by Tom Liberman
Rhia looked around and shook her head, “I suppose if you live in a world that’s isolated from everyone else you can afford to spend time building things like this, but in the real world there are too many people who will want to destroy it or take it for their own.”
“That’s the problem with the elves,” said Mike nodding her head and frowning at the beauty that was around them. “They live in the forest and don’t worry about the outside world. They’re happy to be isolated and don’t have to worry about the Five Nations or Grelm.”
“But someone always intrudes on that privacy,” said Rhia. “That’s how your parents met, right? Your father was helping defend the forest from an attack?”
Mike nodded her head, “So the story goes.”
As they discussed the issue the sound of slow but steady hoof beats grew louder and louder and a swinging light appeared up the narrow road that led to the little campground.
“That’s a wagon,” said Rhia standing up and looking to the swaying light. “Do you think?”
Mike shook her head, “It would be a crazy coincidence …,”
“Not really,” said Rhia putting her hand on the hilt of her sword. “He was in Ironhome and his wagon travels more slowly than us. It makes sense that if he wanted to convince the dwarves to stay out of any attack from the gnolls that he’d come here and make the same effort.”
Marianna nodded her head and pulled out her bow, “What do we do if it’s him?”
“He never attacked us directly,” said Rhia. “But I don’t like the idea of spending the night anywhere he’s around. He might do anything.”
Mike shook her head, “I doubt he would try any violence here on the doorstep of Acanthus. That would be a serious violation of the rules and he’d never even get an audience with the elves. They’d be very angry. If it’s him he’ll keep the peace. I’d say an alliance or at least the neutrality of the elves is more important than three girls like us.”
“What can he do by himself anyway?” asked Rhia. “He’s not a warrior. He has to have people do his dirty work for him.”
“He’s got plenty of money to make that happen,” said Mike. “But I pretty much agree. If it’s him then we shouldn’t have any problem.”
The wagon got closer and it quickly became apparent that it was the fat dwarf Borrombo’s rig and the girls waited in silence until it pulled into the little grounds. Borrombo was in the driver’s seat but there was another dwarf the girls did not recognize next to him. He was taller than the fat dwarf and strongly muscled with deep-set eyes and a scar across his forehead.
Borrombo pulled up the wagon and nodded politely to the girls, “Ladies, Mike. What a pleasant surprise to find you alive and well after all the unpleasantness in Grelm. I don’t believe you’ve met my nephew Yulvo Blackiron. My brother’s youngest. He’s come down to help me in my negotiations. Yulvo,” he said looking to his nephew. “This is Rhia, Marianna, and Mike.” Borrombo looked at Mike in the fading light and noted her feminine attire, “Are there handsome young orc squires about?”
Mike shook her head and laughed, “Not this time,” she said but did not elaborate.
“I approve,” said Borrombo and smiled. “I know things didn’t end well between us in Grelm but that’s no reason to have lasting animosity. It’s all business after all. Nothing personal.”
“I consider people trying to kill me quite personal,” said Rhia with her hand on her sword.
“You shouldn’t,” said Borrombo with a hearty laugh. “That’s the path to madness. You must treat every endeavor independently, coolly, and come to the decision that will best serve you at that moment. Perhaps our ventures will coincide this time and we can help one another.”
Rhia shook her head, “I think not.”
“So be it,” said Borrombo with a wide grin and a nod of his head. “I am not so ruled by passions, but I cannot tell you how to live.”
“Come on,” said Rhia. “It stinks out here,” she said and walked into one of the small cabins.
Marianna and Mike looked at Borrombo, shrugged, and followed the girl into the cabin.
“He seems like he’s still pretty nice,” said Mike watching Rhia unpack her gear near one of the small but perfectly appointed beds in the cabin.
“He’s a smooth talker just like you, Mike. I would think you would recognize him for what he is.”
“You’re the only one who really thought he was after us in the first place,” said Mike. “He treated us quite decently as far as I know.”
