by Robert Day
Suddenly rough hands grasped him and he would have cried out in shock had one not muffled his mouth. He began to twist, fighting the hold, but a harsh voice whispered in his ear. “Hold, human. Do you want the Dark Brothers piling in here?”
Surprise gave him pause more than caution or threat, but the hands released him as he ceased his struggle, though he was pulled a little deeper into the darkness until he could no longer see the Hrolth or the light of day, only a faint aura.
Scratching and growling, probably the Hrolth equivalent of grumbling, soon faded as the creature left, obviously deciding that returning empty handed was preferable after all to venturing deeper into the darkness. Moments turned into long minutes before a stirring began near him. Fidgeting preceded a scraping before a faint light sprang up, catching Kyle's gaze. A small brazier became visible first, a flat stone bowl with a glass cone, inside which a flame burned atop what appeared to be dark fragments. Then an arm appeared, holding the brazier and giving the walls a faint edge until figures began to outline. He counted several in a semi circle around him, in what appeared to be a small chamber.
If they appeared nervous at him bearing an axe they did not show it, and as the light grew, he began to marvel at these people who had found him. If not for the harsh voice that had spoken to him, and the obvious heavy set features of these dark cloaked figures, he would have taken them for children.
But children did not have dark beards and were not often found in dark passages in Haruken riddled land. Not more than five feet in height, these figures carried weapons either in hand or at waist: small axes or hammers. The faint light showed dark, coppery skin, with faces as hard as the rock that surrounded them, almost hidden beneath bushy brows and beards. All he could see were male: men, not boys.
“Who are you?” Images and memories of people from songs and tales came to him, but in his present state, he could not grasp more than fleeting memories.
“We are the people of Karn, Daikaro. Bred of the stone and the earth, those you would know as Dwarves.” He who stepped forward was not the one holding the brazier, but Kyle recognized the voice as the one who had whispered in his ear minutes before. Sandy brown hair flickered in the pale light, which reflected dark eyes.
Having one's village razed by Trolls, supposed creatures of myth, did tend to liberate the mind of what was possible. Still, the appearance of these Dwarves was enough to bemuse Kyle. They had not really rescued him, nor did they seem to be angered at his presence. Possibly they had not expected the meeting any more than he had.
“Ah, thank you for your help.” It was always best to be nice around strangers. 'When in a pit of vipers, it is best to check if they are poisonous before you move'. He had never thought such a phrase could ever be appropriate for him. “The fighting seems to have stopped, so I will be going n-”
“With us,” interjected the sandy haired Dwarf. Kyle assumed he was the leader of this group. Turning, he eyed the Dwarf. His words had been strong, commanding, obviously used to being obeyed, and Kyle wondered what would happen if he declined. Not that it had been an offer, however.
“But I have companions out there. They may need help. I need to reach Chul’Haka!”
“Chul’Haka you will reach, but not that way. Those you were with are either long passed or dead. The stone dwellers and dark brothers do not take prisoners, and those weapons you carried will now be used against you. Come with us, and you will safely reach Chul’Haka. Come with us not, and you will die.”
Kyle bristled, but realized it had not been a threat, or at least he hoped it was not. He forced his hand to loosen the grip on his axe, though if the Dwarves saw, they gave no indication.
“I will come with you.” The Dwarf nodded as if knowing he would, and began to turn with the others. The brazier was dropped into his hand as others were being lit and the Dwarves closed in around him, the sandy haired dwarf falling in beside him. For the first time, Kyle saw the edge of a bandage beneath the dwarf's cloak. Obviously they had seen some fighting themselves recently, which did nothing to make Kyle feel comfortable.
“The Haruken usually do not enter these caves without great need, and they are widespread enough we should not encounter many if they do. Still, there are other things worse than Haruken who dwell here where the sun cannot reach.” This made Kyle shiver, but not from any cold.
The passage they entered was little wider than the two as they walked abreast, and Kyle was forced to duck his head occasionally against the low roof, something the Dwarves had little concern of.
