Other riders frequently shot across his path as the tunnels intersected often. The near misses forced his imagination to entertain the thought of getting lodged in the passage with a very unlucky rider. Closing his eyes did little to diminish the severity of the fantasy encounters.
Every time the ride dropped quickly, he would scream again. His ‘OHHHH!’ could be heard throughout the mountain on his way down, and it would be mimicked by the dwarves for years to come. He was at least happy about one thing: the watery ride, but not his unintended loss of control.
It seemed to Erol the hectic darkness ride lasted forever, but it was soon over. He finally emerged from the tunnel (daring to risk a look) and found himself being launched through the air as he shot out of the bottom of the passage. He flailed his arms and screamed like a child as he soared through the air. He landed awkwardly in an underground lake with a giant splash the size of a tidal wave. His landing alerted the guards at the front, who rushed in to address the commotion.
Ogres can’t swim, so luckily, he could touch the bottom. He could walk out as soon as he regained his breath and bravery, as the ride and landing stole both.
Erol was relieved when his feet finally found solid footing, and he slugged out of the lake against the water as it rushed back to its normal level. The alerted guards were flummoxed at the ogre suddenly emerging from the lake. They had word of a large visitor, but were not prepared for the dripping monster that suddenly rose before them. They half drew their swords to defend the apparent surprise attack, uncertain whether to coral the brute or escort him out.
“Where is Milan!” Erol demanded as he strode by the Dwarf Guard, paying them little attention.
“She is riding, we are not allowed tell you where,” the first guard said trembled.
“Quiet!” the second chided the first. Then to Erol, “We will tell you nothing!” still holding his weapon in defense.
The dwarves could not prevent Erol from leaving, and they hoped they wouldn’t have to decide whether to let him return. Erol left the confused guards behind to find Milan. He was eager to leave the mountain, and the embarrassing secret of his ‘mishap’ behind.
Ogres were good trackers with a great sense of smell, it would not take him long to find the princess and keep her safe from harm.
Chapter 7: The Jewel
Milan grew up in a palace, but one far less in every measurable way to Tunder Bin. She loved riding in the late morning, as it always took her back to her childhood and presented her with the freedom she seldom knew in the capital city.
It would be her last ride for many days, until long after her baby was born. On this day, she was on a mission, taking Coric’s advice to search the river bottom for a special gift for Tegan.
In the spring, after winter loosened its grip and the snows melted up in the mountains, it was often possible to find precious stones that had been knocked loose through the relentless vengeance exercised on stone by water and ice. They would then be washed down during the spring flooding, waiting to be discovered by the fortuitous searcher. The dwarves usually had to dig deep in the mountains to find these treasures, but in the spring the mountain sometimes gave up some of its bounty far more easily.
Milan rode past the vast fields and gardens, the children of the farms scurrying to get a glimpse of the next queen. They loved to see her out riding. The young dwarf girls would pick spring flowers to present her as a gift on her return.
She soon passed the terraced and quilt-like fields, continuing down into the lower valley. There the river was still running quite hard from the spring melt. She was glad to see the water level was much lower than on her last ride past this spot. It would be possible for her to scour the riverbanks to see she could find a gem for her husband.
Milan’s horse Lady skillfully descended the intricate brick steps that led to the East and West roads, laid long ago by the dwarves. They were some of their earliest works of Dwigor’s people, and this many years later not a crack could be seen.
She worked her way through the stands of conifer trees that were common all around the base of the mountains. The open valley floor was covered in the ever-growing grass and flowers, with the smell of spring carried her on her ride. She spent all her winter nights dreaming about the smell of spring, it was by far her favorite time of the year. The border to the goblin region was still well over an hour’s ride to the south and through the mountains, so she had little to worry about. It was a beautiful morning as the sun was climbing high in the sky when she arrived at the stream below the fields, called the Ruby River. She was eager to search for her treasure.
All dwarves know about rocks and jewels, and Milan was no different. She knew what she wanted, and just what to look for. After crossing the stream, her horse bent her knees low to make it easier for her to slide off. She then grabbed the tools of the trade, a hammer, and a pick, and began searching the banks for her prize. She happily dug through the rocks, trying to find just the right stone.
Milan did not have to look long when she found an interesting rock. It was darker than the others and was covered in a brittle crust. Normally the dwarves hoped to find jewels the size of their fist, but this one was far larger. She pried it from its hiding spot just below the water using her pick, freeing it from the mud. The hard-rushing spring water washed the gook from around the rock, fully revealing it. The rock was very heavy for her, but she was just able to flip it out of the water to the side of the stream.
Finally, free, Milan then went to work with her tools. She drove the pick skillfully into the rock, chipping away at the crusty covering. She had no idea what secret might be inside, but the brittle shell of the rock suggested that a mighty prize was kept secretly stored inside.
Sometimes they were just hollow, but others might have diamonds, sapphires, or emeralds. As she continued to chip away, the mystery inside was revealed as a red color appeared. At first, she was pleased to think it was a ruby, but as she continued she discovered it was something even more splendid. It was a red diamond, which were held in highest value because they were of the rarest of the gems. They were said to bring the finder good fortune.
