by Joseph Lallo
“Can you move?” Athos quietly whispered to Breslin.
“No,” Breslin whispered back. “I can barely breathe.”
Athos tried to shift his weight to his hip so that he could free up his arm, but thanks to the many tons of rock resting on them, neither could move an inch. Fortunately, both he and Breslin were wearing the Narian suits of armor, so no matter how many tons of rocks were piled upon them, they would never be in danger of being crushed to death. Pinned, yes, but never crushed.
“Good thing you put that armor on,” Breslin whispered. “You’d be flatter than a piece of parchment right now if you hadn’t.”
Above them, barely distinguishable through the broken rocks piled over them, they could hear Rahygren prattle on and on about how he was going to claim the hammer as his own, how he now had access to every part of the city and the palace thanks to the power of the helix embedded in the hammer. All thanks to their wonderful gift of the power hammer.
“How do we get out of here?” Athos growled. “I need to personally shut him up.”
“I can’t feel the hammer anymore,” Breslin realized. “I had gotten used to the feel of it on my belt. It’s not there! Of all the infernal luck!”
Athos grunted from somewhere on his left.
“I have more leverage than you, I think.”
Breslin heard a slight scraping sound.
“I can move my right arm,” Athos told him in hushed tones. “Not far, but I can feel around a bit.”
Breslin heard more shuffling and scrapes as Athos forced his right arm to slide underneath a giant boulder that was sitting partly on his legs. Thanks to the armor, the massive stone wasn’t quite sitting flat upon the ground. A little more questing with his arm revealed a very welcoming touch. He could feel the tip of a wooden handle. It was the hammer!
“I can feel it!” Athos whispered excitedly. “I don’t know how that’s going to help us as I lack the leverage to move it. Maybe if I…”
Athos again tried to turn on his hip. This time he was partially successful as he was able to bring his right knee up closer to his chest. The rock pile shuffled noisily.
“Quiet, you fool!” Breslin hissed. But it was too late.
“You can’t possibly still be alive under all of that,” they heard Rahygren’s voice say. “You should be crushed flat with all that tonnage on you.”
Ignoring Rahygren, Athos shifted his knee again. This time the tip of his boot came into contact with the cylindrical shaft of the hammer’s handle. Inexplicably, the hammer slid along the ground as though it weighed no more than a normal hammer.
“The hammer moved!” Athos all but shouted. “How? Why?”
“You’re touching me,” Breslin told him. “I believe my left hand is pinned under your…”
“Don’t say it,” Athos sternly told him. “I’ve been trying my best to ignore that.”
“Do you think you can get the hammer to me?”
“Let me try.”
Athos gently straightened his leg and felt along the floor to see if he could feel it again. Ah. There it was, almost out of reach.
“You’d better hurry.”
Athos hesitated. “Why?”
“He knows we’re alive and he knows we’re going for the hammer. I believe he’s digging like mad to get to the hammer first.”
Athos cursed and doubled his efforts. He managed to get his boot just under the head of the hammer.
“Ready? I’m going to try and kick it over to you.”
“I’m ready. Do it!”
Athos kicked out as hard as he could, smashing his knee against his armor as the armor impacted with the large stone holding him in place. There just wasn’t enough leg room to kick properly. All he managed to do was give the hammer the gentlest of nudges. Thankfully, that was all that it took. The hammer handle was now resting just inside of Breslin’s left hand.
Breslin’s fingers closed about the handle. He had just enough room to leverage the hammer up and tap the undersides of the huge rock pinning them in place. They heard the rock begin to break apart. Dust and debris filtered down through the rock pile and into their eyes and mouths. Figuring it was time to go all out, Breslin began hitting the rocks as hard as he could and with as much leverage as he had. While not much to work with, Breslin did notice that he was now able to move both arms. He kept tapping the hammer against the rocks, which obligingly kept breaking apart.
Finally, the great boulder shattered into a thousand smaller pieces. A stream of rocks, large and small, cascaded down the pile towards he and Athos. Breslin finally stood. A single smash from the hammer pulverized the rest of the rocks that had been confining Athos to the ground.
Rahygren let out a string of profanities as he saw Breslin once more wielding the power hammer. He dove over the rocks towards the door to scoop up his tonal disruptor. Before he could activate the device, though, Breslin threw the hammer straight at it and watched with satisfaction as the hammer smashed the device out of Rahygren’s hands and sailed through the open doorway, colliding into the wall out in the hallway beyond. Rahygren screamed with triumph as he saw the power hammer resting up against the wall amidst pieces of his disruptor.
“You stupid fools! Now you’re finished!”
Rahygren scooped the hammer up off the ground and was startled to discover he could barely lift the thing from the ground. The red helix had faded and was no longer glowing. The hammer felt clunky in his hands and felt like it was being pulled downward, as though the hammer wanted to be on the ground. Rahygren bared his teeth as he fought to raise the hammer into a defensive pose.
“Hey!”
The voice brought him back to reality. Rahygren snapped his gaze up to discover Athos standing directly before him, arm cocked. A split second later Athos’ gauntleted fist smashed into his face, breaking Rahygren’s nose and sending him straight into unconsciousness.
