by Shawn Sodman
They head back down the corridor to the four way split. Once they reach the center they hear a loud screech down the opposite corridor. Kreeshaw says, “We might want to get out of here now.”
“I agree,” Kianna says, “Which way to we go?”
Kreeshaw looks at the map and points to the left and says, “That is the way out.”
Now they hear several screeches. “Let’s move quickly,” Kianna says.
“What is it?” Isen asks.
“I don't know,” Kreeshaw replies, “but I don't want to stay and find out.”
The group begins to run down the main street of Coldrock towards what they hope is the north exit. Behind them the screeching is getting louder as whatever is in pursuit is gaining on them.
Isen says, “Keep going I will cover the back.” With his flaming morning star out, he continues to look over his shoulder behind them. At the very edge of his light he can make out shadowy movement. The dark creature seems to be drifting across the ground. It also appears to be following them. “How much further until we are out of here?” he asks.
“The exit should be just ahead,” Kreeshaw says.
Isen looks again behind them and now can see four of these dark creatures following them. They are dark ethereal creatures and seem to glide above the ground. “Hurry, there are more of them! They look like living shadows.”
“I see the door,” Ya'leigh says, as she leads the way. Soon they can all see a large doorway before them. Fortunately for the group, just like the southern entrance through which they came, the northern entrance to Coldrock is also damaged and open.
“We are going to have to make our stand just on the other side!” Kianna yells. “Everyone be ready.”
“I'll be ready to use the gate stone,” Ambra says to Ya'leigh.
“Isen and I will try to hold them at the gate,” Garrin says.
Ya'leigh, Ambra and Kelik are the first through the exit. Ambra takes off the sandstone necklace and nervously holds it in her shaking hands.
“Look!” Kelik says as he points to the ground at the doorway.
Kianna and Gena run through the door as Ambra and Ya'leigh see runic symbols written across the base of the door.
. Isen and Garrin come through the doorway and turn to ready themselves. Isen prepares to swing his flaming morning star as the dark shadow creatures stop at the door's edge and hiss.
“It's keeping them inside!” Kelik says.
The others look down at the symbols in the dirt. “They can't cross it,” Gena says. “It is just like Azeris Deep. The spirits there are also kept inside by magic.”
“It's a good thing too,” Garrin says. “Look.”
They look up and now see many dark figures on the other side of the door. They continue to hiss and screech at the group. Ambra and Kelik hide behind Isen.
“What are they?” Isen asks.
“Shades,” Gena replies.
“What do they do?” he asks as he gets closer to the doorway to look at them.
“Stay back,” Gena warns. “Their touch will drain your life.”
“Oh,” Isen says as he slowly takes a few steps back.
“Well, I say we shouldn't stay here any longer,” Ya’leigh says.
“I agree,” Kelik says.
“So where are we?” Kianna asks.
Kreeshaw explains, “Assuming the tunnel ahead hasn't collapsed anywhere, this should take us straight out and into the old orcnea lands.”
Looking around the room that they see that they are on a platform and down below there is an iron track on the ground. “I'll bet this was for mining carts,” Garrin says.
“If I remember correctly,” Kianna says, “they used a string of mining carts to travel in and out. Coldrock started out as only a mine, but by the time the dwarves reached this far in, it was decided that it was easier to just build a city here rather than to move all the metal to another city.”
They start to head down the tracks as Kreeshaw says, “From my understanding this was the most prestigious city the dwarfs had ever built on this continent. Of course, across the sea they have many large subterranean cities.”
“I wonder what they are like,” Kelik ponders.
“They are pretty much like Coldrock,” Kreeshaw replies. “Just with dwarves instead of shades.”
“I think I would like dwarves better,” Ambra states.
“Me too,” Kelik adds.
“So how much longer?” Isen asks.
Kreeshaw answers, “It's said that to travel from one side of the mountain to the other through Coldrock takes three days. We should reach the outside in a day and a half.”
