by Sam Ferguson
“As I said,” Phinean began. “The Sierri’Tai wanted the destruction of all other elf races. They viewed all others, even the Tomni’Tai, as inferior races, mistakes of the gods. Their vision was to wipe all inferior races from the Elven Isles, and then to expand from there.”
Phinean motioned toward the other side of the chamber. “Come, I think I see the dragon’s skeleton.”
Jaleal turned and followed his companion to the other side of the vast chamber. As they neared the back of the cavern, Jaleal noticed that one of the walls was lined with roots and shoots of plants from the surface above. A small hole in the floor opened up to an underground stream. He bent down and gingerly stretched forth his fingers. The water was cool, and moved quickly. Something dark darted through his field of vision and he pulled his hand back. He then tested the depth of the water with his spear. He never found the bottom. He pulled the weapon back and hurried to catch up with Phinean, who was standing a short way off admiring a massive skull.
“The elves chased the dragon into this cave?” Jaleal asked incredulously. He judged the beast to be at least as large as Tu’luh the Red in life, and no dragon that size would have been able to worm into the tunnel.
Phinean shook his head. “No, the cave was a larger cavern back then. The great beast was injured, with a broken wing.” Phinean pointed up and Jaleal nodded when he saw the badly fractured right wing bone. “It came here to hide. Rather than fight the monster, the elves used their magic to shrink the cave. Then they fortified it so that the beast’s claws would be of no avail.”
“So he was buried alive,” Jaleal whispered. “A cruel fate for anyone.”
“Doubly so for a dragon,” Phinean said with a short nod. “Surely it would have taken many, many years for him to die of starvation.”
“He could have slept,” Jaleal said. “When did you say the Elf War ended?”
“A little more than five hundred years ago,” Phinean said.
Jaleal stopped and stared at Phinean. “That is the same timeframe as the Battle of Hamath Valley,” he said.
Phinean frowned. “I haven’t heard of that.”
Jaleal pointed at the dragon skeleton and shook a finger at it. “Five hundred years ago, Tu’luh the Red and Nagar the Black led an army against the Father of the Ancients in the Middle Kingdom. I wonder if perhaps the magic they used there was in any way connected with Gorensikdar and the Sierri’Tai going to war against the other elves. Nagar himself was a Sierri’Tai elf as well.”
Phinean shrugged. “I’m not for knowing that,” he said apologetically. “All I know, is we need to find Lemork’s bones.”
Jaleal shot him a puzzled look.
Phinean scrunched his brow into a neat knot over his nose impatiently. “The sword would be buried with the body.”
Jaleal nodded. The two of them spread out through the chamber, but the floor looked smooth in every part of the grand cavern. They both made a full circle and ended up standing next to the wall behind the skeleton, which was covered in thick roots. Phinean was positively perplexed. His hands sat upon his hips and he made several huffing noises as he glanced from side to side and tried to imagine where the body might rest. Jaleal abandoned the search and turned to examine the strange roots covering the wall.
He reached in and wrapped his fingers around a solid, rubbery root and pulled it away from the wall. The piece snapped off in his hand, spraying a bit or maroon liquid onto his hand.
“Is this like a beet root?” Jaleal asked as he brought his hand up and sniffed it.
Phinean didn’t respond. He was too busy pacing around the floor and kicking at the dirt with his toes trying to uncover King Lemork’s burial spot.
Jaleal nibbled a tiny bit of the root in his mouth and then spit out the bitter substance. He dropped the root onto the ground and rubbed his tongue along the roof of his mouth. Then he turned and saw something through the roots. He used his spear to move the thick, vine-like tendrils out of the way and discovered another rune painted on the wall, only, it wasn’t just drawn on with paint. It was also carved into the stone. The marks were shallow, but it was a carving nonetheless.
The warrior gnome cleared the roots away from around it, breaking several of them off and letting them fall to the ground. As he did so, he uncovered several more runes. They were placed in a vertical column.
“What is this?” Jaleal asked.
