She nodded. “Yes,” she said steadily. Jo looked from Braddoc to Karleah and then to Dayin. She nodded again. “Yes, it’s time. We break camp and ride. We’ve a dragon to kill!” Her gray eyes glittered in the spring sunlight.
Johauna held on to Carsig’s rein and knelt beside the dwarf. When speaking with Braddoc Jo often preferred to be on his level. She looked the direction the dwarf pointed. The rugged Wulfholdes surrounded them like great black walls, threatening to close in. The last time Jo had traversed these hills, the ground had been white with treacherous ice and snow. Now touches of green crept through the gray here and there, masking the shale and flint that made up the backbone of the land.
“There,” Braddoc pointed. “That’s where the trail ended. The blood disappeared. Either Verdilith took to the air there, or else he changed into something so small I couldn’t follow his tracks.”
Jo stared up at the large hill directly ahead of them. Car- sig snorted and shook his head, and she shushed the gelding. The hill was smoother, more rounded than most in the Wulfholdes, and there was a scraggly pine nearby. “You’re right,” she said slowly. “That is the hill we saw in the crystal the time we asked to see the dragon’s lair. But, Braddoc, I barely recognize it; I don’t think I would have if you hadn’t forewarned me.”
The dwarf nodded. “I know. What with spring here, I hardly recognize it either. I might not have if I hadn’t seen the hill almost a week ago, when it was still under winter snows.”
Jo looked at her friend and smiled. “Thank you for following the trail so promptly and not waiting for me,” she said quietly. “I wanted to come with you . .
Braddoc’s good eye flickered to the silver clasp he had given Jo for her hair the day they had met, then returned to Jo’s face. “You kept the vigil, Johauna,” he said huskily. “You did Flinn proud.”
The squire shook her head and turned back to the hill. “You’re sure there’s no entrance?”
Braddoc said adamantly, “As sure as I’m a fourth cousin twice removed from the King of Dwarves, I am.” Jo smiled at the warrior’s manner. He only invoked his remote tie to royalty when he was at his most resolute. “I tell you, Johauna, 1 searched every square foot of that hill and every hill for a mile around.” He shrugged. “I had nothing better to do, so I searched. There’s no passage large enough for a human or dwarf—let alone a dragon— to get through.”
“Then the dragon must shapechange each time to get into the lair, is that what you’re saying?” Jo asked suddenly. “That makes sense. We know Verdilith can change shape; we saw him change at the great hall in the castle. And Flinn told me once that Verdilith could change without even using magic—‘the damned Anointing of Immortal Alphaks,’ Flinn railed it.” Verdilith’s ability to change form had cost Flinn his honor, and his wife. “Are there smaller passages?” Jo asked.
Braddoc nodded. “Aye—more than just a few, too. I caught sign of a weasels entrance over to the east near the base of the hill.” Braddoc pointed at a small rock pile. “If the weasels hole winds all the way to the center of the lair, Verdilith could get in through there.”
Jo frowned. “To get through a weasel’s tunnel, the dragon would have to be pretty small. He’d have to try to get in while the weasel was away or else risk fighting while he was in his injured state, wouldn’t he?” Jo shook her head. “No, from your description, Verdilith was far too hurt to risk fighting a weasel underground. He must have used a different passage to get inside.”
The dwarf bared his teeth in a vicious smile. “Yes—and I think I know which passage it is! Or, rather, which passages they are.” Braddoc pointed to the rocky summit of the hill. “The crown is littered with tiny crevices, crevices so tiny only a bat or a mouse could crawl through them.” “How do you know they go all the way through?” Jo asked.
“Two days ago I saw half a dozen bats exit the hill—and they came through the crown. That’s how I found the crevices. That has to be the way Verdilith got in; it has to!” Braddoc said earnestly.
Jo stood and turned to Karleah and Dayin as the two of them dismounted. Jo watched in concern as the old wiz- ardess nearly fell when her feet touched the loose shale covering the ground. Dayin hurried to Karleah s side and handed the crone her staff. Slowly the pair made their way toward Jo and Braddoc.
“Karleah? Are you all right?” Jo asked tentatively as she saw how heavily the old woman leaned on the boy.
