He then looked to Erol and asked, “How is it that you came to be here? Where do you call home?”
“My home is near the Ring Mountains. My father and I lived there for many years, so we came to know the dwarves of those mountains. One day, my father sat me down and told me it was time for me to go out on my own. He told me I was needed here and that I was to be part of great works. That was over four months ago. I didn’t really know where I was going, and after becoming lost I laid down to take a nap. When I woke the bears were on me, I struggled to keep them at bay, until Tegan and Telon arrived and saved me.”
“You are still alive, so you woke on time. Things happen that are meant to happen, we shouldn’t waste time with regrets while looking back. Your father wanted you here to help, and helping is just what you have done. Your father will be proud.”
They sat a while in silence, fiddling with the fire, each lost in their own thoughts.
“I don’t like Deyanira,” Erol blurted, not knowing how that could be taken horribly in the wrong company. Fiji was not the wrong company.
Fiji laughed heartily and said, “My friend, you must be careful who you say that to. She is still an important figure, one of the highest members of the city, and will continue to be so until her death. You do not want her as your enemy, although that may already be the case. She is harmless, I believe, but was an obedient wife to Moro.” Fiji paused again, throwing some more wood on the dying fire.
“I have dreamt of you Erol and your presence is very important here. These are tough times we are in, and I fear they will soon get worse. Evil things are multiplying while the good are dwindling. Please, stay urgent and diligent in your duty of watching Milan. She is a mighty gem in the crown of Tegan. All will no doubt be tested soon. I fear for her, for I believe the enemy is trying to get her.”
“I will. I promise,” Erol muttered to Fiji. They sat there long into the night, sharing tales of their travels and lands, for neither of them knew what the next day would bring.
Erol woke early. The embers of the fire were still warm, and Fiji was not to be seen. The sun began to rise in the east, with the noise from the boisterous night before all but gone. There was an intermittent yell from a dwarf still looking for merriment, but little else. Erol sat just above the trees, and when looking down he noticed no movement in the forest. He thought it odd to be so quiet, so he got up and walked down a flight of steps to the bottom level where he had first met the guard days earlier after emerging from the lake. The guards were nowhere to be seen, so Erol began to walk to the opening to see where they were.
Before he reached three paces past the steps, several goblins emerged from their hiding place and jumped the unsuspecting ogre. The surprised look on their faces told Erol they were expecting a dwarf. They managed to get Erol to the ground, but he quickly recovered and got back to his feet. He had discarded two of the goblins by casting those, head first, against the rock walls of the mountain. The third was hanging on for dear life around Erol’s neck when King Fiji leapt off the steps and freed Erol from his fattened rider, flipping the goblin onto the floor.
Fiji pounced on the attacker, and in a single motion he rolled the goblin over. With a violent twist of its neck, Fiji ended its life. There was no time to celebrate though as ten more goblins stormed the entrance, with their preferred scimitar swords drawn. They had little chance though against an angry ogre and Fiji. Even at his old age Fiji was very nimble. In the fighting fashion of his people, Fiji allowed the advance of the enemy. He dodged each swing of their swords, and finished off the goblins with his own hands. No weapon was used by any of Fiji’s people.
After killing six of the goblins, the other four gave up and ran in retreat. Erol and Fiji gave chase, with Erol catching another goblin at the entrance. Three in all reached the cover of the woods. Fiji stopped but Erol was eager to find the remaining goblins and was intent on his continued pursuit.
“Wait!” Fiji commanded to his friend, “there are surely more, this may be a trap. We need to get help before we go in.” Erol remembered how many had been in the forest waiting for him days earlier and thought better of the chase. He stopped and went back to Fiji, reluctantly.
They quickly sounded the alarm and within minutes hundreds of armed dwarves were scourging the woods. Tegan deployed the combined dwarf troops. In the end, six dwarf guards had been killed, and no more of the goblins were seen. The goblins had made their way back across the valley and into the woods beyond. Revenge would wait for another day.
Erol was standing in the trees, wondering when he would finally be able to sink his hands into the enemy that seemed to be toying with him. He gave up on finding a fight and turned to go back to the city.
To his surprise, just as he turned, a small man blocked his path. The man wore an all-black cloak with his hood up, and a thin black rope around his waist. It was a strange sight indeed, the giant Erol seemed frozen as he towered over the little old man. Slowly the old man reached up with two hands and lowered the hood that covered his face back onto his shoulders. The face had seen many summers and winters, but there was still a twinkle in his eyes that hinted at the youthfulness stored within.
“Hello Erol, we meet again,” the old man said eagerly, for they knew each other well.
“Master Quelna,” Erol said as he knelt before the wizard, “Is my father near?”
“Not near here, but near to somewhere,” Quelna said in a calming voice, “I sent him on a mission that will aid all of us, you will see him again in due time. You are getting much bigger my friend, and you have already done a lot of good here. I am glad I sent you, for without your coming, all might have been lost already.”
Erol was not so sure, “I have tried hard Master. What would you have me do now?” Erol’s head was bent both out of respect for Quelna, and out of embarrassment for not having done better.
