The Demon's Chamber

by Brian Spielbauer

  “What would you like to eat?” asked Milan. The dwarves at the table quickly scurried, with more than one fingering his axe, unsure what to do. Milan refused to acknowledge their rudeness. She wanted Erol to feel comfortable and welcome. No one in the mountain could have done more for him, not even Tegan himself.

  “Yes!” replied Erol eagerly as he reached for a whole ham and began eating it like the dwarves would eat a drumstick from a chicken. Before he was done most of a roasted hog had disappeared, along with several loaves of bread and half a barrel of beer.

  “Milan, how is our visitor?” asked Deyanira as she appeared by the table. She wore all black as she was still in mourning over her husband, and didn’t look very fondly on Erol. Her look of disgust was slightly worse than the usual scowl that marked her face. There was sadness in her eyes and a deep pain she was trying to hide. Everyone but the highest of the dwarves avoided her eye contact, as it was her intent to make others feel uncomfortable.

  Obviously intentional, Deyanira vastly out-dressed all other dwarf on every occasion. While everyone else looked fine and appropriate, Deyanira dressed like she was going to a ball. Her elegant gown covered her completely, from the heels of her shoes right up to the top of her neck, with full length sleeves. It also was very poufy, starting at her waist. This gave her the illusion of floating, not walking, across smooth granite floors of the upper chamber.

  “He is recovering nicely,” Milan said with a smile as she watched Erol butter a loaf of bread. Erol took no notice of either of them as he was focused only on his meal. Then she added laughingly, looking back to Deyanira, “He will be back to normal soon, after he soothes his appetite!”

  Deyanira did not laugh, which halted Milan’s giggle. Then Deyanira stated, “He should not be here, I told Tegan so. Times are such that we must think of ourselves first and hapless strangers too dumb to sleep in safe places second.” Deyanira tried little to hide her speech from their guest, but Erol still took no notice. His attention switching from the bread back to the hog. “We know nothing of this ogre, and he certainly is no dwarf and so has no business in our city.”

  “Tegan thought he needed our help and saw in Erol an ally,” Milan said, defending her husband. Milan knew Deyanira and Tegan were not of the same mind, but that both were to be respected and listened to for their wisdom. She also knew her husband would soon be king, and as such her allegiance lay squarely with her husband, not his step-mother.

  Deyanira was an extremely loving and obedient wife to Tegan’s father. At times, it appeared she was colder to Tegan than Telon. This was to be expected as Telon was her true blood son, while Tegan was not. Even given this, Deyanira’s love for both of her sons was never questioned.

  Milan, unlike Deyanira, had the favor of the people. She frequented the halls where common laborers could be found and enjoyed their company. Many thought she had a secret strength about her, and all were eager for any time they could spend with the Lady Milan. Her beauty and grace amongst her people was unmatched, and often on her walks through the halls she would be given gifts by the dwarves, especially the youngest of them. They felt it might bring them her favor and good luck. She always had time for those she saw, and loved to talk with them.

  None of the dwarves, outside the highest levels, knew or cared to know Deyanira. She preferred it that way so that she could avoid what she called ‘regrettable’ conversations with the workers. She hated leaving the upper chambers of the mountain, and when she did the thought of dealing with those in the lower halls made her weak.

  “Tegan is wise,” said Deyanira as she touched Milan’s cheek with her usual cold hand and a forced smile, one that distorted her usual features. The distortion was brief, and she quickly resumed her resting unpleasant face. “His decisions are good, at least with good intent. I only fear for our people’s safety, but perhaps I am a bit too conservative these days,” Deyanira said as she attempted to backtrack. “Let me know if I can help with any of the ogre’s needs.”

  “You are kind and wise. Erol thanks you for offer,” Milan said as Erol wiped drips of beer and ham gravy from his chin with his sleeve.

  General Coric bustled through the crowd and approached Milan. “Good morning to you, Lady Milan,” he greeted with a smile.

