“I don’t know,” Karus admitted. “We were told to retrieve it before we leave this world, that it would somehow help. From what I understand, it is magical, but I have no idea what it does or can do.”
“Magic, ha!”
Dennig snorted as he ran a hand through his long beard, which was unbrushed and almost completely covered his belly. Combined with his long hair, which was blown back from the wind, the dwarf had a wild, almost outlandish look. Dennig’s fingers caught in a tangle. He forced them slowly through as he looked upon Karus.
“Some fools put a lot of faith in such things,” Dennig said. “Me, I think tinkering with magic is just trouble, pure and simple. That includes special items as well, like this sword you seek. Mark my words, it’s all trouble in the end.”
Karus thought about that a moment. What Dennig said was possibly true, but he had no choice. The High Father had told him to retrieve the sword and that was what he would do, for good or ill.
“All right,” Karus said. “My turn. If you did not think you would be successful, why go to see the elves? Why even bother making the attempt?”
“I am a soldier,” Dennig said and hesitated slightly. “I was ordered to go. In truth, I would have volunteered. To save my brothers, I would not hesitate to give my own life.”
“You almost did,” Karus said.
“Aye.” Dennig’s gaze became unfocused. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “My war band was sent to Carthum to consolidate supplies and forage more from the surrounding countryside, which had just been abandoned by its people. Shortly after we arrived, we learned of some of our fellows who had become trapped behind enemy lines and were besieged in a small castle. My chieftain, ah … our general made the decision to march to their aid. We were successful in breaking the siege, freeing our boys, and killing many of the enemy. However, on the march back, as we were moving out of hostile lands, the enemy managed to surprise us.” Dennig paused. “Our pioneers discovered two enemy columns moving to trap us. Outnumbered, we were in a difficult position, nearly boxed in.”
Dennig ran his fingers through his beard again, as if attempting to comb it.
“As my chieftain saw it, there were two options. We could fight one of the armies before both could combine against us, break it, and escape, marching like the wind back to Carthum. The other option was to seek permission to cross into elven lands and avoid another costly fight. Long story told short, that’s how I came to be in the hands of the elves.” The dwarf paused, becoming bitter. “I went to them to talk. They, as you likely know, had different ideas. They killed my escort and threw me into a prison cell and left me to rot.”
“I see,” Karus said, sympathizing with Dennig’s position. Had Karus been in his place, he would have done the same and risked it all with the elves in the hopes he could save his men. Only the elves had proven treacherous, specifically the warden. Had Karus not come, Dennig would still be rotting in the warden’s prison.
“Who sent you to get the sword?” Dennig asked.
“The High Father,” Karus said.
Dennig burst out a guffaw that turned into a belly laugh. He fell silent when he saw that Karus was thoroughly serious. His eyes narrowed.
“Truly?” Dennig asked suspiciously. “You are not having one over on me?”
Karus shook his head.
“You and the woman with the funny staff are believers?” Dennig genuinely seemed surprised by Karus’s admission.
“We are and do believe,” Karus said. “Amarra and I both.”
“My father kept the faith,” Dennig said, a sad note creeping into his voice. A fraction of a moment later, that note turned rock hard. “He honored our gods. In the end, it did not save him or my mum from an orc’s sword. They were butchered like sheep when our village was overrun.” He shook what was left of the cheese at Karus. “Faith only gets you so far in this world. These days, very few, if any, of my people bother to make serious devotions towards the gods, beyond simply mouthing the words.” Dennig ran his fingers through his beard again as he gazed up at Karus. “I thought most humans had given up on the gods as well. You really keep the faith?”
We are all believers, Kordem said, shifting his bulk, his massive tail swishing loudly through the grass. It is why we have come to this forsaken place.
Dennig glanced Kordem’s way. He sat up straighter, nostrils flaring as he sucked in a deep breath. The dwarf’s eyes flicked from the dragon to Karus.
“Your general,” Karus said, deciding to move things along, “he wouldn’t be named Shoega, would he?”
