by Rick Brown
“Ok, follow me,” Orlik ordered.
Chapter 19
(Lee)
Even though the dwarves had flattened out paths through the caverns centuries ago, it still took hours of pulling and begging to lead the horses through the cavern and towards the exit. As I watched Jacob lead them down the side of the mountain, I was glad to see them go. “Alright, Orlik. Let’s get that crystal.”
Orlik led us down another passage. It was tough to see just by torchlight, I hoped this crystal trick works. I raised my hand above my head to avoid any low ceilings. “Just a little further,” the dwarf called out.
After a few minutes he led us into a room that had obviously been carved out of the rock. On one side sat a few blankets piled on the floor. On the other side were piles of gold and gems.
Whilhoit let out a long whistle as Barad just stopped in the doorway and gawked. “It’s a fortune!” Barad finally managed to say.
“What? That,” The dwarf asked as he scratched at his nose. “That ain’t nothing. Just some fun money.”
“Fun money that could buy a lordship,” Ryan calculated.
“Aye, that could be fun,” Orlik replied smiling. “So, what sort of gem do you be needing?”
I thought for a moment. “I really don’t know. I haven’t tried it before. Is there a stone that’s not valuable?”
“Pffft. If it ain’t valuable I just toss it back. Here, try this,” he stated as he pulled out an emerald.
I took the stone, pushing a trickle of energy into its center. Immediately a green glow filled the room.”
“Bah,” Orlik complained as he took the stone back. “That color will drive me crazy to be looking at all day. Here, try this opal,” He stated as he handed me an opal the size of my fist.
I took the stone and again released magic into it. This time it let off a warm white light.
“There we go!” The dwarf exclaimed as he clapped his hands. “That’ll do nicely.”
I looked at the glowing rock, feeling very pleased with myself. I held it up and it easily lit the entire room we were standing in. I tried adding more energy and the stone brightened to the point I had to close my eyes.
“Lee!” Brianna exclaimed. “You’re blinding me!”
“Sorry!” I said as I dimmed the light.
“Here,” said Orlik as he walked across the room and grabbed a broken axe handle and some leather. “Let’s tie it onto this. That way, you can hold’er up like a torch.”
I started fumbling with the leather and opal, trying to secure it to the axe handle. “Here,” Abigail said, as she took them from me and sat on Orlik’s blankets. “It’s obvious you’ve never had any training as a lady. Sewing and needlepoint are required lessons,” She said as she started wrapping the leather around the handle, then looping over the opal, and back around the handle again.
“There. Try that,” She stated as she handed it back to me.
I took that axe handle and swung it a couple of time to make sure the opal didn’t fly off. “It’s a torch, not a sword,” Abigail chastised. “You just have to hold it over your head.
I gave her a frown, but did as she asked. I sent energy into it as I held it up and it lit the room. “There, that’s better.” Orlik announced. “So, you say ya want to visit Illiner.”
“That’s right. I’m going to collect Alynon’s Tear.”
“So, it’s reached that point, has it? I suppose Alynon himself told you it’s time to get it?”
I hadn’t expected that question. I stood with my mouth agape as I searched for an answer. “That’s alright boy, ya silence answered my question.” Orlik walked over to his blankets and sat down, leaning against the wall. He rubbed his face with a sigh.
“How long have I been away?” he wondered aloud. “What has happened in the world that has led us to this?”
He looked up at me. “Dommeran’s coming for Vaelin?” I nodded in yes.
“I was caught up in this mess centuries ago. Swore I’d never allow myself to be dragged in it again. Yet, here ya are.”
“If you can just guide us through the caverns, that’s all we’ll need,” Abigail said comfortingly.
“Ha!” the dwarf laughed. “Ya don’t know Alynon, do ya lass? Once he gets ya, there ain’t no lettin’ go.” Then Orlik sighed again. “But he’s right. He always is. Years ago, he tried to warn us about Gorath. Sure, he was a might violent for a god, but we thought no more of it. Then outta nowheres came his army. Mowed right through Alsselya before they knew what hits them.”
