Forging the Half-Goblin Sorcerer

by J. Craig Argyle

  It does not escape Trak’s notice that he is perhaps the only one in history to be a member of two lineages that both claim to be the loins through which a great hero will arise. Trak thinks it ironic that in his case, this link is more likely to get him killed.

  Trak discusses the legend with Ran. Ran assures him that the myth is still very much believed. It is the reason the king must be a descendent of the queen’s house, for that is the lineage begun by the first hero. “Will the existence of the legend improve my chances of surviving should King Red discover who my mother really is?” Trak asks.

  “Probably just the opposite. The king is not known for his religious fervor. He will label you a false pretender and eliminate you to ensure his dynastic line prevails,” Lord Ran speculates.

  There is a knock at the door. Trak goes to see if it is their expected summons from the king. He opens the door to face his mother. She glances down the hall in both directions before slipping into the room. Trak offers an embrace, but senses a reticence on the queen’s part. When he realizes that it is because of Lord Ran presence, he reassures her, “He knows.” His mother then smiles and returns his embrace.

  Queen Meriem says, “I can’t believe I am finally talking to you. Do you realize how many years I’ve waited? I heard you were in the castle; I was afraid that you would leave before we talked.”

  “I, too, have wanted to meet with you, but it is not safe. You cannot stay.”

  “Only a moment, then. I wonder if your friend Lord Ran can arrange for us to exchange messages. I would very much like to know of your childhood and what you are now doing.”

  Lord Ran interrupts, “It might be possible, but I recommend you adopt some subterfuge to disguise your messages so no one discovers the link between you.”

  Trak ponders for a moment. “As you suggest, Lord Ran. Mother, I am gladdened to speak to you at last, but please go.”

  The military commander visits the next day with word that the king is pleased with the report. “He gives you his leave to depart.” Ran thinks it odd that they are dismissed without an audience. He follows the commander into the hall and asks for an explanation.

  The commander apologetically explains, “The truth is, Lord Ran, the king doesn’t trust Lord Trak. He is convinced the cross-breed is a sorcerer like his father and wants to avoid his mind controlling powers.”

  Trak hands Ran a message he has hastily penned for his mother. The prose is awkward, a result of having to avoid real names and places. In the message, Trak summarizes his life on the Isle of Uisgebeatha. He holds back nothing. He confesses his anger with his father for hiding the truth from him, but acknowledges that he shared meaningful experiences with Baelock and his grandmother. He refers to his departure from the island as an escape from a world that cares nothing for cross-breeds.

  Ran insists on reading the epistle before he delivers it. With a quill he marks out words like “cross-breed” and substitutes expressions like “those who are different.”

  When he returns, he brings a message from Queen Meriem. He hands it to Trak and says, “Your mother has more of a knack for writing clandestine letters than you.”

  The letter is addressed to her Aunt Mabol. In it, she explains that she is glad to be back in her homeland. “Although I had all I needed, I never became accustomed to the north. There were those who didn’t want me to return home, but I convinced them that it was in the best interest of the two kingdoms. The king has been most considerate since my return, and I hope to quickly present him with an heir. Perhaps, then, I will be able to come for a visit. Thank you for your kindness. Auntie, I feel blessed to have you to confide in.”

  From the queen’s example, Trak takes his cue. He assumes the identity of Auntie and writes lengthy letters. He doesn’t know how much useful information his mother extracts from his misdirected statements, but it is wonderful just to share.

  Chapter 22

  Neu Ardonbrae: Tironock’s Gambit

  When the royal family escaped to the Isle of Uisgebeatha, Grenab, Alexia and Cook went with them as far as Halban by the Sea where they disembarked and headed across the mountains for the enclave Krage mentioned as a possible safe haven. The trio carried documents they’d been given by King Giforing pardoning them for any crimes they may have committed. With the king in exile, they didn’t think the royal pardon was worth much in the capital, so they selected the southeastern corner of the kingdom to start new lives.

