David Bishop and the Mystic of Creation

by T. C. Crawford

  “I was trying to stop him – we all were – but he outmaneuvered us. He used my powers against me and harnessed them into the Mystic Crystal, using it to power his spell. I should have seen it coming…I should have connected the dots, but I failed…” said David, hanging his head low.

  Erin came up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder, trying to console him.

  “You see…what Tyrius says is true.” said Erin, looking at the Dwarves crowded around them. “The Defiant One has returned, and we could use all the help we could get on our mission to try and stop him.” she said.

  Seeing the reaction of the Dwarves crowded around, the old Dwarf at the counter realized he was losing control of the situation. Some of the Dwarves were whispering frantically within the ranks, looks of fear on their faces, others looked angry at the claims the newcomers were making – they didn’t want to believe the Defiant One had returned, knowing such a truth would surely pull them away from their families and lives of isolation and back into the world above, just as it had done so long ago.

  Quickly assessing the situation, the old Dwarf made up his mind. He had to get things back under control, and fast.

  “This is nonsense! I will not have you come barging into our halls and inciting a panic with these unfounded claims!” he said, pounding his hammer forcefully on the counter. Immediately, everyone in the room hushed once again, their focus intent on the Master Dwarf.

  “It’s not nonsense!” replied Erin quickly, but the Dwarf was done listening to their story and was instead looking over their heads towards the group of Dwarves standing around them.

  “Take them away for the time being. I will speak with the King and see what he wishes to do with them. I suspect he will not be thrilled to hear what has transpired today – we can’t just take their word on something this important and risk inciting a riot! But alas, it is up to King Tybrin to decide, not us, on what needs to be done.” said the Dwarf.

  With this, several Dwarves that appeared to be soldiers came from behind the crowd and grabbed David and the others, leading them swiftly out of the chamber.

  Knowing that to struggle would only make things worse, the companions all complied and let the Dwarves lead them out of the building, back towards the railway passing in front of the courtyard. They could hear the murmurs of the crowd as they were taken away.

  It seemed as if the ploy mostly worked, as the majority of the Dwarves dispersed and went back to their work, but a few stayed behind in small tight groups, discussing what had just transpired quietly among one another, occasionally looking up at the prisoners as they were led to the carts.

  When they arrived at the carts and climbed in, it quickly sped off down the rails towards a tunnel leading deeper into the mountain. It wasn’t long before the glorious emerald buildings quickly faded out of view and were replaced once again by darkness, broken only by the occasional torchlight as they flew quickly past.

  Eventually they reached a dead end and were instructed to exit the cart before being led to a doorway into another chamber that held a series of isolated cells. Their weapons were confiscated and placed in a small holding area before they were each put into separate rooms. The thick metal doors now closed and locked behind them, they were once again left alone and in the dark, each wondering how in the world they were going to get out of this one.

  Chapter XIII

  It wasn’t long before the Dwarves returned, this time carrying dishes of wonderful smelling food for them to enjoy while waiting for their meeting with the King.

  David’s mouth began watering as soon as he smelled the food, suddenly much more aware of how long it had been since he had eaten a savory meal and eager to fill his empty stomach with warmth once again.

  One of the guards named Gavin apologized for the way they had been treated. Having been a friend of one of the Dwarves who had been in close proximity when the news was shared in the great hall, he had heard all about it and he and his friends believed their account to be true.

  He explained that the councilmen had only been doing what he felt was best to avoid a panic and had intended to get permission from the King for them to have a private audience so they could tell him their story first-hand without risking the news spreading uncontrolled and uncorroborated.

  The Dwarves had always been allies to the humans, even fighting with them in the War of Salvation to fight back the Defiant One’s army, but they were also a private folk – happy to keep to themselves and not too eager to get involved in the affairs of the surface world. When something came along that risked that peace and security, it tended to cause problems within the ranks, and therefore, the kingdom’s security. Trying to quell a bunch of angry, panicking Dwarves was no small feat!

  David and the others took the news well and acknowledged that their intrusion could have had unintended consequences they didn’t consider at the time, but also expressed their sense of urgency in getting out of their cells and getting back to their mission – with or without the help of the Dwarves.

  After they had all finished their meals and their plates had been taken away, another Dwarf came to their cells and informed them that they would have to stay here for the night, but first thing in the morning they were to speak with the King regarding their claims.

  With this, they each settled down on the bedding provided in their respective cells and decided to take the time to rest, knowing that such security was a thing of luxury when it came to being on the road and on the run.

  As David lay in his bed, he tried to brush off the events of the past several weeks as he mindlessly counted the bricks in the ceiling above his bed. He had been in Hurea for nearly two months by now, and so much had happened in such a short time that even he had a hard time believing it. Eventually he became too tired to think straight and slowly drifted off into a deep and restful sleep.

  ***

  David awoke to the sound of keys rattling and his cell door squeaking open.

  “Oy, it’s time to see the King” said the guard. It was Gavin again.

  David rubbed the sleep from his eyes before stretching and heading out of his cell as instructed.

