What Lurks Below

by Michael Soldat

  Each of them tightened their armband, making sure Felas’ seal stayed visible.

  “Alright. Get the message out and stay calm.”

  Lara opened the door through no small effort. She thought the man must be right about maintenance. It seemed clear that no one had oiled the hinges for years. The group walked inside.

  Before her, a fair distance away, Kelthur sat on a throne of steel fit for his size. He leaned to one side, legs askew, as if bored. Above them, lanterns with regular fire dimly lit the cavernous room. To either side, the room extended a stone’s throw or more. The walls were lined with statues of grog, gray, and other horrors none in the group knew. In front of the throne, a hand with claws for fingers was carved into the stone floor.

  “I thought I told you to make yourselves scarce. Figures that Felas would send you back here under his banner,” the underking said.

  “We’re here to deliver a message, nothing more,” Lara said.

  “I don’t care about your message! I said I didn’t want to see any of you under my mountain! Do you not understand that, or do you not care that you’re trespassing?”

  “No one told-”

  “Of course not,” Kelthur interrupted while waving his hand dismissively. “No one told you you were trespassing. The funny part is, you’re not doing that down here. You’re doing that where you came from, in my city. What do you call it now, Thogt? What a stupid name! How dare you!”

  “Here’s the message! Here. Take it,” Nami said, thrusting it at Kelthur.

  “Bring it here, woman. I do not rise in my kingdom unless I wish to.”

  Nami grumbled, but brought the message over. She held it out for only a moment before Kelthur grabbed it with an exaggerated sweeping motion. Had she not let go at the right time, the force might have yanked her off her feet with the scroll. He unrolled it and read.

  “A delay. That’s what Felas sent you here to do, delay me.”

  “He did?” Lara asked.

  “Yes, it says right here. As per the accord, he wishes to extend your time above ground to give the people time to prepare.”

  “That seems reasonable,” Cecile added before Diedra could finish advising her not to.

  “Reasonable? Who are you to talk of anything reasonable? It is not my fault your idiot king could not prepare his people for something he knew was coming! Felas has known about this for years. But no, all he wanted was to improve. Felas forgot about us amidst trade, and I will never forgive him for it.”

  “Oh. Sorry.”

  Kelthur stared through Cecile.

  “Sorry? Sorry?! ...the only reason I don’t kill you where you stand is that you have the seal on your arm. The only reason I didn’t have my minions swarm you from the very beginning is that seal. But, that won’t matter much longer. Message paper!”

  From behind them, a very small gray skittered around Lara and the others to bring Kelthur a piece of paper, pen, and inkwell. Then, it ran back out the door. No one spoke while the king wrote.

  “Take it. It is a declaration of our nations’ trading places. As per the accord, I am rescinding Felas’ use of my city. In one week, we will walk through your gates, and in one week, I expect you all to vacate without resistance. Any sign of that will result in war, and I assure you: you do not want that. That land is my legal right, and I will not be denied my people’s freedom from beneath this dreaded rock.

  Lara took the message, wide eyed. She began to open her mouth.

  “Stop. We should leave,” Diedra said.

  “Listen to your orc friend. There’s precious little you could say that wouldn’t make me want to erase you from this world,” Kelthur added.

  Lara froze a moment, then closed her mouth and hung her head before turning around.

  “We leave for the surface.”

  “I’d say good riddance, but this is exactly where you should be after I return above ground. Gather your things, and do not think of fighting.”

  For the first time in many years, an orc looked worried about how angry a human was. Diedra put a hand on Lara’s shoulder. She looked back at the orc with determination. After some deep breathing and thinking calm thoughts, Lara left the throne room. Outside, the same old man from before greeted them.

  “Out you go. Horses are still outside, I hope.”

  “You hope?” Nami said.

  “So you can get out faster. Stay, and you don’t live.”

  “Good to hear. I could use a little sun.”

  They walked together back to the entrance of the castle, where the horses were waiting. Lara could swear she saw figures moving at the edge of her vision. They turned a corner around the castle wall before she could catch them.