“The passages broaden as we go deeper,” stated the dwarf, and Kyle almost asked if they grew taller, but did not know if such a question would offend the little man, so he kept it to himself. He did note they were slowly descending, though not at a great angle, just enough to keep a coin rolling on its edge if set into motion.
Kyle was silent as they walked, studying not only the dark passages and chambers, but also the Dwarven people. They spoke softly in their own harsh language on occasion, and were obviously well travelled in these caves. From what little he ‘knew’, Dwarves were underground dwellers, but thought to live farther to the North east, beneath the towering mountains of Karnhein.
However long they walked seemed an eternity to him. His thigh ached, a closer inspection revealing a deep but narrow gash that must have been from a spear point. It had long since dried around skin and clothing, but set an aching through his entire body, exacerbated by the long cut at his left calf. His numerous other grazes had long since caked over. The pace the small Dwarves set was not slow, so he was forced to shuffle along briskly to keep up.
“Let us camp,” signaled the sandy haired dwarf, halting the group as they entered into a crescent shaped chamber with exits at either end. Kyle heaved a great sigh of relief as he lowered himself into a sitting position against the wall, placing his axe within close reach at his side. He was not exhausted, merely suffering from fatigue and pain.
Both of his wounds would need a stitch or two to bring them together or scar badly. He was not overly concerned with that, though. He had never prided himself on his looks, and had suffered many small cuts and burns at the forge. His main concern was infection and keeping them from reopening.
“Here!” The sandy haired dwarf crouched at his side, dropping a small pack to the ground and handing Kyle a handful of narrow bandages and a small flask of what he hoped was water. It was, and he slowly began to wash away dried blood from both wounds before dressing them tightly. He thanked the dwarf as he passed the flask back after taking a mouthful to soothe his parched throat.
“I have sent two of my men back to the Gap. It is evening now, with ample moonlight. The Dark Brothers especially do not like the night, and the Haruken have limited vision. They will find if there are any survivors and bury the dead if possible.” There was sorrow in the grim dwarf's voice, which surprised Kyle somewhat. Those who died had been strangers to the dwarf, yet he had sent his own men back into danger to have them buried.
“Do you think the others made it through?” The possibility the wagons and soldiers had not even made it to Chul’Haka, where their worth was sorely needed, was disheartening. A pang of regret struck him at both the loss of lives and weaponry. How ironic the weapons they brought to fight the Haruken may well be used to help defeat the Barbarian city.
There was also the pain at the possible death of Thorgast, whom he had become friends with during the long trip. He silently cursed his cowardice, running from the fight. Although he was no warrior and would probably not have accounted for much, to run and leave the others made him question his courage. He had always assumed he was brave, but now...
“The Haruken are not known for their cunning. Chances are, their attack was their only plan. Any reinforcements or blockades further on would be most unlike them. We have seen no such indication of late, anyhow.”
It was little consolation, but any chance was enough to cling to under the circumstances. Perhaps sensing Kyle's
need to be alone, the Dwarf rose. “These passages link with the ancient undercity of Chul’Haka. We will be there in half a day or so. Rest well and wake strong.”
It was a strange parting, but Kyle barely listened as the Dwarf retreated into the gloom. Only one brazier was lit, dampened by surrounding forms of resting dwarfs, while some others drifted away, probably on guard.
That the Dwarves were going to Chul’Haka created questions, but Kyle saved them for another time as he lay down, head braced on one arm, his back to the smooth wall of the passage. It was neither cold nor warm, though the lack of wind made the air feel stagnant, though not to the degree of unpleasantness. He longed for the seclusion and protection where his wounds would not hurt and his conscience would not point an accusing finger at him. With luck, the rough ground would keep his sleep light, so not even dreams could taunt him for his cowardice.
As he drifted into slumber, he was unaware of the sandy haired dwarf watching him with eyes that shone pale gold in the darkness.
Alric knew next to nothing about this young human, but he found himself drawn to him somehow. He could tell the youth was inexperienced both in combat and life, but he had shown remarkable poise and sense during the fight and when meeting the Dwarves, whom he had obviously never seen before.
