by R W Foster
“It will never work, young man,” the dwarf said. “This is door is made from white oak and is bound by bands of iron. Only way you could get through that door is either fire, which I would advise against, unless you want to kill me, or a stout axe. Nothing else will work.”
“Are the hinges to that door where you can get to them?” I asked.
“Yes, but I have tried to pry the pin out with my fingers, but all I got were scars for my troubles. Who sent you?”
The abrupt change in subject was a little jarring, but I rolled with it.
“No one sent me. I escaped from a cell one level up. It was the only cell I saw up there.”
“That cell is used for important captives. Who are you?”
“My name is Carter Blake, sir. What is your name?”
“Carter Blake, huh? Now we know why you were isolated; for this very reason, so you could not free anyone if you escaped.”
“It didn’t work.”
“No, I didn’t think it would. My name is Durrgedenn Silverhame of Clan Silverhame.”
I poked a sword through the window of the door hilt first. I felt it being taken with eagerness.
“Well, Master Silverhame. Will this spare your fingers and allow you to pull the hinge pins?”
The oak door started to fall towards me. I caught the heavy thing and shoved it at the nearby wall. A disheveled, brown haired and blue-eyed man stood in the now open doorway. He was not nude as were the other prisoners, but dressed as I was: a pair of boots and leather trousers. Also, like me, he had a wide, yet shallow cut across his middle. His was scabbed over, though. He was about breastbone high to me and was twice as wide with the burliness of a smith. He gave us all a huge smile.
“Thank you, friends. I am glad to be out of that hole.”
“You’re welcome. Would you happen to know the way out of here?”
“I should. This is Silverholme, my ancestral home. That bastard Belial and his demon army captured it last year.”
My eyebrows rose at that. I remembered playing that campaign with my friends around the table. Only thing was, in the game of BattleHammer, the clanhold had been taken over by goblins & orcs. Why didn’t I recognize the place then, you ask? Let me remind you: BattleHammer is a tabletop game. This means players just had access to the floor plans and locations of traps. As far as I knew, there were no three dimensional versions of Silverholme back home.
“Lead on, then Lord Silverhame. We shall follow your lead.”
5
After a few hours of creeping through the fortress, we found ourselves at the entrance to a secret pathway. According to Lord Silverhame, it was a secret way out he discovered as a child and used to escape when his studies became too tedious. When he said that, I was again reminded of my favorite character, Zeddicus Zorrandor. He used to do the same thing when he was small in the world of the Sword of Truth.
About fifty yards from the hidden door was the beginning of a forest. The others hurried into the tree line, but I paused to take a deep, cleansing breath of the fresh, cool air.
“Why have we stopped, Carter?” Weijia asked.
“I’m just enjoying the fresh air, Miss Fujii.”
“I believe it would be more enjoyable among the trees with less risk of being recaptured.”
I chuckled and moved forward into the trees. After we were about half a kilometer in, I called for a brief halt. Almost everyone sat where they stood, exhausted. I eased Weijia to the ground and waved everyone’s attention to me. When they were all looking at me, I began to speak.
“Okay everyone, we have some decisions to make. First, though, does anyone know how to make snares, or bows, or other weapons?”
Three men raised their hands.
“Okay, which do you know how to do?”
An older looking, gray haired man spoke up first. “I know how to make snares, Master Blake,” he said in a quavery voice.
“Excellent. What about you other men?”
“I was a bowyer,” said a balding man.
“I am a fletcher by trade,” said the last man.
“Excellent,” I said again. “Are you able to do anything without proper tools and supplies?”
The older man spoke once more. “I don’t know about these two youngsters, but all I need is found right here in this forest.”
“We’ll do our best, Master Blake,” the other two said.
“Good. Take however many of your fellows as you need and get started. I will be talking with Lord Silverhame if you wish to speak with me. We have until sunup to get finished.”
“Excuse me, Master Blake,” a young red haired elf said.
“Yes?”
“I am skilled in leafweave.”
“What is that?”