  “Grog?” she asked.

  The man raised her eyebrows and shrugged.

  “You think they are fed well?”

  Cecile grumbled.

  “I heard that. Don’t even try, lady. There’s more where that came from, plus all the others what live down here. It’s not worth it.”

  “Thanks for looking out for us, I guess,” the widow answered.

  “Might as well. Just because I want to get out of this hole doesn’t mean I can’t be kind. Look at it my way, though. Being above ground might give me a chance to live on my own, even in a dumpy little shack. It doesn’t matter, as long as I can see the sun. Maybe these things will even leave me alone.”

  “You know, you could come back with us. There are few dumpy little shacks in Thogt, and I’m sure we-”

  “Stop. We’d be eaten alive the second I walked out of those gates. Kelthur keeps me where I am, and I’d be a fool to disobey. Only reason I can say this now is you made him so mad he can’t focus on me.”

  “Then let’s g-”

  “No! Get out, go, go now. Leave me alone, I’m miserable enough. One way or another, when this is over, I’ll be somewhat free. I don’t care who wins at this point. I’m tired.”

  Without waiting for a response, the man hobbled back into the castle. Lara mounted her horse, followed by the others. They rode past the enormous orb in front of the castle gates, then to the outer rim, and finally to the city gates. Not until they left the stone arch did anyone see fit to speak, whether out of fear or anger.

  “What’s in the message?” Cecile asked.

  Lara twitched for a moment, struck by the fact that she didn’t read the paper before taking it in hand. It probably would have been a bad idea to delay their exit any longer, she figured. Once they arrived at the orb outside of town, she unravelled the paper.

  “Accord… seven days… assault?!” she read as she skimmed. “This sounds more like a declaration of war.”

  “War? That was not part of the accord, last I checked,” Diedra said. “Though I must admit, that was many years ago. That alone might be enough for the orc armies to show up. We never agreed to war.”

  “We have to get this to Felas as soon as possible. Let’s go!”

  Lara urged her horse into a run, the others following suit after the shock subsided. None of them spoke as they galloped through the darkness, with only the distant torchlight of their tunnel back to the surface to guide them. Lara hoped none of them ran over an inattentive grog or hit an indent in the earth, as there was precious little time to spare. If this truly meant war, time was not on their side. In half the time it took to get to the orb, they returned back to the tunnel leading to Thogt. Behind them, a rustling noise echoed in the dark, but Lara paid it no heed. The emblem on their sleeves still protected them, and would bring two armies to Kelthur’s door if they did not return. Though they slowed down to fit inside the tunnel, Lara still rode on as fast as the space would allow. At the end, when they reached the massive stone gate, she found the rope to alert the guard and yanked it. After a moment, the gate rose.

  “Are you alright? Glad to have you back!” a different female guard yelled into the tunnel from outside.

  “Fine! Need to see Felas, sorry!” Lara said as she charged past.

 
“It’s urgent, she means no offense. Thank you for working the gate,” Cecile added before joining the others.

  Riding through this part of town proved difficult. Lara yelled at every group of people in her way, holding up the seal as if it would part them by magic. People on a late lunch were a few drinks deep, and took some time to respond to Lara's yelling. With the sun past its apex, she aimed to act on this news before sundown, assuming Felas had a plan. If not, she would head back to the office and figure one out, whether he liked it or not.

  Finally, the castle appeared in sight. As luck would have it, the road lay clear before the four riders. They charged their tired horses one last stretch, then dismounted in front of the castle. Lara bade Nami take care of the horses’ arrangements while she ran straight for the council room, shouting for Felas the whole way.

  Both guards that stood in front of the door moved in front of it as she approached. She slammed right into their armor, but did not fall back far.

  “He is not here, Lara! Half the castle heard you running in, give him time!”

  “Then get him in there faster! This is more important than anything else he could be doing!”

