Zenith (4) (The Underground Kingdom)

by Steve Elliott

  "I know," I agreed. "We’re a rather strange race, and no mistake."

  "No argument there," Nix asserted, "and you're a prime example."

  "Thank you for that," I told him. "You're pretty peculiar yourself."

  "I must be," Nix concurred. "Just look at my associates."

  Chapter 15

  "Are you sure he's not home?" I asked Thorn, as we stood outside the Elder's residence.

  "Positive," she reassured me. "He'll be at the council chambers for the rest of the day."

  "Okay then," I said. "Let's see what we can find, shall we?"

  I led my little group of desperadoes to the back of the Elder’s house where I proceeded, under Thorn's disapproving frown, to break in. Despite the fact there was no one home, we crept around like a bunch of ……. well, burglars, which, I suppose, technically speaking, we were. As previously stated, I had no idea what I expected to find, and that uncertainty was borne out magnificently. We found nothing incriminating.

  "What now?" Thorn asked, as we grouped dispiritedly in the living room.

  "I'm not sure," I said. Then I had a sudden inspiration. "Do you still have those coins?" I asked Trix.

  "Sure," she answered, pulling them from her pocket.

  "Let Zenith have another sniff," I commanded, "and see if he can find something for us."

  "I'll try," she announced, doubtfully. "But I think they'll smell more of me than the robber by now."

  "Never underestimate a wolf's nose," I commented. "Or Zenith’s intelligence either," I added.

  Trix did as I suggested, and, with a curious look up at his mistress, Zenith put his nose to the floor and began to vacuum up extraneous smells.

  "Good boy!" Trix encouraged as Zenith began to follow an invisible trail. We followed him as he sniffed his way to a back wall. He stared at it, barked, and began to scratch furiously at the surface in front of him.

  "What's he up to?" Nix asked, rubbing his chin. "It's just a blank wall."

  "I think he's trying to tell us that there's something behind there," I answered, carefully examining the section where Zenith was gouging. "It must be a hidden passage or something. Look around for some sort of a lever."

  We searched the surroundings and eventually found the elusive lever. It had been hiding behind a vase and, when pulled down, revealed a small hidden passage behind the wall.

  "Very clever," I praised, peering along the rocky walls of the newly created tunnel. "Nicely professional, too. I'll wager this is dwarf workmanship."

  "Where does it go?" Thorn asked.

  "Only one way to find out," I proclaimed. "Is everybody ready? We'll let Zenith lead the way. He seems to know what he's doing."

  "As opposed to the rest of us?" Nix injected.

  "Exactly," I grinned. "When do we ever know what we're doing?"

  With Zenith sniffing the way out in front, we entered the tunnel. I was filled with curiosity. Why would the Elder have built this in the first place? And where did it come out? As usual, there were more questions than answers but at least we were on the road, sorry, on the tunnel, to find out a few of the answers. We’d travelled along quite nicely for about five minutes when Zenith suddenly stopped and refused to budge.

  "What's the matter with Wonder Wolf?" Nix enquired. "Why isn't he moving?"

  "I don't know," I replied, as we grouped around the immobile Zenith. "Trix, see if you can do anything."

  Trix stood in front of her pet and tried to urge him along. "Come on, Zenith," she cajoled, trying to physically pull him forward. She might as well have been trying to drag a truck. "Don't stop now, my lovely boy," she continued. "Mommy needs you to guide us." Despite her wheedling, Zenith dug his four feet into the ground and refused to move.

  "What now?" Nix asked, grumbling. "Do we carry him, or what?"

  "If he doesn't want to go any further," I reflected thoughtfully, "it's because he senses something dangerous up ahead. Let's test the theory. Trix, be a dear and go ahead a few paces and we'll see what Zenith does. Not too far now, just in case something nasty is in front of us."

  Trix began walking a little further down the tunnel. Zenith immediately barked a warning and, jumping behind his mistress, clamped his jaws on the back of her dress and pulled her roughly backwards.

  "Well, that decides it," I remarked, observing Zenith's frantic action. "There’s definitely something up ahead he doesn't want us to blunder into. I wonder what it is."

  "How do we find out?" Thorn asked.