  Deyanira aloofly scanned the room and would not make eye contact as if looking for someone more important.

  Coric’s smile disappeared, and his greeting turned meager. “Lady Deyanira, good day.”

  “To what do we owe this pleasure?” Milan asked.

  “More of an interruption,” Deyanira muttered.

  “Tegan sent me to guard the ogre, but he seems pretty calm to me.” Coric monitored the gorging ogre, who took no notice of the guard.

  Deyanira looked to Erol with utmost repulsion. To say the least, his table manners were not to her approval. She looked back to Milan and changed the topic, trying mightily to ignore the massive ogre before her.

  “How have you been feeling, Milan?” Deyanira asked with sincerity.” “You should be taking it easy as you approach the birth of my first grandson.”

  “I am fine,” Milan said with a smile. The last thing she wanted (and every other dwarf to boot) was more attention from Deyanira. “It will be at least another two weeks before he arrives. Besides, I still need to get Tegan a gift for his coronation. I hope it is not too late to find something, I thought I would have Jaric make him an axe. I am going to look for a great jewel for him to mount in it.”

  “Well, that should be easy enough,” Coric interjected. “There are many jewels to be found after the spring melt down by the river.”

  “You will need to go soon,” Deyanira added, “while it is still safe for you and your baby to travel. I could go with you, to help protect you.”

  “That is a great idea, but you will not need to go with me. I will go alone to not create such a stir. I want it to be a surprise,” Milan said as she got up and hugged Deyanira.

  Coric watched the exchange, seeing Milan’s skillful dance around spending more time with Deyanira. He loathed the widowed dwarf as much as any, and far more than most.

  Deyanira released the quick embrace, “Are you sure? I guess it would be easier to sneak without me there. I also wouldn’t have to see all of those people.” Her disdain for the farmers was legendary.

  “I am sure, please stay here and cover for me if Tegan asks where I went. That would be best.”

  “You should go early in the morning then, while the rest of us are meeting about the city’s defenses. That will be your only chance to go in secrecy. I promise I won’t say a word. It will add to your surprise!”

  “Yes, that is what I will do,” Milan said, her joy erupting into a smile she could not hide. “Thank you!”

  “Please be careful,” Deyanira added, quickly changing the topic again. “Let me know if you need anything. Good day.” With that, Deyanira abruptly ended the conversation and was gone. Each table of the room quickly put their heads down to avoid her as she approached. Deyanira briskly pushed through the throng to depart the room, rushing by hundreds of dwarves as if no one was there.

  Milan and Coric sat down with Erol, waiting for him to finish. “Who is that?” Erol asked as he watched Deyanira walk away.

  “She is Deyanira, Tegan and Telon’s mother,” Milan answered.

  “No like,” was all Erol could say. He had neither the intelligence nor the interest in pretending. Milan marveled at Erol’s simplicity, and wished she could be so blunt.

  Eight armored dwarves marched up to the table as Erol finished off the last of the ham. He was finally completely full, for the first time in many days.

  “Milan, you are as beautiful as the setting sun,” cried Telon. He gave Coric a sharp glare in disapproval of his presence. The constant uneasy tension between Coric and Telon ensued as the general stood at Tegan’s approach.

  “Easy, brother. She is spoken for,” said Tegan as he embraced Milan tightly, lifting her off her feet. As he set
her down, he glanced at her stomach and said, “How is my baby today?”

  “Your baby is kicking like crazy and wants to get out. He is impatient and seems to have attained quite a temper at a young age. In short, the baby is just like you!” Milan laughed at Tegan, as she enjoyed putting him in his place.

  Tegan measured his response carefully, “Does the baby appear to be fussy?”

  “Of course not,” Milan replied with a giggle, not sure where this was going.

  “Well then, can it even be mine?” Tegan’s reply drew laughter from his soldiers, and a playful slap from his wife.

  “Behave!” was all Milan could muster.

