by Charles Lamb
“AY YAY YAY, you are still alive, boychick!” King Teivel cried out as he crossed the open area between the diggers and where the three lay, his arms spread wide.
“I said a bracha over you as we finished off the vilda chaya there, you looked pretty fershlugginer I might add,” he said as he pointed to the severed dragons head and then back to Alex.
Alex was as lost as ever with the dwarf’s statement, but he could read the joy in his mannerism.
“What happened?” Alex asked the dwarf, while pointing to the beheaded dragon.
“When you fried that shlimazel there, the bolt kept going and made the wall plotz. The smell of gold had the rest of my men in here mach shnel and we finished off that shlemiel,” the king explained pointing from one dragon to another.
“When I saw the gold you exposed, it left me ver clempt,” the king replied. Alex almost swore he had a tear in his eye.
“OK, well that’s great, but we need to get moving,” he replied as he attempted to rise. He had gotten no farther than half way up before his head began to spin and he dropped back down.
“Gay shlafen, we will stand guard until you are rested enough to travel,” the king declared as he waved Alex back down to his resting position. With that, the dwarf walked back to where his men were carving away at the chamber wall. He could hear them cheer every time a gold nugget was released from the stone and dirt.
“He’s right, Alex; we need to rest before we continue. As it is, Cassie is not going to be able to walk for a day or two,” she said, pointing to the bandaged leg.
It was then that Leander appeared, carrying Alex’s sword and looking somewhat chagrined.
“Here is your sword,” he announced as he set the exposed blade next to Alex.
“I had hoped you wouldn’t mind me borrowing it as I scouted the tunnels on the other side. It worked quite well against the dragon, better than the spear, I think,” he said in way of an explanation as he pointed to the dead dragon and the other side of the chamber.
“You used it on that thing?” Alex asked as he point to the beast.
“After you dispatched the dragon charging Lady Cassandra and myself, I saw you fall. I was able to close the distance before the beast reached you and drove the spear into its side. From there I withdrew the blade from its eye. With the help of the dwarves, we were able to dispatch the creature in no time,” Leander finished.
Alex suspected that there was much more to that tale as Leander would have had to fend off the dragon for several minutes before the dwarves could arrive. From his appearance, torn clothing and covered in blood splatter, it must have been a hell of a fight.
“It’s my pleasure,” Alex replied with a smile as he offered his hand to his friend. Leander accepted the hand and then continued to speak, the show of affection embarrassing the man.
“The dwarves tell me that the tunnel runs straight and true from here to the base of Gundor Stronghold. Once we reach the mountain, there is a labyrinth of tunnels we will have to explore to find the dragon’s lair.”
“And they have no suggestions?” Cassie asked, her discomfort obvious as she constantly shifted, looking for a more comfortable position.
“Only that we do so cautiously,” Leander replied, acknowledging the lack of helpfulness in the statement.
----*----
Kelby had managed to locate a small room near the kitchens to store the contents of the packhorse, its condition indicating a lack of use. With all the activity from the wagons to the kitchens, no one paid them any attention as she and her sister transferred the goods. It was also their good fortune that most of the kitchen staff was male, so all felt the sisters’ influence.
By the time the wagons were unloaded, both women had secured positions as kitchen servants, providing almost unlimited access to the castle. Kelby’s biggest concern was that Alex and the rest of the group would appear before the sisters had an opportunity to search the floors above the kitchen.
With the day’s work complete, she set about organizing the quarters they had been provided, while fending off the various men nosing around the new arrivals. She did have to acknowledge that while her talents in manipulating men were valuable, at times she wished she could just turn it off.
With the last suitor for their affections turned away for the night, Kelby watched Leena bar the door before each settled into the spartan beds. The two quietly discussed the tasks to be completed in the morning, splitting the workload. With nothing more to say, she doused the candle and silently slipped into a deep sleep.
----*----
Cassie was the first to wake after the four had taken King Teivel’s advice and gone to sleep. There were only two torches burning, and those had been set far enough away to provide a soft glow where the humans had set up camp. She could still hear the sounds of digging from across the chamber as the dwarves continued to pursue their gold strike.
She smiled as she saw Kinsey curled up between her and Alex, her eyes open and watching Cassie. She hadn’t bothered to lift her head, but she watched Cassie’s every move as she slowly sat up. The shooting pain she felt throughout her body at the effort reminded her of the thrashing she had received while in the dragon’s grasp.
She was thankful that Alex had not had the opportunity to inspect her more closely, as she was positive she was bruised from head to toe. While she was very appreciative of his protective nature, she feared he would send her back with the dwarves rather than allow her to continue the quest.
Earlier, while Alex was unconscious, Abrianna had been emphatic that, had he not been able to assist her, Cassie would have perished due to the poison’s effects. She had described the amazing strength of his magic and how she had to temper his efforts. Both cousins were becoming very aware of his growing capabilities.
She knew that once they rescued her mom, Alex and her uncle needed to spend some serious time together for his training. She had heard him comment more than once about the need to learn control, particularly when one had great power. What bothered her was the look of concern her uncle had when he talked about Alex.
