From their hiding place in the fissure, the conspirators watch the white wraiths return to the city. Many carry steel swords they have taken from Lord Lizardthroat’s Secret Police. Krage abandons his plan to hide in the city, and several hours later he guides the party back to a higher level in the maze of passages that honeycomb the base of the mountain. They climb to the first fork they passed on their run down. It is as far from the white goblins as they can get without risking an encounter with the Blue Daggers above. Once again, Krage lights the way with his eerie blue aura. Myrel and Alexia have never before witnessed the carnage of battle, and are shaken each time they pass a mutilated corpse sprawled in their path. Grenab picks up a steel sword that the white goblins have overlooked. They approach the top of the tunnel cautiously. Wraiths and Blue Daggers could be anywhere. At the junction, Krage directs them down a branching passage he has never before explored. It is narrower than the tunnel to the underground city and continues without changing elevation for a league until it comes to an intersection. Krage chooses this spot to pause before exploring the many branching side passages.
Krage is fatigued from having illuminated their path for so many hours. As Krage rests, the chamber grows black. The total darkness plays tricks on Myrel’s mind. Her heart speeds up each time she hears a faint noise or senses something moving in the shadows. She imagines Blue Daggers, wraiths and whatever else might live in the tunnels creeping toward her. She counts her heartbeats to calm herself. As she focuses, she feels a tingling sensation in her fingers followed by a blue glow. It is not as bright as Krage’s illumination, but it is better than sitting in the dark, she thinks, expecting to be grabbed by an unseen evil.
Krage looks at her and says, “Well done, Daughter. You have discovered the secret.” He explains to Grenab and Alexia, “The illumination is a special power given to members of our linage. Not all of our progenitors succeed in drawing forth the light and rarely is it achieved by someone as young as Myrel. The power of the light can be put to many uses. It is the source of the explosion I used to blind the Blue Daggers. With practice, Daughter, you will discover its secrets. If you think you can sustain a light here in the chamber, I will begin to explore the side tunnels.” The thought of Krage leaving makes Myrel anxious and her illumination dims to a weak flicker. She calms herself, and the glow intensifies.
Krage heads down one of the three remaining unexplored passages. This passage gives Krage what he most hopes for, a way out of the mountain. It emerges on the west side of Holy Mountain, about two hundred strides above the mountain’s base and a league from where the party had originally tried to exit. The entrance is partially blocked by fallen rock and is hidden from the road encircling the mountain. None of Melkerei’s Secret Police are lurking about.
Krage returns to the chamber and finds the others seated where he left them. Myrel is relieved to cease illuminating as Krage sits down. The others stare at him and Myrel asks the question on everyone’s mind, “Well, what did you find?” Krage enjoys seeing their looks of apprehension before revealing, “I found another exit. We only have to take a short walk to escape this wraith-infested mountain.”
It is morning. They will wait until evening and enter the capital in darkness, when there is less chance of being spotted by the police. Krage proposes, “We can proceed to the home of a friend to learn what is happening in the city and the current whereabouts of the queen.”
In the boulders that hide the exit Myrel sits. From her vantage point, she can see formations of Blue Daggers moving toward the mountain’s rear entrance. She can’t tell if they intend to attack the white goblins or guard against an attack. Alexia and Grenab remove nesting materials some animal used to make a den and spend the day sleeping on the rocks.
The road is dark and disserted when the party descends the rocky slope and moves south toward the capital. Krage guides them through back alleys. Alexia and Grenab follow Krage and Myrel at a distance so that it doesn’t appear that the four are travelling together. Krage knocks at a door; after a moment’s wait, the door opens and the four conspirators are admitted.
“Meet Humock Gutcutter,” Krage says, “Captain of the City Police and my friend since boyhood.” Humock greets his visitors.
“It is not hard to guess who your companions are,” says Humock. Melkerei’s Blue Daggers have been tearing the city apart looking for your daughter and two others that went missing from the city’s prison. The prison warden is also missing. He is regarded as an accomplice in your daughter’s escape. I know the warden well enough to think he would make a poor ally. I was told this morning the Blue Daggers have you cornered in the labyrinth of Holy Mountain. Lord Lizardthroat seemed confident that either he would soon catch you or the foul creatures that live in the tunnels would kill you.”
