Broken Mage

by D. W.

  Thad woke with a start realizing that he wasn’t behind the protection of his magical walls. He was happy to see that Crusher still worked nearby. The rock bowl still sat in the makeshift forge and Crusher was still chiseling away at one of the stone blocks. Three blocks had already been pushed against the wall apparently ready with whatever Crusher had planned for them.

  Feeling much better Thad walked over and picked up one of the chunks of the white metal ore and sat back down next to the bag of gems. Before he could use the metal he had to push all the impurities out of the metal. It was always the hardest part of working with raw metal and with the strength of the white metal it was even more difficult.

  Once the metal was in pure form Thad pulled the largest two gems from the pack. The secret to making the walls was not only the enchantment but designating where the crystals would be located. If the wall went up leaving the crystals exposed then one lucky blow could bring down the whole wall. Placing the enchantment was much easier than Thad would have thought considering the amount of trouble the metal had given him so far.

  The way enchanting worked and the way his magicsmithing worked were completely separate. The enchantment directed the metal with magic encouraging it to spread itself within set parameters. The only thing that would stop the metal from expanding to the sizes indicated was if it met overwhelming resistance such as the tunnel walls. This ensured the walls were sealed tight and that it was nearly impossible to simply knock them down. Whenever he removed one of his magical walls there was usually a thin line in the rock wall nearly a foot deep.

  Thad had tried to reproduce the same effect with his magic alone but he had found it impossible. It wasn’t that it couldn’t be done, but that he couldn’t keep the exact measurements in his mind all at once. With an enchantment it was easy since it was all preplanned and charted out within the metal itself. When he tried to mold it the metal it resisted him every step of the way but it took well to the enchanting process, not as good as the ultra-light metal, but still much better than he expected.

  Though it didn’t seem like it was needed Thad still linked four plum size gems to the metal so that they wouldn’t have to worry about them running out of energy. Thad was only able to finish two of the magical walls before his energy was exhausted. Looking up from his own work Thad found Crusher using thick gloves to lift the rock bowl from the forge and pouring its contents into the molds arranged neatly on the ground.

  Once all the molds were filled Crusher took a seat next to Thad and pulled out two haunches of cooked meat and handed him one of them. While they ate Thad pointed at the molds and made a questioning gesture with his hand. Crusher gave him his natural broad smile then pointed at the stump where his foot used to be.

  Thad was amazed, if he had guessed right, Crusher was making him a new foot. He had tried making a metal foot but it was still and unyielding and hard to keep attached to his stump. He wasn’t sure how the dwarfs design would be different from his own but he found himself looking forward to finding out.

  After they finished their meal Crusher placed some more of the red rocks that he had used for fuel in the makeshift forge and headed back to where their small room was located. Thad guessed it was time to turn in but before he lay down for the night he wanted to get the two magical walls in place he had finished. He chose to put one over the tunnel he had taken when he had found the weird creatures and the other on the tunnel nearest to it.

  The next morning Thad woke from the gentle nudging of Crusher. Thad knew something was wrong the second his eyes focused as his companion already had his battle axe out and in hand. After his head cleared Thad could hear what had alerted Crusher to the possible danger. He could hear voices in the outside cavern though the language was foreign to him.

  Following his friends lead Thad pulled his new sword from its makeshift scabbard. The balance was good but it still felt odd in his hand. The blade was shorter, and thinner than was normal. He had meant to enchant the blade but it didn’t look like he had the time now.

  Crusher patted him on the shoulder and pointed at the wall and signaled for him to take it down. Thad was a bit hesitant to take down their only defense but placed his hand on the wall none the less praying that the dwarf knew what he was doing. As soon as the wall disappeared Crusher rushed out with Avalanche following quickly behind him. Thad wasn’t as eager as his two companions moving slowly and cautiously.

  Thad found the cavern filled with the same creatures he had seen the other day. More than twenty of the creatures had made the way into their cavern home. Crusher was making quick work of a large group of them while Avalanche attacked at any creature unfortunate enough to get within her range.

  Thad started pulling slugs from his pack and firing them off at any creatures far enough away from his companions that he didn’t have to worry about hitting the wrong target. He still didn’t have great accuracy only hitting one out of every four targets he aimed at. Soon he was down to his last pack and he had only taken out a few of the creatures and for each one he took down another quickly replaced it.

  Soon he was out of slugs and left only with the sword in his hand. Avalanche was doing well and looked in no danger as the creature’s weapons seemed completely ineffective against the animal’s stone skin. Crusher wasn’t fairing so well he didn’t appear to have any deep wounds but he was surrounded and Thad knew it would only be a matter of time before he fell due to sheer numbers.

  Thad rushed into the weakest area of the attackers, taking one from behind. His new sword while awkward in his hand was wickedly sharp and slid easily into the creature’s soft flesh. As soon as the sword slid free of its burden Thad did a half turn snapping his hips as the blade met with the neck of his next victim. As the body fell to the ground Thad pressed his attack until he broke through to where Crusher fought.