Orlik looked back towards me. “It was a beautiful place, lad. Ya would have loved it. Now, well now there’s nothing left but rubble.”
“I wish to rebuild that beauty, but I can’t do it alone,” I said as I knelt down before him.
“Pfttt. Can’t do it at all, not without us dwarves. We was the ones that built that palace. No one can build like us.”
“We elves will help,” Farloc volunteered.
“Elves?” Orlik challenged as he stood up. “Yer kind couldn’t build a privy!”
“Illiner is beautiful!” Farloc defended.
“Aye, it is! Because we dwarves built it! Yer peoples were living in shacks when we met. We traded our building skills for use of yer magic.” Orlik then whispered to me, “Their spellcasters can make some fine tools and weapons, but don’t let’em know it. The arrogant, pointy-eared cheaters will rob ya blind.”
“Will you help us?” Father Yagen interrupted.
Orlik looked him up and down. “The Priest of Alynon used to be all bookish. You look like ya seen a scrap or two.”
“We don’t plan to lose Alsselya again,” Father Yagen replied.
“Ha! I like it. Fightin’ priests. Ah, I guess life has been boring the last century. All right. I’ve been laying around in the drink for too long. I’ll guide ya up to Illiner, then... well, then we’ll see.”
We had followed Orlik through the caverns for what seemed like hours. I had no way to tell time down here, but it must be getting late, because I was growing tired and hungry. Reaching into my bag, I pulled out some jerky to snack on.
After about the first three hours I felt my arm would fall off from holding up the torch. Luckily, the ever-willing Whilhoit volunteered to carry it. Bless him. I thought to myself for the hundredth time.
“When are we going to sleep?” I heard Abigail whine from behind.
“Orlik,” I called out. “Is there a chamber where we can make camp nearby?”
“Eh? Oh. I forgot how soft you humans are,” He replied, not worrying about anyone’s feelings. “Aye, there’s an area up ahead that’s got water. We’ll stop there.”
He led us to a chamber that was large enough for us to lie down. Happily, I threw my canvas down and laid my blanket on top of it. “Ahh… that’s a relief,” I said as much to myself as anyone else.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Abigail said from nearby, sighing as she pulled off her boots. “I don’t think I ever walked this much in my life.”
“Well, as you pointed out, I’ve never knitted or sewn or whatever, but I have marched. A lot. The guild doesn’t supply horses. Barad and I walked all the way from Coneer to the Fields of Alynon, where we fought the Dommerians.”
“I hadn’t thought about its name. Why do we call the border the Fields of Alynon?”
“That’s where Alsselya’s soldiers made their last stand. If not for Ayisha, there wouldn’t be any Alsselyians left.”
“So, are you really going to retake Alsselya from the Dommerians? Where do you even start?’
I laughed. “Well, apparently you start under a mountain covered with snow with a cranky dwarf as a guide.”
“I heard that!” Orlik called back.
“And?” I asked.
“And you’re right. Ha!”
I shook my head at the odd dwarf and turned back to Abigail. “So, here we are. Heading to an elven city. Then I guess we are off to the dwarves.”
“Brianna told me that
Alynon sent you to find me. Is that true?”
“Well, no. Alynon didn’t send me.” Abigail started to lean back in disappointment. “It was Ayisha who woke me that night.”
Abi sat back up quickly. “You talk to Ayisha too!”
I nodded. “It started the night of the ball. When my shield broke, the last of my magic was used and I collapsed. I woke in the same ballroom, but only the dead remained, the dead and Alynon and Ayisha. She was mourning the loss of her people.
“When Alynon told her I would get her revenge, she insisted that I carry her blessing as well. I’m not even really sure what that means, other than more work for me.”
“Like me?” She asked.
I laughed. “I didn’t intend any offense, but yes she entered my dream and said you needed help. So, I went bumping around that night trying to find whom she meant. Luckily, I saw your candle going into the stable. Ayisha was right too, as much as you needed the training, we’ve needed you. Having a magician as strong as you around will help out a lot.”