“I am sorry to disappoint the commander,” Krage sarcastically replies. “We have been hiding in the temple since I escaped more than a five days ago, and we have come for news about recent events in the city.”
“As you probably expect, Lord Lizardthroat plans to deliver Queen Meriem to King Red. Your escape from the temple and yesterday’s commotion in the mountain have upset his schedule and delayed his departure. He must deliver the queen in ten days; therefore, he must depart tomorrow or the next day and proceed with haste to the border. King Giforing and his family are still being held in the palace. I don’t think Melkerei has decided what he is going to do with the king. He has talked about staging a trial and sentencing the king to the gallows for treason, but that would make the king’s son the next ruler and not Melkerei. I suspect he will arrange for the king and his family to escape. If a ship carrying the family sinks during an escape attempt, no one can hold him responsible. Melkerei asked Alrik to assume the role of Thaumaturgist, but Alrik refused, saying the job was for life and you were, as far as he knows, still alive.”
“Do you know the size of the guard that will escort the queen to the border?” asks Krage.
“It will be small, perhaps two or three squads. Melkerei doesn’t want to threaten King Red with a sizeable military force,” Humock replies.
While the two friends scheme, Humock’s servant brings bread and ale. It is decided that the party will depart the city before dawn. The coastal road is too dangerous. It is well traveled, and they would likely be spotted. They will take the Razor’s Back and rejoin the coastal road at Dragon’s Belly. It seems a good spot to rescue the queen. If their plan goes awry, they will split up and regroup in the tunnel in Holy Mountain where they spent the previous day. After a couple of hours of sleep, the conspirators are awakened before dawn and handed their backpacks, which have been provisioned for the journey. One by one, they exit the city’s south gate. Humock lingers in the background, making sure they get through without incident.
Chapter 16
War is an invention of the rich . . .
Trak Dragonfire
Bretwalda
Trak surrenders his sword to Lord Ran when he boards the war galley. The baron’s son spends a few moments admiring its Dragon Fire pattern and then hands the sword back. Trak is treated more like a guest than a prisoner. An hour after departing the Isle of Uisgebeatha, Trak is standing on the bow observing the gannets diving for fish as the warship sails through the choppy sea when Lord Ran approaches and queries “Are you as deep in thought as you appear, Lord Sorcerer?”
“Before yesterday, I didn’t know I was Krage’s son. I have never heard the story of Krage and King Red’s queen. Would you please relate the tale as you understand it?”
Lord Ran begins, “Krage came to King Red’s court twenty years ago to persuade the king to sign a peace treaty with the goblin kingdom. The army bitterly opposed the peace; their hatred for goblins was strong. They suffered the most from the wars. Krage remained in the fortress for several months and became an accustomed sight. He was friendly to the servants and kind to the children. At seven years of age, I too was fascinated by the tall goblin who always took time to talk with me. We thought we knew the
nature of goblins, but Krage surprised us. He seemed as dignified and educated as the best bred nobleman.”
“I was too young to notice it, but apparently Krage became friends with King Red’s young queen. The previous king, Joelfrey, had no male heir, so he married his only daughter to Red, the strongest and most ambitious of his nobles. The queen was no more than a child, and Red took little interest in her, until she became pregnant. The king needed a child by her to perpetuate his dynasty.”
“When it became clear the peace negotiations had failed, Krage departed. It was then discovered that Queen Meriem was missing. King Red assumed that Krage had taken her hostage. He was enraged by what seemed to be an unbelievable act of treachery. He waited for a ransom demand but none came. It was widely believed that she was taken to the goblin capital where she has been held ever since. No one knew what happened to the child she was carrying until I met you at the dock. It all seemed to fit. Krage hadn’t kidnapped the queen. She ran off with him because she was pregnant with his child. The queen left to protect herself and her cross-breed infant from King Red’s retribution.”
