by Alon Shalev
“And infectious, I think,” Ballendir observed. “Let’s have some fun while the others retreat.”
The first enemy dwarves that appeared through the dust didn’t get a chance to absorb the uncommon sight as dwarf, elf and human confronted them in a unified front. Gradually, humans replaced dwarves and several pictorians dragged themselves through. The dwarf colony was soon reeling before such overwhelming numbers. From behind Ballendir, Seanchai and the others came a cry to fall back, followed by a blast of the horn.
Once through the arch to the second cavern, another iron gate slammed down heavily, the chains that held it whirling through the air. More boulders were released on either side.
“They dare to use explosives in our mountain!” cried Rothendir.
Then she smiled and nodded to two dwarves up on a ledge. They pushed down on a lever as everyone covered their ears. Seanchai copied them and braced himself for what was next, but the bang was startling and echoed throughout the corridors, cave walls, and in his ears.
Rothendir instructed her clan excitedly, “Take new positions! We defend the second hall.”
Dwarves scurried all around. Ballendir signaled for Seanchai’s crew to follow him to a higher ledge. On the way he grabbed a bundle of arrows and threw them to Shayth. Sellia was behind them and grabbed another. She turned to Seanchai.
“Bring a couple more. I would hate to suddenly have nothing to do.”
Seanchai grinned in spite of himself. His friends seemed remarkably calm. Perhaps this was all under control. Then a string of explosions reached them from the outside.
“Why so far away?” Seanchai asked.
“Must be widening the tunnels,” Ballendir replied, furrowing his brow. “They need the room to get more troops through.”
Tense silence fell heavy, and broke when they heard scrambling sounds from just outside the gate. A thundering explosion blew the gate to smithereens, and soldiers poured through while the flash blinded Seanchai and the others.
Ballendir called a hail of arrows down upon the soldiers. Sellia shot arrow after arrow in rapid succession, reloading her bow just as fast as Seanchai could pass them to her.
A gasp erupted as the still-standing soldiers made room for a huge creature. The troll hulked in on all fours but then rose on two feet, towering many feet above the stubby dwarves, its thick, gray, leathery muscles lending power to the huge club it brandished. It didn’t seem to care who its target was, and the Emperor’s soldiers retreated warily behind it.
Sellia and Shayth were the first to react, though their arrows barely pierced its tough skin. It looked up, saw the company on the ledge, and roared as it charged them.
Seanchai felt a wave of panic but steadied himself with a deep breath. “The eyes,” he yelled. “Shoot for the eyes!”
Sellia answered the call immediately, hitting the troll’s left eye and sending it roaring backward. It flailed and pulled the arrow out, along with its eye. It resumed its advance, rolling its head and baying for revenge.
“Shayth,” Sellia yelled. “Shoot the other eye.”
The troll was ready for it this time, though, and batted Shayth’s arrow away. Sellia moved next to him and fired a second arrow. The troll could not react in time. It fell, crushing two soldiers underneath its massive weight.
Seanchai leapt down from the ledge, almost fifteen feet. He cut through the four remaining human soldiers before leaping on and stabbing the fallen troll. The troll thrashed in pain and sent Seanchai rolling off of him. It tried to rise but collapsed, lifeless.
A cheer went up from the clan, but died quickly as two more trolls entered the cavern. Ballendir echoed Seanchai’s earlier order to aim for the eyes. The troll nearest Seanchai staggered under the barrage, giving Seanchai an opening to jump onto his back and slice with his sword. He then jumped off the falling troll but landed too close to the third one.
Seanchai rolled to avoid its club, but hit his head on a rock in the process. He shook the dizzy feeling, but the troll didn’t bother raising his club now that Seanchai was on the ground. A massive foot kicked out and sent Seanchai flying into a wall, his swords flying from his hands.
Now the troll advanced on him, club high above its head. Seanchai tried to summon power, but was weakened and the troll barely staggered.
