by C Woodward
I shook my head. I let out a long drawn-out sigh, “I guess, I’ll speak with them and see if I can arrange something. I marched toward the gate. A few guards looked at me but didn’t say anything. The guard at the gate stopped me. He put his hand forward. I stopped and smiled, “Hi, I was wondering, what is the proper method to get access through this gate?”
The dwarf looked at me, “Depends on the reason why. We are extra careful these days.”
I nodded, “Yes, I know; the whole problem with the elves…”
The dwarf just stared at me, “Sir, what business do you have?” I smiled, “Oh, I am here to speak with the king, I met him awhile back and he told me I could visit him. If there is any proper method in doing so, I would be grateful to get a lead in that direction.”
The dwarf raised a brow but looked around. Another dwarf walked over by us and laughed, “Hey! There is a group here claiming to be the guy that defeated Xum’gol and the witch Talestria!”
The guard looked at him, “Really? What loons!” I looked away. Our guard looked back at me, “Sir, I will retrieve my superior to see if he can arrange a meeting, but don’t get your hopes up.”
I smiled, “Thank you kindly for the effort.” The other guard was telling his story to the others, a few other dwarves laughed. I just sighed and turned away.
I waited there, feeling like an idiot.
A moment later the guard returned. He looked at me, “Sorry, but you might have to travel to Golashe and get a pass there.” I lowered my head, “Well, thank you anyway.” I walked back to the carriage. Talestria was fiddling with her hair. She looked at me, “So, what happened?”
I shrugged, “The guard suggests I get a pass at Golashe.” Talestria bit her lower lip, “Oh that is just stupid!” She hopped off the carriage and spit on the dirt. She looked ticked off. I just gave her a friendly shrug while she held her breath. She exhaled, “Screw this! I am going to try my way!” She shoved me aside and marched. Goosebumps covered my body. I have many ideas what her way would be but I was too scared to stop her.
Kalus came up next to me, “Even if she wasn’t the witch Talestria, I would be too scared to mess with her.” I just nodded and waited. I expected to hear something explode. I could hear some yelling near the gate. I looked at Kalus, “You think we should try to keep the peace?”
Kalus just gave me a face that said, “You first!”
I scratched my head and procrastinated for a moment, but I heard more yelling and a dwarf yelling, “Oh, man!” I ran toward the scene. Kalus followed behind me. As we got there, Talestria was pointing past the gate with a few more guards around her. They didn’t have their weapons drawn and some were keeping their distance. She was really yelling at one of them who was trying to tell her she couldn’t pass through the gate. Half of what she was yelling were things I wouldn’t repeat to even a foe.
Kalus started to mutter under his breath, “This is why I won’t settle down.” I then saw some dwarves in armor coming from the other side of the gate. They were coming to halt the source of the noise.
Two of the new dwarves approached Talestria. “Calm down!” one of the armored dwarves instructed. Talestria turned towards them, “Calm down?! I came all this way to get through here and you guys won’t let me in; for what? A pass?!” I walked to the scene just before the armored dwarves grabbed her. I raised my hand and smiled, “Hello there! I am sorry for the trouble, we are just…”
Talestria slowly turned and stared at me. That glare stopped me dead in my tracks. I lowered my arm and just froze. I knew she wasn’t angry at me but I didn’t want to be killed in the crossfire.
One of the armored dwarves asked what the problem was. A guard whispered to him, mostly in fear of being heard by Talestria. The armored dwarf replied out loud, “What, she claims to be Talestria? That is absurd!”
Talestria took a deep breath and I quickly grabbed her and pulled her away. I knew she would be tempted to display some of her power, even though her ability had been reduced greatly, it still would cause some trouble. An armored dwarf looked at us, “You nuts need to get out of here or we will be forced to make you leave!”
Kalus and I held Talestria back. I could hear Kalus repeating, “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!” over and over.
I spoke to her, “Sweetie, let’s not cause any more trouble. Please?” Talestria looked at me and then started to cry and hug me. I didn’t expect that. Her voice was muffled into my shoulder, “We came all this way and no one believed us, and I’ve lost my powers and this is just frustrating!” I put my arms around her and comforted her, “There, there, I will try to make things all better.”