“What’s wrong?” Cassie heard from nearby. She turned slightly to see Abrianna watching her from her bedroll.
“You were frowning,” she added once her cousin faced her.
“I’m just worried about Alex, he took quite a beating,” she lied. There was no point in voicing her concerns now. Abrianna laughed softly at the comment before replying.
“Cassie honey, of the four of us, you are by far the worse for wear. I am just drained,” Abrianna replied while indicating Leander and Alex in the reference.
Cassie scanned the motionless forms of the two men, both still sleeping soundly. Even in the dim light, she could see the battered forms in tattered clothing. She recalled they had barely enough strength to wash the dragon’s blood away, finding a few contributions of their own in the process.
“And he is always trying to protect me,” she added as an afterthought while motioning to Alex.
“Lady Cassandra, if he hadn’t pulled you out of the way when he did, that dragon would have killed you,” Leander declared, apparently now awake as well. While the three continued to talk in hushed tones, Cassie watched Alex sleep.
“As battered as we are, we need to be careful of the dangers ahead,” Leander had just cautioned when Alex suddenly bolted awake.
“Danger, what danger?” he cried out as he sat up, bleary eyed and scrambling for his sword.
“There is no danger, Alex,” Cassie replied as she leaned forward to try to calm her fiancée. It took a moment before he appeared to recognize his surroundings. While he did so, Abrianna and Leander began to move about their camp, relighting the fire and preparing breakfast.
She watched as Alex gingerly began the process of standing. He seemed to be testing each of his limbs to ensure stability before finally gaining his feet. It was then that the dwarf appeared and wrapped him in a bear hug that she was sure would do him in!
----
*----
Alex was sore everywhere, but he knew he couldn’t let it prevent him from continuing the quest. After awaking in a panic, he had been testing his arms and legs to see if anything objected. Next, he needed to see if he had the strength to stand, which proved questionable.
He could see Cassie watching him, concern written all over her face. He needed to put on a good show for her to allay any fears. He had just managed to balance on his own two feet when the dwarf king appeared out of nowhere and wrapped him in a bone-crushing embrace.
“Bubbele, you are up and around! What chutzpah!” King Teivel bellowed.
“Thanks,” Alex managed after the dwarf released him.
“We have been digging all night. This is a gosys gefinen!” Teivel announced. Alex assumed that meant it was a good find.
“We are going to need to get moving soon. Can I beg a favor of you to gather supplies for us?” Alex asked Teivel
“You are no shnorror; you have earned anything you need!” Teivel exclaimed, pointing to the dead dragons and then the gaping hole where the dwarves had tunneled, following the gold vein. The sight of the dragons made Alex ache all the more, but he put that out of his mind as he did a quick inventory.
“I was told we are about a day’s travel to the base of Gundor. I would think no more than two or three day’s supplies,” Leander provided. Alex smiled and nodded thanks to his friend.
“Keyn problem! I will have someone bring you what you need within the hour!” the dwarf answered
“You are welcome to come along,” Alex offered, hoping for some extra backs to carry things.
“Gay ga zinta hate, we will stay here and dig, mazel tov,” the King replied before giving Alex another bear hug and then heading back to the digging.
Alex turned to Abrianna, holding up both hands in a gesture of confusion.
“He said go in good health. It is a nice way of saying we are on our own from here on,” she interpreted.
“I had to try,” Alex shrugged as he began sorting through their gear, separating the must haves from the niceties. He still wasn’t sure how Cassie was going to travel, and had to force her to sit several times.
“I’ll be fine!’ she replied after the third attempt.
“Abrianna, will you please watch her while Leander and I get things ready?” he asked in exasperation.
While sorting through the gear discarded by the dwarves turned miners, he was able to piece together a set of crutches. In addition, he fashioned a pair of backpacks, allowing he and Leander to carry the bulk of the supplies they required.
They sat down to a simple but filling meal, Abrianna insistent that everyone eat as much as possible to help restore their strength. Alex was surprised to see the healer put away more than he or Leander. She continued to snack as they finished their preparations to leave, including Leander and Alex in the tidbits.
After a quick lesson with Cassie and the crutches, the party bid farewell to the dwarves and headed into the tunnels. If anyone noted that Alex had gathered torches instead of using magic to illuminate their path, they choose not to speak of it.
Chapter 25
Leena had started early, working with the kitchen staff in preparing the meals for the guards while Kelby headed upstairs to begin her search. Using the guise of one of the chambermaids, she worked her way into the royal quarters, learning the layout.
Each sister had a list of people and locations to find before the day was done. Leena was to locate the guard’s quarters for both factions in the castle while Kelby was to locate the private quarters of the notables in residence. Both sought any references to the dragon’s lair below the stronghold.
It didn’t take long to discover which part of the castle was occupied by Tantalus and which was not. The guards had staked out positions in the halls on various levels, challenging anyone who entered. It was becoming quite obvious that the Vassal King had an unwelcome guest.
