by CP Bialois
It took a moment for the words and their meaning to reach the recesses of Viola’s mind. She wondered if it’d be so bad. Being dead would end their torment. She lost her best friend, her magic betrayed her, and they would die as a result. Nothing mattered at that moment to her except peace.
It became obvious to Galin the young mage was ready to give up, but being driven by his fear forced him to find a way out. It was then he glanced at the torches on the walls. While the ones Janessa and Viola were carrying were smothered by the cave-in, the ones already there were lighted somehow and he doubted the young mage was responsible. Three were burning in the area trapping them.
A thought cut through the thick haze Galin’s fear had woven about him. He wasn’t sure when the tunnel behind him closed, but he was certain they should be gasping for breath by now. The lit torches would’ve used up their air by then leaving them to die through asphyxiation. He glanced around at the walls, no dust moved and the fire of the torches burned steady, meaning there wasn’t a breeze moving through the tunnel. With a final deep breath he reasserted control over his fear. A Dwarf with claustrophobia wasn’t any good to anyone. It was no wonder he thought this seemed so similar, it was! Everything, even the tunnel changed into the same one he was trapped in all those years earlier. Except this time the magic of the tunnel gave him company.
With the exception of being surrounded by the Missing Wood, the tunnel was exactly how he remembered it. When it happened to him, he’d entered the hidden entrance to the Dwarven kingdom. Built during the Kingdom’s early days as an emergency escape route, Galin didn’t find that the least bit coincidental, the tunnel was used as a way to bypass the main gates. That also meant one could bypass the tolls the gate keepers collected as their payment for their duties. Not the most noble of means of making a living, the gatekeepers were often looked down upon and jokes about their close relations to Gully Dwarves were often spoken over a tall pint of ale.
Being mostly honest and hardworking people, some of the Hill Dwarves mapped out the tunnel and shared it with their closest friends. That was how Galin learned of its existence. His lifelong friend Rylon and his younger brother Barnin acquired a copy of the map and together the three used it on numerous occasions to sell their wares or services without paying the gatekeepers. The collapse happened on their fifth journey through the tunnel while they were returning from one of the neighboring human kingdoms. The gold they earned threatened to break their pack animals in two but it was worth it. They were just inside the tunnel to where they could still see the daylight when the ground shook. In seconds, the three were buried under tons of rock. Only Galin survived, owing more to chance than skill, he was thrown under an outcropping that protected him from the larger rocks of the tunnel. It took him four days to dig himself out, the loss he suffered through the lives of his friends gave him a queer feeling anytime he stepped foot inside a cave or tunnel. Before others could learn of his newfound cowardice, Galin left his home in self-imposed exile rather than tarnish the name of his family.
With the realization of what was happening to them, Galin felt his fear dwindling. “Lass, try the simplest spell you know.” He watched the smooth tunnel walls with contempt; he wanted nothing more than to be done with this place.
Viola raised her head, glancing at him. “What? Why?”
Galin motioned about them, “I’ve been here before, many years ago. This is meant to terrify us. It’s feeding on our fears like some parasite.”
Viola eyed him, not sure if she could or should believe him. “How can you be sure? If you’re wrong I could kill us all.”
“Lass, if you don’t do anything we will die.” Galin’s voice was measured but there was still a tremor of fear in it.
Janessa’s gaze went from one to the other. Galin was right, she could feel it. Her greatest fear was to die and not be able to touch anything, Viola’s was the same as any other mage, that her magic would fail her. Without hesitation she turned to Viola, reaching out for her, even though her hand still went through Viola’s it seemed there was more resistance than there had been. Realization dawned on her, their fears must be faced together! “Viola! Listen to him, he’s right! I know it! Viola!”
A cold chill entered Viola’s hand where Janessa’s touched her. It wasn’t a numbing cold; it had a sense of warmth to it that came with life. In her ear she swore she could hear a tiny voice that sounded like Janessa’s. Thinking she was growing delirious from grief or lack of air, Viola shook her head. Galin was right; if she didn’t try they would die anyway. At least if her magic did fail there was a chance it’d be quick and painless.