  When he exited, he could see that Erin, Tyrius, Reingard, and Holzer were all waiting for him at the exit near the cart that would take them back to the city.

  The ride from the jail was more enjoyable now that he knew they weren’t in any real trouble. He felt like he was on a rollercoaster, speeding around the twists and turns in the track, watching the torches appear in the distance then quickly fly by just to disappear again behind them. It didn’t take them long to reach the opening into the vast chamber, once again bringing the emerald city into view.

  David was amazed at how skilled the Dwarves were to have built such an incredible city out of crystal and stone. It was unlike anything he had ever seen.

  As they raced past the central building from the day before, they continued onward through the heart of the city and into a long section of climbing spiral railways leading to the upper levels of the chamber. By the time they reached the top of the spiral, they were high above the majority of the city and could see across the entire cavern.

  It was even bigger than he had first thought, this new perspective giving him the whole view of the city in one large panorama that left them all speechless.

  They finally came to a stop in front of a long walkway that led to a great palace overlooking the city and were instructed to exit.

  Two Dwarves decked out in magnificent gold-plated armor and carrying long gold-plated halberds waited by the front door of the palace. They looked straight ahead as the company approached as if they were statues, but David had no doubt that if a threat were to present itself, they would be more than ready and capable of handling it.

  Once they entered through the palace doors, they came into a large, vaulted room with polished floors of sparkling white stone with silver veins running like rivers throughout. The ceiling was supported by massive columns of the same mate
rial that were several feet wide and hundreds of feet tall, towering above them like giant trees.

  The room was adorned with colorful tapestries and banners hanging on the walls and was lined with soldiers all standing guard in the same decorative armor as the two sentries from before.

  At the end of the room stood a massive staircase that rose several flights before tapering off at the top level where a large metal door opened up into a throne room where the King awaited their arrival.

  David could see him, sitting on his elegant throne of crystal, the light reflecting off in thousands of refracted beams. He looked majestic and powerful.

  The guards led them up the staircase and into the throne room, instructing them to stop several feet before the few carpeted steps leading up to the King.

  King Tybrin Hammerclaw sat on his throne, waiting patiently for his audience as they took a knee and bowed respectfully before him. He was large for a Dwarf, and thick. David could see his bulging muscles even beneath his flowing robes.

  His fingers were encrusted with lavish rings of various metals and gemstones, and the crown on his head was made of thick bands of gold and silver, skillfully twisted around each other in a spiral fashion that made it look as if it had grown together naturally, like a vine does with a tree, rather than crafted by hand. When he finally spoke, his voice boomed like thunder and echoed throughout the polished chamber.

  “I hear ye caused quite a bit o’ trouble in me halls yesterday” said Tybrin, looking down at the group before him.

  “So, ye claim the Defiant One has returned, is tha’ so?” he asked in his thick accent.

  “It is, your majesty” replied Tyrius, taking the lead. “And it is also true”

  “So, I hear…” replied Tybrin. “May I see the boy?” he asked, holding out his hand for David to come closer.

  David looked over at Tyrius and the guards beside them, who each nodded in approval, before he started slowly up the stairs. When he reached the King, he slowly held out his hand for the King to inspect the image of the orb. It was glowing faintly as it always seemed to be, a former shadow of its once more vibrant self.

  King Tybrin inspected his hand, turning it over as he carefully examined the markings.

  “So, what ye say is true. At least the part about the orb bearer.” said Tybrin at last, releasing David’s hand and sitting back in his throne.

  “But what proof do ye have of the return o’ the Defiant One?” he asked, looking down from his throne at each of them in turn.

  “Proof? We have no proof that we can give right now, your majesty. But if it is proof that you seek, you can find it simply by sending scouts to the surface and looking towards Eldergate.” said Tyrius. “The city has all but fallen into the chasm of the Dark Abyss, and the Royal Palace has been lifted high into the sky on a black rock that rose from the depths from whence an army of Demons came, along with the Defiant One himself. There is no disputing it, he has returned, and his numbers are only growing each day. It is only a matter of time before they march on Ravenfell, and even your own lands.”

  Tybrin Hammerclaw sat for a moment processing the information Tyrius provided, running his thick sausage-like fingers through his great beard as he thought.

  “Very well. This is a simple thing ye ask, and one we can easily prove in a matter o’ a day or two. I will send some scouts to the surface at Draco’s Pass and have them take a look. If it is as ye say, we are in some troubling times indeed. If it isn’t…well, it is a serious crime lying to the King. You’ll be punished according to our laws and customs. What say ye?” he asked.

  Tyrius looked around at the others who were all in agreement before he said that they agreed to his terms.

  “Good. In the meantime, I’m sure ye are all starving! I will treat ye as our guests o’ honor until we have more information. Ye can stay here in me palace in the guest’s chambers – they haven’t been used in ages. We will have a feast to celebrate yer arrival, but I warn ye, no talk of the Defiant One outside o’ these chambers – I will not risk a panic rising in me halls!” said Tybrin sternly.

