by Jordan Cramm
Jakarta, King Janureen, and Katrina were chuckling about the last remark. Wolflen remained silent, knowing that Ayvock was right. For them as Izenians, their first time in Elven lands had been a culture shock of sorts. Keeping secrets among Elves for instance was doable, but not if they were witness to the things you wished kept private.
“So Gorak,” Ayvock started in, “Wolflen said you wish us to vouch for you; that you want him to support you as a King under Elender. But tell me, even if this is accomplished, how would that help us? Wouldn’t the assembly still have to be dealt with to get access to your underground cavern ways?”
“No,” Gorak returned as he walked without turning back, “if I am made King things will foggin change. If I choose to remain in the Elender underground, work will begin to build lower levels. If I choose to take the Voodian elsewhere, then whatever Dwarf chooses to follow me can. By our laws though as set down by Gworkin the Great over a thousand years ago, Voodian finds such as the one I recently discovered are the wealth of a Dwarven kingdom.”
“Not jewels or precious metal then?” Ayvock asked.
“Those things are put to use,” Gorak continued, “and we do make a foggin profit from them. But for a proper Dwarven kingdom to be built you have to have Voodian. Underground in the world, light is valuable. There are water springs, streams, even rivers underground, and many of them have food in them. There’s also a wide variety of foggin animals underground too, which I find has surprised many of you topsiders in my experience. ‘Where do they come from?’ you all seem to wonder. It ain’t foggin hard to imagine a sky above you when you are topside, or animals, or foggin birds as you call them. But tell a topsider there is life underground and life can be sustained underground, and they look at you like you are nuts. You will see. Underground plants grow just as on the surface. Different foggin kinds of course, but things can survive underground. We Dwarves choose such life whenever possible. The life makes more sense to us. Of course, light in shorter supply than on the surface. Down here we don’t normally know when you have…what to you call that foggin thing…’sunrise’ or ‘sunset’. We rely on fire, some orb light, but with Voodian, those become non-issues. We spread the foggin stuff on whatever walls we choose and can illuminate the whole kingdom. Without it, no foggin Dwarf would see a man’s leadership for anything much. Sure we Dwarves have our pillars in our community. But a man or woman with Voodian as I have acquired has the potential to become King. So going down here this trip, I am hoping you can get the grum out of the ears if the foggin assembly. If so, I will be made King and in return, you will have access to use our cavern ways freely, bearing the mark of my kingdom as you travel. If the assembly does not agree to make me King however, the Voodian is mine still, and I will myself rally whatever Dwarves I can to follow me, in which case I may try to claim the Elender underground anyway, or find another new foggin location to call home.”
“So,” King Janureen cut in, “I travel with the first Izenian War Mage, who became my son-in-law and first Izenian to be called Prince by our people as he has married my daughter. Then we find ourselves here on Molith, not currently in battle, but attempting to make someone King among the Dwarves. Lord Darkmoon I will say this for you…you are certainly going to make the pages of history, no matter what outcome this war follows.”
“Except,” Ayvock chimed in, “that he already has a reputation for being a pain in the arse.”
Everyone began laughing and Wolflen turned to look at his friend, who was still riding his horse Colt.
“Says the man who has earned us trouble more than once himself in our travels,” Wolflen remarked with a grin.
“Yeah yeah,” Ayvock retorted, “I don’t want to hear about Grimton again. That wasn’t solely my fault anyway. Besides, have you told your father in law about your days at sea? I am sure I could recall the tale with ease if he would like to hear it.”
“First Lord Calmbreeze,” King Janureen said with a grin and a wink toward Wolflen and toward his own daughter, “I think he should tell us about this Grimton story.”
“Gorak how much farther is it now?” Ayvock asked as they continued riding downward into the world through a large cave.
“Not far to the city underground now. And King Janureen, if it is all the same to you, I really don’t want to hear the foggin Grimton story any more than this Izenian here does. Can we just walk in silence until we get there?”
“Careful Gorak,” Wolflen returned at once, “you need OUR help remember, and you need it much more than we need yours.”
“It’s okay,” King Janureen joined in, “apologies Gorak. I suppose you have other pressing things on your mind. I didn’t intend to be inconsiderate.”
Now everyone riding a mount looked at King Janureen, wondering if he was being serious, or mocking the Dwarf. His courtesy certainly wasn’t necessary in Wolflen’s estimation. Katrina too felt that such politeness was not owed; at least not to Gorak. Jakarta too was slightly surprised, but only because by rights, King Janureen could have commanded him to silence the Dwarf; an order Jakarta would have no qualms about following.
Gorak grumbled and shook off the unpleasant glance that Fenka gave him. She didn’t hit his arm this time, but she was shaking her head slightly.
“I suppose,” Gorak added, “I’m a bit foggin grumpy. Maybe it seems overly so. I too apologize if I have given offense. But you are right, I do have a lot of grum on my mind. We’re talking about a crown, title, and kingdom after all, not to mention a foggin chance to resign from the Forgotten Ones while being still among the living. By the stone, that alone would be worth the Voodian, but these foggin talking heads in the assembly need to open their eyes and give what is owed.”