  A dwarf maiden walked up to Milan, the familiar face grabbed Telon’s attention. As she stepped to the side of Milan, she took a playful look at Telon. Then back to Milan, “Lady, your laundry is finished, and your home cleaned. Is there anything more I can do for you today? If not, we are jarring our spring vegetables for the winter and my parents would like me to help, if that is all right.”

  “Of course, Lizzy, do all you can for your family. I will need more of your time after the baby arrives,” Milan said, knowing every dwarf in the mountain lived off the meat, wheat, and vegetables produced on the farms throughout the winter months.

  “I will check back with you tomorrow,” Lizzy said with another glance to Telon, who looked a bit uncomfortable, “and bring you some corn for your evening meal.” She then performed a slight bow and said good night. Milan touched her head and bid her, “Good evening and many blessings on your family.”

  Lizzy then turned and walked slowly away.

  Tegan shot a look at Telon, gave him a sharp elbow to the ribs, and whispered, “You will never find anything if you don’t start seeking.”

  Awkwardly, Telon addressed the group, “Well… I… I need to go now. I have to… check on something in the mines.”

  Jaric looked at Telon with confusion, “The mines? What could possibly need checking on in the mines?”

  Telon searched for an answer, but his brother saved him, “We are searching for a special vein of red gold for matching rings for Milan and me. Telon believes he has found one and is taking care of it himself.”

  “Yes… off I go,” Telon said and shot away in the opposite direction. Milan giggled to herself, enjoying the play that was unfolding.

  Tegan looked to Erol, hoping to change the subject. “How is our ogre friend today?”

  “Full. I owe you for your help,” said Erol, as he rose from the table. His eyes fully adjusted and the food from his meal was racing throughout his body. He felt strong again. Erol stood tall and was very imposing, drawing a lot of attention from those in the hall. Many of the dwarves entered the hall after Erol, and were somehow not aware of his presence. He approached Tegan and bent down on one knee. He was still taller than Tegan, and bowed down saying, “You saved me. My life is yours.”

  “Your life is just that, yours. Spend it as you wish. It was our honor to help you with the bears. You are a friend to us and our people, and you can come and go as you please,” announced Tegan so that all could hear. He then put his two hands around Erol’s and helped him to his feet.

  “Then I stay and help,” Erol responded, feeling this was where he was destined to be.

  The dwarves in the Great Hall cheered, happy to have such a friend. He would surely be help at need and they were fascinated at how much he could eat.

  Erol was taken to the smithy where he was fitted with two solid iron bands that went from the base of his wrist and halfway up his forearms. Tegan had ‘Erol, Dwarf Friend’ inscribed in the gold on each band. These bracers would allow him to block blows from the enemy during battle and protect him from more bear bites. He was also offered, but would not take, a sword or axe. He did accept a chain vest made in dwarf fashion. Erol was put to work in the mine and was quite useful in pushing the huge iron wagons that were loaded with rock. It usually took four dwarves working together to do what Erol could do alone.

  Allies of the dwarves were short in number, which made Erol’s arriving great news. While the dwarf population had been dropping for many years the opposite was true for their enemies, such as the goblins and dragons. Dragons have always been few, but even one could be a huge problem. There were several dragons the dwarves knew about, but they had begun hearing more news of others. Erol would be very helpful against these enemies.

  Δ

  Telon hurried down the stairs, trying desperately to catch up to Lizzy. He slowed as someone he knew came by, trying to avoid the uncomfortable questions, but the awkward looks were unavoidable. As he reached the bottom of the first flight of stairs which led him to the mines, he darted left through a seldom used passage that led back to the stairs to the Great Hall. He hoped to catch Lizzy there. He emerged from the passage, taking a quick look up the stairs to make certain she was ahead of him. Seeing she wasn’t there, he quickly worked his way down the next set of stairs and through the lower hall. He strained to see her and continued down the stairs on his journey. Lizzy would need to travel this path to get to the fields where her family lived, there was no way he would miss her. His spirits steadily dropped the farther he went, she was nowhere in sight. His chance had passed, it was not to be.

