Heir To The Nova (Book 3)

by T. Michael Ford

  Walking out to the center of the arena, I saluted the crowd, hot blood still pouring down my sword’s fuller channel and across my hand. I was heartened to hear more than a few claps of approval.

  ..................................................

  Alex

  It’s the morning of the third day for us on the road. When we had reached the crossroads where the roads to the dark elf and dwarf capitals converged, Somnus had been insistent that we take the trail leading to the dwarves. And at that point, I really didn’t much care where I went, or why, so there wasn’t much use in arguing with the big guy. Once on the new course, Rosa had cautiously started talking to me again; and according to her information and maps, we should be finding the dwarf capital soon.

  The past few days and nights were rough. Neither Nia nor I could conjure up the ambition to cook, so we just lived on hard tack biscuits and water. Sleep wouldn’t come, or if it did in fitful starts and stops, it was almost always interrupted by some undead wandering into camp. I had to keep buttoned up in my armor, including helm, just in case a ghoul should show up. Most of the time, they were just stupid zombies and Somnus would casually amble over close enough to incinerate them on the spot. The stench of a magically burning zombie is not something your nose forgets easily.

  Mid morning, the trail opened up into a vast field that had been clear-cut years ago, most of the stumps already having rotted into sawdust. That’s not all that was rotten, however; the area was filled with thousands of undead. Really dead undead. Most of them were pincushioned with multiple crossbow quarrels or heavy ballistae bolts, and quite a few were even crushed by what had to have been catapult or trebuchet stones. It takes a lot of hits from ranged weapons to incapacitate undead, so this was most impressive. Normally, I would have concluded that a large-scale battle took place here, but the fact that a number of the corpses I passed were in the final stages of decay led me to believe this was a long-term holding action.

  Nia perked up and climbed up on her usual perch on my shoulder, pointing ahead of us. There, at the base of a tall hill or squat mountain, was a short stone wall jutting up out of the ground. Bristling with crossbowmen and various types of stationary siege engines, it was a daunting sight, but nothing on the scale of Sky Raven. As we got closer, the scene attested to the skill of the defenders, as there didn’t appear to be any undead corpses within 200 feet of the walls. I could feel Nia getting more agitated by the minute. I turned my head and looked at her.

  “What? Nervous?”

  “Hell yes, Mr. Alex! Don’t you see what’s all around us? They don’t seem to be fond of visitors, and I don’t want to be a pixie pincushion!”

  I chuckled a bit. To be honest, it felt good to laugh again; the last few days had been toxic. “I doubt even they could hit something as small as a pixie. If they wanted us dead, they would have attacked already. Besides, I think Somnus here is something that you wouldn’t shoot at without good reason.” The great horse bobbed his head at my remark and ramped up his blue flames impressively.

  “Well, I still don’t like it,” she huffed and muttered the activation sequence to become the Combat Pixie.

  As we approached, keeping a slow, easy gait, the wall wasn’t much taller than I was on the back of Somnus. But like I thought, it was very thick, more like a raised platform really. And as we got right on up to it, I noticed that the wall didn’t seem to have a gate or door anywhere in sight, either. Counting heads, it appeared we were facing about fifty dwarves with crossbows trained on us as well as four loaded ballistae. They all wore serviceable hauberks of traditional scale mail, but not much else in terms of decoration.

  “Halt!” shouted one of the dwarves.” We see you are not undead, but that is not enough. State your business or move along.”

  “I seek to enter the capital,” I said firmly, removing my helm and clipping it to my belt.

  “Ha, no one can enter the city without a representative or a writ from the King.”

  “I am here to meet with another dwarf named Darroth Gravelshanks.”

  “Darroth? Never heard of him.”

  “He’s a master smith.”

  He snorted dismissively, then set down his weapon and peered down at us. His bowl-style helmet with the nose guard bisecting his face gave him an almost comical appearance.

