A Dwarf's Tale: Will of a Silver Coin

It has been three days since the celebration. That evening, all of us retired fairly early. And, while there was ale and spirits involved, no one was inept the next morning. As if Samos’s dwarves needed any further encouragement, they set to the tasks before them with such determination and vehemence. Already forges and smelters were created, already the raw iron and other material needed were available, and the first of the rods to be used to forge chain has already commenced. The scouts Durak and Yimnak went off to Stalvinport. They came back and reported the next day, that the change in plans were accepted. They handed to me the object I requested: the old map that Goper had. I had a feeling in my bones, that this map will have some use. Also, more troops were coming. In fact, they came back with one thousand archers and warriors as it were. The blast powder components were being gathered and manufactured. The archers, many knew woodworking, were already at work constructing barrels for the aerial attack. Everyone thought that was an excellent idea and they were going to make it happen. Also, some one thousand feet high on the mountain near the walled pass, was a new catapult being constructed.

In these three days, I too kept busy. I fletched out more arrows for the bowers. The bowers were also teaching a portion of the dwarves how to use the bow. About twenty dwarves in all were learning the bow. For them, I constructed short bows for them. Fortunately, it does not take as long to construct short bows as it is for a large compound bow that is attuned to my strength. Several times, there were friendly contests. One of the expert archers tested my mettle. Even though I lost, it wasn’t by much, and he gave me high praise. I, too, did not feel bad since it was an elven archer who was over four hundred years old. When I told him I was a bower for only a matter of months, he was shocked and gave me even larger praise. So, in all, I felt good about my bow skills. The warriors also wanted me to give them some sparring lessons. I showed them some techniques I knew, and they in turn, shared a couple with me. If it wasn’t for the fact that the horde army would be here in less than a month, I would of completely enjoyed myself. Alas, that wasn’t the case.

High cleric Woodard also surprised me. He asked Talma if he could take Stella and start training her. He knew it was a bit early, but anything he could do would be better than waiting. Also, he said that he needed help still with the warriors that I asked him to heal. Talma agreed, and even though there were tears, they were happy tears. They went off to Stalvinport. I don’t know what Woodard could do in several weeks time. Perhaps to show Stella how to use different herbs and tonics to heal the wounded. That would indeed bring much help. Perhaps she could learn a divine incantation or two as well. I do know one thing: there was little preparation for her in the ways of combat. I felt as proud as an uncle, knowing I helped forged that steel that is in her.

I was making some arrows when a soldier in plate armor came to me. “Pardon, are you Tor?”

“Yes I am warrior.”

He took off his helmet, and offered his hand. “I am Thompson. I freely pledge my services to your cause here.”

I took his hand. “Sir, I thank you. But why may I ask do you pledge it?”

“As I understand it, if it were not for you, I still would be lame in a wheeled chair.”

Ah! So these were one of the warriors that Torid, then named Pox, had maimed. Far as I could tell, he was fully recovered. Woodard was true to his word. “Excellent Thompson! And I welcome your help. Although, you may perish here.”

“Sir as I see it, I would of perished a cripple. Each night I prayed to have my life ended. Instead, it was restored. You did not know me, and yet, your actions have restored me and led me here. So, even though I do not know these people, I will offer my help to them as you have done me.”

I clasped his hand. “Again, I welcome you warrior Thompson.” Such men, are rare. They are as rare as polished blue diamond. When opportunity like this presents itself, it would be foolish to turn the opportunity away. “Tell me Thompson, what is your station?”

“Garrison commander sir.”

“A strategist? And a commander? This is a most luck filled occasion.”

“I take it you have need of one?”

I nodded. “You see, Calvin is the general, the commander of this gathering army and navy. He listens to my counsel however. And, good commanders are hard to come by. But neither he nor I can be everywhere at once. And timing for both sets of attacks, will be crucial. So, I will share with you the strategies that have been devised so far.”

