However, looking back out to sea he could not perceive anything which would indicate where he was. This was not helped by the thick mist that seemed to hover just above the waters, obscuring his view. With little option but to head inland a little, Akeev clambered up the nearest dunes. Not knowing what lay ahead and with no supplies, the future for him was uncertain, to say the least. Aside from the stick which was still clasped tightly in his hand, he checked his pants for the steel-bladed knife he had found, and the pouch containing the coins and two rings and felt some comfort in finding that they were still there.
Once atop the dunes, he looked out into the distance, across the strange, foreign land that had once been home to his ancestors. He felt somewhat deflated when all he saw was a barren wasteland before him. There were no trees, no animals nor even any plants, other than the annoying marram grass which stabbed into his feet where he was stood. He turned slightly to look a little further south and could see nothing of any note. A few rocky outcrops here and there, but nothing that would suggest signs of any life.
However, he felt a small glimmer of hope when he turned to gaze further north. In the distance, he could see what he assumed to be the remains of a settlement, although from what he saw it was clear even from that distance it had long since been abandoned to the elements. Despite the fact every muscle and sinew in his body screamed for him to rest, he felt the need to push north and inspect the ruins.
With no food or fresh water, he would have to make these his priority, or else die a slow painful death; something he had absolutely no intention of doing. Akeev, if nothing else was a fighter, a survivor, brought into the world with a struggle, and had endured one ever since. Life was hard and cruel, but there was no way he was giving up on it just yet.
As strange as it was, walking actually seemed to get rid of some of the aching stiffness in his legs. And after an hour of heading towards the ruins, he realised the place was far bigger than he had first thought. From his slightly elevated position, he could see what he thought was an outer wall, at least the remains of one. If indeed this was once a troll city, it would have been vacated many centuries ago. He could also make out the outlines of individual buildings, and a few that still had some resemblance of walls.
Knowing only too well that these were tainted lands and that any water he found flowing in a stream or river would likely be undrinkable, he did hold out that perhaps somewhere amongst the ruins, rainwater may have been caught in something. A slim chance he knew, but at that moment in time was the only one he had. Keeping as close to the dunes as he could, while still heading in the general direction of the ruins, he found himself in an estuary.
The sea and the river met here, and he noticed it headed upstream towards the ruins. A thought occurred to him. He knew the sea water was unaffected by the taint, although he couldn’t drink it, it did support all the forms of life one would expect to find. If, as he had been taught, that all the rivers and streams remaining in the tainted lands of his ancestors were indeed nothing more than poison to anything living, where did one end and the other begin?
Surely the one would flow into the other and vice versa depending on the tide. Life certainly would not just stop at any one point, and start at another; at least he thought not. Deciding to leave the dunes behind he ventured a little further upstream, trying to see where the salt water of the sea joined the fresh water of the land. Akeev would have been the first to admit, that he was no expert, but he did know that waters on the land were not salty as they were in the ocean. Somewhere in this estuary, the two would meet, and he could not understand that if the rivers flowed to the sea, how come the taint did not flow out with it?
For the first time since his landing, he felt his mouth becoming a little drier, and his stomach grumbling for food. He thought he could see where the salty water of the ocean met the fresh water of the river and was somewhat underwhelmed by the result. However, whatever caused the taint that affected the river, somehow did not carry out into the sea, as if the land around was the very thing poisoning the waters. Once it was free of the land, the water appeared to be as normal and contain life as he had expected.
Knowing if he were going to get anything to eat he would have to find it nearer the beach he ventured over to an area of rock pools. With the tainted river waters just twenty paces further upstream, he used all his skills in survival to hunt for food. He found a little seaweed that he knew was edible, and while not particularly enamouring it would help. However, that was not the only thing he hoped to find, as he slowly lifted several of the rocks.
Normally limpets were tough to dislodge, but now he had his steel-bladed knife, he found he could force them free. After just a few minutes of searching, he found a score or more, which he gathered together in his spare hand. With the seaweed hung over his strange stick, and a handful of limpet shells, he went to start heading inland towards the ruins. However, a small movement caught the corner of his eye, and he gently knelt back down and placed his small cache down on one of the larger rocks. Lifting another small stone, he spotted a large crab scurrying for cover, but Akeev wasted no time in reaching into the water and grabbing it before it could escape. Despite the pincers snapping out in a vain attempt at escape, Akeev held on firmly to what would make a satisfactory feast.
The walk up to the external wall of the ruins took him a little longer than he thought. To make carrying things easier, he had cut a little of the rough material that made up his pants and created a pouch to place his findings in. The air here had a strange smell, and one he felt was not particularly pleasant. The area of ruins was actually even larger now he was standing upon them. Here and there were piles of stones, that had perhaps once been the foundations of a home. A few small walls still stood and here and there lay pieces of driftwood, probably deposited by the incoming tides.
