Fury of Molith (Fengysha Series Book 2)

by Jordan Cramm

  “Sort of…”

  “Oh fog it woman come on and think! This is Voodian. It is rare. So rare that it has value. It’s properties are such that you can literally thinly use it to paint onto stone. Then, take fire to any part of it, and it won’t burn up at all. But there’s a chemical reaction that causes it to stick to stone and solidify and thereafter give off strong luminescent light—enough to light cavern darkness so you could read by it. It’s what both Dwarven kingdoms on Molith were formed with. Woman if you had dropped that torch into that pool there, the whole thing would have solidified and it would just be one big bright underground rock. For foggin certain that there is a pool of Voodian. Do you know what that means?”

  “Can we skip to the part where you just tell me?”

  “It means…” Gorak went on with an excited tone of voice, “that Elender will become a kingdom of its own! It means a third Dwarven King. Of course those foggers at the assembly will probably argue this, but I think since I found it, I should be King!”

  “Yeah…uh huh. Fascinating. Well at least you found the end of the tunnel system we are in. And you found a surface hole. That ought to buy us some down time. And to think, we packed heavy for this little venture. Job is done, let’s go home.”

  “You don’t get it woman! We are going to be famous at least! Think of it…I would be King and you could be my Queen. I mean it would just be a ceremonial position of course, but think of it…we could be done with this grum. We would have enough wealth to buy the damn tavern. Blazes, by rights we would own it as Elender was annexed to be part of our new kingdom.”

  “Sure Gorak. They are going to make a half-mad drunk and a mediocre Scout into Dwarven royalty. Yeah I will believe that when I see it.”

  “Are you daft woman?” Gorak remarked, “First, I am not ‘half-mad’, and second you aren’t mediocre. Okay, so you don’t understand how important this discovery is. I don’t know how you don’t know, but I understand that you don’t. Fine. But trust me Fenka this is big. This gets us out of Scout duty…out of the Forgotten Ones…it puts us at the top of the Dwarven food chain…well equal to the two other kings, but still at the top. All we have to do is report our findings! Would you just trust me?”

  Fenka shrugged.

  “Get your parchment out and let us do the survey for the map. We need to get back as soon as we can to report everything we have found here. Never mind stacking Orc bodies for defense. We need to get moving now.”

  Not that the Dwarves had a chime system, but it took them the equivalent of five chimes to return with a full company of Forgotten Ones. The main army in fact followed their lead back to their discovery, and along the way Fenka realized Gorak had been right about the importance of the find. The Dwarves quickly set up defensive stations around the area to ensure the pool would be disturbed by no outsiders, and by no Orcs especially. Gorak was thereafter credited with the find, and was ushered back to the Elender underground and straight to the assembly chambers with his partner Fenka.

  At first, talk was good. They were told that they would each be very wealthy indeed because of their find. It was also confirmed that Voodian was the substance that ultimately made a Dwarven kingdom as for Dwarves, it was the most valuable and precious underground resource, even though not every Dwarf knew much about it.

  When the talk of crowning a King came up however, the assembly did not immediately jump to the decision to crown Gorak as the new King. Instead, they informed him that they would have to discuss the matter at length and that most likely votes would be taken, and an electoral process would decide the matter. Gorak rolled his eyes and began to curse when he heard that, calling it “Foggin Grum” before storming out of the assembly chambers. Fenka followed after him, but not before apologizing to the assembly for his manners. She told them that he was just really let down. They informed her that she should not worry—that they would gather the Voodian, but do nothing with it until speaking with Gorak again first. They said after all, they respected that as it was his find, it was his Voodian.

  As Fenka left the assembly, she began to jog, catching up to Gorak on the way to the tavern. She called out to him, and he simply turned and grumbled before continuing on as she caught up to him.

  “Hey,” she said, “the assembly recognizes that the Voodian is yours. All of it. They are having it gathered, but they aren’t going to try and take it from you. I think they want to vote for King, and I guess have you endorse that King by handing over the Voodian, or maybe setting terms for doing so. Not quite sure yet, but they said they won’t do anything before talking to you again.”

