by E. L. Todd
Right.
“Let’s go.” Rush took the lead again, running along the wall to the next scaffold against the mountain.
Below them, a sea of Fazurks appeared, pouring out of the cavern from where they emerged, this time with swords.
Rush helped each one up the scaffolding and looked behind them, seeing them crawling up the walls with their bare hands. When he looked at the ceiling, he realized how far they had to go—and there were more Fazurks on the way. Man, that’s a long way.
I will get you there. Now, climb.
Rush took up the rear, climbing up the wooden beams until his friends pulled him over the edge. The ropes were slashed, and they toppled it over like the other. “We gotta slow ’em down. Push the rocks over the edge.”
They worked together to push them over the edge, to smash the Fazurks down below and slow their pace just a bit. They smashed the first group of Fazurks then rolled over the next edge, getting a whole other layer below.
Keep going.
They ran to the other side of the canyon, where the next scaffold was positioned.
Rush.
“Come on, go.” He stitched his fingers together and took Lilac’s boot so he could shove her up to grip the bar. What?
They are coming from the top.
Rush looked to the opening in the ceiling, catching glimpses of blue sky between enormous black bodies. They were flooding in from up top, like water from a faucet filling a basin. That’s the only way out of here…
I know.
“Rush, come on.” Bridge hung over the edge, his arm hanging down.
What are we going to do?
I don’t know.
Rush started the climb, moving slower this time because there was no point. Whether they went up or down, their demise was guaranteed. I can’t let them die. We have to figure out a way.
There’s no room for me to fly or perch. And even if I could breathe fire, there’s too many.
Rush let Bridge pull him over, and he climbed to his feet.
They immediately sprinted to the other scaffold, oblivious to Fazurks pouring in from the surface.
Rush remained, listening to the sound of thousands of footsteps from the top and down below. The roars of the beasts, the sound of victory before their teeth sank into their flesh. His life had been long, too long, so death wasn’t a hard pill to swallow. But the death of those he cared about…would never fit down his throat.
Wait.
You have an idea?
Tell them to stop climbing.
Rush sprinted to the other side of the cavern, getting to Liam before he climbed up. “Hold on. Guys, come back down.”
“What?” Bridge asked. “Why?”
“Just do it!” What’s your plan?
Go straight.
Go straight where? There’s nothing but rock.
Do what I say.
He moved to the cliff face, seeing nothing but solid rock. It was so smooth, there was nothing to even grab on to. No way to climb. Flare, what am I supposed—
Start knocking.
What?
They are coming.
Who?
Knock.
He started to pound his fists into the rock.
More.
“Guys, come on.”
“Rush, is this a joke?” Bridge grabbed him by the shoulder.
Rush twisted out of his hold and kept pounding. “I don’t have time to explain. Knock—as loudly as possible.”
They all moved to the wall and started to pound their fists.
Louder.
“Louder!”
Lilac slammed the hilt of her sword into the wall, and the others did the same to protect their hands. Rush slammed his palms into the rock over and over, the sound of their enemy growing louder against their backs.
Rush stopped to turn around, seeing the Fazurks sprinting at them like ants out of a hill. “We’re out of time.”
No, we aren’t.
The wall vibrated and shifted, forming a sliding door that revealed a dark passageway. There was no sign of a secret door in the rock, just a flat surface, camouflaged so well that it would fool anyone.
Now, go.
25
Talc
The door shut behind them and locked into place.
The Fazurks screamed on the other side, their fists pounding against the solid rock that now separated them. The roars were still audible, just muffled. It took Rush a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness since Flare had withdrawn his abilities. “What just happened?”
“Follow me.” A deep voice pierced the darkness. His outline became visible, several feet shorter than Rush and several inches thicker around the waist and thighs. He turned down the dark passageway, his footsteps leading the way.
Bridge reached for Rush’s arm in the darkness. “Is that a dwarf?”
“Yeah, I think so.” You asked them to help us?
No.
So, you’re saying they just offered?
Yes.
That was awfully nice of them…
Rush was the first one behind the dwarf, the passage so narrow and short that he had to crouch to get through most of it. His palms slid against the stone walls on either side of him for direction, so he wouldn’t accidentally bump face-first into a solid wall. “What’s your name?”
“Durir.”
“Thank you, Durir.”
“It wasn’t me who saved ye.”
“Where are you taking us?”
“To the last Stronghold in the mountain.”
Well, it sounds like we aren’t prisoners.
Even if we were, dwarven imprisonment would be preferable to a Fazurk meal.
No kidding. That was close. I thought we were done for.
We’ve survived worse.
Why do people keep saying that? No, I’m pretty sure that was the biggest close call we’ve ever had.
Ashe, King of Dragons, seemed intent on burning you to death.
That guy is all talk.
Grrrr.
Respectfully, of course.
