The Wrathful Mountains
Page 17
Grabbing a torch and lighting it, he motioned for the others to follow. In truth, he cared not if they obeyed. His eyes adjusting to the darkness, he tuned his ears to the sound of a pulley. “Hurry,” he shouted to the others.
One by one, six dwarves fitted themselves with ropes and were lowered to the second plateau. As they raced through the cavern, embers falling from their torches, they encountered no resistance. The ground no longer shook, no rocks fell from the ceiling, and no thundering could be heard from beneath.
“There!” Raad said, pointing toward the platform. It came to a halt as the miners approached, a single figure lay unmoving. “It’s the sorceress,” he said, kneeling next to her. Placing his ear near her nose, he said, “She’s breathing.” With the help of another dwarf, he pulled her from the platform. “Get her out of here,” he said. “We’ll go and look for Tashi.”
The dwarf muscled Kaiya over his shoulder and trotted off into the dark. The others hopped onto the platform and lowered themselves into the deep. Stepping carefully, they made their way over fallen rock. Raad paused when his foot connected with something unseen. Bending down, he lowered his fading torch, the serene face of Tashi illuminated by the pale orange light.
“Oh no,” he said as the light revealed her injuries. Blood still trickled out the corners of her mouth, a puddle forming beneath her. “Let’s get her to the top,” he said, his voice suddenly hoarse. He knew she was gone.
Gently the dwarves lifted her onto the platform and raised it to the top. Raad cradled her in his arms as he was hoisted to the mine’s entrance. With tears in his eyes, he looked to Daro and shook his head.
“Put her down here,” Daro said quietly.
Raad laid the body on a soft patch of earth and folded her hands across her belly. The dwarves nearby removed their hats and bowed their heads. From the corner of his eye, Raad noticed a tall figure running toward the scene. Word had reached Galen of Kaiya’s return.
“Where is she?” he shouted as he reached the mine. Seeing the grim expression on Raad’s face, he feared the worst. Not Kaiya, he thought, a lump rising in his throat. As he moved closer, he saw both women lying on the ground. Immediately he went to Kaiya’s side.
“She’s alive,” Daro reassured him. “It’s the other who didn’t make it.”
For a moment Galen felt relieved. Then he felt guilty. He looked over at Tashi and closed his eyes. I’m an ass, he thought. All he had cared about was Kaiya, but it was Tashi whose life had been lost. Sitting back on his heels, he allowed his tears to fall, tears that Tashi would not want. She had gone home to her sister. “Sleep in peace,” he whispered.
Kaiya stirred, a single groan escaping her throat. Her mind reeling, she sat up. “Where’s Tashi?” she asked. Her eyes met Galen’s, and she knew immediately. Turning her head, she looked upon her fallen companion. “No,” she said, scrambling to her feet. Kneeling next to Tashi, she placed both hands over the priestess’s heart, silver magic spreading over her body. All life was gone. Kaiya was too late.
Defeated, Kaiya buried her face in her hands and wept. Galen moved to her side and wrapped an arm around her. Squeezing her tightly, he kissed the side of her head.
“She’s at peace,” he whispered.
“She died saving me,” Kaiya said.
“She died for her people,” Galen corrected. “This is what she came here to do. You know it as well as I do.”
The elf was right. Kaiya’s magic had allowed her a glimpse into Tashi’s mind. The priestess had met death with dignity, knowing she had completed her mission. Evil would no longer haunt the Ulihi. It was the greatest gift she could give her people. Now she would live for eternity, safe in the arms of her beloved sister. Tashi couldn’t ask for anything more wonderful. Her death had not been in vain.
This knowledge gave Kaiya some comfort, but still she wept. Wrapping her arms around Galen, she allowed herself to grieve. Together they mourned the passing of a remarkable woman, a friend to them both.
“What should we do with the body?” Daro asked, his voice soft.
“I’m going to visit the Ulihi,” Kaiya replied. “I’ll take her home.”
“I’ll come along,” Raad announced. “It’d be an honor to escort Tashi back to her people.” He would personally see to it that she was treated with respect.
“Do you think they’ll want to be friendly with us after the death of their High Priestess?” Daro asked.
“They will,” Kaiya reassured him. “The Gawr has been contained, and their people are safe. It will fall to them to see that it stays that way. The miners must live in peace with the Ulihi.”
