by Tom Liberman
Marianna gasped and Rhia had to make a conscious effort to avoid doing the same.
Mike shook her head, “That is a most generous offer and I can see how it pains you to make it. I wish you to know that the counter proposal that I make is only because of the dire financial straits I find myself in after a recent setback at the gambling table. I’m afraid I can offer you no more than one-hundred silver coins and my heartfelt gratitude.”
“Ah,” said the dwarf a huge grin on his face. “The gambling tables taketh. I suggest you head back there for another round for I can hardly part with so many hours of my time for less than seven-hundred and fifty silver coins.”
“It pains me that you would consider such a noble effort in the aid of my grandfather who, I’m certain, would be most grateful for your work, worth such an exorbitant amount from his younger grandson. Perhaps if my friends who are not so inclined as to gamble at the table were to contribute we might be able to scrape together three-hundred silver coins worth of capital.”
The dwarf nodded his head, “It is good to have friends willing to contribute to the common cause and your fortune in friendship clearly exceeds that of your money pouch. When I see such comradeship it warms the cockles of my heart and I cannot help but feel a generosity of spirit to one such as you. Though it pains me, I could just manage to provide you with the information you need for six-hundred silver coins although it would be impossible for me to go any lower.”
“Your generosity likewise touches my heart and jogged a memory of some coins I keep hidden on my person so as not to expend them gambling. I believe with these added funds I might be able to raise my total amount to five-hundred silver coins but I’m afraid it would be, as you say, impossible to go even a single coin higher.”
“That is a terrible shame because if you could somehow raise but fifty more silver coins I think we might have reached an agreement,” said the dwarf still grinning widely as he reached forward with his hand and offered it to Mike.
Mike, smiling as well, pursed her lips, put her hand to her chin, gave off an hmm and a haw but then reached out took his hand. “Half now and half upon delivery of information?”
The dwarf bowed, “Of course, and if there is no information or it be so skimpy as to be useless, you will got half of your deposit back.”
Mike nodded her head, “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you. You’ll not forget to have your apprentice write up a note of introduction to allow us to stay in the inner citadel while our work is being done?”
“Of course not, my friend. Now, as to the money?”
Mike reached into her pouch and poured out a handful of silver coins and then reached back into her belt pulling out a little bag which neither of the other girls had seen before. She shook it lightly and a pair of brilliant golden coins fell out although it was clear there was more hidden in the bag. She then offered the lot to the dwarf.
“Excellent, excellent,” he said. “It has been such a pleasure. Please. Go back to the main showroom and I’ll have a boy bring you that note. It should be no more than two days but I’ll have a boy come find you at the inn when I have the information for you in any case.”
Mike nodded her head, “Come along, ladies. Our transaction has come to a successful conclusion.”
Rhia and Marianna followed Mike back out the door of the inner sanctum with their eyes wide and their minds awash with amazement.
“Where did you learn to do that?” said Rhia as soon as they were clear of the chamber.
“I’m a dwarf at heart even if I don’t look like one,” said Mike with a grin. “It’s all part of the game. If you don’t haggle properly with a dwarf they will never respect you, but once you’ve shown your mettle at the bargaining table they’ll be a friend for life. He’ll do the work better now than if I had paid him the full thousand without argument.”
Marianna laughed and shook her head, “I’ve never seen the like, Mike, you’re a wonder.”
Mike stopped walking suddenly and looked at the smooth stone floors cut to perfection. Each tile was in the proper place and glass cases with excellent dwarf merchandise lined the walls.
“What?” asked Rhia.
Mike shrugged and after a short pause said, “It was my father who taught me all that.”
“Parents aren’t all bad,” said Rhia and then looked over at Marianna. “At least most parents.”
Just at that moment a young dwarf apprentice appeared with a wheelbarrow full of steel shields burnished with the symbol of Ironhome. He was headed further into the building rather than to the showroom with his bounty.
“Aren’t you going the wrong way?” said Rhia with a laugh for the boy was clearly struggling under the weight of the burden.
“This ain’t the tenth of it,” said the boy with a shake of his head. “I’ll be up all month sanding them down to steel.”
“Stripping the paint?” asked Rhia looking at the shields for some sort of flaw in the work but not spotting anything even slightly amiss.
“Big order,” said the boy with a smile looking up at Marianna and her red hair. “More coming in every hour and buckets of red paint. What’s your name?”
“Enough chit-chat,” said an older dwarf with a long beard and a scar on his temple that ran up his forehead where no hair grew. “Get about your business or I’ll hear why.”
“Yes, Edos,” said the boy with wide eyes although he took the time to smile at Marianna and give her a wink.
“What’s that about then?” said Marianna to the dwarf.
“Nothing to concern yourself with, missy,” said the older dwarf and hurried the boy out of the room.
“Odd,” said Rhia putting her hand to her chin but the other two were already walking along to the main showroom.
They waited for the young boy who eventually brought them the letter of introduction and told them about a nearby inn where they could show it to get lodging. This one also spent an overlong time sidling close to Marianna and could not take his eyes off her hair.