“That’s it!” Phinean exclaimed. The other gnome rushed in and rabidly ripped the roots away from the wall. “This is where he was buried.”
“But this is made of stone,” Jaleal said. “How could someone bury him in stone? Didn’t you say that the elves put a magical protection on the stone to make it impossible to dig through?”
Phinean waved Jaleal off and pushed the warrior gnome back out of his way. “Yes, yes. Just, give me a moment to inspect it.” The gnome traced his fingers over the runes. As his flesh touched each of the symbols, they began to glow a faint, blueish hue. The stone hummed and vibrated. Dust fell from cracks that encircled a great mass of stone around the symbols, and then it fell out toward them. Phinean shrieked as he jumped out of the way, only narrowly escaping being flattened.
Inside stood a clean skeleton with bits of long hair still clinging to the top of the skull. Black cloth was worn and rotting away from the silvery chainmail beneath. A crown of silver sat upon the skull, and a ring of timoku sat upon the bony index finger on the left hand.
“This is something I have not seen for a long time,” Phinean said as he reached for the ring. “It is made of gray and black titanium that has been folded and melded together. It is obscenely valuable.” Phinean carefully slid the ring off of the brittle finger and then tossed it to Jaleal. “But there is no sword here.”
“Are you sure?” Jaleal asked as he inspected the ring.
Phinean nodded. “We need to make haste for Selemet Isle.”
“Do you know where the assassin is headed?”
“I have an idea. I know where one of the relics is that he will need to open the Netherworld Gate. Come, we must hurry. If he is already traveling by sea, then we haven’t much time to spare.”
The gnomes ran out from the cave, but they didn’t go back to Bluewater. Phinean led them deeper into the forest until they emerged onto a sandy beach. Jaleal looked up and down the coast, but he didn’t see any ships.
“You don’t plan on swimming do you?” he jested.
Phinean grinned and went to the water. He waded in up to his waist and then slapped the water with his right palm. He repeated the gesture, slapping the water once and then waiting for several seconds before slapping it again.
“Mind filling me in?” Jaleal asked as he neared the water’s edge.
At that instant, a large, black dorsal fin rose from the sea about sixty yards away from Phinean. A massive, black body broke the surface of the water and arced toward the gnomes. It disappeared down again and then rose up through the surface with such speed that it jumped up from the water, exposing the white markings on its side and underbelly. It crashed down with a tremendous splash.
Phinean turned back and grinned wide. “This is how we will beat the human to Selemet Isle. I know a shortcut that will get us to where we need to go. With any luck, we will have a day or two to prepare for him.”
Jaleal cocked his head to the side and pulled on his silvery beard. “You want me to ride that?”
Phinean nodded enthusiastically. “No better way to travel, I always say!”
Jaleal scratched his head and then folded his arms. “Oh, what I wouldn’t give for the trees back home right about now.”
CHAPTER 6
Kelden pushed the door open quietly. He could hear Yeoj whispering something. Then, another voice giggled. He looked inside to see Sebina sitting on the bed near Yeoj, holding his left hand in her lap. The man on the bed whispered something into Sebina’s ear and she laughed again, pulling away playfully. Yeoj pulled her back gently.
Kelden pushed th
e door the rest of the way open and walked inside. “I see you are gaining some of your strength back,” he commented through a forced smile.
Sebina looked up at Kelden and immediately her smile vanished. “I will get you some more tea,” she told Yeoj. Yeoj smiled and patted her rump once as she left. She jumped and shot him a scolding look before turning to leave. Kelden watched her go and then turned back to Yeoj.
“Seems you two are growing close,” he said dryly.
Yeoj smiled and cocked his head to the side. “She’s a cutie,” he said noncommittally. “You have been gone a while,” he said, changing the subject.
Kelden nodded. “It’s done,” Kelden said. “The men who ran the smuggling ring are no more.”
Yeoj struggled to push himself up. He winced and nearly collapsed back on the bed once, but he managed to maneuver himself upright. “You didn’t arrest them?” Yeoj asked. The twinkle in his eye was gone, replaced with a solemn gaze. “That doesn’t sound like the Kelden I know.”