“It has been long since I was last in Molith Gorak,” King Janureen added, “but at last visit, there was a senior Dwarf on the assembly under Elender. His name was Chezim. Tell me, is this still so?”
“Aye,” Gorak replied, “Chezim still commands the assembly. Hope you don’t think too highly of him, because he is complicating matters for me right now. Foggin bastard he is.”
“With Chezim still on the assembly,” King Janureen went on, “I believe I can almost guarantee that we can sway the outcome of the decision reached. He and I have a history you might say, and I think he will heed my opinion.”
“That would be great,” Fenka joined in, “I mean if you can make it happen the whole process might go quicker.”
“You never mind woman,” Gorak replied, “either way this turns, the Voodian is mine. I’m grateful to any who would help keep it that way, but the timing on this is foggin irrelevant. Law is law.”
Chapter 12: Underground Passage
The assembly had gathered together, Dwarves from various caste systems and different clans. They each gathered in the giant assembly hall which was a rounded auditorium, with seats on rising levels all around. In the center of the room were three chairs down on the bottom level, where Chezim and two of his guards sat. He was the moderator for the assembly; the chief council voice. Standing before him now was Gorak, Fenka, Wolflen, Katrina, King Janureen, Jakarta, and the attachment of the Black Cloak Guard. Introductions had already been made, and the purpose for their visit made clear. All around, the large forum had been full of chatter over the matter, but was now quieting down as Chezim stood from his seat with a large staff that he used to strike against the stone floor.
“We have heard the requests of our visitors here,” Chezim began, “and their logic is sound. By the law, none of us here can dispute Gorak’s claim of ownership on the new Voodian find. By calculation, we have discovered it to be substantial. There is more than 50 thousand gallons of it, which we have stowed in barrels. Of course, the cost of the barrels and of storage must be repaid by Gorak before we release it, and on this point, some of you hope to detain the Voodian. However, King Janureen himself has offered the money required to release the Voodian to Gorak, including all storage and barrels cost. Therefore, the only issue that t
his assembly has choice to voice an opinion on now is whether they will follow Gorak or not. He has chosen to build his kingdom elsewhere, as part of agreement to allow Dwarves of Elender to remain here if they choose to do so. Therefore, this assembly will remain as it is and wish Gorak well as a new King among our people. By this agreement, Gorak has chosen to take the Voodian to the continent of Polithica with the help of the Izenians here. A small detachment will sail in the coming weeks, along with the Voodian, and together they will be the first Dwarven kingdom on the continent of Polithica. Therefore, the choice for every Dwarf here will be whether to follow him or to remain here.”
“Anyone,” Wolflen began in a loud tone as he looked around, “that wishes to join Gorak may sail freely and follow him. We have the ships and we have the room.”
“As further arrangement,” Chezim followed, “we have come to agreement with the new King Gorak. We will fashion his crown, and we will support his decision to leave Molith and allow anyone that wants to follow him to do so. Furthermore, we have agreed to give passage to the Izenians and Elves in our underground here, that they may reach their destinations more swiftly than they could hope to do topside. We will also be committing 3,000 troops to their cause, as they have shown that cause to be in our interests as well. If enough troops are to be found with King Gorak’s new following, then so be it. If not, I have agreed to send the difference in number. For this support, Gorak has consented to give the Dwarves of Elender 1,000 gallons of liquid Voodian, which we must decide to either pay as tribute to one of the other kings, or to use to make things better here in Elender. Such are the terms set before us. What remains to be known is how you each will choose to move forward after this.”
Again the assembly hall was full of chatter, and the room seemed to be divided. There were over 500 Dwarves on the assembly, and they were each present now. Each one though represented 20-30 more voices of Dwarves not on the assembly. It seemed that the decision was so split that there would be no short proceedings when taking tally of who was wanting to leave with Gorak, and who wanted to stay.
“I see,” Chezim said loudly as he slammed his staff into the stone floor once more, “that there are many who will follow Gorak after all. This decision of course falls not only to each of you, but to every Dwarf in Elender or in the service of this city. I want all scouts recalled at once, and I want each Dwarf given a chance to make their decision. I want word spread throughout the city; those Dwarves wishing to join King Gorak should join him topside in two days-time, in a camp beyond the city walls. Those who are able should muster for war, and those unable will remain behind at the camp. As for the Dwarves wishing to remain within Elender, let them simply remain, but let us resume Scout duty in the same two days-time, that we may not falter in our own duties.”
The address to the general assembly was over, and the commotion of the room began again as Dwarves stood from their seats and began clearing out. Wolflen and his company remained, as did Chezim.
“Thank you,” Wolflen said, “we appreciate your help.”
Chezim nodded quietly and responded as he looked over the company standing before him. “So,” he began, “just how many do you intend to send through our underground?”
“We thought to move through with a force of about 1700,” Wolflen said, “the idea is to reach our destination before the enemy, with our main force to follow. Ideally, we would have them caught in the middle.”
“I see,” Chezim remarked, “and you chase only Werewolves?”
“To the best of our knowledge yes,” Ayvock nodded, “but right now we can’t be certain what else may be waiting. That’s why we want to get ahead of the enemy—perhaps get a better sense of what is ahead of us too.”
