by Inlo, Jeff
"Let me worry about that."
Desiv could not allow that and reminded Okyiq of certain conditions regarding his new status as an equal among a cadre of serps.
"We all worry about certain facets of our plan, and we are all involved with the implementation of each stage. We are supposed to work together, to pool our talents. That is the purpose of the council. That, and to handle disagreements. If we brought it to a vote, you would lose five to one. You would have to abide by that decision. It must work that way. You are aware of that."
"Council is stupid. It was a mistake I joined."
Desiv began to wonder if he was equally dim-witted in offering membership to the goblin in the first place. They had not completed a single day with Okyiq as a part of their faction and already he was making life unbearable. Desiv decided to end the dispute as quickly as possible.
"You think joining was a mistake? It is one that can be easily corrected. We will let you leave, if that's your wish. We will take the crimson magic from within you, and you can be on your way. There would be no consequences, save one. You would not be placed in command of the army we have amassed in Dark Spruce."
Desiv paused just long enough to let that fact sink into Okyiq's obstinate mind. He then drew a clear picture of exactly what the goblin would be sacrificing.
"With your magical link to the council, you understand the true size of that force. Think of the number of goblins at your disposal. Consider the shags and bloat spiders willing to follow your command. Concentrate and you can see them. You can do so because your mind is linked to the serps on the council, and we already control the minds of thousands of dark creatures."
Again, Desiv paused. He knew Okyiq was looking through the eyes of one of the hook hawks cutting through the skies over Dark Spruce Forest. Much of the ground was blocked by the canopy of leaves, but Okyiq could still see the vast army in the forest.
Okyiq felt the power surge within him. He could command them all. There wasn't a question in his mind. They would follow every order—the serps' control over their small minds would ensure it.
Desiv fed the goblin's lust for power.
"That force is ready for your leadership. Do not misjudge me. I am not saying you could not raise a horde of goblins on your own, but how long would it take you to recruit such an army? How many cycles of the season would pass until you were strong enough to conquer Burbon with ease and take the guard captain and the delver prisoner?"
Okyiq wished to argue, but he couldn't. The size of the force in Dark Spruce was massive. He wanted to believe he could raise a horde of similar scope, but despite his confidence, he knew such a feat was simply not possible.
Putting an end to the argument, Desiv put the final decision in very simple terms.
"You can leave here now and start off on your own... wait an untold number of seasons until you're ready to attack Burbon and ensure victory, or you can wait here a few more moments and be assured successful conquest in mere days. Your choice."
Okyiq didn't like the serps any more than they enjoyed his company, but the choice was indeed clear.
"I stay here, but will leave as soon as wizard makes his choice."
"That's all we expect. Besides, it will not kill you to wait here. You can even use our link to the gremplings and our rock beetles monitoring the dwarves to enjoy what's going on in Dunop."
"Another waste of time," Okyiq grumbled.
"Not at all," Desiv countered. "I admit I would have rather it occurred when the wizard was actually down in Dunop, but this will work out just as well, especially if he shows up while the lights are still out."
Just as he was able to view the waiting army in Dark Spruce, Okyiq could sense dozens and dozens of gremplings waiting at various points throughout the forest. He could feel their willingness to follow the instructions of their serp masters. In his mind, he saw images of the nimble creatures just as they were given the order to carry out their mission.
The gremplings moved in a coordinated attack, but they did not target any other creatures. Instead, they leapt toward well hidden airshafts that led down to Dunop. The agile, furry creatures moved swiftly down from the trees and into the narrow openings. At one precise moment, they ripped carefully cut light gems from the stone and dirt walls of airshafts and access tunnels. With the light gems in their tiny paws, they rushed back up into the trees.
Their actions would not place Dunop in total darkness, but it would certainly have an effect. Light would still come from larger cave openings guarded by dwarf warriors and from underground passages that led to other dwarf cities, but every dwarf in Dunop would immediately recognize a drastic reduction in natural light.
While Okyiq could sense the activity, even understand its place in the serps' scheme, he could not fathom why the serps would waste so much energy on such a small endeavor.
"I know what you are doing," Okyiq stated, "but why? Why bother with gremplings? Why steal light gems? Dwarves are used to the dark. Makes no sense."
"It's not about putting the dwarves in the dark," Desiv replied. "It's having them think about why it's happening. What do you think every dwarf feared when they learned Petiole escaped? They thought about shadow trees. Now the city inexplicably goes dark. Yes, they will discover it was caused by stolen light gems, but they won't be able to erase the memory of what can grow in the darkness."
"Dwarves don't scare easily," the large goblin acknowledged, giving credit to possible adversaries.
"No, they do not. But you should not look at everything from the same perspective. You are about feeding fear. We appreciate that, even honor it. We are about feeding mistrust. It can be a strong ally."
Chapter 12
"I was told you were here," Queen Therese exclaimed as she entered the chamber specifically designed for Enin's teleportation spells. "Your appearance is most fortunate."
"What's going on?" Enin asked.