Viola took a deep breath as the words to the spell formed in her mind and the building ecstasy began to flow through her. When the magic filled her, she spoke the words to the locator spell she hadn’t used earlier at the behest of her friend. Asking the spell to find Janessa, a small orange orb appeared in front of Viola before moving off to fulfill its mission. After a moment’s hesitation the small orange orb stopped two feet off the ground, above the visible body of the invisible Halfling. Resting by the center of the kneeling Halfling spirit’s chest, Janessa’s physical form began to take shape.
The flicker of a shape caused both Galin and Viola to take in a deep breath. Once Janessa was visible, though still transparent, she waved at Viola. “Not a bad spell.” Janessa hoped her words would be heard but it was apparent they still couldn’t hear her but her appearance had the desired effect as Viola felt her fear melt away. Both ends of the tunnel opened as the spell trapping them was broken with one leading into a vast chamber emanating a strange glow.
“Now that was interesting.” The sound of her own voice startled Janessa but not near as much as the shock of Viola’s weight as she flung herself on the smaller Halfling, hugging her tight. In her excitement, Janessa failed to notice the previous image of her crushed body disappeared with the debris from the cave-in.
“I… I thought I lost you.” Fresh tears flowed down Viola’s clean face. She couldn’t remember ever being so happy. The memory of the magical illusion of her friend being dead began fading in the face of her joy.
Galin let out a breath and wiped his eyes clean of his own tears before smoothing his beard. It’d be a long time before he’d go into another tunnel or cave. His eyes settled on the soft glow flowing from the chamber ahead of them. “Come; let’s find out if our trouble was worth it all.”
Janessa and Viola separated then followed the Dwarf, neither intended to let the other go as they held onto each other’s hand. They came to a stop when they heard Galin’s oath, “By Crax’s beard.”
Chapter 19
In the comfort of his room, Mern smiled at the sight of the treasure room. His smile froze for a moment as he assessed the players in his little game. The two females he could trust, or manipulate to do as he wished. That was his sole reason for befriending them, but the three males… they posed an interesting problem. While the magical lock on the entrance wasn’t his doing, he was curious as to whose it was; the enchantment on the tunnels had been his own doing. He was in Renard’s camp long enough to suspect the two humans were there for fear of the outside world and once manifested their fears would ensnare them in their strands. He couldn’t have been more wrong, worse was how badly he judged the mage and her friend. Had it not been for the Dwarf, Galin, they would’ve been the ones trapped and he could‘ve what little magic they had to enhance his own. At least he could’ve used Berek and Gilliam if he had to, or he was certain it was a possibility.
Now, with his original plans torn asunder, he picked up the pieces and tried to rearrange them to fit in his mind. Mern sensed a great power emanating from the fighter since he first saw the young man, but Berek trusted his instincts too much to be a reliable minion. Gilliam the cleric? He had a better chance of sharing the throne of the Gods with their beautiful warrior queen Valka then turning the cleric against his beliefs. Galin was too compassionate and grounded; Mern was left with little cho
ice but to continue with the other two. He had to rethink his strategy.
Mern glanced at the dragon orb in its stand off to his right. “Soon, my Master, soon you shall have what you deserve.” His eyes could only remain on the orb for another moment before he was forced to turn away. Its beauty was both a blessing and a curse for him. Too beautiful to look upon for long, but too beautiful to look away. Just like his Master, he thought, that was part of the reason he was ensnared by her. The weakness of his body doomed him to servitude; perhaps it could do the same to the most dangerous pieces in his game. Mern sat back in his chair, how to make use of such a weakness? His mind poured over different scenarios as a general would examine his plans before a great battle, always probing for a weakness in the armor.
*****
A low whistle escaped from Berek as he gazed on the contents of the chamber. The others arrived the same moment as he and Gilliam and aside from the Dwarf’s exclamation, no one else spoke for the longest time. After what felt like an eternity, Janessa stepped forward and picked up a ruby the size of his hand.
