The dwarves led the group down several flights of stone stairs that eventually opened onto one of the main streets. Black beard, as Logan thought of him, led them through the maze of streets towards the heart of the city.
As they walked, Logan was able to get a better look at the strange spheres of light. They reminded Logan of El’s magic light, except these didn’t float in the air. These were attached to iron poles that rose five or six feet up from the main road. As he moved closer, he realized that the strange spheres were actually made of glass and that the light seemed to be locked inside. He would have liked to pull one of the strange devices apart so he could study it more closely, but one of the crossbowmen nudged him forward. Sighing in frustration, he quickly caught up with the rest.
With no time to make a proper study of the things he passed Logan tried to absorb as much as he could. The buildings were made from stone blocks of varying sizes and shapes; only they were fit together so precisely that he had to strain to see the seams. From this initial inspection, Logan could see no trace of mortar having been used in the construction. He shook his head.
“That couldn’t be right, could it?” he wondered aloud.
Even the poorest of the structures exhibited a level of craftsmanship that Logan had previously not thought possible.
While the friends goggled and stared at their surroundings, their surroundings goggled and stared at them. The friends quickly caught the attention of the locals and a large crowd of spectators was soon gathering to watch the strangers. Word spread ahead of them, and the crowds seemed to get thicker and thicker. The two elves especially were cause for much speculation as they passed and Black beard eventually commanded the five dwarves in their procession to form a protective circle around them. From the comments his talisman translated, it was clear to Logan that Black beard was acting in their best interest and that many of the dwarves had not gotten over their animosity towards their ancient foes. Logan sighed. With creatures as long-lived as the elves and the dwarves, a thousand years was recent history. He was just glad that his friends didn’t have to hear what was being said.
As they reached the heart of the city located near the banks of the great lake, the crowd that had gathered was huge. They continued to press forward towards the visitors and black beard had to pull his battle-axe free from its harness in warning. Thankfully, the threat of the axe was enough to clear a path through the crowd and Logan and his friends passed safely.
They were taken through a large marble archway with heavy iron gates. The road before them changed from flat stone to intricately patterned cobbles that made Logan dizzy just looking at them. Two dwarves stood guard at the gate and closed it securely behind them. Logan released a small sigh of relief as they left the growing crowd behind.
Black beard turned and gestured for his men to stay behind as he continued on with the companions. Turning, he led them up the marble steps and into the main council chamber.
Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Council
The main council chamber was a large room that could have comfortably held a hundred or more people. Everything visible in the room was built from either stone or metal. The walls, ceiling and floor were made from enormous blocks of marble with cast iron holders mounted into the walls. Each of the holders held one of the strange light spheres, while above them a massive chandelier hung from the centre of the ceiling. It too was made from iron and was shaped into the form of a five-pointed star in a circle. At each point was a large diamond that refracted the light of the globe in the centre of the chandelier.
Directly before them stood a long table made from a polished stone that Logan couldn’t identify. Along the far side of the table sat nine very old looking dwarves. This must be the council, he thought. Both males and females sat at the table, though a male currently occupied the slightly raised central chair. Logan figured that this dwarf must be the current head of the council. Reinforcing this thought, black beard bowed toward the elders and, at a nod from the ancient dwarf in the centre, left the room.
The dwarf in the central chair rose slowly to his feet, Logan could hear the dwarf’s joints creaking as he moved. The old dwarf had almost no hair left on the top of his head, though his long grizzled beard trailed down to the ground. Whatever colour it had once been was impossible to tell; it had long since turned grey. The old dwarf’s face was wrinkled and covered with age spots, but the eyes held an alertness to them that warned Logan not to underestimate this individual.
The dwarf shuffled his way around the table towards them. He used a simple iron bar as a cane and allowed it to support much of his weight. All eyes in the room were on the ancient dwarf and no one dared to speak.
With the end of his long grey beard trailing on the ground, he eventually halted a short distance from them. He reached to the inside pocket of a worn leather vest and pulled out a battered wire frame with two pieces of glass attached. Logan looked on curiously as the dwarf placed this strange contraption on his bulbous nose and wrapped the end of the wire over his ears. Logan could see the distorted affect the strange pieces of glass caused as the dwarf lifted his head to study them for several moments.
“So, what brings you here?” asked the elder.
The dwarf’s voice had a crushed gravel quality to it, but the words were spoken in clear Low Tir’anish. Logan glanced at his friends.
“Well,” he replied. “That’s sort of a long story.”
The dwarf wrinkled his face as he squinted at him and gave a sour look.
“Well then, get on with it. I’m not getting any younger, boy!”
Logan was forced to smile at the old dwarf’s cantankerous manner. He immediately liked the old dwarf and found himself feeling quite at ease. Logan told the old dwarf of the raid that wiped out Solan Bay. He told him about the slaves that had been taken. About his decision to save them and of the assistance he had received along the way. When he finished his tale the dwarf was silent.
“I see,” he said finally.