  “Listen here, kid, we’re dwarves; almost all of us are master smiths, so you’re going to have to do a bit better than that. Besides, what possible business would a paladin have with us, anyway? As you can plainly see, we don’t need your help with the undead.”

  I looked disbelievingly at Nia, not knowing if I should laugh or get angry at this point; but with the past few days I’ve had, I was leaning toward the latter.

  “I am not a damn paladin. I am an enchanter, a wizard from Xarparion, the school of magic!”

  He grinned and looked at his fellows to both sides. “Ooooh, you hear that, boys? We have a highfalutin human-type enchanter here. As if good, honest dwarven enchantments on stuff aren’t good enough.”

  “Look, is there someone else I can talk to about this? A superior officer perhaps?”

  He guffawed and slapped his leg. “Sure, I’ll be happy to wake him up, but you might not be by the time he gets done with you. State your name and rank, Mister Enchanter.”

  Wow, why does everyone I meet lately have to be such a prick? Sighing, I complied.

  “My name is Alex Martin; I am an enchanter and the ruler of Sky Raven Fortress.” Thankfully, I noticed this had some effect, especially on the older dwarves in the squad. Most of them lowered their weapons altogether, and one actually threw his down and disappeared at a run back down the other side. The younger troops, like the one giving me such a hard time, didn’t seem to be impressed in the slightest.

  “Sky Raven Fortress? Never heard of it, so get lost!” he laughed, and poked humorously at one of his comrades.

  One of the older dwarves down the line from him spoke up. “I wouldn’t talk to him like that. If he is who he says he is, then it would be best for all of us if you let him pass.”

  “What the blazes are you talking about, old timer? We can’t just let him in, you know. The whole idea of building this wall was to not let anyone in. It’s kind of the point of not having a gate.”

  The older dwarf shook his head. “I grew up when they still taught us our heritage; something you young ones are too impatient to learn these days. Thousands of years ago, Sky Raven Fortress stood as the shining beacon to all travelers and traders between these mountains. Control of the massive fortress was split between the dwarves, the elves, and the humans, bestowed upon us by the gods themselves.” Great, another thing the gods take all the credit for. “But they left us with one rule. To this day, no one remembers what that rule was because only the three leaders from each race were told and they took it to their graves. But the stories say that we foolishly broke that rule; and once abandoned, it will never open its walls again to any but the gods themselves.”

  I felt a pang of sorrow as I remembered that the walls had indeed opened, not to gods but to me and a certain silver-haired elf.

  Unbidden, my memory replayed the scene. I took Maya’s hand and led her over to the massive gate. “So do you know what to do?” she asked me coyly under her breath, giving my hand a squeeze… Much happier times that seemed so distant to me now. With a gasp, I was jolted back into the here and now, and Nia looked at me with concern and watery eyes.

  Fortunately, most of the older dwarves were still nodding in agreement at the end of the Sky Raven story and not paying much attention to me. About this time, a younger, fit-looking dwarf in a black uniform climbed up onto the platform, causing most of the guard types to draw back a ways and suddenly find something more interesting to look at. The new dwarf leaned over the wall at me and nodded.

  “I take it your name is Alex Martin. Is that correct?”

  I nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

  The man smiled, but the one I had been talki
ng to didn’t seem too happy about this one being here. “What are you doing here, Gale? I am Captain here and this is my wall. An axe-for-hire like you has no business here.”

  This Gale fellow eyed the other dwarf and smirked, “The Princess has deemed him important and requests his assistance.”

  He snorted, “What would a Princess need a human for?”

  Gale smiled slightly, tilting his head, but I could see real menace in his eyes. “Let me restate that; Crown Princess Elsa has requested his presence immediately. Shall I report to her that you are countermanding her order?”

  The color drained from the dwarf captain’s face as he immediately started barking orders for the rest of the men around him to build a ramp so we could pass. A nice gesture to be sure, but it did leave me to wonder what was so frightening about this Princess Elsa and why did she need me so badly. I watched politely for a little while as they tried to organize a ramp-building party, but I was losing my patience and so was Somnus.