“Leafweave is the making of clothes from woven leaves.”
I flushed with embarrassment for forgetting that everyone else was nude.
“Right. Take anyone that wishes to learn and teach them how to- leafweave was it?”
“Yes, Master Blake.”
“That, then.”
The men nodded, gathered up their fellow freed prisoners, talk with them and headed out to gather what they needed to accomplish their tasks.
“You have a talent for leadership, Master Blake,” Lord Silverhame said.
“Had you met me a few weeks ago, you wouldn’t have thought so,” I said. “You would have been disgusted with me.”
He tilted his head to the right, causing his brown hair to fall to the side. “What do you mean?”
“It’s a long story. Tell me, Lord Silverhame, how far is your current clanhold?”
“If we continue to travel the way we did today, and don’t get recaptured, the day after tomorrow we should meet the outer scouts. Then, the day after that, we will arrive.”
I thought for several minutes. “Tomorrow, we should be clothed and better fed. I think we’ll be able to travel faster. Not much faster, but faster than today.”
“You may be right. Why do you want to get to my clanhold?”
“I hope to outfit myself for my journey.”
“You aim to rescue Lady Orwen of Dragon’s Land?”
“You know she was captured? How?”
“It was something Belial was fond of bragging about. He would taunt me as I was being tortured by saying the leader of Dragon’s Land was a few floors above me, and her army wouldn’t be able to stop him from crushing my clan.”
“Why would—,” I started, “No. What—” I stopped, too flummoxed to articulate my questions.
“Long ago, my clan formed an alliance with the Orwens,” he said, coming to my rescue.
“How long ago, and what kind of alliance?”
“It was a mutual defense alliance and it was made in the time of King Kandel Orwen. It was my clan which built Victory Keep.”
‘Wow. I didn’t expect that one.’
“That long ago. Say, would you happen to know the name of the Walker of Worlds from that time?”
“We do, but what do you mean, from that time? Is there another, now?”
I nodded. “Me.”
I still was no closer to knowing what that was than before I started my journey, but I could admit to others I was this legendary Walker of Worlds.
6
That evening, I went over to where Weijia sat watching the movements of everyone around her. I squatted down and lifted her foot, intending to see what herbs I’d need to gather to help it heal faster. Thanks to Keeper Dearbhaile, I had such knowledge. However, I saw that I didn’t have to worry about tending Weijia’s injury.
“Miss Fujii,” I said without rancor, “How long has your foot been healed thanks to your regenerative abilities?”
“Since about fifteen seconds after you freed me from the wall,” she said in a low voice.
“Why did you allow me to think you were still hurt?”
Weijia winced, and then looked down at her folded hands. “Because I liked having your arm around me,” she said. She glanced up at me
like she expected me to yell or maybe strike her. I gave her a long look, then smiled and shook my head.
“That is a first for me,” I admitted. “I’ve never had a woman say anything like that so plain before.”
“That is strange. I would have guessed you have heard it many times.”
“No.”
“I am available to be with you.”
I had no idea how to respond to that so I stayed quiet as I sat beside her. I watched the sun set and the stars begin to come out. Once twilight was upon us, Lord Silverhame strode over.
“Master Blake. I think it would be a good idea to set a watch until we reach Glitterhaven.”
“I agree, Lord Silverhame. I have one request before we begin that task.”
‘Damn. I’m sitting down and I’m almost as tall as he is.’
“What would that be, Master Blake?”
“Stop calling me ‘Master Blake,’ please. I prefer being called Carter.”
“Thank you for the honor, Mas—, I mean Carter. Would you be willing to address me as Durrgedenn?”
“Aye,” I said, unaware I mimicked Keeper Dearbhaile right down to the brogue. “I’d be happy tae.”
About thirty of the others were occupied with making bows, arrows, or clothing, so Durrgedenn and I were left with twenty of us to choose for setting guard duty. I suggested he and I split the night between us so we could make rounds and check on the others on watch with us. He agreed and we chose the remaining eighteen to stand four hour watches through the night. He and I would only get about six hours between us to sleep. ‘Oh well. We can catch up on sleep at Glitterhaven.’