Dennig froze in mid-chew, gaze locked upon Karus. He recovered a moment later and swallowed.
“The elves told you about me and my mission,” Dennig said and took another smaller bite of his bread, chewing thoughtfully. “Why play this game of pretending not to know? You are toying with me.”
“I met another of your kind,” Karus said.
“You did?” Dennig seemed surprised by this revelation.
“Torga. He was looking for your general, your chieftain,” Karus said. “Thought my legion might have had something to do with him going missing.”
“Did he, now?” Dennig’s eyes lit up. “My, that is encouraging, very encouraging.”
“He threatened me,” Karus said.
“Now, that sounds like Torga,” Dennig said and grinned. “It pleases me greatly to know we have not been completely forgotten. Okay, my turn again. You said you were leaving. How do you intend to manage that? With the Horde controlling both World Gates, how do you plan on getting off this shithole of a world? That I’d very much like to know.”
Until this moment, Karus had not known there were two World Gates. He recalled the High Father telling them there was more than one, but not how many. Karus had no idea where the Gates were, but it was good to know that the dwarves knew. Dennig had also revealed something else of value to him. The dwarves wanted off this world as well and, if Karus was any judge, they desired it desperately.
Karus had a Key to one of the Gates, which supposedly would allow him to operate it. He suddenly wondered if the enemy knew of the Key and were searching for it as well, like he had come in search for Rarokan. Would the enemy come for the Key? Had that been why they’d entered the city? Or had it been to free the druids and cause mayhem?
Perhaps, he considered, the dwarves were looking too, for the Key potentially represented a possible escape from this world that was being overrun by the enemy. Beyond the strength of his legion, Karus was now keenly aware he had something of incredible value to offer for a potential alliance. Would the dwarves be interested in working with him? Or would they try to take the Key by force once they learned he had it?
Another question came to mind, a troubling one at that. His Key … which World Gate did it go to?
“Well?” Dennig asked, having become impatient at not receiving an immediate reply. The dwarf gave a cynical laugh. “Tell me, Karus, how will you get off this world? How do you plan to get through enemy lines to a Gate?”
Karus glanced over at the dragons, hoping they would remain silent. Kordem was still watching him, and quite intently, too. The dragon dipped his head slightly, as if indicating Karus should continue. Both dragons knew about the Key, for he and Amarra had emerged from the ruins of the High Father’s temple with it.
“I still have to figure that one out,” Karus admitted. He was not yet ready to tell Dennig about the Key, at least until he knew more about the dwarves and felt they could be trusted. “I think it starts by making allies, though. I don’t believe we can manage it alone, especially if the Horde holds both Gates.”
“I told you already,” Dennig said, “my people don’t ally with humans.”
“We’ll see,” Karus said. “Tell me more of your army, your general.”
“I am tired of playing this game, Karus,” Dennig said, becoming surly. “I will tell you nothing more on that other than what I’ve already said. You don’t need to know more. At t
his point, I just want to return to my people.”
“I understand,” Karus said, and he did.
“Are you a man of your word, Karus?”
“I try to be,” Karus said.
“Good. I will hold you to it.”
The dwarf took a bite of bread and turned away from him. In the silence that followed, the fire snapped and crackled loudly. Karus rubbed his jaw, feeling the growing stubble and thinking on what he’d just learned. Movement to his left drew his attention.
Amarra, Si’Cara, and Tal’Thor emerged from the trees. Amarra gave him a wave. Karus let out a relieved breath at seeing her safe and sound. Carrying more than a dozen full canteens between them, the trio walked up to the fire and set them down next to the packs.
Everyone appeared tired and more than weary. They’d all spent most of the night with little, if any, sleep, then the morning and early afternoon getting here on dragonback. Karus was bone-tired. He glanced up at the fortress that capped the hill and studied it for several heartbeats, then turned back to the others.