Yet the lad's appearance was enigmatic in itself. He was obviously not a warrior, though he had shown in the fight he was not exactly helpless and he held himself in a way a warrior would. He was definitely not one of the Urak’Hai, though he was almost of a size. He might have been a wagoner, though a look at his hands showed signs of scarring not from holding reins, but labor. Then there was the axe he carried. Not the greatest quality, but still the work of a master and made of Dwarven Steel, but with no obvious signs of the craftsman. Few such weapons could be found outside of Karnhein.
Feeling there was more to meet the eye about this lad, Alric settled down to rest. He would sleep little, though he knew it would be safe. He had much to think on, and not just the matter of the Urak’Hai or this young stranger. It seemed to him a dark tide was rising, not only on him but also throughout the realms. Rumors and vague tales could barely be trusted, but for a hundred lies and rumors, a handful always carried a spark of truth, and this disturbed him. He would have liked to return home to get confirmation of any of these rumors, but there was his debt to the Urak’Hai to be fulfilled first.
‘Fate weighs like a mountain if opposed, and shifts like a feather if controlled!’ It was strange he would think of one of his master's old sayings, but it felt appropriate considering the present circumstances. Eyes drawn to the young man, he repeated the sentence several times, almost a litany.
“Rest well and wake strong, lad. Rest well and wake strong.”
Chapter 19
A signal from Alric had Kyle and the Dwarves throwing wooden lids over the softly glowing braziers. Kyle's hand itched from unease, wanting to reach for the hilt of the axe at his waist, but Alric had explained their best chance of reaching Chul’Haka was to avoid confrontation unless necessary. The maze of passages they were in had allowed them to backtrack and alter course several times to avoid small bands of Haruken and Dark brothers thus far, but Alric had told him here, nearer the old city, the passages were fewer. It amazed Kyle how the Dwarf had not gotten them lost many times, although maybe their backtracking to avoid combat was really a cover-up to being lost.
This thought was only mirthful as he tried to peer through the utter darkness to where the three Dwarf scouts would be waiting and watching: for them to have covered the braziers meant there was considerable danger.
Disembodied, glowing yellow eyes opening near him gave him a start, but not as much as the first time Alric had done so. He had almost given them away with his scream, stifled only by Alric's quick restraint. He had flushed in embarrassment when the Dwarf explained later the nature of their dark vision, yet he knew there was no way for him to know this, and he thought the Dwarves could have mentioned it earlier.
“Four Haruken and twenty Dark Brothers wait in a chamber, fifty feet across. Our exit lies on the other side.”
“Then we fight!” He was surprised at the calmness in his voice. They were outnumbered nearly two to one and he was still stiff and sore from the previous day, but a tingle of expectation rose in his veins. Here was but the first chance for him to make retribution for his previous cowardice. He had sworn the previous night he would not let himself be swayed by fear or cowardice again.
“They have light, so we will pack ours away. I will guide you.” Kyle sealed the brazier and placed it inside its thick bag before slinging it over his belt. There was vague warmth, but the braziers could be carried as such for at least an hour without discomfort from the heat.
Alric's rough hand grabbed him gently by the forearm as he unhitched his axe. The darkness was absolute, with not even the faint outline of the Dwarves, but after a little travelling a dim radiation of flickering torchlight became visible ahead. There was little sound over the occasional scuffing of hard boots on the stone floor, most his own, but an occasional growling voice rose from the chamber ahead. Obviously the Haruken were not expecting to be attacked. This was surprising considering the Dwarves and he had been spotted several times running blockades, so the Haruken should have at least known they were in the area. It probably did not occur to them the Dwarves would actually attack.
Alric drew closer to whisper up at him. “There is another tunnel leading into the chamber from the east. Six of my men will enter from there. If things go bad, we will exit via the North passage. Two will remain behind to delay pursuit if there is any. Stay by my side at all times.”
Kyle nodded. He was sweating already, and it felt like somebody had a hand inside his stomach and was twisting. He tried to take long, deep breaths to calm himself but it had little effect.
