Willow jogged through a long series of giant caverns, each with innumerable rows of fungus growing in it. It was eerie how well-lit but quiet the dwarven city was.
Pumping her legs as fast as they could carry her, Willow put on a burst of speed as the rows of barrier fungus flew by. Feeling her blood pump through her muscles was better than anything she could imagine. A good clean sweat without worry about the weather or the pollution of the world above. Willow appreciated some of the underworld’s traits, even though it would take her a while to get used to their shifted concept of day and night.
She raced past a patrol of six heavily-armored dwarves. One of the dwarves raised his hand in greeting while the others just stared, not sure what to make of her.
In the weeks that had passed since she’d fallen down that shaft, it seemed like everyone in the city had at least heard of the strange blonde-haired elf wandering in their midst.
Cutting across the cavern, Willow raced toward the far end of a row of barrier fungus. The fungus and soil had a pleasant musty aroma. The smell reminded her of when she used to bury her face in the thick furry coat of Growl, her pet wolf.
The sound of rock shattering nearby drew her attention.
Willow gasped as something utterly foreign burst through the rocky wall of the cavern. An odd chittering sound accompanied the slithering many-legged body of a giant armored centipede.
She back-pedaled as the twelve-foot-long insect emerged from a newly-created hole.
Somewhere in the distance, a bell rang as Willow stared in horror at the three-foot wide creature with huge pincer-like jaws.
What the hell is that?
The monster slithered toward the rows of fungus lying no more than ten feet in front of it when it turned suddenly toward her.
Willow walked backwards slowly, hoping that the beast was more interested in the fungus than her.
The pale-yellow armor plate that covered every square inch of its monstrous body looked impenetrable, and if the black pincer-like jaws were strong enough to dig through rock, Willow knew she didn’t have a chance against the thing.
She was only twenty-feet away as the monster’s head wavered in seeming indecision between a tasty morsel of fungus or a tasty morsel of Willow.
Willow was about to take her chances and bolt back toward the southeast quadrant where she knew there were others manning the forges when she heard voices yelling from somewhere nearby.
“Get outta the way before you get eaten!”
“Girl, can’t ya hear the megapede bell? Get outta—”
She didn’t need to be told twice, Willow bolted toward the voices and immediately saw a squad of dwarves racing toward her along the side of the cavern.
The dwarf at the head of the squad wielded a heavy crossbow, the first one she’d seen in the underworld. Just as she raced past them, she heard the crossbow bolt being released and followed by an ear-piercing screech from the megapede.
She turned to see the six dwarves all wielding long-poled spears attack the giant monster at once. Willow didn’t have any weapons and felt awkward as she watched the guards do battle.
Willow nearly jumped out of her skin when a young dwarf, barely into his beard snuck up to her and touched her elbow.
“Excuse me Miss, but it’s dangerous to be down here when the megapedes are known to come sniffing around. They’ll slice you in half just to see if they can. They’re ornery as hell if you get in their way.”
She glanced at the young dwarf who was barely three-feet tall and asked, “So why are you here?”
“I’m the alarm keeper for this cavern. I alerted the guards as soon as I heard the megapede break into the cavern. And besides,” He hitched his thumb toward the heavy crossbow hanging on his back. “I always keep a loaded weapon with me, just in case.”
Willow stared as the dwarves took care of their business and shuddered to think what might have happened. She’d never seen such a fearsome beast aboveground.
“What else does the underworld have that’s going to give me nightmares?” Willow wondered.
In a well-lit round cavern, Willow stood in the middle of a circle of dwarven soldiers. It had taken her two weeks to convince Ramai to let her work out with the soldiers. Today was her first hand-to-hand combat practice, and at first the soldiers treated it as a joke. Much like in the aboveworld, there were no women fighters. After the first couple of soldiers found themselves knocked on their rears within moments, they all began taking her much more seriously.
