The Shadows of Starpoint Mountain

by Bill Albert

  “There are contrary reports about what happened with the boy,” the Fifth Minister said, and all the attention turned back to him.

  “How so?” the Seventh Minister asked leaning forward.

  “It appears he didn’t ride the dragon the entire time. Witnesses say he was on the dragon the second time he flew overhead, but not the third. Some of the witnesses say it swooped low, maybe even landed, just briefly near the southern face of the mountain, before it made its final flight back up. Not long after that the mountain fell.”

  “Do you have any further information on where it landed?” the Sixth Minister asked stroking his dark beard.

  “From what we can estimate it was just a few miles from the base, near where that school was destroyed by the aquilus.”

  The Third Minister’s face froze as he sat back into his chair.

  “That terrible tragedy,” the Seventh Minister sighed. “I’m afraid we’ll never know exactly what happened. I’m not sure what is worse; the fact that we’ll never find out or that we never even knew it was there. Perhaps, when this is over and things have settled, we should make sure no other encampments like that are out there.”

  “I’m sure the Third Minister will be more than willing to take care of them if there are,” the Sixth Minister said scratching his beard.

  “Yes, I will,” the Third Minister said and sneered back at him. “I will do whatever it takes to protect us from another attack.”

  “No matter whom you have to trample in the process, of course,” the Sixth Minister responded looking out the open wall.

  “Like the rest of you I swore an oath when I became part of this council to stay the course and do whatever it takes to keep the homeland secure.”

  “Really?” the Sixth Minister smiled and stood to face the Third. “Strange how none of us had to take that oath. Wait a minute! We did, didn’t we?”

  The Third Minister sighed knowing he had overplayed his hand. “We must do whatever it takes,” he said slowly.

  “No matter whom we have to hurt in the process,” the Seventh Minister added.

  The Second Minister and Sixth Minister glanced at each other and nodded.

  “Continue,” the First Minister spoke in his gravelly voice to the Fifth.

  The Third Minister clamped his jaw shut and forced himself to concentrate on the presentation.

  “I’ve sent out cartographers and record keepers to determine exactly where the mountain fell. We are very sure, based on the information we have obtained from the highest points in our capital, the new face of our land.”

  He rolled open the paper he had been holding for them to see and they all gasped in surprise. He held a map of the Land of Starpoint that they had all been familiar with since birth. It now had five thick black lines spreading out from the center of where the mountain had stood. They each thanked their god at the miracle of having a five-pointed star in the center of their land.

  In unison all but the First Minister stood and walked to the open wall. The rain had settled all the dust that had floated in the air for days. Because of the rain and storm clouds there was some loss of visibility, but they could still see the twin towers of rock that had survived in the center and two of the new ranges that reached from it.

  “Starpoint Mountain has survived,” the First Minister said.

  The Third Minister nodded and added, “As will we.”

  ***

  Gallif was starting to think that jumping may have been a bad idea. She could feel herself moving but there was no sound or light and she prayed the others had been able to hold their breath this long. She remembered the landscape of the outpost in great detail and had known just how far inside they were. It hadn’t occurred to her that the river here might not have gone directly to the falls. She felt something brush against her side but was unsure if it was another body in the water or the muddy bottom of the river.

  There was a sudden explosion of light and sound as she burst over the edge of the waterfall heading downward. Disoriented and confused she gasped for air but made sure she didn’t call out and reveal her location.

  She opened her eyes briefly, saw a glistening face near her and felt a hand nearly grab her arm. She thought it was Jakobus, but before she could be sure he slipped out of her sight.

  She hit something had and smooth and realized she was passing the bridge. She tried to grasp the solid wood brace, but it was slippery and damp and she passed by it. She tried digging her feet into the ground, but the soft bottom gave her no support.

  She was on the verge of panicking when she suddenly felt something strong and solid in her hands. It was big, either a tree trunk or post she guessed, but she was able to wrap both her hands around it and hold on. She dug her feet into the ground and used the momentum to rise from the water. She took several deep breaths and started to climb out of the water. Finally convinced she would not be swept aside she shook her head to get her hair away from her eyes and looked up at what she was holding on too.

  Snow looked at her and snorted calmly. He was standing knee deep in the water and had used his size and strength to brace her. Once she was high enough, she wrapped her arms around his neck and he dragged her to the edge of the water. She felt herself being grabbed and she opened her eyes again to see Jakobus and Blinks pulling her into the shelter of the side of the stable.

  “Luvin,” she said spitting out a mouthful of water.

  They quickly informer her that he was all right and was checking to make sure all of their horses were okay.

  It was mid morning now, but the skies were cloudy and gave the area a gray shade. There were dark and ominous clouds to the north and they imagined Spring Field would be getting the rainstorm they were getting now by the afternoon. They knew that they did not have much time.

  Luvin returned from inside the barn and hid close to them. He started to brush Gallif’s wet hair back with his hand but held it before touching her and drew it back.

