by D. W.
To take his mind off of the traps Thad had taken to watching the magical eyes including the one that had now traveled into the enemy’s city. The gem had changed place many times over the past few days and right now it had been fixed onto a gaudy necklace that hung around what he believed to be one of their females.
There were obvious feminine traits to the creature and Thad had to admit that she was beautiful in her own fashion. Unlike the other creatures who had ash grey skin the females were almost ivory white. Their eyes were smaller but still slightly larger than that of a human. Their body was slender and their fingers were shorter than their male counterparts. None of the males Thad had seen had hair but the females had long pale blue hair.
Thad found himself captivated by the creature that now held the gem. He wished he had added an extra enchantment that allowed him to hear as well. He wasn’t a genius but if he could pick up a few of the words of their language it might come in handy.
He had learned a lot from his hours at watching their enemies. Thad had seen children only once so far though there had been hundreds of them. They looked young most of them barely old enough to walk and were being trained to fight. The sight really drove the point home that the creatures were completely warlike in nature.
Thad had mixed emotions about the creatures from what he had seen. They were warlike but not completely evil as he had first surmised. He had seen them laugh and talk in a group setting though there didn’t seem to be a traditional family structure. There seemed to be one member in a group that was in charge either male or female that ordered the others. Even that was a guess since he only had his own sight for a reference.
Shortly after Crusher finished his planning he grabbed up Thad and Avalanche for their daily sortie. The halls nearest their base were clear so they quickly exited and put the wall back up.
The air surrounding them reverberated with noise that echoed from every corner of the tunnels. Usually one could follow the noises of the underground to whatever was making them but with so much noise it was nearly impossible to tell what noise was coming from what direction.
They headed down one of the smaller tunnels. The small tunnel narrowed even more forcing Thad to crawl on his hands and knees. It was slow and slightly painful and got even worse when the tunnels started sloping up and he had to fight for a handhold just to pull himself forward.
Thad breathed a sigh of relief when the tunnel finally started widening back out. It wasn’t enough for him to stand all the way to his feet but at least the feeling that the world was collapsing around him was gone.
When Crusher came to a stop he moved over against the tunnel wall and signaled for Thad to join him. The tunnel they were in seemed to stop abruptly at a ledge overlooking one of the larger caverns where they had concentrated a lot of their attacks. It made sense to Thad why they had waited and only attacked in certain areas. If there were other tunnels like this that allowed them to move in and attack from a position of great advantage they could kill most of the enemies before they even knew they were present.
Thad had a little trouble seeing the exact number of enemies as he only had his nightsight vision to go off of. He hadn’t used his normal sight in days outside of the base. It wasn’t for lack of want though but Crusher had refused to let any amount of light to be used forcing Thad into his only other option. On the upside once the battle begun he was allowed to bath the room in as much light as he wanted.
He had tried to fight without light before and if not for his shield he would have died a very quick death. He was getting better every day at using his nightsight but the few seconds it took him to decipher what was happening it had already happened. Not only was his response time slowed down there was also the small problem of his narrow vision since only one eye had the ability to see in nightsight.
Below there were six of the creatures in the center of the room sitting around in a circle calmly eating. It looked like the perfect group to attack until Crusher pointed out the others that were hidden around the cavern tucked into every nook and cranny that could hold them. All told there was at least three dozen of the creatures packed into the room. It was a good ambush and had Crusher not been with him Thad would have easily fell for the bait. The problem with an ambush is that once known about there are certain ways someone can exploit it.
Crusher pointed to Thad’s pouch of magical slugs then toward where the hidden creatures were located. Thad knew he still wasn’t a great shot with the weapon but he was getting better with them with every throw.
The first slug arced silently threw the air until its enchantment was released then it jumped forward speeding toward its target. Thad had aimed for the center of the creature and though his aim was still off it stuck the poor thing high ripping through its neck. Thad tried to call back the slug but was too slow and the sound of its slamming into the wall reverberated throughout the cavern.
The other creatures looked around for the source of the noise and one of them spotted their downed comrade and went to inspect. Thad feared he had messed up but from the slight sound coming from his friend he could tell he was enjoying the spectacle.
While the creature looked over its fallen comrade Thad loaded another slug and fired. Its aim was true and busted through the creatures back sending it wailing to the floor. Thad called the slug back the second he knew it had hit, and this time the only sound that filled the cavern was the dying calls of the creature, which now twitched on the ground as its blood pooled below it.
Every creature in the cavern took notice as their comrade thrashed on the ground. Thad thought that while they were distracted by their dying comrade it would be the perfect time to attack but Crusher held him back and signaled for him to continue with his slugs.
Thad did as he was instructed and looked around for the best target. Most of the creatures were packed together looking around at their now dead companions but there were a few who were searching the dark for whatever had caused their death. Thad found one that was alone and fired the slug. It arc and twisted missing the moving target by inches. Thad called back the slug but he was too slow to keep it from slamming hard into the stone.