“You have my word on that,” Daro replied.
“You should rest before we leave,” Raad said. “It’ll take a few hours to get my cart ready anyway. The bighorns need to be fed and watered.”
Nodding, Kaiya replied, “We’ll leave at first light.” Her head was still spinning from her ordeal, though a warm wind gently tousled her hair. The pain in her heart spread throughout her veins with every beat. The wind could do nothing to ease such a wound. “I hope to leave for home after I visit the Ulihi,” she said to Galen. “Will you be coming with me?”
The elf paused for a moment. “I think I’ll stay here awhile,” he finally said. “There’s much more I can learn about the Dwarf’s Heart. Its magical properties are remarkable.”
“They truly are,” she replied. “Your rune saved me down there. It gave me the strength I needed to finish the Gawr. Without that rune, I surely would have failed.”
“All the more reason for me to finish my studies,” the elf replied. He swallowed hard. Being apart from his dearest friend would be difficult. “I’ll return with the next caravan heading south. Maybe after that I’ll book passage to the Sunswept Isles.” There was much he could learn from the elves of the isles with regard to painite.
“Now there’s a place I’d love to see,” Kaiya said, finding her smile. The idea of sunshine and blue seas would be a welcome change from stone and ice.
“I’d be delighted to have you with me,” he said.
“Don’t stay away too long,” she replied. “It won’t feel like home without you.”
“Speaking of home,” he said. “Do you know if the village still stands? Your family, and Trin, are they safe? And what of the Vale?”
“Everyone is fine,” she replied with certainty. “The wind has seen to it.”
Reaching out his hand, he helped her to her feet. Still wobbly, she appreciated his help. Rest would not come easy, but exhaustion eventually overcame her. In her dreams she saw Tashi, arm in arm with her sister. A deep feeling of peace washed over her.
* * * * *
As Raad’s cart slowly approached the Ulihi village, every member of the tribe paused in their chores. Those who were inside their homes came out to see who had come. Without any announcement, they knew that Tashi was gone. The somber expressions on the faces of the dwarves spoke louder than any word. Most of the tribesmen hung their heads, save for the priestesses who approached the cart.
Setting the brake, Raad tipped his hat to the women. Kaiya hopped down from the cart and spied the doula, Annin’s baby clutched tightly in her arms. Tears dripped from the sorceress’s eyes, her heart aching for the child’s loss. She would know neither her mother nor her aunt, a grave misfortune indeed.
“Tashi has died?” one priestess asked, already knowing the answer.
Kaiya gave a single nod. “She gave her life for my own, and for her people.”
“I’ve brought her home,” Raad said, tilting his head toward the cart. Tashi lay lifeless, a small bouquet of yellow flowers placed in her hands. Even in death she was beautiful, her features undiminished.
“We will honor her,” the priestess said.
“It now falls to your people to maintain hold over the Gawr,” Kaiya said. “I will teach you how to perform the spells to keep the rune stones active.”
“None of us have magical talent,” the priestes
s admitted.
“One of you does,” she said, gesturing to the baby.
The priestess motioned for the doula to approach. “This child has magic?” she asked.
“She does,” Kaiya replied. “The ritual won’t need to be performed for a dozen years,” she explained. “That will give me time to teach her how to perform the spells. I’ll also be visiting with the king to let him know how valuable your people are to us and all of Nōl’Deron.”
“You have been of great service to us,” the priestess said. “It is most appreciated. I would offer you something in return.”
“I couldn’t ask for a reward,” the sorceress replied. Tashi had already given her life. That was far more than Kaiya felt she deserved.
“There is a ceremony among our people. A bonding, you might call it,” the priestess said. “This child has no mother nor aunt. The ceremony would create a bond of sisterhood between you and her.”
Choking on her tears, Kaiya managed to say, “It would be an honor beyond words.” Even without the ceremony, she felt a depth of affection for the girl. In her short life, she had suffered too much loss.
The doula passed the sleeping infant to Kaiya, who cradled her gently against her chest. Softly she kissed the girl on her forehead, a single tear splashing on her ebony skin. The child awoke, a flash of silver in her eyes.
About the Author
Lana Axe lives in the Missouri countryside surrounded by dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles. She spends most of her free time daydreaming about elves, magic, and faraway lands.
For more information, please visit: lana-axe.com.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
About the Author