The wizardess shot the young squire a thunderous look. “Don’t ‘Karleah’ me, girl,” Karleah said testily. “A little saddle stiffness never killed anyone. If you’re thinking to send me home, you’ve another think coming.” She gestured at the hill with her staff. “Besides, how’re you going to get in there without me?”
Jo shrugged. “Short of our digging frozen earth, Karleah, you’re it. Braddoc swears the only two entrances are the weasel’s lair over there or the crown of the hill.” Jo pointed to the two areas. “What do you think? Can you get us inside? Could you teleport us inside, all at once? My blink-dog’s tail could have carried me alone in there, if it hadn’t gotten lost.”
“Alone to fight a dragon,” Karleah echoed irritablv. “Think, girl!”
Jo s eyes narrowed for a moment, and she touched the hilt of Wyrmblight. I wouldn’t be alone, she thought. She half expected to hear the sword repeat the words have faith to her, but the blade was silent.
The old woman cocked one eyebrow. “I’ve an idea,” Karleah drawled slowly, “but it’s going to take a bit of doing.” She shook her head. “I don’t like the idea of transporting us to a place I’ve never been—”
“But we’ve seen the inside of the lair, Karleah,” Dayin interrupted, “through the crystals. Isn’t that as good a vision as having been there?”
Jo looked hopefully at Karleah, who scratched her chin and was silent. Jo prompted, “I’m sure whatever you have in mind will get us inside, Karleah, but teleporting would be the quickest. We’ve already lost so many days that I hate the idea of waiting any longer. He’s had nearly a week to heal—”
“Yes, yes!” Karleah interrupted, waving her hands impatiently. Sighing, she said slowly, “It’s possible the dragon gave us a false vision when we saw his lair through the crystals. Have you thought about that?”
“Yes, it’s possible ” Jo said equally slowly, “but I think it’s unlikely.” Jo stretched to her fullest height and towered over the tiny crone, a technique she had seen Flinn use on the guards when he had entered the Castle of the Three Suns. She doubted Karleah would succumb to intimidation, but Jo had to try. She would tear the ground asunder with her bare hands if it was the only way to enter the lair and avenge Flinn’s death. “If you can get Braddoc and me in immediately via some kind of spell, Karleah, I think you should do it,” Jo said coolly.
The old woman frowned but stood her ground. She looked up at Jo for a long moment before finally saying, “Very well, I’ll teleport you, but I’m coming with you. You may need me.”
“And me!” Dayin called out.
Jo put a free hand on Dayin’s shoulder. She said sincerely, “Dayin, I know how much you want to come with us, but there’s an equally important task outside the lair: tending the animals. If we don’t come out of there alive, it’d be cruel to leave Carsig and the others tied to a tree to starve themselves to death. Besides, between ores and abelaats, you’ll have your hands full keeping the mounts safe and hidden until we come back. Will you do it?” Jo didn’t add that she couldn’t afford the distraction of guarding Dayin while she was battling Verdilith.
“But—” Dayin began.
“A good soldier follows orders to the letter, Dayin,” Braddoc said gruffly. “The best help he can give is to do what he’s asked. Take the animals to that hill over there and keep watch at a distance. If something strange happens, retreat farther south, then wait for us.”
Jo nodded, then added grimly, “And if we don’t return in, say, two days, head back to the castle. The castellan will take care of you. Of tha
t I’m sure.”
The boy nodded, placated. “I liked Sir Graybow. He was nice.” Jo smiled. The aging castellan had been Flinn’s mentor—and his good friend. Without Sir Graybow, Flinn would never have had the chance to present his case and demand justice from his false accusers.
Dayin gathered the mounts’ reins, then turned and left the trio still standing at the base of the hill. Jo looked from Karleah to Braddoc and said, “This is it.” She twisted Wyrmblight in her hands. “You know I don’t expect either of you to come with me,” she said seriously.
Braddoc and Karleah snorted in glottal chorus. Had Jo’s heart been any less heavy, she would have laughed.
“This isn’t even worth discussing, Johauna,” Braddoc said disdainfully. “Of course we’re coming with you. That’s final. Now, get on with your spell, witch.”
Karleah rummaged through her pockets and pulled out two amulets. She handed one to Jo and the other to Braddoc. The squire shifted the charm back and forth, catching the faint runes in the sunlight. Its rough links of tarnished gold held an oval of beaten silver. She looked at Braddoc, who raised his brow, and they both turned to the wizardess.
