by Bill Mays
“Please, Mr. ummm … Mr. Gnome,” Nivit smiled weakly, “Don’t toss us out. Herrin and Tark can’t fly and we’re a long way up from the street.”
“What?” The little man looked at her in annoyance. “I told ye me name was Kussenavis Abranemere Mortikianovan, the Fourth, not Mr. Gnome. Can’t ye remember anything ye daft fairy?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. umm … Mr. Kus…” Nivit struggled to recall his name properly.
“We have come to see if you might be able to do a bit of translating for us. I believe it to be writing in the language of the ancients. Are you skilled in translations of magical writings?” Herrin interrupted just in the nick of time.
“Why, it’s one of me specialties!” Kussenavis beamed. “That along with visual augmentation, animal evolutionary studies, transmutation of both organic and inorganic substances, as well as extra dimensional formation and arrangement. I’m just an alchemist on the side, in me spare time.”
Nivit and Tark stared at the gnome dumbly. “Did anyone understand any of that?” The gladiator whispered.
“He said he’s scatter-brained,” Ado whispered back.
“He said he can help us,” Herrin coughed with a glare in Ado’s general direction.
“Yes, yes, let me see what ye need translated.” The gnome held out his hand.
Herrin handed him the now tiny parchment. He looked at her with a puzzled expression. Kussenavis scrutinized the tiny writing for a moment squinting as best he could and then handed it back to the miniature woman.
“Nope, I can’t read it,” he said matter-of-factly. “It’s too small.” The gnome then turned to study a small dog seated nearby.
“Oh brother,” Ado sighed, “Do you have a young goblin relative by any chance? He goes by the name of Gringey,” he asked sarcastically.
Herrin and Tark exchanged looks. “Perhaps when it returns to its original size you might be able to make it out a little better?” Herrin suggested.
The gnome looked up from his business. “Well why did ye hand me something to read if ye didn’t think I’d be able to read it in the first place? Humans, always so confusing,” the colorfully dressed man muttered. He stared at the woman and her tiny parchment expectantly. “How long should I be waiting? Me time is quite valuable, you know? I will be charging ye for me services.”
“You told us it would only last a few moments!” Tark snapped in frustration.
“What will only last a few moments?” The gnome looked confused.
“Our size! You said we’d return to normal soon!”
“I know that! What are ye, daft? We’re talking about your magical writing,” the gnome looked just as frustrated.
“It will return to normal size when we do!” Tark yelled angrily.
“No need to yell. All ye had to do was say so. Humans and their tempers … sheesh! If that is what we’re waiting on then why did ye interrupt me study of the animal?”
Tark threw up his hands in frustration and moved to sit next to the gem. Ado’s giggle rang out of thin air. Nivit sat next to Tark quietly. She was not following any of this exchange.
“Humans never do make any sense,” Kussenavis mumbled as he returned to his work with the dog. “Sometimes I wonder why I came to live among them.”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Tark, I think it’s gnomes that are hard to understand,” the fairy smiled up at him comfortingly.
* * * * * * * * * *
After what felt like forever, the companions began to grow, finally returning to their normal sizes. “That was a lot longer than a few moments,” Tark griped at the gnome. “It was more like an hour!”
Kussenavis looked up at the man in annoyance. “I do have a concept of time, human. Gnomes are very good with time, so why are ye trying to explain the concept to me?”
The rage in Tark’s eyes was boiling over. Ado flew away as another giggle echoed out. Herrin stepped between the gladiator and the colorful little man.
“Here is the writing we need you to look at.” The sage handed the parchment to the gnome.
He scanned the paper intensely for a long while. He turned it this way and that way. He even turned it upside down and then scratched his pointy little ear.
“This is written in some old foreign language,” the gnome announced finally.
“We already told you that!” Tark stomped away; he could not stand to look at the annoying little creature another second. Even Herrin released a sigh of frustration. The old woman took a deep breath and tried again.
“Yes, I think it is in the language of the ancients. Can you translate it?”