Marianna nodded her head, “He was always nice to me.”
“Who do you think set that ambush for us at Sunbringer’s place?” asked Rhia. “It was Borrombo. He wanted to use us while he could and once he knew we weren’t going to go along with him, we didn’t matter. That’s the way he is. He said it right there. It’s all business to him, nothing personal. He doesn’t like us or hate us. He wants to help bring his allies into power. He wants those crazies in Stav’rol to build the new empire. He doesn’t care about us and if we stand in his way we’re nothing but obstacles, not even people. He’d kill us without thinking twice about it.”
“I don’t know,” said Mike. “I mean, I understand what you’re saying, but if our goals were aligned he could be a useful ally. He’s rich and influential.”
“Our goals don’t align and they never will,” said Rhia crossing her arms across her chest and setting her jaw firmly.
“Fine,” said Mike tilting her head to the side and casting a quick glance to Marianna. “I suppose you’ll want to set watches for tonight then. The doors have locks as do the windows so we should be safe enough and, as I said, the elves do not tolerate violence on their doorstep.”
“Watches are a good idea,” said Rhia. “I believe you about the elves though, and I’m sure Borrombo is smart enough to know also. He won’t send his nephew, or whoever that other fellow is, after us tonight I don’t think.”
“Let’s get a fire started and eat something,” said Mike as she started to unpack her own gear. “We’re running low on supplies but my aunt will give us everything we can carry, so there’s no need to save up. We can feast on anything we have left tonight.”
“Your aunt?” asked Marianna. “You haven’t mentioned her before.
“My mother’s younger sister,” said Mike with a shrug. “She’s the queen of Acanthus now. She runs the place, what she says goes. She’s pretty nice, not like my mother.”
“It’s good to know the right people,” said Rhia but her face still wore a frown and she was thinking about the rough-looking dwarf who accompanied Borrombo. Who was that fellow? Where did he come from? Were there more dwarves nearby? These were important questions and she did not like not knowing the answers to them. She was sure Lofo would want to know about it as well.
“What are you thinking?” said Marianna looking at the serious expression on Rhia’s face. “I agree with Mike. I don’t think Borrombo would try anything tonight or while we’re with the elves. It’s Mike’s aunt after all.”
“Where did this Yulvo fellow come from?” said Rhia. “How many others are there? He has the look of a soldier about him.”
Marianna shrugged, “Why does it matter?”
“There’s a war coming,” said Rhia. “Those gnolls have a lot of soldiers.”
Marianna shrugged, “But they don’t stand a chance against the armies of Tanelorn. All those soldiers said so. They’re disorganized.”
“Dwarves are very organized,” said Rhia biting her lip and think about the orderliness of Ironhome. The structure and discipline of the dwarf soldiers that stood guard. “If they are advising the gnolls that could present a problem.”
“It’s just one dwarf,” said Marianna. “And he’s here in Tanelorn. Not up in Grelm with Sunbringer.”
“We have no idea how many there are,” said Rhia imagining a massive army of gnolls organized by a small dwarf cadre. “This whole thing is not random chance. It’s been planned out for a long
time. Borrombo has a lot of friends wherever he’s from. He has allies in Stav’rol. No, this isn’t just some random meeting. Borrombo is here for a good reason and we must be very careful. Tanelorn must be careful.”
Mike yawned, “There’s not much sense worrying about it tonight. Let’s get something to eat and go to bed. The elves are early risers and they’ll be by first thing. They know we’re here and they probably recognized me already.”
Rhia nodded her head, “You’re right, Mike. I can’t do anything about Borrombo or his nephew tonight. Let’s make something to eat and get to bed early.”
They finished unpacking their gear, setting up in the cabin, and then made a meal of the last of their supplies. Borrombo and his nephew did the same with the big dwarf waving cheerily at the girls now and again and even offering to share the choicest cuts of his always bountiful table with them. It was clear both Mike and Marianna would have liked to take him up on his offer but Rhia’s disapproving glare prevented them from doing so.
