by Clark Graham
They were brought forward to report.
“My Prince,” one of the Dwarves said, “We hid in the woods as you requested. We then saw two men coming down the trail. They were young, barely old enough to be warriors. They called Tannic 'Father' and asked him how he had gotten free. Tannic told them that you had let him go. The three of them went back the other way. It was then that we came down the trail to where the rear guard was. Seeing no other danger, we came with them to the Lost City.”
“We were that upset over a couple of boys?” Hemlot asked.
“We have had battles in the narrow confines of that same trail. I didn’t want to risk it again,” Sarchise said.
When the Dwarf army entered the Lost City the Valkyrie had a huge feast in their honor. It was not like the feast of the Dwarves as there was no bonfire that they gathered around, just tables lined up in the center square of the city. The food was different, too. They had soups and stews with a large variety of different breads and fruity wines, instead of the large portions of meat and ale that he Dwarfs loved so much. To Sarchise it was good food, but it was just not the same, without the songs and hails.
Alidia came up to Sarchise, She had fully healed of her wounds. “Are you staying in the city tonight?” she asked.
“No, I will camp with my army on the plains in front of the city,” Sarchise said politely.
“There is plenty of room in the city as we do not even take up a tenth of it,” Alidia said.
Sarchise changed the subject, “Does your queen live here now?”
“No, she stays in the Hidden City with her advisors. She is old and no longer travels. But she is so grateful to you for freeing this city,” came her answer.
“Tell her that it was my pleasure to free the city,” Sarchise replied and then excused himself to go outside the gate.
Sarchise decided to help with the watch for the night, and it wasn’t long before one of the guards reported an approaching horse. Sarchise expected the horse and rider to enter the city; instead it came straight at him and stopped.
“Are you a fool, camping this close to the city?” the rider asked. He recognized the voice instantly.
“Fawn, how are you?” he said.
“I would be a lot better if you were many miles away from this place.” She questioned, “How long have you been here?”
“Just arrived this morning, have not had any sleep since I have been here,” he confessed. “Why do you ask?”
“Good,” she said, ignoring his question. She then got off her horse and hugged him.
He was taken aback, but none of the guards seemed to notice, so he went on, “they invited me and my army to sleep inside of the city tonight. But I preferred the open plains.”
“Of course,they did,” she said.
“What brings you here?” Sarchise asked.
“King Cazz wanted me to look out for you and your army. He thought that you might be coming through soon. He wants to make sure you had not had any further troubles, ”she answered.
“Oh, you can take a message back saying that we are fine and should be at the fort in the plains of Zor within the week, ”hereplied.
“Not until morning, I have someone I need to protect from himself,” she replied.
Sarchise thought that it was just as well that she was there. He was getting tired. He turned the watch over to one of Hemlot’s under commanders and went to sleep. Fawn bedded down right next to him.
A Meeting at the Fort
The morning brought a wonderful breakfast of roast lamb, bread and cheese, sent out from the Lost City.
Sarchise met with commanders about the upcoming march.
Hemlot was the first to speak. “We could send you on ahead with Fawn and follow up with the army later,” he suggested.
Sarchise dismissed this. “We go together. I want to be with the warriors, but I would like to know if they have an extra horse or two available so we can get messages back and forth faster. Fawn is getting overworked and it takes so long to get a runner through.”
“That is a good idea; I will ask,” Hemlot commented.
“Also ask them if we can get some supplies here. They have been so kind in feeding us these last two days. We need to thank them for that also,” Sarchise said.
“I will look into that also,” Hemlot replied.
“Very well, the rest of us will break camp and get ready to move,” Sarchise said and the group broke up to do their assigned tasks.
It was noon before the last of the group was on the move. Sarchise and Hemlot led the way. The Valkyrie had given them one white horse and one small pony. The pony was the perfect size for a Dwarf but since none of them had ridden a horse before, they were going to wait until they got back, where Fawn had agreed to teach them. Meanwhile she took both the horse and the pony with her back to the Mountains of Iron.
The going was easy for the troops while crossing the plains of Zor. They crossed the King’s road the fourth day out and were at the fort a few days later.
Oswin was there to greet them. “Welcome back Sarchise, you had the King very worried.”
“I was worried for myself too,” Sarchise responded .
“I have a man here waiting to see you,” Oswin said.
Sarchise was curious about who it could be. He made his way into the guard room and saw Tannic sitting at the table. “I never thought that I would see you again,” Sarchise said..
“I may be just a tavern dwelling sell sword, but I do keep my word. I said that I would spy for you and I have. I now consider you my employer, because you gave me my liberty and the Dwarves are now the ones that are feeding me,” Tannic replied.
Oswin, Hemlot and Sarchise sat at the table to hear Tannic’s report.
“I was not able to go very far or very fast with my new battleaxe impression in my chest, but my sons told me that they were not the only ones shadowing the Dwarf army. We waited near the trail for one of these men. We subdued him and were able to talk to him. He is a sell sword also, but he was working a man from the Kingdom of Myr. This man is not claiming to be a King, but desires that there be no Kings in the land. They were watching to see what the Dwarves were doing in the Westwood as they had not heard about the battle. Then I told him what had happened and let him walk away to report this to his leader.”