  “Those foggin ingrates ought to be bowing already. I am telling you Fenka, if they don’t want to fork over a foggin crown, then I will take that Voodian elsewhere start a kingdom there on my own. Gral and Brosha can just move over to make room.”

  Fenka nodded. She felt bad that she hadn’t known about Voodian before and worse that she had challenged him about its importance before.

  “Hey,” she went on, “I’m sorry about earlier…you know, about not believing you and all about the stuff.”

  “Oh don’t get all weepy on me woman. I wasn’t going to cut you out of the spoils just for the normal ‘Fenka’ attitude you throw my way. It’s part of your sweet charm. In fact if I weren’t so foggin mad about the assembly right now, I might just have to take you somewhere private and show you my hidden war hammer and make a real woman out of you.”

  “Wow Gorak…wow. I know that was a compliment but….well anyway, thank you. And thanks for keeping me alive on another duty call.”

  “The LAST duty call darling. That Voodian is our ticket out of the Forgotten Ones. It’s a foggin chance to say ‘I made a mistake all those years ago by joining, and here is my resignation’…without actually dying of course.”

  “So what now?” she asked, “Drink?”

  “Drink.”

  Chapter 7: Morning Preparations

  Wolflen woke early and had already prepared breakfast by the time Katrina woke. It was the aroma in fact that woke her, and she smiled as she looked around the empty bedroom for Wolflen. She knew her father would arrive later that day, based upon what Kesper had told them, and now she woke to a breakfast that smelled like it was ready. Clearly, Wolflen had no intention of being caught unprepared later in the day and would do his best to be as ready as he could be. So, she stood from bed, whipping the covers off of herself but putting on only a robe. When she walked into the main room, Wolflen was already setting the table. She smiled at him softly. She could tell he had already bathed as well, and even though he was letting his facial hair grow now, he had at least lined it up to show a thin beard line, mustache and goatee.

  He pulled her chair out and she sat down without a word. He told her that he had made hot biscuits, some gravy, and some side pork that he cooked over one of the braziers. She nodded her approval and thanked him as she reached for the piping hot bowl of biscuits on the table and began to help herself. Before he sat down across from her, he also brought a cut up orange and some grapes to the table in a small dish. She helped herself to a few pieces of each as well and thanked him.

  “So,” he said as he began to sit, “today is the day. Nervous?”

  She smiled and nodded slightly.

  “It has been over a year since I saw my father. By now I am sure he has heard some of the happenings, but likely not everything. What about you? Nervous, anxious?”

  Wolflen pulled a few biscuits from the bowl and began ripping them apart on his plate as he answered. “I suppose so, yes. I mean, what if he doesn’t like me?”

  “Well,” she retorted, “then it is good you asked me to marry you and not him, wouldn’t you say?”

  He chuckled.

  “I’m serious Katrina. What if he disapproves, or he tries to stop us from getting married? How painful would that be? And what about his thoughts toward a ceremony? I mean I know nothing about Elvish wedding custom. That ignorance might get me in trouble.” />
  Katrina smiled before pouring some gravy on her biscuits and taking a bite. Then she stabbed a piece, and grinned as she chewed it.

  “What is so funny?” he asked.

  “It’s just that the Elvish people don’t have ceremonies the way other races do. Strictly speaking, by the laws of our people, we were married when I accepted your proposal and put the ring on.”

  “What?!” Wolflen blurted out. “I mean…well I mean that’s great, but won’t your father have something to say about that then? He may even want to dissolve this union if he doesn’t like me.”