He sat down and nodded. I proceeded to tell him the strategy we are going to employ at the river, and the strategy to be employed here. After I finished, he thought for a minute. “Tor, those are fine strategies. They will be worthy of the coming battles indeed.”

“I am glad to hear you say this. Because, I must leave for a few days. Before you look surprised, it is nearby. It is to the old sage Kosser. He and I have a side mission to see if we can accomplish. And it involves the ruins. If we can accomplish it, it will give us all an additional edge in the coming war.”

“I see. And he is nearby?”

“Both he and the ruins are a few minutes’ walk from here to the south.”

“I understand. I do know of the name Calvin Randoss. He is supposed to be a fine man and general.”

“He is. In fact, let’s go in search of.”

It only took us a couple of minutes. Some of the soldiers were learning some tactics from Calvin. “Calvin, can I interrupt for a minute please?”

“Sure Tor, what’s up?”

“Calvin, this man is Thompson. He is one of the warriors that benefitted from my fight with Torid. Since he is here, he is pledging to our cause. He is also a garrison commander. I would like for you two to get to know each other. In addition, I need to depart for a mere few days to be with Kosser. We are supposed to investigate an area of the ruins and requires my help.”

“Well Thompson, you have no better credentials than that dwarf next to you. Welcome aboard.” They both shook hands, and within seconds, they both took to teaching tactics to some of the soldiers. “Well, that was fast” I thought to myself. All the better. I went off to my room, gathered some things, my axe, bastard sword, my staff, and a couple of daggers. Off I go to Kosser’s house. Sounded like a nursery song. I decided to cut off the image right here however-I did not skip my way there.

Upon arriving and knocking at the door, Kosser greeted me.

“Tor, good to see you my boy. And you look like you are ready.”

“Ready as I am going to be Kosser. Although, except for my strength, I do not how much help I’m going to be.”

“Nonsense. True, you may not be able to read runes and ancient script, but you are a dwarf. With luck on your side on opening that stone slab of a door, who knows what we will descend into. Dwarves have an uncanny ability of not getting lost underground and always know which way is north-sort to speak. Not to mention, I always enjoy another point of view from someone with a keen eye and mind.”

This is true. Our race always does have a good chance of figuring out where we are in mountains and inside of the earth. For the keen eye and mind bit, well, we shall see. He gathered his things, and we went about a quarter of a mile. Inside of a cave against the mountain, was indeed a stone slab of a door. “I tried using magic against the door. It isn’t magically guarded. It is just too damn heavy. Have a go at it will ya?”

The stone slab was almost four foot wide and eight feet tall. Probably was six inches thick. And it was made out of a solid slab of rock. I could probably move this if I could get my staff wedged in there. Problem was, it is that it was flat against the ‘frame’ of the wall. However, I noted something. The ground, was dirt. Hard packed dirt for however many years, but dirt none the less. I took a dagger and scraped at the ground. I was able to pitch at it. Nodding to myself, I made a channel on the right side about four inches down and a foot long. This took me well over fifteen minutes to make. The dirt was that packed in. I did the same thing on the left hand side too. After I was done, I gauged the stone slab again. Nodding again to myself, I placed my staff inside of the channel and wedged it underneath the stone. I put a fair amount of weight and strength into it. I was rewarded with a small grind noise. It only moved about a half of an inch. But it did move. Slowly, taking patience and borrowing some from Kosser, it took me over an hour to work out the slab til there was enough of an opening on the right side. Stopping for a couple of minutes, I took a small break and evaluated my options.

“You’ve gotten farther in an hour my boy than I have in months.”

“Thank you. But the trick is now to get it the rest of the way. I wonder what is down there.”

“I can take a guess. The mages long ago, had underground vaults. These vaults were guarded by various creatures as well. Oh don’t worry Tor. Everything should be dust by now as far as any creatures. These vaults, were part of a labyrinth. Not quite a city under a city, but a vast area nonetheless. There were several stone slab doors, that opened into these labyrinths. Course, back then, there were mechanisms in place to open such doors. Now, those are long since dust. But stone never rots.”