Athos smirked. “Easiest punch I’ve ever thrown.”
Breslin squatted down to pull the hammer from Rahygren’s limp grasp. Sliding it back into place on his belt, he looked over at his companion and smiled.
“Got any rope?”
Chapter 14 – Joyful Homecomings
“Can you believe it? It’s simply incredible! Not only have I been welcomed back with open arms, but they want me to lead the team that’ll properly excavate the city!”
Breslin gave the scholar a friendly smile.
“Does that mean you’re staying in Bykram now? You’re not returning with us?”
Tristofer gave Breslin an incredulous look.
“What, and leave all this behind? Let someone else explore the city? Absolutely not. This is my home. Besides, they need me.”
Father and son approached. Lukas smiled up at Tristofer.
“You’re staying here?”
Tristofer nodded.
“I am. This is the biggest discovery in the history of our people. Someone has to oversee everything and who better than me?”
“Who indeed,” Athos muttered with a chuckle.
Tristofer slapped a friendly hand on Athos’ shoulder. When no crass remarks were forthcoming, Athos grinned and returned the gesture.
“What do you think will happen to the Delvehearths?” Venk asked Tristofer. “He needs to be held accountable for what he’s done.”
“He will be,” a new voice chimed in.
Everyone turned to see Prixus, prominent council elder from Bykram, step through the doorway in the heart of the huge stump and out into the daylight. A long, steady stream of Kla Rehn poured out of their Topside entrance and gathered around their departing guests.
“Rahygren and his family have disgraced the Delvehearth name. All their misbegotten wealth has been confiscated. Their belongings will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the newly created Nar Restoration Committee, which Tristofer here will lead.”
“I want to apologize,” Breslin began, bowing his head. “
I deceived you into thinking we were looking for something besides Nar. I, we, figured you had deduced we were looking for the city and that’s why you led us astray.”
Prixus nodded. He patted his chest to quiet the clanking adornments on his robe.
“Think nothing of it, Master Breslin. As soon as I heard rumors that the map we gave you was incorrect, an investigation was launched. A woman by the name of Krisken was responsible for the false map. It is I who should be apologizing.”
“Why would this Krisken person want to deceive us?” Breslin asked. “We don’t even know her.”
“Krisken Delvehearth,” Prixus clarified. “Rahygren’s wife. She is an assistant cartographer.”
Breslin nodded. “She must have known what we were looking for and made certain we wouldn’t find it.”
“Aye. Therefore she and her husband have been assigned to the Narian Restoration Committee and will be repairing the damage to the city. Half their wages will be channeled directly back to the NRC.”
“Does that mean Tristofer will be their master?” Lukas asked, raising a hand.
“It does, young lad,” Prixus confirmed, an evil smile appearing on his face a moment later.
Tristofer mirrored the smile.
Kasnar appeared, walking slowly towards them. Flanking him on either side were two orderlies wearing a healer’s blue arm band. Breslin bowed his head.
“Grandfather, have you been cleared to travel?”
Kasnar’s snow white head nodded.
“They tell me I’m strong enough to make the journey home. Where’s my steed?”
Athos snorted with disgust. “I know you’re not talking about me, old man.”
Laughter echoed across the open glade.. Everyone within earshot waited to see how Kasnar would respond.
“You’re saying you’d force an old man to walk all the way back to Borahgg?”
Athos quickly turned to his brother, a look of concern on his face.
“He’s not serious, is he?”
Venk shrugged. “Sounds like it.”
“There’s no way.”
“Then you tell him,” his brother told him, nodding in Kasnar’s direction.
Athos looked at the frail wrinkled dwarf’s face and swallowed nervously. Kasnar burst out laughing.
“Fear not, Master Athos. I do believe another mode of transportation is at our disposal.”
“You mean you’re not riding on my back? Thank the maker.”
“Are you quite finished with your complaining?” a loud, deep voice asked.
Everyone jumped to attention and automatically looked around for the owner. A huge shadow was cast over the area as a giant red dragon, concealed behind a row of trees, rose to his feet and spread his wings. Several of the more cautious dwarves started inching back towards Bykram’s subterranean entrance.
Rhamalli set something down onto the soft grass before them. Something big. It was the basket. Athos let out an uncharacteristic whoop of excitement. Puzzled, Venk turned to his brother.
“You hate to fly. Why in the world would you be excited about experiencing that terror again?”
“Are you daft, brother? It means we won’t be walking!”
Venk silenced his objections as he thought about being carried all the way back to Lake Raehón and its valley. That would save them days of travelling on foot! Suddenly his feet and his back were feeling much better. It was a shame that his stomach wasn’t.
Waving goodbye to their friends, Breslin and his companions sat down on the floor of the basket and screwed their eyes shut again. Lukas and Kasnar were the only two who not only kept their eyes open for the duration of the flight, but also seemed to be unaffected by the basket’s nausea-inducing swaying. On and on they chatted, covering subjects as diverse as jewel cutting and how to best scare one’s sibling.