Borrombo did not seem in any way put out by their refusal and maintained a cheerful disposition at the campfire across from them. His nephew said little and busied himself cleaning a double-headed axe with a golden handle that glowed dark blue in the night. He had a brace of hand-axes on his belt and he oiled them carefully but never even so much as looked up at the girls.
Eventually they tumbled into the cabin and Rhia insisted on taking the first watch. Even after she passed it along to Mike she felt uneasy and found it hard to sleep. She tossed and turned and perhaps got a few hours of sleep, although found that she was wide awake well before first light. Lying on the bed she feigned sleep for a while but eventually sat up and saw Marianna standing in the front hall of the cabin, vigilant on guard.
Rhia rolled out of the comfortable bed and quickly threw on her jerkin, belted her sword to her side, and nodded to Marianna who smiled at her. “You can get some sleep,” said Rhia. “I’m going to walk around the camp a little.”
Marianna nodded her head and trundled off to her bed while Rhia finished getting ready and then carefully opened the door so as not to make too much noise. She needn’t have worried for it opened smoothly without the hint of squeak or scrape. The place was designed not only to be esthetically pleasing but was also perfectly functional.
Rhia closed the door behind her with only the slightest click and looked up at the night sky. The slice of moon that was left this late in the cycle was already set and there was no hint of light from the approaching dawn. A few high clouds drifted overhead but the stars were out in all their brilliance. Rhia looked over to the cabin where Borrombo and his nephew rested but there were no lights. She looked over into the heavy forest but only darkness greeted her in that direction as well. A night bird gave out a loud call but it was too late for crickets and, other than that, only the endless babbling of the brook and the occasional rustling of leaves disturbed the silence.
She walked around the cabin looking to see if anyone had tried to gain entrance in the night but in the darkness there was little she could see. Eventually she arrived back around at the front by the door. Next she went over to the fire pit and tossed a few small pieces of wood on it. The elves kept a well-stocked wood pile near each of the pits and the fire sprang back to life quite quickly. After that there seemed to be nothing else to do and she took another look over at Borrombo’s cabin and then back to their own. She sighed and looked up to the stars again.
She stood under the stars for what seemed like a short time but must have been over an hour because suddenly the song birds began to greet the morning even though the sun had yet to rise. First one and then another sang their ballads and Rhia thought about going in and waking up Mike and Marianna. The sooner they were on their way into the forest the better, she thought to herself but decided there was no point in waking up the girls if the elves were not yet there to greet them.
“Good morning,” said a sweet voice in her ear and she jumped but managed to suppress the scream that wanted to rise to her lips. She looked over and, standing no more than a foot from her, stood an elf girl. She wore a green and silver cloak that seemed to shift its colors and had a red rose in her hair. “I am Dahlia and I’ve been sent to gather you and your friends.”
Rhia stepped back and took her hand off the hilt of her sword where it had reflexively found itself, “I’m Rhia. Do you always sneak up on people like that?”
The girl laughed, “As often as I can.”
Rhia laughed as well although she was not sure why she found it funny, “I’ll get the other two.”
The girl nodded ever so slightly, “Rhia. That is a name I’ve not heard before. You are not from the Five Nations?”
Rhia shook her head, “No, I’m from far to the south. A place called Elekargul where the Freeriders rule.”
The girl smiled pleasantly, “A place I have not heard about before. Gather your friends then and I’ll lead you safely into Acanthus.”
Rhia turned, walked into the cabin, and shook Rhia and Marianna in turn, “Come on, it’s time to go,” she whispered. Both girls opened their eyes and stretched their arms above their heads.
“Already?” said Mike looking out the window where there was still no hint of the morning sun.
“Already,” said Rhia. “It’s a girl named Dahlia.”
