Council of War

by Richard S. Tuttle

  "He said this morning that he wanted to explore the deepest depths of the mine," explained Haditha. "That is why I chose not to join him. I do not handle things well underground."

  "I am sure that I can find him alone," offered the fairy. "I do not want to distress you."

  "You have already done that," chuckled the water witch. "No, I want to be there to see Gomery's reaction to you. You just hang on and enjoy the ride."

  Haditha continued downward until Squirt felt as if she were a league under the surface of the island. Eventually they entered a huge chamber. The floor of the chamber had a long, wide crevice that stretched from one end almost to the other. Lining the crevice were hundreds of piles of clothes. Half of the piles were topped with silver jewelry and the other half had mining tools atop them. Captain Gomery was kneeling near several of the piles.

  "Haditha!" the captain greeted his lover. "I thought you weren't coming down today?"

  "I brought a friend of yours," Haditha said as she moved across the chamber to Captain Gomery.

  "Squirt!" smiled the captain. "How ever did you find us?"

  "She has been searching ever since the attack," answered Haditha. "She must be really devoted to you."

  "Fairies are amazing creatures in general," grinned the captain, "but Squirt is amazing even amongst the rest. I am so glad to see you."

  "I am thrilled to find you both safe and alive," replied Squirt. "What is all of this?"

  "That is what I was wondering," answered the captain. "It is the most bizarre thing I have ever seen. This chasm appears to be bottomless. I have thrown a few rocks into it, and I have yet to hear one hit bottom. And all of these piles lining it are most mysterious. They appear to be clothes of a fashion, but they must be ancient. I tried exploring some of the piles, but they are so old that the fabric just turns to dust when I touch it. Who would have built such a display and why?"

  "It was the dwarves," Haditha declared. "The Isle of Despair used to be a rich gold mine. The dwarves were imprisoned here to mine the gold. I had never heard the story of what had happened to them, but now it is clear."

  "Clear?" questioned the captain. "How can this puzzle make anything clear?"

  "I heard a story a long time ago from another water witch," Haditha said. "Actually I heard many stories, but this one in particular is pertinent. It seems a dwarf once tried to commit suicide by diving into the water. He was rescued and returned to the island, but his rescuer was curious about why the dwarf had stripped naked before jumping into the water. The answer was most enlightening. It seems that dwarves will not commit suicide with their clothes on. It somehow offends their culture."

  Captain Gomery gasped. "Are you saying that hundreds of dwarves committed suicide here?"

  "So it would appear," nodded the water witch. "It is sad to think that people can be driven to such ends, but the Empire was a harsh master."

  "That explains the riddle of the wall carving," Captain Gomery said as he rose and took his torch to a section of the wall where a message had been chiseled into the stone.

  "What does it say?" asked Haditha

  "The vein is played out," read the captain. "There is no more gold to fulfill the quota, but you will have no need for punishment. While life may be precious to some, we can no longer abide under such misery. Let this be the end of it all. It is signed King Drak, and there are some funny carvings underneath it."

  Haditha walked to Captain Gomery and stared at the carvings. Squirt also peered at the strange symbols, but no one could make any sense out of them.

  "That is so sad," frowned the fairy. "I can not imagine such pain and misery that the entire tribe would willingly throw themselves into a bottomless pit."

  "I can," scowled the captain. "It was not long ago that such despicable rulers held sway over parts of Alcea. Whoever drove the dwarves to this end should be made to suffer for eternity."

  "It was a long time ago," stated Haditha. "Dwarves have been extinct for hundreds of years."

  "Dwarves are not extinct," retorted Captain Gomery. "They still live in Alcea, but I am sure that your Emperor has plans to change that."

  Haditha started sobbing and turned away. Squirt leaped onto the captain's shoulder.

  "What did I say?" the captain asked the fairy.