“If what you say is true, I can’t imagine that King Red is going to be overjoyed to see me,” Trak responds with a half grin.
“The situation is complicated. By custom, you are the legitimate heir to the throne. Of course, it is unthinkable that a cross-breed conceived through an act of treachery would be permitted to become king. There are many who would have you killed immediately. But there is hope. King Red wants his queen back. He needs to save face and still hopes to produce an heir. If you agree, I will tell the king that I have captured Krage’s son, a cross-breed born to a lady in waiting who disappeared at the same time as the queen. Fortunately, such a person actually existed.
I will convince the king that you are a hostage of great value because you will be the next Thaumaturgist, the spiritual leader of the goblins. I will suggest to the king that he exchange you for his queen. To further strengthen your chances of survival, I will convince the king that you are a great sorcerer and in exchange for your life have agreed to share your knowledge of goblin steel making. I am not asking you to commit a great act of treason. I would be satisfied just to learn how you made your sword, the one named Dragon Fire.”
“Thank you, Lord Ran. You have given me much to ponder.” Trak slept two nights on the deck of the warship contemplating Lord Ran’s offer. He reasoned that he has little chance of surviving if he doesn’t give something in return for his life. Was Ran asking too much? After all, the men already have the secret of making iron swords. Dragon Fire swords are beautiful but not appreciably superior as weapons to the swords they already possess.
In the end, he decides he has done enough for the goblin cause. He has made the steel swords the goblin king needed and he surrendered himself to save the duke’s life and end the fighting. He concludes the time has come to fight for his own survival.
At the port city of Westhaven, Trak follows Lord Ran down the gangplank into a city far larger than Halban by the Sea and notably filthier. Its harbor is crowded not only with warships but also with trading vessels that fly banners Trak doesn’t recognize. “This city owes its allegiance to Baron Teiber, my father,” Lord Ran explains. “We will spend the night at his castle and proceed to King Red’s fortress in the morning.” As Lord Ran passes through the streets, he exchanges greetings with the local merchants and city guards; he is apparently a popular and well-known figure in the port. Few seemed alarmed to see a cross-breed walking beside Lord Ran. The reason becomes obvious when they walk by an entire cross-breed family, a man and his goblin wife and five cross-breed children cheering the returning soldiers.
“You look surprised,” comments Ran. “In Westhaven cross-breeding is frowned upon by the most upstanding citizens, but it is still tolerated.” At the castle, Trak is escorted to a small chamber and asked not to leave the room and wander about. Later that evening, food and bathing water are provided.
In the morning, Trak is given a horse to ride. Lord Ran laughs at Trak’s apprehension as he tries to mount the huge beast. Except in battle, Trak has never been close to anything larger than a pony. Fortunately, the mare is docile, and Trak has little more to do than hold on, although he tries to copy Lord Ran’s posture and hand grip. Once Trak learns to move in rhythm with the horse’s gait, he begins to enjoy the experience. Ran asks him if he agrees to his plan.
“Yes,” said Trak, “with two minor conditions. My first condition you can guess. I can’t be a part of any plan that intends to humiliate the queen or cause her physical harm. My second condition may surprise you. After I am successfully exchanged for Queen Meriem, I will leave the goblin kingdom and return to Bretwalda where I will manage an iron works which you will finance and construct according to my specifications. Together, we will make weapons and sell them to your noble houses. The Dragon Fire swords will be our trade mark. Each one will cost a shade less than a king’s ransom. I will hold a fifteen percent interest in the enterprise. After five years, you will buy out my share for whatever it is worth.”
Lord Ran is surprised and pleased with Trak’s proposal. It would likely be many decades before he inherits his father’s lands and title. A business enterprise would make a positive contribution to his family’s long-term success. Lord Ran can’t guess why Trak wants to abandon the goblin kingdom. Ran is the sort who prefers to puzzle it out, but he can’t help asking, “Why, do you want to remain in Bretwalda rather than returning home?”
