Deepforge

by R. J. Washburn

  “Left?”

  “Yea, I have to be honest with you, Grognor. I don’t know what’s going on anymore. There’s something terribly wrong about all of this.”

  “That doesn’t help.”

  “I know. We just have to keep fighting. None of this sounds like what we expected, a battle between two factions. There’s something else going on.”

  As soon as they entered the hospital, nurses came to Teelena’s aide. They took total control, and began treating her immediately. Deccon looked around at the full-to-capacity hospital and really began doubting everything he thought he knew. Grognor could see it in his human expressions.

  “Welcome aboard.”

  Deccon looked at him with confusion. “I’m sorry?”

  “How does it feel to not be in control, to not know things anyone else knows, and to be making it all up as you go?” Grognor asked, sarcastically.

  “Not good, old friend. Not good at all.”

  Grognor nodded, understanding. “Like I said, welcome aboard.”

  More warriors showed up until the Botana villagers trickled in, all twenty of them. Kristov Botana, a human, sought out Deccon and Grognor. He found them talking in the hospital emergency room.

  “Deccon, and your Majesty.” Kristov bowed with respect. “We are here at your request. When we departed, we heard the sounds of battle behind us.”

  “Thank you, Botana. Go ahead and fall in with the camp. We’ll be heading back in the morning,” Grognor said.

  “Sire, that was the last of them. We engaged the chromatics just a few miles west of there,” Deccon said.

  “Ok, well, we need to get going. I have to give everyone a chance to rest, we’ll depart before sunrise. I know you probably want to get back, but I would feel better if you stayed with us for the time being,” Grognor nearly pleaded with the dragon.

  “Of course. One dragon, more or less, won’t make a difference over there, but could help you all a great deal.”

  “That bad?”

  “Sire, they’ve come close to breaching the Great Door many times. The forgers and metalsmiths have fortified it, and are confident.”

  “How many are there?”

  “Roughly seven thousand, and several dozen chromatics of every type. They’re determined to get into the citadel.”

  “Damn. I wish we could get back faster…wait…I may have an idea.” Grognor walked out of the hospital and quickly found Bruno. “Bruno, you said there was a mountain path, do you think you could lead us through it?”

  “Sure, but, it’s not a trip for the wounded or infirm. It certainly requires stamina. Also, we won’t be able to take the war machines through it.”

  “How much time would we save by taking that route?”

  “Four or five days, probably. Maybe less.”

  “That’s good enough. You’re now our trail leader.”

  “Got it. We’ll be ready.”

  “Good. Get some rest. We leave at first light, before dawn.”

  “Yes, Sire.”

  Deccon and Grognor walked back to the hospital as the suns set and the troops prepared. Songs of victory were sung, and the anthem was repeated many times. Kathryn and Taylen came to the hospital along with Bōddy and Brendon. They all sat in the waiting room. Bruno walked in to check on the wounded, saw the people waiting, and joined them as well.

  “So, Earth, huh? Where is this world, I mean…you’ll have to point it out in the night sky later on,” Grognor insisted of Bōddy, referring to the earlier conversation.

  “Even with the most powerful telescopes,” Bōddy started, “it would be just a tiny flicker of light. I have a vague idea of where it is, but am not certain. A lot of time as passed. I would expect your astronomer could figure it out. It’s six billion light-years away.”

  “Light-years?” Brendon said, not recognizing the term.

  “I lived there once,” Deccon said.

  “On Earth? Really?” Bōddy was shocked. It was the first time he had heard of this.

  “Yea, it was a very long time ago, before the humanoid races evolved. There were large creatures of both animal and high intelligence. I had an entire sub-continent to myself. Wow, I hadn’t thought of that in a long time…”

  “We sure have heard that name a lot lately, Earth,” Kathryn said.