“Sounds like these mages also employed dwarves to build these passages too. Maybe the ancestors of those at Sigur Fortress?”

“Correct. See what I mean about a keen eye and mind? It took you mere moments where I had to puzzle it out for years.”

“It is only because I am dwarf, and this would be something I would do.”

“Again, correct. And depending on what we find my boy, I would prefer a dwarf to help me figure out what is down there rather than me fumbling around.”

I nodded. Kosser’s reasoning was absolutely sound. With that said, I wedged my staff to the right middle of the door against the wall, and worked the stone. This part, was much easier than against the floor. It took me mere seconds to finish opening the doorway to a point that we could enter one at a time. “Good, good! Now, let’s see what you have opened up.” He took out a wand and produced a light from it. He went in first, and I followed, still wielding the staff. It was a set of stairs. These stairs descended some forty feet and then opened up into a straight corridor. Kosser’s light extended about one hundred and twenty feet. To prevent he and I from being blinded by such light, he attached something to his wand that blocked the light from appeared to us, so that the front half of the wand shown light. The air was typical of an underground environment save the staleness of the air. We continued walking for several minutes, when there was a four way that opened up. “Hmm, three choices. Straight Kosser?”

“Sounds good to me.” Before heading out further, I took the trick from the scouts, and marked the wall we came from, and the wall we decided to go. Kosser nodded his approval, and we proceeded down further. Several other intersections came up, and we did the same, marking as we went. “Kosser, these walls were indeed made by dwarven hands. The wall texture, still somewhat smooth even after all of these years of existing here, was crafted well. This area was supposed to withstand the tests and truth of time.”

“Then, it is indeed possible that which I seek, may also still be here then. And who knows what else we may find.” Just as he finished responding, we saw that the corridor we were travelling down, opened up into a room. It was a rather large room, eighty by eighty feet. Here, were stone benches and chairs. A teaching area? Gathering area perhaps? An apprentice station? What added to the mystery, is what else was in here: four stone statues about six feet tall. Two were on each side of the room, equal in distance from each other in perfect symmetry. I was about to enter the room when Kosser took my arm. “Don’t. Something is not right.”

I stopped. I looked again. Four stone statues. “Golems?”

“Possible. Although, these are smaller.”

“So, possibly faster than the larger versions. And able to fit more in here.”

“Yes. I think it would be prudent not to enter here.”

“Golems were set here to guard something of value. I think it is worth a look.”

“We more passages to examine Tor. It would be best to examine those first methinks.”

I couldn’t argue with that logic. “Ok, we’ll retrace our steps, and examine each passage. Then decide what to do?”

“Yes my boy. That would be the best thing to do.”

We retraced our steps to the last intersection. This led to an area with many wooden doors. In examining the doors, these doors were treated to be petrified. There were eleven rooms in all: five doors on each side, and one in the center. “You know Kosser. If I was going to lay a trap, this spot would be better to put one. Solid wooden doors. We would have no idea what is behind each door. And there being one in the center? That would be the main trap. Could also be the main point we are looking for too.”

“I agree. Let’s go back.” We retraced our steps. On the arrow pointing down the passage we just came from, I wrote ‘Doors’. With the first passage, I put ‘Statues’. We started going back the passage we came from. We came upon the previous intersection. On that arrow, I wrote ‘Doors Statues’. One of passages had our arrow of where we came from. That left two passages left. I thumbed the left passage and Kosser nodded. We didn’t have to proceed far, maybe one hundred feet. This opened up into a library. Well, one would call it more a cache of scrolls. There were dozens of cases made of the petrified wood. “This looks familiar. These cases appear to be the same as the case Steve and I brought to you.”

“I agree. With one difference. These cases have words as to what they contain. Give me a few minutes.” Kosser started examining the words on the cases. “History library. This will be useful later on, but not now. Let us go back and try the last unmarked passage for this intersection.”