  "What we need is something that approximates the weight of one of us," I mused. "That way we can use it as a test dummy."

  "What's a test dummy?" Trix asked.

  "Well, we all know what the dummy part is," Thorn declared, glancing surreptitiously at Nix. "The ‘test’ part is where we ask him questions. Of course, he won’t know the answers, but that’s expected."

  "Oh, you're hilarious," Nix growled. "The problem is going to be finding something that approximates your weight. It'll take ages to accumulate enough raw material to equal that!"

  "Are you saying I'm fat?" Thorn squealed in outrage. "That's rich, coming from you!"

  "Settle down, children," I commanded, smiling in a conspiratorial manner at Trix. "Let's stick to the problem at hand, shall we? How about we use some of the loose rock on the ground? We'll toss it ahead of us in a pile and see what happens. If it appears to be safe, then we'll throw it ahead of us again. It'll be slow work, but I can't see any other way of doing it."

  With no overruling objections, that's exactly what we decided to do. Gathering a supply of rocks, we carefully threw them a few body lengths ahead of us, trying for the approximately same area so they gathered in a pile. Zenith appeared to approve of our tactics, because, when nothing drastic happened the first time, he willingly sauntered up to our first keeping of thrown rocks and stood there, waiting.

  "So far, so good," I commented. "Let's do it again." We began to duplicate our first effort but this time something did happen. When the grouping of rocks reached a critical mass, the floor suddenly opened and the rocks tumbled down into a seemingly bottomless hole.

  "So that's what he tried to tell us," Thorn whispered in awe. "If it hadn't been for Zenith, we'd still be falling. He saved our lives."

  "Yes, he did," I agreed. "His senses are obviously much more acute than ours. I don't know how he knew there was a trap ahead, but I’m certainly glad he did."

  Trix drop to her knees and cradled Zenith’s head. "Who's the smartest pet in the world?" she cooed, rubbing her face against his. "You are! Mommy loves her clever wolf, yes, she does! Good boy! Good boy!"

  Chapter 16

  With all the excitement over, we had to decide what to do next. Did we continue on or what?

  "There may be further booby-traps up ahead," I concluded, facing my companions. "What do you want to do? Is what we are trying to achieve, whatever it is, worth getting us killed?" Silence greeted my words as everyone pondered the future.

  "Whatever is up ahead must be important if they're willing to kill for it," Thorn said slowly. "I say we keep going, if only for the sake of curiosity."

  "Almost been killed makes me angry," Nix supplied. "I want to have a few words with whoever made that trap. I'm voting with Arugohumna."

  "Zenith and I want to go on as well," Trix solemnly agreed. "We've come this far. We might as well finish the job."

  "Then we all agree," I concluded. "With Zenith’s ability to pick out the traps, I think we'll have more than a fighting chance. Let's see what we can find. Zenith is in charge from now on. Do whatever he says."

  "We're taking orders from a shaggy quadruped now?" Nix grumbled good-naturedly. "What's the world coming to?"

  "At least it’s better than taking orders from a smelly, ugly, overweight borgulessa," Thorn slyly commented.

  "And definitely better than obeying a fat, nymphomaniac fairy," Nix retaliated.

  "I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Thorn sniffed, "because I know you can't possibl
y be talking about me."

  "Yeah, right," Nix smirked. "I'm talking about some other weight-challenged, oversexed fairy, not you at all. I don't know how I managed to confuse the two of you."

  Thorn waved her fist under Nix’s nose. "Just watch yourself, Smarty Pants," she threatened. "The only reason you're standing upright is because I feel sorry for dull-witted creatures."

  "Oh, I'm so scared!" Nix exclaimed, pretending to cower. "Please don't beat me up!" Then he straightened up with a scornful look. "Huh! You can't even drag Stephen to your bed, let alone put me on the ground. Let's face it, Arugohumna; you lack the basic killer instinct. You're too genteel to be taken seriously. You need to lose some of your manners and become a lot less civilised before anyone regards you as being dangerous."

  "Hey, she punched me in the face once," I related.

  "She did?" Nix exclaimed, astonished. "When was that?"