Ilana climbed down behind the troll, trying to gather Seanchai’s swords, but was too far away to help. Suddenly, though his sight was fuzzy and his ears ringing, Seanchai heard a clear voice inside his head.
“The blue stone, Seanchai. Channel your power through the blue stone.”
Seanchai reached blindly to the pouch and instinctively drew the blue stone. He stretched his hand and from deep within came the word he needed: Mereksur.
A chilling blue light blazed from the stone, intensifying with Seanchai’s energy. The troll froze, stupefied, its mouth hanging open. Blue light engulfed it. Seanchai rose, stepped forward and again cried Mereksur.
The energy surge sent the troll crashing into a cluster of human soldiers at the second cavern’s entrance.
“Fall back!” Ballendir commanded, as Shayth and Rhoddan dragged Seanchai to safety while Sellia and Ilana fell in line between them and the enemy.
They slid through the third entrance, near where the council had met upon Seanchai’s arrival, and another heavy gate clanked down, the iron sparking when it hit the rock ground.
“Are you okay?” Ilana asked Seanchai, peering down above him.
“Yes,” Seanchai said, wincing in pain. “The others?”
“All here.”
“My swords?”
Ilana smiled and handed them to him as Shayth helped him sit up. Seanchai immediately sheathed them.
“Thank you,” he said.
The old priestess came and knelt by Seanchai’s side. “You really should hold on to those,” she said, smiling tightly. “They are quite useful.”
Then she placed a hand on his forehead, just above his eyes. Her other hand rested on his chest. She closed her eyes and sighed. Seanchai felt energy pour into him, reconnecting his ribs and releasing the tension and pain in his muscles. Pain washed out of his body.
“Thank you,” he whispered while she was near. “And for before, with the troll, when I heard your voice. I heard you so clearly.”
She smiled as tears filled her eyes. “I only ever did that for one other,” she said, and Seanchai knew not to ask more.
“I am honored,” he said. “And the stones – how can I ever thank you?”
“Save my people,” she said wearily. “Lead the clan out from here. Take them to Hothengold, to safety.”
“I will. I swear it.”
“And Seanchai,” she cupped his face with her leathery hands. “Enjoy Ilana. Enjoy being with her every moment that you’re together, even in this crazy world. One day you might look back and only have the memories.”
With that, she let go and stood up stiffly. Ballendir handed Seanchai his bag and cloak.
“It’s time to go,” the dwarf said, the words catching in his throat.
TWENTY EIGHT
“What are we doing?” Seanchai called to Ballendir, who was already walking away.
“You’re leaving,” said the priestess. “Only the old ones will remain. No one will get past us. Now go.”
She pushed Seanchai, but he didn’t move. Ophera glanced at Rhoddan, who appeared and firmly took Seanchai’s arm.
“You gave her your word,” he said into Seanchai’s ear. “Save her people. It is decided.”
Seanchai let himself be led away, numb at the prospect of leaving the dozen or so old dwarves. They disappeared out of sight as the group ran downward through a corridor.
“Hurry!” Ballendir urged. “We must be out of the mountain before she brings it down. Faster.”
Their group of sixty-something hurried, still heading downward. Though it felt increasingly colder, Seanchai was sweating and realized that it was because his backpack was much fuller and heavier. He w
ondered what the priestess had put in it.
Abruptly, everyone halted. The dwarves in front of the group held their hands raised, and Shayth and Sellia had their bows noched. Seanchai pushed through to the front, where three archers and a ranger stood on rocks. Their bowstrings were taut, arrows ready to fly. Seanchai gasped as he stared into the face of Jermona.
“You,” Shayth snarled.
“He’s a traitor,” Ballendir said, loosening his axe. “I told yeh.”
Ilana stepped forward and stared at Jermona icily.
“We all protected and helped you, even though we all thought you were serving Tarlach and the Emperor. Still, we gave you the benefit of the doubt because he believed in you.” Ilana pointed at Seanchai and her voice rose. “Look at him. He is the greatest hope for all of Odessiya. He holds the possibility of freedom, of acceptance for all people. And he risked all of it because he saw something special in you. That is what makes him great. He sees the best in everyone,” her voice dropped, “even when they don’t see it in themselves.”