  Diedra, Nami, and Cecile all watched Lara give the guards the meanest looking stare they’d ever seen from her. Despite this, the guards held their ground. After a small commotion from the council chamber, they allowed her in.

  “Felas!” she yelled as she burst through the door.

  “Lara?! What happened? I didn’t expect you back so soon!” he gasped, out of breath in his throne.

  “I got you your response. We’re at war.”

  She approached the throne where the king was sitting and threw the scroll into his lap gently.

  “Excuse me?! I am still your king, young woman, and-”

  “Felas! If that scroll says what I think it does, she has every right to be mad. Let this one go,” Danae said, emerging from a door to the left of the throne. “Sorry, we were at a meeting, and we had to change. What did Kelthur say?”

  “He said we’re all trespassing, and then he added something about you ignoring him. I’m moving past it, because we have a war to prepare for.”

  Felas read the message, hmm-ing along the way and sighing a few times.

  “I did my best, at least. We would be trespassing, yes, if he hadn’t broken the original accord years ago. Then, he found power somehow, and here we are. Catering to a transformed madman so he doesn’t take back a city he cannot live in.”

  “What?” Nami asked.

  “He wouldn’t last a day above ground. I mean, outdoors, that is. Whatever this magic is that he’s found, it’s transformed him.”

  “Tell him that! I almost screamed at him! He thinks nothing of us, except that we need to pack our things and get out! We have to prepare for this.”

  “You’re right, but we have to do everything we can to prevent actual conflict. I won’t let him take our city from us, but Kelthur ruled over people like you and I once upon a time.”

  “That time has passed. There’s only one left down there, and he doesn’t care what happens as long as he gets his freedom.”

  “Lara, we understand this more clearly than you think,” Danae said. “This is the worst possible situation. But, there are still people down there, even if you did not see them. I know it. Not everyone succumbed to the need for power, and those that didn’t need our help.”

  “There are more? The one man we saw looked miserable!”

  “Lara, there are more. They are afraid of us,” Diedra said.

  “Afraid of us?! We’re human too!”

  “Yes, but they’ve been conditioned to see us as the enemy,” Danae answered. “Kelthur has made himself into their savior. He keeps them safe from the grog, grays, and whatever other horrors exist down there. We’re a threat to him, so by his logic, we’re a threat to their safety. Who could tell them otherwise?”

  Lara sighed.

  “What do we do?”

  “We prepare for war, and hope there won’t be one,” Felas said.

  “How can we help?” Nami asked.

  “For starters, you can find everyone you’ve ever taken to the caves with you. Bring them here, and I will brief them myself. We can gather them in the courtyard. After that, we’ll have to prepare the army itself, but that is not your concern. They will be our defense against the grog, and perhaps the grays. You four, and whoever you bring with you, will have to fight the worst of it.”

  “Sir, if I may, this may not be the best idea,” Diedra said.

  “Oh? What do you suggest? I confess, I’m not up to date on how our orc friends will handle this.”

  “I am not surprised. Even with friends, it is hard for many orcs back home to share secrets. I apologize for my brethren.”

  Felas nodded, then motioned for Diedra to continue.

  “If you can stall Kelthur and his forces for long enough, the message I sent should bring someone here. Whether it be reconnaissance or a sizable force, I cannot say, but someone will come. Kelthur cannot be allowed to destabilize our cities.”

  “That sounds like a fine plan, but how long do you think we can hold them? No one, not even Robert, has discovered what Kelthur and his people are capable of.”

  "Again, with all due respect, Felas, the only alternative I see is battle. Not that I shy from such things, but it could be devastating to your people. I would rather they live, even if it costs them their freedom, temporarily.”

  The king stared off to the side of the room for a moment.

  “You’re right. Defense is the best option here, in case we can somehow convince Kelthur he is wrong. Still, we must mobilize. Lara, Nami, please gather everyone you can. We will need as many people as possible that are at least familiar with what comes from under the mountain.”