“Good,” Garrin says. “I am getting tired of all this darkness.”
They all laugh as they continue to walk down the track.
Chapter 40
Littlest of Giants
Meanwhile, far above the depths of the caves below, the Amazons of the Silver Moon are trudging through the blinding white snow high in the mountains. “I am so tired of all this bright snow,” Yentroc complains. “My eyes are so tired.”
“How much further?” Evelena asks Sven.
“We are getting close now,” Sven says as he looks around at the landmarks. “We should be able to camp at base of mountain tomorrow night.”
“Good,” Kristieana says. “I am ready for anything other than mountain climbing.”
Sven laughs and says, “And Sven thought we were all having good time together.”
Kristieana sighs and shakes her head.
“Well, I had fun,” Lyra says.
“Yes,” Gelana says. “Meeting Lunarus was definitely memorable.”
“It's not every day you get to meet a dragon,” Kel'ana says.
“Or stay as his guest,” Rehma adds.
Ja'noa draws one of her Star Steel daggers and throws it and says, “Or get such incredible items.” She holds out her hand as the dagger returns to her.
“I just wonder what this does,” Evelena says as she holds the golden trimmed ivory horn.
Yentroc replies, “It sounded like it only works in desperate times. Let's hope we don't have to find out.”
“Still, the name, Horn of the Fallen,” Evelena says. “It just sounds sort of ominous.”
“He said it would call help,” Lyra says, “Maybe it calls some ancient legend.”
“Or a dragon,” Kel'ana says.
“Who knows,” Yentroc says. “Again, I just hope we don't have to find out.”
Evelena looks back at Kel'ana who is walking with a slight limp. “How is your leg?” She asks.
Kel'ana smiles through the pain and replies, “I am fine. It's just a little sore.”
Sven laughs and says, “You are lucky to be walking at all. You did well today, considering your leg was broken just yesterday.”
“Well, I have Yentroc and Kristieana to thank for that,” Kel'ana says as she sits down on a nearby rock.
Sven turns to Evelena and says, “This would be a good place to stop if you wish. We will still make it to base by the end of day tomorrow.”
“Alright, ladies!” Evelena orders. “Let's make camp.”
Yentroc walks over to Lyra who is taking off her backpack. “It's the last night in the cold,” Yentroc says to her. “You may not get another chance for him to keep you warm.”
Lyra looks up with a puzzled look on her face and asks, “What are you talking about?”
“Sven,” Yentroc answers. “I know you said you would rather freeze to death...”
Lyra clasps the magical amulet that has kept her warm for the last day and replies, “I have this now, and I don't need him.”
Yentroc laughs and says, “If you say so. I am just trying to help.”
“Thanks,” Lyra replies as she looks over at Sven as he sets up his tent, “but there is nothing going on between us that needs your help.”
A short time later the group is gathered around the fire eating soup that Sven had prepared. Kel'ana says, “Sven,
you didn't use any wolf meat did you?”
Sven laughs and answers, “No, Kel'ana, there is no wolf meat in stew. Sven used meat of mountain goat from yesterday.”
Kel'ana looks at her bowl of soup for a moment before taking another bite. “Good,” she replies. I like it better this way.”
Evelena turns to Sven and asks, “Yesterday you said that knew what it was like to be small. What did you mean by that?”
Sven looks over at Lyra who stops eating to listen to his response. He then looks around at the others, only to realize that they all are waiting for him to answer. He swallows his soup and says, “You want to know about Sven?”
The others nod their heads, and Evelena says, “I am sorry. If you don't want to talk about it...”
“It's alright,” Sven says. He puts down his bowl and takes a deep breath. He looks at Lyra and says, “Sven is from small town far north called Sigtuna.”
“That is where the Goliaths live,” Lyra says.
“Is that like a giant?” Gelana asks.
“More like half giants,” Evelena answers.
Sven replies, “We are sometimes called half giants, yes.”
“You are a half giant?” Evelena asks, sounding surprised.
“Yes,” he answers.