He stopped just briefly to gather some of the wood, knowing he could make a fire to cook his food, and with his load becoming ever greater wandered to an area nearer the centre of the ruins. Something had caught his eye as he had entered, and his curiosity had got the better of him. Standing in what looked like a large stone bowl, was a stone figure. Although centuries old, it had barely been affected by the elements that had seemingly devoured the rest of the settlement. Stood before him was the figure of a troll, and to make matters even more surreal, in one hand it appeared to be holding a thin stick, very much like the one he carried.
Moreover, the round stones surrounding the figure were full of water, now he just needed to find out if it was fresh or not. If, as he hoped this was rain water caught up in the strange construction, then he would at least have a source of drinking water. If, however, the water within was somehow fed from the river, then his search would have to continue. Knowing the only way to find out was to actually try some, Akeev placed all the objects he carried down on the ground. Tentatively, he reached out his hands and joined them to make a cup, before slowly dipping them into the water. After a slight hesitation, he lifted his hands up to his mouth and drank, not knowing what was going to happen. After several gulps he paused, waiting for something to transpire. If the water was poisoned by the taint would he merely keel over and die? Perhaps it would take time for it to take effect, and he would die in a few minutes.
After waiting quite some time, and looking down at his body, half expecting it to suddenly convulse, he was beginning to think the water was indeed safe. He felt fine, a little hungry and tired, but other than that he appeared to have suffered no side-effects from drinking it. Quite why the water around the stone figure remained untainted he was unsure but happy he had found a drinkable source, he then set about making a fire; something in itself not often used on the island due to the lack of wood to burn. If he had a pot, he could have made himself a kind of fish stew, as it was he would have to cook his items individually and make do that way, but at least he had survived. As to what the future held, that was anybody’s guess, for now though, he was content with having survived the day,
and wondered what the next would bring.
Chapter 6.
After another long day travelling the winding, twisting roads of the dwarf lands peering out of the small window at the rear of the waggon, Finley was glad when he heard the call from up front that they neared their destination. He had spotted several smaller settlements while on their travels, although from his rather limited view he had been unable to see them properly. From the little that he had managed to see he could tell that dwarf homes were very different to those in both the elven and human lands. The landscape was much more rugged and hilly, and the cattle that lived here were like none he had ever seen before.
During their rather tedious journey, Galdrac had at least had a chance to decipher some of the writings on the papers he had discovered in the cave. While Leyna was not impressed by the fact he had stolen an ancient parchment from the library in Neylarin, she had been more than happy to help where she could. The conclusion of their combined efforts had deduced that the ring now worn around the neck of Finley was indeed blessed with some kind of magic. They had also managed to work out that same magic somehow involved the mighty flying beasts known as dragons, although how the two were connected, they were as yet unsure.
Galdrac and Leyna had also had some success on the map they possessed, and although they were still not sure where it was trying to lead them, they had linked some of the writings to it. If they had worked it out correctly, the person in the drawing was supposed to stand within a ring of stones and call down the dragon, though they had not worked out how to do that part either.
Waldrim, their driver, opened the rear door and gestured for them to exit. “End of the road,” he said, holding out his palm requesting the balance of payment as agreed. Galdrac merely gave him a nod, and while the others gathered their belongings, he counted out several gold coins from the purse he carried at his waist. After checking they had all their items, Galdrac thanked the dwarf and his wife Trata for their services, shaking both by the hand before passing over the coins in his hand.
The dwarf village of Calroc was a peculiar place. The main through road was walled either side, and the dwellings were all set below the ground level with the roofs of each below their feet. Walkways were dug around them that in turn led to the track. Finley thought it strange how he could stand at ground level and look down at the homes that were scattered around, and even walk on the roof if he so wished. These themselves were all covered in turf and had grass growing on them, as Galdrac explained the reasons why.
The turf on the roof helped with insulation, and the purpose of having the houses below the level of the ground was to keep them out of the winds that were particularly strong in these parts, especially in the winter months. When it was explained to him, Finley thought it was actually a good idea and made perfect sense. Sessi even seemed to agree as he seemed to be having fun bounding across the open walkways that interlinked each property, running across a roof and leaping back again.
They only spotted one other dwarf walking about, and although he stood and glared their direction, he did so without actually speaking to them. “Friendly looking place,” Finley commented, tongue in cheek, as he had Sessi return to his side. The property they sought was apparently at the far side of the village, on the outskirts of what looked a very dark, dense looking forest. After deciding it was actually easier to walk up on the ground level as opposed to the cut in walkways, they made their way directly to the property in question, only dropping down to the pathway when they got there.
The approach to the door was a little grim looking, with a few dying plants stuck in pots either side. The door was painted a dark red colour and remaining in tune with the dwarf architecture of the capital, it too had an arched top. There was a large brass handle and a knocker that was positioned quite low, both of which needed a good polish. “Here’s where we find out if we have wasted our time or not,” Leyna said gesturing for Galdrac to knock at the door.