As they traversed the distance between the smithy and the inn Mike looked over at Marianna, “I find that I’m jealous of all the attention these dwarves give you. Perhaps I should remove my wrappings and allow my hair to grow out. Being a pretty girl with admiring boys does have its advantages.”
Marianna blushed, “It’s just my hair, I guess they don’t have many red-heads here in town. I got it from my mother. The only good thing she ever did for me.”
“She wasn’t awful before your father died, was she?” asked Rhia.
Marianna shrugged, “It was always me and my father. I was never close to her that I remember. When he died it was as if I wasn’t even hers.”
Rhia nodded her head, “Mike had parents who perhaps loved her too much and mine were good to me. I think about the children being raised in those houses of Pillswar, or whoever, and I want to cry. It’s not fair this life, I’ve always known that, but I guess I never really understood how unfair. What chance did that boy Sunbringer have?”
“You feel sorry for him!” said Mike scowling and suddenly turning to face Rhia. “He threatens to invade my nation, to destroy my people, there is nothing for which to have sympathy there. The sooner he is dead the better for everyone.”
“Him included, I suspect,” said Rhia shrugging her shoulders. “He is what he is and must accept the consequences of his actions. He cannot blame his parents for in the end the decisions he has made, and will make, are his own. Still, it seems that some of us have a much better chance at living a proper life than others. I don’t say all children should be given an equal chance, the world is not built in such a way, but I think that no one should be so deprived of a good childhood as were Marianna and Sunbringer. At least Marianna had a few good years with her father. Sunbringer is but the product of insanity. In Elekargul no one would have sympathy for such as him because what he had to deal with is unimaginable but, Mike, I do feel sorrow for him. His fate is doom and there was never anoth
er choice. I feel pain that such as he has to live in this world. But I will be the one to kill him to defend Tanelorn if it comes to that. I will fight such as him until there is no longer blood in my body, but you cannot make my pity for him go away.”
Mike looked at Rhia and blinked her eyes rapidly. “No, I cannot take away your pity but I cannot feel any in my heart. Yes, life was unfair to him. His parents, or whoever raised him, sent him along this terrible path but his decisions are his own and I will be the one to slay him should he dare bring his armies against my nation, against my family.”
The two girls stood looking at each other until Marianna broke the silence, “I hate to break the bad news to the two of you warrior champions but I’ll kill him with an arrow before he’s within an arm’s length of either of you!”
Rhia and Mike burst out into laughter.
“Fine,” said Mike and gave Marianna a friendly shove. “You win. Let’s see about getting a room with this little slip of paper I got us. I’m willing to bet it’ll be far better than even that lovely little room last night and if the beer and food isn’t better than I’m not a Fivefist!”
It turned out she was right.
Chapter 18
They spent two of the most luxurious and comfortable days imaginable in the inner city at the inn but were unable to learn almost anything of the Elder Council. If that group planned to support Tanelorn in the upcoming war or not remained a complete mystery. The dwarves proved ridiculously truculent when it came to discussing political matters with outsiders and the girls found themselves back at the blacksmith’s two days later having learned absolutely nothing.
They waited in the little back room until the Master Edos arrived wearing a stained smock and his beard loose and flowing wildly. He carried the dagger wrapped in a soft cloth and placed it on the table in front of Mike. “I have learned much of this blade in the past two days and I will tell you what I know. After I finish you can decide if you wish to pay me the remainder of the fee.”
Mike nodded her head.
“This blade is far older than I realized. It has been reforged at least three times although the base metal still lies below. It will need another forging sometime in the not too distant future. I would be honored to take on the challenge if you think me worthy.”
Mike said nothing but her hand went to the cloth and unwrapped the blade. It shined brilliant and the runes etched into its side seemed to leap off it like she had never before seen.
“I have treated it with certain chemicals to enhance the lettering which is embedded into the very heart of the blade. This was not made by the warriors of Stav’rol. This was originally forged at Craggen Steep, possibly even at the Deep Forge.” At these words he bowed his head and made a strange little motion with his hand. “It is valuable beyond my ability to express. It is magical, that is most certain, although we dwarves are not as skilled at divining the exact nature of such things. I would advise you to make a trip to Acanthus from where your mother once resided. They have much skills in such thing.”
Mike flickered a gaze at Rhia and Marianna but said nothing.
“It has powers in the realm of healing which is most unusual for a weapon of death. It is possible it keeps the wearer safe from wounds of a certain type although I remain uncertain in that regards. It cuts deep through steel although is less effective against leather armor. It is almost certainly enchanted against steel. I suspect there are other powers deeply buried within. Your grandfather will likely know more. You should speak to him of it.”
Mike blinked her eyes rapidly and sheathed the blade. She reached into the little hidden pouch and poured out more of the gold coins and even a small red gemstone rolled into her hands. “You have given me more information that I ever dreamed possible,” she said and sniffled for a moment. “I suddenly realize that perhaps I have been rather foolish about a number of things in regards to my father and grandfather,” she said and handed over the huge sum to the dwarf.
“This is far more than was agreed upon,” said the dwarf shaking his head. “I cannot accept that which I did not bargain for in good faith.”