Kelden fished a ring out from his pocket and tossed it to Yeoj. “I took that from the leader’s finger, after I took his head from his neck.”
Yeoj turned the ring over in his hand and nodded. “You sure it was the last of them?”
“Yes,” Kelden said. “Three Kuscan brothers lead the whole thing. I am sure there are likely some lower level goons that escaped somewhere, but we killed everyone in Blundfish.”
“We?” Yeoj asked.
“I had a bit of help. Perhaps if you behave yourself, I will introduce you to the new members of the group.”
At that moment Sebina returned with a steaming cup of tea. She placed it down on the bedside table and then offered a weak smile to Kelden before exiting the room again.
“I don’t think she likes you,” Yeoj teased.
Kelden exhaled slowly, not quite forceful enough to be a sigh, yet it carried a certain sadness with it. “Well,” he began, “I can tell she likes you.”
“You’re jealous!” Yeoj sniggered. “Why? You only saw her for a little while on the street. You don’t know anything about her.”
Kelden patted the air. “Don’t trouble yourself over it,” he replied quickly. “I have matters to tend to, and you will likely be staying here for a while longer. I won’t get in your way.”
Yeoj reached out for his tea. “Or is it that you know you just wouldn’t stack up compared to me?” He winked and then took a sip of his tea. “I’m not afraid of competition if you want to make a play.”
Kelden shook his head. “You should watch what you say. She might be just outside the door.”
Yeoj started to shrug, but stopped short and winced. He clumsily set his tea cup down, clattering on the wood as his hand shook. Kelden moved in to help, but Yeoj waved him off. “I’m well enough off,” he said.
“Heal quickly,” Kelden said. “I will look for you again once your wounds are gone.” Kelden turned to leave.
“That’s it?” Yeoj grumbled. “I roast myself finishing your job and all you have to say is you will look for me when I am better. How about thanks for saving your lieutenant, and for dropping the—”
Kelden spun around and shook his head with a great frown pulling his features down. “Don’t do that. You know better. I am not expelling you from the group, nor did I leave the work unfinished. You and I both know I was sent away at the queen’s request. When I got back, I finished what you could not. Keep that ring as a reminder, if you must, that I never leave my allies alone.”
Yeoj quickly regained his composure and smiled that sly grin of his. “Well, I still got the girl,” he taunted.
Kelden waved his hand and turned around. “You’re impossible.” Kelden walked down the hall and then descended the stairs. He saw Pendonov standing next to Jenedina, talking and smiling. Agnes was sitting in a chair next to them and Sebina was trying to retrieve a jar from the top shelf. Her fingers only barely touched the glass, spinning it around more than pulling it toward her.
Kelden went to her and reached in from behind, stretching his arm over her shoulder. “Allow me,” he offered.
Sebina took a step to her right and offered a softly spoken, “Thank you.” Then she turned to place the jar on the counter. She set her left hand around the glass and tried to twist the top with her right, but it wouldn’t move. Kelden watched her for a moment, admiring her beauty. He didn’t realize he was staring until the woman stopped trying to open the jar and held it out for him. “If you would be so kind?”
Kelden almost asked what she wanted, and then he noticed the proffered jar and quickly took it in his hands and opened the lid. “Sorry, I…” He wasn’t sure what to say. Rather than risk sounding like a fool, he switched into his official tone. “I just wanted to stop by and let you know that you are both safe now. All of the men have been dealt with.”
Sebina blinked a couple of times and nodded once. She took the open jar and set it on the desk next to her and went to work scooping out the blue powder from within to add it into a mortar on the desk. She turned her back to Kelden and went to another shelf to fetch more ingredients. Kelden followed her and spoke softly.
“Also, you should know I met your brother,” he said.
Sebina turned around with a questioning look in her eyes.
Kelden smiled. “He’s a good man, and he is safe. In time, I think I can get the charges against him dropped as well.”
“Where is he?” Sebina asked.
