Delver Magic Book VII: Altered Messages

by Inlo, Jeff

  "Ryson, where is the serp?"

  The delver pointed to the north.

  "Over there. It's not far, but something's wrong. It should know we're here, but it's not moving... and it doesn't smell right." He paused and took in one long breath through his nostrils. "I think it's dead."

  "That would explain why I can't sense it," Holli revealed. "Do you have the scent of the large goblin or the spell caster?"

  Ryson took even greater care in sniffing the wind. He carefully separated the scents he could identify and quickly offered everything he could detect.

  "They were here, but they're not now, not any where close anyway. I think there was also another serp, but it's gone too."

  "Do you sense any immediate danger beyond the crows and gremplings?"

  "No."

  "Neither do I. Follow these tracks carefully, as will I. I want to know what happened here."

  Ryson acknowledged the request with a nod and put his focus upon the trail left by Okyiq. He followed the tracks out of the tall grass. Once in a clearing, he peered about for just a moment, kneeled to feel the prints with his fingers, and then leapt back up to his feet. He began to glide across the woods from one point to another, examining every detail he could find.

  Holli took a different path. The elf stepped away from the immediate tracks of the goblin and looked upon the surrounding forest as a whole. She eyed each trail from a distance and placed everything in context with what they had already discovered.

  Enin and Pru carefully moved aside and remained clear of the elf and delver. They said nothing, simply watched as the other two members of their party swiftly but thoroughly covered the grounds.

  Pru found the sight both curious and humbling. Despite his own abilities, he marveled at how quickly Ryson found the smallest signs in the most obscure places, and at how effortlessly Holli switched from one trail to another. While the delver raced about using his eyes and nose to drink in every shred of evidence, the elf glided through that small section of woods focusing on subtle details.

  "I found the serp," Ryson called out with a warning. "Not a very pleasant sight. It's been chewed up. I don't think it was a shag or a river rogue that attacked it. If it was, it would have just carried off the whole thing."

  Holli quickly moved to the delver's side and inspected the corpse.

  "Gremplings started to make a meal out of it," she noted. "They ripped away the scaled hide, then the razor crows interrupted them. The birds shredded away the skin at the openings."

  Holli reached down to the serp and felt around the dead creature's neck.

  "Its throat was crushed," she revealed.

  "By Okyiq," Ryson added, and then nodded to a space between two tall trees. "The two battled over there. The tracks were strange. The serp actually let the goblin get behind it. Things went bad for it from there. I'm pretty sure Okyiq just threw the body over here and then went back to the tall grass."

  "I saw the same thing. This is all very confusing."

  Holli and Ryson returned to Enin and reviewed everything they could determine from the signs on the ground. Putting everything in perspective, Holli revealed her growing misgivings.

  "Okyiq and the spell caster did not stumble upon the first serp. The serp that died teleported to this spot after they arrived. It appears the serp meant to meet with the goblin after the magic caster teleported away. Its trail indicates a specific purpose. I believe it battled with the goblin for control and lost, then lost its life as well."

  "There's more that's bothering you about this, isn't there?" Enin asked.

  Holli and the wizard shared a magical link. It allowed her to monitor his activities so she could effectively work as his guard, and it enabled him to assist her in the areas of spell casting. The connection offered him special insight into her thoughts and emotions, but he would not casually read them as if they were his to do with as he wished.

  "A great deal more," Holli replied. "The goblin kills one serp, but a second serp returns to this same spot. Why? Why does another serp risk its own life? It confronts Okyiq, but it doesn't die. The serp and the goblin leave together through yet another teleportation spell. Serps, a goblin and a spell caster; all teleporting between here and Portsans. What is the connection to the dwarves, or to Petiole? There are no answers here, just more questions."

  "Then we will go on to Portsans and find the answers there," Enin declared.

  The wizard intended for them all to leave immediately. He was prepared to cast the spell of teleportation when he heard a surprising rejection to his plans.