Durrgedenn insisted I take the first watch so I would be the most alert the next day. I agreed, not really understanding at that point why everyone appointed me as the leader. After we got everyone in place, and explained things to them, Durrgedenn went to sleep. Every fifteen minutes, or so, I circled the camp talking with those on guard. The full moon made my travels a lot easier. The first guard shift passed without incident, as did the start of the second. I awoke Durrgedenn and went over to where I had chosen to sit earlier. I found Weijia sitting up and wearing a leafweave dress.
“What are you doing up?” I asked, yawning.
“I was waiting for you,” she said.
“Why?”
“I wanted to share your warmth.”
“But it isn’t cold,” I said.
She just looked at me. I grew uncomfortable with her steady gaze, shrugged and stretched out. I folded my hands behind my head and she lay down beside me, resting her head on my chest. Her warmth was nice. After a few seconds of listening to the half-dragon’s breathing, I closed my eyes and went to sleep, my last thoughts of Keeper Dearbhaile.
Chapter 10
1
We arrived in Glitterhaven two days later. The dwarves of Clan Silverhame were ecstatic at the return of their clan lord. They launched into song to welcome him home. I’ll do my best to write what they sung, but please remember it is dwarven, which I don’t know.
Ye ol’ we ay oh! Ye ol’ we ay oh!
Fa ba ray! Jheruim braugnag ge!
Ye ol’ we ay oh! Fa ba ray! Jheruim braugnag ge!
Ye oh we ay oh! Ahn ba ray! Ye oh we ay oh!
Th’ou wai ol’! Th’ou wai ol’!
Jehruim brauna way!
This was a small part of the song which must have lasted about an hour. I later learned it was a song of celebration and recounted all of Clan Silverhame’s victories over the racial enemies of the dwarves. After the song, which Durrgedenn joined in, his voice rolling nice and rich throughout, we were taken to the Clan Lord’s home where we were bathed and dressed. Afterwards, we were taken to the Clanhold’s feast hall where I was introduced to the dwarf concept of hospitality.
First came the feast. Durrgedenn sat at the head of the table, I at his right and Weijia next to me. Platter after platter of dwarven delicacies and traditional foods were put before all fifty of us who escaped Belial’s clutches. Thoeqqua, a type of herd animal with shaggy fur and long horns was the primary meat at Durrgedenn’s table. It had an earthy, woody flavor. Fish, deer, rabbits, squirrels and various game birds were served also. My favorite food was bread made from a type of worm which ate a fungus growing in the mines. The bread tasted identical to carrot cake. After my first bite, all my sleepiness, minor aches and pains were swept away, leaving me refreshed and reenergized. I gobbled down the whole piece and felt ready to go back and rescue Lady Orwen by myself. I started to eat another piece when Durrgedenn stopped me.
“That is enough leddis, Carter. Too much will make you sick.”
“This is amazing!” I exclaimed. “What is it?”
“Leddis is bread we take on long journeys, deep into the mines, or when we toil long at the forge. It restores you like you had a full night’s sleep and also heals minor aches and pains.” The feast ended well into the night. Durrgedenn stood to speak. I scratched at the wound packed with the pink moss. “Friends!” He said in a loud voice. He indicated me, “Thanks to this man here, I and our brothers are returned to us; freed from the foul creature Belial. Long were we held by that fiend, kept from our loved ones and the comfort of the forge and mines! Thanks to Carter Blake, we are at last home!” The dwarves of Clan Silverhame gave a mighty cheer. “He did not only free dwarves!” He continued. “No! Carter Blake also rescued elves, humans, Snebbli, and a half-blood! Three cheers for Carter Blake!”