“Do you know if they have an army built up or not?” Hemlot asked.
“The leader has a huge backing. There are tired of being subject to Kings, and have driven out of the land, or killed, all those who wanted to be King in both the land of Myr and the Middle Kingdom. They have such a strong support among the people of those kingdoms that Mortimur is afraid to send his armies down there,” Tannic replied.
“Do they pose any threat to the Dwarves?” Oswin asked.
“No, he was only worried that you were going to be on the side of King Mortimur and he thought you might be coming after his people. When I told him that you were headed back to the Mountains of Iron, he was greatly relieved.”
Sarchise sat back in his chair. “The world of men continues to disintegrate. I can only hope that we are not dragged into their conflicts again.” Sarchise then turned to Tannic and said, “You can stay here as long as you want. They will feed you. When you are feeling better, I want you to go to the crossroads. There is a lot of coming and going there. Keep your ears open and report back any developments that would be of concern to the Dwarves. I will see to it that you get paid for your efforts.”
“Thank you,” Tannic said.
Sarchise and the other Dwarf leaders left the guard house.
"There are other tidings that I must tell you about," Oswin said. "King Therin of High Mountain is sending his second son, Cadric, to be King over the Crystal Caverns. He goes with two armies of High Dwarves and their families. They will take the entire canyon around the caverns for farms and ranches."
"That is good. The Dwarves now control all of the possible places that breeding pit can be made," Sarchise said.
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"The two Kings debated about sending you to rule over the Caverns, but it was decided not to as King Cazz does not have enough warriors to supply another kingdom and King Therin does. They also didn't know if you were going to leave now that Ammlee has passed," Oswin said.
"That got that many messages back and forth while I was on my way back from the Westwood?" Sarchise asked.
"It was just a few messages, and the Valkyrie rides fast. She came through here with a horse and a pony a few days ago. I suppose there will be more messengers besides her in the future," Oswin said. "I do wonder how much longer will we have her services or even why she does this, of if she will return to her people soon?"
"She is upset with her people right now; I don't know all of the details. Someday, she will return, but I think it will not be soon."
"Meanwhile, I will get the cooks to start preparing the meal. and have the bonfire lit. I have just gotten some nice pigs from the mountains that can be roasted up. I have special guests visiting; I must remember to be a good host," Oswin said as he headed out.
The Journey Home
The feast was wonderful as the bonfire filled the night sky. Ale flowed freely and all the weary warriors felt a warm and inviting welcome to the fort in the plains of Zor.
The next morning, Sarchise let them all rest in and didn't get the army started on its final leg of the journey until mid-day. Horns blew as they made their way out of the gates. It was a happy and victorious army headed home in high spirits.
They marched late into the night that first day to make up some time. After the camp was set up, Sarchise put out a minimum number of guards, because they were on the plains and could see anyone's approach for miles.
He got the army up early the next day and fed them a large breakfast. It was his intent to march straight through. They were almost home and he saw no reason to spend yet another night camping out. The army had traveled most of the day when Fawn was seen approaching.
She rode up to Sarchise and Hemlot, and spoke as she dismounted her horse."There is trouble with the Humans. They have arrived outside the gate and are demanding to speak with you, Sarchise.”
"Very well, take me to them," he said . and then turned to Hemlot, "Keep the army moving, you should arrive at the gate in by early morning."
“I will keep the army moving but you will be with it, “Hemlot said. "I will not have my prince meeting another army all alone."He turned to Fawn and said, "Tell King Mortimur we will be there in the early morning. Sarchise is not going anywhere without the army.”
Fawn nodded and then rode off, but she was back in a few hours. “I have told them who? that, and they were not happy. They are waiting for you since they do not want to talk to King Cazz. I will walk with you until we come upon their camp,” she said as she got off her horse.
As they walked side by side, Fawn reached down and held Sarchise’s hand. When he looked over at her she said, “It’s for good luck,” she said.
The army trudged on into the night. By the early light of morning the Human camp came into view. As they marched closer, the Human camp came alive and by the time the Dwarves had reached the camp, the Human troops had formed into ranks, with their King and their commanders in front.
Sarchise had Hemlot stop the armies and the two of them went forward, but only half the distance to the Human ranks. This made King Mortimur walk forward and meet him half way.
When the king neared, Sarchise said, “I thought that we were friends yet you meet me with an army ready to do battle.”
The King replied, “I am ready to do battle but not against you, my friend. I had to find out if you were still my friend as there are those that claim you are allied against me.”
Sarchise was surprised. “I have not allied myself with anyone.”
King Mortimur gave Sarchise a letter to read.
‘King Mortimur and the people of Ril,’
‘We the people of the Middle Kingdom and the Kingdom of Myr do declare ourselves a free and independent people without a King. We will henceforth be governed by no King, as there have been five men who have come into these lands and declared themselves to be our King. Four of them we have hanged and the other one has fled.’
