“Yes, but we will see how he is. He was under Herrog’s power for a time, and may not be himself,” Telon warned her, just in case Timo didn’t recognize her.
All of them went to Quelna’s tent, save Erol. He went to see Gile, and what he could do for his dragon friend.
Quelna was outside, waiting for them. As they walked up he said, “I cannot break him. Herrog’s power is stronger than mine. He has not and will not give up any secrets.”
“What more can we do then?” Tegan asked, as they stopped outside the tent.
“Can I see him?” Angelica asked quickly. She did not wait for an answer, but walked right into the tent.
She entered with Timo sitting in his bed, chained at hand and foot. Several guards watched over the prisoner. “Timo, it’s me, Angelica. You have to remember me,” Angelica begged him.
Timo smiled at her, “Yes, woman, I remember you fondly. How many other visitors have you entertained at night? No need to feel bad, I knew what it was.”
Angelica could not hide her tears, “No Timo, it wasn’t that, you know it wasn’t! I love you, I have had no others!”
“Either way,” Timo said as he lay back, looking very satisfied with himself, “you mean and meant nothing to me. Be gone, unless you are looking to do more entertaining. If so, then by all means, stay a while. Maybe my guards are bored.”
As he finished speaking he laughed, a shrill disgusting laugh. Angelica’s anger over this day came to boil. She stood over Timo and slapped him as hard as she could. While he stopped his laugh for a moment, he still smiled, and looked at her and said, “Go away! Your use is over! Be gone!”
Angelica turned to leave, seeing that Tegan and Quelna had entered the tent. She then stopped, not really knowing why, and turned to go back.
She bent down and whispered, “You are not yourself, I love you Timo. I know you are in there somewhere. Fight to get out, I will be here when you do,” She had tears running down her face as she bent farther down and kissed him on his forehead, Timo looked stunned, he had not expected this.
She then turned and walked out of the tent, and had not gotten far when she heard a familiar voice yell, “Angelica, wait!” It was Timo, newly awakened. She turned, waiting for the next insult to be delivered.
Timo was being restrained on either side by his guards and Quelna, but she knew this was not the mean-spirited Timo that was captive by Herrog. It was the sweet, innocent, and good Timo she had met in what seemed now like many years ago in another land. He cried as he fell to his knees and begged, “Forgive me, that was not me, that was not me! Herrog said those things to you, not me, please forgive me!”
Angelica rushed back to him and they embraced, forgetting anyone else was there. “You saved me when no one else could. I love you, I would never say those things, I don’t think of you or what we had that way!”
“I know now, but at first I didn’t! I am so glad you are back!” They kissed deeply, it was good for those around to see that this war was not strong enough to defeat love. That Herrog, while stronger than Quelna, was beaten by love. All of them remembered now what they were fighting for. They thought of their loved ones at home and knew what they were doing was worth it. They needed to succeed, and while they won the battle outside, they were not finished.
Chapter 28: The Time is Now
Tegan’s thoughts turned quickly to Milan, his time was running short. He hated to interrupt, but did anyway, “Timo, we are glad your back, but we have to talk about some things…”
Timo and Angelica released each other for a moment, Timo smiled and looked up at Tegan, “Hello cousin, pardon me if we just shake hands.” Tegan helped Timo to his feet, and with Angelica in hand went back into the tent. The others joined them. All the Kings, Bryon, Erol, and, of course, Quelna.
Quelna started, “We have defeated Sain, and many of the gargoyles loyal to him have fled or been killed. Most of the goblin army that was out of the mountain has been destroyed, but I fear a formidable force still resides in the mountain. Of course, Herrog is in there, and even if he was alone, he would be enough. But trust he is not alone.”
“Let us leave him, his army is destroyed. It will be a long time before he is able to challenge us again,” said Darrow, who was pleased with how the day had gone.
“No, we will not leave this fight to our sons. Besides, Milan and Jedrek are still not found, and I will not rest until they are. Whether they are dead or alive, they will not stay in that mountain. Herrog is as fragile now as he will ever be. Now is the time to deal with him, we must not let this opportunity pass!” Tegan challenged to all present.