“Consider it an advance payment for when it needs be forged anew,” said Mike wiping a tear away from her eye. “In the meantime I think we will go to Acanthus to learn more of the blade.”
The dwarf bowed his head, “I wish you good fortune in your journey. When you next return home, pass along my regards to your grandfather and father.”
Mike bobbed her head again, “I will.”
They retraced their steps and exited the inner citadel without incident and had only been walking for a few minutes when Rhia snapped her fingers, “Borrombo! We should stop by the stable to see if he’s still in town. We were lucky to get access to the inner citadel and avoid him.”
Mike seemed a little dazed from events and said nothing so Marianna replied, “I’ll go. I’ve been there once and it’s best if they don’t see the rest of us. Like you said before, we make a distinctive trio.”
Rhia nodded her head, “We’ll wait over there,” she said pointing to a corner not far from the stable. “Don’t stick around long, just see if his wagon is still there and get out. I’m afraid this mission has been a failure but I’m not sure what else we could have done.”
Marianna nodded her head and walked over to the stable. It was early in the morning and there was a fairly large amount of activity around the building. The boy she spoke with the first time wasn’t there and she was able to walk into the stable with the simple explanation that she wanted to look around. She walked to the back to the stable and found the large doors open and the wagon gone.
She thought about heading right back out but then decided to look down both wings to see if maybe they had moved it inside for some reason. All was the same except the sturdy little two-tone horse was no longer in its stall. She walked back out and found Rhia and Mike waiting for her although the pretty half-elf girl still had that distracted look on her face.
Marianna shook her head, “He’s gone. No wagon, no horses.”
Rhia nodded her head, “Let’s hope he wasn’t able to convince the Elder Council of anything.”
Marianna frowned, “I guess that’s all we can do. I’m looking forward to seeing Acanthus,” she said with a sidelong look at Mike. “Your mother was a princess, right? I bet they’ll tell us what we want to know and there’s no way they won’t help Tanelorn if the gnolls attack, right?”
“What?” said Mike looking up. “Sorry, I was thinking.”
“Nothing,” said Marianna with a smile. “Which way to Acanthus?”
“North,” said Mike with nod and looked down at her wrapped torso. “I guess I won’t bother pretending to be a boy while we’re there. No sense in it. They know me anyway.”
Rhia looked over at Marianna and said nothing although she walked over to Mike and put her arm around the girl, “Either way, you’re one of us now.”
Mike looked up and smiled.
Chapter 19
It took them a further five days traveling north to reach the border of the great Acanthus Forest in which lived the Elves of Acanthus. They arrived late in the afternoon as the sun slowly set into the western sky leaving a trail of red and orange behind it.
“Those woods look thick,” said Rhia remembering the great Rimfall Forest south of Sea’cra where she first met up with the Archaos Circus. Death awaited the unwary and if not for the good fortune of traveling with the circus she probably would have met a horrible end. “Dangerous. Wild beasts and the like.”
Mike nodded her head, “You have to get permission from the elves before you enter the forest. There are terrible beasts, that’s true, but worse, they say the trees themselves are alive.”
“Are they?” asked Marianna looking at Mike with wide eyes. “Tree Shepherds? I’ve heard of them from stories my father used to read but I didn’t think any were still around.”
Mike shook her head, “If there are any I’ve never seen them, but I’ve
only visited a dozen or so times. I don’t think they showed me everything, although everyone was always quite pleasant. Come along. We’ll travel to where a path leads into the forest. We’ll camp outside and wait for them to come get us. That’s the way of it.”
Rhia looked at the thick woods and raised an eyebrow, “How will they know we’re waiting for them?”
“They’re watching us right now,” said Mike without even bothering to look over at the tree line. “They are very protective of the forest. They aren’t much of a threat outside, but you take your life into your hands if you go in without permission. They speak with the animals so you can’t get as much as a step into Acanthus without the elves knowing you are there.”
“That’s amazing!” said Marianna with a smile, her eyes alight. “I remember my father telling me about the elves of Acanthus when I was little. He said we’d get to visit them one day and here I am. I wish he was here with me,” she concluded with a little frown.
“Come on,” said Mike waving the other two forward. “Let’s get this over with,” she concluded although she did not appear to be dreading the trip as she wore a smile on her face.
They walked about a mile to the north and around the edge of the forest until they came across a clear brook where someone had built a group of small cabins with flower beds, gardens, fire pits, and even hammocks that swung between nearby trees.
“This is beautiful,” said Rhia looking around but seeing no one. “Who tends it? Who built it?”
“The elves built it for visitors,” said Mike looking around. “This is where you wait until the elves decide to let you come in for a visit. If you think this is lovely you’re going to be in for a surprise when we actually get to the villages in the forest. My mother’s people love beauty beyond almost anything else.”
“That sounds lovely,” said Marianna walking over to one of the benches and sitting down to admire the scenery around them. The sun was just about to disappear below the horizon and the song birds were singing farewell for the day. Somewhere an owl got an early start on the night with a loud hoot and the wind rustled through the trees as a brook babbled. “I think your mother’s family has the right idea,” said the red-haired girl and closed her eyes.