  Haditha whirled around and glared at the captain. "My Emperor?" she shouted. "The Emperor of Barouk is no friend of my kind. We have been enemies of the Empire for hundreds of years. I know where this display of aggressiveness is leading. Why don't you just let the fairy take you back to the others? I have lived by myself for a long time, and I can do so again."

  The captain moved so quickly to embrace Haditha that Squirt fell from her perch. She fluttered down to the floor of the chamber and watched as the lovers embraced.

  "I never meant to refer to him as your Emperor," apologized the captain. "I meant Zaran. Forgive my stumbling words. As for leaving you, I have no desire to do that."

  "Even if duty calls?" asked the water witch. "I saw the fire in your eyes a moment ago. You are not done with this fight."

  "Perhaps not," admitted the captain, "but I have no need to leave right now. I will not deny that there might come a time when I will feel the need to lend a hand, but you must not look at that as a lack of love for you. In fact, I was hoping that when the time came, you would come home to Alcea with me. If that does not appeal to you, then I will return here to live out my days with you."

  "So you still feel the need to help the Alceans?" asked Haditha.

  "I do," nodded the captain. "What kind of man would turn his back on those who are depending upon him? Would you even care to know a man who could turn his back on those in need? I certainly would not."

  "Perhaps you are right," conceded Haditha, "but the end result is that you will leave me."

  "Perhaps not," smiled the captain. "I suspect that I will only be called to duty if and when there is a need to return to Alcea. I am obligated to perform that service, but I was planning on taking you with me. Until then we can remain here or go wherever you wish. I want you by my side for the rest of my days. Can you accept that?"

  "That is what I want," said Haditha, "but…"

  "But nothing," grinned the captain. "Squirt, report back and tell Garth that we are both alive and safe. We have no plans for rejoining the group at this time, but if we are needed, we will be there for him."

  Chapter 4

  Tag Along

  The path Morro used to take Garth to the Palace Keep Inn was a convoluted combination of sewers, basements, and rooftops. The elven thief explained that the government had set iron bar barricades in some portions of the sewer to block off access to the Royal Palace area, but the thieves did not rely solely on the underground highway. After dropping through a rooftop access hatch, the pair stealthily entered the room to find Kalina, Tedi, and Natia waiting anxiously. Kalina rushed to greet Garth and hugged him tightly while Morro closed the door. For several minutes the room remained in silence as the two Knights of Alcea embraced.

  "I presume that you were responsible for the explosions I heard earlier," Garth finally asked.

  "The shipyards are in ruins," nodded Kalina, "and I blasted a large gap in the city wall to make the troops think that we might have escaped before they could rally."

  Morro whistled in appreciation.

  "Clever," remarked Garth, "but you took an enormous risk in using such magic within the city."

  "It was necessary," explained Kalina. "Tyroma was a trap to snare us. You were wise to kill him. If you had not, I would not have survived."

  "So he had been captured and interrogated?" asked Tedi.

  "In a most vile way," replied Kalina. "Practically every bone in his body was broken at one time or another. He had endured, and was still enduring, a great deal of pain. His mind was a shambles, and I am sure that he welcomed death for the relief that it would offer."

  "What scared you during the probe?" asked Garth.

  "K'san," Kalina an
swered with a tinge of fear. "I do not understand their mind magic, but K'san was waiting for me inside Tyroma's mind. The pull was subtle at first as if he were reeling in a barely hooked fish. I felt tentacles probing the darkness at the edge of Tyroma's mind. K'san knew that someone was entering the sailor's mind, and he slowly set out to ensnare it. I felt as if I was being drawn inward, and nothing I did could shake the hold of those tentacles."

  "Did he recognize you?" asked Garth.

  "I do not know," sighed Kalina. "I was unprepared for such a battle. My own mind began to blur as I was drawn in deeper. I think if I had not just flown over the neighborhood, I might not have understood the danger that we were in. There were hundreds of soldiers posted nearby, and while they were alert and ready to act, it appeared as if they were waiting for a signal to proceed. I knew that if I didn't draw them to a different area of the city, we were both doomed."

