“The trolls will be protected,” the gnome assured, his voice stronger than it had been since they met. “Many eons have they guarded the northern corner of our beloved Eriden, and the wolves will not bring their fortification to an end.”
Smiling, the girl agreed, “Thank you, Sevoassi. I hope that you are correct,” she added, fairly certain he only said so to make her feel better.
“You seem to know a great deal about this land,” the Mate spoke up, setting his empty bowl on the root-bench next to him. “Share with us, as we have learned far more since we have entered the north. The southern peoples were very secretive,” he teased, glancing between the siren, elf and nymph in turn.
“Indeed,” the gnome chuckled. “The tension of the south has been brewing since Eriden was a young continent, even before the mortals were cast to the rim.”
“You know of Abolia and our fate,” Amicia sighed, still toying with her food.
“Your fate,” Sevoassi whispered, his eyes glazed as he considered her choice of words. “Your fate is so uncertain, princess.”
Her face snapping up to glare at him, she spat, “So many have referred to me as such I grow weary of the term. I am no princess, or queen for that matter, and I wish them to cease in using it.”
A slow smile creeping across his crinkled features, the gnome agreed with a small nod. “I will refrain from the term, but I assure you no insult is intended by its use. You honor us, the inhabitants of Eriden, with your presence. The depth of your caring is a testament to your nobility. I will speak of it no more, but when you are ready, there will be much for you to discover. For now, let us prepare a place for you to sleep by my fire.”
Standing, he moved around the room, directing them where to spread their blankets so they could rest. Doing as he instructed, the fit was cozy, and reminded Rey of the days they had languished beneath their shade as they crossed the desert. Watching as Amicia brushed out her hair and braided it again before she lay down to sleep, he wondered what the old gnome had meant by “much for you to discover,” as they seemed to learn something new every day, in fact.
Eventually, they would have to run out, as there would be no more secrets left to uncover. “Goodnight, love,” Rey said quietly. Stretched out beside her, he rested his hand on her shoulder so he could feel her respirations as he drifted off to sleep.
Listening to him breathe, Amicia wiped at her tears, not able to stop herself from reaching out into the darkness. “Lamwen.” No reply came, but she had not really expected one. She searched out of habit or longing for something she should accept; her dragon was no more, she felt sure.
Hearing the snores of the others, Ami gently lifted Reynard’s digits so she could extricate herself from his grasp. Picking her way between the bodies, she used the shallow steps at the entrance to climb her way out. Carved to fit gnome feet, only her toes were firm against the earth, and she gripped the sides to prevent falling as she made the ascent.
Outside, the dark earth lay in moon-shade from the large trees that made up the thick forest. In a few patches, the bright white light pierced the branches and shown upon the ground. Walking aimlessly forward, she stuck her hand into one of the beams and admired the sparkle of her flesh beneath the glow.
“You are troubled,” Sevoassi observed.
Startled, a small squeak escaped her lips, and she panted, “I did not see you there. Why do you not sleep?”
“Why do you not sleep, pri –” he replied, cutting himself off before he used the term he had sworn off over dinner. “My lady?” he offered instead, closing the distance between them on padded feet.
“I have much to contemplate,” she confessed, the sorrow leaking into her words. “I have lost a dear friend, and I fear he may never return.”
“Walk with me then. I have words to share only meant for your ears, so it is fortunate that we have these moments to do so,” he said with a smile. Offering his hand, he held the small appendage up and waited for her to take it.
Staring down at his dark robe, the red hair atop his head and in his beard glistened in the pale light. “You are an old gnome,” she observed, accepting his fingers and giving them a squeeze, something familiar about him she could not quite place.
“Very old,” he agreed, leading her down the path. “I have seen many moons in Eriden, watched as numerous kings and queens have risen and fallen over the ages.”
“This is a sad time for all the land, or so I hear,” she sighed.
“You know of Gwirwen?” he asked, stopping so they could peer through a thin patch in the canopy.
The dwarf mountains before them, the sight of their looming majesty caused her heart to skip a beat. “They appear so close,” she breathed, then blinked a few times. “Yes. We have been told by many how things have become unbearable under his reign as the Supreme Dragon. Alas, I fear there is little that can be done to change what lies ahead.”
“Ah, you have learned of the prophecy as well,” he mused, squinting up at her as if to study her more closely.
“Yes, Yaodus explained the magical creator, who is also the destroyer. At least that is what he believes, or the wolves believe… someone believes,” she stammered with a shrug. “I myself am not certain what to make of it, yet.” Dragging her eyes away from the sharp peaks, she smiled down at him. “Would you have any advice to add?”
“Only that you are on the path,” he nodded.
“So, I am the lover of dragons and men,” she sniffed. “I feared as much. I wish someone would just tell me what I’m supposed to do.”
“No one can do such a thing,” he advised while digging inside his robe with his free hand. “However, I can offer you this, on one condition.” Holding up a small round orb, it sparkled a bright blood red in the moonlight.
“An orb of truth,” Amicia gasped, then remembered the previous versions had all been gold. “Why is yours crimson?”