“Feel not bad, Erol, son of Belgin. Your father would be proud of what you have done and you have just started your mission. Stay here to help the dwarves, and when you have doubts, follow your heart and you will not be lost. It will always guide you to where you are needed. Before the end may you and your father find each other on the battle field, and on that day, I say woe to the enemy!”
Erol missed his father dearly, and hoped to see him soon. The two walked back to the mountain, Quelna was asked to be at a meeting of the Council of the Kings.
News of the attempted attack ran quickly through the mountain, shaking the confidence of those within. The visitors were eager to leave, and those staying feared the loss of the extra soldiers. The Council was quickly assembled to discuss the situation.
“We need to get back to our lands, who knows what raiding parties are doing without us there?” Kilgore said. “We can stay no longer, each of us needs to save our own. We should not have come. The great city of Tunder Bin is not safe.” His sarcasm was thick.
Tegan was growing agitated with Kilgore but refrained himself, “I assure you, this city is safe. I also doubt our enemy has the organization and numbers it would take to open several fronts of battle at once. I do agree, King Kilgore, that if you are worried, you should go as soon as you are able.” Kilgore did want to leave, but did not like that he was now feeling pushed to go.
King Marku rose, with help from his sons, “Time will tell exactly what this is, but at the least our enemy is brazen enough to attack this city with eight thousand dwarves in it. This is no accident, it is either meant to get us to leave or stay, but I do not know which. I say we must prepare for the worst and hope for the best. My people will leave this afternoon.”
“We will help you however we can, you should all make haste to do as you feel best. Each of you will be accompanied by two hundred of my soldiers, at your disposal, for a day’s travel should you decide to depart. Let us provide you what we can for your journey home.” Tegan then went on to thank them for coming, and take their requests for the trips back to their lands.
By nightfall, all the tribes
had left, save King Dorir and his people. Dorir, Greta, and Milan were spending some final moments together, it would be a long time before they saw each other again. Quelna set up a meeting with Tegan before they departed.
“What do you know of your birthmother?” Quelna asked.
Tegan looked puzzled at the question but responded, “Little, but why is it important now?”
“It may or may not prove important, but should the storm arrive that now dances on our horizon, it might be good for you to know some things. Sera, your mother, died very soon after your birth. It was a long and difficult birth, and it spread her much too thin. Deyanira was actually one of your mother’s maidens, and raised you as her own after. She did that even before Moro married her.”
“I didn’t know that. We never discussed how it happened. I only knew my mother died around the time she gave birth to me,” Tegan recalled. “Do you know what she died of?”
“No, not for sure. It was assumed the pain of the birth itself. But I have had many dreams of you and that time. I don’t know what they all mean and I am only beginning to put them together, but I fear those events are still having repercussions this many years later.”
“My father never wanted to discuss it and I never thought it was something Deyanira would talk about. I tried once, but it didn’t go well. She said it brought up too many bad memories and better to not speak of it, so I never did.”
“I am sure she didn’t want to talk of it,” Quelna said, Tegan’s answer confirming a hunch he had, but he was careful with his answer, “It must have been a very hard memory for her to relive.”
Then he switched the topic, “And what of the wizard Herrog? Was he ever discussed by your father or mother?”
“I have only heard the name mentioned once, although I know he worked for my grandfather. He was banished from our city many years ago,” Tegan said. The changing topics of the discussion was concerning him. “He was also someone we never discussed, the sound of his name would drive my father mad.”
“He once did work for your grandfather, and I was his apprentice, just as Timo is mine. Herrog was very powerful, and with his influence growing among the people of the city your grandfather came to distrust him and see him as a rival. Herrog was banished years before you were born, but I fear he had doings with your mother’s death. I know no more than that, or what role he might have had. As he was banished and I too was forced to leave, long before I could investigate my concerns. Your grandfather asked Dorir to take me in, and so he did. I spent many years in the halls of Tunder Bin and I think highly of your family. My inquiries have been revealing bits of what happened years ago with your mother, but the story is not complete. I tried once to discuss it with your father but he would not have it, for he never trusted anyone that had use for magic after Sera’s death.”
“My father would never discuss mother with me, only once when I was very little did he sit me down to explain what happened. I knew never to ask about it again. That is why when Timo began to show interest in magic, father sent him away. It would not be allowed here,” Tegan replied.
“Well, as for Timo, he has learned much. It is now time for him to develop on his own. He will serve you well, you made a good decision to enlist him. In time, he will become a great sorcerer.”
“Thank you for your service to my family, and for what you have told me today. Timo has been a loyal cousin, I will take your word for his skills as a sorcerer,” Tegan said, this last part with a hint of a smile.
“I also spent a lot of time with Milan when she was but a child. Fear not for her, she is quite capable,” Quelna added.
“Do I have you to thank for giving her the talent to protect herself from the goblins?” Tegan asked, never being a big believer in magic.
“Talents are not given, King Tegan,” Quelna replied. “They are revealed, much like character, strength, and love. As you know, Milan is blessed with many gifts.”
“Well then, Master Quelna, I thank you so much for your part of revealing the talents that help keep Milan safe. I don’t know what I would do without her. Thank you for all you have done, I wish you a safe journey.”