Brianna came and leaned against a nearby rock. “I agree. Besides, having another girl around is a welcome break. Watching these goons making muscles and swinging their swords around can make a girl go crazy. Finally, someone sane has been added to the group.”
“Bah!” Orlik balked as he walked over. “Sane is boring, girly. You should swing your axe first, then find out who it was second.”
Bri rolled her eyes. “And now there’s this one. All the machismo of the boys rolled into one dwarf.”
Orlik’s eyes squinted. “Once I find out what that means, you and I will… GAAHH!” Orlik yelled as he dropped his suddenly lit pipe. Abigail started laughing out loud at her own trick. Orlik turned to look at me. “That’s why ya shouldn’t travel with women!” With that he stomped off to the corner.
“Well, I like traveling with women,” Barad disagreed.
“Especially one that can take on five men at once without a weapon,” Ryan added with a smile.
“So, I guess it’s safe now,” I turned to Brianna. “What happened at the blade smiths?”
Barad jumped in. “Please, Brianna is too humble, allow me to tell the story.” Barad went on to tell what was likely a heavily embellished tale of Brianna beating up a bunch of bullying Lords and taking that magnificent sword for Ryan.
Whilhoit was laughing so hard he wiped a tear from his eye. “Oh my. Ryan, is that what really happened?”
“Close enough,” Ryan answered, still laughing. “Maybe a little more blood, and some less pant-wetting, but it’s pretty accurate.”
“Miss Wellborn. You never fail to impress,” Farloc congratulated.
Bri stood and took a mock bow. “Thank you, gentlemen. If any of you ever need someone pummeled, just let me know.”
Orlik returned from his corner. “Ya really whooped up on five armed men?” Brianna nodded. “Ha! I weren’t aware ya were a fighter! Good on ya!” He said as he sat back with the group.
“That’s a remarkable axe,” Farloc mentioned. “Is it elven enchanted?”
“Oh, aye. It’s was enchanted centuries ago not to break. It’s named ‘Slayer’. She’s always sharp, this one,” he said as he looked at his axe with pride.
“Never needs sharpening?” Whilhoit whistled. “It seems my life as a soldier has been spent over a whet-stone.”
“Oh, that’s the way of being a soldier,” Orlik agreed as he stroked his beard. “I hope to never march in a line again.”
“I second that!” Barad said, smiling.
“So Orlik, what can we expect in these caves?” Father Pild asked.
“Down here, not much,” Orlik replied. “When we start to traveling up is when you start to see the baddies.”
“What baddies?” Ryan asked, looking very concerned.
“Them trolls that live up on the mountain like to winter in the caves. Nasty buggers. We should try to avoid’em, if we can.”
“And if we can’t?” I asked.
The dwarf shrugged. “Run. Their hides are tough as armor. Luckily, we’re in caves. There’s always a small nook they can’t fit into. They’ll wander off after a day or two… probably.”
“Right, then we’ll focus on the ‘avoid’ part of that plan,” I announced to everyone, feeling a lot less sure about traveling through these caves as I was a little while ago. “Let’s get some sleep and then keep moving. The less time in these caves, the less opportunity for trouble.”
Chapter 20
(Lee)
Traveling through the caverns over the last few days had been tedious. We followed Orlik through endless tunnels and chambers. Every once in a while, he would stop to read runes left behind from the dwarves that once explored these caverns. While some tunnels were wide enough for us to walk side by side, others were so narrow we were forced to turn sideways and shuffle through. The stones were often slick with moisture and lichen.
Everyone took turns carrying our makeshift torch with the opal tied on top. As soon as one carrier’s arm tired, it would be switched to the next person. We had all become quiet as we took one monotonous step after the other. The glowing opal cast strange shadows as its light bounced off boulders and stalactites.
“What’s that smell?” Abigail stated, shocking me with the break from the silence. Everyone stopped and sniffed the air. It took me a moment before I identified what she was talking about.