Jermona stared at Seanchai. His bow shook, and he bit his lip. Then he cried out, “I-I am a ranger.”
Jermona’s voice echoed off the rocks. He turned and shot the furthest archer. Sellia and Shayth took down the other two.
For a moment they all stood frozen, staring at Jermona. Ballendir was the first to recover.
“Come,” he cried. “The mountain’s about to blow.”
Jermona just stood there, shaking. Seanchai put his hand on the young ranger’s shoulder. “I believed in you,” he said. “I’m glad you proved me right.”
Ilana turned Jermona around and pushed him forward so he fell into step.
“Didn’t doubt you for a minute,” she said into his ear.
Seanchai heard an explosion from afar. Before it stopped echoing, a second blew, and then a third. The earth shook around them, and rubble fell from above.
“Keep going,” Ballendir cried. “We’re not quite out of range.”
The distant sounds of battle and explosions had the dwarves muttering among themselves. A short while later they heard two discordant blasts – one far away and one close and thunderous. Rock plates screeched against each other and caved in. The dwarves groaned as though they felt it inside their bodies.
Seanchai covered his ringing ears and squeezed shut his burning eyes. When everything settled, Seanchai found himself surrounded by excited dwarves.
“What is it, Ballendir?” he asked.
“Did yeh hear how, each time there was an explosion, there were two almost together? Until the last one, that is, which blew alone. Did yeh hear?” He was practically giddy.
The elves and Shayth shook their heads.
“Yeh need to know explosives to understand,” Ballendir continued. “She was masking her own explosions behind theirs to lure them inside. She hoped they wouldn’t notice what she was doing and keep advancing.”
Shayth caught on. “So maybe Tarlach will think his explosions killed us; that he collapsed the mountain. He will find a few dead bodies, no survivors, and think we’re buried under it all.”
“Do you think it might work?” Seanchai asked.
Shayth shrugged. “As much as I hate him, Tarlach is good – very good. He has excellent intuition. I’m pessimistic.”
“You are, indeed,” smiled Sellia, “and remarkably consistent.”
“Let’s move,” Ballendir said and started to walk fast, and alone.
Seanchai caught up with him: “I’m sorry about Ophera and the old ones. We won’t forget what they did, and their sacrifices will not be in vain.”
Ballendir looked at him momentarily, then nodded. He turned and resumed walking briskly.
Ilana walked next to Seanchai as much as the rock on either side of the path allowed.
“What happened when the troll was bearing down on you?” Ilana asked.
“I heard Ophera’s voice inside my head. She told me to use the blue stone. And somehow I already knew what word would activate it.”
“Now tell me what she said to you at the lake. What made you so sad then, Ilana?”
“Ophera loved a Wycaan and lost him. She thinks the same might happen to us. She’s quite sure of it, actually.”
“Not a chance,” Seanchai replied, gripping her hand tightly. “I would tear down the entire kingdom for you. Don’t you know that?”
“I do,” she said, “and that scares me more than anything. Has it never occurred to you that when the Emperor feels threatened, he can defeat you through me? I’m your weak link, Seanchai. It’s not good for Odessiya. He can get to you through me. That terrifies me.”
“Let’s hope that he doesn’t find out about us, then,” Seanchai said.
“You heard what Shayth said about Tarlach’s intuition. He knows, I’m sure of it – either Sellia or me. No, you came to Galbrieth to rescue me. He knows it’s me – he has to.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.” Seanchai said and reached out to stroke her cheek.
She jerked her face away and looked into his eyes. “Don’t promise that. It’s exactly what frightens me.”
TWENTY NINE
General Tarlach watched a dust cloud mushrooming into the sky, waiting impatiently as troops poured in and a steady trickle stumbled out, wounded or helping those who were.