“They’re pendants,” Karleah noted unnecessarily. “They’ll protect you—or at least they should. I’ve never used them—never had need to ’til now. 1 traded for them more’n a year ago, so I hope they’re all right.”
Jo bit her lower lip. “What do you think we’ll find inside the dragon’s lair, Karleah?” She put her amulet on.
The old woman shrugged. “Verdilith’s an old wyrm; he knows how to protect himself. Chances are, the lair’s booby-trapped left and right. You can be sure those entrances Braddoc found are.”
“Will your teleport spell get us in past the traps?” Jo asked.
Again the older woman shrugged. “Past the ones the dragon has at the entrances, yes. Past anything inside, well ... I can’t say for sure. ’Course, Verdilith may have this whole area charmed against that kind of entry. My spell might not even work.”
Braddoc pulled the amulet over his head and gripped his battle-axe. “I trust my reflexes and my weapon, old hag, but I’ll wear your charm anyway.” He grimaced uncomfortably at the magic medallion around his neck.
“Harrumph,” Karleah snorted. “You’d better. The amulet should help, especially if we find ourselves in the middle of one of Verdilith’s surprises.”
Jo stroked the hammered silver. “Are you going to be all right, Karleah? Do you have a charm of your own?”
“Don’t worry about me, girl,” the wizardess retorted. She held up her ornately twisted oak staff and fingered a few carved runes on it. “My staff is all the protection I need.” She planted the staff’s tip in the rocky soil in front of her. "‘Now, reach out and put one hand above mine.”
Jo and Braddoc did as they were bid, each putting out a left hand to grasp the smooth wood of the staff. Jo gripped Wyrmblight with her right hand, the sword held canelike, with its tip resting on the soil. The great sword’s six feet of steel made it too heavy to be wielded with but one hand. Jo bridled at the indignity of setting the sword’s tip on the ground, but she wanted to be ready for whatever she would face. Karleah closed her eyes and began to murmur softly, words spilling from the old wizardess s lips.
As the incantation wore on, the squire looked down at the dwarf and said calmly, “If the Immortals favor us with luck, Braddoc, Verdilith will still be nursing his wounds, unprepared to meet Wyrmblight again.”
“That’s hoping for a lot of luck, johauna,” Braddoc answered smoothly. His brown eye glinted at Jo. “Let’s hope we are so lucky.”
Jo ground her teeth and nodded. “For Flinn!” she shouted just as Karleah finished her spell.
The strange feeling of being yanked from the physical world seized Jo. Next came the disjunct sensation of existing momentarily in a separate state, and Jo knew she was traveling through the solid rock of the mountain. Her blink-dog’s tail had allowed her to blink from one place to another, but never had she traveled more than twenty yards or so, and never felt the medium around her. Now, she had the odd sensation of wading through earth and rock, and the impression that whole minutes passed by. The feelings lasted longer than her longest blink ever had, and she had time enough to worry that the spell had failed. Then hard earth, smooth and cold, formed beneath her feet.
Jo released Karleah’s staff and dropped to a crouch immediately, Wyrmblight swinging into position before her. The squire blinked her eyes, trying to focus them in the sudden blackness of the dragon’s lair. The inside of the cavern was dark save for the twinkling of tiny lights far above jo’s head. For a moment she wondered if Karleah’s spell had transported them to somewhere beneath a night sky. Then, in the gloom surrounding her, she made out a stalagmite projecting up from a sandy floor.
Behind Johauna a sudden hiss broke the silence, and the squire whirled about. Light flared from the top of Karleah s staff; Jo held back her sword. Easy, girl, Jo admonished herself. No need to take off Karleah’s head. Jo glanced at Braddoc and nodded to the far side of the wizardess. The dwarf moved to flank Karleah, and Jo did the same. Whatever the cost, she and Braddoc would protect the old woman.
The light from Karleah’s staff extended in all directions, and Jo could see to the farthest corners of the immense cavern, though the edges were but dim outlines. Before Jo and her companions lay an enormous chamber, its length too vast to properly judge. About one-third that distance separated the ceiling from the floor. The tiny spots of light Jo had mistaken for stars still twinkled overhead; in fact, they seemed to shine more brightly now that Karleah’s spell had lit the cavern. They seemed to be little crystals, and Jo wondered briefly if they were anything like the abelaat stones.
