by Bill Albert
They finally came upon a split in the path. There were two tunnels leading off, one to the east and one to the west and a third one heading up a level. Gallif took one of Jakobus’s torches and stepped, with Luvin, into the tunnel leading up.
“That’s at least twenty-five feet up,” Gallif said. “It’s also a pretty steep climb.”
Luvin was impressed by her very accurate estimate of the height, he had put it at twenty-six feet during his climbs, and he pointed out several rock formations on one side.
“I’ve done some work on those. They are strong and should hold everyone,” he said loud enough for them all to hear. “The rock face isn’t as soft as the climb from the nest so it’ll be a lot easier.”
“Take a look at this, Jakobus,” Gallif said and he joined them inside the tunnel. “Can you make it okay?” Jakobus looked at her with mock offense and she was reminded that the underground was a natural habitat for dwarves. “What’s right over the edge?” she asked Luvin.
“It’s part of the tunnel system. It leads into a larger arena about two hours walk further in. I’m not sure but I think it’s the center of Starpoint Mountain.”
There was a pause at the reminder of just where they were. Not only that but they were clearly not the first ones here. They each wondered how many other myths would fall before they finished.
Luvin continued, “The closer you get you’ll have to be more careful. I’ve seen orcs use it for combat practice sometimes.”
“Orcs using it for practice?” Pate questioned. “They practice with each other?”
“No,” Luvin said distastefully. “They practice on prisoners.”
“Where do they keep the prisoners?” Gallif asked hurriedly.
“There are three tunnels leading off on the other side of the arena. It’s pretty heavily guarded, but we don’t have to actually go through the arena to get to my hiding place.”
“If he has prisoners there we damn well do have to go,” Gallif said and started climbing.
Gallif paused to listen as she got to the top of the shaft. Hearing nothing, she pulled herself through and stood. The tunnel here was ten feet wide and was rough enough to give the impression of being a natural tunnel despite torches placed in brackets on the wall every fifteen feet. She made sure no one was approaching and then signaled Luvin to join her. Jakobus was next, his rock climbing was excellent, and then Anamita and Pate joined them.
They were about to start moving when, suddenly, Gallif waved for them to be quiet and listen. There was a noise coming from the tunnel ahead of them. It was very faint. Gallif, Jakobus and Anamita were the only ones that could hear it, but they knew something was there.
“Is it a tremor?” Jakobus asked in a whisper to Gallif.
“No, pitch is too high,” Gallif whispered back to him.
“It’s getting louder,” Jakobus said so softly that she could barely hear him.
“Only just,” Gallif said. She saw that Anamita was watching them and they nodded to each other as they made eye contact. “I’m going ahead a few steps. Ask Anamita to join me,” she told Jakobus. She was so close to him the hairs on his sideburns tickled her nose and she stepped away to stop from laughing.
As Gallif walked away Jakobus turned and approached Anamita. He intended to whisper instructions to her, but she quickly put her arms up to stop him from getting close, so he spoke from a distance. They turned to follow Gallif, but she came back to them in a few broad steps.
“I know what it is,” she spoke clearly so they all could hear. “They’re crag bugs and they are coming in this direction.” Jakobus pulled out his axe and Pate swung his sword several times, but Gallif pleaded for them to stop. “There are thousands of them, and they could easily escape your weapons,” she said. “Lay down on the floor, single file, straight behind me. Face down, mind you, and close your mouth and eyes and don’t move a muscle.”
She lay herself down as an example and wrapped her arms around her head. The noise was louder now and everyone could hear it. It was a natural, yet still unsettling, sound as if a storm was approaching. Luvin quickly followed her example and lay down with his head at her boots. Jakobus followed him and Pate and Anamita lay almost side by side.
Then the crag bugs arrived.
They were covered with dark brown matted fur that made them almost indistinguishable from the color of the rock tunnel. They were no more than three inches long with four claw-like feet and two pinchers in front of them. They had ears, a mouth, and two antennae that reached half the length of the body. They had no eyes or nose. Unable to see, light or dark made no difference to them and it was by sound and sense of movement that found their prey. Gallif’s instructions were correct and if no one moved or made any noise they would not be seen.
They traveled like a wave in packs of thousands covering the walls and roof of the cave. They made no intentional sound, but as they passed the dull hissing sound as they each breathed through their mouths created an unnerving sensation.
Occasionally some of them would collide in their stampede. If they happen to be on the walls or roof they would fall to the ground and lose their place but could quickly rejoin on the outer edge.
Gallif felt a sudden lump hit her back as several of them fell from the ceiling. She gasped and immediately froze hoping that they had not caught the sound. She fought the fear as they circled briefly on her back, as if searching for the source of the strange noise, then finally started down her body to join the pack. As they crossed over her rear and down her legs she wanted to kick at them, but knew it would be fatal. Like the click beetles they moved as one and if one was attacked the rest would descend on them instantly.
It was only a few seconds later, it seemed like days to her and the sounds of their passing diminished. Gallif slowly looked up and saw that there was not a second wave approaching. She rolled on to her side and looked back to make sure everyone was still in place. She could see that Anamita was on the verge of panic and quickly rose to her feet.
