Duncan was enraged that the magic was now in him. He abhorred magic, and now he was magic. With a roar of fury, he took up his blade and swung it at the depowered Djinn, loosening his head from his body and felling him in one swing.
“Duncan!” Ravenna was shocked. “Why did you do that?”
“He made me that which I hate. I have magic in my veins now, like a damn witch!” He was furious. He wished he could resurrect the Djinn just to kill him a second time.
“The Djinn’s magic doesn't make you any different. You’re the same person, just with some extra abilities.”
“Abilities I’d rather not own.”
“We don’t always get to choose what we are, Duncan. But you aren’t controlled by this magic. You control it. So use it… or don’t. Either way, you’ll still be you.”
“Hmph.” Duncan walked back to the horses.
They continued through the desert on horseback. The trip was mostly silent, as Ravenna was deep in thought. She had something up her sleeve. She was planning something.
After a long day’s journey, they made camp in the desert for the night. Duncan was being distant, still reeling from the revelation that he now had magic within him. Ravenna kept on thinking as she had throughout the day. She thought about helping Duncan learn to channel that magic. He could learn to hurt and to heal, and perhaps he might become a better hunter for it. He might even learn to appreciate the finer points of magic.
Duncan was being sullen when Ravenna approached him.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hey,” he replied after a moment of silence.
“How are you holding up?”
“I’m partially magical now. I don’t like it. It’s unnatural.”
“Perhaps I can help,” she offered.
“Can you take the magic from me? Take it out of me and into yourself?”
“No, I can’t.”
“Then you cannot help me.”
“Just listen,” she began he plea. “What if I help you learn to harness it? You can use it in your hunts. You can learn to be proficient with the ability bestowed upon you.”
“I don’t need magic to be proficient,” Duncan said. “I’ve done just fine without it all these years.”
“And just imagine how much better you could be with it.”
“It’s foul,” He argued. “It’s abominable.”
“It’s in you now, Duncan. You may as well use it to your advantage.”
“I see no reason to.”
“At least think about it.”
“I have. Not happening.”
“Duncan,” She said irritably.
“Fine. I’ll consider your words.”
With that, they each went to sleep close to the fire which kept them warm through the cold desert night. The next day, they would reach Hammerforge, and attempt to pick up Selene’s trail in the great dwarven city.
Chapter 12
The sun was high in the sky when they found the great door in the side of the mountains that led to the underground dwarven city. The city ran deep into the mountains, and Duncan wondered if one day they might dig past the so-called impassable mountain ranges that encircled Rivania. He doubted it and thought that even if they did they’d likely never come back to Rivania. Duncan believed that they were put inside ‘god’s bowl’ for a reason. There was probably something very dangerous outside. While there was likely a whole wide world waiting for him outside of Rivania, he didn’t think it worthwhile to dwell on it. If he were meant to venture beyond, it would happen one day, and he would bring ruin to any monsters on the other side. Until then, he would stay in Rivania, hunting beasts and trying to tame the one inside him.
The great door to the city of Hammerforge was carved into the mountain itself as if the mountain face had sprouted a mouth. Along the doorway’s vertical and horizontal beams, there were dwarven runes carved into the stone. Most people couldn’t read them, but Duncan had been drinking buddies with a few dwarves in his time, and one had given him a guide to dwarven runes as a gift. As a result, Duncan knew what the runes spelled out. The horizontal beam of the doorway said ‘Hammerforge’ and the two verticals, when put together, read ‘Where the forge is hot and the ale is cold’. It was true to dwarf-kind if nothing else.
They had made their way to the gateway to Hammerforge, and now it was time to enter the great city of the dwarves. There were many cities of the dwarves in Rivania, but Hammerforge was undoubtedly the greatest. Not only was it the home of the largest Blacksteel deposit in Rivania, but it was also home to many cornerstones of dwarf culture. Mainly, this meant dwarven ale and lots of it. Duncan never complained about dwarven ale, and he wasn’t about to start now. However, drinking wasn’t what he was here for. He was here to find the wretched witch, Selene.