  With a snort of blue flame, he swung us around a few hundred feet from the wall before returning square on to the structure at a lope. With one seemingly easy jump and an incredible amount of hang time, he nailed it and landed perfectly on top of the wall with the completely stunned dwarves leaping out of the way like fish from a barrel. But really, should they have been so surprised? I’m riding a huge flaming horse, but suddenly jumping a fifteen foot wall is a novel concept?

  The black-clad dwarf named Gale came over to me and bowed. “Sir Alex, I am Gale Grayboron, head of security for the heirs of the late King.”

  “Late King?”

  He nodded. “Yes, sadly King Gweir died almost a month ago and due to some rather unique complications, a new King cannot be crowned at the moment. Complications that Princess Elsa believes you may be able to help solve for us. So, naturally, I have been sent to deal with you, your steed, and your…companion.” He must have spotted Nia hiding on my shoulder. “So if you will please follow me, I believe a member of your party arrived before you.”

  “That would be Darroth.”

  “Mmm, yes, he told us of you. But he also said there would be more of you as well; it seems he was mistaken.”

  “We left with more people but three were detained at our last stop, so it’s just me and these two for now,” I said, dismounting and leading Somnus behind me as we walked briskly in the direction he indicated.

  “Then I pray you won’t need them, but I have a strong feeling that you will.”

  He was silent for the rest of the trip, not saying a word to anyone we passed either, so I decided to look around and learn what I could. The wall was much larger than it looked, stretching for what seemed miles in each direction, and effectively turning this entire valley into a fortress. Apparently, manpower to build these huge structures was not an issue for the dwarves. On this side of the wall, there was what I would call a shantytown, but it seemed to just be an outpost for the soldiers so they wouldn’t have to make the trip back into the mountain every night.

  Beyond the town was a heavily built road that led right up to the side of the mountain to an immense stone door that I initially thought was like the one at Sky Raven; but I quickly realized that it wasn’t. Stone was just used to cover the metal that lay beneath. The road went right up to the door with no other real defenses that I could see from the outside. But there must have been sentinels who could see us because the door swung open with the barest of sound as we approached.

  Again without a word, Gale continued inside and down the massive ramp before us and past a fair number of guards who filed out of dugout chambers artfully concealed in the walls themselves. Seemingly surprised at seeing a non-dwarf of any kind, most couldn’t help but point their weapons at Somnus and me. Gale finally said something brusquely to them and ordered them to put away their weapons. The ramp seemed to go on forever at a steady incline. We finally made it to another huge door, but this one didn’t open so quickly.

  Gale walked over to a port of some kind and hit it several times with the hilt of his dagger. The gonging sound must have gotten someone’s attention because a slot opened. He said a few things that I didn’t understand, probably in dwarven. I knew a few phrases in their language, simply absorbed from spending so much time with Darroth. But then again, when Darroth resorted to his birth tongue, it was usually speech not suitable to be repeated in polite company. I got the impression that Gale was a much more controlled individual.

  A moment later, the door unlocked to let us through, opening up into a dim cavern. The term ‘massive’ just wouldn’t cut it for this place. It was so large that I couldn’t even see the far side from here. The ramp let us off at a raised area that gave us a perfect view of the city that lay before us. Stone, stone and more stone was the obvious building code here. Every house and building, road and outhouse, all stone; but at least it was all laid out in a neat, efficient grid design.

  “Welcome to the former trading district,” Gale said, “or what’s left of it. As you can see, this part of the city is mostly unused now that we have no trade to speak of with the commercial routes having been cut off for three hundred years or so.”

  “Three hundred? The undead have been a problem and the trail without Sky Raven protection for four hundred years now.”

  He shrugged. “We made due with heavy-armored caravans for a time, but they were overrun as well. So without trade, this upper level is almost unused, save for storage and a few taverns that are still open. The lower caverns are where most of the population lives. It’s also warmer here and has a lot more lighting. I know you humans can’t see in the dark like us so I can call for a light bearer if you wish.”