“I think we should spend the night here,” Karus said. He had become resigned to that little fact of necessity, though he’d have liked nothing more than to immediately march up the hill and get it all over with so he could return to the legion. “We need rest. In the morning, we can hike up to the fortress and get the sword.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Amarra said with evident relief and a concerned glance thrown over to Si’Cara, who appeared about ready to collapse. Si’Cara gave a tired nod and woodenly sat down in the grass by the fire.
We agree, Kordem stood, unfurling his wings and stretching out his tail. The dragon shook himself like a dog might.
Cyln’phax stood as well.
It has been a few days since we have eaten, Kordem said. We will hunt and return in the morning, by midday at the latest.
When you decide to go up into the fortress, Cyln’phax said, do not wait on us.
“You won’t be going with us?” Amarra asked, voicing the alarm Karus felt.
No, mistress. Kordem’s tone was full of great respect, but it was also firm. This is as far as we can go. The web of will that has been spun over the fortress was cast by a wizard of nearly unsurpassed power, a High Master of the Order of Obsidian. We are repelled by it, repulsed by its strength. Not even the noctalum, with all of their considerable will, could go up there, if they so desired. The web needs to be brought down, or broken for us to join you. This is something you will have to do without us.
Karus certainly did not like the sound of that, especially the part about them going it alone. He turned his gaze to the fortress. The top of the wall facing them was visible and illuminated under the bright light from the two suns. Much of it was covered over in green, which Karus assumed was ivy. From the air, the fortress had seemed a formidable position. Constructed of stone, the walls were box-like, with what appeared to be a good-sized central multistory, crenulated keep. He had seen all of that from a distance. It now made sense to him why the dragons had not landed them atop the hill. He had assumed it was not to unduly alarm the defenders. But it now seemed there was more to it than that.
“This web you speak of, what is it?” Karus asked, for it certainly sounded like magic.
An enchantment designed to keep all out but those who were foretold and belong, Kordem said, while stretching and craning his neck outward. Even this far removed, we can feel it pushing us away. It is quite an uncomfortable sensation, almost painful.
We are forced to expend our own will to remain here with you, Cyln’phax added. We can go no closer and should really depart, for the strain wears unduly upon us both.
“And what of us?” Amarra asked, gesturing around. “It’s safe for us to go up there?”
I did not say that, mistress, Kordem said. It may prove to be quite unsafe. We simply do not know what is up in the fortress, other than the sword. However, as foretold, you are able to go where we cannot.
Karus wondered who had done the foretelling. Was there an oracle on this world? It was an interesting line of thought. There had always been loads of priests and holy men from barbarian religions who claimed to know of future events or to be able to divine the answers to difficult questions. Scrying and sacrifices had always been popular but incredibly unreliable. Even Roman priests practiced sacrificial rites to determine omens and the intentions of the gods. However, an oracle was different, at least in Karus’s mind. He had read about the Oracle at Delphi. Oracles were known to give reliable answers to difficult questions, provide guidance, and predict the future with uncanny success. If there was a true oracle on this world, a visit might be in order. The oracle might be able to tell him more on what he needed to know in how to save his legion and escape this world.
We don’t know what is waiting for you, Cyln’phax said, or what dangers you will face. But go you must, and without us.
We regret we cannot go with you, Kordem said.
Karus and Amarra shared a concerned look.
“My brother Kol is up there,” Si’Cara said, pointing toward the top of the hill from where she sat in the grass. “He is the leader of the Anagradoom. They are honorable, noble warriors, the best amongst us. I tell you it will be all right. You will see. The warriors will not hurt, nor seek to harm us. If anything, they will give over what you seek.”
I pray it is as you say, Kordem said. Truly.
Karus’s thoughts went to what Di’Cara had told him about the fortress. From the hooded look Tal’Thor cast Si’Cara, Karus suspected the ranger had been told something similar. Karus wondered why Si’Cara’s father had said nothing to her. Had he attempted to shield her from the truth? Or had she not listened to his concerns?
