by Ben Hale
“There are many sights in the city I can show you, if you would care to join me.”
Jack grunted in annoyance. “I don’t think—”
“Don’t be rude,” Lorelia said, and smiled at the hunter. “That would be wonderful.”
The hunter smiled and used the pan’s handle to flip the fish. Roarthin muttered disparaging comments at the dark elf’s expense and Jack exchanged a look with him.
“In our society, females always eat first,” Riskellion said.
Lorelia withdrew her plate from her pack and handed it to him with a smile. The dark elf drew a dagger and sliced a piece for her. As he served Ursana and Beauty, Jack noticed the humor on Thalidon’s expression.
“Something amusing?” he murmured.
“I’ve never seen women choose another over you.” The dwarf stifled a laugh.
Jack bit back the acid response as the dark elf stepped in front of him. Although he would have liked to take the fish and throw it into the dirt, he forced a smile and held up his plate. Then he stabbed his fork into the steaming meat and took a bite.
To his dismay it was delicious, with an undercurrent of spice that caused his tongue to tingle. As the others praised the food he finished the meal and scraped the plate clean. Then he leaned back and tried to ignore the banter between Beauty, Lorelia, and Riskellion. Fortunately, the other hunters had loaded the cart with the other gorthon by the time everyone had eaten, allowing the group to depart.
Jack slipped to the rear as the group wound their way through giant caverns and plunging underground canyons. Shortly after, Lorelia dropped back to walk beside him. Jack slowed, putting enough distance between them and the group that the keen eared elves would not be able to overhear.
“There’s no need for you to sulk,” she said.
Jack scowled at the rebuke. “I’m not sulking,” he said, but his voice betrayed him, causing her to grin.
“He knows he’s attractive and we’re using it against him,” she said.
Jack stared at her, and then issued a chagrined laugh. “Your persona is flawless, as always.”
“You use anger to cause your foe to make mistakes,” she said. “We use beauty. There’s nothing that causes men to forget like a pretty woman paying attention to them. By the time we arrive in Elsurund he won’t care why we’re here.”
“He’s smarter than a bored guard in a tavern,” he warned.
“You didn’t see through it.”
He sniffed and looked away. “Of course I did.”
She gave a smug laugh, and after a moment he joined in. Then they accelerated to catch up to the group. Now that Jack knew their purpose, he caught the flicker of falseness in Beauty’s fawning looks, and the trace of forced humor in her laughter. No trace of such deception was visible in Ursana, who continued to laugh a little too shrilly when Riskellion spoke.
The dark elves used frost stones to prevent the gorthon from spoiling, but they hastened their journey anyway. Two days after departing the broken bridge, the road began to widen and other dark elf travelers appeared. They cast the thieves curious glances but otherwise paid them no mind.
The road split into dozens of smaller paths. The main throughway was lit with ambient light from the rocks, but the side paths were as dark as midnight. Undeterred, groups of dark elves geared for mining or hunting slipped out of view. A group with a similar cart passed them by, their expressions turning envious at the large haul that Riskellion had caught. One of Riskellion’s hunters smirked and made a rude gesture. Then he spoke in an aside to Jack.
“Normally we bring home one or two. Six is a fortune.”
Overhearing the comment, Lorelia turned to Riskellion. “I assume we’ll receive a portion of the sale,” she said.
He grinned at her bold statement. “I’ll give you a third of the two you killed.”
“Half,” she countered.
“Done,” he replied, his smile smug enough to suggest he’d gotten the better end of the deal.
The road curved into a wide courtyard. Dark elves and a smattering of dwarves bustled about, meeting with merchants, hunters, or miners returning or departing. Beyond them a high arch provided a view of the city. Pressing through the crowd, they crossed the threshold into a mammoth cavern. Miles across, the enormous space lacked a floor, leaving a gaping hole of darkness under the hanging city.
Stalactites the size of a Terros district hung from the cavern ceiling. Homes, shops, roads, and courtyards were visible inside them. Underground plants glowed across every surface in green, purple, and blue. The fluorescent growths illuminated the city like a midday sun, lending it elegance and grace.