The old dwarf spent a few more minutes studying Lan and El intently before producing a loud ‘ha-rumph’. He slowly removed the wire contraption from his face, tucked it back into the pocket of his vest and shuffled back to his chair. When he had finally re-seated himself he continued.
“The council will discuss this matter. You will be our guests here in Rae’Than’kael until we have determined what, if anything we are prepared to do with you,” said the dwarf in a tone that left no room for discussion.
Logan thought it sounded like a dismissal, but the ancient dwarf continued before any had a chance to move.
“You have the look of an elf I once had the misfortune of meeting in battle,” he said to Lan’thor. “His name was …” the old dwarf thought for a moment. “Lean’thor. Is he of relation to you?”
Lan tense but respectful answered.
“He is my father.”
The dwarf nodded more to himself than to Lan.
“A great warrior, your father, when you next see him let him know that Alec Stonecutter sends his regards,” he finished.
Lan, looking slightly bewildered, nodded his ascent and the elder shifted his attention to the group as a whole. His tone softened and took on an almost apologetic tone.
“Our people do not interact often with the outside world and old grudges die-hard. Due to this you may find they are not completely … hospitable … regarding elves. It might be in your best interest if you remain in the house we provide you.”
El stepped forward and bowed formally to the dwarven elders.
“Thank you for your concern,” she said. “We will be happy to abide by your suggestion.”
The old dwarf flashed a quick smile.
“Good,” he continued. “Food and drink will be provided for you. Is there anything else you require?”
Logan coughed softly drawing attention to himself.
“If it wouldn’t be too much to ask, I was hoping I could have access to a forge and tools. We have a dangerous
journey ahead and I would like to make sure we are prepared.”
All eyes had shifted to Logan and a slight frown crossed the face of the elder. The ancient dwarf seemed to be studying him, searching for something as he considered his request. Time seemed to stand still and Logan seriously feared that he had in some way offended the dwarves.
Eventually, the elder nodded to himself, it was as if Logan’s request had just confirmed something in the old dwarf’s mind.
“I’ll have someone show you to the forges after you get settled,” he answered.
A murmur rose up from the other dwarves at the table, but the elder ignored them as he leaned forward to study him more closely.
“I know that I for one will be quite interested to see what you create,” he added.
Logan shifted uncomfortably under the dwarf’s scrutiny for several more moments before the old dwarf finally sat back.
“Very interested indeed,” the elder said, more to himself than anyone in particular.
Nodding toward an attendant, a bell was rung and the friends were dismissed.
A red haired dwarf came in to collect them and the friends were taken from the council chamber and led through the courtyard to a separate gate guarded by two burly dwarves. The dwarf led them through the gate and into a much smaller courtyard. This courtyard was completely walled and held a small house at its centre.
“Feels like a prison,” Lan’thor grumbled.
“Oh I don’t know,” she replied. “I kind of like the idea of having some good stone walls between us and that mob we passed on the way in.”
Logan had to admit he agreed with the elfin maid. Hopefully, this arrangement would keep everyone safe and sound.
As they proceeded toward the house, the red haired dwarf leading them explained in choppy Tir’anish that visiting merchants, on the rare occasions that they were allowed into the city, used the house. It made sense to Logan; the yard was completely walled so any interactions between the dwarves and the outsiders could be closely regulated.
From everything he had ever heard dwarves were known for their surly, anti-social attitudes. They tried to have as little interaction with other races as possible and generally preferred to be left alone. Logan guessed that much like the elves from El and Lan’s village, the dwarves had a particular group that handled interactions with other races.
The stone walls that surrounded the cobbled courtyard were more than a foot thick and a good ten feet tall, the gate was a heavy, cast iron construction and as Logan watched, two burly dwarves took up position on either side of it. Both held massive double bearded axes and faced away from the house. Even so, Logan couldn’t be certain if they were stationed there to stop the townspeople from coming in or the companions from getting out.
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Home Sweet Home
The house itself was a simple two story affair, but compared to the long nights they’d spent sleeping in the open, the four friends thought it a palace. Like everything else in Rae’Than’kael, the stones of the house were fitted together perfectly. Logan was once again awed by the craftsmanship that went into something as simple as a wall. The main entrance of the house opened into a main sitting area with high vaulted ceilings and adorned with a variety of chairs and other such amenities. At the back of this room was a stairwell that led up to the second floor. It opened on a balcony that overlooked the main sitting room.
Their guide led them up this stair and pointed out the four doors that opened onto the balcony.
“A … chamber … for each …” he announced in broken Low Tir’anish.
Lan’thor nodded in response to the dwarf’s statement and turned to his friends.
“Well, you heard him, a chamber for each of us.”
The friends soon discovered that the four chambers were exactly the same. An iron framed bed occupied one wall while a small dresser and a polished metal mirror the opposite. A small window overlooked the court to the rear of the house, but did not reach high enough to allow a view over the surrounding wall. They quickly divided up the rooms and stowed their gear, while their dwarven guide waited for them on the balcony.
Returning first, Logan took the opportunity to learn more about the house.
