breath before looking up. “Take the human and secure him. I will need to question him later. But first, tell me who leads you now?”

  “Hanvir, Your Highness,” the lead dwarf replied. “I’ll bring you to him at once.”

  Two of his men dragged the still trembling soldier to his feet and together they set off toward the center of the island.

  The entrance descending into the interior was guarded by six more dwarves. As with the first group, they initially regarded Keira with a mixture of astonishment and hostility. Ganix noticed that she did not display any kind of reaction when the doors slid open to reveal the metal staircase.

  “Does none of this seem unusual to you?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “All dwarf craft is unusual.”

  After winding their way through the corridors for a time, the soldier was placed in a room completely stripped of all furnishings. Ganix instructed two dwarves to guard the door until his return. He was then led on to a small workshop that, with only a single table lining the rear wall, was barely a quarter of the size of the one Rakaal had been using during his last visit to the island. From the ceiling hung several unidentifiable items, most of which had been partially disassembled.

  Over to the right, a lone dwarf was seated behind a metal desk, his deep set eyes focused intently on a leather bound book. His salt and pepper hair was disheveled, and his normally clean shaven face was covered in short stubble. After a moment he glanced up at the king and closed the book.

  “You can leave us,” Ganix told his escort.

  “This is all your fault,” Hanvir began, his jaw tight. “You led them right to us.”

  Having set the tone, he rose and retrieved two chairs from the corner, placing them both in front of the desk. Ganix remained silent as he and Keira took a seat. Once back behind the desk, Hanvir removed a folded parchment from a drawer and pushed it contemptuously across to the king.

  “These were Rakaal’s final words,” he stated. “It is addressed to you.”

  Ganix stared at the parchment for several seconds before opening it.

  “He left it in case he was killed during the assault,” Hanvir added.

  While Ganix carefully read the page, a single tear fell down his cheek and was soon lost as it soaked into his beard. “I am so sorry that this happened,” he said when finished, refolding the message and placing it into his pocket.

  “Are you?” challenged Hanvir. “You brought strangers here once. And they led the Emperor directly to us.” He flicked a hand in Keira's direction. “And now....now you bring an elf!”

  “Ethan and his friends did not betray us,” countered Ganix.

  “Then how can you explain what happened?”

  “What did happen?” asked Ganix.

  Hanvir’s eyes darted from Keira to Ganix. “I will not speak further in front of her.”

  Ganix stiffened. “You will do as I command,” His tone was suddenly hard and unyielding. “Regardless of what you might feel at this moment, I am still your king.”

  The pair locked eyes while Keira sat impassively through their conflict. Finally, with a deep grumble, Hanvir yielded.

  “It happened two weeks after you left,” he began. “A fleet of thirty Imperial warships penetrated the barrier. At first we hoped they were unaware of us. Rakaal advised patience, hoping they would simply pass through. But soon it became evident they would not.”

  “Did Rakaal believe us betrayed?” asked Ganix.

  “Initially no,” he replied. “But after they landed, they knew exactly where the entrance to the island was hidden and immediately began trying to break it down.”

  Ganix consider
ed this for a moment. There was no way the entrance could have been found without aid. But he was certain that Ethan would not have betrayed him. In fact, he knew for sure that he had crossed the sea and was now in the Dragon Wastes.

  “We immediately launched the three remaining craft and attacked the Imperial ships,” Hanvir continued. “I tried to stop Rakaal from going with them, but he refused to listen.” He paused, choking back his sorrow. “We sank their fleet and killed all who dared to tread upon our home. But it was at great cost. Now it has fallen upon me to lead us.”

  Ganix regarded the dwarf for a long moment. He knew Hanvir well. He had been Rakaal’s brightest student and had lived on Borgen since he was a small boy. The pain he was barely masking was unfathomable. “You are right that we were betrayed,” admitted Ganix. “But I do not think it was Ethan Dragonvein, or any of his companions.”