Five hours later Rhamalli informed them that he was approaching the valley. Descending down through the clouds, they each gasped with shock as the cool mists coated them with dew. Breslin and the others still refused to open their eyes.
Once they were finally standing back on terra firma, they bid the dragon farewell and made for the closest entrance, which happened to be one of the large boulders scattered across the valley floor. Activating the hidden switch, the boulder opened to reveal a long, dark staircase leading down. Whistling merrily, they descended the stairs, with Breslin leading, followed by Lukas, Venk, Kasnar, and Athos.
“Do we let them know we’re back?” Venk asked Breslin as soon as they emerged into Borahgg’s cavern.
Breslin looked down at the glowing circular plate and briefly contemplated dropping his axe handle on the plate so that they could let everyone know they had visitors. But, since he was quite certain his father had no idea that his father was still alive, he opted for silence.
“Looking to surprise Maelnar, eh?” Athos correctly guessed. “Excellent!”
Breslin grinned back at him. “My father is going to go into hysterics. That is something I just have to see!”
“What do you think he’ll do?” Kasnar worriedly asked. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen him.”
“Fear not, grandfather,” Breslin assured him. “I know he’ll be at a loss for words!”
Breslin led them through the city, pausing only long enough to answer a few questions his grandfather had asked. Not seeing his home city for more than eight centuries was bound to generate a question or two. Kasnar wanted to know about everything. Who was on the Council? How large had Borahgg grown? What types of trade existed between the other cities? Or the humans?
Kasnar was rendered speechless when he learned that the newest allies to his people were the dragons. How long ago had that happened? What must have transpired to bring about an allegiance with the wyverians? He had missed so much he could only hope he’d live long enough to get caught up.
They approached the center of the city and headed straight towards the largest building, one that had a white domed room spanning the entire structure. Both of the guards in front of the main double doors recognized Breslin and leapt to attention. They hurriedly opened the doors and waved the group through. Pushing by curious onlookers, Breslin headed straight towards the large auditorium reserved for Council use. Hearing a disturbance behind him, he glanced backwards and saw a large procession was now trailing his own, all curious to see what was going on.
There, sitting in the front row before the black dais typically reserved for the current speaker, was his father, chatting with the elder to his right. As soon as Breslin brought the procession to a stop he watched his father look up and make eye contact. Maelnar rose to his feet.
“My son, you’re back! I had no idea you had returned! Were you successful?”
Breslin pulled the power hammer from his belt and set it down on the closest table, directly on its head in the traditional Narian upside down manner. He rotated the hammer so that his father could see the helix glowing brightly on the side.
Maelnar’s eyes widened. There was a collective gasp of astonishment as the elders spotted that which Breslin had placed on the table.
“A Narian power hammer. Wizards be damned! Did you find Nar?”
Breslin nodded. “We found more than that, father. There’s someone here you need to see.”
Breslin and Athos stepped to the left while Venk and Lukas stepped to the right, revealing Kasnar. The ancient fellow had his hands clasped behind his back and was smiling the biggest smile anyone could have ever seen on a person. Maelnar stared at the old dwarf, not recognizing who he was looking at. His son had said he needed to meet this fellow, so he decided he wanted a closer look.
Maelnar made it another five steps when he came to a sudden halt. His eyes opened even wider.
“Father?”
Kasnar held out his arms.
“Hello, boy. It’s been a long time.”
“Father? I don’t understand. Where have you… why are you…”
“Still alive?” Kasnar chuckled, finishing his son’s sentence. “It’s easy. I had to see you again. And your mother. I’m told she’s still alive.”
Maelnar slowly nodded.
“Aye, mother is alive. She thinks… father, she thinks you’re dead. I thought you were dead!”
“I know this is a lot to take in, my boy, and I’ll be more than happy to explain. All in good time. Please, I must see your mother. Can you tell me how I can find her?”
Breslin eyed his father. Maelnar’s mouth was open, but nothing was coming out.
“He’s done nothing but speak of how he wished to see the two of you again,” Breslin softly told his father. “Is grandmother home?”
“She’s here,” Maelnar all but whispered.
Breslin leaned forward. “Sorry? What was that?”
“Mother is here today. Neika is the guest of honor for the annual convention of educators. She’s been a teacher ever since father vanished.”
“She always did enjoy working with underlings,” Kasnar noted with a smile.
“Father, this is incredible! She’s not going to believe this. Mother is going to –”
“Have conniptions?” Breslin asked, smiling.
Maelnar nodded. “Undoubtedly.”
“That’s what I said about you,” his son informed him. “Where is she? Can you send for her?”
“She’s across the hall. Just a moment.”
Maelnar beckoned to one of his underling assistants. He scribbled out a note and handed it to the young boy.
“Give this to Neika. Do you know who that is?”
The boy nodded eagerly.
“Excellent.”
Maelnar handed the underling the folded message. The boy instantly darted off through the open doors. He turned back to his father and shook his head in disbelief.
“I have so many questions, father.”
“I know you do, boy, and now I have nothing but time to answer anything you want to know.”
“Have you been in Nar?”
“For almost the entire time I was gone, aye.”