  Crusher gave a whoop when he saw Thad along with one of his grins. Soon the two were fighting back to back. It wasn’t perfect and sometimes they got in each other’s way but thanks to Thad’s magical shield neither of them was touched by their enemy’s weapons.

  When the last enemy fell Thad and Crusher slumped to the ground amidst the heap of dead bodies laughing. Thad wasn’t sure how many of the creatures were strewn around the cavern but from where he sat it looked like far more than he remembered fighting.

  After a quick breather Thad and Crusher began searching the bodies for anything of use. There were plenty of weapons and Thad chose a few well balanced daggers for his own, while Crusher inspected each one tossing them aside one by one. When they were finished they took them far enough out into the tunnels that the smell of their rotting corpses wouldn’t reach them.

  CHAPTER XI

  Thad worked hard and got the rest of the magical walls finished the day after the attack. Crusher continued on as if nothing had happened in fact he seemed to have a bit more bounce in his step since the grueling battle. In the stories dwarfs were always depicted as a little battle hungry and Thad was beginning to believe that was more fact that fiction.

  With the magical walls up they didn’t have to worry about anymore night time visits from their little friends though they could still hear them mulling around in the outside tunnels. It was weird, they would come close enough to the magical walls to be heard but they never tested them and as far as he knew they never even touched them.

  With the walls up and little to do until Crusher finished his new foot Thad spent his day watching Crusher work the forge. After the molds had set he had went straight into reheating the metal and making minor changes. Thad wasn’t sure what the dwarf was doing but listening to the rhythmic banging of his hammer was somewhat peaceful.

  Thad did notice one weird thing when Crusher removed his armor due to the heat the small forge was putting off. The dwarf had two large tattoos, one on his right arm the other in the middle of his shoulder blades. The tattoos were made in an elegant flowing design that looked as if it might be writing. He wasn’t sure what they meant but
even without using his magical sight he could tell they were more than just mundane markings.

  Four days after the attack Crusher finally finished his project. The object that Crusher placed in front of him was a large black boot. Thad pulled back the boots leather to see the series of shaped layers of metal within. He wasn’t sure how it worked but was more than eager to try it on.

  After turning off his magic aid Thad let the metal loosen and pulled it from the end of his stub. The smell that drifted up to his nose from his now exposed flesh nearly made him gag. In the time he had worn the metal cuff over his stump he hadn’t removed it once to wash the skin underneath and with all the sweating it had become more than rank.

  Thad washed the dirt and smell from his leg then began strapping on his new foot. The boot strapped to his leg tightly by a series of buckles. It didn’t take long to get everything situated and soon Thad was standing on his own without magical aid for the first time since he had escaped from his prison cell.

  Thad took a few practice steps and found that with the exception of the small discomfort where the buckles were pinching his skin it felt as if he was walking on his real foot again. Thad moved from a slow walk into a faster one until he was at a full sprint. He had gotten so used to the magical aid that it felt odd to once again have something solid underneath him. Looking down to see his two boots Thad let a large grin spread across his face.

  Thad wasn’t sure when Crusher had gotten his other boot from his pack but he was glad he had. He wasn’t even sure why he had held onto the boot other than it was one of the few pieces of clothing left to him. Each boot was unique and held a small gem as well as metal plate in the bottom of them. He had enchanted them shortly after the queen had given them to him back in the palace. He had thought about doing the same thing to his clothing but then he risked having them break every time he had them washed. Looking down at the rags he now wore he wished he had risked it with at least one pair at the very least.

  Crusher grabbed his bag then walked to one of the larger tunnel exists and tapped the metal then turned back toward Thad and signaled for him to follow. Thad was almost overcome they were finally moving on with their journey. Over the past few days he had worried that this was going to become his new home, now he had hope that at least some day in the future he would once again feel the sun on his face.

  Thad held up his hand asking Crusher to wait as he ran around the room gathering his effects. He took down all of the magical walls including all the ones he had recently made. He had made the mistake of leaving the ones in the other cavern in place in the off chance he might once again need its sanctuary. He didn’t plan to make the same mistake twice.

  With his belongings in hand Thad moved over to where Crusher waited patiently for him. Once he took the wall blocking the path down Crusher headed off with Thad right behind him. While they walked Thad asked Crusher where they were headed. Crusher tried to explain it with his hands but Thad only understood that wherever they were headed was a good distance away.

  The first few miles were easy enough but soon it was easy for him to tell how weak his right leg had gotten. The magic that had kept him up also kept his leg from having to do much work. It had worked well when he was using it but now he was starting to regret not working out his leg more while he had worn it.

  Crusher took pity on him and slowed down his pace as well as taking breaks to let him rest. Every time they stopped Thad would loosen the new boot and rub the area where it chafed and pinched. He knew that given time the area would toughen and callous but at the moment it was raw and sore. To help with the pain Crusher offered him a bright green salve to rub into it. Thad wasn’t sure where he had gotten the mixture and at the moment didn’t really care. It was cool and made his leg numb, slightly reducing his discomfort.

  They stopped earlier than Thad normally would have but with his right leg screaming he was more than glad for the early respite. He went to put up the walls but Crusher stooped him after he had gotten the one up behind them. Thad wasn’t sure why Crusher wanted to wait but he trusted his new friend.