  Thorn flushed with embarrassment. "Never you mind," she snapped. "I was under a lot of strain at the time and I've apologised a hundred times to Stephen already."

  "No, I want to hear," Nix overrode her. "I love scandal, especially when it relates to my favorite fairy."

  "It's all past history," I told Nix. "It was in the very early days of our acquaintance when Thorn was somewhat more rigid than she is now, and I rather unwisely hinted that the One may be capable of theft. She took exception to that and the next thing I knew, I was flat on the ground. * One punch, too," I added, admiringly.

  "Stephen!" Thorn remonstrated. "Please don't tell that story anymore. I said I was sorry."

  "I know, sweetheart," I said, putting an arm around her. "You’ve changed in so many ways since I first met you and it still amazes me. I think you're wonderful." Thorn blushed even more at my words.

  "Kiss him, you dummy," Nix commanded. "Do I have to coach you every step of the way? You're hopeless! Anyone with half a brain could work out what to do next. It's no wonder you still sleep alone."

  "Shut up, Nix, for goodness sake!" Thorn exclaimed, heatedly. "I don't know why I put up with you! It's none of your business!"

  "On the contrary," Nix insisted. "I'm only trying to help you. You're obviously too clueless to take the first step in a relationship. I don't understand your reluctance. You and Stephen are ideal for each other. Anyone can see that he adores you and every time you look at him you're practically drooling."

  "I am not!" she flared.

  "Come on, now," Nix coaxed. "Please don't insult my intelligence." He turned to Trix. "You can see it, can't you? I'm sure even Zenith can see it."

  "Well," Trix said slowly, "I have to admit there's a certain …… um, tension when they’re in the same room together," she admitted.

  "That's not tension," Nix alleged. "That's pure, unadulterated sexual electricity at its finest. Good grief, I could cook a dinner on the heat generated between the two of them."

  "Okay, that's enough," I maintained. "Let's keep going. We have a job to do, after all." I took Nix aside and murmured, "Things are a little more complicated on the domestic front than you realise, O Nosy One, so I'd appreciate you limiting your comments in that area, if you don't mind. I wish the situation was as simple as you make out, but unfortunately, it isn't. And I've warned you before about Thorn. Don't push her too far. Best friend or not, one day she might ventilate you with her sword if you're not careful."

  "Part of being a friend is helping the other person when they need it," Nix philosophised, glancing across at Thorn, "and Arugohumna needs all the help she can get. She’s very shy and uncertain of herself, despite her outward aggressiveness. I know I come across as aggravating, but all I'm trying to do is to draw her out. She needs to believe in herself and to be as confident internally as she is externally. And that's why I'm always trying to get the two of you together." He peered at me intently. "Honestly, Stephen, I don't know why you're hesitating. Arugohumna would be so good for you, and vice versa. If it was me, I wouldn't even think twice about it."

  I hesitated, wondering if I should tell Nix everything, but I decided against it. This wasn't the time or place. "I'll tell you later," I promised. "Maybe you can come up with a solution, because I certainly can't."

  "Very well," Nix agreed, curiously. "Until later, then. I'll hold you to that."

  * See ‘Crystal Thief (1)’

  Chapter 17

  We carefully edged around the trap and continued our exploration. Fortunately, there were no more deadly surprises, but we did find something unusual. In a small side tunnel, we came across a stash of weapons. The word ‘stash’ is probably something of an understatement, however. There were rows and rows and rows of weapons, all neatly stacked and ready for use.

  "You could equip an army with this!" Thorn exclaimed, astounded. "What on earth is it all for?"

  "I'll bet it's for the dissident sommubants to overthrow their King," Nix confidently predicted. "What else could it be?"

  "Maybe," I grunted. "It does fit in with this dwarf tunnel, I suppose. But why is it linked to the Elder's room? What does he have to gain?"

  "Money, perhaps?" Trix suggested. "After all, that's what started all of this in the first place, isn't it?"

  "That's a legitimate reason, I guess," I agreed. "Let's have a look around and see if we can find anything else. At the very least, we now have some of the proof we were chasing."

  We search the area thoroughly, finding very little apart from the weapons. However, Trix did come across a series of maps, tucked away in a box.