“Jenny!” Viola wanted to shout but her voice came out as a hissing whisper of warning.
Startled, Janessa spun around as she slipped the ruby into a pouch. “What? There’s no one here. We found it so we get to keep it.”
“I don’t think that’s what she meant.” Gilliam’s voice was tight as he fought for control. He agreed to this because he didn’t think the rumors were true. But now that they’d become reality, he disliked what he knew would happen. This wealth belongs to the city of Hope, he thought, do we have a claim? As Gilliam thought one thing he spoke another, “It may well be cursed. I doubt anyone would leave something this valuable unguarded or forgotten.” He emphasized the final word to make a subtle argument which earned him a look from his nephew. He ignored the look. “Perhaps only the rightful owner may take it from here.”
Everyone remained quiet for a moment as they digested the cleric’s words. To Gilliam’s astonishment only Berek and Galin seemed to hear his subtle meaning. “He’s right lass. Best do a check before we try to take any more.”
Janessa squirmed, not at what was said, but as a child would when they were told they couldn’t play with their favorite toy. She looked to Viola, “I don’t feel any different but you’d better do it anyway.” Janessa fought to keep her eyes on her friend, or any of the companions against the will her eyes seemed to express about returning to the treasure.
Viola nodded, bringing the necessary spell to mind. She hoped the entire chamber would be magiked, and then they could avoid potential arguments over how to share the treasure. She knew what Gilliam meant, and the look Berek gave the older man wasn’t friendly in the least. At least Janessa hadn’t been offended; she took pride in not being a “common” thief.
With the words to the spell blazing in her mind Viola took a pinch of sand from her pocket and tossed it in a wide arc so it encompassed the room while she began speaking the language of magic. It was the first time she attempted the reveal magic spell at that level and she wasn’t sure she did it properly. When the magic surged through her she couldn’t contain her gasp of joy when the ecstasy of the magic engulfed her and flowed into the chamber.
To everyone’s surprise, and heartache, all but a small handful of items glowed. Drained, Viola placed her hand on the wall to steady herself. “Quickly… before the spell fades. Take whatever isn’t glowing.”
Not having to be told twice, and happy the ruby in her pocket hadn’t started to glow, Janessa leapt into the treasure and started to grab everything that wasn’t glowing or tied down, and of course, what she could carry. Galin and Berek, ignoring a pleading look from Gilliam, were far more gracious and reserved in their task. With so few objects not magiked they were able to gather them all as the spell ended.
The group stood at the opening to the chamber holding everything from trinkets to jewelry to a diamond encrusted sash. None spoke as they looked at one another, bursting into laughter at the sight they each made with their arms burdened with the items.
Once they quieted Galin spoke, “I don’t suppose anyone thought to bring something to carry all of this?” There were eleven items in all; most were too large to carry without notice.
Gilliam had been the only one not to laugh at the lunacy of it all. He stood with a cynical smile on his face. “I suppose this means we put everything back.” The rest of the group looked at him in shock. Berek was the first to move as he set his items on the ground. The cleric smiled with pride at his nephew, “Well done nephew.”
Berek motioned for Gilliam to be quiet. The look in Berek’s eyes was one of sorrow. “I’m sorry uncle, but we need your cloak.
Gilliam’s smile vanished. His cloak? What could they want…? His thought trailed off when realization dawned on him. Irritated, he removed his heavy traveling cloak and handed it to Berek. “Stooping this low nephew?”
Berek took the cloak as well as his and spread them out on the ground. In a moment he had them crisscrossed into a sturdy sack and put the items that would fit into its center. Once done he twisted and tied the four ends together to form a type of handle then handed it to Galin.
With his endeavor finished, his eyes locked with Gilliam’s in a forceful battle of wills neither of them could break. “Not all of us are privileged to come and go as we please, uncle.”
