by Alan Mundle
Rafarin was at a loss. He didn't know what was affecting him most, the importance and glory that his son had achieved in finding a lone Griftin, the consequences for his whole race, or that the Empire threatened both his son's life and that of the rest of the family. He wanted nothing more at that moment than to be with his youngest and defend him against any that would do him harm. He looked back to Castin after pacing the balcony when receiving all of the news. The Lord had risked so much for him that at that moment, he would have proposed a bonding if he didn't already have a husband. He approached the Castin and dropped to his knees beside him. 'Please, My Lord, what help can we send my son? I know that if something is not done to help soon, he will be prone to some desperate act that may finish him.' Castin's head sunk to the ground. Rafarin wasn't sure what was happening, but he didn't like it. He didn't like it at all. 'My Lord?
Castin stood up from the bench and brought Rafarin to his feet. 'Rafarin, there's something you should know.'
CHAPTER 23
TRUTH
'Trust me.'
Soraba nodded but kept her axe ready. Torbin pulled a chair to him and sat down in front of Dalara. He regarded the silver thermal armour laid out of the bed then looked back to her 'That's good armour you wear now, Professor. I didn't know Scholars were being offered the arms of the Empire these days. I'm jealous.'
Dalara bowed her head lower. 'You are looking for answers, of why I betrayed you. What good will it do? I have shamed myself before you and the Gods. I seek an end. To be lost in the Void that is removed from the Great Rock. It is what I deserve.'
'Perhaps,' Torbin said. 'But first, you will tell me who you are and why you're really here. I think you at least owe me that.'
Dalara nodded. She let her leg fall and sat down, still looking at the deck. 'I am Dalara, and I am of the Scholar Guild, in the Empire's service, Second to Regent Canara.
'Lies!' shouted Soraba. 'Why would a Regent make a Scholar her Second? It makes no sense.'
'It does seem somewhat far-fetched,' said Torbin. 'Regents take the sons and daughter's of Lords or rich Nobles as their Seconds, ones that prove themselves perfect in the eyes of the Empress in battle. What reason would one of the finest in the Nations make you her Second?'
Dalara's head didn't look away from the deck and spoke in a slow, soft voice. 'One day, Regent Canara made her annual visit to Mordabinn's Imperial University to represent the Empress. We were all outside to welcome her, it was such an honour! But there was one in the crowd who thought differently. Hooded and clocked, a heretic of the Separatists broke through the line of the First Battalion and made to attack Canara. She was addressing my mentors and me at the time, and I saw the attacker approach. I was terrified, but I threw the Regent to the ground so I could intercept him. I only held his weapon at bay for a moment before the First caught up with him. They killed him on the spot and took the Regent and the Empress to safety.
Torbin remembered hearing about this incident. News of it had spread quickly across the Nations. Dwarves everywhere were shocked that anyone could make such an attack. Until recently, the very idea was unthinkable. 'Everyone started running. I was in so much shock, I just did what everyone else did. I ran back to the university and locked myself in my quarters. Not the bravest action for a Dwarf, I'm sure you'll agree.' Torbin considered the scenario and didn't think her cowardly at all. It took guts to put yourself in danger for someone else, let alone a Regent. If she had been a Warrior, it would have been expected, but for a civilian, it took real courage. 'That same afternoon,' Dalara continued, 'The Regent summoned me to the Imperial palace. My family received a hero's feast, and I was invited by Canara to be her Second. At first, I was honoured beyond words. What Dwarf wouldn't wish for the chance to work with the Empire and bring great honour to their family name?’
‘The training was hard. While fulfilling the duties of a Scholar, they put me through harsh training, reserved for only the highest Nobles and Warriors. But it brought rewards. I was given access to many Imperial resources that allowed me to advance my studies. I poured through their historical texts, tales of the founding of the Empire, records that covered what little we know about the disappearance of the other races.' This stirred Torbin's curiosity. 'What did you find?'