Quelna added, “The time is most definitely now. We need to find a way to get Herrog. I promise you, the fighting will be far tougher inside than out.” He then looked to Timo and asked, “What can you tell us? What did you learn while you were in there that can help us now?”
Timo looked down, trying to remember anything that could help them. “Herrog is very convincing. He swayed Sain to many of his actions, as well as Deyanira and Kilgore. There are hundreds of gargoyles and dwarves imprisoned in the lower halls because of Sain’s treachery. I know the layout of the mountain, but I can’t think of anything we can use to defeat him.” Timo felt like he had let everyone down.
Lizzy, having rested and recovered, entered the tent. Seeing Telon she ran to him, unable to control her emotions. So many things had happened since they last saw each other, they had no idea where to begin. It would have to wait as Lizzy turned to Timo, “Have you seen Jedrek, do you know anything of where he might be?”
“Jedrek? Yes, I know where he is!” Timo exclaimed as his memory brought him something of use. “He is being guarded in an upper chamber, away from Milan. Only at the end will Herrog allow him and Milan to be close, for he fears the power they may have together. We can find him in the upper halls.” Timo was happy to be able to help, at least the captivity in the mountain was not for naught.
“We need to send a small group to go after Jedrek, do we have any volunteers?” Dorir asked, regretting he could not go himself. He would lead his troops in the main battle against Herrog.
Before Dorir’s words had silenced, Skyler and his friends burst into the room, “We volunteer. We will find Jedrek, and bring him back, finishing what we set out to do at the first!”
Dorir walked up to the boys, bending over until his eyes met theirs and spoke “Are you sure you are up to this challenge? My grandson must be saved, even at the expense of trading your lives.”
Skyler knelt down in front of his king, lowered his head and begged, “King Dorir, we have let you down once, and will not again. If that should happen, consider our lives forfeit.”
The other dwarf boys did not like this offer, but knew not to say anything.
Dorir stood tall, paused, and then said, “It is settled then, these boys will go for Jedrek.” The boys could not have been happier to have been given such an important assignment.
Tegan agreed, “I can think of none better to go for my son. Thank you and your friends, Skyler of the Ring Mountains.” Then he looked to those in the room, and said, “Now, what of the others in the mountain?”
“I have been in there,” Telon said. “I saw no gargoyles, but I only reached the lava pools. The entire mountain seems unstable to me.”
Timo looked up, with hope building, “The dungeons are below the pool, with many prisoners kept there. The mountain is very unstable, and without Herrog it would erupt.”
“So, Herrog has commanded up the lava?” Quelna asked.
“No, he keeps it at bay. If he didn’t hold it back the mountain would blow,” Timo explained.
“Great,” Jaric said sarcastically, “If we are to defeat Herrog, we will all be killed during an eruption!”
“One disaster at a time, Jaric. First, we must defeat Herrog. Whatever happens after that… happens. He must be defeated at all costs,” Dorir stated harshly.
“I must go after my friends and set them free,
” Kyrie said. “Too much has happened to allow any more innocent lives to be lost.”
“Yes, and Telon will go with you. He has been in there,” Tegan said. “We will march on the mountain, only taking our best. Order everyone else to look and watch for other entrances, we do not want anyone escaping.”
They left the tent to see six dwarves carrying a body. They marched in silence and set the body down in front of Tegan and Telon. It was their mother, Deyanira.
Neither of the brothers said anything at first, but both wept at the sight. Eventually, Tegan spoke, “She was no different than the others that have been corrupted by evil. It looks for insecurities and feeds on them, always in the name of making things right, and convincing us we need or deserve something we don’t. We will mourn her passing and give her a correct burial,” Tegan announced to all that could hear. Telon said nothing. He fought himself over how he had treated her at the end, unsure of whether he was right or wrong. Tegan took Deyanira’s necklace, which Telon had thrown to the floor, and offered it to Telon again. “She would want you to keep this. Remember the good times, they were many.” Telon took the necklace, placing it around his neck as he walked away.