  “Okay, we can get the other horses,” Luvin said putting his cats hammer in the loop in his belt. “There’s hardly anyone else on the other side of the barn. I’m sure most of them are further back waiting for us to come out that way. There are, however, six well armed guards by the gate and I don’t know how many they station inside the wall, so there’s still a lot for us to get past.”

  Gallif nodded and said, “I want you to get the horses ready and keep an eye on them.”

  Luvin nodded and went back to the barn as told.

  “You’ve got a good idea for getting us out of here?” Blinks asked.

  “Not the slightest,” she said. “I was hoping you might come up with something.”

  Blinks’ shoulders dropped and he said, “I’ll work on it. Give me a day or two, some dry clothes, a good meal, and I’ll get back to you with something.”

  “A very good friend, and teacher, once told me that, when in doubt, to always try to find the simplest solution,” Gallif said. “I’m not so much worried about us getting past them as getting the gate open.”

  “When we came in I looked for some sort of mechanism,” Jakobus said, “but there was nothing. I remember thinking at the time they would have to open and close it from the inside. That would be the best way for someone unwanted to get in or out.”

  “Someone like us,” Blinks added.

  “Do you think, if you got inside, you could get it open?” Gallif asked Jakobus.

  “Yes,” he answered without a pause.

  “As fast as you can, then. When you get there just open it up and we’ll be ready. Do you want someone to go with you?”

  “No,” he said shaking his head. “I think I can get there faster if I go alone,” he said and quickly left them to start his own journey.

  His first challenge was to quickly cross the rapid torrents of water. He walked downstream and was relieved to see the bank widen by several feet. The current was still strong but not nearly as intense nor as deep as further up. He used his advanced strength and
lower center of gravity to cross very quickly.

  The next challenge was to get to the workings inside the wall. They had seen the doors near the gate, but he knew there had to be others. He suspected this wall was dwarven in construction and a dwarf would be smart enough to add other entrances and exits. He hurried to where the wall and the mountain were connected. At first, he saw nothing, but the way raindrops splashed off a certain point in the wall attracted him.

  He was certain it one of the other entrances he was looking for, but it was way too high for him to reach. It was also encouraging that he was on the right track. Approaching the gate while his eyes on the wall and the guards he took a gentle step and felt his foot stop on a smooth, hard surface. Careful not to put any more pressure on it than he had to he looked down to see that his foot was resting on something in the ground just below surface level. He looked in both directions for another and saw one also dug into the ground a few feet away. To his right was a second board also under surface level.

  He looked at the two triggers in awe and was positive this was a dwarven design even though the size had been enlarged for human sized feet. Without hesitation he stood on both triggers while facing the wall and soon there was a very small opening in front of him. Keeping his feet on both triggers he leaned to one side and pulled the panel open. He stepped inside and once the triggers pressure was released the panel automatically slid shut behind him.

  He was relieved that this portion of the wall was filled with wooden pillars supporting the high wall. A human would be able to make their way through the confined space slowly, but a dwarf could move freely. He moved quickly, climbing up to higher levels as he went. Soon he found the workings of the inner gate four steps up on another level. The only obstacle was a guard standing between him and the controls.

  Without making a sound he moved toward the guard looking for a way to quietly get a jump on him. He smiled when he noted the guard standing near a small cabinet filled with cans of lubricant for the large metal gears in the system. Jakobus deftly reached forward and pulled one of the cans from the shelf with absolute silence. He opened the can and poured the slippery oil on to the steps. He moved backward into the shadows and tossed the can at the guard.

  The guard turned and came to investigate. He stepped down onto the first step and was unable to stop himself from taking a header forward the rest of the way. He hit the ground hard but was only dazed by the impact. He started to rise, but Jakobus’s fist caught him in the jaw and knocked him out.

  Being careful to avoid any oil Jakobus was soon looking at the mechanism for opening the gate. It was a brilliant mechanism, based on the same design as the water gates that led to the dwarven Under City, and it would work fine for decades. For a moment he gazed in admiration at the dwarven contribution, but then remembered why he was here.

  There were small slots in the walls on both sides that were wide enough for him to see out in both directions. Despite the gray clouds there was enough light to note where the guards were stationed. Gallif’s ruse had worked and they were all paying attention to the far side of the inner compound with no one near the barn. He trusted that Gallif had everyone ready and he started to open the gate with the hand crank next to him.

  ***

  Brexicourialius was very proud of his diligence on the job. He made sure the gate was open when it was supposed to be open and closed when it was supposed to be closed. It never ever went up or down without his approval. Brexicourialius had worked hard to get this job.

  He remembered when, at a very young age, he had sat on his grandfather’s knee for a very long talk. Grandfather had rescued him twice when he had gotten lost on the way home from school and was his hero. Grandfather had pointed out that even though the school was directly across the street from their home the butterflies could distract anyone. After he had felt better he leapt off Grandfather’s knee and hurried into the basement to his bedroom. He had been down there a whole minute when he realized his bedroom was on the second floor and happily climbed back up the steps.

  It was only two years later that his grandmother explained to him that there were many very good jobs that allowed someone to stay in the same place all day. Being a guard was a respectful profession and he could stay inside without being tempted by the distractions of butterflies, squirrels, bird or wind.