  I patted Somnus. “I got a giant torch right here. And I’m not human, I can see better in the dark than you would think.”

  He shrugged again. “Suit yourself. I learned years ago not to question the affairs of the nobles, so I’ll just point you in the right direction and bid you good day. Straight ahead of you is the Crusty Mallet, one of our better taverns, inns and stables on this level. You will find your friend Darroth there. It is also where you must stay until you are released to go elsewhere. Before I leave, I must warn you, the only reason that you are going unescorted at all is because the Princess has personally vouched that you don’t need one. Do not betray her trust; stay there and do not cause any trouble. Your tab will be covered by the ruling council. Good day, Sir Alex.” He gave a curt bow and then walked off.

  Well, he is one strange fellow. Then again, I haven’t really had that many encounters with dwarves to make a fair opinion. Nia and I looked at each other, shrugged, and went over to what looked like a stable addition on the back side of the building. Sure enough, that’s just what it was; however, it plainly was never made for an animal the size of Somnus. Gale must have been speaking the truth because both of Darroth’s donkeys and his cart were all properly put up in stalls. As I was standing there trying to decide what to do with Somnus, a dwarf came around from the back of the stable.

  “Good day to you, Sir. How may I…help…you…wow.” He was not exactly what I was expecting from a stable boy, but I’m here to learn, I guess. He looked to be on the high end of a middle-aged dwarf with a long white beard and hair to match. “That’s one amazingly large animal you have there. I don’t suppose he is for sale?” His voice was higher than I expected, apparently not having spent his entire life behind a forge.

  I smiled slightly and patted the side of Somnus’s strong neck. “Nope, sorry. There are only two of them in the world, and we plan on keeping both.”

  He brushed away my comment. “No matter. Can’t blame a man for trying in these troubled times. My name’s Logen Amberdriller; I’m the owner of this inn.” He sighed resignedly. “And stable boy, dishwasher and, well, everything else, too.”

  “You have no other help?”

  “As I said, these are troubled times. With no trade open, this level is mostly unused so there is no need to have to pay a full staff. And with th
e food shortage, the kitchen doesn’t serve many lavish meals either.”

  I was surprised. “You have a food shortage? I didn’t know the undead were hitting you so badly.”

  He shook his head. “I guess the word ‘shortage’ would be the wrong one. No one is going to starve down here or anything; it’s just that every meal now is of mushrooms or other underground roots. We have some farmland on the surface that we have walled off from the undead, but that is completely used up on grains and such for the ale.” He chuckled a little. “We will give up food before we give up our ale; it’s what makes us dwarves.” He carried over a small ladder, climbed it, and removed Somnus’s halter, reins, and saddle with strong deft motions. Getting down quickly and stowing the gear, Logen quartered Somnus in a paddock that was probably meant for an entire team of regular horses. Then he pulled over a large bucket filled to the brim with odd-looking white carrots and dumped it into the food trough. “I know they look strange, but long ago a human druid came by and told us to plant them. Personally, I think they taste disgusting, even when I’m living off mostly mushrooms, but the animals seem to absolutely love and thrive on them. And so do the farmers, stupid things grow anywhere. Now please follow me inside, I’m sure your friend Darroth will be happy you’re finally here.”

  I tucked my gauntlets into my saddlebags and left my shield and helm in the paddock for Somnus to guard. I trailed the bar owner through the stables and into the dimly lit main room. Based on the size of this place, I would say that this must have been a pretty popular place long ago. Still, it remained sturdy and apparently well taken care of with lots of hand-polished wooden furniture, and an actual mirror behind the bar; which Nia found immediately irresistible and flew off to admire herself in a dozen different poses. Off to the side, Darroth was sitting alone at a table waving excitedly for me to join him. I found that rather ironic, really; who else was I going to sit with? Counting Nia and me, there were only four of us in the place. I sat down in the incredible short chair across from Darroth as he downed a big slug from his large tankard of ale, a few drips running off his ragged beard and staining his shirt below.