‘We feel the Dwarves and the free people of South Fort will honor our declarations of freedom. We do not wish civil war, so it is our dearest wish you will honor our will in this matter also. If you will not, we feel that freedom and a right to choose our own leader is worth fighting for.’
‘Signed, Feldinor and the free people of the lower Kingdoms.'
“I have not aligned myself with these people,” Sarchise said.
“Good, you will help me put down this rebellion then?” The King asked.
“No, I did not say that, either, but come, let us talk to King Cazz and see how he feels about it. As for myself, I don’t see where you have a claim on these lands when your forefathers never ruled over them,” Sarchise said bluntly.
The King looked like someone had just hit him in the face. He could not have been more surprised. “Yes indeed, let us talk to King Cazz and he will set you straight. The people cannot decide things for themselves; they need a King to guide them.”
Sarchise didn’t like the king’s arrogance, so he decided not to say anything more. It was tense having both armies standing face to face. Even the slightest misunderstanding could lead to a full scale battle.
Hemlot could see that Sarchise was getting angry so he took over the conversation. “We will go into the mountain and rest our armies from their long march; you are welcome to walk with Sarchise and I as we go in to call upon King Cazz.”
“Yes,” King Mortimur responded.” My commanders and I will join you.”
Hemlot motioned for the army to march and King Mortimur and all of his commanders followed him into the front gate of the mountain.
A Meeting of Kings
When the king and his commanders had passed the gate, instead of going to the great hall, they followed Sarchise up to the parlor of King Cazz.
King Cazz was so overjoyed to see Sarchise, that he ignored King Mortimur and hugged his friend." I should not have sent you alone to find the Elf. I did not know that the Humans were in rebellion and hiding in the Westwood. I would never have forgiven myself if I would have lost you."
"All is well now, my King," Sarchise responded, "I am safe."
The Human King was still upset by Sarchise’s comments; he started by saying, “Your Prince here does not believe in the mandate of the kings.”
King Cazz looked at Sarchise and then back at Mortimur, “I am not sure that I do, either. If I rule badly and place unreasonable burdens on the people, they can rebel. As a king, I must rule with the best interest of those I rule over in mind. Evil kings have been overthrown and will continue to be. What started this conversation?”
“Sarchise said that I have no right to rule over all of the four kingdoms, but I claim that right as the only Human king left alive.”
King Cazz didn’t know what he had gotten himself in the middle of. Sarchise saw his confusion and said, “King Mortimur, show him the letter.”
King Mortimur pulled it out of his pocket and showed it to King Cazz.
After King Cazz had read it he replied, “So that is why you are here, not to attack me as I had supposed when I saw your army camped in front of my gates, but to attack the two southern kingdoms.”
Mortimur suddenly realized his mistake. “I am sorry, I had no idea that you would even imagine that I was here to attack you. I didn’t mean to cause you any alarm.”
King Cazz smiled, “As for the other matter, King Mortimur. Your forefathers once mediated an end to the war between the Elves and the Dwarves. I would like to serve as your mediator to stop a war before it happens. The Kingdoms that you wish to subdue have grown in population over the past few years. You can win, but it will cost you most of your army and you will be forced to station troops down there for many years to come. Your name will be hated for g
enerations.”
King Cazz went on, "You have already put down a rebellion in the Kingdom of Zor; now the lower Kingdoms are rebelling and you have traveled down to put down that one also. It is going to happen over and over again. You do not want to rule over these Kingdoms. You will spend your whole time putting down one rebellion only to have another one start up. The men that populate the Kingdoms presently are not the ones that were here when there were four kingdoms. Most of these men are from South Fort, where they select those who govern them by voting on the matter. They will never be happy with you as a total ruler."
King Mortimur knew what King Cazz was saying was true. “What do you suggest?”
“Give them autonomy; you remain their king, and they have the protections of the Royal Army, but they are allowed to hold free and open elections. You don’t have to oversee the day to day problems of these people, but can still rely on some of them to serve in your armies, and have taxes added to your treasury to support that army,” King Cazz commented.
King Mortimur thought long and hard about this, he finally said, “I am not opposed to this, if you can talk these people into it.”
“I will do my best, now take your army away from the gates, but not more than half way between here and the fort on the plains of Zor. When I approach them, I don’t want them feeling threatened when talking to them.” KingCazz said.
“I will do that, but first I would like to be invited to another bonfire gathering; that was one of the highlights of my life.” Mortimur replied.
“Very well, you shall be my honored guest in the great hall tonight,” King Cazz said.
The meeting broke up and Sarchise made his way to his living quarters. He was so happy to see his sons that he held each one in turn for a long time and then he lay down and drifted off to sleep.
In the morning, he woke up early to find his two sons and their nurse maids were still sleeping, so he quietly walked up the passageway to the old guard post where he could look out at the world. He sat down and enjoyed the view. The Humans were still encamped in front of the gate. He didn’t make it to the bonfire, but he supposed that King Mortimur would not have made it back to his tent yet. The morning sun was making a red glow on the horizon as it had not yet peeked over the distant plains.