  Watching the same thing happen day after day had been good for him and, if anyone would listen, he would tell them how he had mastered the routine of gate opening and closing to perfection and it never moved without his approval.

  ***

  Gallif, Blinks and Luvin had carefully saddled all four horses and were waiting quietly in the shadows of the barn. Lincilara was nervously fluttering back and forth and finally had promised to Gallif she would stop asking questions.

  Luvin was the first to spot the gate rising and quickly mounted Sparks to join the rest of them. Gallif estimated it would take barely a minute for the gate to open completely so she held the reins tight back. After a brief wait, she leaned forward and Snow bolted at her command. Blinks, sitting on Horse holding Harton’s reins, followed with Luvin close behind.

  Six of the seven guards were walking around and yelling at whoever was opening the gate to quickly close it. The seventh stood in the center of the path with his jaw dropping as he stared at the impossible happening. The six guards didn’t realize there were more problems approaching until they heard the heavy thumping of horse’s hooves behind them. They turned with weapons in hand but there was no stopping the three riders with four horses coming towards them. They dived out of the way but the seventh failed to notice what was happening and didn’t move.

  Gallif was heading at him and was determined not to hurt him but she was directly in her way. She pulled back tight on the reins and Snow skidded briefly as he slowed. Blinks and Luvin went through the open area and slowed to wait for her.

  One of the guards regained his courage and came running at her with his short sword ready to strike either the girl or the horse. He was about to stab the white hide of the horse when there was a flash as Gallif’s flame sword was appeared directly in front of him. He slowed but slipped in the mud stopping just an inch before the tip of the sword. Gallif waved the weapon at the guard and he quickly backed away. She guided Snow around the seventh guard and escaped the outpost. As soon as she was safely on the other side the gate immediately started to come back down.

  Brexicourialius was trying to come to terms with the fact that the gate had opened without his permission when his view was blocked by the sweet little fairy directly in front of him. She glared at him grinding her teeth with anger. She wrapped her tiny fist into a ball and smacked the tip of his nose with all her might. He barely felt a thing, but this was too much for his limited mentality to handle and the best he could do was fall back onto the muddy ground.

  “And next time I won’t be so nice about it,” Lincilara threatened him and then disappeared.

  The gate was almost completely closed when Jakobus erupted from a sudden gap in the wall. As he approached them they looked at him in awe as the gap had closed behind him leaving no trace of its existence. In a smooth jump he mounted Harton and prepared to flee.

  “We’d better get going before they open the gate,” Blinks said with his eyelids frantically flapping.

  “It won’t,” Jakobus said. “It will take a lot of time before that gate gets opened again.”

  “How so?” Luvin asked.

  “One of the things we usually don’t tell you about dwarven machinery,” he said proudly. “We know how to make it and, if necessary, we know how to break it.

  With a smile of approval Gallif lead them away at a full gallop.

  ***

  They headed eastward as fast as they could to get around the southern tip of the Rainbow Mountains. They stayed off of the main roads and avoided the cities while only occasionally slowing to make sure they weren’t being followed.

  By late in the afternoon the clouds
had started to break up and there were steady streams of sunlight to help dry them out. They had hardly spoken and there was no need for them to ask Gallif what her plan was. There would be time for her to tell them when it was necessary.

  The sun had just started to dip into the horizon when Gallif brought them to a halt. They were at the southern end of the mountains and the forest was starting to change into farmland. There were fewer trees here, but they were far enough off the main road that they wouldn’t be spotted.

  Gallif dismounted Snow and only walked a few steps when she felt more churning in her stomach. She almost fell, but Snow moved forward so she could steady herself against his sturdy body.

  Luvin reached her next but kept his hands off of her. “How bad?”

  “Not as bad as it was before, but it feels like it could get worse. Maybe the salt only works for a few hours.”

  “Like anything else it will go through your system eventually,” Blinks agreed. “Spicy chicken does that with me.”

  “We need to find more salt,” Luvin said urgently.

  “Here,” Jakobus said as he ran to Harton. He opened up the saddle bag and pulled a small roll of cloth. He returned opening it up and revealing strips of dried meat. “This is rabbit,” he said offering it to Gallif. “It’s salted quite heavily when it’s smoked and dried. It probably won’t have the same effect as pure salt, but it might slow it down a while.”

  Gallif gladly accepted the meat and started munching on it briskly. It was much saltier than she usually preferred but she knew just how important it was so she ate it anyway.

  “Any guesses about how far we could be from a farm or a small village where we could stop without drawing to much attention to ourselves?” Jakobus asked.

  “Within an hour’s ride,” she nodded, and they all looked at her in surprise. “I grew up in this part of Starpoint and I spent the first part of my life living and breathing the farm life. You see those seven trees on the edge of that open grass there?” she asked pointing off and they all nodded that they did. “Those were planted that way as boundary markers. You can tell because they are in an almost perfect straight line…,” her voice faded off as she thought about her early life.