“You saved us!” The once captive woman says to them. Then she sees the two men who were sacrificed. She cries out and tears at her clothes and hair. After several minutes of sobbing, she quiets and says. “That was my husband and his brother!” Her eyes cloud over and in a blind rage picks up a dropped sword and begins hacking at the dead body of the slain Druid nearest to her.
Dian starts to stop the woman, but a hand on her arm from Natsha restrains her. “Sister, let her finish. She must release her anger, or it will eat her soul.”
The woman…anger and strength gone, goes to her knees again with head in hands crying.
This time Truk goes to her and helps her to stand. He wipes the tears from her cheeks with his big hands and asks. “Woman, from whence came you?”
Truk waits patiently for the woman to calm down long enough to speak again. The crying does subside and she answers…“Archkeep!”
“How is it you were meat for the Druid’s sacrifice fires?”
She takes a step backward when she looks at Truk. It is plain she has never seen a dwarf before now. “We live in Archkeep, but our farm is outside of town. We were attacked while tending the crops.
Gareth joins them carrying the child who has snuggled deep within his massive arms. “You are a foolish woman to be tilling the ground when danger is all about these days. I am not the parent, but you should not have brought this little poppet from the safety of the village. Who knows what evils the Druid monsters would have inflicted on one young such as she?
The woman looks up to the giant of a man cradling her child, “kind sir; if we do not plant and harvest—we starve! The soldiers used to provide protection, as part of the harvest is tribute to the king, but those men have all left. Still, we are subject to send a portion of what is produced from the fields to the king’s granary.”
“The soldiers have left Archkeep?” Holl-tu asks. “Is there a reason for their departure?”
Ving, Tolli and Weet have retrieved their spears and stand with the others listening to the conversations.
Shivering, she answers while eyeing those assembled around her. “No.”
Removing his long cloak, the wizard wraps it around her shoulders. “Fear not madam, we are friends to the weak and enemies of the darkness.”
The woman stands a little taller. “I am Olina Antara.” She points to the little girl still nestled in Gareth’s arms: my daughter Beko.”
Holl-tu bows low to the woman. “Lady, I am Holl-tu Seaject; Sorcerer and Wizard. These are my companions and warriors of the light.” He motions to the Maiden. “I present Amari Djinn, also known, as the White Witch.”
Olina curtseys before the warriors. “My life and my child are yours to do as you will. We will tend you as slaves until you desire us no more.”
Amari draws near the woman. “We have no need of slaves or servants Olina. You are free to travel your own path. However, you can help us in other ways. How well do you know of the Archives at Archkeep?”
“I know them well—what do you desire to know?”
“We need to find texts that concern an ancient set of enchanted sabers.”
Her eyes go to Amari’s middle. “Such as the one at your side—it glows?”
Amari pulls Katana half out of its leather scabbard. A reddish tint covers the blade. “More Druids are coming; quickly—back into the woods.” In mere moments, the clearing is far behind them as the little band steals its way back to the troll’s hidden house.
The first to arrive at the standing stones clearing is Tarrino, the beast master. Scattered before him are the dead. Druid and Shadow Clan litter the ground. The bodies of the sacrifices lay next to the altar stone. Tarrino checks all his Druid brothers for any life. Whoever did this—stilled the life in any that may have survived. One body caught his attention. This Druid was not merely killed, but hacked to pieces. A grinding of stone and the secret entrance to the catacombs below is revealed below the altar stone.
Dozens of Shadow Clan pour from the entrance and spread out in the clearing. Following are several Druids, waving their hands and casting spells and chants. They look to Tarrino for answers. All he can do is shake his head.
He sends a silent command to his animal minions. The followers of evil go into the forest in several directions.
At the base of the troll’s home tree, Amari speaks as she faces the gnomes. “My friends, we cannot stay here any longer. The possibility of being trapped is too high. We will take our departure now and go to Archkeep. We will provide safe passage to Olina and her child. I respect your wishes to stay here, but now we have attacked them at their home; they will be looking in great earnest for us and you.”
“Maiden, we served you many decades ago, and it was refreshing to battle the evil with you again, but my brothers and I will stay. Ours is to harass the Druids as we have been doing for years. At the least, we will convince them those they seek are still within the forest—giving you a chance to get away.”
“You are good with spears, but one must be close to your targets. Take our crossbows. I seem to remember you and Tolli were dead shots and could pierce a coin from one-hundred meters.”
“I have not held a bow in many years. We tried to make one a few times, but the wudu here is not hard enough to construct one. As for arrows…not one straight sapling grows in this cursed forest.”
Gareth, Natsha, and Dian come forward and hand their crossbows to the three trolls along with quivers of steel bolts.
“May these weapons serve you in battle as well as they served us?” Natsha caresses the smooth stock of hers before handing it over. “Adjust your sight, as this shoots a little to the left.”
“Lady,” says Weet. “We cannot possibly take your bow! It is indeed a fine weapon.”
“If it makes you feel better—I am lending it to you for a time. Besides, the way we find trouble, another one will fill my hands soon enough.”