  “Wolflen,” Katrina replied, “do not worry. The choice of who I would marry was mine to make. Honestly, I was surprised you asked when you did, but I do not regret saying yes on the spot. I could have made you wait, and could have told you to ask again another time at a later date. I just thought doing so might make you confused as to how I felt. Now, as for Elvish custom, it is tradition that after a union is joined, there is a festival of sorts. Gifts are given, food and drinks are shared, and often they can be quite large festivals. But technically speaking by my culture’s custom, we are as man and wife now. I hope that doesn’t upset you.”

  “Upset me no…but before at the restaurant you asked me where and when I wanted to get married. So I am confused.”

  “I just figured,” Katrina replied, “that as your people do have wedding ceremonies within your culture, that I would participate. As I understand your customs the Izenians also have a party after the ceremony itself. So if standing before one of your priests and affirming my desire to be joined to you is part of your culture, I want to honor it. But according to Elven law we are already joined. Make sense?”

  Wolflen nodded.

  “I wish I would have known that though,” he remarked, “because then I could have planned a honeymoon night.”

  “Honeymoon?” she asked, not knowing what it was.

  “Yeah. You know honeymoon…when man and wife go somewhere special after they are married and they…well you know…”

  She looked at him a moment with slight confusion but then started to understand his meaning.

  “Oh….oh…well, I think we may find difficulty getting some time off right now. Elves do not have this custom. I mean sure some do…you know, the night of their union. Not everyone however.”

  “So,” Wolflen went on suddenly realizing something, “I am now officially married to the most beautiful person in the world though…you are my wife.”

  She smiled and nodded.

  “You are mine and I am yours, yes. I admit, I am not clear as to what all the protocols are after this though. I think my father will have much input on that front. For instance where we will live—whether or not my father will let me keep my territories, what title I will have among my people now if any…I cannot answer these questions. They fall to my father to be answered.”

  “Why didn’t Jakarta tell me I was a married man though?” Wolflen asked.

  “Maybe he thought you already knew. If not, he probably kept quiet for his own deniability in the matter. I’m sure he is just as nervous about seeing my father today as anyone. He left Orenty on assignment to watch over me. Along the way I ditched his escort several times in cities like Haven. And in Haven, an Izenian saved my life, not him. Then that same Izenian swept me off my feet you could say. Again Jakarta could do nothing. Now this, and once more Jakarta was unable to stop it. So depending on my father’s mood, Jakarta could be in for some stern words at least. As for you…just be yourself when my father arrives. You have the tea barrels for him. He will like that—Izenian Black is his favorite.”

  “So do we greet him here then, or at the harbor?” Wolflen asked.

  “Here…this is the command tent of this army, and it is OUR tent together. We can welcome him here which would be seen as an honor—to be invited into the tent of a War Mage. Then after tea we can talk.”

  “So will you hide the ring until the subject comes up?”

  “No. I will hide nothing. If you want, I will speak to him privately. The tent is yours though, so you don’t have to leave it if you don’t want.”

  Wolflen took another bite of his biscuits and gravy as he considered the matter.

  “I am certain,” he said after chewing, that your father is no fool. Therefore he will notice the ring quickly. If you wish time alone with him, I will certainly leave the tent to you both. I can always go find Ayvock and get a report. Besides that, I think I need to visit the Dwarves of Elender soon. Our camp outside the city is in place now and the men are working on the barrier wall. Jakarta told me last night they found a few different Orc holes in the ground out to the East a ways. So they are sealing those holes. But a stroll through camp would be fine…give me a chance to take the air, gauge the morale of the men, and plan the next step of this journey.”

  “Thank you Wolflen. You honor me with your patience in this. I won’t lie to you, this is new ground for me. I am not sure how it all works. But, I love you. I know that much at least.”

  “And I you m’lady.”

  They ate the rest of their meal in silence, and Katrina said she needed to bathe before the arrival of her father. Wolflen nodded and kissed her when she got up from the table. As he held her, she felt her robe slide off her shoulders to the floor, leaving her in nothing but a thin night gown. He too was in clothing only right now, not yet dressed in his armor, and he held her warmly as they kissed. As he held her, she leapt upwards, feeling his hands catch her below her butt as she wrapped her legs around him. There he held her another moment before setting her gently on the table in front of him. Then, he brushed some hair out of her face and stared at her with longing a moment before kissing her again.