The entrance of Hammerforge was usually welcoming to outsiders, but on this particular day, a dwarven guard stood in front of the entrance, encased in heavy armor, and holding a grand battleaxe with runes carved into it. Duncan had been to Hammerforge before, and he’d never been greeted by a dwarf who looked ready for war.
“Hammerforge is closed to visitors!” The dwarf bellowed, his voice echoing in his enclosed helm.
“Closed?” Duncan questioned.
“Closed,” repeated the dwarf.
“On whose orders, might I ask?”
“The orders of Underking Ragnor, that’s who.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand. Ragnor has always been open to outsiders. What’s changed?”
“All I know is that the Underking has decreed Hammerforge closed to outsiders,” The dwarf said.
Duncan scowled and turned away from the dwarf. He walked to Ravenna’s side. “Stopped at the gate,” he said bitterly. “We’re so close and still so far away.”
“Such is the way of things,” Ravenna replied.
“You’re sure she is here?” Duncan asked.
“Sure as I can be,” she confessed. “I had a vision of her whereabouts after I drove her out of the Ebonwood Forest, shortly before you arrived. I saw the grand gate of Hammerforge. I figured she must be here. I just can’t figure out why.”
“So she’s been here only a short time. A week at the most, give or take a few days. She did have that brief stop in Dawn to wreak havoc on the townsfolk. How long had it been since you drove her out?”
“Not yet a month. Maybe a fortnight and a half.”
So she had a few weeks to make a plan, then she went through Dawn and arrived here. And then the city suddenly closes to outsiders. It seems like too much of a coincidence to actually be one.”
“Agreed. The question remains though. How do we get inside?”
“I’m old friends with the Underking. I call him Ragnor, and he calls me Duncan instead of defaulting to Grey Wolf like the rest of Rivania. He’s called on my services in the past, always pays nicely, and we usually end up having a drink or twelve afterward. Perhaps I can use my connection with him to get us inside.”
Duncan turned and walked back towards the dwarf who guarded the entrance. “Hammerforge is closed!” he announced again.
“I’m a close friend of the Underking. Any chance I could get in to see him?”
“You have any idea how many people claim to be ‘close friends’ of the Underking? You’re crazy if you think I’m letting you through.”
“Then pass along a message for me,” Duncan said as more of a demand than a request.
“What’s the message?”
“That Duncan, the Grey Wolf is here to see him, and that the drinks are on me this time.”
“Hmm,” the dwarf hummed. “We’ll see. In the meantime, you are free to wait outside the city. Only with the Underking’s permission will you be allowed entrance. I’m not so cruel as to not pass along your message though. Between you and me, I miss the outsiders. They made life interesting.”
“Thank you, sir…” Duncan waited for a name.
“Logrud,” The armored dwarf replied.
�
��Sir Logrud.”
“Just Logrud. I’m no knight”
“I’ll talk to the Underking about changing that,” Duncan said with a smirk.
Logrud smiled. “I’ll see that Underking Ragnor gets your message, Grey Wolf.”
Duncan walked away back to Ravenna and sat on the ground. “Now we wait.”
“What did they say?”
“They’re going to tell the Underking I am waiting for him. Then we’ll see if they let us in.”
“And what do we do to pass the time until then?” Ravenna asked.
“Ever play Unicorn Hunt?”
“Why would I hunt Unicorns? They’re rare and gentle creatures.”
“No, it’s a game. A card game,” Duncan said. “Come on, I’ll teach you.”
Ravenna had never played Unicorn Hunt or any Rivanian card game for that matter. She had spent her life learning magic and not much else. She wasn’t averse to learning though.
Unicorn Hunt was a simple game designed to pass the time. Players were dealt cards equal to half the deck, but one player would get an extra card, a Unicorn, the only one of its kind in the deck. The goal of the game was to be the player with the unicorn at the end of the game. Players would remove cards from their hands when they had pairs, and draw cards from the other player's hand to get more pairs, or perhaps even the coveted unicorn card. It was an easy game for those who preferred not to play more complicated games like Griffon’s Gambit.