“The house seems larger than I would think your people would need. Is there a reason for that?”
“Because … ceilings … so high?” the dwarf inquired, pointing upwards.
Logan nodded and the dwarf continued.
“House … designed for visitors to … city … Want … guests … to be comfortable … built … larger scale. Dwarven … home … things are … lower.”
The dwarf suddenly repressed a giggle as Logan’s companions returned. Logan nearly laughed himself as he saw what caught the other’s eye. The house may have been made huge by dwarven standards, but it had been designed to human proportions. So, while Raeth had no difficulty and El found things moderately spacious, poor Lan still had to duck as he passed through doorways.
When they had reunited in the hall, the guide led them back down the stairs and through a doorway leading to the back of the house. He showed the friends where the kitchen and eating area was and introduced them to an old dwarven woman with greying hair. From the red-haired dwarf’s explanation, Logan took this woman to be their cook. She regarded them intently and humphed loudly when she was finished. Logan smiled to himself; this was going to be a treat.
To the delight of the women, the next chamber they were led to held an indoor bath. To their complete amazement it had hot and cold running water, which filled a large stone tub that could easily hold six people. Again, Logan was fascinated by the concept and found himself leaning in close to the fixtures trying to figure out how the contraption worked.
While he studied the faucets, the girls announced that they were both in desperate need of a bath and turning up their noses pointed out that the boys did too. Lan’thor was quick to point out that the bath was quite large and suggested that they all share the bath. Even as distracted as he was, Logan heard his friends comment and blushed crimson at the suggestion. For their part, the girls just laughed and pushed the boys out of the room.
“Nice try boys,” Raeth giggled. “You can have your turn later.”
Logan shook his head at Lan. It was strange to hear Raeth giggle. Lan’thor returned his look, shrugged his shoulders and wandered back towards his room.
Logan smiled to himself as he watched his friend’s parting back. Lan and Raeth were getting quite close. He wondered what Lean’thor would think when Lan brought an assassin home to meet him. Logan laughed out loud as he went to his room.
El found that the large tub had a lever that blocked the hole in the bottom. She realized this would stop the water draining away. She had to admit that these dwarves were very resourceful. Pulling the lever to close the hole, she turned the hot water on. She smiled to herself as she watched the water splashing into the tub. She was really looking forward to this.
A quick glance over her shoulder showed her that Raeth seemed to be as fascinated as she was by the running water. Placing her hand under the falling stream, she pulled it back with a small gasp. It was hotter than she had expected. She adjusted the levers to allow more cold water through then stood and turned to Raeth.
“I am so looking forward to this,” El commented.
She returned her attention to the bath and found a scented bar she assumed was soap and set it near the tub, she then dug out towels from a nearby closet.
“Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve had a proper bath?” she asked her companion.
Sliding her breeches off, she tossed them in the corner.
“I guess we’ll have to wash those later.”
It was at about this point that El realized that Raeth was not answering her. She looked over at the woman who stood by the door, still wrapped in her ever-present black cloak.
“Are you okay Raeth?” she asked.
Raeth smiled weakly and nodded. El smiled
back then turned back to the tub.
“Well, c’mon then.”
El gingerly stepped into the now full tub. A sigh of contentment escaped from her lips as she let herself sink slowly into the water. Reaching over, she turned off the taps, then settled back and closed her eyes as she enjoyed the warm water.
A slight prickle of magic caused her to start. She looked quickly toward Raeth. The woman was still standing beside the door, but now her eyes were closed. El watched as she took in a deep breath, held it for a moment, and then slowly let it out. The feeling of magic left with the expelled breath and El looked away before Raeth opened her eyes.
Raeth began to undress and El studied her out of the corner of her eye. What had caused the flare of magic? Raeth finished undressing and stepped toward the bath. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Raeth was simply a relatively attractive human woman with short, dark hair, average height and a figure that was a little too full by elfin standards. As Raeth slipped into the tub, El shook her head.
Enough worrying, she thought. Just enjoy the bath.
Chapter Forty: Time To Regroup And Relax
While Lan’thor and the girls settled in, Logan once again enquired about the opportunity to gain the use of a forge. The dwarven guide assured him that he would see to it.
It was several minutes later that a knock at his open chamber door drew Logan’s attention to a dwarf with just the beginnings of a beard on his face. The dwarf spoke in very poor halting Low Tir’anish.
“Take … you … forge.”
Logan smiled and nodded to the young dwarf and followed him from the chamber, pausing briefly to let Lan know he was leaving. The dwarf led him out through the house gates. Logan noticed that the mob from earlier had dispersed. He followed the young dwarf down a wide stone road that led them out of the town proper and towards the stone walls of the surrounding cavern. The road itself was completely straight and flat, despite the numerous stones that had gone into its construction. There seemed to be no variation in height amongst the stones, no deviation to the roads approach to the stone wall. Logan couldn’t help but marvel at the architectural knowledge that had gone into its design, though the fact that the road led into a wall of rock was beginning to confuse him.
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