  Krage stayed behind in the temple. He had occasional contact with Saliger and Humock, but for months he stayed hidden in the secret passages. He would emerge at night and borrow books from the temple library or make a quick visit to his former apartment to retrieve some needed article. There was always food to be found in one of the temple’s kitchens. For a time it was relaxing.

  Eventually, Krage became restless and began exploring the city beneath Holy Mountain. It was a dangerous business, but he was pleased to find the white goblins had retreated once more deep into the earth. He encountered no sign of the Underworld inhabitants in the tunnels or the ruins of Ardonbrae. Krage scoured the ancient city for old documents. He sought to learn why the city had been abandoned. Krage hypothesized volcanic activity increased and forced the inhabitants out of the city. But that didn’t explain why in so many domiciles, it appeared that the inhabitants fled after sitting down to eat, taking none of their belongings with them. That is when Krage grimly realized that volcanic activity drove the creatures of the Underworld into the city, forcing its inhabitants to flee for their lives. It must have been shear madness to experience such an event.

  Krage discovered he could more easily summon the power of the earth the deeper he descended, but there was a drawback. Deep in the mountain, he was unable to project his spirit across the surface of the earth. He lost contact with his mother and couldn’t sense the presence of his two children. He was relieved Trak was where Melkerei couldn’t reach him, and happy that Myrel was studying with her grandmother. He had no information regarding Queen Meriem and that concerned him. Perhaps, when he ascended out of the depths of the volcano, he would contact Trak; he might know something.

  Krage was in the ruins of Ardonbrae, sitting in the upper floor of an administrative building near a window where he could benefit from the light generated by the lava flowing in the chasm at the edge of the city. He happened to look out the window and see a hundred armed subterraneans marching into the city. It was too late to run. He hid as best he could under a bench in the far corner of the room and waited. He heard the goblins pass the window and continue through the city. Relieved that the wraiths were unaware of his presence, he moved to the window and watched the goblins disappear up the steps that lead to the surface. No sooner had the formation disappeared from view when Krage spied a second troop emerging at the far end of the city. During the next hour, he watched a dozen formations head for the surface.

  What is their destination and purpose? Krage wondered. The most likely explanation is they were preparing to attack the temple or even the city. He tried sending out a warning. By now, the first group of attacking goblins was nearing the caverns beneath the temple. Krage calmed his mind and tried again to reach someone in the temple. There were few in the Septantrak who possessed the ability to hear his call. Perhaps Alrik will hear. “Flee the temple, white goblins are coming.” Krage sent the same thought again and again.

  ***

  While Krage strains to project his warning to Alrik, formations of wraiths enter the caverns below the temple. The Blue Daggers guarding the chambers see the white goblins emerge from fissures and run toward the mountain’s rear exit. It would take more than an hour for their warning to reach the city.

  Inside the temple, Alrik Redeyes sits at a table signing supply orders when he senses Krage’s warning. Krage seems far away and his message muffled, but soon its content registers, “Flee, white goblins are coming.” Alrik doesn’t hesitate. He races down the corridor to the alarm levers embedded in the stone wall. Each l
ever closes a ventilation shaft that sucks fresh air into the temple. When all but one shaft is closed, the air rushing into the shaft splits as it crosses a metal plate. A harmonic sound is generated that echoes through the corridors and out the top of the mountain. The warning is heard in the city as the white wraiths begin entering the lowest levels of the temple.

  In the city, Lord Lizardthroat is meeting with the City Police captain, Humock Gutcutter, when a low continuous harmonic tone emanates from Holy Mountain. Lord Lizardthroat stops what he is saying to ask, “What is that noise?”

  Humock replies, “It is the temple’s warning signal. A steady blast means the Septantrak is under attack.”

  Melkerei immediately remembers the white goblins that butchered a hundred of his troops two years before. “Muster all available soldiers; we march on the temple in ten minutes.” Captain Humock races from the Blue Daggers’ headquarters and into the streets. He sends guards scurrying through the city to collect as many of his police as can be found. In ten minutes he and his City Police are rushing toward Holy Mountain behind a hundred of Melkerei’s secret police.