No Verdilith in sight. Before Jo knew whether she was frustrated or relieved, her attention was drawn to the huge mounds of glittering coins and gems lying not more than a minute’s walk away.
Jo stared at the flowing mound of treasure, a mound so vast she could not see it all without turning her head. The mountain of riches sparkled with gems and pieces of jewelry, casually lying beside golden goblets, platinum plates, and copper kettles. Coronets and diadems winked at Jo, and for a moment the orphan from Specularum couldn’t believe her eyes. Such utter opulence couldn’t really exist. Johauna heard Braddoc gasp in disbelief as he, too, gazed in wonder at the mound. For a long moment, the squire was lost in the gleaming magnificence of the wealth. Then the memory of Flinn returned, and she threw off her avarice.
Jo shot out a warning hand when Braddoc took a step forward. She stared intently into the eyes of her two companions and shook her head in warning. Braddoc frowned, then nodded. Jo gestured for the three of them to start circling around the cavern before checking out the treasure hoard. The squire glanced briefly at Karleah’s light, and for a moment she resented it. With that second sun blazing in the cavern, even the blind bats would know of their presence. Now that they knew, though, it made no sense to put out the light. The idea of stumbling through the dark and into Verdilith’s maw certainly didn’t appeal to Johauna Menhir.
The three stepped forward, weaving their way through the stalagmites and piles of rocky rubble that littered the floor of the cavern. Jo’s senses strained to detect any sign of life—movement, blood, noxious breath, the shudder of giant footsteps. . . . But she sensed only the sand crunching beneath her boots and the vision of gold swaying before her. She tore her gaze away deliberately and stared at the cavern surrounding them.
She continued walking along the edge of the cavern, taking care to stay within the more protecting confines of the wall. The treasure pile was so vast and high that the green dragon could easily be lying in wait behind it. Perhaps he lay in the open area beyond the treasure—the area that was so clearly the wyrm’s lair.
Where is Verdilith? Jo thought angrily, then tried to calm herself. You’re using anger to cover fear, girl, she told herself sternly. Could Flinn have injured the wyrm so badly that we’ll find a d
ead dragon? she wondered. Having heard many tales of the recuperative spells dragons use, that seemed highly unlikely. No, Verdilith has to be somewhere just up ahead, Jo thought. She lifted the heavy sword slightly higher.
As she moved along the wall of the main chamber, the stalagmites became taller and more tightly clustered. Several of the larger ones obscured the squire’s view, and Jo grew worried. The stone pillars also cast looming shadows in the light of Karleah’s staff. Jo’s tension grew, and her hands gripped Wyrmblight tightly. The perfect place for an ambush, she thought. Her ears strained for some sound and her eyes sought to pierce the occasional patch of gloom.
Then Karleah s light faintly gleamed off a shadowy, scaly mound ahead. More gold? Jo wondered suddenly, her heart beating fast. Or the dragon’s chest scales?
A minute flapping movement on the ground a few feet away distracted Jo. She halted abruptly. Karleah and Braddoc stopped behind her. “Did you see it?” Jo whispered tersely, breaking the silence. Her voice sounded harsh and inordinately loud in the cavern.
Karleah shook her head, and Braddoc peered forward.
Still staring at the spot where she was sure she had seen movement, Jo inclined her head slightly toward the dwarf. “Something moved! It’s just ahead—up by that next pile of rocks!” she said.
Braddoc and Karleah both stared at the patch of lighted sand cradled by two stalagmites and smaller rocks. Strained moments passed, and Braddoc said, “I don’t see—”
Then, suddenly, the three of them saw the little flutter of movement that had caught Johauna’s eye. There, on the sandy floor of the dragon’s cavern, crouched a bat. A ray of light shifted and hit the creature, and Jo saw the tiny thing clearly. It flapped its wings helplessly, then opened its mouth and squealed.
Chapter III
ohauna stepped forward, preparing to brush aside the creature with her boot. “Its just a bat,” she said in relief to Karleah, behind her. She extended her leg to kick the tiny, squawking animal out of harms way.
D&D - Mystara - Penhaligon Trilogy 02 Page 4