The Dwarves light footed it as far as they could towards the chamber, confident they would not be heard over the shuffling inside, or seen in the dark passage. Kyle had only a few moments to see the creatures before the first Dwarf began to streak forward, followed by the others, but in those moments, he saw the creatures were surprisingly relaxed and unconcerned. They did not even have anyone watching the passages.
Whatever happened next passed like a dream for Kyle as he waded into the fray following Alric, who flailed about himself with a great hammer. The Dwarves struck out at the Haruken first, by far the more dangerous opponents, despite their fewer numbers. Whether they had been unconcerned about attack or surprised, the creatures were not fully armed, though some carried hide covered bucklers and spears.
A dark figure loomed up before Kyle, thankfully only a dark brother, yet the muscular creature wielded a heavy cutlass, with vicious teeth set along the lower portion of the blade. Its heavily jawed face was set in a snarl, while a bestial growl escaped its sharp toothed maw as the heavy blade descended.
Instinctively (later he assumed it had not been from any skill on his behalf), Kyle slid his hands apart on the haft of his axe, all the while raising it to meet the brutal chop. Dark metal met Dwarven steel in a shower of sparks and a steely clang. The pounding shock numbed his shoulders momentarily, but long hours working the forge paid off as he shoved back against the pressing Hrolth.
Taken off guard by the reversal, the Hrolth barely registered shock before Kyle's axe took it in the throat with a short thrust. The six inches of slender steel rising between the twin half moon blades tore through brown skin and then almost decapitated the creature as Kyle stepped aside and twisted the axe. Dark blood, flickering orange in the torch light, sprayed over Kyle as the dying creature toppled. Gargling sounds bubbled from its rent throat, as it had not had time to sound a cry of pain or surprise.
Another figure loomed at his side, dark and distorted from the wash of blood marring his face. He made to raise his weapon, vaguely recognizing the Haruken by its size and extra appendages. It did not strike at him, however, as it backed slowly from an axe wielding dwarf, swe
eping its slender staff and buckler in defense.
Without hesitation, Kyle swept his axe down fiercely. Whether the Haruken noticed his movement or heard his enraged cry, it turned slightly, buckler swinging around to catch any attack, but Kyle had not attacked to kill.
With a pain filled shriek, the Haruken almost tumbled as Kyle's axe sliced across the back of its knee. Tendons parted and metal nicked bone, sweeping the leg wide so that when the off balanced Haruken put any weight on the leg, there was no resistance. Howling in pain it dropped to one knee, though a frenzied sweep of an arm caught Kyle a glancing blow to the shoulder and the side of his head.
Blurred vision worsened momentarily as he had trouble recognizing the roof from the floor. He felt himself falling, and when his senses recovered moments later, he was lying on his side, arm holding his torso up as he shook his head. The dwarf who had been attacking the Haruken was just removing his axe from the creature's split skull, much the same as a wood cutter would his axe from a chopping block.
A cry over the din registered itself as Alric's voice, though his reeling senses could not pick the Dwarf out of the milling carnage. “Fall back! More come! Fall back!” How long the Dwarf's cries had lasted he could not guess, but it had to have only been a few long moments earlier that they had entered the chamber. When he finally comprehended the retreat, he took a few staggering steps towards one of the exits, only to have a rough hand grab him from behind and swing him about. He was propelled towards another exit, seeing other small forms slipping into it and realizing it must have been one of the Dwarves guiding him.
“Keep going. They will follow!” It was Alric's voice at his shoulder and the rough hand released from his shirt. With the last remnants of fogginess receding, Kyle noticed the Dwarf had lost his hammer and had replaced it with a broad bladed knife, but darkness quickly overtook them and he almost stumbled. The hand returned to his shirt and he prayed Alric did not guide him head first into a wall. Running feet echoed ahead while cries and shouts came from behind, fading fast. There came also another brief skirmish, lost after a moment, but Kyle remembered two Dwarves remained behind to hinder pursuit. That had been the plan, accepted and executed, but the thought of the two Dwarves laying their lives down for them to escape was both awe inspiring and heart wrenching.