Deyanira was placed in a tent for the short term, while dwarf women took care of her body. Kyrie and Telon left to enter the mountain, while Tegan rounded up the dwarves and men that were to check the halls. In all, he chose around two hundred soldiers. He and Dorir were the only dwarf kings to go in, leaving the others to organize around the outside.
Kyrie and Telon, along with the dwarf boys, went right through the main entrance. It was left completely unguarded since the battle before the main gates. Whoever was left inside had retreated deep within the mountain. Telon looked to Skyler and his troop, and said, “You’re on your own now. Head up those stairs to the upper halls, you will need to rely on yourself from here on out. Be careful.”
Skyler looked to his friends, and back at Telon, “We will, and you do the same. May we meet again on the outside, when our missions are completed.” With that, the boys went their way, and Telon and Kyrie theirs.
Telon led the way, as they quickly descended to where the lava pools were, to where Timo said the imprisoned gargoyles were. They saw little as they went, except the many dead bodies of both dwarves and goblins. Few were gargoyles.
As they reached the end of the tunnel, they stopped and could hear voices below. They peeked through the railing at the top of the stairs, they could see a vast goblin army remained below. The army watched Herrog, who was standing in front of the lava, facing the pool. He was chanting a spell, and soon a great whirling cloud began to appear and turn over the pool. The lava slowly separated, and stairs formed, dropping into the pool from where Herrog stood.
Telon could not believe what he saw next. Lava beasts, the size of the Tolltier, began to appear one after another, and they began marching out of the pool. Herrog was making another army, and a very formidable one at that.
The lava beasts lined up in rows as they faced the pool, and Herrog. “We have infiltrators amongst us! We must root them out and destroy them. Kill them all, and sweep them out!” Herrog commanded as he addressed both the lava beasts and the goblins. “Go now into the halls, and take back what is ours!”
His voice boomed throughout the lower chamber and thundered off the walls. His anger and surprise at his mounting losses was evident. His army of goblins and lava beasts divided, and marched into every hall leaving the chamber. As they marched up the steps toward Telon and Kyrie, the two quickly scurried over the rail and hung out of sight. The enemy marched by, on their way to fight their friends. Telon wished he could warn his dwarves or help them, and felt horrible letting the goblins go by without a fight. As soon as they passed, the two climbed back over the rail.
“We have our orders. They will have to find a way to defend themselves. We have to do our part,” Kyrie said, as he knew what Telon was thinking and tried to ease his mind. It didn’t work.
Chapter 29: The Slip
Gile struggled for each breath as he lay uncomfortably on the rocky ground. Four dwarves kept a watchful vigil around the dragon out of respect for his brave and selfless efforts given during the battle. Erol hesitantly approached his friend, concerned that he would find his new ally would soon pass.
Gile saved Erol, and perhaps the entire day, by sacrificing himself for Telon and Timo to get free of the mountain. By taking the brunt of the boulder meant to stop Timo from getting out, and he paid a severe price. Gile was in pain, as he lay with his eyes open, and was happy to see Erol arrive.
Erol put his hand on the dragon’s neck, which he had done many times since they first befriended each other. “Gile?” he said, not knowing what to say. Gile had become his pet, and a loyal one at that. Erol’s heart ached for the pain his friend was enduring.
Gile looked at Erol and seemed comforted knowing that Erol was good and safe. Erol grabbed his water pouch and gave Gile a drink, but it was barely enough to wet the dragon’s mouth. Erol lay next to the Gile, wanting to rest for a bit. Erol had his own wounds that needed to heal, but that would need to wait. Exhaustion from the battle set in, and both quickly fell asleep.
Quelna and Timo were busy healing the injured, and finally came upon Erol and Gile. “Bring the salve you have left, and then you better make some more. These two have been through plenty, and we will need them again soon,” Quelna said to Timo.
Quelna worked on Erol, “Rest my friend, you will soon be healed and refreshed.” Quelna generously applied the salve to the cuts and bruises sustained by Erol. The ogre grimaced and sighed in his sleep when it was applied, but he did not wake.