  “Yea,” started Deccon, “I left after a catastrophic war between the dragons took place. I sure hope it doesn’t get like that here… anyway…it was the war when the chromatics and the metallics split factions…split families, really. The whole thing finally came to a climax at my home. Some of my…siblings…trapped me and my closest cohorts at my home, and the others attacked. The fire and destruction went all the way to the mantle, becoming volcanic in nature. The war ultimately caused a mass extinction. I guess, really, the humanoids wouldn’t have come millions of years later if it hadn’t have been for that war. There was even a collision of an asteroid caused by one faction or another…kind of like what happened on Armadia. Strange how things work out.”

  “Deccon trapped. That’s hard to imagine,” Taylen said.

  “Oh, it’s true. Many millions of years later, humanity even named that area after me, without even knowing it.” Deccon looked over at Bruno. “I had a friend there; you’ve always kind of reminded me of him.”

  Bruno looked Deccon deep into his eyes, thoughtful, then nodded. “I am him, Deccon…old friend. I am him. I wasn’t supposed to tell you but, I really don’t think it matters now. It’s me, Michael.”

  Deccon got a look of shock on his face and stood up. He moved to Bruno, looked deep into his eyes, and grabbed his shoulders. “That’s impossible; you’re a Stone Child… how?”

  “Deccon, do you remember how I looked back then, and how you’ve seen me for…your entire life here on this world?”

  “Of course, Bruno, but…I don’t understand?”

  “The pointed star is always in the east,” Bruno said.

  Deccon recognized the phrase, a phrase from another time, long ago. “Impossible! Michael? Is it really you?”

  Bruno nodded and grabbed Deccon’s arms. “Yes, old friend, it’s me. I was sent here a very long time ago, for many reasons, some I don’t understand. This time, right now… I was never told about, never briefed on. I’m running blind. Something’s not right, and the gods can’t help us.”

  “Can you still, I mean…can you transform?” Deccon hoped.

  “Yes, I’m unchanged.”

  “What about your people? Do they know what you are?”

  “Yes, they’ve known for a millennia. I couldn’t keep it from them, especially after what happened with the Nords. They saw me react and transform, so I had to tell them the truth.”

  “Then, now we have hope. There may be a chance after all.” Deccon smiled.

  “Excuse me, but, what the hell are you two talking about?” Grognor asked.

  “Sire, I’m… not exactly what I seem. I’m immortal, and can shift into any shape,” Bruno said.

  “So, like the dragons?” Bōddy asked, feeling a bit left out of the conversation.

  Deccon chuckled, as did Bruno. Nobody else had any idea of what was going on.

  “Show them, old friend,” Deccon insisted.

  “Are you sure?” Bruno seemed hesitant.

  “Bruno, my old friend… Michael Angelico…the First One. We’re all running blind. It’s time to pull out all the stops. Just show the Emperor and everyone else who you are, who you really are.”

  Bruno nodded and stepped back. In a moment, he transformed into a gargoyle.

  “What the hell?” Grognor unlatched his axe.

  “By the gods!” Kathryn screamed.

  “What the hell are you?” Taylen held the Queen.

  Bruno fell back into his Stone Child shape. “It’s a long story but, the short version is, I’m immortal. I can never be harmed and will never, ever die. I can become any shape, in every way. I was supposed to remain incognito. But, something’s changed. I wasn
’t even supposed to be active in this valley for another twelve thousand years, or so I was told. This is all new. It’s the main reason I hesitated helping. It’s too early for me to be here. I just hope we haven’t jeopardized the future.”

  Bōddy chuckled. “An immortal. A real immortal, huh? Not just an unlimited life span like us?”

  “Yes, that’s right,” Bruno confirmed.

  “Bruno, the future can take care of itself. We can’t be worried about what’s to come,” Grognor said. “We have to live for now.”

  Bruno nodded, knowing it was true. “You’re right, Sire. Of course you are. I stand ready to help however you need.”

  “We just may have a chance, now,” Deccon said.

  At that point, a doctor approached the group. “Emperor, she’s going to be fine. We have most of her wounds bound, and her burns were only superficial.”

  “Thank you, Doctor. Will she be ready to move out in the morning?”

  “Well, actually, it would be best if she stayed a few days, for observation.”