  "I'm not going," Pru stated before Enin could begin the spell.

  The half-delver even stepped back several paces to create a buffer between himself and the others. Pru had felt trapped in Dunop, imprisoned through no fault of his own. He had no intention of being dragged along on some chase he didn't understand and cared about even less.

  The defiant reaction surprised Ryson the most. His delver curiosity was exploding within him. From Okyiq's message to the death of a serp, every aspect of their findings defied reasonable explanation. Holli was correct; there were far more questions than answers. His delver blood rushed with the desire to uncover the solutions, to go to Portsans and bring illumination to the hazy unknown.

  He could not imagine Pru simply dismissing the puzzle. Even a half-delver should have been overwhelmed with the desire to find a solution to the mysteries that lurked near each inexplicable detail.

  "Don't you want to know what happened?" Ryson asked. "Don't you want to know who's responsible for all of this... why you were held in Dunop?"

  "I have a feeling I know what happened, and I'm sure I know who's responsible for me being held in Dunop."

  Holli, Enin and Ryson looked expectantly at the half-delver, and Pru voiced his own assumptions without restraint.

  "I think the dwarves are responsible."

  "The dwarves?" Ryson questioned.

  "Yeah, no one else was keeping me there."

  "But Okyiq led you there."

  "I think the dwarves knew about him the whole time. I think they were all in on it together."

  "You can't believe that."

  "Care to wager on that?" the half-delver shot back with a snarl of disgust. "It's the only thing that makes sense. Okyiq leaves a bunch of goblin fingers near Burbon. He knows we're not going to miss that. It's done for a reason... to get our attention. Then, he runs off with a spell caster. The caster makes sure he stays ahead of me, but where does he go? Right to Dunop. Doesn't that tell you something? I know what it tells me... the dwarves knew he was coming."

  "That seems a bit far-fetched," Ryson responded. He didn't wish to simply dismiss the half-delver's accusation, but it rang more of resentment than of thoughtful contemplation.

  "Does it?" Pru shot back. "That dwarf queen sure asked a lot of questions, questions that seem kind of reasonable, unless you look at it in a different light. She wanted to know why a goblin would run to a dwarf tunnel. It's a good question, and maybe the answer is obvious. Maybe because the dwarves wanted him to. Maybe they set all of this up. They get me in a tunnel and then they free Petiole and start pointing the finger at me so no one blames them."

  "That's ridiculous," Ryson stated. "The dwarves want to recapture Petiole."

  "Do they, or is it all a show?"

  "But why would they free him?"

  "To give them an excuse to start something with the elves," Pru revealed. "Don't forget, I was in Dunop the whole time. I heard what they were saying. Quite a few of them were blaming the elves, even wondering if some humans might have been involved."

  "I agree that tensions are now running high," Holli interrupted, "but your assumptions seem based more on emotion than fact."

  "You want facts? Let's talk about those magic stones. How did they get in the cell? No tracks, no scent other than dwarf. Who delivered the stones? You think someone just teleported down there and handed them over to Petiole? I don't think so. I heard the dwarve
s talk about that too. It's not easy to teleport down to the city as it is. It must be next to impossible to just appear in one of those dungeons. What about it wizard? Am I wrong?"

  "I admit it would take enormous skill to teleport directly into Petiole's cell, but there must be another answer."

  "Oh really? And what might that be? No tracks, no scent, just teleportation spells sending some elf off to the coast."

  "Then why would they ask me to investigate?" Enin questioned. "They knew I would be able to follow the trail of the spell."

  "Who knows. Maybe they have some other mystery waiting for you at Portsans. That dwarf queen seemed awfully insistent that you go there as soon as possible. That's why I'm not going."

  Pru turned to Ryson.

  "You asked me how I can turn away from this," the half-delver said. "You think because I'm part delver I just have to know the answers? Well, I know enough of them to walk away. I can thank my human half for that."

  And that was just what Pru did. He walked away and left Enin, Holli and Ryson to consider his words.