“Troll. It’s coming from that side tunnel,” Orlik stated as he pointed to a large tunnel connect to the one we traveled. “Trolls aren’t very bright. Let’s keep moving and it shouldn’t find us.” We needed no other encouragement, as we sped up our pace.
A few hours later Orlik finally stopped. “Is it time for camp?” Ryan asked longingly.
“We might as well,” the dwarf answered. “There’s a wee problem with this route. We’re gonna need to backtrack tomorrow.”
I walked forward to stand next to Orlik, and I quickly saw the problem. A few feet before us the tunnel was flooded. “How deep is it?” I asked.
“Dunno. Could be two feet, could be twenty.”
I took the torch from Ryan, who was currently carrying it, and held it over the water. Using more magic, I increased its brightness. The water extended as far as I could see. Sighing, I had to agree with Orlik. We’ll have to turn back.
“Alright, everyone. We’re making camp for the night,” I called out dejectedly. How much time will we lose. A day? A week?
As I sat down, Orlik slapped my back. “It’ll be ok lad, I’ve seen enough and done enough to know it’ll eventually work out.” I just nodded.
As I reached for my bag, a roar echoed closely down the tunnel we had just traversed. “Troll!” Barad yelled from his position in the back.
“Change of plans,” I ordered. “Everyone into the water!”
Orlik was still in the lead position, so he was the first to wade out. “Gods, it’s cold!” he complained.
I waded in behind him and had to agree. I placed my hand on his back and started pushing him forward. “No time to get used to it. Keep moving.”
Another roar reverberated through the cavern, this time it sounded much closer. Once the water reach chest high on me, the ground started to level out. Unfortunately, that meant it was over Orlik’s head.
“Blast this water!” the dwarf cursed. I looked behind me to see everyone was now in the water, holding their bags over their heads. We were only fifty feet down the path when the troll entered the flooded chamber. The beast was huge. It must have measured twelve feet in height and three feet at the shoulders. From this distance it appeared to have gray skin with random patches of black hair on its body and head. It let out another deafening roar as it spotted us.
The beast took three strides forward with its short blocky legs before it stepped in the water. The creature looked down while making almost a whimpering sound as it splashed its foot in the water. Again, it let out a furious roar.
“Is it following us?” I called to Barad,
who was acting as rearguard.
“No, it keeps kicking at the water. I don’t think it can swim,” He replied.
I pushed my way back through everyone to stand next to Barad. The troll did seem to not like the water. “Orlik! Can these things swim?”
“How the hells should I know?” He yelled back as he was treading water.
The creature started walking back and forth along the water’s edge, continuing its whimpering sound. “Poor thing,” Barad pitied. “That crying makes me feel sorry for it. Maybe we can just feed it Ryan.”
“Hey!” Ryan complained from behind.
“Just teasing!” Barad called back. “You’d hardly be filling enough for that big boy.”
The troll turned and walked over to the wall and picked up something. “What does he have?” Barad asked.
“Is that a bag? Did someone leave their bag behind?”
“Sorry!” Lenux called back. “I forgot it in the panic.” As we watched, the troll started grabbing handfuls of something from the bag and eating it.
“Well, it like’s something in there,” Barad observed.
“My candies!” Lenux yelled in a panic, pushing his way to the front. “Noo...” He whined as he watched the troll drop the hard candies into its mouth.
“Look at that. He seems to really like the lemon ones,” Barad noted, as he patted Lenux on the back.
As we watched, the troll lay down and watched us, blocking our exit. Even as far from it as we were, the smell from the creature was overwhelming. It’s yellow eyes just staring at us.
“Alright Orlik. Might as well start swimming. There’s no going back now,” I called out.
“About bloody time, us dwarves ain’t made for treading water,” He yelled back.
The troll started moaning as it watched us disappear into the darkness. After a half mile of wading, the water level dropped and we finally waded back up onto dry ground. Orlik collapsed onto his back, panting from the exertion of swimming.
“You bloody humans and your long legs, curse you all!” he griped between gasps for air.