“Well,” Chezim replied, “from what you showed me on the maps we can get you there. I’ve seen the place you are referring to, though we Dwarves never thought it to be a magical place. The nearest exit hole we know of to it though is still a few miles East of it. But, you would be able to get there sure enough. Our tunnels are built large enough to allow passage of both warrior and mount. The route would be easy enough and I can have my people show you where you can draw water along the way. At fast pace, you would likely be traveling for nearly a week. If your force topside moves slower than that, then those you send underground will be coming out to whatever awaits them and they would have no backup.”
Wolflen nodded.
“We have considered that,” Wolflen said, “and we are going to risk it. How though will our people exit the underground?”
“We Dwarves are excellent foggin smiths,” Gorak added now, “and wherever there are Dwarven exits from the underground, you can bet there are Dwarven doors. Not only are the foggers strong, but they also are often hidden and hard to find from the outside. Plus, they stay locked from the inside, so outsiders can’t just go entering one at will. Guards are stationed at every door. We don’t take chances with topside.”
Wolflen grinned.
“You don’t think marching with us up there or eventually sailing for Polithica will be taking a chance topside Gorak?”
“That’s ‘King’ Gorak now, and sure it’s a big chance. Worth the risk though. Dwarves have never had a kingdom on that continent and as I understand it, the topside there is more forgiving than it is here. We’ll be the first foggin Dwarven kingdom there, and that is worth everything. Who knows what we will find deep in the world there.”
“Right,” Fenka added, “and since we will be the first ones in, we are also going to get to be the first things the Orcs there prey on.”
“Oh fog it woman, always reminding me of our problems you are…”
The others who had been quiet started laughing together at the argument between Gorak and Fenka, until Chezim spoke again.
“So how soon until your force needs to move through?”
“Immediately…” Ayvock remarked quickly, “tonight.”
Chezim nodded.
Later that night, Wolflen was packing the last of his ruck sacks, getting ready for his mission underground. Katrina too was packing a few things of her own, though she was mostly completely ready. There was an unspoken tension in the air; a feeling that they were on the precipice of battle. It felt heavy to each of them, like a weight upon them. As Wolflen returned from the bedroom, he saw Katrina was ready and waiting. He knew it was time.
He was the first to leave his tent, and outside there was a multitude gathered, including everyone that was a part of his war council. Wolflen paused, causing Katrina to nearly run into him when she exited the tent herself.
“What’s going on?” Wolflen asked.
“Well,” Jakarta stepped forward with the reins to his own Destrier in hand, “we’ve done some talking and we have decided that a change of plans was in order.”
“A change of plans?” Katrina asked.
“Indeed,” King Janureen chimed in as he stepped forward, “a change of plans.”
“Okay,” Wolflen remarked, “what is this then?”
“This is the part where you will give your nod of approval.”
Wolflen looked at Ayvock as he spoke.
“Approval for what?” he asked.
“Well,” Ayvock replied, “simply put…we are going with you. As your Judicator, I have handed governorship of the army over to my father. He’s a better Knight than I am and had more experience. I’ve also given him the remainder of the Black Cloaks. With our company with you, I think we will take their part in helping guard you…and the Princess. As for me, I find this to be the more logical choice; logical and simple.”
“What about the force that stays topside?” Katrina asked.
“I will lead our people,” King Janureen said, “and Lord Flint Calmbreeze shall govern the Izenian portion of the army.”
“I’m shocked by this showing,” Wolflen said with a grin, “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything,” Ayvock added, “we weren’t asking.”
Wolfle
n grinned at Ayvock and they both shared a hand-to-forearm handshake and Wolflen nodded. He gave his approval of the new plan, and found this his companions were already prepared to leave and head into the Elender underground. Ravenshade and Trevel too seemed excited as the others were, and they were whispering together about the notion of fighting Dwarves.
“Besides,” Jakarta added lastly, “now that you are one of our Princes, I have a duty to protect you as much as protecting the Princess there.”
“Jakarta,” Katrina said pointing a finger at him, “don’t start.”
“Well,” Wolflen said, “I see that the riders are gathered. Let us be off to it then.”
Sespa ran to his side quickly, and Wolflen packed away his rucksack in one of the harness pouches on her back. Then he said the magical incantation to collapse his tent with magic, turning it back into a stone once more that he held in his hand. He closed his hand tightly a moment around it, knowing he might not get to use it again for a while, and he put it into one of his belt pouches. Then he turned, swinging himself up atop Sespa’s back, and quickly pulling Katrina up after. Then as one unit, the column began its ride to the gates of Elender, and thereafter into the underground.
In the Elender underground, they were met by Gorak, Fenka, members of the Dwarven assembly, and a slew of soldiers. For the trek to their destination, the Dwarves offered up 300 soldiers total, including their new King. Gorak explained that the 300 were the first volunteers to follow him as King, and while he had a much larger following now, they would be preparing to help topside, and ensuring that when it came time to sail, that they would be ready.
“So Gorak,” Ayvock began, “how fast can that cave ram of yours run anyway?”