  Chapter 14

  "I do not believe Pru is correct about the dwarves," Holli finally broke the silence that fell upon Enin and Ryson after the half-delver's abrupt departure, "but I do think care is in order. While the dwarves have legitimate reasons for sending us after Petiole, the path we must follow is becoming quite obvious, obvious enough to believe we are being led to Portsans, and something may indeed be waiting for us there."

  "Then let us meet it and put an end to these questions," Enin declared as he cast a spell of teleportation that brought them to the coastline of Uton.

  Upon their arrival in the coastal city of Portsans, they could see, hear, smell, and even taste the sea. They stood upon a grassy plane at the top of a tall, rocky cliff. Waves crashed on the shore below, creating a mist that appeared to float in the air until another spray of water exploded upwards to replace it. On the horizon, the sea met the sky in one long flat line that appeared to stretch on forever, as if both were pressing against each other with equal force and caught in an endless stalemate. High above, white clouds fashioned a billowing serenity in the deep blue blanket of the heavens, while the rocks below shaped a rugged determination to stand against the pounding surf. The sky, the sea, and the land appeared to meld together with calm acceptance of each other, and yet stand apart with stark boldness in the very same instant in time.

  Despite the amazing beauty of the scenery, Holli's instincts compelled her to consider the new surroundings as potentially hazardous. She crouched ever so slightly and placed a ready hand on her bow. She ignored the spectacle of sheer natural splendor as she concentrated entirely upon their security. She scanned their surroundings in sweeping glances. She quickly focused on a remarkable house that stood behind them and overlooked the sea. One human waited near a door to the mansion. Holli called for Enin and Ryson's attention, and they all recognized the spell caster instantly.

  "Neltus! Is this your doing?" Enin demanded.

  "Absolutely not!" Neltus replied quickly and with a nervous edge to his voice. The somewhat rotund wizard found greeting Enin extremely distressing. He could sense the great wizard's power, and he had no intention of ever facing Enin in battle. He immediately explained his presence to assure the newcomers he posed no threat. "I'm just here to guide you inside. They knew you'd be coming."

  "Who knew?"

  "I'd rather you see for yourself. I don't want to get caught up in explanations. I might say the wrong thing."

  "Neltus, you are becoming a far greater annoyance than I would have ever imagined."

  "I'm not trying to annoy you," Neltus replied with brutal honesty. "I'd just assume have nothing to do with you."

  "If this is some kind of trap..." Holli began to warn, but Neltus cut her off.

  The wizard of crimson power did not show the same respect to the elf guard that he displayed for Enin. He had no fear of her.

  "It's no trap. Besides, I wouldn't need a trap to deal with you, elf."

  "Take us to those in charge," Holli scoffed, "for it is clearly not you."

  Neltus almost challenged the elf, something he had longed to do, but upon seeing the scowl on Enin's face, he quickly guided the group into the magnificent structure. He brought them to the same dining room in which the serps greeted Petiole.

  Five serps sat perfectly still as they eyed their three guests. They said nothing as Neltus directed the wizard, elf and delver to the side of the long dining table where each could be easily seen by the waiting villains.

  "Welcome, Enin," one of the serps finally greeted the wizard. "I am glad you're here. I am Desiv."

  "And I have very little patience," Enin responded without the least hint of courtesy. "I do not like what I see here; five serps and a wizard with very poor judgment. What am I to make of this?"

  "Make whatever you wish, but I'm certain you have more specific questions than that." Desiv responded.

  Enin began with the issue he believed was the catalyst for everything that had happened.

  "Are you responsible for freeing Petiole?"

  "We are."

  "For what purpose?"

  "Many, including bringing you here."

  Enin didn't doubt the claim. Just as Holli had warned, it was becoming clear that they had been led to a meeting with the serps. It didn't worry him, he had no fear of the conniving creatures. They could not hope to control his potent mind, and their magical powers did not even amount to a minor annoyance.

  "And what do you want with me?"