  Crusher sat down his pack and unhitched his axe from its resting place on his back and headed off down the tunnel. Thad stood to follow him but he was quickly waved back with Crusher’s normal smile. Thad wasn’t sure what was going on but so far nothing the dwarf had done had brought him any trouble. The only one who seemed to get themselves in tight spots was Thad. Avalanche didn’t seem to be bothered by anything as she picked out a comfortable spot and laid down.

  Crusher returned after a short time dragging one of the subterranean lizards behind him. Thad wished he knew how the dwarf always was able to find a source of food. The only times Thad had had a guaranteed source of food was when he had been living in his large cavern and when he had traveled next to the river teaming with fish.

  As they sat Crusher pulled the nub of coal that was left and began drawing on the ground. Due to the dark color of the stone in the area even with his magical light it was hard for Thad to see what Crusher was drawing. After awhile it was clear it was a mountain range surrounding something but he couldn’t tell what. When he still didn’t get it Crusher drew a bunch of stick men and pointed at his chest then the crude drawing of the men.

  Thad made an illusion of a small underground village with lots of miniature Crushers running around. From his companions reaction he had gotten part of it right but not quite the whole picture. Thad wasn’t sure what he was missing but Crusher seemed happy that he had gotten the main points.

  It was frustrating trying to communicate with Crusher sometimes. It would have been different if the dwarf could at least speak Thad could try and learn the language. He had always enjoyed languages when he was in the Slave Academy but sadly the Dwarven language wasn’t one of them offered.

  After the meal Thad put up the other wall effectively sealing them in. Thad lay on his bedroll staring at the ceiling. All the questions he wished to ask Crusher, but was unable to, drifting through his mind. What were those creatures they had fought called? What was the secret behind his tattoos?

  Looking over at his companion Thad found him with his axe stretched across his legs as he rubbed a whet stone on its blade. Considering the near indestructible metal the blade of the axe was made of Thad didn’t think he was accomplishing much. From what he had seen of Crusher it was more of a habit than practical though in truth he knew too little about the weapon or the dwarf to know for sure.

  Over the next few days Crusher slowly increased his pace forcing Thad to push himself to keep up with the burly dwarf. His leg was starting to get used to the torture but he knew it was still a long way until he wouldn’t have to pop the blisters that were forming every day.

  During his time in the subterranean networks he had always had trouble telling if he was going toward the surface or down farther into the depths of the earth. That had not been the case in the past days. The ground below them had sloped upward and more than once Thad had been forced to climb up a steep ledge. Crusher had found his attempts to climb up one of the steeper slopes particular entertaining.

  They started to run into more of the weird creatures that they had faced back in the cavern. The first few times they had simply fought them quickly finishing off their prey but their numbers steadily began to increase to the point where stealth was a more suitable solution. Thad could tell that Crusher would prefer to rush into battle and had to fight against his natural instincts.

  The look on Crusher’s face began to get worried with the passing of each day. He began to take longer on deciding which tunnel to take and he would often check the walls thoroughly as if looking for something. When they settled down to rest for the night Crusher seemed more agitated than normal.

  Letting his curiosity get the better of him Thad moved over and took a seat next to Crusher at the fire. In his disturbed state he didn’t even take note of Thad’s presence. Thad sat awkwardly for a few moments trying to think of a way to broach the subject until h
e finally swallowed his nerves and tapped on the dwarf’s shoulder. Crusher didn’t respond, so Thad put more force using his whole hand instead of just a few fingers.

  When Crusher finally turned to look at him, Thad could easily tell that there was more going on than the increased presence of the creatures in the tunnels on his friends mind. Now that he had the dwarfs attention Thad was at a loss on how to ask the question without the use of words. Hoping Crusher would get the point Thad made a sad face then pointed at the dwarf’s head.

  Crusher ran his hand over his bald head his face contorted in concentration. After a few moments to gather his thoughts Crusher began trying to explain what had been on his mind. Crusher didn’t pause or give Thad a chance to get clarification on what he meant he just continued to rant using his hands. Thad was sure the dwarf was frustrated and even though Thad only caught the meaning of a few of the gestures it was helping Crusher get it off his mind.

  From what Thad did catch it seemed that the tunnels belonged to his village and the presence of the creatures didn’t bode well. He was torn between the decision to return home or to fight the beasts that now roamed the darkness taking what belonged to his people. The rest was lost to him in Crusher’s frantic waving.

  Thad wasn’t sure what to do, from what he understood they were close to Crusher’s home bringing Thad even closer to his goal of returning to his own home. On the other hand his friend wanted to chase the creatures from what he considered his peoples’ land. Thad would think the obvious choice would be to return to the dwarven village and gather more soldiers but it didn’t seem like Crusher wanted to wait.

  Thad knew that it would be near impossible to find the dwarven village on his own. Leaving his fate in the hands of whatever his friend decided. Thad knew that he could argue and try to persuade the dwarf toward what he wanted, but would that be right. What would he do in the same situation?