“No offense,” Evelena says, “but I always thought Goliaths would be bigger than you.”
Sven smiles and says, “Yes, they are. Sven is smallest in family. Sven's brothers are much taller than Sven,” he says as he puts his hand up over his head showing how tall they are. “Sven's sister is even taller than Sven, though not by much.”
“So that is what you meant,” Lyra says with a smile. “You are smallest in your family, just like I am the smallest in mine.”
He smiles and replies, “Not only is Sven smallest in family, Sven is smallest of all Goliaths.”
“So you are the littlest of giants,” Lyra says.
“Yes,” Sven says as he looks down. “That is why Sven left his village when he was old enough. If Sven could not make name for himself in home town, then maybe Sven could make name for himself among humans.”
Lyra looks down now with sad eyes and says, “I am sorry, Sven.”
Sven answers, “Don't worry about Sven. It has been very long journey, but among men, Sven is a giant, even if among giants, Sven is only man. Someday they will sing songs of Sven, the littlest of giants. Sven will make name for himself, and Sven's family will proud of him.”
Sven picks up his bowl and wipes it out with some snow. Everyone is silent until Sven stands up and says, “Tomorrow we will be down from mountain heights and out of snow. Sven is going to bed now.”
As he gets up to go to his tent, Yentroc says, “Sven, wait.”
Sven stops and asks, “Yes?”
Yentroc looks at Lyra and says, “I was telling Lyra earlier about how cold I have been at night.” Lyra looks at Yentroc, confused, as Yentroc smiles and continues, “She suggested that because we have the necklace now, that I could wear it.”
Lyra stands up approaches Yentroc. When she reaches her she quietly asks Yentroc, “What are you doing?”
Yentroc leans over to her and whispers, “You can thank me later.” She then turns to Sven and walks up to him and says, “While the eight of us Amazons are crowded into three tents, you have one all to yourself. So Lyra said she would sleep in your tent again.”
Sven looks at Lyra who is glaring at Yentroc. He whispers to Yentroc, “What are you doing?”
“You can thank me later,” she whispers back. Then louder she says, “Assuming, of course, that Lyra is not a burden to you.”
Not wanting to upset Lyra any further, he says, “Lyra is not burden to Sven, but she did say she would rather freeze to death then let Sven keep her warm again.”
Yentroc laughs and says, “She didn't really mean that. She was just upset because you made her feel like she was a bother to you.”
Sven looks at Lyra who looks nervously back. He says, “Lyra, Sven is sorry if he made you feel like bother to him. He did not mean it.”
Lyra looks back at Yentroc who smiles and says, “See, you were not a burden to him, but if you are still having second thoughts, I guess you could keep the necklace for yourself and I could sleep—”
“No,” Lyra says cutting her off, “You can take the necklace.” She takes off the enchanted necklace and hands it to Yentroc who has a big grin on her face. Lyra walks to Sven and says, “I am already getting cold, so if you are ready to go sleep now...”
“Come on then,” Sven says as he walks towards his tent, “Let's get inside.”
After Lyra and Sven enter his tent, Gelana says, “I cannot believe that just happened.”
“What?” Yentroc says with a grin.
“You know what,” Gelana replies, “you are trying to get the two of them to fall for each other.”
Yentroc smiles and says, “I don't know what you are talking about. I just didn't want to be crowded next to her again, and besides, I got the warmth necklace.”
Kristieana says, “I hope you know what you are doing. I still don't like or trust him.”
“Lyra will be fine,” Yentroc says. “Sven isn't going to do anything to hurt her.”
“He better not,” Kristieana replies, “or I am going hurt him.”
“You won't be the only one,” Gelana says.
“Alright everyone,” Evelena interrupts, “we all need to get some rest, Kel'ana especially. I want this to be the last night in these mountains.”
Everyone stands up and prepares to go to their tents. Kel'ana waves her hand over the fire and magically extinguishes it.