The rest of the small group looked on for a moment. Viola and Janessa expected to see punches thrown or some kind of manly display between the two. Galin shifted uneasily as he watched, “Easy lads. It’s been a long day, some ale and roast will make us all feel better.”
Gilliam flushed, ashamed of what he said and contemplated doing. After everything that happened in the last day to improve their relationship, he almost wrecked it with a single act. “Berek, I…”
Berek turned from him; too angry to hear anything his uncle had to say. “Can you get us out of here?” He asked Viola, not wishing to make a scene.
Viola nodded, “Where do you want to go?” Berek shrugged, anywhere but there was said without a word being spoken.
“To our room, there we can rest and figure out what to do next.” Janessa’s suggestion went unchallenged and with a nod Viola took another pinch of sand from her pouch, throwing it at the wall as she spoke the magical words. A large circular doorway appeared with swirling purple and white smoke in front of the image of a room at the inn. The swirling texture of the portal suggested a powerful wind, but it was a magical wind as none of them felt the slightest brush of air.
They entered with Galin muttering about how Dwarves weren’t made to travel by such means. Berek and Gilliam stepped through last. A nod and slight smile from his nephew let Gilliam know all was forgiven. Not everyone was able to overcome their lifelong teachings in one day and Berek understood that better than most.
The journey through the portal wasn‘t unpleasant like Galin expected, rather it was as simple as walking into another room. Aside from a tingling sensation similar to traveling during a lighting storm, he had no complaints. But be that as it may, he couldn’t ever remember being so grateful to feel solid wood beneath his feet. Being that he’s a Dwarf, such a claim is damn close to a miracle.
“That was great! It sure beats that levitation spell of yours, Viola!” Janessa danced around the room overjoyed at the experience.
Galin shook his head while setting the makeshift bag of treasure on the floor then leaned back to stretch his back muscles. “I’m getting too old for this.”
A hand clapped him on the shoulder, “You’ve got another hundred years in you.” The laughter buried in Berek’s tone was no surprise to the Dwarf.
Galin glanced up at Berek, noticing both the smile and Gilliam’s changed mood. So, he hadn’t been mistaken about the imbedded laughter. Relieved to see they buried the axe, and not in each other’s head, Galin returned the smile. “Aye lad, so long as I’m not used as a pack mule.”
“But you’re built for it.” Berek�
�s comment earned him a raised eyebrow from Gilliam and surprised looks from Janessa and Viola but Galin burst into laughter. It was something he enjoyed about the human, few could match his peculiar sense of humor.
“And you’re built like an elf; though no where near as ugly.” Galin’s words came between chuckles that shook his entire body.
Janessa started laughing with them, the terror and uneasiness they experienced just a few minutes earlier seemed like an eternity ago. “So… how do we divide it?”
A good question and each considered it while not wanting to offend their comrades. “I suggest we take turns choosing. Afterwards, we could trade for an item we didn’t get. Agreed?” It took a moment before everyone realized it was Gilliam who spoke but each agreed it was the fairest way to split the spoils. The next question was obvious but Gilliam cut it off before it grew legs and ran. “You should go first young lady; you did lead us to it.” He motioned to Janessa; the surprise was evident by the look on her face.
Berek couldn’t help but smile, “Are you certain uncle? No charity?” The rest paused for a moment, certain that would spark another argument between the two. Indeed, Berek meant for it to test Gilliam as to whether he had changed or if he was faking it to avoid a confrontation, something their family had always shown a talent.
To Gilliam’s credit, he knew and understood what Berek meant. Trust was earned, but there was a limit to everything. Gilliam nodded, “It isn’t charity nephew. Everyone here earned it.”
Confused, but willing to accept their terms, Janessa patted her pocket where the ruby was. “Thanks, but I got it already.
Viola smiled, shaking her head. There was something about Janessa she could always count on besides her loyalty as a friend: she spoke her mind. When everyone looked at her Viola flushed and motioned to Galin, “You first, Sir Dwarf. If it hadn’t been for your bravery we’d still be in the tunnel.”