Arching bridges connected the massive stalactites. Like threads of stone they extended between the stalactites at a variety of heights. Graceful paths curved around the exterior, allowing dark elves to ascend to the higher levels.
Balconies and windows were abundant, and extended from gardens, streets, and shops. Light glowed from the openings, providing a glimpse of the city’s denizens within. Streams flowed in and through the stalactites, ultimately joining into endless waterfalls that fell into the massive abyss.
Riskellion smirked at their silent shock. “Welcome to Elsurund.”
Chapter 23: Elsurund
They crossed a bridge that led to a massive stalactite. Weaving their way through a crowd of dark elves, they passed under a portcullis to enter a large circular courtyard. Battlements ringed the space with two companies of dark elf soldiers. Although most of the soldiers were male, the majority of officers were female.
“What’s that?” Ursana asked.
Jack followed her gaze to a figure of pure, liquid silver. It resembled a female dark elf but moved like water. As Jack watched, its head melted and flowed into a cart ahead of them, obviously searching the interior. The jelraw shifted its feet and its mouth snapped over the liquid hand. Unperturbed, the hand flowed between the teeth and reformed at the same time the head returned. A nearby soldier shouted for them to continue.
“That’s one of the Silver Guard,” Riskellion said. “Entities of magic that obey the queen and those under her command. To cross one is to invite a swift death.”
“And if you surrender?” Beauty asked.
“You get sent to the Pit,” Riskellion replied. “It’s the prison on the lowest point of the city.”
“Have you ever been there?” Ursana asked. She turned pink when he winked down at her.
“Once or twice.”
The cart ahead of them pressed on and the Silver Guard glided to them. A longsword flowed from the liquid in its hand and it used the blade to lift one of the fish to look beneath it. It had taken three dark elves with enchanted nets to lift the gorthon corpse but the Silver Guard did so with ease.
Satisfied, the enchanted soldier withdrew and Riskellion barked an order to the jelraw. The lizard scrabbled forward, pulling the cart through another gate and onto a bridge. Jack’s eyes were drawn upward to a quartet of Silver Guard standing on the battlements above.
The enchanted defenders stared down at the thieves as they passed below them, their heads turning as if they were alive. Their features were bland and expressionless, but the spears growing from their liquid flesh made them appear sinister. Riskellion noticed Jack’s attention and grinned.
“The Silver Guard are as lethal as they are stunning,” he said, his eyes on Lorelia.
The possessive glint to his gaze caused Jack to laugh. “Of that I have no doubt.”
Mistaking Jack’s meaning, he smiled and stepped to Lorelia’s side, engaging her in conversation. She took advantage of the opportunity and asked him about the city. Jack settled in behind him and Beauty took a place at his side. With the cart ambling behind them Jack gazed on the wonders of Elsurund.
“The city sections are called spines,” Riskellion said, gesturing to the massive stalactite they were approaching. “Each is controlled by a collection of houses that elect a reign at their head.”
They
passed through another portcullis and entered the hollowed out interior of the spine. Spiral staircases ascended into the ceiling, many supported by underground trees. Instead of leaves, threads of orange hung from the branches like glowing hair. The trees provided both illumination and beauty to the market, and were interspersed with stands of giant mushrooms.
Shops were nestled between trees and mushrooms, half-hidden and mysterious. Lacking walls or ceilings, the shops dotted the slopes of rolling hills. Trails split off from the main road, curving and disappearing into a maze of enticing displays. Weapons and armor glittered beside strange artifacts, each more desirable than the last. Jack’s hands twitched and he resisted the urge to swipe a figurine of a cat fashioned from blue diamond and mithral.
“This is the Enzoar Spine,” Riskellion said. “As you can see they deal mostly in metalwork.”