  "Snare the mage and order in the troops," commented Tedi. "It is a devious but clever plan."

  "And your diversion had to be spectacular," interjected Natia. "Only something on a devastating scale would allow the soldiers to abort their ordered mission."

  "Exactly," nodded Kalina. "If I had stayed and used the same magical power to aid our escape, we would have become the center of attention for the whole city. I am sure that K'san and his clerics would not have been far from Tyroma."

  "It looks like we were all lucky today," Garth sighed with relief as he turned to face Morro. "How was it that you just happened to be around to save me?"

  "I was making my rounds," explained the thief, "when I saw an eagle circling over a building. As I know that is the form that Kalina uses, I became curious. I, too, saw the hundreds of soldiers a block away, and when I saw you running for your life, I knew that I had to act quickly."

  "I am thankful that you were there," smiled Garth.

  "It was amazing how the dog reacted," remarked Morro. "I am sure that he took an arrow meant for you, but what killed the old man?"

  "His heart," replied Garth. "I imagine the thought of being in the middle of a battle proved more than his old body could handle. I am saddened to have been a part of his demise."

  "Were you recognized by any of the soldiers in the inn?" asked Morro.

  "No," Garth shook his head. "Only the shooter ever had a look at me, and he saw only my back."

  "Then we should be in good shape," smiled Kalina.

  "Not quite," frowned Tedi. "The city is closed and will not open until the culprits are found. The soldiers told me that the army would begin a room-by-room search and anyone who could not account for their whereabouts would be arrested."

  "That has been seen to," smiled Morro. "You two already have great alibis, and I have one for Garth and Kalina. That will be enough to pass the first test."

  "The first test?" questioned Kalina.

  "It is obvious that the army will not discover the real culprits," explained the elven thief. "I think it is to be expected that they will then scrutinize the alibis further. While Mencham would never willingly betray us, your talk of mind magics has me concerned. Is it possible that they would use such magic to determine whose alibi was false?"

  The room fell to silence as each of the group looked to one another for the answer.

  "We must assume that they will," Garth eventually said. "Morro, I wonder if I can impose on the thieves one more time?"

  "What do you require?" asked Morro.

  "If we could somehow spread the word that riders fled through the gap in the wall," explained Garth, "we might be able to avoid the second round of questioning."

  The thief pondered the scenario for a moment before nodding in agreement. "I think that we can accomplish that, but it would be good if the four of you can get out of the city as soon as possible."

  "I am sure that we can use the night to escape," replied Garth. "Walls cannot hold us."

  "That is not advisable," frowned Morro. "Your names and presence in the city have already been noted. If you were found to be missing, you would immediately become suspect. Your cover of being a special agent would no longer allow you to travel around the land."

  "I do not understand," stated Kalina. "If the city is closed, and we are not to sneak out of the city, how can we leave early?"

  "I do not know," conceded the thief, "but we should plan for a rendezvous in case we get separated."

  "Where we left the wagon the last time would suffice," suggested Garth. "It is only a half day's ride from the city."

  A knock on the door instantly halted the conversation. While the others moved deeper into the room, Garth moved towards the door. Another knock sounded, more desperate than the last. Garth eased the door open and stared at a young boy.

  "Headman told me to warn you that soldiers are on their way here," the boy said quickly. "Prepare to be questioned."

  The boy darted away and Garth closed the door. "Soldiers are coming to question us," he announced.

  "I must flee," stated Morro. "I am not listed as having entered the city."

  Garth raised an eyebrow questioningly, but the elf quickly slipped out of the room and closed the door.

  "We should return to our room," Natia said as she made for the door.

  "Unlock the connecting door and leave it open a crack," ordered Garth. "If it comes to a fight, we need to be able to join together."

  Tedi nodded as he joined Natia in leaving the room. Garth moved to the connecting door and unlocked his side of it. A moment later he heard the other side being unlocked, and the door was opened just a bit.