Kelden shook his head. “I can’t tell you that yet, but I will when I can.” Kelden motioned to the shelves behind her. “For now, go about your lives as you please. You are safe.”
“Thank you,” Jenedina called out. Kelden turned to see the other woman’s hand clasped between Pendonov’s.
Kelden smiled and nodded his head. “Pendonov, take a few moments if you like, then come and meet me.” He then left the shop and closed the door behind him. He walked slowly back toward the merchant guard hall, thinking all the while about Sebina sitting on the bed with Yeoj. He knew he shouldn’t feel bitter toward Yeoj, but he did. He couldn’t help but hear her laugh again in his head and see her holding his hand in her lap. It bothered him more than it should, he knew, and his mind wondered what might have happened if he had been allowed to stay.
He heard the gulls calling from the east. A light breeze came in, stirring up a small dust devil and carrying the salty air into the city. He breathed in deeply. The merchant guard hall now was only a block away, and he could see part of its walls and the flag that flew over the entrance. Then he turned his eyes toward the east as the gulls called out to him again. Perhaps duty could wait a short while longer. Instead of brooding over Sebina, he could at least find comfort along the peaceful shore. He turned to change directions but then he heard his name shouted from farther down the street.
“Captain Ferryl!” a man yelled as he sprinted down the street from the now open front door of the merchant guard hall.
Kelden’s hand instinctively went for his sword. He didn’t recognize the man right off. It wasn’t a merchant guard, and it wasn’t anyone he knew. Yet, the man seemed to know him, and was running straight for him. As he drew nearer, Kelden’s grip on his sword loosened. He did recognize the man. It was a guard from Rasselin that he had met only a short while ago.
“Captain Ferryl, I need your help!” he panted as he slowed to a stop just a few yards in front of Kelden.
Kelden knit his brow and crossed his arms. “What is it?” he asked.
“The others told me I would find you here,” Murdok said.
“The others?” Kelden asked.
Murdok nodded as he panted heavily and bent over, trying to catch his breath. “The dwarves, you know, the lively pair that you escorted to Rasselin the day we met. I saw them outside the merchant guard hall and asked if they had seen you.”
“What is it?” Kelden pressed.
Murdok shook his head. “Rasselin has been captured,” he said. The man straightened up and wiped the sweat and
grime from his forehead. “General Tehrigg betrayed us all, and he let the Shausmatians into the city.”
“Why would he do that?” Kelden asked. He arched a brow and was about to speak, but Murdok grabbed onto his shoulders.
“You must believe me, you must,” Murdok cried. “I only barely escaped during the night after the city was subdued.”
“How?”
Murdok shook his head. “No time for that now, you have to help me get to the queen.”
“She won’t see you?” Kelden asked.
Murdok shook his head. “I tried to request an audience, but the guards won’t let me in the palace, and the one councilor they summoned to speak with me turned me away. They thought me mad.”
Kelden nodded and thought for a moment. “How many men did Tehrigg have?”
Murdok shrugged. “Thousands. He left for Hart’s Bridge with most of his troops. Then, a couple days later he returned with the enemy wearing our colors. He left a few soldiers in the towers and gate house to ensure he could gain access. They slaughtered anyone who tried to stand against them. I did what I could to raise the city guard, but we were no match for them.”
“What of the Rangers?” Kelden asked.
Murdok turned and twisted his belt around to display Diggs’ sword. “There are none left anymore.”
Kelden looked down at the sword and his breath caught in his throat for a moment. He knew that no Ranger would allow his sword to be carried by anyone unless he had been slain first. “And Councilor Bahn?”
“He was drawn and quartered in the square,” Murdok said softly. “His remains were posted upon pikes for all to see, as a warning of what would befall any who dared to defy Tehrigg. His soldiers rooted out most of the guard too, and they were also put to death.” Murdok’s eyes welled with tears and his gaze went distant. “They dragged their bodies behind horses. Their blood painted our streets.”
Murdok’s knees weakened and his shoulders slumped.
Kelden bent down and forced the man’s chin up to look at him. “Do you have any proof beyond your word?”