  “Who then?” His eyes shot to Keira

  “Yes, there are elves who know of this place,” said Keira. “But you have my word that the Emperor did not learn of it from us.”

  “And I’m supposed to trust you?” scoffed Hanvir.

  Keira flicked her wrist. “Trust whatever you please. But I would remind you that Shinzan is powerful beyond anything you can imagine. There are more possibilities than you may be aware of. And perhaps questioning the captive human would be more productive than casting baseless accusations about.”

  Hanvir was clearly fuming at Keira's relaxed attitude and perceived glib remarks. “Your Highness,” he said, his eyes still fixed firmly on the elf. “We have questioned several soldiers already. All we have learned is that the fleet received the location of Borgen, along with orders to mount an assault, shortly after you departed. They didn’t appear to expect much in the way of resistance, otherwise they would have come better prepared.”

  “We will question him anyway,” said Ganix. “Then kill him.”

  At that moment, a commotion from outside the room snatched their attention. A couple of seconds later the door flew open and a young human boy burst in. Ganix recognized him at once as the lad they had brought from the smugglers' vessel.

  “Poul,” snapped Hanvir. “What do you think you are doing?”

  The boy’s hands were balled into fists - his face a picture of resolve. “I want to speak to the king,” he stated.

  Hanvir sighed. “We’ve been over this many times. You are to remain here in Borgen, and that is the end of it. So please leave us”

  But the boy held his ground. Eventually, Hanvir sighed again and waved him closer. “Very well. Here he is. But it will do you no good.”

  Ganix glanced questioningly at Hanvir as the boy strode up and bowed low. Hanvir merely shook his head in exasperation.

  “Your Highness,” said Poul. “I wish to go to Elyfoss and join the fight against the Emperor.”

  Ganix was taken aback. “And why would you want to do that?”

  “They killed Rakaal,” he responded, his young voice dripping with malice.

  “Rakaal took a keen interest in the lad and had begun to educate him,” explained Hanvir.

  “He was the only person ever to treat me with kindness,” added Poul. “I would have his death avenged.”

  Ganix regarded the boy, smiling warmly. “Rakaal was indeed a kind soul. Though I am a bit surprised he would take a human under his wing.”

  Poul shifted his feet. “He said it wasn’t my fault…being human, I mean. He said I should have been born a dwarf.”

  This elicited a laugh from the old king. “Did he now? And you think going off to fight is the best way to honor him?”

  “I…I only want…” Tears began to well in his eyes as he searched for a suitable reply.

  “Tell me, Hanvir,” said Ganix. “Does the boy show potential?”

  Hanvir smiled. “He does indeed. Rakaal was wise to teach him. What's more, I have offered to continue his education. But he keeps insisting on this foolishness of running off to fight.”

  Ganix leaned back in his chair and folded his hands in his lap. “You seriously would want to fight your own kind, boy?”

  “I hate that I’m a human,” he hissed. “I’d kill them all if I could.”

  Ganix’s eyes darkened. “Never say that again. Do you understand?”

  Poul opened his mouth to speak, but Ganix silenced him with a raised hand. “You are never to feel shame for what you are.” As the boy's tears fell, Ganix’s face softened. “However, as Rakaal deemed you worthy, I will grant you an honor. You are now to consider yourself a kin to my people. Do you know what this means?”

  The boy wiped his eyes and shook his head. “No, Your Highness.”

  “It means that you are now a dwarf in all but form. Your body may be human, but your spirit dwells with us. I hereby grant you full rights and privileges enjoyed by any dwarf who lives under my rule.”

  The boy was speechless for several seconds, his eyes wide and tears quickly drying. “Thank you, Your Highness,” he said finally. “Does this mean I can go to Elyfoss?”

  Ganix turned to Hanvir. “Is Borgen still defensible?”

  “Very much so,” he said. “Our boats are damaged, but not beyond repair. And we have food enough to last for some time. Should the Imperials return, we will sink their ships before their boots even scrape the sands.”