Kalus looked at me with a puzzled look. I guess this was a breaking point. The problem of The Blood Witch had been eating away at her and now it all came in a very emotional crash in front of everyone here.
A few more armored dwarves came walking towards us and one spoke up, “Sorry for the trouble, but we must ask you to leave so others can carry on business.” I gently rubbed Talestria’s back and slowly walked her back to the carriage.
“Wait!” one of the armored dwarves yelled. I turned my head and one walked toward us. He seemed to be the captain of the group since the others moved to the side in an alert stance. The armored guard mumbled something then removed his helmet. “Hey, it’s you. Long time no see,” said the dwarf. It was Teltar!
Chapter 3
Teltar looked at us through sleepy eyes. His beard was better trimmed but he looked like the same old Teltar. He nodded, “It is good to see you again.” There was a little bit of silence since he sounded like he had more to say.
I decide to reply, “Hey, it’s good to see you again, and looks like you have a new job.”
He smiled slightly, “Yeah.” I almost forgot how little he talks.
An armored dwarf chimed in, “He is captain after fighting Xum’gol’s forces!”
Teltar looked at him and pointed at me, “It was no big deal, and Blake here took out Xum’gol.”
The dwarves looked at me in shock. The eyes of the armored dwarf widened, “This is him?! You mean they are what they say they are?” Teltar nodded. I could see a few of the guards who had just argued with Talestria slowly backing away. Talestria was still clinging to me, but turned and smiled at Teltar, “Hey can you get us through the gate?”
Teltar pointed at Kalus, “Sure, but who is that guy?”
Kalus introduced himself, “I am Kalus, well-known storyteller and entertainer.”
Teltar shrugged, “Never heard of him but, if he is with you then he’s fine.” Kalus drooped in depression because no one had heard of him.
We piled back in our carriage and rode past the line of travelers waiting to be inspected. Teltar lead us in personally. “So Teltar, you are captain of the dwarves now?” I asked as I rode past him. He walked along side, “Yeah, no big deal. Pay is pretty good.”
I laughed, “I don’t picture you being in the military.” Teltar scratched the back of his head, “I was in it for a little while before knowing you. It is a good job.” Teltar strutted along with his oversized sword strapped behind him. His group followed behind us. Talestria’s tears dried up and she fished through her purse for a mirror. Further along the road, we saw the city of Trawlast.
The city looked as if someone arrived when the rocky mountainside, the rocks, and the earth began, and grew this out of it. There were many small, round towers piercing out from the earth with large, stone bridges between them. The outside towers were wide and short; towers built for defense that fit perfectly. There were so many stone structures that one could easily get lost. We saw not just one level of buildings, but multiple levels in the rough, mountain terrain. Talestria was amazed and so was I. Everything was decorated beautifully but simply with striking stone work. The layout itself was a work of art with statues of dwarves scattered among the buildings. Among the statues, we saw wooden scaffolding and cranes. Everywhere dwarves were working on something; some pulling a pushcart full of good
s and some cleaning or painting walls. I don’t think I saw anyone just sitting around.
Teltar led us toward the center of the city, in which a massive building lay. At the entryway were two large statues of dwarven warriors. Under the statues, stood two guards dressed in solid plate armor with shields about as large as they were. They each held a poleaxe that was twice their height, guarding the doorway.
The troops following us helped us out of the carriage. I made a lot of racket hopping down in my armor. I figured it might look more presentable than my undershirt which had blood stains. I held my helmet under my right arm. My other hand held Talestria’s. It made us feel how we felt before, when we visited the big theater in the Dark Elf city.
Teltar had his helmet held in the same fashion. I had been told it was a sign of respect, politeness, honor and a gesture of peace. Apparently, when someone shows their face and keeps their right hand disarmed, it proves that they mean no harm. Kalus did the same with his fancy hat but he did it just to gain some favor. There were some cold stares aimed at him, but no one bothered him.