“So, ye want it translated, huh? That is one of me specialties, ye know? It’ll cost ye, though,” the gnome looked the rag-adorned woman up and down skeptically.
“We can pay,” Tark grumbled from across the room. Ado was busy snooping through the shelves and potions while Nivit played with the animals.
The gnome studied the paper a bit longer in silence. “Very well then, I have made me decision.”
Tark’s head snapped up. That was quicker than he could have expected. He was anxiously awaiting the gnome’s findings. The big man was more than ready to leave this obnoxious man and his noisy laboratory far behind.
Kussenavis paused for effect. “I will translate this writing for ye,” he announced pointedly.
Tark sat at a small table and rested his head in his hands. This was turning out to be a long day. Sometimes, Tark wondered why he left the relatively simple life of the arena. You had training and fighting, no gremlins, no country spanning wars, and absolutely no gnomes. He thought Ado to be the most frustrating creature in the world. He was wrong. He had never met a gnome like Kussenavis before.
Herrin sat by offering what little assistance she could, while the gnome mage, inventor, alchemist, scribe, scientist did his work. Kussenavis labored over the parchment for many hours. He mumbled incantations, drank certain potions from his stock, placed strange carvings from his shelves on the paper and even asked questions of his animals. Occasionally, he would stand, throw up his hands in frustration and wander around the room muttering. The sage was beginning to wonder if the gremlin’s assessment was right. Maybe the gnome was simply scatter-brained.
Rather abruptly, he turned to Herrin with a sly grin. “This is talking about that gem ye carry,” he grinned and nodded at the old woman. “It’s a warning. There are far too many variables and wards to translate it exactly, but it says something about not awakening the blue gem of power. It also predicts great change, or maybe it means catastrophe, for those of ye who do. Basically, it’s telling ye not to use or even move that stone ye are wearing, lad.” The small man eyed Tark suspiciously.
Tark shook his head in his hands. The last thing he wanted to hear was that he should not be doing what he had already done, and he sure did not want to hear it from this annoying gnome. “Does it say what I can do to repair the damage once it’s already done?” Tark was filled with mixed emotions. He was happy to be learning something, but he feared it would only lead him to more questions.
“I think it says to put it to bed, or is it rest, or maybe take it home? It says something like that,” the gnome shrugged. “I wouldn’t want to be in yer shoes; that’s for sure. Ye hold one of the legendary gems of power, human. I didn’t even believe they really existed before today. That’s a dangerous toy to be playing with.” The little, bearded man shook his head disapprovingly. “Ye should never have touched it, if ye ask me. Humans, always so power hungry. Then, once things come back to bite ye, ye‘re always so sorry and ready to shift the blame.”
In an instant Tark lost his control. He jumped to his feet and snatched the gnome from the ground with both hands. The big man lifted the little scientist to his eye level.
“I never wanted this thing!” He yelled in Kussenavis’ face.
The gnome used one hand to wipe some of the gladiator’s saliva from his bearded cheek. “Well ye got it now, and ye got to make it right again!” The gnome yelled
back fearlessly. “Now put me down, pay me, and get out before ye go bringing yer catastrophes down on me shop or me animals!”
Tark’s first instinct was to throw the aggravating gnome against the wall, but Herrin and Nivit were at his side talking him out of his unnatural rage. Eventually, the big man lowered Kussenavis to his feet. Ado was sad to see it. He was hoping the gladiator would do something painful to the annoying gnome. Tark slapped a few more gold coins down on the table then stomped right out of the door to the workshop and down the floating stairs. Ado and Nivit were quick to follow him. Herrin paused and looked to the little gnome, seriously. She had other concerns.
“Why has Talwen not taken heed of the king’s declarations?” She asked. “We heard of your current plight while visiting Vool Hearth.”
“Bah, the king’s troubles don’t concern us, not here. Talwen governs Talwen, besides who would dare come here looking for trouble?” He smirked.
“The reivers and their followers perhaps?” The old sage replied.