Willow swept a damp lock of hair away from her eyes as she crouched, waiting for her next opponent. The delicious heat from her tensed muscles was a soothing familiarity that excited her even as the dwarf captain yelled at his troops.
“What in blazes is wrong with all of you? She’s just an unarmed elf.”
“Why don’t you take her on then, Captain? She’s kicked my ass enough for today.” Isaac Rockfeist gave Willow a sideways glance and tossed her a wink.
Isaac and his brother were among the two dozen soldiers gathered for their daily combat exercise, and surprisingly enough–they were some of the best she’d come across so far in her new subterranean home.
Another soldier scoffed, “It ain’t realistic. Only a fool is going to get caught in a fight without proper weapons on his belt.”
Willow turned to the dwarf, curled her finger at him and smiled. “What if you used a weapon? My goal is to disarm you, yours is to tap me with your weapon. Is that fair?”
The captain turned toward the speaker and snapped his fingers. “There you go, now that’s a match. Clyde Firehammer, get off your ass and into the ring.”
As the dwarf stood, the captain heaved a long-poled hammer at him and cautioned, “Alright, Clyde, don’t hurt her too bad, or I’ll get myself turned into a mushroom by Ramai.”
Willow studied Clyde’s smooth motion and she could tell by the way he twirled the hammer in his heavily calloused hands that it was probably the weapon he practiced with the most.
They circled, measuring each other’s movements, as Clyde tested the weight of his hammer. Suddenly he thrust at her with the handle. Willow leaped back, out of range.
She studied Clyde as he continued twirling the hammer with grim concentration. She’d fought against people with staffs, and this was no different.
The only noise in the cavern came from Clyde’s heavy boots gliding against the stone floor. Dorwin Needleweaver had made Willow a pair of boots that were unbelievably comfortable, sturdy, and surprisingly lightweight.
As Willow circled her opponent, she felt the noiseless grip of her shoes on the stone floor. She launched an attack, leaping forward with a roundhouse kick.
Willow heard soldiers gasp as Clyde barely rolled out of the way.
Clyde bounced from his roll with a grunt of effort, and the hammer came whistling toward Willow.
It almost seemed as if time slowed for Willow as she twisted away from the strike, saving herself by only inches.
As Willow twirled away from Clyde’s devastating blow, she connected a well-aimed kick at Clyde extended arm.
She pulled back on the power of her kick, knowing she didn’t want to hurt him, but even so, the effect was immediate.
Clyde lost the grip on his hammer as he cried out in pain.
The hammer fell to the ground with a loud thunk, and half of the soldiers stared open-mouthed, while the others gazed at Willow with expressions of shock.
Isaac and Eli laughed and tossed her two thumbs up, showing their approval.
Willow walked over to Clyde, and crouched next to him, and whispered, “Are you okay?”
Clyde grimaced as he held his elbow and his fist was shaped like a claw. “My whole arm is tingling, like I stuck it in a barrel of stinging fungus.”
“It’ll be okay.” Showing Clyde how she rubbed on the inside of her own elbow, Willow advised, “I tapped at one of your pressure points. If you rub your elbow, it will help get rid of the tingles.”
Clyde rubbed his elbow and soon began pumping his arm. With an expression of relief, he gave Willow a curt nod.
“Alright folks, that’s enough for today,” the captain announced. “The assignment boards are up. We’ve got patrols that need to be relieved.” He glanced at Willow and shook his head. “Damn it, elf, where’d you learn to fight like that?”
The others focused on Willow, and for the first time in her life, she didn’t feel as if she needed to hide anything. “I had a grandfather who was a master fighter. He taught me everything I know.”
The captain pursed his lips and nodded. “Well if your grandfather isn’t available, I think we’d be well served to learn more about this elven fighting method, if you’re willing to teach sometime.”
Willow felt overcome with a mixed wave of emotions. The warm feeling of finding a place she could be useful fought with the chill homesickness she felt for her brothers.