'Accounts from the various expeditions that were made to find everyone. Information that used to be public record for all Humans, Elves and what they knew of the Griftins. They gave the details of how they used Magic in the past. It was all quite fascinating, really. Did you know that their sky cities stayed up by...'
'Torbin!' Soraba interrupted, agitation and nervousness on her face. 'We've got to move and soon. Just get what you came here for!'
Torbin knew she was right. This was by no means time for a history lesson, as fascinating as it was. 'Agreed. Professor, I need to know one thing from you. Will you stand with me against the Regent? I have been watching you since you got here and I like to think I can read people pretty well. Despite your deception, I don't believe that you would see the Griftin dead, nor would you wish me or my Dwarves harm.'
'I don't,' replied Dalara in great earnest. 'By Sapphire and all the gods, I have never wanted that. The Empire rules by deception and greed. At least Canara does, anyway. But she has my whole House in her clutches. I serve that godless villain to keep my family alive, and I pray to the Great Rock that she can be stopped.'
Torbin stared through her for a long time. He wasn't expecting this. He searched for anything, something that might betray her words, he couldn't afford to be unsure. 'What reason would they have to hold your family?' Soraba made to move for Torbin, but he held up a hand to stop his lover in her tracks. He needed to know this, despite what was happening around them.
'You've seen what Canara is. Together we travelled the Empire, enforcing the law and ensuring that all are faithful. There were times I would witness her commit unspeakable acts of cruelty on those she suspected of being Separatist sympathisers, lock up criminals for the smallest of crimes, in many cases exaggerating what they had done so that they would receive the harshest sentence. No one dares speak out against her, for a Regent's word is that of the Empress's and that of the Gods.'
Dalara put her head in her hands as she continued to speak, almost in tears. 'One day, we were travelling the streets of Surestone City, in the Emeralddin Nation. We were returning home in secret after a covert meeting with local Regent authorities. Travelling through the city at night we happened upon a group of Dwarflings who were throwing rocks. Magically. We agreed that they must have stolen Earth Runes and decided to quietly follow them to discover where they were staying, that we might get word back to the local guards who would make an example of the families involved. I wished that was all that happened. But it wasn't. Instead, we uncovered not just one family, but scores of them hidden in a secret part of the city. I remember thinking that perhaps we had revealed a criminal organisation engaged in smuggling Runes and contraband. Such a capture and exposure of such a movement would bring great wealth and reward from the Empress. But that was not what they were doing. It was something far more terrifying. They had all gathered in a small courtyard. Many of their elder Dwarves were talking while the others sat around and listened. We couldn't get close enough to discover what they were saying. We didn't have to. The elders had stopped speaking and gestured to stones that were placed in front of them all. It happened after a few seconds, the stones started to rise from the ground and float upwards above all their heads. Canara and I both look around to see where they kept the Earth Runes they were using to do this. But then the others who sat down, both Dwarves and Dwarflings, all placed stones before them and closed their eyes. The stones all rose from the ground and joined those of the elders. Then the stones started to glow in different colours. Soon the whole dwelling was glowing from the stones that were circling in the air. And we just knew. These Dwarves were using Magic of their own!’
‘Canara immediately ordered a complete withdrawal of our forc
es. We had many First Warriors in our company, but there were more of these Magic users and no way to know the extent of their powers and what they could do. But Canara also knew that they had to act fast. She said that these Dwarves could not be allowed to go free, that we needed to know more about this impossible movement, how many there were, and if they were confined to this one city. We set out to return to the Imperial forces of the city, but we didn't get very far. Armed Dwarves appeared out of nowhere. Our First Warriors were subdued by the sheer numbers that appeared before us. Canara was perfectly prepared to die rather than submit to Void cursed Dwarves and their evil sorcery and ordered us all to attack. But a stranger came out of the enemy crowd to address us. His name was Treygen.’