Teltar looked around and seemed to zone out for a moment, “Oh, yeah. They will take care of your horse and things.” I shrugged. The two guards looked at Teltar and opened the massive doors.
Talestria whispered to me, “Why do people so short need doors so tall? I mean it’s taller than four of them stacked on each other.” I tried not to laugh. As soon as we went inside we saw a large desk in the middle of the room. An old dwarf with thick glasses stood up from behind the desk. He raised a brow, “Interesting. What business do you have here?”
Teltar stepped in front of us, “They are here to visit the king.” The old dwarf peeked over to inspect us. He lowered his voice, but we could still hear his words, “There is an elf and a dark elf? Surely they are not here to see King Wotmire.”
Teltar spoke quietly and from his angle I couldn’t hear what he was saying. The old dwarf just stared at us and the longer the conversation went the wider his eyes became.
“What is all this?!” another dwarf demanded. This dwarf showed signs of an old weathered face that had seen a lot of combat. He had a big scar going down the middle of his face between his eyes, along the side of his nose, down to his lip. It wasn’t an attractive scar but, from the look of this dwarf, he was likely quite proud of it. He was in fancy silver armor with a big cape and medals that hung down the front of his armor.
Teltar saluted, “Oh, general! Sorry to bother you, but we…”
The general strutted down to the front desk and looked us over. He grunted, “Relax Teltar, I just wanted to know what all the ruckus was in here.”
The old dwarf at the desk muttered, “Sir these two are…” The general interrupted, “I know who they are! I’m not daft,” and walked right up to me. Although I am a bit taller than him, I felt he could beat me up with ease if he wanted. He stared into my eyes and laughed, “Ha! So you really tore down Xum’gol in his prime?!”
I smiled, “Yes sir, I did.”
He nodded as if in approval, “Well, I don’t want to keep the king waiting. Get up those stairs and go meet him!”
The old dwarf muttered, “Isn’t his majesty busy with other matters?” The general laughed again, “The king doesn’t need you sorting everything for him! He can wipe his own rear you know!” The old dwarf lowered his head and sat back behind his desk. Talestria, Kalus and I walked up the winding stairway. Seemed like every leader we meet in this world, wait for us at the top of a ton of stairs.
We came to a large door with one guard. He stared at us, “Do you have an appointment?” The general’s voice boomed from below, “Just let them in, you dumb goat!” The guard quickly side-stepped and said not a word. We opened the door and walked inside.
The room was large and round with a high ceiling. We saw a few other doorways which were all shut. In the middle of the room there is a higher level with a few wide steps. At the top stood a fancy stone throne. Behind the throne we saw a large statue looking like it was plated in gold. I assume the statue was of a previous king because it was a proud looking dwarf with a fancy crown.
The floor leading up towards the throne was covered by a fancy blue carpet with white trim. There was no one in the room not even a guard. Next to the throne stood a wooden chest that appeared quite fancy and well made. Talestria took a few steps, “Did we come at a bad time?”
I took a few steps toward her, “I don’t know but, I guess we wait.”
Kalus stood close behind us and I could feel that he was a bit nervous. “Hey, don’t worry, Kalus. You’re in our company.”
Talestria looked at some of the tapestries on the wall. I hardly noticed them since they appeared to be the same as the carpet.
She smiled, “I’ll bet they are made of silk. We should have something like this back home.”
“Well missy, I know a fellow that will sell you a set for a fair price!” an old dwarf said. It was King Wotmire! King Wotmire walked in through one of the side doors. He wore fancy chain mail that was made of such tiny links that it looked like a shiny shirt. He had on a fancy crown resembling the one on the statue. It was made of shiny silver embedded with colorful gems. I noticed his left hand, which I had been told he lost during an old fight. His hand was replaced with a dark metal gauntlet with jointed fingers. His beard was finely groomed and braided and he stared at us with curious eyes. He walked a little closer and then let out a big, hearty laugh, “Hey! You’re that one lad I met!”