  The residents of the Septantrak are streaming out the delivery entrance when the police arrive. They have reacted to the warning but can’t say why the alarm has sounded. Inside the temple, the half-naked wraiths are chasing the remaining occupants through the corridors. The attackers waive their swords and appear ferocious but they allow the temple occupants to escape unharmed.

  After sounding the alarm, Alrik runs to the scriptorium to secure its precious manuscripts. He begins ferrying armfuls of documents up the secret staircase and dumping them on the floor of the catacombs. When he has the most important manuscripts hidden, he enters the catacombs and closes the altar lid behind him. He can still sense the warning that Krage is projecting. Alrik heads for his prepared hiding space. Deep in one of the side corridors he pushes open the lid of an empty sarcophagus and climbs in. He seals the lid and blows out the lamp he carries. He is prepared to wait in the dark silence until the danger passes. He has no idea how long he will have to wait. The wraiths could be gone in hours or perhaps never. He has a supply of flat bread and water that will last him a week.

  The police rush through the temple corridors. When they meet white goblins, the wraiths turn and ran back into the tunnels beneath the temple. Some of the wraith formations turn back before they even enter the Septantrak. The attack terrorizes the citizens of the capital, but casualties are nonexistent. Lord Lizardthroat puzzles over the wraith’s halfhearted assault. It is as though the attack is only a diversion, but he can’t guess what the feigned invasion concealed.

  Alrik has only been sealed in his self-imposed tomb for a few hours when he hears voices outside his hiding place. Someone knocks on the lid and says, “It is safe; you can come out now.”

  Alrik recognizes the voice and replies, “Help me slide the lid.” The clerics in the scriptorium know of his hiding place. When they returned to the temple and found many of the manuscripts missing, they realized what must have happened and went to retrieve Alrik from his sarcophagus. “Who else but the high priest would think of spending a week in a sarcophagus,” remarks the cleric who frees Alrik.

  ***

  In the underground ruins, Krage sits, weary from his efforts to warn the temple. He has no idea if his warning was heeded. He slowly stands. He needs to find a hiding place. As he passes through the door, ten white goblins stand waiting. Krage is too exhausted to mount a defense. He realizes the warning message he so desperately sent has been his undoing. He has inadvertently transmitted his location. The attack on the temple was only a diversion. He had been the target all along.

  The wraiths don’t charge, hacking with their crude bronze swords. Their commander deliberately places the tip of his sword to Krage’s chest while two goblins bind his hands behind him. They push Krage to the edge of the city and lead him into the chasm where the lava flows far below.

  Krage tries to talk to his captors. They speak not a word but guide him ever deeper into the earth. They pass the lava flowing in the chasm below the ruins of Ardonbrae. He is taken to a goblin hive built deep in the earth. When they reach the hive’s great hall they halt in front of the Queen Mothers who sit on stone thrones atop a dais.

  One queen speaks. “Peace attend thee, Krage 59th of Septan’s lineage. We regret our action, but Tironock commands us to bring thee here and retain thee until the demigod decides your fate.” The queen appears weary, as do her sisters.

  Krage considers the situation and asks, “Has Tironock gained such power over your hive that you do his bidding in all things?”

  “The demigod is cruel and petulant. He sees traitors everywhere. If one tries to reason with him, he resorts to wanton violence. Until we can find a way to free ourselves, we do as he commands. Truly, we fear for your life, but we fear for our hive more.”

  Krage is taken to a small chamber and sealed behind a stone door. From inside his prison cell, he cannot budge the stone. Krage is provided with necessities: candles, blankets, water and the bland food wraiths consume. He is comfortable on the wooden sleeping platform, but he realizes that as long as he is a captive and under Tironock’s control his life is in danger. From the moment he is sealed inside the chamber, he schemes his escape. But escape is only possible when the stone is opened from the outside.

  From time to time a Queen Mother visits and engages in conversation. “We have not heard from Tironock since he ordered you imprisoned. He is apparently content to know you under his control.”