Timo did as he was told, and needed to go find more ingredients to make the salve. It did not take him long as the plants were readily available. Then, working the magic Quelna taught him, Timo turned the mixture of plants, water, and crushed seeds into the salve.
Quelna worked a special healing spell over the two warriors before finishing with Gile. Timo returned with the new batch of salve just as Quelna finished. “Well done Timo, let’s mend the dragon.” They each applied the salve on Gile, who woke due to the stinging, but did not move or make a sound. They even gave him some to lick trying to heal him on the inside.
Much to their surprise, Gile rose to his feet. The dragon bowed to them in thanks, and went toward the river to drink.
“Come Timo, there are many more to heal,” Quelna said as they left Erol to rest.
When he woke, Erol was laying on the ground with no one around. He had no idea where everyone had gone. The dwarves, men, harpies, and most importantly Gile, were all gone. He thought he had died and was in the afterworld. He wondered just what it was that had killed him and what, if anything, there would be for him to fight in this world.
Then he heard stomping, and up came Gile, running toward him from the creek. Erol was sure that he and Gile both had died, but drew comfort from knowing they would be together in this new world. Gile seemed strong and healed, urging Erol to climb on his back. Erol happily agreed and jumped up on his friend.
Erol felt strong, stronger than he had since first meeting Tegan and Telon, and Gile too seemed as though the battle never occurred. Gile took off slowly, and then picked up speed and quickly climbed the hill. Erol enjoyed feeling wind on his face, and was amazed at the power Gile had as they raced up the lower hills of the mountain. Soon they rounded the corner to the entrance of the mountain. That’s where Erol discovered that he and Gile were not dead, just left behind.
Ogres never cried, but Erol shed a tear of excitement as he saw his old friends. He leaned forward with a smile, happy to be alive with his friend. He said to Gile, “We live to fight again! We are quick healers!”
Gile took them to the front of the group where Tegan and the other kings were talking. Quelna was also there and welcomed Erol as they rode up, “Looks like Timo’s healing potions worked!”
Tegan was happy too, “Good to see you awake. I told some of my dwarves
to wake you, but none felt tough enough to do it. They were afraid of what you might do if you were in a foul mood!”
Erol simply replied, “Good to be alive.” That drew laughter from many around, but Erol cared not. He looked at the mountain and felt the cool breeze on his face. He was sure of the answer, but asked anyway, “What now?”
“We are going in. You want to go with us, or stay out? Gile won’t fit, and we need him to help keep watch for any that try to escape,” Tegan explained.
Erol looked at Gile, then back and said, “I’m going in, Gile will wait.”
“I was hoping you would say that,” Tegan answered, happy for the aid. “The harpies and many dwarves will be watching the mountain, Gile can help them. Erol, our friends are in there somewhere, so remember that when you start tearing the mountain apart. You will go with Bryon and his men.”
They formed up into small ranks and marched into the mountain. The entrance was abandoned and Tegan split up his troops and sent them down the various hallways. He then took his best men and they took the last tunnel, not knowing it was the same hallway Telon and Kyrie had traveled not long before.
Tegan’s crew had not descended long when they rounded a corner and Tegan heard the ‘plink’ of a fired arrow. One of Tegan’s guard was hit with arrow, and dropped to the ground, but he was not killed.
“Take cover!” Tegan ordered. They took to the sides of the tunnel for protection. Tegan took his torch and tossed it down the hallway as far as he could, trying to bring out of the shadows whatever was hidden there. “Put your torches out, and keep ready,” Tegan warned his men. The tunnel went dark as the last of the torches went dark. Their eyes quickly adjusted.
The dwarves pulled their crossbows as Tegan’s torch showed some silhouettes of goblins that were posted to keep watch of the invaders. His dwarves were excellent marksmen and picked the goblins off, one by one. The dwarves advanced down the hallway, steadily meeting tougher resistance as they went. Then they started to see a light farther down and Tegan knew they must be coming up on the great hall that Telon had told him about.
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