“There are many of the gold, but there is only one like this,” he informed her. “Unique, as are you. I offer it to you,” he stated calmly, holding the sphere out to her.
Accepting it, the color shifted to a lighter burgundy, almost pink, when her fingers touched it. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed. “What’s the condition?”
“You must not show it to anyone else. I fear your possession of it would bring out the worst in those around you if they knew.”
“A secret,” she chuckled, thinking of her lost friend. “I had a dragon friend; he was my secret for many months, and the others have yet to meet him,” she confessed. “I fear they never will.”
Shifting her gaze to stare into the gnome’s dark eyes, she agreed, “I will hide it among my things, but how will I know when to use it? I mean, if it’s so rare and precious, why would you give it to me?” she asked doubtfully.
“Soon, you will meet my kind, and you will understand. To reach them, you must face many perils, more dangerous than any you have so far.”
“Oh, great.” She swore under her breath, studying the globe once more. The pink glow against her flesh calmed her. “We must go forward. There is nothing for us behind, and I fear all of Eriden will be lost if I do not complete the task that lies before me.”
“You do not believe you are the destroyer, then?” he mused. “The prophecy speaks directly of one who will be the end of Eriden.”
“I am not,” she bit curtly. “I would never destroy such a beautiful place, filled with people no less.”
“Then you are not yet ready to see what lies within the orb. Hide it, and you will know the time that you must look.”
Closing her fingers around it, she shrugged, “I’ll add it to my collection.”
“Collection?”
“Of magical tokens,” she snorted. “I have a merdoe, a hamar gem, and now a red orb. I’ve done well for a mortal of the rim.”
Shaking his head, the gnome held his tongue, keeping anything else he knew locked away. Instead, he raised a hand towards his home. “We should rest. You have a
long day ahead of you on the morrow.”
“Aye,” she agreed, walking slowly towards the old tree. “Thank you, Sevoassi, I will cherish your gift and use it when the time comes to the best of my ability.”
Veil of Secrets
“What the bloody hell is going on?” Piers shouted, waking Amicia from a deep slumber.
Turning on her back, she looked around at the others, who all sat upon their blankets. Staring about them in disbelief, the group mumbled inaudibly as the reality of their host’s quarters sank in.
The light low beneath the tree, Amicia could see no sign of the diminutive creature’s presence or any indication that he ever had been there, in fact. His pot no longer hung on the wall, the small seats were gone, and even the fire no longer burned.
Fighting to get to her feet, she grabbed her bag and shoved her hand inside. Rummaging around, she located the small sphere in the bottom, where she had hidden it the night before upon their return to his home. “It wasn’t a dream,” she assured, rubbing it fondly but refraining from producing her evidence. “Obviously, he is a magical creature and has decided to take his leave of us.”
“Obviously,” Meena agreed, withholding her retort for Piers’s sake. She had feared the gnome would be trouble, and his hasty departure only confirmed her suspicions. “We should have our porridge and be gone from here.”
“Agreed,” Amicia replied. Breathing heavily, her gut roiled between anger and fear. Turning to the entrance, she glared at the hole above them. Placing her pack on her back, she used the roots that hung down the walls to hoist herself up. The small set of steps that had been carved into the rock the night before was gone, along with everything else, and it was far more difficult to fight her way to the top without them.
Arriving at ground level, she found that Baldwin had scampered up before her. “Here, let me help you,” he offered. Grasping the pack, he pulled to aid her in gaining her balance as she worked her way out of the pit beneath the trunk.
“Hand me my bow and whatever else you can,” she commanded, dropping her pack and leaning through the opening to take what she could. Passing it to Bally, they piled everything to the side, then helped the others make the climb.
Her tiny feet on the ground, Oldrilin rung her hands as she wandered around, peering up at the mossy trees around them. “The gnome is gone,” she moaned, her fear of his deception evident.
“Aye,” Rey agreed, climbing out of the narrow space. “Don’t worry. He didn’t hurt us. In fact, he might have helped us get away from the wolves.” Gazing into the sunlit canopy, he continued, “We’ll have to set a fire for the breakfast.”
“Aye,” the Mate seconded. “Let’s get to it and get the hell out of here as quickly as we are able. Bally, you and Animir gather a bit of wood for us. Rey, there was a stream that we were following before the northern pack left us. Can you locate it and fill the pot?”
“I’d rather use the water stone,” Meena informed him.
“It could be our last,” Piers countered, doubtfully.
Seizing her bow, Amicia clipped, “I’ll go with him. We should save the stone for when we have no other choice in case it truly is the last.”
“Very well,” Meena groaned, sad that they ignored her advice often and wishing she had not promised to hold her tongue. Watching the young couple disappear, she shivered violently. “I do not like this, my husband.” Glancing around, she kept her voice low so that Zae and Lin could not hear. “The gnome knew her, I am certain of it. Whether his removal of our guides was a blessing we may never know.”
The look on her drawn features tugging at his heartstrings, he pulled her to him, wrapping his bride in his arms and holding her against his muscled chest. “Are you sorry you have left your home in the desert to join us?”