  “Unacceptable. Make her ready for travel by dawn.”

  The doctor reluctantly agreed.

  “I’m going to be with my wife. Everyone, we have a long week ahead of us. Get some rest,” Grognor ordered. “Bruno…thank you for revealing yourself to us. You can bet your talents will be needed. We’ll talk more.”

  Bruno nodded and exited with the rest of them as Grognor went into Teelena’s room. She lay with her eyes closed, and the nurses wrapping an arm in bandage.

  Grognor went to her side and took her hand.

  She opened her eyes and smiled when she saw him. “Husband.”

  “Wife. How are you, Teelena?”

  “Oh, I’m fine. They make too much of a fuss. I see you’ve got bandages too?”

  “Yea, just flesh wounds.” He smiled.

  “How many did we lose?”

  Grongor cast his gaze down. “Too many. Over four hundred. We would have all been killed if the Stone Children hadn’t come to our rescue.”

  “Stone Children? Ok, I guess I don’t know them, but, what are the creatures attacking us?”

  “They’re just humans in some kind of advanced armor. We’ve been calling them Drakmids, from an ancient halfling myth. We still don’t know why they’re attacking us. The wisest of us, the dragons, elves, and the Stone Children can’t give us any words of advice. All their assumptions appear to be incomplete or totally wrong, especially now with the news you brought about Bahamlo leaving.”

  “When we got attacked by them and the chromatics, it was bad enough. But when Bahamlo left like that, everyone freaked out.”

  “There is some good news, though. You haven’t met them yet, but these Stone Children are impressive warriors. They’re joining us, and we’ll also be joined by the Nords. But, the Stone Children’s leader Bruno is something very special. If we have any chance, it’ll be because of him.”

  “We’ve already met the Nords, my love. They had engaged the… Drakmids when we arrived at Deepforge. They fight very much like us.”

  “Then, we will be victorious, my darling.”

  “Yes, my Emperor. We had better, because I’m counting on you being there for a very long time. Our child will need his father.”

  Grognor chuckled at this statement, and then caught his wife’s gaze. It hit him all at once. “Our…child?”

  “I just found out. You’re going to be a father!” She smiled and punched him in the nose.

  The entire hospital heard the victory cry coming from Grognor.

  Chapter 12

  The red sun had already breached the horizon, bathing the landscape in a deep red color as the army stood assembled on the plains. Grognor rode his heavy warhorse up front, with his wife by his side. The army watched his every move.

  “So, here we are. A combined army ready to take on the worst foe we’ve ever faced. So fierce, in fact, that they have succeeded in uniting the Deepforge Empire. So be it. The world has changed. Let’s not ever take this day lightly. Today we begin an expedition to meet our enemies, who have already laid siege to the Deepforge citadel. Together we will defeat them, and stand strong for all time!”

  This time they cheered, ready to move forward and secure their world.

  Grognor continued, “So that you are not alarmed the first time you see this, you will be shown now. We have help from the Stone Children, as you already know. What you don’t know is that their leader is a unique individual. Show them, Bruno.”

  Bruno nodded and assumed his gargoyle shape. Expressions of surprise and uncertainty were voiced.

  “Now, become something else, something we’ve never seen,” Grognor ordered.

  Bruno thought a moment, then concentrated. His size increased exponentially, and he became a horrible, sinister looking creature. He let go a mild roar that was enough to make even the dwarves’ horses to begin to spook. He stood nearly one hundred feet tall, had massive tentacles, and a non-humanoid look, an abomination. He looked like some sort of cross between a giant squid, or an octopus with some sort of sea humanoid. He was terrible, beyond the very definition of ugly. He was beyond gigantic, and was very scary looking, to say the least.

  One of the warriors panicked and shot his musket. The bullet flew through the air and bounced off the creature’s skin, harmlessly falling to the ground.

  Grognor struggled to control his horse as he spoke, “He can become any creature, and cannot be harmed. With him and our diverse assembly of warriors, we will teach the interlopers who owns this land!” He nodded to Bruno.