Vast openings in the exterior of the spine provided a near uninterrupted view of the other city spines, and Jack ascended a trail in order to look outward. Balconies and trickling streams dotted the exterior of huge stalactites. A female dark elf strode onto a balcony, her jewelry sparkling in the light. He smiled, imagining how easy it would be to slip into the homes that filled the upper levels of the city.
He turned his gaze downward but there was little to see. An ocean of darkness filled his view. A merchant from nearby noticed his scrutiny and stepped to his side. She smiled as Jack turned to her.
“First time in Elsurund?”
“It’s a city of wonders,” he replied, and then gestured at the view. “What lies beneath?”
“The Well of Shadow has no end,” she said. “And none have ever returned.”
He peaked an eyebrow. “None?”
“No one knows why,” she said.
“You chose a dangerous place to build a city,” Jack said wryly.
“It is defensible from many of the dangers in the Deep,” she said. Then she glided close and traced a line down his chest. “Will you be staying a while?”
He disentangled himself and stepped away. “Perhaps,” he said with a smile. “If there are more like you.”
Her eager laugh followed him as he rejoined the group. Riskellion then turned up a curving path to reach a higher level before leading them to Lojanis, the spine of merchants. Riskellion brought the cart to a halt behind what was unmistakably a meal hall. Built of massive bones, the structure bore a sign that read The Dragon’s Fate. Savory smells wafted out the enormous jaws that formed the entrance.
A dark elf exited and greeted Riskellion, and as they set to haggling Jack motioned Lorelia to the side. Noticing the motion, Beauty joined them. Under the guise of examining a shelf of amulets, Jack moved them out of earshot.
“We’re in the city,” he said. “What now?”
Lorelia picked up an amulet and threw a glance at Riskellion. “His desires for me are not exactly honorable. If I can get him into a private setting, we can use him.”
“You think he knows where the key is?” Beauty asked, her tone doubtful.
“It’s possible,” Lorelia said. “The way he talks I get the feeling hunting gorthon is the least of what he’s done. And he may not look it, but he’s well into his third century.”
“You can tell his age?” Jack asked.
“His earring has a minor illusion charm on it. I can’t be certain, but I suspect it smoothes slight imperfections in his skin, making him look younger than he is.”
“A man fighting his age,” Jack said, smiling as he examined a bracelet with a shimmering charm on it.
Beauty grinned at his smug expression. “He clearly lacks ambition, which means he’s been employed in a variety of professions. One such as him is likely to have heard of the key. We should be cautious not to tip our hand.”
“We should also seek Val’Trisian,” Beauty said.
“Who?” Lorelia asked.
“One of the ruling women of the city,” Jack said with a nod of agreement. “We met her almost a year ago when she took Nemeth.”
Lorelia smiled faintly. “The same Nemeth that was mysteriously taken by the dark elves for stealing the very amulet you were hired to get back to them?”
“You told her?” Jack asked, annoyed that Beauty had revealed the truth.
“I didn’t.” Beauty said, indignant. “It wasn’t my secret to tell.”
Lorelia laughed at his dismay. “You didn’t think I’d find the truth? How easily you underestimate me. Still haven’t figured out why . . .” She let the question hang but Jack didn’t respond. Then her lips tightened. “Given what you know about me, I would think you’d be more forthcoming with your secrets.”
Beauty glanced between them. “What going on between you two?”
“Not my secret to tell,” Jack said evenly.
Lorelia laughed, breaking the tension. “Go find your ally. I’ll get what I can from Riskellion before slipping a drug into his drink.” Her eyes settled on Jack. “Meet back here when you’ve learned what you can.”
“And us?” Gordon asked, bending down as if to tie his boot. Ursana leaned against the gorthon cart to block the view of their conversation.
Lorelia gestured to the dwarves and they drifted close to listen. “Learn what you can in the taverns,” she said, “and meet here at whatever time they call midnight. Wait until after dinner to make your exit or it’ll look suspicious.”