Inside Sven's tent, Lyra curls up next to Sven and puts her cold feet against his leg. He cringes a bit from the shock of it. She says, “Sorry, my feet are freezing.”
“Yes,” he replies, “Sven noticed.”
Lyra curls up against Sven. With her back against his chest she says, “Thank you, Sven. You are much warmer than that necklace.” Lyra brushes back her brown hair. Sven can see the leaf and stars painted on Lyra's cheek.
Sven smiles and looks down at the petite young woman snuggling close to him. He takes a slow deep breath and says, “Goodnight, Lyra.”
Chapter 41
Day 11
Return to Bastion
In the hot tropical jungles, at the far southern end of the continent, is the large city of Bastion. It is ruled by a warlord named Dahooras, though his official title is Makon. The Makon rules over Bastion and its people with power and fear. Bastion is outside the influence of Sheathelm's laws and operates as its own city state. A haven for pirates, Bastion is a place that many avoid. Slaves are sold openly here. Male slaves are often sent to the arena to fight. Women are often sold to the brothels where they are forced against their will to perform for the male clients. It is for this very reason that Ariella despises this place. Unfortunately for her, there is little she can do to change it. The Makon has a very powerful army that West Artos fears. It is for this reason that West Artos now hesitates to send their reinforcements to Sheathelm.
The docks at Bastion are as large as any in the entire world of Runefell. For the brave seafaring trader who wishes to buy or sell cargo, Bastion's docks has a bustling market. It is said that if you can't find it in Bastion, it can't be found. The Goblin Trade Company operates here, and has a mutual agreement with the Makon that keeps them both satisfied.
It is in Bastion that Ariella's father, Red Beard, became famous. After successfully defending against several attacks to take his cargo, Red Beard found the taste of battle to be most enjoyable. He would lure in pirates by masquerading as a simple merchant vessel. When they found themselves under attack, Red Beard and his men would easily turn the tables on the would be pirates, making the hunters become the hunted.
For several months this worked well, and Red Beard gained much fame and fortune. Soon the others became aware of his reputation, and pirates became more selective of their targets. Without anyone at
tacking Red Beard, he soon became disinterested and would travel to the east. He tried to become a privateer, however, there were too few enemies to quench Red Beard's thirst for battle.
Red Beard then embraced open piracy and became Red Beard the Pirate. Instead of waiting for someone to attack the Red Dawn, Red Beard became the aggressor and began attacking any ship that crossed their path. Despite his offensive nature, he was still known to be fair and never cruel. If a ship surrendered he would always treat them kindly and leave them with plenty of supplies to return to safety. There were those who fought back however, and Red Beard would fight them ferociously. When the time came for the other ship to surrender, Red Beard would treat his enemy with mercy.
One of his best friends and companions, Corthag, did not particularly care for the amount of time it took to care for the enemy's wounded. Corthag and Red Beard would often argue about the best way to handle a ship that did not surrender. Their mutual friend and partner, Torgus, always sided with Red Beard, and Corthag was outnumbered.
It was because of Red Beard's mercy that the King of Sheathelm, prior to Arioch, would come to Red Beard for help during the first orcnea war. He gladly helped the king defeat the orcneas, and soon after became a privateer once again. When Arioch became king, Red Beard maintained his title as privateer for Sheathelm and continued to assist Arioch throughout the Dragon War and then the Second Orcnea War.
Over the last ten years, with peace throughout Sheathelm's borders, Red Beard traveled back to Bastion. He found a few challengers and would quickly make them pay. Red Beard was still the most feared captain in all of Runefell. Even though he never outright attacked a ship since the First Orcnea War, the Red Dawn was still looked upon by many as a ship not to be trusted.
Now, over a year since her father’s death, Ariella returns to the place that made her father famous. Having already docked, Ariella and Torgus lead the way across the docks as Leon and Drake follow behind with the orcnea prisoner. Many of the people turn and stare at the daughter of Red Beard. “You certainly know how to draw attention in a crowd,” Torgus says.