Quelna took a few steps and then stopped. Slowly turning back, he spoke again, “Tegan, I have one more thing that may be hard for you to hear.” He stumbled with the words for a bit, and then looked at Tegan and said, “Sera confided in me just prior to your birth that Moro was having an affair with another, and that she feared for her life.”
“Who was it with, if it was even true?” Tegan asked, getting annoyed at the insinuation applied to his beloved father. “If my mother was afraid, why didn’t she tell anyone else?”
“I don’t know for sure, or why she wouldn’t seek help. In such matters, it is often best to see who benefited most from her death.”
“What are you saying?” Tegan prodded Quelna, trying to get the information out of him.
“In your mother’s absence Deyanira ascended to be your father’s wife, though he would never allow her to be queen. She took over Sera’s spot in many ways. Telon was born shortly after, far less than the year everyone thinks. You are only several months, at the most, older than he. Be careful who you trust.”
“Deyanira took care of me from before the time she married my father. She has never treated me different than Telon, you would be wise to be careful whom you trust.” Tegan strongly stated before walking away angrily. Quelna knew he had perhaps went too far. They parted ways for the time being, and not on good terms.
Chapter 11: Treachery in the Mountain
Lizzy was so proud, being handpicked by Milan to be Jedrek’s nanny. She wanted to do her best to help raise a future king of Tunder Bin. She was not of the upper class, so by picking her, Milan had gone quite out of normal etiquette, which caused quite a stir. Deyanira was very embarrassment about the obvious misstep, and she was left to explain this decision to all who complained.
“Just what is she doing? Maybe in the Ring Mountains this sort of thing is welcomed, but there is a certain way we have of doing things here! Obviously, I don’t have to tell you this, but this is just terrible!” One of Deyanira’s dearest friends remarked one afternoon.
“I assure you, I was not consulted, much less notified at all, of this indignation. I would not have stood for it, but you know how these kids are now, and they think they can just rewrite the rules of that have led this culture since the beginning of time. I only hope I can still steer them in the right direction as time goes on!” She tried desperately to separate herself from such a poor decision.
Deyanira indeed was disappointed in the decision, and felt deeply cut by her limited role in Tegan’s life. It also meant an even more limited role when he was King.
Lizzy gave Jedrek his late morning bath and was drying him off when Milan walked in. “How is my baby this afternoon?” Milan whispered to Jedrek as she took him from Lizzy.
“He has been great, but he is getting quite hungry,” Lizzy replied as she handed Milan Jedrek’s blanket. Jedrek began to cry as the sound of his mother’s voice triggered his hunger pains. Milan sat down and prepared to feed her son. She looked at Lizzy, who planned to give mom and son some privacy. “Please don’t leave. Sit with me for a bit.”
Lizzy stopped and returned to Milan’s side. “I need to ask you a favor,” Milan began.
“Anything,” Lizzy replied happily, for she loved helping Milan with Jedrek.
“You have proven yourself to be a trusted nanny. There is a reason I went outside of the Upper Chambers to find help, I don’t trust these people. I need you to promise me, that if something happens to me, you will make sure Jedrek is safe.”
“My Lady, nothing is going to happen to you, why would you say such a thing?” Lizzy could not comprehend why Milan was talking this way.
“I have been attacked by goblins, and now they have tried to penetrate our city. They are up to something and I need to prepare for my son’s safety. Tegan must be concerned about the whole city, but I h
ave only one to worry about. Promise me that should we be attacked, should anything happen to me, that you will get Jedrek to a safe place.”
“I will do anything I can to keep Jedrek safe, you do not need to ask that,” Lizzy said, and then began to worry, “this scares me.” Lizzy was, after all, just a teenage girl. She had no intention of doing anything like this when she agreed to help with Jedrek.
“I know it’s scary, but I picked you because I can trust you. You are smart and strong and I know you will do the right thing.”
“I promise,” Lizzy assured, “I will do whatever I need to keep Jedrek safe.”
Just then, the door flew open and in walked Deyanira. “Well, how is my grandson today?” Without looking in her direction, she commanded, “Leave us Lizzy.”
Lizzy quickly rose to leave to the room, stumbling as she left. Deyanira always made her nervous and Lizzy did all she could to avoid her.
“Thank you, Lizzy,” Milan said as Lizzy left the room.
“That girl is really something, I don’t know what all of you see in her. Her hair is atrocious and she has no idea how to dress. Now Telon has a thing for her!” Deyanira was incredulous about the draw to Lizzy. In her mind, Lizzy was far beneath her family in every way.
“She loves Jedrek and takes amazing care of him when I can’t. Her hair matters not,” defended Milan. “As for Telon, he is quite capable to picking who he spends time with, and he could do far worse than Lizzy.”
“Why, I could take care of Jedrek for you, and spare him the wretched farmer girl’s attention,” Deyanira offered.
“Oh dear, you have far too much to do to take care of him. Our people need you and your wisdom,” Milan said, trying to not offend Deyanira.
“Need me? They hate me, we both know that,” Deyanira said with a laugh, “Its fine, I can’t stand most of them either. Please, can I spend more time with my grandson and spare the farm girl?”
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