After maneuvering through the dark passageways, they finally came to a large cavern similar to all the ones they’d already seen, illuminated by the green stones that provided a glow to all the corners. It was a storeroom, with racks of bottles and canned foods, preserved meats and other items.
Durir stepped aside until they all filed out before he gripped the handles jutting out of the rock, slowly rolling it into place and sealing the passageway. The rock thudded against the other wall, dust filtering from the ceiling, and then everything went still.
Rush stared at the sealed passageway. “Am I the only one in shock right now?”
“Nope.” Bridge spun in a circle as he examined the contents of the room.
“I think the shock will hit me later,” Lilac said. “I felt so stupid knocking on that dumb wall…guess it wasn’t so stupid after all.”
Rush moved to Durir. “We saw all the bodies in the caves… We feared the worst. It’s a relief to know we were wrong.”
“Yer weren’t wrong.” In the light, his features were so distinct, with bushy eyebrows and a beard as thick as a rug. A pudgy face squished together with fat cheeks and full lips, it was exactly as Rush remembered from a very long time ago.
“What do you mean?”
Durir nodded to the next passageway and continued forward.
Rush followed, the rest of the gang behind him.
They emerged into another large cavern, a throne at the top of a rock slab. Wooden benches filled the room, most of them empty, with the exception of a few dwarves that enjoyed a pint in solitude.
Durir continued, showing them a room full of bunk beds, some of them occupied, and then a large underground lake with a waterfall at the rear. That was where most of the dwarves were congregated, their feet in the water or their bodies floating. “This is all we have left.” He guided them back to the first room, the one with the throne, which was now occupied.
/>
The throne wasn’t taken by a king, but a queen. With thick red hair, blue eyes, and a stocky figure like all the other dwarves, she sat on the chair carved out of rock, runes etched into the surface.
Her presence wasn’t majestic or intimidating, not the way it was when he was in the presence of his own father, with Ashe, King of Dragons, or the elven kings throughout history. This ruler was as empty as the dark cave they’d just crawled through.
Her blue eyes barely acknowledged them, like they weren’t even there.
Durir came to her side. “Megora, Queen of the Stronghold.”
She turned her gaze away. “I am no queen. A queen has to be alive—and I’m not sure what I am anymore.”
Is this who you spoke to?
No. It was a man.
Rush stepped forward. “My name is Rush—”
“I know your name, Rush Hawkehelm. You’re a man who requires no introduction.”
“Hope that’s a good thing…”
She turned back, eyes still cold.
Or maybe not. “What happened here?”
“The son of a king should be able to figure it out.”
You told them who I was?
Yes—both of us. They didn’t ask any questions.
I’m so confused right now.
Megora continued. “They came from the north, invaded our mountain like the plague, infested it like rats in the sewers of Anastille. Our mountain has never been breached in our history. We were unprepared. They came, slaughtered us. All we could do was save the few nearest us. We closed off the Stronghold, where we stand now, and have remained ever since.”
Rush bowed his head. “I’m sorry…”
“Our king made the hard decision—and has since lost his mind to madness. I have taken his place despite my dissent. We’re no longer a kingdom—so there is no need for a ruler. We’ve remained here for years, living off what we have left in our storerooms, but for what reason, I do not know. Whether we perish now or later, what difference does it make?”
Silence crippled Rush as well as everyone else. The caves where they stood were haunted by the ghosts of the many dwarves that died so the few could live. “Have you tried to escape?”
“There’s only one way out of this place—as ye’ve seen yourself.”
“And the Fazurks have taken it over…”
Her eyes narrowed.
“That’s what we call them,” Rush said quickly.
Her head turned, and her gaze glossed over. “We’re outnumbered a hundred to one. To attempt an escape is a promise of death.”
“Why did you save us? You risked your position.”
Her hands remained on the arms of the throne, her short nails dark from the dirt that slipped underneath them. “Whether they know we’re here or not, they can’t reach us.”
You thought that last time.
“And if they could, it doesn’t matter. We’re doomed anyway.”
Rush studied her composure, seeing the lifelessness in every part of her body, not just her eyes. “You didn’t answer my question.”
She turned her attention back to him.
“Why did you save us?”
I feel them again.
Here?
Yes. They are close.
Queen Megora studied his countenance. “Our world is underground, far away from the bickering of men and elves. You came to our shores and destroyed Anastille, and while we’ve remained unaffected by your conquest, it doesn’t mean you’re welcome in the Stronghold.”
No surprise there…
“If you were anyone else, we would have left you to your fate. But you deserved to be spared.”
“I did?” Rush asked. “Why?”
She rose to her feet, still short despite the slab of rock that elevated her above the others. With her eyes on Rush, she came closer, taking the stairs one step at a time, regarding him like she knew him from an older time. “Because you saved Talc—my dragon.”
Queen Megora sat across from Rush at the table, pints of ale and canned food on the surface so everyone could eat. A fire was lit in the hearth, bringing warmth to the dark cave. “When Flare shared his identity, she asked me to spare ye. The answer was no, of course. But then she shared her memories with me, the night when you came to the dungeon and freed three dragons.”