  “In that case,” said Ganix, returning his attention to Poul, “You are commanded to remain here and assist Hanvir.”

  “But, Your Highness,” Poul protested. “Why can’t I –?”

  “With rights and privileges comes responsibility and duty,” Ganix said, cutting him short. “I am your king now. And your king has commanded you. Now go. I’m sure you have work to attend to.”

  Poul stood stiff for a moment before bowing low. “Yes, Your Highness.” His tone was a strange mixture of elation and disappointment.

  As the boy reached the door, Ganix called after him. “Remember this, Poul. The more you learn, the more you will honor Rakaal’s memory.”

  The boy nodded. “Then I will study even harder.”

  Hanvir smiled as the door closed. “Thank you, Your Highness. Poul has been unbearable since Rakaal’s death. I never thought a human could hold such love for our kind.”

  “Humans are a strange race,” said Keira. “And unpredictable. Why have them among you?”

  “The same has been said of elves many times,” responded Ganix. “And yet here you are.”

  Hanvir was quick to jump in. “Which begs the question, why?” he said. “It was unusual enough when you brought Lord Dragonvein here, though we at least understood the reason for that. But now you bring an elf into our midst.”

  “The time for old hatreds and fears is at an end,” Ganix told him. “Whatever our past disputes may have been, we now have a common enemy. One which we must overcome or it will destroy us all. I have formed a truce with the elves. One that I expect you and all those who live under my authority to honor.” He went on to tell of his battle with the Imperial army, and of his subsequent meeting with Keira's father.

  At the end of it, Hanvir still appeared unconvinced. He furled his brow. “So you are saying that we should now welcome elves here - a place that even most dwarves do not know the existence of?”

  Ganix leaned in and leveled his gaze. “I am saying that should a thousand elves swim onto the shore, you will open the doors and welcome them all as allies.”

  Hanvir turned to Keira. “And what of your people? Will they honor the peace?”

  Despite Hanvir’s skeptical tone, Keira's expression remained steady. Her voice was firm. “My father has made peace with your king. No elf will ever dishonor him by breaking it, even though many of us will fear this alliance. In fact, I am counted among them. But my fears are outweighed by the coming doom. My father is wise – more so than you can imagine. If he sees no other way, then I must accept his judgement.”

  Hanvir studied her face for a long moment before returning his attention back to the king. “And do you thin
k there is hope for victory?”

  Ganix shrugged. “Hope? Perhaps. We may not possess the strength to destroy Shinzan. But it has been decided that our people will no longer suffer a slow death. We shall either be liberated, or meet our fate.”

  “And what of Borgen?” Hanvir pressed on. “Shall we abandon our work? Clearly Shinzan is aware of us. What shall become of this place?

  “Shinzan will not come here,” Ganix told him. “As I understand it, he is bound to his source of power, which lies somewhere close to his palace. But I leave the final decision up to you, Hanvir. Should you feel at any time that you cannot hold Borgen, then you have my leave to flee and seek refuge in Elyfoss.”

  “Why not simply move the island?” Keira suggested.

  Both Ganix and Hanvir stared at her, utterly bewildered.

  After a short pause, Hanvir gave a mocking laugh. “Move the island? And just how do you propose we do that?”

  It took a moment for Keira to realize that the two dwarves were genuine in their reaction. “Have you lost all knowledge of your past?” she asked them. “Surely you are aware that Borgen is more than just an island.” On receiving no response to this, she burst into laughter. “And to think we have continued to fear this place.”

  Ganix could see Hanvir’s irritation building. He spoke quickly before anger seized the moment. “Please explain to us what you mean. As far as we know, Borgen was where our forefathers built and housed their technology. We have spent many years here and have not found anything to suggest it was ever something else.”

  Keira shook her head. “This place was once far more than that. It roamed the oceans, ravaging the coast. Nothing could stop it.”