The creature called out and the others began to move in a hurry to his position but his hollering was cut short as Thad’s second slug caught him in the back of the head spraying the creatures that rushed to his call with gore. Not wanting to waste the hysteria that was beginning to grip the creatures below him Thad let loose another of his slugs catching one of the creatures who was lagging behind in the shoulder, ripping its arm from its body.
Thad continued to rip through their ranks with his magical slugs taking them out one at a time. With each new death they got less organized and more than one ran from the cavern to the safety of the tunnels beyond. Thad ran out of magical charged slugs when only three of the creatures remained.
With nothing left to do Crusher jumped from their high perch landing with a small tumbling to the ground below. It wasn’t a far fall but just high enough that Thad knew it would send a nasty shock through his body. Jumping down Thad sent a wave of magical force to the ground below softening his landing. The spell worked a little too well and Thad ended up looking like a piece of wood bobbing in water as he came to a rest inches above the ground.
Before Thad had time to get his bearings Crusher had already dispatched the remaining foes. With little else to do Thad started on rummaging through the mass of bodies stripping them of all their worldly belongings. Most of them only carried the same basic items the others had but one of the larger creatures carried a sword that gave off a distinct magical aura.
Unlike the other magical items they had found on the creatures that were obviously of dwarven make this one had a different feel to it. Thad didn’t have time at the moment to inspect his find so he strapped it to his pack so he could look at it closer at his leisure.
There was a large amount of stuff stacked in the center of the room by time they were done. This had easily been their bigg
est engagement and he had not used anything overtly magical in nature. His slugs were all he really used but the magical signature they left was quickly absorbed back into the natural flow of energies around them.
Crusher pulled out the magical pack he had made him and began stuffing the loot in it. When they had first begun their forays into the tunnels Crusher had emptied the metal ingots and piled them in his room. It was a brilliant idea and it allowed them to move a large amount of loot without having to carry it through the tunnels on their backs.
Once back in their base Thad moved back to his room with the magical sword he had found. It looked much like the others he had found among the creatures. The only difference from the sword in his hand and many of the others he had found was the fact it held magical properties. Closing his eyes Thad started to check the sword with his magical sight.
The enchantment on the weapon was simple. It allowed the sword to draw in shadow and use it to magically damage whatever it was cut with. It didn’t so much as cut but simply destroyed whatever it came in contact with. It was an easy use of magical force but it had its limits. If the weapon was used in the sunlight it would be no more dangerous than a normal weapon but here where everything was cloaked in darkness it was a dangerous weapon indeed. Now that he understood how the enchantment was made he knew he could reproduce it with almost any element, though some of them would be impractical such as earth or fire. While a fire sword sounded nice you would have to immerse the weapon in fire for it to draw enough constant magic to be of use. There were other ways for him to charge the weapons with the needed magical element but that would be to drain his own personal stores.
While the weapon was nice and would be a nice addition to his own stores of magical items it also brought something new to mind. The creatures had the ability to use magic. He hadn’t personally seen them use magic before but this weapon was proof of that fact.
Thad sat down hard on the ground. It was unsettling to know that he might have to face others with magical powers. He had known from Crusher that the dwarfs had their own unique magical powers and had seen it first hand from the presence of his tattoos, but the knowledge that others might as well hit him hard. He had searched for years for any knowledge of magic users of the past and now there was a chance he would have to face another mage. While it wouldn’t be a human mage the fact that he might have to face another magic user was intimidating. He only had his own knowledge and experience to fall back on where his opponent would have the collective history and knowledge of all their magic users at their command.
Thad turned on his magical eye and watched the female creature. She was currently at what he believed was her house. It was a somber looking place though it was surrounded by hundreds of others of her kind. Thad still had trouble telling everything that was going on but from what he could tell she was very important in the house but she wasn’t the highest rank within its walls.
Normally he simply watched the creatures through the magical eye but now he was looking at any hint of magical power around them. He didn’t find anything obvious but then again all he could do was see he couldn’t even send his power through the object to look around with his magical sense. It was frustrating every day he found more questions and the answers were close, yet just outside of his reach.
Thad spent hours watching the creatures in the mirror as he held the magical sword in his hand, as if he was willing them to cede to his commands. The hours of watching gained him nothing and all he was left with was the urge for knowledge denied him. Frustrated, Thad lay down to sleep. His rest wasn’t peaceful, as it was filled with the same questions that plagued his waking hours.
CHAPTER XIV
Everything around him was dark and Thad found himself floating in the darkness. It was vaguely familiar almost like the time he had been held prisoner by the Ablaians but there was a slightly different feel to it. Thad called a light to his hand and it sprung forth as easy as if he had been awake.
“So you’re the one who has been watching us.” A voice said in his mind. Well saying it was a voice was stretching it a bit. It was more like the thoughts formed in his mind but felt different than his own much the way it felt when his staff forced images upon him.