  “There are many hives in the Underworld. Perhaps Tironock is preoccupied with bringing them all under his dominion,” Krage speculates. Krage needs an ally to help him escape. He asks the Queen Mother, “Is there much infighting within the hive or has everyone consented to Tironock’s rule?”

  “There are many who wish to escape Tironock’s domination, but few openly oppose the monster. One commander has left the hive and is building a new hive under the Western Sea where we hope to hide from the demigod. But I say too much. If Tironock forces you to reveal our plan, all could be lost.”

  Whenever the stone is rolled back to admit a visitor or deliver a meal, two guards stand in the doorway. Krage doesn’t see how he can force his way past the guards, but maybe he can trick the guards into thinking he has. As the time approaches for his next meal, Krage extinguishes his candle and sits in the dark. When the stone door is rolled back, Krage covers his eyes and generates the most brilliant flash of light he can muster. The guards shriek from the pain that shoots through their eyes. Krage crashes into the lead guard knocking him back into the guard behind.

  The guards blindly back out of the chamber and manage to close the door. When their vision recovers, they peer into the chamber. Krage is nowhere in sight. He lies hidden under his pallet where he took refuge when the guards were blinded. He intends to hide for several days before emerging and stealthily exiting the hive. Everything depends on the door being left open. He checks. The door is closed. Krage lies there for a day hoping someone will enter the chamber and leave the door open. Eventually, a Queen Mother arrives. She stands in the chamber for several minutes before announcing in a soft voice, “You may as well come out. It is unsightly for a Thaumaturgist to hide under his bed. Besides, it is more comfortable on top than under it.”

  Krage admits defeat. He feels foolish crawling out from under his bed. “Why weren’t you fooled by my trick?” he asks.

  “Surface dwellers forget subterraneans rely more on the sense of smell than sight. Your guards never believed you left the chamber.”

  Chapter 23

  Isle of Uisgebeatha:

  The old goblin frets. She doesn’t understand why she can’t contact Krage. If he were dead, she would know it. She can’t guess what hinders her attempts to reach him. She fears he is injured.

  On a summer’s day two years after Myrel came to the island, Dorla decides to give a party celebrating the king’s birthday. She convinces her uncle
to invite all his liegemen. It will be a grand party, worthy of those she imagines happen in the capital. She wants Myrel and Meg to come. The old Spore gives an unqualified refusal. Myrel is reluctant, but consents when Dorla promises to help her find suitable clothing. She finds Myrel a gown that once belonged to Farg’s mother. Myrel sets about reusing the material to fashion a gown for herself. She has no idea about the latest trends in the capital. It hardly matters; except for the royal family, no one else has been to a party in the last twenty years. Myrel has lost her fear of being hunted by Lord Lizardthroat. She wants to come out of hiding. Myrel informs Dorla, “I’ll come and just stay in the background.”

  Not likely, thinks Dorla. A sophisticated cross-breed, over six arms in height, will attract considerable attention. Dorla seeks the advice of the king’s wife, Queen Dafnie, who has considerable experience in planning parties. She recommends that an enormous feast form the centerpiece of the evening. Dorla can present dishes seasoned with the herbs she herself gathers.

  Duke Amin considers it wise to indulge his niece’s whim. Following the party, he and the royal family are headed for the capital. For months, he has coordinated the efforts of the nobles to have the king returned to his throne. Finally, Lord Lizardthroat has agreed to negotiate a settlement. The duke expects to be gone for several months. He will leave Farg in charge. When Baelock learns of the duke’s plan, he asks permission to join the entourage. At Baelock’s urging, the duke appoints Wreen his new smith. Then Meg tells Myrel she is also leaving to search for Krage. She plans on returning, but Myrel worries that her old age might hinder her ability to travel. Myrel dithers about joining the travelers. She doesn’t want to live in the cave by herself. Myrel decides to attend her grandmother. She can be of use to her mentor and continue her studies. Dorla can’t stand the thought of being left and begs to be included. Her uncle relents. The travelers will depart two days after the birthday celebration.