“Then it will be my honor to bring about the end to many of your enemies with this weapon.”
Natsha smiles and clasps the small troll on the shoulder. “Be safe my new friend. May we meet at some future gathering…else a feast in the next realm.”
There is a rustle of wings as a large raven takes flight from a branch overhead. Weet with the new weapon in his hands, fires in the forward fight path of the bird, just ahead of it. The arrow pierces the raven’s slender neck. The once graceful bird drops into the brush. Sawflies scatter from the intrusion of the bird landing in their flowery bush.
“It is a Druid spy, Maiden; you must be off before another finds us.” Weet says.
Amari gives each of her old allies a hug and blesses them. To help her old friends, she places a spell of protection upon their small bodies. It will shield them for a time against arrow and sword.
The Maiden and warriors turn in the direction Ving gave them to Archkeep. Amari looks back, but her troll friends have already disappeared into the forest.
It is two leagues before they come upon the fire rain from the trees. A little further and under Amari’s shield spell, they step out into an open field.
Olina looks back into the Fire Woods and weeps. “Good-bye my husband. I pray you and your brother's spirits sit with our God this day.”
Holl-tu wraps an arm around Olina's shoulders and takes the little girl's hand. “Come from this place of death and sadness. We have a long trek to Archkeep and your home.”
Wiping her eyes, she points toward the sunne. “Archkeep is beyond those hylls.
Chapter 21 – Beyond the Fire Woods
Upon a small hillock overlooking the sleepy village of Archkeep, the warriors survey the buildings and people moving about. All seems serene and in sharp contrast to the evil only a few leagues away.
“It looks safe enough.” Mimna declares.
“Usually that is when the sky falls on us.” Gareth says remembering the past several weeks.
“I agree brother, but I see nothing out of the ordinary but a quiet village of pea
sants going about their lives. Mimna returns. “I see no soldiers or armed men roaming about. What Olina says is true. The king’s men have departed from here.”
“Let’s be cautious my friends.” The Maiden says while looking at her companions. “We cannot enter the village as a group—it will arouse too much attention. Olina will guide Gareth and I to her home. Come into the village by twos, and from different directions.”
Gareth leans closer to Olina. “Lady, be there an inn or tavern within that town?”
Rubbing her eyes, trying to erase the sights, she saw a short time ago. “Yes there are several.”
“Would any frequented by travelers? We need a place to meet and not bothered or noticed unduly.
Olina thinks for a moment and then motions toward the sprawling settlement. “The Broken Plow is near the center of town. I have never been in there as it can be rough for women.
My husband sometimes went there with other men of the village to hear tales from merchants and travelers passing through. For a florin, one could have a decent meal…double-florin, a meal and bed for the night.”
“Then that is where we will meet.” Amari tells the others. She makes eye contact with her companions. “Give us a measure of time to bring Olina and Beko to their home and meet us at the inn.”
Dian catches tears escaping Olina’s eyes before she could wipe them away.
Olina sees the warrior woman called Dian looking at her. “I must tell my sister-in-law that our husbands were slain by the Druids who inhabit the forest of flames.”
Amari puts a hand Olina’s arm in a gentle touch. “You must not reveal how or who saved you.”
“Your battle was valiant and people should know of this. I want to tell all who will listen.”
“That will come soon enough. We do not know what spies for the Druids or king are within your village. Many evil ones wished to see us under the dirt or burned in fires. Hushed lips will secure us a measure of safety.” Amari says.
“I hear and will obey your wishes Maiden.”
Just before Amari and Gareth leave to take Olina and the child to where they live, she takes the cloak Holl-tu hung on the woman’s shoulders and hands it to Truk. “Put this on brave one—pull the hood over your head. Dwarfs are not a common sight in any village I am sure.”
He grumbles, but does as the Maiden requests.
They walk down the hill…led by the woman Olina. Beko rides on Gareth’s shoulders. The others spread out and enter the village in staggered sets of twos.
Down winding streets, Olina leads them. Gareth makes mental notes of their course. She points to a sign hanging over a large two-story building of brick with a slate roof. “There is the Broken Plow. My home lies further down this lane. The Archives you seek is at the very center of town. It sits upon a rise making it easy to find. There,” she points to a pinnacle higher than the other buildings; that is one of the four spires which sit atop the library.”
“Then we take leave of your company Olina.” Amari cups the girl child’s chin in her hand. “Take heart small one…all the world is not evil. Soon justice and purity will cover this land once again.”
They wait until the woman and child are around a corner out of sight before entering the inn. Gareth pushes at the door; hinges creak, as the heavy portal swings inward. He goes in first and quickly sizes up everyone in the large room. Not seeing anyone at first glance who may be a threat, he holds the door open for Amari to enter. He spots a table near the back against a side wall…chairs facing the door. They sit and wait for the others.
Gareth sits on the edge of the chair with leg muscles coiled like springs ready to leap to his feet if danger threatens.
The Maiden whispers. “Relax my brave protector. I sense no danger here or without.”
Several tense minutes pass and the door opens. Mimna and Holl-tu enter. They give the slightest of nods to Amari, and sit at a table on the other side of the room; also facing the door.