Finally, the size of the diamond and its unique shape was realized. While it was very large, the size of the rock exaggerated the size of the jewel as it was two parts connected by a small piece in the middle.
It was an amazing diamond, and she knew immediately exactly what she would do with it. With the crude crust discarded, it was far lighter and Milan could lift it. As she held it high the sunlight burst through the diamond for the first time ever, and it was almost as if the diamond began to blaze with a light of its own.
She was so entranced by the jewel’s raw beauty she barely noticed the strange noise behind her and over the bank. She wasn’t too worried, as it came from the woods she had just traveled. Milan heard it again and slowly turned to look, but could see nothing in that direction. She decided she had better go back, just to be safe. As she turned to her horse and placed her prize in the side pack, she again heard the noise. Soon there were several more in the same direction where she had heard the first, and she began to worry. She hoped it was just some dwarf boys spying on her, but her horse also took notice of the sounds and began to step nervously.
“Easy Lady,” she said trying to calm her. Then Milan took another quick glance and noticed some movement in the trees. She knew things were not good, she was being watched. Lady bent low so Milan could climb up, but one arrow, quickly followed by others, zipped past her and into Lady.
The mighty steed reared back in agony, neighing loudly in protest, knocking Milan to the ground. Her horse, the only one she had ever ridden, fell onto her side riddled with arrows. Milan screamed and turned to see several goblins rushing toward her. She could not outrun them and fell to her horse’s side.
The goblins cackled as they approached, “What have we here? The queen, all alone!”
“I am not alone, my guard will be here soon!” screamed the frighten
ed Milan, but the goblins knew better.
“Whatever queen, you’re coming with us! We have someone for you to meet,” one yelled as five of them leapt down the bank, splashing into the water. They slogged through the stream, weapons drawn, and quickly surrounded Milan. The gleam in their eyes spoke of the mighty reward awaiting them.
“You will never lay a hand on me,” Milan said defiantly as she knelt low. She looked down and placed her hands on her legs, becoming quiet. When she little, in her father’s palace in the Ring Mountains, Milan had learned from the wizard Quelna how protect herself. As she concentrated an energy field quickly grew around her and her fallen horse. The goblins tried to crack the field with sword and arrow, but were turned away. One ignorantly tried to reach in, but ended up screaming in pain as he was severely burned. They had not expected this, the gleam of excitement replaced by the look dull ineptness at their potential failure. Their master would be very upset if they returned empty handed.
The goblins were so busy with their potential prisoner they did not notice their own peril, Erol finally arrived. Seeing the threat to Milan drove Erol mad as he smashed through the trees. He quickly bounded down the steps and soared over the stream, covering the distance of the river in one giant leap.
“AHHHHHHHH!” he bellowed in anger as he flew, descending on the scurrying goblins in fury. He quickly grabbed a boulder with each hand and began defending Milan viciously, hammering the goblins into the ground with the rocks. The earth trembled with each crushing blow, enough to cause the remaining goblins to lose their balance and become even easier targets.
Erol’s arrival brought out more goblins from their hiding places in the high grasses of the plains, where they hid in case more help was needed. Now there were six live goblins, plus the three piles of mush Erol had already mashed. They tried in vain to shoot Erol with arrows, but most were bouncing off his new chain link vest. Erol was hurling rocks as fast as he could find them, accurately smashing goblins with each throw. The enemy was screaming for help and trying to retreat across the plains as they were dropped by Erol’s accurate missiles, one by one.
They were waiving to the woods across the valley, compelling some unseen force to come to their aid. One goblin, as if possessed, turned, and rushed Erol. His demon was exorcised by Erol’s immense weight over his massive foot. The remaining two ran wildly for the woods. Erol aimed carefully with his last two rocks. His first throw was true, taking one down. The other just missed the dodging goblin, it would live to die another day.
Erol bent and looked down at the goblin under his foot, it was still alive. He peered into its eyes, which were ready to pop from the melon-headed beast, and demanded, “What’s in the woods?”
The goblin just laughed between gasps, and taunted him in a choppy manner as it struggled mightily to grasp every breath, “Go, Find, Out!”
Erol peered toward the woods as the run-away goblin made it safely into the trees, but still no help for the captive goblin emerged. Erol was extremely angry and he quickly lifted the goblin above his head while growling in the direction of the trees, and in defiance of whatever hid there he rotated the goblin in his hands, quickly twisting it until it broke in half.
Erol then threw the two parts of the goblins in the direction of the woods. He stared for a while across the grassy plain. He didn’t know what it was, but he knew something was there, waiting for him. Erol sensed it had strength that was beyond him, and it made him feel uneasy. He could not challenge it as he had a duty to keep Milan safe, and she was yet not out of danger. He quickly returned to her, for he needed to get her back to the safety of her city.
Milan was lying next to her horse, the field of protection relaxed. She was trying to console Lady as each said their last goodbye to one another. Milan was awake, but very tired. She weakly turned to Erol with a crushed heart, looking very weary. “Are they gone?” she asked.