  "What are these?" she asked, waving them at us.

  "They’re drawings of the settlement," Thorn declared, spreading them out on the floor. "See," she said, pointing with a finger, "there are the council chambers and the public square. There’s my house! These are plans on the whole area. But why?"

  "I’ve just had a nasty thought," I murmured, staring at the sheets of paper.

  "Is it about Arugohumna?" Nix muttered with a sly grin. "I don't blame you if it is."

  "Shut up, you horrible ratbag," Thorn declared, slapping him on the arm. "This is serious."

  "So am I," Nix retaliated, his grin increasing.

  "I'm not listening," Thorn declared, stoutly. "Stephen, what's your nasty thought?"

  "These plans, and the proximity of the weapons, make me think that perhaps the dwarf King isn't the target after all," I announced.

  "Then what is?" Thorn enquired.

  "Methinks that our esteemed Elder may have bigger fish to fry then the overthrow of a neighbouring king," I said slowly.

  "He's frying fish?" Trix said in a perplexed tone of voice. "He's hungry? Sorry, I don't get it."

  "It's another of Stephen's weird human sayings," Thorn impatiently explained. "It doesn't make any sense to me either and now I'm lost as well. Stephen, what are you getting at?"

  "I think I know," Nix stated, incredulously, "but I'm having trouble believing it. My friend, you can't be serious!"

  "What other conclusion can I come to?" I argued, throwing up my hands. "Here we have a mountain of weapons, very conveniently located near the Elder’s house. If they were intended for the dwarf dissidents then what are they doing here? Surely it’d make more sense to locate them closer to the dissident camp? And those maps! They pinpoint every house and every defence of the settlement. They’re battle plans! You connect the dots and tell me what inferences you draw."

  A profound silence after my words. Finally Thorn gasped, "But …… but that's impossible! Are you saying that the Elder wants to ……… invade the settlement? But why? It's unthinkable! Why would he want to do such a thing? I don't understand."

  "For some people the sharing of power just isn't enough," I gently explained. "The lure of absolute control can be very tempting for certain types of individuals. If the Elder gained control of the settlement, he could set himself up as King and rule everything."

  "I still can't believe it!" Thorn said, her mind reeling. "To wage war and betray everyone, just for power ……. I can't take it in. It
's just ……. just, oh, I don't know!" She gave up at that stage, the idea too much for her.

  Nix, being less idealistic and more pragmatic than Thorn, then asked, "What do we do about it, now that we know?"

  "We'll have to inform the other Elders," I declared. "But will they accept what we say? Judging from Thorn's reaction, we'll have an uphill battle to convince them."

  "They wouldn't dare doubt my word!" Thorn blazed, immediately recovering from her disbelieving stupor. "My integrity is unquestioned and I'll fight anyone who says differently!"

  "There’s your answer," Nix pointed out. "No one in their right mind would doubt her sincerity. Besides, we’ll bring Fringapellumna here to see it, too."

  "But we haven't really any proof as such," Trix interrupted. "All we have is a pile of weapons."

  "No one stockpiles this amount of weaponry for a peaceful purpose," I reminded her. "This lot is definitely to start a war somewhere, and the most logical place is the settlement."

  "Let's see where this tunnel comes out," Nix suggested.

  "Good idea," I agreed, "but, first of all, we'll take a couple of these maps and a few weapons as evidence, just in case we can’t get back. That way at least we'll have some confirmation of what we’re saying."

  Chapter 18

  Clutching our pilfered loot, we continued our exploration. The tunnel opening was craftily hidden behind a thorny bush and we had to fight our way into the sunshine. Once outside, we looked around to determine our whereabouts. I had no idea where we were, but Nix and Thorn recognise the surroundings as being not far from the dissident camp.

  "What do you suggest we do now?" Nix asked me. "Do we tell the King about what’s happening?"

  "Not just yet," I replied, thoughtfully. "Let's make sure that the settlement is safe first. Our initial task is to let Fink see what we’ve discovered and then we can go and confront the Elders."

  "It sounds like a plan," Thorn concurred, "but we’d better hurry. We don't know how long our Elder friend is going to be away."