The thieves nodded their agreement and ambled back to the tavern. Jack stepped in to find the interior as lavish as the exterior. Great dragon bones arched above them, supporting hanging lights that resembled stars. The tables were made from pieces of the backbone, and were carved with intricate designs. Claws and teeth formed curved benches where wealthy dark elves dined on steaming dishes. Ancient red scales on the exterior formed a barrier that granted the patrons a measure of privacy from the rest in the spine.
“Who died to make this place?” Beauty muttered.
Jack cast her a look. “Don’t tell me you care for dragons, now.”
She shook her head. “I saw one, once.”
“And survived?” Ursana asked.
“The one I met was young,” she said. “Barely had its wings. It wasn’t the devourer I’d been told it would be.”
“This one would have been ancient,” Thalidon said, gesturing to the ceiling. “A behemoth of tremendous power.”
Riskellion finished his haggling and joined them. Overhearing the last of their conversation, he grinned. “Sadly it was not slain by mortal hand. It died in the Great Draeken War, killed by a white dragon in the battle of Xshaltheria. An enterprising dark elf found the corpse and brought it here, piece by piece. Her descendents still own it.”
“Now your people dine in the belly of the beast,” Roarthin said with a snort.
“If you can afford it,” Riskellion said with a light laugh. “It’s the most prestigious tavern in the city—but worth it.” He smiled at the girls in a manner that made Ursana flush and turn away. “I always pay for my companions, and the seats beside me are warm and ready for a nice—”
“Why thank you,” Jack said, sliding in front of Lorelia. “I’ll take that offer.”
Riskellion blinked in surprise. “That wasn’t—”
“You offered to pay for your guests,” Jack replied, feigning gratitude. “How generous of you.”
Beauty’s lips twitched but she managed to hold the grin in check. “Thank you, Riskellion. I’m sure that will cost a fortune.”
Lorelia slid past the sputtering dark elf and took a seat at a large table nearby. “You are too kind.”
His eyes narrowed at her smile. “You are more shrewd than I gave you credit,” he said in chagrin.
Jack laughed and took a seat with the others. “Someone of your age should know not to underestimate a surface dweller.”
Riskellion’s eyes narrowed, but he forced a smile and took a seat beside Lorelia. “Let us eat, shall we? Then you can be on your way, before you encounter the dangerous side of the Deep.”
/> The veiled threat made Jack smirk. “I like the dangerous side,” he said.
Ursana snorted into the drink a barmaid had just placed in front of her. “It’s true.”
“Perhaps you can go find what we came for,” Lorelia said.
“Before the meal?” Jack asked, indignant.
Beauty motioned to the dark elf approaching their table. “We’ll take our meal with us.”
“He has the coin,” Jack said, gesturing to Riskellion.
“Apparently I’m more generous than I thought,” he said sourly.
“Come now,” Lorelia said, drawing his gaze with a dazzling smile. “Is it not worth it?”
“Time will tell,” he said, his eyes brightening.
Beauty took the opportunity to pull Jack outside, but Riskellion only had eyes for Lorelia. A moment later a dark elf came out with roasted meat on a shard of bone. He looked Beauty up and down.
“Come back anytime,” he said with a lascivious smile.
When he was gone Jack snorted. “Are all males attracted to you?”
“Are all females attracted to you?”
He laughed at her mimicking his tone. “I have no argument for that.”
She grinned. “Let’s go see if one in particular remembers you.”
Chapter 24: Aranis
“This is delicious,” Beauty said.
She savored the last bite and then tossed the bone over the edge of the bridge. Jack watched it tumble into the abyss before adding his own to the fall. Smacking his lips, he gestured to the city.
“It appears Elsurund has more to offer than I’d originally thought.”
The trees and plant life had dimmed over the last hour, approaching what Jack suspected to be Elsurund’s version of twilight. The streets had emptied of shoppers with the crowds moving to the taverns. The stragglers betrayed a sinister intent, and they eyed Jack and Beauty from dark alleys. Beauty’s eyes flicked to them.
“I don’t recall our meal coming with a helping of being knifed in the back,” she said.
“They think we have an abundance of coin,” Jack replied.