“Yes, but one escaped. Are you hurt?” Erol asked as he knelt by her, and began to pick her up.
“I think not, thank you Erol. Without you I would have been taken by them.”
Erol carried Milan to the stream, where he hurriedly gave her a drink. She leaned on his shoulder, and in building distress as a grimace took over her face, “I need to get back soon, my baby is coming.” Her voice was shaky, and Milan was clutching her bag that she had taken from her horse. She cried, looking over Erol’s shoulder at Lady as he carried her away. Lady had been her horse for many years, and they knew each other well. It was a bad ending for her faithful steed at the hands of the goblins.
“We go back,” Erol said as he climbed the bank and quickly made his way up the low-lying hills toward the fields. Erol feared he was losing her and worried that he arrived too late. He did not want to let either of them down.
Milan made no mention of the diamond to Erol. She certainly did not intend to get it at such a cost. She was fortunate Erol appeared to save her, or she surely would have been taken captive.
“You saved me Erol, but why were you here?”
“Tegan sent me to guard you, I was late. I am so sorry.” Erol felt bad, but he knew he barely averted a tragedy.
“Thank you,” was all she could say. Milan laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She knew she was safe with Erol, and they would be back soon.
Erol, carrying Milan, lugged along the path past the fields and the young dwarves that had gathered with their flowers for Milan. He lumbered to the base of the mountain, and finally the entrance. Erol was met by the same guards that saw him emerge from the underground lake hours earlier. The guards saw immediately he was carrying Milan, and helped him in quickly.
“Need Tegan, quick!” Erol urgently told the guard, “goblin attack!”
“Here, come this way,” said the guard, showing them to side of the room to the left of the lake. “This will get you up fast.”
Erol followed the guard, who led them into a small room to the side of the main entrance. There they went into an even smaller room, one Erol barely fit in. It was different from everywhere else he had been in the mountain. This room was completely made of wood. Erol quickly noticed his footing was not nearly as solid as the stone floors.
The guard stood outside the room, “We will flood below you with water and it will lift you to the upper hall. Keep your balance, it will be a bumpy ride!”
The soldier closed the wooden door, and then a solid metal door over it. He then rushed over and turned a large wheel along the wall, causing water to flood below the floor. The room began to shudder as the pressure built under it, trying to lift the immense weight of the ogre.
Slowly at first, and then quickening, the room began to rise as fast as the soldier warned. In a short time, they would reach the top, but it could not be soon enough for Erol. If he wasn’t more concerned about Milan, he would have lost his control again. Walking the stairs would have taken them more than an hour, but the ride took just a few moments.
The room shot up quickly. Erol worked hard to keep his footing, and easily could have fallen. Soon it began to slow, then it stopped. The door was pulled opened from the outside, and there stood Tegan waiting anxiously for his wife to return.
“What happened?” Tegan asked anxiously as he took Milan from Erol.
“Goblins attacked her by the stream,” Erol explained. “They had her surrounded, I was just in time to help.”
Tegan laid Milan on her bed watching her closely as she opened her eyes. With a slight smile she feebly said, “Hello dear.”
“Are you hurt? Did they do anything to you?” Tegan asked. The time for his revenge would come, but first he had to make sure his wife was safe.
“No, they could not touch me,” still holding a slight smile, but it was fading. “I am weak and our baby is coming. What if I do not have the strength to deliver it.”
“I have called for your maidens, they will take care of you. And as for your strength, you are stronger than many men I have known. You are safe now, thanks to Erol,”
Tegan said gesturing to Erol.
“He is brave… If it wasn’t for him…” she said as she trailed off into thoughts of what she had risked by riding out that morning.
“Think not of it. He was there, and you are safe now!” He wrapped his mighty arms around her, trying to transfer some of his strength to her, knowing she would need it. He let go and allowed the women to take her to her chamber.
Milan was very tired after her trial. She had the inner power to defend herself from evil, but it severely weakened her. It was in this weakened state that she brought forth Tegan’s child, a future king of Tunder Bin. After a long grueling labor that only served to further weaken her, she gave birth to the heir to the throne. She named her son Jedrek. It was several days before she gained enough strength to again walk about her halls and see her people, but she was overjoyed at finally being the mother of Tegan’s child.
Tegan was so proud of his wife and new son, and it called for a celebration! “Let all in the city come and celebrate the birth of the heir to Tunder Bin!”
Many congratulations were given, and blessings laid at his feet, as he wandered the city inviting them to his party. New babies were always a big deal in the Tunder Bin, but future kings were an exceptionally big deal.
“My brother!” exclaimed Telon, “Soon to be king and now a father, may your kingdom last forever! May you but give the scraps of your bountiful table, and a small corner of your magnanimous land, to your lowly brother. Mother,” he said, putting his arm around Deyanira as she joined the celebration. She had just heard the news of the attack on Milan and of the birth of her grandson. Her disappointment at not being the first to know she poorly hid, “how pleased you must be to see your family flourish, your roots grow deeper!”
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