“Reivers - smeivers! Magic locked them away once. It can be done again. And, where else in all the lands would ye find more magic than in Talwen? They’d never dare to come here.” The gnome walked away counting his coins and chuckling to himself happily. “Close the door tightly on yer way out.”
Herrin left, shaking her head sadly. She always pitied those who were overconfident. It almost assured their downfall.
* * * * * * * * * *
As promised, Gringey awaited them on their exit of the gnome’s strange workshop. The goblin child was very pleased with himself to learn he had indeed led them to the right place. He skipped away guiding them to an inn this time. Tark felt pity for the goblin and purchased a bed for him in the common room for the night. They all slept at The Seer’s Stone. It was an inn with a prophet theme. It held a supposed crystal ball in the lobby that could show your fortune, for the right price of course. The proprietress was a minor sorceress that claimed to be able to read the messages in the crystal. Tark really did not care what shams they pulled on each other here. All he wanted was a room with a bed and a chance to discuss what they had learned this day. The companions were led upstairs to their two rooms by one of the girls who worked in the establishment. It might have been wise for them to pay the crystal ball more attention as they passed it. They might have noticed the long arms with the malformed, four-fingered hands moving in the swirling mists. Once they arrived at their sleeping chambers and the serving girl departed, Tark felt the need to clarify what he heard from the gnome.
“He said it will bring catastrophe to those who use or even move it?” Tark grumbled angrily.
“He was unsure as to the exact wording,” Herrin corrected. “Thunaren of the hearth also named the parchment a warning. That much we can be sure of, but the gnome did give us another important part to the puzzle.”
“And what part would that be?” Ado giggled, “That humans are all power hungry?”
“That’s not very nice, Mr. Ado,” Nivit chirped. The gremlin rolled his eyes at her.
“No. We learned that the gem must be laid to rest or returned home.” The sage seemed excited with this discovery.
Tark jumped at the lead. “Then you know where it needs to go?”
“Not exactly, but now I know what to look for in these other writings I carry. I need to find the place where the gems of power, the blue gem in particular originated. Perhaps if we journey to that point then the answers will become clear to us.” The old woman seemed very happy with these revelations.
“These are artifacts of the ancients, right?” Ado asked.
“Yes, possibly, why?” The old woman replied cautiously.
“Well, the ancients were here before anyone else according to legend. They were the creators of all other life in the world. They could have created the gems anywhere! We don‘t even know if that would be on Pangias!” The gremlin threw his hands up dramatically. “You really think you can pinpoint the exact spot where this particular gem was first brought into existence?”
“I certainly intend to try,” the old woman answered sternly.
Tark released a heavy sigh. Ado’s question put the task into perspective for him. “Thank you for all your effort, Herrin. I would never have gotten this far without your help. You, too, Nivit,” The gladiator smiled sadly at the women.
He was feeling hopeless again. Ado was right. Even though he had a basic understanding of what to do, he still had no idea how to accomplish that goal. All he wanted to do now was sleep, but that was another goal that eluded him. Herrin could see the weariness in the warrior’s features. She collected her assistant and set off for their room.
“We can plan our next course in the morning. Cheer up, Tark. I know you don’t see it right now, but we have made much progress this day,” the woman spoke with her motherly tone and a warm smile. The gladiator nodded his agreement.
Late in the night, a familiar popping sound resounded throughout the city. The loud noise was accompanied by a blinding flash of light. It was the sound of the protective dome giving way. It took a powerful force to bring down the dome, a force beyond that of most beings on Pangias. Talwen had visitors. These visitors were not friendly and not welcome.
- Chapter 19 -
Come the Reivers
If the loud popping sound and the bright flash of intense light had not awakened them, then the screams in the streets would have. The companions rose to what sounded like a parade.
“What in the name of all the hells is going on out there?” Tark grumbled as he rushed to gaze out the small window to the room.