‘After a while of heated exchange, it became apparent that we were not dealing with forces of the Dwarves that we had just discovered, but with a cell of Separatists. I didn't think our luck could get any worse. We were trapped between two dangerous forces and I felt sure that we were done for. But Treygen managed to convince Canara to listen to him and no wonder. I have never met another Dwarf whose words were so compelling. The two leaders left their parties together to discuss matters privately, while we all held our ground, weapons still in our hands. I thought she was crazy, even then. She was leaving the company of her forces to go with someone very dangerous that could be leading her into an even bigger trap. After a long time, the two leaders reappeared, both ordering their follows to stand down. Even the First had a problem with this, and it took the Regent a while to make them obey. When she finally had her way, she informed us of what was to come. She told us something as impossible as the Magic we had witnessed. She commanded that we were to join forces with these Separatists and that, together, we would destroy any trace of the Magical Dwarves that we had both happened upon. At that moment I couldn't move. I confess, I thought that they should all be detained, if not for their own safety, but for that of others. But to kill them? I couldn't do it. Not to all those Dwarflings I had seen. Canara looked at me for a long time until finally, she ordered me to stay behind and keep watch, and for this act of betrayal, I would suffer.’
‘And so they all left, but not before leaving one First Warrior to ensure that I followed my orders. I wanted to flee, to run as far as I could until happening on local guards that could stop the whole affair. But my skill with the sword was not apt enough to take on a First. So I could do nothing. Except listen… to the screams, the bloodshed… the carnage! I swear by The Great Rock I will never forget that night. They came back, bloody and scarred. They only suffered a few losses. Treygen prepared to leave, explaining that they would never speak of this again. But before he could leave, all the First surprised the Separatist Warriors and caught them off guard. Most were slaughtered while Canara and Treygen had the fiercest of duels. Finally, she subdued and brought him to heel. The First brought the bodies of the Separatists and those from the hidden dwelling out before the people and claimed that Treygen led an incursion into the city to slaughter innocent civilians. It was the word of a Regent against his. He could do nothing.’
‘As punishment for my disobedience, she sent word back to Mordabinn and had my family locked up until I had earned back the Regents favour. Coming here, to this Gods forsaken prison was supposed to be the mission that achieved my family's freedom.'
With this, Torbin turned to Soraba. 'She's with us.'
Soraba lowered her axe. Dalara breathed steadily again.
'What now?' Dalara asked. 'You must have a strong plan to make it all the way here.'
'It really depends on you,' said Torbin. 'We need to get the Griftin out of here. I want to keep everyone's family safe, but the creature can't be allowed to die at Canara's hands.'
'I suspected she wants to kill the poor creature, but how did you know?'
'It told me through communion. It looked into her mind and knew Canara's intentions.'
'But she can't just kill it now even if she wanted to. It's fed upon too much Magic, it will be self-sustaining now...'
She stopped talking. Her eyes grew wide, a realisation dawning upon her.
'What is it?' said Torbin.
'She knows she can't kill it. For the last two days, Canara has had me researching more about the Magic pictographs, the way they control Forin. She doesn't want to kill it. She wants to seal it back into the ice.'
'That doesn't sound so bad,' said Soraba. 'We put it back, guard it in the prison and as well as the other criminals in the world. Everyone's happy.'
But Torbin knew what Dalara was driving at. 'It's bad, love. It couldn't be worse. The Regent has chosen to seal the most life-changing event in our history, which means getting rid of everything connected to it. And everyone.' Torbin looked at Soraba as comprehension dawned on her. If all went ill, only Canara and the silent Warriors of the First would walk away from Void Prison alive. Torbin could see it all. Canara would complete the deed and be welcomed back as a hero to the Empress, telling of some epic battle in which all members of the expedition team perished. Quite a neat package, he thought. He would rather lose himself to the Void than let that happen.
'What can we do, Torbin?' said Soraba. 'This changes everything.'
Torbin’s head raced with different scenarios, trying to find the best solution. Finally, he looked at Dalara again. 'Not really,' Torbin said. 'We knew it was going to be her or us before we even began this plot. At least now, we know what she is doing.' Torbin looked to the Professor. 'Our first business must be to find out what Canara has done with the Griftin.'