  Feeling dejected, and having no idea what he would say to her anyway, he gave up his chase. Embarrassed, he began the long slow climb back to the Great Hall for dinner, having missed another opportunity to tell Lizzy how he felt about her.

  Lizzy left the Great Hall and sauntered down the stairs as if she had not a care in the world, going as slow as she could without making it obvious. She hoped Telon might pursue her, but she knew he was shy. She tried to flirt with him, but got little back in return. Perhaps she was reaching too far, she thought, or perhaps he was just not attracted to her. After all, she was but a lowly girl from the farmlands and wouldn’t even know of Telon, nor he of her, if it wasn’t for that one terrific morning at the market not long ago.

  As she approached the bottom of the steps she stopped to glance back. Having given him plenty of time to catch up, and realizing this precious opportunity had passed, her hope vanished. There was no sign of him, so she bent down and untied her shoe, hoping wishfully to buy him some more time to catch up, and her time to stop the tears that were flowing from her crumbling heart. After retying it, taking the time to check every lace and get it just right, she stood and looked back up the stairs one last time. Telon did not come. Disconsolate, she made her way home. Lizzy was unable to stop her tears, and beyond caring what the people who saw her thought.

  Δ

  Telon plowed through the crowd, his head down and shoulders slumped. He noticed little on his walk back. As he rounded a corner, he ran right into a dwarf maiden, accidently knocking her hard to the ground.

  “Sorry! Are you… all right?” Telon blurted out, at first annoyed at the person who ran into him. Seeing it was a maiden, Telon knelt to one knee and lifted her up. As he did so, the maiden’s eyes met his, and his entire life turned around in an instant. Lizzy could not believe who it was. The pain of her fall on the hard stone was already forgotten. Telon gently helped her from the ground. She felt the strength in his arms and entire body as he effortlessly lifted her. At the same time, he was mesmerized by her softness and beauty. She put her arms around him and laid her head against his neck, tears still cradled in the corners of her eyes from her thoughts of moments ago. They were soon joined by an army of more tears from nervous excitement. Her chin and lower lip quivered.

  Telon walked without thinking where he was going. He found a side room in a small hall, took Lizzy inside, and set her down on a bench. He began checking to see if she was injured. Seeing her tears, and knowing the fall had caused them, he began to panic. As he knelt in front of her, he asked, “Have I hurt you? What can I do?”

  Lizzy smiled and took Telon’s hands in hers and said, softly, “Yes you hurt me, but not from the fall. I was afraid you would not follow me, as you never have befor
e. I have always wanted you to follow me.”

  “But I did follow,” Telon started, not sure how this would work but determined to let it go, “I came as quick as I could, I feared I had missed you!” Then after a slight pause to regain his courage, a smile grew on his face that he could not, would not, erase, “But I didn’t.”

  They were lost in each other for a moment, and then Telon asked, “Can I walk you home?”

  Lizzy’s excitement exploded, “It is such a long way, and then you will need to turn to walk all the way back alone. Are sure you want to do that?” Then, realizing what she was saying, and before he had a chance to answer and change his mind, she added hopefully, “I would dearly love for you to do so!” Lizzy bit her lower lip, a nervous habit she had picked up over the years. She prayed he would agree to take her home. Every second before he answered seemed like a century.

  Then he saved her, “I would do it a hundred times in a row if it meant I could spend more time with you,” Telon replied in a strong voice, for once feeling sure about what he wanted.

  Telon rose and helped Lizzy to her feet. She grabbed his right hand with both of hers as they walked slowly through the halls. Telon led her down every main hall all the way to the fields, many of which were not the fastest way. He didn’t see where she was from, or what she did. He only saw what she was, and it was the best walk he had ever taken, and he didn’t want it to end.

  Lizzy realized Telon was leading her where all would see them. “I would understand if you want to take a less-traveled route. What will you say to being seen with a girl from the farmlands?”

  “I will have no problem explaining the best thing that ever happened to me.”