Rush hadn’t touched his ale or the food they offered. His hands remained on the table, and he stared at the cracks in the wood, the veins of the tree that was now long dead. With heavy breaths, he remembered that night vividly.
At least one escaped.
Yeah.
Queen Megora studied him with intelligent eyes in heavyset cheeks. “Are ye alright?”
Rush gave a nod. “Just…a bit emotional. After I released them, pandemonium broke out. King Lux deployed his entire arsenal to retrieve them, and I feared what would happen once they were recaptured. I knew they would be worse off…and that’s consumed my nights as well as my days.”
The blades in her eyes noticeably dulled.
“To know that at least one escaped is a huge relief. How did you find her?”
“She crashed into the mountain—a broken wing.”
Shamans.
I will burn them all.
“She didn’t want to come into the mountain, but she had no choice. The plan was to heal her broken wing then let her fly farther north. But then the Fazurks came…and we had no choice but to fuse.”
“So…this assault just happened?” Rush asked.
Queen Megora gave a nod.
“What do you know about the Fazurks?”
“They are orcs—but not a kind we can identify.”
“They must be from the north. But how did they pass through the mountains?”
Her blue eyes took on a vacancy. “That’s unknown. There are no paths through the solid rock. There’s no way over or beneath. We know they’re from the Shadow Lands, but we don’t know how they passed through.”
“The Shadows Lands?”
“It’s what we call the north.”
“Why do you call it that? Have you been there?”
“Everything we know has been passed down through the generations. But no living dwarf has passed the border in thousands of years, so it could just be folklore at this point.” Her ale was untouched, her bushy hair pulled back into a braid down her back. “Sunshine doesn’t penetrate the clouds. It’s a cold and dark place. It’s not a land inhabited by civilized beings, but by things that live in the dark.”
Rush grabbed his mug and took a deep drink. “Sounds like the perfect place for those Fazurks.”
“The Big Ugly…” Megora released a quiet chuckle. “Aptly named.”
Have you spoken to Talc?
Not yet.
“Why have the Fazurks penetrated the border now?” It was a question more to himself than Queen Megora. “Because crossing the border would be more work than it’s worth…unless they had a reason.”
“There was no time to ask questions, Rush. We were too busy running for our lives.”
“How did they break in to the mountain?”
“By sheer numbers. Broke it down and passed right through.”
Rush reached into his pocket and withdrew the folded piece of paper he’d found on the corpse of a fallen dwarf. “I found this. You can return it to the rightful recipient…if they’re still alive.”
Her eyes scanned it quickly before she folded it once again. “Bargora is no longer with us. But Rulan survives. I’ll be sure to give this to him.”
Rush nodded.
“What did you see?”
He kept his eyes down.
“What did they do to my people?”
He still couldn’t lift his eyes. “They fought to their last breath…and there were no survivors.”
The queen continued to pierce her stare into him, her pale face slowly filling with a flush that turned her cheeks red. Not rosy pink. But blood red.
“Are you the king’s daughter?”
<
br /> “No. The royal line perished in the assault. I was elected by my people—which is the first time it’s ever happened in our history.”
“How many of you remain?”
“One thousand and twenty-three.” Unlike most queens, she wasn’t covered in diamonds and elegance. There were no distinguishing characteristics that elevated her status whatsoever. But the passion for her people gave her a distinct quality that separated her visage from all the rest.
“And how many perished?”
“Seven thousand and eighty-four.”
“Perhaps there are still survivors somewhere in the mountain. The cave system is extensive, and I suspect we only traversed a very small part of the territory.”
“Even if that’s true, we’ll never know. We are not only separated by rock, but by beasts that roam our halls and claim it as their own. When their storage supplies deplete, they will perish—just like us.”
“Then you need to escape.”
“One thousand against ten thousand?” Her eyebrow arched high up her face, her deep voice taking a note of incredulity.
“I didn’t say fight them. I said escape.”
“The only way out of here is through that same passage from which ye arrived.”
“Then how did you get all this stuff in here?”
“A cavern. A cavern that we destroyed to keep them out.”
She must escape. Not just for our sake—but for Talc’s.
“Talc can’t stay underground. Captivity has poisoned the mind of your king. It’s snuffed out all your hope as well. Imagine how he must feel—a creature of the sky.”
Her eyes immediately dropped.
“She can’t stay here.”
“Then where would she go?” she asked. “The second she’s outside the mountain, she’ll be hunted.”
“I know a place where she’ll be safe.”
“Where?”
Rush kept her gaze as well as his silence.
Her stare demanded answers, but she didn’t press with her words. “We have a few Durgin, but not enough for us to get away. And certainly not enough for us to defeat them.”
“Durgin?”
“Warriors.”
Talc will fuse with Bridge, and we’ll get her out of here when we depart.