  Bruno fell back into his Stone Child shape, to the amazement and relief of everyone. After a few moments of recovery, the crowd cheered again, confident.

  “The plan has changed,” Grognor said. “We will now be taking the mountain path, saving us several days. Bruno will be taking the trail lead. He has informed us that this is not an easy trek, so everyone be ready. Follow along in your divisions. The heavy artillery, the war machines and such, will take the valley road with an escort of elves and some of the Stone Children. They’ll be a bit late, but there’s no other choice. Deccon will be going with the war machine detachment. Let’s ride!” He turned and nodded to Bruno.

  Bruno nodded back and motioned to the Stone Children, and they walked out with mounted army behind. The war machine detachment moved out with the elves and an escort of Stone Children. The yellow sun peaked out over the horizon, flooding the land with light, signaling the beginning of the day and the expedition.

  The first few days of the journey were uneventful. They travelled along an unseen trail that Bruno insisted was there, until they were finally in the deep woods. The forest was so thick; the horses struggled to maneuver around the trees. Bruno and the Stone Children seemed to move through them with a supernatural ease. The third night they camped they couldn’t see the stars because of the thick canopy.

  “This is amazing. I never knew it was like this,” Grognor said.

  “No kidding. This is pristine,” Teelena said as she gazed at the dark forest.

  “Not exactly,” Bruno said, pointing.

  The trail left by the army was very obvious.

  “If anyone wanted to track us, they wouldn’t have a rough time of it,” Brendon said.

  “This is the last of the foothills. Tomorrow things will begin to get a bit rougher,” Bruno said as he headed toward his camp.

  Late that night, Grognor was awakened by Eugene.

  “What is it that couldn’t wait until morning?” Grognor asked, a bit annoyed.

  “Sire, I was out doing some late night hunting.” He produced an arrow with a night dove skewered on it.

  “Thanks, but…I’m not hungry…” Grognor said, even more annoyed.

  “No, look at its leg,” Eugene pointed out.

  Grognor looked at the night dove, and realized it wasn’t organic. Hidden in a compartment in the mechanical bird’s leg was a mini-scroll tube. Grognor took and opened it.

  “
I didn’t look at it. I recognized what it was and thought I should bring it directly to you,” Eugene said.

  Grognor pulled out the scroll. “I haven’t seen a mechanical bird in a long time. I guess we’ll see this sort of thing more and more these days with the communications down. I still don’t understand why you thought it was unusual.”

  “Look at its wings, Sire. This is a stealth model. Very rare, meant only for Kings and Queens to share sensitive information back and forth before the days of electricity and high powered HF radio, back before the Deepforge Empire came to power.”

  “Well, rare but not non-existent. So, maybe whoever owns this was descended from one of the ancient Kingdoms or something, and he inherited it or bought it on the social market. Actually, it’s a pretty good idea using these.”

  “Maybe. If I over reacted, I will apologize.”

  Grognor read the message.

  Daemon,

  The change of plans has gotten me a bit at a loss as to what to do next. If we are to be successful, we need to make sure this army doesn’t make it to Deepforge. I would once again ask our leader if She would consider the assassination idea? Without Grognor in command, this army will surely falter. We’re heading into the deep northern mountains, with Bruno in the lead. He is exactly as She said he was, as you saw. Just make sure Deccon doesn’t suspect anything. The only thing I can think of is a massive dragon attack where we are. The Stone Children, and especially their exceptional leader, are wildcards, so I’m not sure this will work. Either way, I trust you with the message. Please make sure She gets it.

  In Her name,

  Brendon

  Grognor gasped in horror as he read the note. It was like he had been shot in the heart. “Brendon?” Grognor reacted, waking up Teelena. “I can’t believe it. That no-good, lying deceiver! That son of a whore!”

  She came outside to see what was happening. “Is everything alright?”

  “I saw him launch the bird, and felt something was wrong,” Eugene started, “I watched until it was out of Brendon’s sight, and then shot it down.”