The old mage gave the elf an anxious look before doing as was asked, lifting the knocker and rapping it down twice. The door was answered far more quickly than Galdrac had thought, and its opening caught him off-guard a little. “Yes! What do you want?” asked a dwarf female that seemed somewhat considerably younger than they had expected. After a quick loss of composure, Galdrac regained his usual calmness, “I have come to speak to Meldra,” he said.
The dwarf looked up at the old man, then beyond him to the others stood waiting behind. “All of you?”
“Well, yes all of us,” Galdrac replied again being thrown by the response. “She still lives here then?” he asked making sure that much at least was still the case.
“Aye! She still lives here. Suppose you all best come in then, you’re letting all the heat out of the doorway.”
The dwarf turned and left the door open, and Galdrac glanced over his shoulder before gesturing for them all to follow. Finley had to duck just a fraction to avoid banging his head on the door frame, which ultimately meant Karesh had to stoop even further to avoid the same thing. As the last in, the young orc then closed the door behind him, before turning a little too quick and smacking his head on a lamp hanging down from the hallway ceiling. After cursing and letting off several expletives, he rubbed his head. “Mother wouldn’t like it if she heard you using those words Karesh,” Finley said with a grin on his face. The orc just snarled, before giving his brother a gentle shove.
The house was actually a little bigger than the outside suggested it might be. The hallway may have been narrow and low, but after going down a couple of steps, they walked into a large room, where the floor had apparently been dug that bit lower, enabling a higher ceiling. This at least allowed both Finley and Karesh to stand up straight, although dodging hanging lamps still appeared an issue, as Finley this time caught his head on one, much to the delight of his brother. Finley even sensed Sessi finding it funny, although wondered how a wolf even expressed such a feeling.
Along one wall was a large open fireplace, lit and giving the entire room a nice comfortable warmth. There were a few cushioned chairs, and across the other side was a table and chairs and another archway which appeared to lead off to another room. Sat in one of the chairs beside the fire, holding a pipe in one hand and a tankard in the other was a dwarf. Whether anyone else thought it was a female or not, Finley was unsure, although he was soon proved wrong as Galdrac spoke.
“Meldra! It 's nice to see you again,” he said with a smile, leaning down and planting a small kiss on the old dwarf’s forehead. Finley cringed at the sight, hoping he would not be expected to do the same thing. The elderly dwarf mumbled something, although Finley couldn’t make out what. Thankfully Galdrac seemed to understand what she was going on about, as he turned to introduce the others in the room.
Finley looked over to where the young dwarf was standing and noticed her staring straight at him. Trying to be friendly he gave her a smile, although was still unsure as to why when he stared at a dwarf it was rude, yet one did it to him, it was deemed okay. The old dwarf mumbled something else, and Galdrac asked them all to take a seat at the table.
Leyna walked over first and took a seat, followed by Karesh who was a little too big for the thick wooden chairs but was still able to sit down, although he did look a little awkward in doing so. Finley went to follow when he felt a firm grip on his arm. Thinking it was Galdrac he turned about to ask what the problem was, only to realise the dwarf called Meldra had a hold of him.
Finley felt nervous as the dwarf’s eyes rolled back revealing just the whites, giving her a possessed kind of look. “Zerus Maldhor!” she called out. Finley froze, only the gods called him by that name, and Galdrac had never mentioned it in the short time they had been in the room. He looked over to his mother, somewhat confused as to what was going on, but she appeared just as puzzled as he was. Just as suddenly as she had clasped his arm, Meldra let it go again, allowing Finley to move and sit with his family at the table.
The elderly dwarf known as
Meldra introduced her granddaughter Moira, who she asked to go and put the kettle on. Galdrac helped the old lady into a chair before he sat down beside her and explained the reason for their visit. Finley watched on wondering if she even remembered calling him Zerus Maldhor just a few minutes earlier. Galdrac explained to Finley that Meldra was a Seer, but was thought of as a little unconventional in her methods, meaning she often unearthed things others did not. “If you’ve got information stored in that head of yours, hopefully, she’ll find it,” he said.
Finley looked a little uncertain. He was still feeling a little freaked out by the grabbing incident a few minutes ago, and the mention of Meldra using unconventional methods did not fill him with confidence. “If…Let’s just say if,” he emphasised once more “I have some long forgotten memories somewhere in my head, are they not best left alone.” He looked around the table for some kind of support and wasn’t sure he was getting any, so looked down to the floor where Sessi had decided to take up a position by the fire. “See! Sessi agrees with me,” he said bringing his hand down onto the table top as if finalising the point in question.
“Finley,” his mother said softly. “I think you know what you have to do. The gods have even stated that you have the knowledge, you just need to know how to get at it,” she added.
The Dragon Stone Page 4