“I don’t feel comfortable with you leaving us,” Karus said to the dragons. It wasn’t just that they could not go with them up to the fortress. The warden had shown she could not be trusted. Were there any other elves out in the forest, hidden from view? Were they even now being watched? The warden was a great distance removed from them, but that did not make Karus feel any better.
We won’t be far, Kordem said and swung his head toward the two elves, almost as if he could read Karus’s thoughts. And I doubt very much that there are any elves nearby. Your people do not come near this place, do they?
“You have the right of it. By order of the warden, we avoid the fortress,” Tal’Thor said. “The only elves within fifty miles are the Warriors of Anagradoom, and they are unable to leave.”
Good. Then rest, eat. Kordem’s tone held a note of finality to it. We shall return.
With that, the dragon flapped his powerful wings, sending a tremendous gust of wind over them. It was almost strong enough to extinguish the fire and knock Karus over. He was forced to brace himself and shield his eyes from the dirt, fallen leaves, and debris kicked up. Kordem continued to beat at the air with his leathery wings. Cyln’phax took off a moment later, leaping up from the ground.
The dragons climbed, circling above them higher and higher as they clawed their way skyward, toward the clouds. Yet, even though they were leaving, Karus felt a small measure of relief he was not going with them. His two feet belonged planted firmly on the solid ground.
Silently, they watched the dragons. Silhouetted against the sky, Kordem and Cyln’phax were magnificent, beautiful even, despite their fearsomeness. He couldn’t help but look as both creatures climbed ever skyward, for he was being treated to something few had the pleasure to see.
Then the dragons ceased their beating. Wings outstretched, they seemed to hang on the air, suspended by an unseen hand, before abruptly banking. Together, they dove toward the ground, picking up tremendous speed. Then they were gone, disappearing from view as they crossed behind the tree cover. Karus heard one of the dragons distantly cry out. Then nothing more. Silence returned. Not even the birds dared yet call to one another. They seemed scared stiff.
“If only we could get rid of the elves so easily.” Dennig spat on the grou
nd, breaking the silence after a long moment. “Then I’d be a happy dvergr.”
Tal’Thor turned a cold gaze upon the dwarf. Karus could sense the intense dislike between the two as it flared white hot.
“Perhaps I should finish the work the warden started,” Tal’Thor said, hand slipping toward one of his daggers. “The world won’t miss one less dwarf.”
“You can try, pretty boy,” Dennig said, standing and balling his fists. “You can try.”
Karus had had enough.
“Cease this!” Karus shouted and both were startled enough to look over at him. He needed to set the expectation that they were required to get along with one another. “I don’t care what has transpired or who wronged whom. As long as we travel together, there will be no violence between us, nor harsh words. We keep the peace here, amongst ourselves. I will tolerate nothing less.” He pointed off toward the trees. “Otherwise you can go on your way now.” Karus paused, looking between the elves and Dennig. “Is that understood?”
The silence returned as the elves and dwarf stared back at him. Amarra had turned her gaze upon him as well. He resisted the temptation to glance her way.
“I asked,” Karus said, becoming seriously irritated and taking a step toward them, “is that understood?”
“It is,” Dennig said, deflating. He sat back down in the grass. “All I ask is you return me to my people.”
Karus looked to Tal’Thor.
“We will not harm the dwarf,” Si’Cara said, speaking for them both with a disapproving glare thrown to Tal’Thor. The other ranger, meeting Karus’s gaze, gave a curt nod of acceptance.
“Dennig,” Karus said and turned to the dwarf, “once we retrieve the sword, I will do my best to return you to your people. Just as I promised.”
“And I will appreciate that … if it happens. That’s right, Karus … you are a man of your word.”
Karus sucked in an irritated breath and was about to say more when Dennig spoke again, holding up a hand, almost in apology.
“I am being unkind. Forgive me.” Dennig glanced down at the ground and then looked back up as if a thought had hit him. “Instead of simply returning me to my people, do you think it possible you can get me back to my army? That is, if they managed to escape. I know not where you are going after this, but your dragons cover a lot of ground easily. Perhaps they can find my boys?”
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