I scratched at my wound again as I picked up a full tankard of a deep brown liquid which fizzed like soda. I took a cautious sip and found the beverage had a faint peaty flavor with undertones of spinach. The taste awoke a tremendous thirst within me, so I drank it straight down. I finished swallowing, and a burn built in my esophagus. The sensation wasn’t unpleasant, but I noticed Durrgedenn had a double. I laughed out loud, not noticing everything had gone silent. He turned to me and multiplied again. The Durrgedenns approached and peered at me with their many pairs of eyes and said… something. I had no idea what because he ended up far away as darkness swept over me.
2
I opened my eyes with a groan. I blearily noticed I was in a room of some sort with books on a shelf, a desk near my feet and torches on the walls. I tried to sit up, but the room spun around me. Hands pushed me back down, and I went with happiness, closing my eyes as I did.
“Sit still, Carter,” Weijia said.
I glanced over at where I discerned her voice coming from. She sat on a wooden stool next to the bed where I was laying. She was clad in a silvery red dress which accentuated her curvaceous figure. An ancient dwarf man stood beside her. Long silver hair went down his back, an intricate braided silver beard almost dragged on the floor, and gold spectacles clung to a long, crooked nose. He wore deep purple robes, with his hands tucked into the opposite sleeves. Durrgedenn walked into the room while the wizened dwarf approached the side of the bed. He used his thumb and forefingers to pry my eyes all the way open and peered into each one. He nodded and released me.
“What happened?” I croaked.
The old dwarf chuckled. “Gretch.”
“Gretch? By all the hells, what is that?”
“Ale,” said Durrgedenn. “Powerful ale. I guess you’ve never had it before.”
“Gee,” I snarked with a groan. “What gave it away?”
Both dwarves cackled and left the room. Weijia moved from the stool and sat on the edge of the bed. She pulled off her boots and stretched out beside me.
“What are you doing, Weijia?” I asked.
“I’m getting ready to sleep next to you. I find it comforting.”
“Say, could I have some more leddis?” I asked with a yawn.
“The healer said more would be toxic to you on top of the Gretch,” she answered. “Carter, I want to—”
I don’t know what she was getting ready to say because I fell asleep.
3
I sat next to Durrgedenn the next day, eating the morning meal. I scratched at the m
oss underneath my Thoeqqua skin shirt. The shirt was pretty comfortable, like fine satin against my skin.
“Durrgedenn, how soon can we mount the expedition to rescue Lady Orwen?” I asked. “I don’t trust her to the tender mercies of Belial.”
“We will leave before nightfall tonight, Carter. I want to finish giving instructions to my people and outfitting those who wish to come with us.”
“Don’t you think it would be better for only a few of us to go?”
“A small strike team would be best for infiltrating the fortress, however, we are going to reclaim it, are we not?”
This gave me pause. I hadn’t given any thought to helping Durrgedenn to recapture his ancestral home. I folded my right arm on the table. My chin rested on my open hand as I thought.
‘We’re going to help him, right?’ I asked myself.
‘We don’t know how many demons are present,’ I answered.
‘That’s beside the point. He helped us escape, we should help him regain his home.’
‘True, but is it the right thing to do?’
‘What a stupid question! Of course!’
‘What about Lady Orwen? What about stopping this war?’
‘Shit. Good point. Let’s do it any way.’
‘Why?’
‘For the same reason we gave our wish to help the baby and surrendered our self to the half-demon so Dearbhaile could get her memory back: Because that’s how we roll.’
I looked at the Clan Lord, waiting for me to complete my thoughts. “As soon as you tell me we have an army ready to march, we will.”
My words took him by surprise. He sat up straighter. “An army? Do you think we’ll need one?” He asked worriedly.
“I’m not sure how many demons you spotted before you were placed in your cell, but I saw thousands in the stands of the coliseum. We will need an army.”
“We’ll raise the army, but getting one large enough will take a while.”
“Send word to all your allies. I’ll take a small strike force inside to rile them up and rescue Lady Orwen. When we leave, which I’m sure will be in a hurry, the army will begin its assault. Besides rescuing the Lady, I aim to kill Belial, which should make things easier.”