“What is a human mage doing within our domain?” The voice said giving Thad the feeling of curiosity more than anger.
“Got lost and some of your creatures attacked me I’m just returning the favor.” Thad said aloud to the darkness surrounding him.
“So you’re the one who has been killing our troops in the northern mines. From my reports the weapons used led us to believe at least one of the attackers were dwarven. I can understand some of our troops can be less than pleasant but is that any reason to go on a slaughtering spree. I am sure that if you would simply sit down for a good discussion we can come to an agreement that is beneficial to both of us.”
The creature’s words seemed reassuring and compelling. Why was he fighting them anyway? A picture of Crusher popped into his mind making Thad nearly laugh. Even in his sleep his staff was there to help. Shaking the fog from his mind he regained his composure. It was obvious to him that whoever was present within his mind had been trying to compel him to think as it wanted him to.
Stretching out his hand Thad’s staff appeared in his hand. “I don’t know who you are, but if you think trying to force me to do as you wish will work you’re mistaken.”
The air around him twisted and shimmered as the darkness seemed to begin to form into something more substantial. Right before his eyes where once there had been nothing now stood a tall dark form. It was slightly taller than him with a bald head and large black eyes. He knew it was one of the creatures but different than one he had encountered before.
The creature looked him over but his eyes lingered for the longest on the staff he now held in his hands. “That is a fine staff. Very powerful though I never did much care for magical items that had their own minds, it makes them so much harder to use. Did you make it yourself? You humans were always quite skilled at such endeavors.” The creature said as it reached his hand toward the staff. Each of the creatures long boney fingers were covered in rings and Thad could tell that each was magical in nature but didn’t have time to study their function.
“I’ll ask again who or what are you?” Thad said moving his staff from the reach of the creature in front of him.
“It seems that your history has washed all knowledge of us out with the passing of time. We are the Vathari. Once, before your human king decided we no longer deserved to be among humans, we had a good relationship with your kind. Many of your human mages would travel to find one of our hidden cities to train and obtain our unique power though few ever accomplished such a feat. If you wished you could follow in the footsteps of your ancestors and walk that path once again.”
Thad had to hide his excitement. He had looked for information of the knowledge lost in the Fae Wars and now it was being offered to him freely. A picture of Crusher once again was forced into his thoughts by his staff. Shaking his head he remembered it wouldn’t be free. If he was to walk that path he would have to leave his friend behind.
The fact that he was even contemplating the idea made Thad sick at himself, but he couldn’t deny the allure of the chance being offered to him. In the end it was what was more important to him the knowledge he had been seeking or his friendship. It was an easy call in the end. Knowledge was always there and there was just as much chance he would find it in the dwarven homeland.
“I’m sorry but I can’t take you up on that offer as tempting as it is.” Thad said his voice betraying his own mixed feelings.
The creatures face twisted into an odd grin showing his sharp teeth. “Then good hunting human.”
Thad was surprised at the almost happy tone that reverberated through his mind. He had expected a different reaction; anger, disappointment, or outrage.
Seeing his confused expression the Vathari gave out a laugh that sounded almost human
with a slightly darker undertone. “I see you don’t understand. I guess I could shine a light on your ignorance. We Vathari thrive on battle, in the past we used to start a war with the humans every few years, but for centuries we have been forced to seek out new entertainment. The dwarves are a hearty bunch and good at battle but without any diversity it does get a tad boring. Though I do wish there was more than just one of you, but we will take what we can get. In the morning you will find yourself submerged in my best warriors I hope you keep us entertained and should you live please do stop by and take me up on our offer. Nothing is more celebrated in our culture than a skilled warrior even one of our enemies.”
The Vathari disappeared leaving Thad alone with the information he had been given. The option to visit their city was still open but only if he lived through the coming battles. It sounded easy at first but so far they had chosen where and when the battles would take place. It didn’t seem like the Vathari would allow that to continue for much longer.
As soon as his eyes opened Thad was on his feet and off to where Crusher slept. The dwarf didn’t wake easily and Thad to finally hit him over the head with the flat of his sword before he opened his eyes.
After a bit of silent grumbling from his friend, Thad tried to explain what had happened. After a few illusions where he and one of the creatures talking Crusher began to understand the implication of what Thad was trying to tell him.
Thad wasn’t sure what reaction Crusher would have but instead of flying off the handle he merely grumbled a bit and pulled out a white rock and began drawing plans on the large map on the far wall.
After scratching at the wall for a bit Crusher began pacing back and forth running his hands on the top of his bald head. Thad found it more than slightly entertaining to watch the dwarf as he tried to decide their next move. The dwarf looked excited and agitated at the same time. Thad had to admit to feeling a bit of excitement himself. It was obvious from his discussion with the creature that the dwarves and the Vathari had an ongoing fight for thousands of years. It didn’t seem to be out of hatred on the Vatharis side but just out of a need to test themselves in battle.