Pate realized it as well and grabbed Anamita to try and prevent her from going over the edge and losing control. He held out a hand to stop Gallif’s approach as Anamita, shaking, sat up. She kept her arms wrapped around her face as if to shield her from detection and Pate quickly started whispering something to her.
Luvin and Jakobus rose to their feet to join, but Gallif stopped them and quickly guided them up the tunnel. They were far enough away they could not hear what was said but could keep a protective eye on them.
“Is she going to make it?” Luvin asked.
“I don’t know,” Gallif admitted.
“She shouldn’t have come with us,” Luvin said.
“Be patient,” Jakobus advised. “Everyone goes at their own pace.”
They waited silently until Pate and Anamita joined them and started moving again.
The tunnel on this level was smaller and narrower during the first hour of travel and even Jakobus was forced to crawl for most of it. Finally, it opened up and travel became much easier and was uninterrupted until they came across signs of orcs. They stopped behind some of the shadowed boulders and waited for several minutes until four of the animals came within sight.
These orcs were different than any they had ever seen. They were still brutal looking beasts with ugly rotted fangs and gray skin, but these were stronger than the previous orcs. They were covered with complete metal armor and each carried a shining long sword. They appeared to be on some sort of patrol and came to a stop twenty feet away from Gallif and her companions.
One of them pulled an animal skin bag from its belt. It took the stopper out and drank deeply. Despite their advanced looks they were still animals and soon one of the others tried to take the water bag from the first. The first one growled back and the two faced off in anger.
Gallif nudged Luvin and signaled the others that they should take advantage of the distraction and attack. She took a single step forward and then stopped as the orcs froze in place and l
ooked around. She doubted that she had moved out of the shadow so she was sure they had not detected her. She knew she couldn’t look back at the others because the movement could expose her. She was ready if the orcs attacked.
In unison the orcs howled and then ran back in the direction they had come as fast as they could move. After they were out of sight Gallif relaxed slightly and looked behind her. No one else had moved and they were well hidden. They came forward after she signaled that it was clear. They were looking at each other, unsure of what to say, when Jakobus suddenly grabbed Gallif’s arm.
“This way, quickly,” he said and pulled her hard against the wall. A second later Anamita did the same with Pate and Luvin but before she could question what was happening Gallif realized what was coming.
“Hold on,” she warned them.
The tremor that came through was short but very violent. In the dark and confined space of the tunnel with rocks and rubble tumbling from the walls and ceiling it was terrifying. After it passed they all stayed in position for several minutes making sure there was no second tremor following. Once they believed everything was secure they all came forward wiping off dust and coughing their lungs clear.
Gallif didn’t want to show it, or even admit it, but she was greatly unnerved by what had happened and moved on as quickly as possible.
Despite the occasional rock fall from the tremor their trip went smoothly. Twice they stopped at intersections in the tunnel and hid as patrols of orcs passed, but they made it unnoticed.
Outside of the larger arena that Luvin explained they needed to cross to get up to the next level, they paused and listened for signs of occupation. After they were sure it was empty Gallif stood and, flame sword in hand, took a bold step into the arena. Her heart froze at the sight and a cold chill went up her spine. After a few heartbeats she came back to the shadows with a blank look on her face as she tried to comprehend the meaning of what she had seen.
“What’s going on?” Pate asked.
“We’ve been here before,” Gallif whispered. “The trap that we fell through up north, when the floor gave way, brought us here. This is where we met Zaslow. Where they captured us,” Gallif said. “There are other caves that we didn’t see before, but it is the same. I’m sure of it.”
“Another illusion?” Jakobus asked. “The way he came from the wall when he first appeared.”
“Wasn’t there the usual disorientation when you went through the jump?” Pate asked. “Even if it wasn’t your first time you should have been aware of it.”
“We were falling,” Jakobus said. “The floor had given way and we tumbled down.”
“At any point on the ride we could have passed through a dozen jump castings and not realized it,” Gallif pointed out. “But,” she continued, “I remember after we started to break. We left this arena.”
“There was a temperature change,” Jakobus finished her thought.
“Plus we were in combat,” Gallif said. “It would have been easy to pass through without noticing.”
“Yes, it could be missed under those circumstances,” Pate said.
“Glad you see it that way,” Luvin said with an edge of sarcasm.
Before Pate could respond Gallif jumped in and asked, “Where do we go next?”
“There is a cave off on the right. That is where they have holding cells. There are several other caves including a large one opposite from the cells.”
“How many orcs will there be?” Anamita asked.
“It doesn’t matter,” Gallif stopped Luvin from responding. “If they’ve got prisoners there, living targets, we have to be sure.”
“I agree,” said Jakobus.
“Luvin and Jakobus, follow me. You two stay out of sight in case something comes up behind.” she said to Pate and Anamita, then stood and moved towards the arena with Luvin and Jakobus close behind.