  "I want us to come to an understanding, but aren't there any more questions? I'm not trying to avoid the issue. We can get to it shortly, but I believe it will bring our discussion to a premature conclusion. I don't want to leave any loose ends. What of the delver? I know his curiosity must be piqued."

  Ryson couldn't help himself. Questions poured out of him in no specific order of importance. He wanted to know as much as possible. He thought of his initial plunge into the muddled events, the gruesome message left just outside of Burbon.

  "Is Okyiq here?" Ryson asked.

  "He is."

  "Is Neltus the magic caster who was with him in Dark Spruce?"

  "No, it was another."

  "Who?"

  "You've met her before. Her name is Rivira."

  "Why did they go to Dunop?"

  "To create a trail."

  "Why did Okyiq kill a serp?"

  "The serp made a critical mistake, one we have corrected."

  "What kind of mistake?"

  "He underestimated Okyiq."

  Ryson would have continued, but another voiced called out.

  "Your answers hold little importance," Holli interrupted.

  She was more than uncomfortable with their circumstances. It was sheer carelessness to stand before five serps in an unsecured setting with so little information. She understood Ryson's need to ask questions. He was following his own burning curiosity, but none of the answers supplied by the serps defined the significance of what her eyes revealed.

  "You are willing to give us petty details," the elf continued, "but not one response reveals the meaning of your intentions."

  "We are simply responding truthfully to what the delver asks. I can see that you are unsettled by your situation. Don't be. We have an important issue to discuss, otherwise you would not have been brought here in this manner. I hope that eases your anxiety to some degree and gives you an idea of our intentions. In regard to the importance of our answers, do you have a more insightful question?"

  "How is it that five serps sit together at the same table?" Holli asked immediately.

  "Ah, you cut right to the bone. It is rather surprising, but we have come to an understanding."

  "The same type of understanding you wish to have with me?" Enin questioned.

  "In a way, yes, but there is a significant difference. The five of us have learned to work together without cutting each others' throats, no small task, but we have
been successful. We don't wish to work with you, Enin, but we don't wish to have to struggle against you, either. We want you to remain out of our business."

  "If your business is to cause havoc in Uton, then it requires my attention."

  "Havoc? If you believe this is havoc, then I don't think you comprehend what the word means. I also find your response somewhat surprising. You have been quite deliberate in allowing others to set their own course, or have we mistaken your desire not to interfere?"

  "I do not intentionally interfere in the lives of others, but I will also no longer stand idly by when serps disturb those very same lives."

  "Disturb? You make it sound as if we have committed some crime. We have done nothing wrong. In fact, it is just the opposite. All we have done is liberated an elf who has been wrongly imprisoned."

  Holli found the assertion personally insulting. She was an elf guard when Petiole was delivered to the dwarves, and the disposition of the elf elder was undertaken with the greatest consideration for all parties involved. Petiole was no innocent sacrifice to appease the dwarves. He earned his fate, and Holli would not allow for distortions of the truth.

  "Petiole was justly delivered to the dwarves," Holli countered. "He was imprisoned because of his crimes. As for your own claim of innocence, you are interfering in the relations of dwarves and elves."

  "That's all very noble, but it's also one-sided."

  "Enough of this," Enin growled. "I won't banter with serps."

  "Very well. The banter will end and we will come to the very crux of our intended agreement. If you wish to interfere in our affairs, then we shall be forced to interfere in the lives of others as well."

  "As Holli has stated, you have already interfered."

  "True, but that was to get your attention, to get the ball rolling. Petiole is the leader of the elves, but there is another leader of importance. Do you know the story of Bol Folarok?"

  A grim silence fell on all three guests before the serp council. With none answering, Desiv elaborated further.

  "I won't go into details, but you must know he is not viewed in a favorable light, not by any of the races. The elves, the humans, the algors; they all suffered due to Bol Folarok. Seems he was the king of Dunop who abdicated his throne. That one action led to a series of events that are still considered the most serious in all of Uton."