Pulling back, as if his words stung her, she gasped, “Of course not! My old heart is filled with love again, and I shall never regret you nor our young friends,” she supplied, indicating the others with an arching sweep of her hand. “But I certainly wish you heeded my advice more often,” she added with a sniff.
“Aw, love,” he whispered, his eyes swimming with regret. “Let’s prepare to make the meal,” he suggested to keep her busy.
A short time later, the pot simmered, and the group took seats on the ground around their fire. Finding a spot on the roots of the aged tree, Ami opened her bag, her breath coming in shallow pants as she confessed, “I have something I must show you. Sevoassi bade I should keep it hidden from you, but in light of his disappearance, I would feel better if you had seen it,” she explained, cutting her eyes up at the older woman.
Her fingers finding the smooth surface of the orb, she grasped it firmly, closing her eyes and whispering to herself, They are your friends, you can trust them with this. Pulling the object out, it glowed slightly between her digits as she turned her hand over to open them, presenting the sphere to the group.
“What is that?” Bally demanded, leaning closer to get a better look.
“It’s an orb of truth, like the gold ones,” Ami grunted. “The gnome said when I was ready, I would be able to see what lies within it.”
“It’s red,” Meena observed, her voice faint. “I have never seen a red orb.”
“He said it was unique,” the girl explained, beckoning her closer. “Would you like to hold it?” she offered, shoving it towards her.
“I dare not!”
Withdrawing the extended hand at the sharp reply, Amicia frowned, “Was I wrong to show you this?” He had said to keep it a secret. Taking in the circle of concerned faces, she said more quietly, “I was warned to hide it. Have I erred in sharing it with you?”
“No, but you may have been mistaken to accept it,” Meena clarified. Tearing her gaze away from the warm crimson glow, she stared into the pale green eyes of the girl.
“You are afraid,” Amicia whispered.
“Petrified. I do not wish any harm to come to you or any of us. This magic is beyond me,” the wan confessed.
“Should we go back?” Rey asked, equally concerned for the girl’s safety. “Perhaps this is a warning that we should give up.”
“We cannot go back,” Piers reminded him firmly. “We must go forward until we have resolved our conflict with the dragons. There is no place behind us that is any safer than what lies ahead. Either way, our future is that way,” he said, pointing at the home of the dwarves.
“We have no idea what lies ahead,” Reynard quarreled. “We might all die before we make it over the next set of mountains, much less get to the land of the dragons.”
“Aye,” Piers nodded, “or we might make it through. We must push to defeat one obstacle at a time. If we clear the mountains, we will make it to Falconmarsh, city of the gnomes. Then to the north of that we will find the dragons. There, we will discover what became of Lamwen and if we will be able to put an end to their pursuit of us. It is the only way we will have a home, whether it is here, to be returned to the rim of mortals, or somewhere we have yet to imagine.”
Their breakfast ready, Amicia shushed them, “I’m sorry I have upset you. I only wished to share what I had discovered. Keeping my dragon friend from you was wrong, or at least I have come to believe that it was, and it might have cost us dearly. I do not want to be the cause of our demise by hiding something important from the rest of you.”
Serving the porridge, Meena agreed, “Then thank you for the sharing. You have accepted the gift, and that cannot be undone. Hide it away in your bag, and do not show it to any that we meet. I do not know what the significance of the object is, but I know that it would attract undue attention if anyone else were to know of its existence.”
Glancing around at the others, the first mate amended, “None of you will speak of it, either. Not to anyone, including among ourselves. Understood?”
Nodding and mumbling various affirmations, they each accepted their morning ration. Eating in near silence, the depths of their thoughts swallowed them, as each knew the ris
ks that they would face, and all felt powerless to escape them.
Once they had eaten, everything was laid out and another round of shrinking took place. Taking up their loads when all had been repacked, Amicia wished she could repair the damage their party had seemed to suffer. “I’m sorry I have brought everyone down,” she apologized quietly.
“Rubbish,” Piers countered, clamping her on the shoulder to give her a squeeze. “You cannot help who you are, and we are your friends. We will stick together and make our way forward – together.”
“But I have lost our rides,” she whined, falling into step behind him, with the others following along in single file.
Walking between Ami and Rey, Oldrilin did her best to keep up, calling after the girl, “Sweet Amicia. You are a true princess even as you despise to hear your praise. We are blessed with your company and thank Eriden for your presence.”
Not convinced, the girl lifted her chin but said no more. They marched toward the mountain, making several miles through the forest before they came upon another clearing that would make a good camp as the sun sank into the west.
“I think we’ve gone the distance for this day,” Piers observed, drawing everyone in and making the assignments. “Bally, you and Animir see if we can have some fresh meat for our dinner. Zae, you and Rey use the waterskins to bring us plenty of water from that stream that continues to flow to the west of us.”
“Are you sure it’s still there?” Reynard queried, dropping his gear next to a fallen log that would serve as a seat for them once they were able to rest.
“Fairly so. I believe it flows down from the mountain, and I have caught glimpses of it throughout the day,” the Mate assured.
“Amicia and I will tend to the vegetables if you are going to set the fire,” Meena suggested, glancing at the girl in a hurried manner.
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