Tark was not really asleep to start with. He did not need to sleep anymore. He had been resting his eyes and daydreaming. He gained some control over the randomly-flashing images that threatened to drive him mad. He learned that with concentration he could halt the spinning scenery. He chose to think about more pleasant things while he rested. His thoughts of the Lady Dalia were interrupted by the noise in the streets. Tark thought overcoming Ado’s loud snores would be enough. With Ado’s snoring, he would not have been able to sleep anyway. What was it about a comfortable room that made the gremlin snore even louder than he did on the road? The two shared one room while Herrin and her tiny assistant shared another. Ado was already sitting up in the bed grumpily mumbling the words to an invisibility spell. Better safe than sorry was the little man’s motto. The door to their bedchamber swung open as Herrin and Nivit dashed in.
“It’s the middle of the night,” the old woman complained. “What could they possibly be doing? Do you think it means trouble?” She paused for a second. “Oh, and excuse me for not knocking.” Tark shrugged away the apology.
“I choose to assume everything means trouble until proven otherwise,” Ado squeaked.
The streets were beginning to light up with various magical explosions. “Maybe it’s some kind of celebration?” The fairy suggested as she rubbed her eyes with her fists and then grinned. “The lights are pretty.”
One look outside, with the new lighting, answered all their questions. The non-magical inhabitants such as the merchants, day laborers, guides, and beggars, scrambled for cover, while the many mages and few scattered warriors of the city took up arms. Talwen was being invaded by waves of people in white robes bearing bucklers with the familiar symbol of The Order of Four.
“Not them again! Reiver fanatics!” Tark exhaled.
Just then, a young girl, one of the daughters of the inn’s proprietress, ran to the open doorway and shouted to them. “Talwen is under attack! Assistance is needed in the streets, if you are able. The dome has fallen. If you can’t help, find a good place to hide!” She then turned and ran to warn the rest of the inn’s many patrons.
“I say we take her suggestion and find a good place to hide. I can conjure another portal to get us out of here, once we know which way is safest,” Ado squeaked in a panic.
Tark felt his natural instincts kicking in. He was a warrior, a gladiator, and battle wa
s his skill. He gripped his trident tightly in both hands. He wanted to fight, not so much for Talwen as against the invaders. These overzealous fanatics had it coming. It had been some time since he was able to put his martial skills to use.
“Ado’s right. You three should take cover. I’ll do what I can and meet you back here once I’ve found a safe path to follow. Besides, I owe these fanatics a little pay back. They caught me on an off moment last time around,” the big man growled as he rushed out of the room, headed for the chaotic streets.
Herrin and Nivit hurried to the doorway. They were far too slow. Tark was already bounding down the stairs and through the crowded common room. His size allowed him to push his way through the panicked patrons easily.
“The lad is probably right. We’d just distract him out there,” the sage muttered.
“What about Gringey?” The fairy asked. “We can’t just leave him down there.”
“What? Are you serious? Forget the goblin!” Ado shrieked. “We can hide under the bed until Tark comes back. I decided, I’ll even make the ultimate sacrifice and turn Herrin invisible. Nivit can become a rat or something. Now hurry!”
The fairy looked to the frenzied room below and then back to Herrin. Her big eyes grew watery. The girl’s bottom lip stuck out and began to tremble.
Herrin sighed, “Save our place, Ado. We’ll be right back, and leave room for the child.”
“No! No more strays,” the gremlin groaned. “There isn’t room under here, and that kid stinks.” He looked out from under the bed to find that he was talking to an empty room.
* * * * * * * * * *
Tark was a big man, and holding his gleaming silver trident, he cut an imposing figure. It did not take him long to break through the crowded room and onto the hectic streets. It was clear to the gladiator that the residents of Talwen relied too heavily on their dome for safety. There appeared to be no form of unified defense. No organized troops and no town guard were present. It was a literal free-for-all with a lot of magic thrown in to make it colorful. Tark had his choice of directions to go. Battle raged everywhere. How could the fanatics infiltrate the city so completely in such a short time, he wondered? Did the mages not see them coming or were they just too stubborn to care, like that gnome? Then he remembered Thunaren’s tales of the worshippers being part of the general populace. That made more sense. Even Talwen seemed to have its fair share of secretly faithful residents. The white robes were everywhere.