Together, Duncan and Ravenna played Unicorn Hunt for what seemed like hours in the distance of the gate to Hammerforge. Duncan had dealt first, then Ravenna, and they switched with each game. Ravenna understood the game in its simplicity. She even won her first match against Duncan. He smirked and claimed that she cheated by using her magic to divine the location of the Unicorn card in Duncan’s hand. He didn’t mean it, but he couldn’t help but pick at her. Truth be told, he was beginning to warm to her, despite her background. She had already shown him that not all witches are bad and that some could even be downright helpful.
After a few hours, the dwarf who had been guarding the gate to Hammerforge came up to them with news.
“The Underking will see you, Grey Wolf,” said Logrud. “Come with me.”
Duncan nodded and gathered up the cards and stowed them away. He rose and helped Ravenna to her feet. Together, they followed Logrud to the gate of Hammerforge, and they went down into the city of the Underking.
Chapter 13
Hammerforge was the perfect example of a dwarven city. It appeared to be carved out of the stone of the mountain itself. This was mostly accurate. The city was carved deep into the mountain’s roots, and even the buildings in Hammerforge were carved out of the stone. This meant that the city was mostly open and that the buildings were all outlining the open space. The houses carved out of the earthen mountain gave the city texture and personality that was difficult to define in words. Many of the dwarves toiled away, mining for precious gems and ores found in the earth of the mountain. Duncan paid no mind to them, instead following Logrud to the throne of the Underking. Duncan had been here before because of his friendship with Ragnor. Ravenna, however, had never set foot in the great dwarven city. Dwarves didn’t have magic amongst their kind and thus were distrustful of those who had magic. Dwarves believed in hard work, and wouldn’t use magic even if they had it. There had never been a dwarf mage before, but Duncan thought that it could happen one day, far from then. He chuckled at the thought of a dwarven mage. It was an admittedly funny thought.
Ravenna knew how the dwarves felt about her kind. She thought it better to keep it to herself. As they walked behind Logrud, she whispered to Duncan.
“I know the dwarves don’t trust people with magic. What do we tell them about me?”
“I’ll take care of that,” Duncan said. “I have a plan. Just keep your magic to yourself, and say nothing about the incident with the Djinn.”
Before long, they had reached the throne room of Underking Ragnor. The short dwarf sat on his tall throne, chiseled out of the mountain itself. The earthen throne was inlaid with precious stones and looked perfect for the dwarven king. A hooded figure robed in red stood beside the throne. Undoubtedly this was the king’s advisor. Duncan knew this was new. The advisor was too tall to be a dwarf and hid their face under the hood. Duncan was distrustful of those who hid their face. What else might they be hiding? Logrud brought Duncan and Ravenna close to the throne.
“My lord Underking!” He said stoutly. “I present to you, the Grey Wolf, and his companion.”
“Good,” said the Underking. “Leave us, Logrud.”
Logrud did as instructed. Ragnor looked to his advisor, and then to Duncan and Ravenna. “Grey Wolf. What brings you to my city?”
“The hunt, Ragnor. I’m after a witch who is rumored to be hiding here in the city.”
“I thought you only hunted monsters.”
“This witch is a monster in her own right. She is the one who cursed me as a child. Made me what I am.”
“What makes you think she is here?”
Duncan thought quickly. He couldn’t tell the truth here. It would reveal what Ravenna really was. They needed the Underking’s trust, not his ire or suspicion.
“We’ve been following her trail from the Ebonwood forest. The village of Dawn was the last place her trail led. The villagers said she was headed this way,” Duncan lied.
“You are free to search the city, but I assure you, if the witch in question was here, I would know about it. I doubt she would hide her abilities if she was bold enough to curse you or attack the village of Dawn. Still, you are welcome here, Grey Wolf. Who is your companion, if I might ask?”