He walked to his throne and slowly sat down, “Come closer,” he waved at us. We complied by walking closer to him. When we started to bow, he interrupted, “Ah, forget the formalities! I am not a big fan of such useless things!”
He leaned over, opened the chest and took out a small wooden box. He set it on top of the chest and took out an ivory pipe and some dried material. He forced some of the fingers on his artificial hand to open so he could hold the pipe. He stuffed a pinch of the dry, tobacco-like stuff inside the pipe. From the wrist of his glove, he flicked a lighter of some sort on his face and began to light the pipe. It had a strong smell of mint.
He took a few puffs and then looked at us, “Clagmir and Falstrid told me all about what you did. They told me you shoved Xum’gol into the underworld and then broke the portal!” I nodded, feeling a bit intimidated to say anything more at the moment. He let out a big laugh, “You should be freaking proud, boy! You did a great service to us all! Xum’gol and his wretched minions deserved their fate and Talamyr is better off without him.”
He stared at Talestria, “Now, let me guess. You are the famous witch, Talestria, am I right?” Talestria smiled, “Yes, I am.” He stared at her some more then laughed, “For a witch you are quite easy on the eyes! If I was a little younger I would have made a visit to those swamps, seeing how fit you are!”
Talestria giggled.
He looked at Kalus, “Sorry, I am not sure who you are.”
Kalus shrugged, “Well, um, I am, um, Kalus Silverleaf, bard and entertainer.”
King Wotmire raised a brow and looked at me, “So, you have your own bard, eh?”
I laughed, “No. He is tagging along with us to record our story.”
Wotmire blew out a minty cloud of smoke, “Sorry, I often enjoy a good, mint tea pipe after supper.”
Kalus tilted his head, “You smoke mint tea?”
Wotmire chuckled, “I am not that big on drinking tea but smoking dried leaves helps clean my breath after a big meal of roast boar.”
After glancing around, Talestria asked, “Shouldn’t a king have a bunch of guards around him?” Wotmire smiled, “Naw! I don’t need them! They stick around for most of the business during the day but even a king needs some privacy.” He continued, “So, why are you here now?”
Talestria and I took turns explaining our situation. Wotmire listened and nodded while stroking his beard. Talestria finally asked him, “So, is there anything you can do?”
Wotmire turned to Talestria and smil
ed briefly, “The Blood Witch is scary, and from what you said about that weird book, she might be quite a foe.” He put his pipe on the wooden box, “If she is after you, Blake, you might not even be safe here. We can’t make many promises of safety. We are secured as tight as a drum here so, she would have great trouble getting in without finding an axe or a crossbow bolt stuck in her.” He hopped off his throne and began pacing, “Considering all the good you did, I will be happy to help you out.”
I smiled, “Thank you, King Wotmire.”
He shook his head, “Naw! Plain ol Wotmire will do. You are not exactly low grade yourself!”
I laughed, “Fair enough, Wotmire.”
He stared at Talestria, “So, how many know of your missing abilities?”
Talestria looked at me, “No one else here knows.” Wotmire nodded, “Good, good. The more ignorant others on that subject, the better.” He paced a bit more, “I can arrange decent room and board for as long as you desire. I do wish to carry on a bit more privately.”
He looked at Kalus, “No offence to you but, I want to discuss something for their ears only.”
Sighing, Kalus lowered his head, “It is fine,” and marched out of the room.
Wotmire watched him exit the chamber and then spoke, “Good, now this is something I don’t want either of you to repeat.” Wotmire came up close to us and spoke in a quiet voice, “This is a business matter, and I hope you will agree that it is fair.” Talestria and I looked at each other and nodded. He smiled, “Good.” He took a deep breath, “We dwarves are very protective without having secrets of the trade. One of our most protective possessions is our magic.”
Talestria tilted her head, “Dwarves know magic?” Wotmire chuckled, “Not many of us. We are a proud people. We feel that our own skill and strength should be strong enough without messing with magic.” He scratched above his eyebrow, “There are some who study magic. Mind you, we don’t bother with most of the branches or whatever the mages call it. We do, however, have clerics with healing abilities and we have our enchanters.”