She turned to the captain and sighed. “I’d like to teach, but first I have some things that need to be done.”
Willow had no idea how she would do any of the things Ramai had been describing in the prophecies, but there was one thing she knew had to be possible.
I have to let my brothers know that I’m okay.
A Thousand Miles Away
Two of the soldiers standing guard at the entrance to Ramai’s study fidgeted as the leader of the dwarves and the elf stared at each other, neither wanting to give ground.
“Yes, I’m sure.” Willow remarked as she stood up to Ramai’s frown.
Ramai harrumphed, his eyebrows scrunched as he began pacing back and forth in the cavernous room filled with long stands holding dust-covered books, scrolls, and clay tablets.
She felt concern emanating from the ancient dwarf, but she had a plan. “Ramai, there has to be a way for me to climb back up that shaft. I know the werebits have discovered a way to get across the Dominion’s barrier. If they can get across, then so can I.” Willow’s heart thudded in her chest and to her surprise, she felt her throat tighten with emotion as she thought about her bothers. “I have to let my brothers know I’m okay. I owe that much to them.”
Ramai let out a deep sigh and shook his head. “I worry for you. You’re too important to the prophecies to take such risks.” He hitched his thumb toward the guards. “And I can’t send anyone with you for safety purposes. Even though you might now be immune to the poisons that permeate the air above, the others certainly wouldn’t be.”
“Ramai, it’s not like I can’t defend myself.” Willow motioned toward the guards. “Just ask them, they know what I’m capable of.”
One guard cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable as he focused on the top of his feet. “I’m sorry, but I’m agreeing with our Elder on this. Even though you’re a damned good fighter, you don’t have eyes on the back of your head. You’d need a partner.”
Ramai nodded. “Exactly—”
“Raz can go with Flower,” Raz volunteered as he slinked into the room, wearing a grim expression. “Raz knows the aboveground best.”
Willow studied Raz and shook her head. His skinny arms and legs looked as if they could barely carry his own weight. She crouched to his eye level and gave him a warm smile. “It’s okay. You don’t need to put yourself in danger for me. Besides, I’ll be faster by myself.”
Raz stomped his feet and pitched a wheezing fit, as he too crouched and slapped the floor with his hands. “No, no, no, no, no! Raz is faster and knows the ways better. Raz will help you keep safe.” He approached Willow and wagged a thin finger at her. “Raz lived up there and knows the dangers.”
Ramai raked his fingers through his white beard and made a humming sound as he studied Raz. Turning to Willow, the ancient dwarf tilted his head toward the wildling. “He’s right. Raz knows the area and the effects of the poison have already taken their toll—”
“So you guys will help me get back aboveground so I can see my brothers?” Willow’s gaze darted back and forth between Raz and Ramai. “All I want to do is tell them what happened to me and let them know that everything is okay.”
Raz scurried to her, crouched next to her left hip, and looked up at Willow. “Raz will help the beautiful Flower.”
Ramai’s brown eyes bored into Willow as he stood statue-like. The silence in the room was palpable; the only sound Willow heard was the gentle wheeze of Raz breathing and the thumping of her heart.
“Okay.” Ramai broke the silence and gave Willow a curt nod. “I assume you want to go right away?”
“Yes, if it’s possible.”
“Very well,” Ramai murmured. “Wait right here. I have some things I think you can use.”
Ramai vanished with a loud popping sound. Willow gasped, glancing in every direction and yelled, “Where’d he go?”
Raz laughed his wheezing laugh. “He’s a dwarf with many surprises.”
Before she could form a proper thought, Ramai appeared out of nowhere, but this time he carried several items.
Unslinging a medium-sized bow from his shoulder, he held it out to Willow. “I recall you telling me that you’re a bowyer and have some talent with such things. This is unlike any bow you’ve ever wielded.”
Willow hefted the bow and could feel its seemingly perfect balance. Pulling back on the string, she was surprised at how solid the bow felt despite its light weight. The bow felt oddly warm to the touch, and as Willow rubbed her hands along its length, she couldn’t feel any of the natural wood grain. “What’s it made of?”