“This is Ravenna. My wife,” Duncan lied again.
Ravenna’s jaw nearly hit the floor. That was his plan? For her to masquerade as his wife? She couldn’t imagine being a wife to a man who was this dedicated to ending the life of a witch, even if she was on the more monstrous side. He showed hatred for her kind, and that put her off, even though she did find him ruggedly attractive. She had no choice but to go along now though. She would have to play wife for the time being.
“Greetings, your grace,” Ravenna said, stepping forward to bow.
“Looks as though you’ve found a good one, Grey Wolf. Very pretty,” the Underking remarked.
“Thank you, Ragnor.”
“Now, back to this witch business,” Underking Ragnor changed the subject. “You are free to come and go as you wish. You may search Hammerforge but I doubt you will find the witch you are seeking. As you know, no visitors have been allowed into the city except for you two. I’m certain no witch has made it inside.”
Duncan bowed. “Thank you, your majesty.”
Ravenna bowed again as well.
Together, they left the throne room. They walked silently through the city, and Duncan looked troubled. Ravenna was the one who finally broke the silence between them.
“So… I’m your wife?” She asked, both confused and a little irritated.
“I couldn’t have him knowing who you really were or why you were involved in this hunt of mine. It was easier to say that you were my wife. It made enough sense for my wife to travel with me.”
“You could have asked first, or at least given me a little warning.”
Duncan sighed. “You’re right, I should have.”
“What’s troubling you Duncan?” Ravenna questioned, seeing the look on his face.
“That witch is definitely here.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“A few reasons,” Duncan said. “First, my wolf spirit was going crazy while we were in the throne room. I managed to keep it contained but it wanted control. It tells me the witch who bonded us was nearby. Secondly, the Underking’s advisor wasn’t a dwarf and was hiding their face. I don’t trust people who hide underneath a hood at all times, plus why would the Underking have a non-dwarf advisor. He’s not racist but he has never used non-dwarves for the post before.�
�
Ravenna was intrigued. She hadn’t thought of that, nor had she noticed Duncan having any trouble containing the wolven side of himself. “Anything else?” she asked.
“Yeah, there is,” Duncan began. “Perhaps most troubling of all. Ragnor called me Grey Wolf. He’s always been known to call me Duncan. He wasn’t himself. Not at all. His speaking, his mannerisms, they were all off. He’s Ragnor, but he isn’t himself.”
“What could that mean?”
“Maybe he’s under someone else’s control. Maybe that scarlet robed advisor is the witch we’re looking for. And if that’s the case, maybe Ragnor is under a spell.”
“You think his advisor is the witch?”
“I do. And I think she has something planned with Ragnor and the rest of Hammerforge.”
“What if you’re wrong?” Ravenna asked although she believed Duncan to be more on the side of being correct.
“If I’m wrong, then I’ll be happy. But that’s just it Ravenna… I know I’m not wrong. Not this time. That witch is here, and Hammerforge is in danger because of her. I can’t just sit idly and let something happen. Something has to be done before it’s too late.”
Duncan walked off, with Ravenna following close behind. Deep in the halls of Hammerforge, evil was brewing, and Grey Wolf and his witch companion were right in its path. Deep in those dwarven halls, magic was stirring. It was dark magic with a sinister purpose, and not even the Blacksteel of Hammerforge would dull the edge of its power.
Chapter 14
Duncan and Ravenna paid a visit to the local alehouse of the Hammerforge dwarves. It was a stone building (as were all the others in those halls) with a sign above the door that read ‘The Anvil’ in dwarven runes. The Anvil was where all the dwarves came to drink and talk about their grand underground kingdom. If Duncan and Ravenna were to find out anything about the mysterious advisor to the Underking, the Anvil was the place to find it. The tavern was filled with dwarves of all castes: miners, artisans, smiths, and everyone in between. That was the beauty of dwarf society. Everyone was equal, even if their jobs weren’t.
Of Wolf And Witch Page 10