  "What was Morro saying about a dog being hit by an arrow?" Kalina asked.

  "It was Smokey," Garth frowned with sadness. "He leaped over my head to take the arrow intended for me. He saved my life, and I couldn't even be bothered to find him when we last left the city."

  "You are too hard on yourself," Kalina said soothingly. "Smokey always did what he wanted to do. While his love for you was as strong as any, I think he had a purpose of his own."

  "What do you mean?" asked Garth.

  "I am not sure," admitted Kalina. "Smokey's actions were unlike any dog I have ever met. It was almost as if there was some sort of benevolent possession of the animal. I don't know how else to explain it."

  A loud, firm knock on the door interrupted the conversation. Garth strode to the door and opened it. Six soldiers immediately entered the room and closed the door. Garth backed away until he was beside Kalina in the center of the room. An officer marched forward and stood before the couple.

  "Names?" the captain asked curtly.

  "Garth and Kalina Shado," answered Garth.

  "Where have you gone today?" asked the captain.

  "We were at Aerta Gems," answered Garth.

  "All day?" inquired the officer. "Can anyone vouch for you?"

  "We were there until the explosions," replied Garth. "Mencham told us that we should return to our rooms here when he heard the whistles."

  The captain turned and nodded towards one of the soldiers. The soldier opened the door and slipped out of the room.

  "You spent the entire day at a jewelers?" the captain asked suspiciously.

  "It is my trade," explained Garth as he handed papers to the captain. "I am a special agent for Sidney Mercado. I specialize in gems and priceless artifacts. We were trying to establish a relationship with Aerta Gems for future contracts. I dare say that negotiations were progressing nicely until all the commotion began. Can you tell me what has happened?"

  "You have no need to know," the officer replied curtly as his eyes scanned the room. "You seem to be heavily armed for a merchant."

  "We do not travel in a caravan," replied Garth. "We carry small valuable items and rely on speed to outdistance the bandits, but sometimes it comes down to a battle. Sidney Mercado believes in hiring trained personnel who will not lose his merchandise. Were we not well trained and well armed, we would not be successful."

  The captain nodded as if he had just been required to
listen to a boastful fool. He turned his eyes to the papers that Garth had handed him. For a long time the room remained silent as the captain scrutinized the papers. Eventually, he handed them back to Garth. The soldier who had left the room reentered and whispered to the captain.

  "Mencham is only the jeweler's apprentice," stated the captain. "While he vouches for your presence earlier today, I must order you not to leave this room until given permission to do so. Violate this order and you will be arrested."

  The captain pivoted and marched towards the door. A soldier opened the door and the captain marched out. The soldiers followed, and Garth heard firm knocking on Tedi's door.

  Tedi answered the door and moved back as the soldiers flowed into the room.

  "Names?" barked the captain.

  "Tedi and Natia Markel," answered Tedi.

  "Where have you gone today?" asked the captain.

  "I went drinking," answered Tedi. "I don't remember the name of the common room, but it was near the garrison."

  "The two of you were not together?" asked the captain.

  "No," answered Tedi.

  "And why would you go so far to drink ale?" asked the captain. "Is there not a common room downstairs?"

  "I did not want to drink here," replied Tedi. "I wanted to go to a man's common room, not some fancy excuse for one."

  Some of the soldiers snickered, but the captain sent a glare towards his men, and they promptly shut up.

  "And can anyone vouch for your presence at the common room?" asked the captain.

  Tedi shook his head, but one of the soldiers caught the captain's attention.

  "I saw him there," offered the soldier. "He was deep into his ale as if he were nursing some woman problem."

  "Are you sure?" asked the captain.

  "Positive," nodded the soldier. "He was there for a good two hours before the whistles blew and probably much longer than that. He was well into his ale when I arrived."

  "What about you?" the captain asked as he gazed at Natia.

  "I was with Colonel Fisker," Natia replied with a slight smile.