  After they kissed once more, she wrapped her arms around his neck and he helped her back down off the table.

  “Well,” she said, “you better go get ready too. Show off that new armor. Let my father see my new husband in the new digs. Might want to give Sespa a brushing too. Her fur is pretty gnarly right now.”

  Wolflen chuckled.

  “I know,” he said, “she is taking her own bath right now in fact, back in the city. Shampoo and everything.”

  Katrina smiled.

  “Wow, you are on top of things this morning. I would guess we have about two chimes if what Kesper told us was true. Well, I need to go make myself beautiful.”

  “Too late,” he said with a smile and causing her to blush.

  “Go on,” she said with a playful stare, “and stop trying to flatter me. You already won me over.”

  Wolflen nodded as he smiled and turned back toward the bedroom where his armor was waiting. As for Katrina, she picked her robe up from off the floor and carried it with her into the bathroom where she began to run herself a bath. She had to admit, it was nice to have running and temperate water inside a tent. She didn’t presume to know how the magic worked, but she knew it did, and she was glad for it. Of course, they were close enough to Elender that she could have found a bath house there if she had wanted to pay, but she was happy now for the privacy that his tent offered, and for the fact that in some ways it felt like home for the both of them. With so many uncertainties about the future still ahead of them, it was nice at least to know that they would at least have a tent. She giggled to herself figuring they would also be able to rely on a home in Akartha. As for her territories on the continent of Polithica, she wasn’t sure. Had she married another Elven man she would keep those territories without issue. But taking an Izenian man as her husband could change things she knew. But what exactly isn’t changing in these times?

  She hung her robe neatly in the bathroom as the warm water filled the tub. She then removed her nightgown and hung it up as well before stepping slowly into the tub. Beside the tub was a small wooden peg-rack that held a few wash cloth items and some soap. She smiled, seeing the soap was still wet, and knowing Wolflen had used it earlier that morning. Then she lathered up a wash cloth and began scrubbing all over h
er body, making sure to get everything clean.

  When she finished, she stood and dried herself with a nearby towel and grabbed her robe once more. After pulling it over her shoulders once more, she tied it shut at the waist with her belt, collected her night gown and then left the bathroom. Wolflen was already in his full armor and standing at the main table clearing dishes away as she entered the room. When he saw her he froze, his mouth gaping open. He looked her over quickly, seeing more cleavage than he had since they met, and noting the drops of water still glistening on the parts of her skin that were exposed.

  “You going to say something?” she asked.

  “Just that,” he said as he cleared his throat, “well the blood rises to see you so.”

  “Tasset piece get a little tighter?” she asked with a smile.

  He nodded.

  “Good,” she said as she approached him slowly.

  Her hair was still wet as she stepped forward and kissed him. He moaned, feeling his pulse quicken, and his heart begin to pound out a rhythm he was certain they could both dance to. But she didn’t linger long. After a moment she stepped back and told him she needed to finish getting ready for her father’s visit.

  “Um yeah…I uh…well I need to finish straightening up in here.”

  A short time later, Wolflen had tidied up the tent and Katrina was in armor just as he was. She finished drying her hair in the main room with her towel, and then she brought a brush out from the bedroom and begun brushing. She commented, saying she could get used to living with him in their tent. He smiled and agreed that it was quite nice.

  “Although,” he said, “it’s also quite distracting…in a good way of course.”

  “Well just let that be reason not to fall in battle,” she answered playfully.

  Wolflen summoned his new weaponry and set the Shockblades against his back where they stayed in plain sight, adhering to their location through the work of magic. Wolflen asked her if he should keep them visible when greeting her father, or send them away once more. She told him it was his choice really; so long as he didn’t draw them and poise himself in an offensive stance, she said her father would not mind either way.