"Why is it so dark?" Ryson added.
"In all honesty, I really am not certain," the dwarf leader admitted. "The information I have received makes very little sense. Light gems were removed from the top of nearly every airshaft leading from Dunop up to the surface in Dark Spruce. My dwarf scouts assure me they see signs of gremplings, but there are no other suspicious creatures in the tunnels or in the surrounding forest. The maneuver was well coordinated. The light gems were taken almost simultaneously."
"Coordinated?" Enin asked with obvious surprise. "Nearly every air shaft? That would be a considerable number of gremplings working together across a very wide portion of Dark Spruce."
"As I said, it is confusing."
Holli was teleported along with Ryson and Enin, and she placed the sparse facts in a different perspective. Even with only minor details, she still could draw certain conclusions.
"In some respects, it is confusing," Holli offered. "In others, no."
"You can find logic in this?" Therese asked.
"Logic? Not necessarily, but I find it difficult to believe that gremplings would orchestrate such a tactic on their own. Gremplings will normally travel in small packs, support each other to avoid predators, but stealing gems in a coordinated effort is highly unlikely. They must be following the orders of another. That would explain the synchronization of the attack."
"That seems reasonable," Enin agreed.
"And who would coordinate such an action?" Therese wondered.
"That is the potentially confusing part," Holli admitted. "The one clear possibility is a sorcerer with the ability to coerce dark creatures into following his commands."
"But for what reason?"
"Who can say? It might have been nothing more than an experiment, a test of a spell."
Therese frowned. The conjecture seemed only meagerly plausible, and she revealed her larger concerns.
"Your explanation might be possible, but the timing in which it occurred is far too significant for me to dismiss as a coincidence. The elf Petiole escapes and now the city is plunged into d
arkness. No, I don't believe this is just some sorcerer playing games with magic."
"I imagine it is unsettling to the dwarves of Dunop," Holli acknowledged, as she understood the connection between Petiole and the consuming darkness the dwarves once faced as a direct result of the elf elder's misguided actions.
"It is more than unsettling," Therese noted with a hint of irritation. She felt the situation was far more significant, and she revealed as much with obvious passion. "It is quite alarming, and while all dwarves are stout of heart and spirit, none can forget the past in regard to your camp's elder."
"He is no longer the elder, and I am no longer a member of any elf camp," Holli responded without a hint of emotion.
"Be that as it may, we are more than simply unsettled. Every dwarf is both confused and concerned over these past incidents."
Enin intervened and tried to offer his services in a manner that might alleviate some of the queen's concerns.
"I can cast a light spell," the wizard offered.
"That will not be necessary. We have sufficient light and dwarf workers are quickly headed to the surface to replace each light gem."
"But perhaps it will serve in another regard. It will let them know I support your city."
"I appreciate the offer," Therese acknowledged. "No one questions your commitment to Dunop. Your light spell would indeed help illuminate the city, but I would prefer you did not use magic. It is not an energy that brings us comfort. At this point, I do not think it will help our situation."
"As you wish."
Therese paused and then looked to the delver.
"I have another idea. If the delver is willing, his services might prove extremely helpful in a similar regard. There might be a way to utilize a magical enchantment without adding the element of spell casting that might bring unease."
"What can I do to help?" Ryson asked, eager to assist in any way possible.
"I am about to address the dwarves of my city. There is a balcony that overlooks the main gates of the castle. It can be seen from many points within the city. I would like you to stand with me there, and I would like you to draw your sword from its sheath. The dwarves of Dunop recall how you saved the city, they remember the weapon of light that burned the seeds of the shadow trees. To see it again will give them far more comfort than anything I can say to them."
"Certainly."
Therese smiled at the willingness of the delver to assist the dwarves. He didn't question her, didn't reveal the slightest hint of resistance. It was clear to her that he simply wanted to help. Despite everything that had happened, she herself found solace in the delver's appearance, and she knew the dwarves of her city would find similar comfort.
While she also appreciated the services of the wizard and respected the abilities of the elf guard, she had to consider their influence in a slightly different perspective. She didn't wish to insult them, but the needs of Dunop were paramount.
"I would prefer if you two remain here until I return," Therese declared. "We have more to discuss, but I must go now. I do not wish to offend you, but as I said before, these are difficult circumstances. The appearance of an elf and a magic caster may raise some concerns, and that is in direct opposition from that which I hope to accomplish."
"I understand," Enin offered.
Holli simply bowed her head in acknowledgment, as she watched Therese guide Ryson out of the room and head toward the front of the castle. Left alone with Enin, the elf took the opportunity to voice concerns of her own.
"This is worse than I expected," the elf admitted.
"How so?" Enin asked.
"Therese is trying to be sensible, but there is too much emotion involved."
"She seems to be handling things with a level head."
"Yes, she does, but can you not feel it?"
"There's clearly tension," Enin admitted, "but that's understandable."
"Yes, it is, but there is something deeper as well."
"Can you be a bit more specific?"