  “Tell them not to worry about their families, either,” Danae added. “We will make sure they are taken care of, either with pay or with food and goods. If Thogt truly is to fall, it won’t be because its citizens had empty bellies.

  Also, I’m ordering you as queen of this city: get some rest tonight, all of you. Actual rest. I know you won’t stop thinking about any of this. You have bounced from the city to the mountains and back again more than I think I’ve been to see the orcs in a decade. We are in for a hard time. I need our best to be at their best.”

  “What about me?” Cecile asked. “I want to help! It’s always Lara this and Nami that, but I have the training and I have the heart for this!”

  “Ma’am, if I may,” Lara said. “I understand that my particular branch of the army has had few officials. But, I request that Cecile be made into one of them. I apologize if that is greedy, but a temporary position would suit her and us well.”

  During the short pause, Lara sighed. How quickly, she remarked, had she flipped on the decision to get Cecile involved in this.

  “Granted. But, Cecile, if I find out you’re hurt, I’ll do everything in my power to keep them away from you. You understand this, not as my subject, but as my friend, right?”

  Cecile nodded and smiled.

  “I will not disappoint you.”

  “Dismissed. I will have more for you in the morning,” Felas said. “But for now, your queen’s commands stand: get some rest, eat whatever food you like. Tomorrow, we prepare for war.”

  Lara and the others left the council chamber, apologized to the guards for acting so rash, and went to their office. Lara sat behind the desk, Cecile opposite her. Nami picked a nice spot on the floor against the wall opposite the door. Diedra chose to stand.

  “This is the first time in my life I’m not excited about a fight,” Nami said.

  “Then we know it’s serious. Ever since I’ve known you, I don’t think you’ve ever drawn a weapon without a smile on your face,” Lara added.

  “I know, right? Maybe I’m sick.”

  “You… you really think I can help you?” Cecile added after a short pause.

  “No, I know you can,” Lara said.
“You’ve definitely got experience in a fight, but I need you to stay close. I can tell how you feel about this, and I’m not about to let you charge down there yourself. I remember you going on about that. Not happening, and that’s final. It seems strange, but I’m your boss now. It’s a great help to our mission that you’re here, but I need you to keep focused on the big picture. No sense slaughtering twenty grays for revenge if there are a hundred more to replace them.”

  Cecile smiled.

  “I hate to break this up, but I am hungry. I apologize for imposing, but can we get on to dinner?” Diedra said.

  Nami snorted.

  “Finally! I can’t believe I’m thinking the same way as an orc does. I’ve known you just days, and you already make more sense to me than my own parents. I’m glad you’re here, Diedra.”

  The orc smiled. Nami got up and found a steward to request food. Each of the women sat for some time, thinking of the next few days. When dinner arrived, they ate heartily. After, Nami went straight to bed, claiming she could sleep for days if they let her. Shortly thereafter, the others heard snoring.

  “I should go back to the house and get some things ready. I’ll meet you all here in the morning, OK?” Cecile said.

  “Get what things? You might as well sleep somewhere here. We’ve got weapons, food… everything we’ll need for this. No sense worrying about the house until this is over. Plus, I like having you around.”

  “Thanks, Lara. Maybe I will stay, then. I only need a few blankets, and I can curl up on the floor or in another-”

  “Absolutely not. You can have my bed. I’ll make do with the chair. Besides, Diedra does it, and I should adopt her work ethic, at least until this all blows over.”

  Cecile smiled, then went to the bedroom.

  “Well, it’s you and me now. I’ll race you to sleep, Diedra.”

  “You have no chance.”

  Both women sat opposite each other at the desk, feet up, exhausted. True to her word. Diedra fell asleep almost immediately, but Lara joined her soon after.

  10

  Sunshine peeked over the horizon and through the windows, blinding anyone in the castle that may have wanted to see who was passing by below. Lara woke up fuzzy from getting so much sleep, considering how many times she had to be up the crack of dawn this week. Again, Nami was snoring away in the other room. Cecile seemed to be sleeping fine despite the noise, while Diedra looked out the window.