“That’s just it. In the goblin kingdom, I never feel at home. I’m treated like an outsider, like some nobleman’s private property. I want to be free to pursue my own destiny,” Trak explains.
“Whose side will you take in the war between men and goblins? Ran asks perceptively.
“I will take no side. War is an invention of the rich to maintain their power and wealth. I will sell weapons to whomever will pay a fair price for my work, but I will oppose rulers who squander the lives of their subjects in military ventures.”
***
King Red’s fortress is foreboding. The edifice is all stone towers and battlements, crammed with catapults and engines of war. The fortress’ only adornment is a huge stone serpent that slithers up the front of the keep; its head extends twenty arm lengths above the tallest battlement. A forked tongue curls out of its disarticulated jaw.
Lord Ran and Trak stand to the back of King Red’s audience chamber as Baron Teiber reports to the king on his mission. “My Liege, your objectives have been accomplished. You have humiliated Duke Amin by capturing his island and causing ruin to his castle and harbor. The iron forges are destroyed, and his stock of steel confiscated. In time he will rebuild, but for the moment he is no longer a threat to your kingdom.”
“And what about the sorcerer,” asks the king with an edge of irritation in his voice.
“Regrettably, the sorcerer left the island before we arrived, but on that score we have not entirely failed. We have taken his son. He agreed to become your hostage in exchange for our sparing the life of the duke.”
Lord Ran steps forward and bows. “My Liege, this is Lord Trak, the son of Krage. His mother was the lady in waiting who disappeared at the same time the queen was kidnapped. He is a sorcerer who was trained by Krage, but more importantly, upon Krage’s death he will become the next high priest of the goblins. It was he who manufactured the iron weapons that goblins are using against us. He has agreed to share his iron making secrets in exchange for his life.” Lord Ran steps forward and holds up Dragon Fire for the king to admire. As the king lifts the sword, the torches in the chamber flicker off the blade, making it appear alive. He smiles at his assembled nobles as he twists the blade to accelerate the play of light.
“And what about our casualties?” asks the king. “Did you seize the island by surprise?”
“The stranding of Duke Amin and his army on the mainland was an impressive success. The taking of the island and the castle cost us only four infantry.
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“I can imagine the duke’s reaction,” replies the king, gleefully, “I can see the toad all red with anger and spitting curses at everything and everyone.”
“Yes, My Liege, but as you feared, the goblin king came to the duke’s aid soon thereafter. He sent three ships to transport the duke’s thousand-man army to the island. I discovered the treachery after the duke began smuggling his forces onto the island and dispatched our warships to intercept his transports. We destroyed two of his ships, and half the goblin force was killed or captured. Everything was going our way when the duke became desperate and, with the third transport ship, made a suicidal attack on the island’s harbor. At full speed, he rammed his transporter into his own wharf.
“Why was the duke so desperate to get on the island,” Red asks as he slouches in his throne.
“At first, I could not see the sense of it, until the ship exploded. It was loaded with a new type of pyrotechnic that set even the water on fire. The entire harbor, including two of our ships, was consumed in the blaze. Perhaps Lord Trak will reveal the recipe for this unquenchable fire. While a large portion of my forces battled the ship fires, the goblins on the island attacked the castle. I defended the castle successfully, although my strength was divided between manning the castle, guarding the harbor and fighting the fires.”
“While the goblins attacked the castle’s outer walls with siege engines, my son, Lord Ran, led a raiding party onto the battlefield and captured the duke and many of his captains. At that point, we received intelligence from the mainland that the goblin king was dispatching an army of several thousand troops to retake the island. Rather than sit behind the castle’s walls and wait for the goblin king to arrive with his forces, I took advantage of the enemy’s disarray. I demanded the goblins withdraw from the battlefield and surrender Krage’s son to us in exchange for the release of their duke. The duke received a nasty leg wound during the fight. With luck, the fat toad will die of an infection. I am most sorry to report that five score of my troops gave their lives in Your Majesty’s service.”
Forging the Half-Goblin Sorcerer Page 22