Holli attempted to clarify her alarm by revealing her own reaction to the events transpiring in Dunop.
"When I heard Petiole escaped, I was greatly troubled. He reminds me of difficult times. Unnecessary struggles arose that I had to face both as an individual and as an elf. The elves take no pride in Petiole's actions. If anything, there is great shame. Individual elves suffered as well. Consider Leif Woodson. He was banished, and ultimately, it led to his death. In no small way, the dropping of the shadow tree seeds affected many, myself included. I was banished from my camp, banished because of Petiole's weakness. Had he been a stronger leader, I would still be a member of the elf guard."
"I know that troubles you."
"Not as much as it did. I am proud to serve you and I believe I have accomplished much at your side. I am stronger for it, but I cannot entirely erase my heritage. I believe I was born to be an elf guard. In a manner of speaking, Petiole ended that for me."
"I can appreciate that, but your circumstances are unique."
"As are the experiences of the dwarves. Every dwarf in Dunop faced the horror of shadow trees. The seeds are a weapon of both terror and destruction. They should have never been used, but they were."
"And the dwarves are now reminded of that," Enin responded, beginning to understand the emotions that Holli tried to describe and Queen Therese hoped to contain.
"Petiole is a divisive figure," Holli admitted, "even among the elves. But here in Dunop, he represents everything the dwarves distrust about the surface world, and especially about the elves. I cannot think of any other incident that could cause such tension between the races."
"Then it is imperative we discover what happened."
"Yes, it is."
On a balcony that overlooked the castle courtyard and the great city beyond, Queen Therese addressed the dwarves of Dunop. She said all the right words, brought calm to the populace. She explained everything that had happened and every step that had been taken to ensure Dunop's security.
The dwarves drew strength from their queen. They appreciated her honesty and candor. They were not treated as infants and offered simple words of appeasement, and they returned the queen's display of respect with reverence of their own.
Still, it was not only the queen's words or her honesty that reassured the dwarves. Even as light began to increase throughout the city from dwarf engineers working furiously to reinstall gems in the air shafts, another symbol of benevolence lifted the spirits of Dunop's citizens.
While not waving it above his head, Ryson carried the Sword of Decree high enough so that it could be easily seen. Even in the faint light of Dunop, the blade enhanced and magnified every glint of natural light directed toward the castle. In the dim underground surroundings, it burned majestically. To the dwarves, it became exactly what Therese hoped it would... a beacon of trust.
The dwarves may have enjoyed their solitude, found security in living in an underground world separated from the rest of Uton, but they were also becoming more and more comfortable with outsiders. They had established strong relations with humans in both the city of Connel and the outpost of Pinesway. While they would never completely rely on others, they were learning to accept deeper commitments with those of another race. Even before those commitments were made, however, there was one individual they trusted implicitly, one that had earned their complete respect.
Every dwarf knew of the Delver Acumen, just as they knew of the elf Petiole. Where Petiole evoked dreadful memories, Ryson reminded the dwarves of compassion and goodwill. The dwarves and the delver did not always agree. Certainly there had been conflict between them in the past, but neither harbored any malice against the other. Ryson and his sword were a part of Dunop's history. Together, they saved the city from Petiole's despicable misdeeds; together, they were proof that the dwarves could accept they were not alone.
After Therese completed her address, she and Ryson returned to the chamber where Enin and Holli waited. She explained ev
erything that had occurred and offered as many details that were available.
"If it's possible," Enin requested, "I would like to examine the cell where Petiole was held. If he did teleport out of the castle, I should be able to pick up the magical trail."
"That was my hope," Therese responded. "I am also hoping you might follow that trail. I would like to recapture Petiole as quickly as possible. In his condition, I do not believe he could have traveled far on his own."
Holli quickly tempered Therese's expectations.
"If someone smuggled teleportation stones into his cell, they were probably aware of his condition. They could have had other means of transportation waiting once they teleported out of the city... horses, even a carriage."
"I understand that's a possibility. If he received additional assistance after the initial teleportation, I would like to know that as well."
"Ryson and Holli will be able to assist me when we reach that point," Enin declared, but then the wizard made an additional request before they left the chamber. "Would you please bring the half-delver to me? I have questions for him, and I believe it would be helpful if he accompanies us to the areas I wish to investigate."
"Absolutely, if you believe it would help."
The dwarf queen motioned for a guard to fetch the half-delver who had been staying within the castle. As they waited, Ryson revealed everything that had happened in Burbon. He informed Therese of the message left by Okyiq and established that Pru was indeed asked by the town captain to trail the monster. Just as Ryson finished, Pru was escorted into the chamber.
The half-delver acknowledged Ryson, and believed he recognized Enin and the elf guard, Holli Brances. Seeing the delver brought him hope his story could finally be confirmed and he could leave the dwarf city that was quickly becoming a prison of its own. Yearning for the pure light of day, he immediately addressed the delver.
"Acumen, did you tell them what happened back in Burbon, about the goblin?"