“It’s made of dragon bone,” Ramai held up his hand as Willow opened her mouth. “No, it comes from another time. Another world. But know that those bows have the reputation for being durable, powerful, and some are rumored to even carry remnants of the long-dead beast’s personality within its core.
As Willow gripped the bow, a strange feeling of pride welled up within her. Suddenly it felt as if the bow were sharing its thoughts through her contact with it. Willow gasped as memories of ancient battles flitted through her mind.
Rubyrend.
“The dragon’s name was Rubyrend.” Willow stared at her bow with her mouth agape. “I can sense her presence. The battles she fought, eggs laid, everything.”
Ramai looked pleased. “She was a beautiful creature and lived a full life.” He shrugged off his other shoulder a quiver full of arrows and placed it on a nearby table. Ramai then retrieved from within his robes a small oblong wooden box and handed it to Willow. “For you as well.”
The box was only a half-foot wide and a foot long, yet it was unusually heavy for its size. The polished wood was stained beautifully and an ornate latch held it closed.
Flipping the latch, the box yawned open to reveal a sheathed dagger nestled in a bed of straw. Willow glanced at Ramai, he motioned toward the box. “Go ahead, it’s for you.”
Carefully grabbing the weapon, Willow set the box aside. She drew the dagger from its leather sheathe, the matte black metal seemed to almost suck the light from the room. Twirling the blade in the torchlight, Willow saw the black metal gleam with hints of red, almost as if the metal contained shards of red crystal within. “What’s it made from?”
“Damantite.” Ramai sniffed and wrinkled his nose. “It too is from another land. It’s often called blood metal because history says that the ore from which that metal is smelted comes from the remnants of a Demon Lord’s lifeblood.”
Willow sniffed at the blade and detected an odd, slightly off mix of odors. “I think I can actually smell blood, but there’s something else ... rotten egg?”
Ramai nodded. “Although the history of such things is long before my time, I think you’re right. That’s also what I smelled. Let’s just say that the dagger you are holding will keep its edge without need for sharpening and is stronger than any other metal I’m aware of.”
Willow stared at Ramai and shook her head. “I don’t know what to say other than ‘thank you.’” She placed the dagger back in its sheath and clipped it to her belt.
Ramai snapped his fingers at Raz and the wildling’s attention focused on the ancient dwarf. “Raz, you remember where we met in the dead city?”
Raz nodded with a grim expression.
“Take Willow to the tracks at the north end of Eer Ha’ehven. I’ll leave word for you two to be able to use the tunnel. Meet me at the dead city and we’ll get this over with.” Ramai turned to Willow. “The bunker that Raz found you in is unstable and poisoned with the radiation from the Great War, so you can’t return that way. Also there is a great chasm nearly one-hundred miles from here—”
“Yawning Deep.” Willow nodded.
“Well, we have no hidden exposure to the aboveground anywhere near there, and it is altogether too risky for you to travel so far through the wildling territory. I know of another place which will allow you access to the world above and get you where you need to go. Fill a light pack with supplies, and bring your new possessions. I don’t like you going, but if you must go–then be quick, and I’d suggest crossing over only before the sun has set.”
Raz fidgeted and looked expectantly at Willow.
Ramai asked, “Do you have any questions?”
Willow looked down at Raz and asked, “You sure you know where we’re going?”
Raz nodded and remained silent, a grim expression on his bony face.
Taking a deep breath, Willow shook her head. “No questions.”
“Very well....” Ramai blinked out of existence with a loud pop.
Willow stared at the empty spot where the dwarven leader had been. Raz tugged at her sleeve. “Come come, it’s time to go.”
Raz scurried toward the exit and Willow followed the wildling. As she jogged after him, Willow began to worry about what she might find in a place that was called “the dead city.”
Dispocalypse Page 22