Mike pursed her lips, crossing an arm across her chest and closing her eyes, “That’s not an uncommon name. It might be someone I know. What does she look like?”
“It doesn’t matter,” said Rhia. “You’ll see her soon enough. Now wake up and let’s go.”
“There’s no big hurry,” said Mike. “I’m the niece of the queen. They’ll wait for us.”
“You want to find out about that dagger, don’t you?” said Rhia giving the girl another shake.
This seemed to rouse Mike and she sat up in the bed, “I do. All right, all right.” She rolled to a seated position, stood up, and then slowly began to get dressed.
Marianna, once she awoke, moved with greater alacrity and was quickly dressed and ready to go. Soon enough all three girls were outside although Rhia noted that another elf was conversing with Borrombo’s nephew on the porch of his cabin.
Dahlia walked over to Rhia and handed her a small yellow flower, “For you, Rhia,” she said with a little bow. She then walked over to Marianna, introduced herself, and handed a similar flower to the girl.
“Thank you,” said Marianna. “I’m Marianna.”
Dahlia smiled and then walked over to Mike. The girl bowed, handed her a different sort of flower, this one purple, and said something in a language that was unfamiliar to Rhia but the words sounded like they were to a song.
“Come along,” said Dahlia and turned back toward the forest walking down the path that led into it.
“What did she sing to you?” asked Marianna moving next to Mike.
“Nothing,” said Mike with a frown.
“It was beautiful,” said Marianna persisting.
“It was nothing,” said Mike with a scowl. “Don’t mention it again.”
Marianna looked over to Rhia and shrugged her shoulders. The trio followed Dahlia into the wood and they found themselves on a well-maintained dirt path that wound its way through the forest. The birds were now singing in full voice and hopping from tree to tree all around. There were hundreds, perhaps thousands of them of all different shapes, sizes and colors. Rhia had never seen such a variety in so small an area.
“You have quite a number of birds here,” she said to Dahlia.
The elf girl smiled, “There are over four hundred species at last count. If you ever wish to bring a gift to our queen then a mated pair of birds whose species does not yet live in the wood is considered the finest gift of all.”
Rhia gave a sidelong glance to Mike, “Speaking of your queen,” she said.
Dahlia smiled, “Go on?”
“Who is she?”
“Her short name is Ellesia,” said Dahlia. “The longer name w
ould not be easy for you to say or remember. Do you have business with the Queen?”
Rhia shook her head, “No. We are here to find out about Mike’s dagger. We were recently in Ironhome and they told us it was magical and recommended your mages look at it to determine its nature. But while we were there I learned they are ruled by an Elder Council. It made me curious as to how you are ruled. In Tanelorn no one truly rules although the Gray Lord makes many decisions.”
Dahlia turned her head and smiled at Rhia, “Political things interest you?” she asked. The girl moved with astounding grace and her footsteps made no sound on the soft dirt path.
“They do,” said Rhia suddenly realizing that they did. She had seen so many different forms of government in her trip from Elekargul to Tanelorn. Each was different and effective in its own way but none was perfect. “I saw so many different kinds of rule on my journey. I find it interesting how a people are ruled and how the citizens of that nation view their ruler. Are you happy under your queen?”
“I am happy,” said Dahlia. “Although I cannot speak for all elves in Acanthus.”
Rhia nodded her head, “She is the sole ruler of this land? Her decisions are final or is there some sort of council or written law which she cannot overrule?”
“Her decisions are final,” said Dahlia. “Once a decision is made only she can change it. Her father was the king before her.”
“Interesting,” said Rhia and they continued to walk along the lovely path. They passed fountains and statues as they wandered through the forest. After several hours of walking they stopped for a short meal that Dahlia provided. It was some sort of compressed vegetable matter but tasted of flowers and wine and proved incredibly filling despite the small amount.
“What is this?” asked Marianna her eyes wide as she took a bite of the delicious wafer.