Rather than wander the halls in the brazen fashion of an oversexed mermaid, flirting her way past the guards, she had chosen to downplay her appearance. The last thing she wanted to do was raise suspicions with either Tantalus or the Royal Family. As it was, most Ladies of the castle had issues with overly attractive maids near their husbands.
Before long, Kelby had managed to locate everything on her list, so she delayed as she completed the chores assigned by the castle’s head steward. She needed to maintain her charade for as long as necessary without raising suspicions. The problem was that the head steward had taken a fancy to her and she was supposed to finish her duties in his quarters.
He was a nasty, overweight man who she doubted had seen a bath this year. They idea of drowning him by enticing him into a bathtub occupied her thoughts as she wandered from room to room cleaning up after the departed occupants.
“Girl, are you new here?” Kelby heard from behind as she made the bed in one of the rooms on the Royal side of the castle. Turning, she discovered a woman, likely the Lady of the castle, emerging from a dressing room off the main bedroom. Kelby noted that she wasn’t completely dressed yet as her gown was loose about her shoulder.
“Yes my Lady,” Kelby answered as she did her best to curtsy, an action she had never even seen done before.
“I thought as much. Most of the staff knows not to enter this room until asked. Well, come here and help me since you are here. Come, make yourself useful!” the woman snapped as she turned, indicating Kelby should help with her dress.
“Yes, ma’am,” Kelby replied as she hurried across the room to help the woman dress. As she did, she smiled as she realized this was the solution to her problems with the head steward.
----*----
Leander, torch in one hand and spear in the other, led the four through the tunnel with Abrianna, and then Cassie right behind him. Alex and Kinsey were bringing up the rear where he could protect their flank and watch over Cassie at the same time. She was maneuvering fairly well on the crutches, thanks to the dwarves’ handiwork in the tunnels.
Alex hadn’t paid much attention before, but with his fiancée hobbling along, the quality of the tunnel floors had become of great interest. He was grateful that Leander had kept a reasonable pace that allowed Cassie to not overextend herself trying to keep up.
As it was, he was happy that they were not being pressed for time, as his own strength was in question. If everything was going according to plan, the twins should be just gaining access to Gundor and delivering Alex’s special packages.
During one of the many rest breaks where everyone consumed food and water, he noticed that the pounding in his head had subsided. He was also more alert as he observed, for the first time, Abrianna inspecting Cassie’s leg.
He could see the green energy streams emanating from Abrianna and wrapping themselves around the bandaged limb. Closing his eyes and using his senses, he could see the healing taking place.
“Enough, Brie,” he heard Cassie say as she pulled away from her cousin’s touch. Alex could detect the depletion of Abrianna’s own strength from the effort. Alex stepped forward as she straighten up, wrapping both arms around her and hugging her.
“Thank you,” he whispered in her ear as he held her tight. Not in water, Cassie couldn’t see how he enveloped her in a cloak of white energy, restoring her strength before Abrianna realized what he was up to.
Abrianna took a step back after Alex released her, the flash of anger in her face soon replaced with a warm smile of thanks. Only the two of them knew what had taken place, and Abrianna was not about to divulge Alex’s sacrifice. What was done was done, and she understood why.
Returning to his resting spot, he reseated himself and watched as Cassie flexed her leg, apparently happy with the improvements.
----*----
Kelby was still upstairs in the same bedroom when the head steward burst in on her. She was seated quietly on a small bench at the end of the bed, and appeared to be waiting for something.
“What are you still doing up here?
You were supposed to meet me an hour ago,” the man shouted as he crossed over to her.
“What is the meaning of this?” the Lady of the castle asked pointedly as she emerged from the dressing room.
“Forgive me, my lady. I was just looking for this lazy maid,” he replied as he bowed before the woman.
“This girl has been helping me all morning and is far from lazy. We are in the process of exchanging my fall wardrobe for a more appropriate winter look!’ she snapped at the man as he groveled before here.
“Yes, my lady. I was unaware,” the man answered while looking daggers at Kelby as she did her best angelic face.
“I suggest you find another girl to harass as she will be busy helping me for quite a while,” the Lady replied as she motioned the steward out of her chambers.
“Now, where were we?” the Lady said absently as she returned to her dressing room. Kelby had discovered an entirely different kind of flirting as she continued to endear herself to the Lady of the castle. She watched as the woman appeared with another ensemble in hand.
“Oh no, my Lady, that will never do for a winter look,” she stated while batting her eyes.
----*----
Alex caught up with Leander and the women as they stopped for a rest. They had passed another spring in the tunnels and, while everyone else pressed on, Alex stopped to top off the water skins and let Kinsey drink her fill. As he approached, he noticed the three looking around from their seated positions.
“I think we are here,” Leander commented as Alex came into view. Sure enough, the tunnel had taken on a different appearance, as it widened slightly, and was much taller. Alex passed the seated forms and ventured ahead, only to find where the tunnel split into two passages. Turning back, he returned to the three and found his own place against one wall.
“We should sleep here before going any farther,” he informed the rest of the party. He could see Cassie struggling with her reply before she finally agreed.