Over the course of an hour Truk and Dian, make their quiet entrance and sit near Amari and Gareth. Finally, Natsha is the last to enter. She walks purposefully to the counter and orders an ale.
Those patrons who were there when Amari entered hardly pay any attention to the others of her group who walked through the door. “Olina was right she says to Gareth. No one gives much notice, as travelers are common-place.”
“We should eat lady and formulate a plan for getting into the archives; especially the secure inner room Natsha told us about.”
Amari nods her head.
Gareth hails the maid who has been making the rounds of tables. “Bring us mutton, fresh fruit, and fish if it is decent. We are thirsty from our travels, a Philpot of ale for me and water for the lady.”
The serving maid nods her head and disappears into the back where the kitchen might be.
“Amari, remember the last inn we visited, the keeper set the king’s men on us.”
“I remember…pray we have a better warning if that were to happen again.”
After a lengthy amount of time, the maid returns carrying a large tray of steaming plates filled with meat and fish; assorted fruits and drinks. Making sure nothing else is needed, she moves on to the other tables after taking the coins Gareth lays on the table.
While Gareth is shoving large chunks of mutton into his mouth, he sees the others are eating as well. He stifles a burp. “Pardon my manners Maiden. What is our plan for storming the library?”
“Must everything you do be a battle my large friend. The archives are a place of learning and teaching. We will not be storming the walls, but going in the front door as any person requiring knowledge. Once inside and we know the lay of the land, so to speak, we will formulate a plan.”
Gareth touches his forehead and then his lips in an apology. “I have been in too many battles of late. It is sometimes difficult to think in any other terms.”
“Those battles are my bane.” She says to him. “I knew we would have to fight during the quest, but each turn of the corner brings a new threat.”
Amari casually looks about the room. All her companions are waiting and watching for her signal. “Gareth, go to the others in a ruse begging for directions to some far-off place. Tell them to leave as they came in and go to the library in the center of town. The day is nearing the dining hour for those who live here. The archives may be deserted.”
He nods, and with a flourish of his hands says. “As you wish, it shall be done Maiden.”
Amari kicks him under the table. “Go!”
As he passes by Natsha standing at the bar, a tall well-dressed man enters, walks to the counter and plants himself next to her. He gives her a sideways wink. Gareth starts to cross to the bar, but catches Amari pointing toward the others.
Gareth shuffles over to Truk and Dian. “Kind sir, dost thou knowest the land of Archdale Ville?”
Truk leans closer at Gareth’s next whispered words. “Go to the library at the center of this town; not far up the street outside of this tavern.”
Playing into the ruse, Truk says. “Sorry friend…we have never heard of such a place.”
Gareth goes through the same routine with Mimna and Holl-tu.
He swaggers up to Natsha standing at the bar with the man at her other side. Gareth taps her on the shoulder. “Comely wench, may I trouble you for a direction?”
Natsha does not look up from her drink. “Sure, the door is behind you.”
His face goes blank for a second. She is playing a game. “Thou jest with me woman? I am to meet kin in Archdale Ville. Do you know the path there?”
Natsha finally looks at him. “Buy me another ale and I will point you in its direction.”
He thinks for a moment and then says. “Fair enough—barkeep another ale for this woman.”
Natsha gulps down the last of her drink and slams the tankard on the countertop.
The bartender brings another mug of ale to her. As before, she drinks it quickly. She looks at Gareth. “Go out
and find the sun. Follow it and your nose. You will surely stumble into Archdale before three days’ time. Now pay the man.”
Gareth watches her back as she leaves the inn.
The man standing there says. “There is ill luck chasing that one my friend. She was not that friendly, or easy to look upon.”
Before Gareth could say something, or slam the man in the face with his fist, Amari walks over, takes Gareth’s arm and leads him to the door. She whispers to him. “I know you two like to banter about with each other, but we need not to dawdle in any one spot too long.”
“Sorry Maiden,” as he opens the door for her to leave.
The streets are quiet, just a few young lads running home; presumably. They pass by a mendicant or two. Gareth drops a coin in each of their outstretched hands.
As they round the corner of a building, the Archives of Archkeep comes into full view. It is an impressive structure. At the base is a series of long stone steps leading up to large wooden doors. What is noticeable is the bars set in the ground-floor window ledges.
Gareth smirks at Amari. “It would appear our sister Natsha’s thievery here is the reason for those bars.”
One has to strain to look up to see the top of the spires. Taking their time with no apparent hurry, Gareth and Amari climb the stone stairs. Amari pulls the folds of her skirt around Katana to hide the blade.
At the door, Gareth grabs the door handle expecting it to be locked. It swings open easily.
Just inside is a large man wearing the robes and accoutrements of a cleric. “Welcome to the archives. May I assist you?”
Amari answers. “Yes priest, we seek answers to the why of many queries. We were told by a venerable wizard who served the king that all of the world’s questions can be answered in texts kept here.”
The priest beams. “Child, you were told correctly. What is it you seek?” He invites them across the threshold.
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