Once in the open area she stayed along the walls as they moved towards the holding area. It was well hidden, and they could not see the actual entrance until they were very close. They could hear the grunting and clamoring of several orcs.
Gallif leaned forward just enough to see inside part of the holding area. From what she could see there were three orcs off to one side huddled over a stone tablet. They had hammers and were trying to pound their weapons into some resemblance of swords, but their clumsiness was just making things worse. One of them finally tossed his sword into a pile and marched off.
Jakobus and Luvin knew by her grip on the sword to get ready. Jakobus got a firm hold on his axe and Luvin indicated he was ready with his hammer.
Gallif nodded, took a deep breath, and then made several bold steps into the open. She swung the flame sword back and forth several times and made sure that the orcs in the holding area knew she was there. After looking at her crookedly it took a moment for their animal brains to come to terms with the fact she was there. Was it an actual human female facing them? Was it the shaft of flames swinging back and forth? Did it matter? All eleven of the orcs came running.
She took a few steps backwards to make sure all eleven of them would leave the smaller area and enter the arena. As she had planned, she was the focus of their full attention so that they didn’t notice Luvin and Jakobus as they went past.
The first one came at her with its long sword in hand. She stepped forward as it prepared to strike and held the point of the flame sword straight to its chest. It realized that it had exposed itself to attack and tried to stop, but the orcs behind it, their attention focused on Gallif, failed to see its actions. They continued on, barreled into the first, and pushed it forward in to Gallif’s sword. It died instantly.
As it dropped she pulled the sword from the body and started taking wide swings at the two orcs attacking her. She glanced over and saw that Jakobus and Luvin had made their attacks at the back of the pack and the orcs were splitting up in confusion from the attacks on three sides.
One of the orcs she was facing swung low at her feet. She jumped to avoid the strike and another orc attacked and hit hard at her left side. Though the strike didn’t cut through her armor the force was enough to alter her fall. She came down hard and quickly rolled back.
The first orc advanced and took several wild swings at her. She struck back with the flame sword to deflect the hit while she pushed herself back to her feet. She was hurt, she could feel it, but knew the wound was light enough that the cast properties would quickly heal it.
As she fought off the first orc, the second one tried to circle around and put her between them. She was rapidly changing position to avoid becoming an easy target and was avoiding their strikes. She was relieved when she saw Anamita approaching at a full run and take a hard swing at the second orc from behind. The wound was deep and the orc howled in pain and turned to face its new attacker.
Facing a single orc now, Gallif attacked fast and hard and started to advance. She glimpsed to her left and saw that Jakobus was also facing a single orc and coming in her direction. She also saw Jakobus, Anamita and Pate going after the rest of the orcs. She locked her eyes on the jagged and bruised face of the orc and started forward faster. The animal, used to fighting weak and defenseless opponents, started to back away. She spared a brief look at Jakobus and his orc backing in their direction and suppressed a smile. She leapt at the orc she was fighting and its eyes widened in surprise and fear. Just as she did so the orc Luvin was facing off backed into her target. In a blind panic both orcs howled and jumped in surprise. Out of animal instinct they turned and started to attack each other without realizing who their opponent now was. Just as they understood that they were facing one of their own they turned back to their original enemies. It was too late and Gallif and Luvin were in position to down them quickly.
Gallif looked to make sure that everyone in the party was uninjured and that all the orcs were down. She felt some pain in her side, but it was much less than before and she could move freely. She ordered Anamita and Pate to stay and guard the entrance wh
ile the rest of them checked the holding cells inside. The five cells were empty except for one that held a weak and wounded male dwarf.
The dwarf was barely conscious and was lying flat on his back on the hard ground. Luvin quickly found dirty and torn blankets that the orcs had used to sleep on and piled them into the cell. Gallif held the dwarf’s neck and shoulders while Jakobus lifted his trunk. Together they gently slid him to the blankets and laid him down. They all knew there was no way to save the dwarf but wanted to make his last moments as comfortable as possible. As Gallif laid him down her hand brushed against the back of his head and she felt soft tissue.
Jakobus kneeled close to the injured dwarf and whispered to his ear. Gallif could only hear a few words but picked up enough, and knew enough of the dwarven language, to tell Jakobus was saying a prayer.
The dwarf responded to hearing his own language and slowly opened his eyes. He answered and thanked Jakobus for the blessing.
Gallif turned away and looked at Luvin as she heard the dwarf ask Jakobus to please end his suffering. She looked back only when Jakobus placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Leave us, please,” Jakobus said with amazing gentleness.
Gallif nodded and she and Luvin stood. She took him by the hand, and they walked away from the cell together.
After they got a sign from Pate they started to search through the rest of the room. They tore through the clothes, beds, and found, in a box that Luvin unlocked, two bags of powdered oreg leaves.
“Do you want to keep this?” Luvin asked.
Gallif remembered the way the aquilus had licked her body and shivered as she dropped the bags on the ground and walked away. Luvin quickly joined her and grabbed her hands.
“I’m sorry,” he said. He had seen her get upset about things before, but never this way nor this quickly. “I don’t understand.”
She just shook her head and looked away.