He saw General Shiftan, dirty and clutching his broadsword, make his way to the command platform. Tarlach called out for water as he watched Shiftan stop to talk to a wounded solder before continuing his walk up onto the ridge. He gratefully accepted the water Tarlach offered and drank copiously.
“Do you want a seat?”
Shiftan shook his head, glanced back toward the fighting and removed his helmet. “We took the first hall,” he said. “It’s tricky. They have planned their defenses for some time and have rigged multiple iron gates with rock pile reinforcements. We’ll blow the second one any minute now.”
“How many rebels are in there?”
“I can’t tell. We never see them. It’s like fighting retreating guerillas in the night.”
“How are our dwarves fighting?”
“Competently,” Shiftan replied, glancing at his friend. “We are widening the tunnels as fast as we can. I have a few more surprises for them.”
“Bring one of the dwarf officers here,” Tarlach commanded one of Shiftan’s men.
Shortly, a broad dwarf with a leaf of gold in his insignia made his way up to the command post. He saluted.
“An honor to meet yeh, sir,” he said to Tarlach in a deep voice.
“You’re wounded?” asked General Tarlach at the sight of blood on the dwarf’s head.
“A wee scratch, sir. Them buggers are stubborn, and they have help.”
“You have seen some who are not dwarves?”
“Aye, sir. A few elves, very handy with bow and sword. I glimpsed the Emperor’s nephew, I believe, and the white-haired one with the double blades. He is good, very good.”
General Tarlach’s eyes glinted. “That makes the fight even more exhilarating. How do the dwarves in there fight?”
The officer raised a thick eyebrow. “They fight like dwarves, sir –solid, if unimaginative. We don’t know fear, and it’s the same for them. But it’s not the dwarf way to fight and retreat like they’re doing. I don’t think they have anywhere near our numbers.”
“Wouldn’t our explosives make any dwarf run?” Shiftan asked smugly.
“No, sir.” The dwarf stared at him. “It’d make us attack.”
“So why aren’t they attacking?” Tarlach asked.
“Dunno, sir. I wonder if meebe it’s part of a greater plan. That possible, sir?”
Tarlach paced as he always did when deep in thought. “Tell me,” he addressed the dwarf officer. “When dwarves build something like this, is there always more than one entrance and exit?”
“Yessir. Probably several.”
“So they could be retreating, holding us back while
they evacuate their people?”
The dwarf thought. “We think this is a mining colony, right, sir?” Tarlach nodded and the dwarf continued with certainty. “Then they wouldn’t evacuate – even to save lives – or give up on their home so easily.”
“It’s only a temporary home, no?” Tarlach asked.
The dwarf nodded. “But if they’re mining here and have built such elaborate defenses, it can only mean one thing.”
“Which is?”
“There’s something here of great wealth.” There was a brief glint in his eyes. “Maybe that’ll help give our troops motivation to get through.”
“Tell your soldiers that if and when they take the mountain, I will petition the Emperor to give you the title to this land, though I cannot guarantee his response.”
The officer’s eyes grew big, and he bowed his head. “Thank you, General Tarlach. We’ll double our efforts.”
He saluted both generals before jogging back down to the mountain.
“Do you think the Emperor will agree?” Shiftan asked.
“It depends on what we find.”
“Smart man,” Shiftan grinned. “I never enjoyed betting against you at cards in the academy.” He followed his friend’s gaze to where the sun was glinting off mirrors in a signal from the mountain troops. “We’re preparing to blow into the second cavern.”
There was a huge rumbling and the ground shook even where they were standing. A sudden, larger blast sent a half-ton of rock spiraling into the air.
Soldiers flung themselves to the ground and covered their heads, or retreated to watch from where the generals stood. The stone arched and landed about fifty feet from them. General Tarlach hadn’t moved a muscle. He turned to his cowering retinue.
“Has somebody dropped something?”
They stood up, laughing and dusting themselves off.
“I bet those dwarves don’t know what hit ‘em,” one said. “Look, the trolls are charging in.”
“We’ve got them trapped now,” said another.