  They all agreed and immediately were taken to their new temporary quarters, which were far more lavish and welcoming than the cells they had stayed in the night before.

  Seamstresses had come and measured each of them quickly and efficiently before speeding off to their workshops and returning surprisingly quickly with brand new outfits for each of them to wear for their time in the city. They were bright and festive and went well with the attire that most of the Dwarves in the city seemed to be wearing.

  They were instructed to get washed up and changed into the clothes that were provided, then were told they could roam around the city and explore as they wished until the feast was prepared.

  Once they had each washed and changed, they met in front of the palace and made their way to the carts that would take them down to the main parts of the city.

  “Well, where would ye like to go?” asked the Dwarf in the car who was instructed to take them around the city and keep an eye on them.

  His name was Darryn Faircloth, and he was a very nice Dwarf, well-mannered and down to earth like the majority of them were. He wore a bright blue outfit with brown boots and trousers that went up to his round belly and were held in place by bright red suspenders. His face was plump with rosy cheeks and his beard was brown and well groomed, only hanging just below his neckline with little braids on the ends.

  After little debate, the group decided they wanted to see the business district of the city so they could tour the shops and businesses and get a better idea of what life was like in the great Dwarven city of Emerald Keep.

  This seemed to really excite Darryn – he really enjoyed shopping and mentioned his cousin Gerryn owned and operated the most popular fine metal and gemstones shop in all the kingdom dubbed “The Sparkling Hammer”. Darryn explained his cousin came up with the name because of how at the end of the day, his tools would all be covered in a fine, sparkling dust from all of the hammering and chiseling he did throughout the day with the precious metals and gemstones.

  Darryn took them down the spiraling tracks and into the bustling business district then led them the rest of the way on foot.

  The walkways were sprawling with Dwarves of all shapes, sizes, and ages. David realized his initial impression of Dwarves was completely wrong – they were just as diverse as humans were in all of the same ways: fashion, height, weight, skin complexion, hair color, and even accents.

  David noticed as they walked that some of the Dwarves had thicker accents, sounding like the king missing some of the ending sounds to words, while others spoke more clearly, pronouncing all of the syllables with crystal clarity. Darryn explained it was mostly due to their profession and lineage – those who were what he called “traditionalists” tended to stick to the traditional professions of the Dwarves – mining, smithing, crafting, and building had maintained the traditional accent, mostly staying underground, while the less traditional folk tended to the more “civilized” professions that sprouted up after their time spent among the humans and Elves – those tended to work in banking and currency exchange, and trading on the surface world where they had adopted more of the common tongue so they could better communicate with the other races.

  David was amazed at everything he was experiencing, and he was thrilled to see that Erin and the others were just as stunned, which was a first. He always seemed to be the one gawking at everything, being from another world, but this time, they were all equally entranced with the Emerald city and its rich culture.

  It wasn’t long before they reached “The Sparkling Hammer”. It was a relatively small building within the business district and sat between what they were told was a large bank to the right – an enormous sprawling structure that seemed to have several floors and took up the majority of the block – and a jewelry store to the left – a more modest building with great big windows in the front filled with displays of dazzling jewelry of
all sorts and sizes.

  As they were heading into the stop, they were stopped by a highly dressed Dwarf wearing a gold-embroidered scarf and a gold-plated walking stick. He wore a top hat and a solid black jacket over his shirt with a jeweled pocket watch hanging by a thin gold chain from his chest pocket.

  Although he was short in stature and relatively thinner than most Dwarves David had seen, he held himself in such a manner that screamed wealth and power. His snow-white hair and beard were immaculately trimmed and manicured, and his piercing eyes were a crystal blue like sapphires.

  “So, these are the wonderful newcomers I’ve been hearing all about?” said the Dwarf, taking each of their hands and stopping briefly to kiss Erin’s. “I heard you caused quite a racket in the Great Hall yesterday evening” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

  “’ello Manny! Aye, these are the ones” confirmed Darryn. “But it’s being settled, and they are our guests now. I’ve been given the great pleasure o’ taking ‘em around myself. Was just about to take ‘em to my cousin’s shop.” he said.

  “So, it would seem” said Manny. “If you wish, I could take you around the bank and show you the…more sophisticated side of the city, once you’re finished touring with Darryn, of course.” he said with a smile.

  David noticed Darryn shifting uncomfortably under Manny’s gaze and quickly realized that this Manny character was not the kind of Dwarf he would like to hang around.

  “No, thanks.” he said, “I think we’ve only got enough time to see a few places before we have to get back to our quarters. We’re expected at the King’s feast tonight.” said David, emphasizing the last part.

  With this Manny’s mouth slightly twitched at the corner and his smile faded just enough for David to notice his displeasure. David assumed he was not invited to this feast, and that must have struck a nerve with the Dwarf who was most likely accustomed to such honorary invitations.

  “I see.” said Manny, slightly bowing. “Well, if you happen to find yourselves in the area again, please do stop on by. You’ll come to find there’s another side to Emerald Keep that caters to those who prefer a more…classy atmosphere.”