'And when we have?' asked Soraba. 'If we go in the chamber without a plan to get it and us out, we will surely die.'
Torbin knew she was right. If they were intent on freeing the creature, he needed to change the plan. 'When are you expected to report to the Regent?' Torbin asked Dalara.
'Not for at least three hours.' Dalara could read Torbin's thinking. 'And no, I will not be disturbed before then.'
Torbin was satisfied. 'All right everyone, gather round. We have a lot to do.'
CHAPTER 24
DOWN
Etarin was as broken and angry as the rest of his siblings after Lord Castin informed the family an hour ago of his brother Torbin's death. It was nothing compared to what all his parents were feeling, but he just couldn't console his sisters anymore. He had to do something, anything from going insane. Of all of the family, he was the most unaccustomed at being confined. He got up and started walking, hoping that he would eventually find a place in Lord Castin's estate that had a training chamber or courtyard. He needed to hit something! He walked, and he walked until he happened upon his Second Father Dentin. He saw him sitting outside the room his parents had been given. Etarin loved him, but he looked at his face and thought he was the most wretched Dwarf he had ever seen. Etarin swallowed his temper and walked over to him slowly. He sat down beside his Second Father and put an arm around him.
'By the Gods,' Dentin said with surprise. 'I didn't even hear you.'
'Would you prefer to be alone?' Etarin asked.
Dentin considered for a moment before shaking his head. 'No, good son. I did for a time when consoling First Father and your mothers. Rafarin went insane when he learned of your brother's fate. Finally, the only way I had left to subdue him was to knock him out. He now sleeps with your mothers at his side. They are all devoid of sense, with nothing but their grief to share.' He looked up into Etarin’s face. 'I feel his loss just as bitterly… but they need me to be here, should Castin come back with more news.'
Etarin's heart broke at Dentin's words. But he would not weep. He never had, and he never would. It was not the Warrior's way. He put his arm around his Second Father and spoke as softly as he was capable. 'If only the Empire would have allowed me to go to the prison, that I might have fought at my little brother's side and defended him. He never had any real talent with the sword, someone should have been there to help him!'
Dentin took the hand on his shoulder. 'Skilled though you are i
n combat good son, you could not have taken on a Regent and her collection of First Warriors. You would have perished alongside your bother and today's loss would be greater. No… better that you are here, where you are needed now more than ever.
Etarin heard the words but was not listening. It was his right to defend his brother, his duty. He had never really got on with him in their time together. During their schooling years, Torbin had outstripped him in all matters scholarly, to the point where it made him look like a fool — always bringing home little medals when he brought back none. His only revenge was during battle training. It was the only thing he was better at than Torbin. When they would train against each other, he quickly subdued his little brother. Many a time he had received a beating from both of his fathers for having been too hard on Torbin. Torbin would come back bruised and bleeding from head to foot. In all the time they trained together, Torbin only landed one very lucky hit. Etarin had stepped on a stone he didn't see, and the temporary distraction allowed Torbin to get close with an upper-cut, his sword piercing just under his left eye and part of the eyebrow. Secretly the elder brother was impressed that Torbin had landed the hit, and when it healed, he thought it made him quite attractive to the females. He didn't, however, want Torbin to get the impression that he liked it in any way and gave him the thrashing of his life. But what he loved about those times and respected about his little brother was that he didn't complain. Not once. Every time he got knocked to the ground, Torbin would always find it in him to get up again, smile at Etarin and say, 'Well met, brother. Again?' A silent part of him always laughed when he heard this. He had the highest respect for his brother's ability not to get angry at every defeat and keep on going. It was the thing he loved most of all about him. He never gave up! Days when other Dwarflings in training attempted to fight his little brother, Etarin would be there as fast as lightning to return the favour tenfold. Only he was allowed to touch Torbin, and only the gods could help those who forgot it. This memory made him sit up instantly and started pacing.