I nodded, as we went back to that intersection. Here, I chalked out ‘Library of Cases.’ Then we went down the passage unmarked. This was a very long walk. It took us nearly ten minutes. Finally, it stopped. There was an ornate large carving of stone, made into a circle. A very large onyx gem was set on top. There was also a set of stairs, with a stone slab there. I tried to move it. This slab would not budge at all. “No good. It seems like it weighs over ten tons. Any idea on what this area is Kosser?”

“To put simply, a portal room. That circle, is a portal gateway. To where, I cannot even begin to guess. There are glyphs on the portal, but, I cannot read them.”

“Ok, so, ancient portal room. Looks like it has been undisturbed for centuries.”

“All of this area has been undisturbed, but not for centuries. Years yes, but not centuries.”

“What do you mean? You mean there are creatures here?”

“There is something here Tor. But beyond that. Have you noticed, in relative turns, the lack of dust in these passages?”

“Yes I have. I thought it was a testament to dwarven craftsmanship. But, now, I’m not so sure.”

“Exactly my boy. This means, this area, has been used. And, it wasn’t by the stone opening. That means, this portal has been used before.”

“Ok, by who? Let me guess. That remains the question.”

“Precisely.”

“And you cannot read it to activate the glyphs. That means, it is not arcane, but divine in nature. What would a divine portal be residing in the ruins of a mage city?”

“What indeed. Does not add up does it Tor?”

“Perhaps it is time for us to split up. Perhaps it is time for you to be in the library, while I take time to examine the rest of the passages.”

“No. We will examine the passages together Tor. This can wait, so can those scroll cases. I do sense something in here. What exactly, I cannot tell. But we are not alone. With your physical prowess, and my training of the arts, we may need to overcome whatever is residing down here.”

“I won’t argue with that logic.”

“Good, now let’s get back.”

We walked back to the passages. That is when an idea hit me. “Kosser, I have been amiss. I need to show you something. Maybe it is something, maybe it is nothing.”

“All right, let’s have it.”

I pulled out the map written in blood. “Goper found this over fifty years ago. He meant to show it to you and have you examine it. But, you were overcome at the time. He had kept this map. I am now showing this to you. Does this mean anything?”

We stopped and Kosser examined the map. “My boy, this is the map of these passages. Look at this long passage. I would bet this is where we are now. And if we retrace our steps further, we’ll come to here, and here. You said fifty years ago. You don’t mean..”

“Yes, the night the vampires took your Kristine and killed your apprentices.”

There was a silent moment in the air. Then, Kosser gave a brief smile. “Keen eye and mind. You were not satisfied by my story, you wanted to find out more. Why?”

“I felt there was a connection.”

“There could be Tor, there could be.”

“You fought a vampire who could summon. You beat the vampire, but didn’t vanquish him. He escaped through a portal you told me. What if that is the portal?”

Kosser gave a long pause in thought about it. “That would mean, that he would be here. The eleven rooms!”

There was a pit in my stomach. Eleven rooms, full of vampires. “But could they still be functional after fifty years?”

“There would be dormancy. But yes, they could.”

“What, would break that dormancy?”

Kosser shrugged. “Live beings? Magic? A rooster crowing? I don’t know.”

“So, the one thousand gold question. Do we go back into that room of doors and open one? See if we do indeed find a coffin?”

“Yes, we have to know. Let’s go back.”

We got back to the intersection and traced our steps back to the doors. I took out my bastard sword, and looked to Kosser. “Ready?” He nodded. I opened the door. It gave a large creak, but opened fairly easily. We peered inside. There was no coffin, but there was a bed there. It was a small bedroom. Puzzled, we opened another door. We found the same thing. We opened all other doors save the center one. All ten were bedrooms. “One door left eh? Well, open it Tor, let’s get it over with.” I opened the door. This too was a bedroom, but there was also a petrified wood chair. Sitting in the chair, was a skeleton in armor. We did not enter the room. Kosser performed an incantation. He then covered his eyes a bit. “Magic. Magic is in this room.” I nodded, and slowly walked in. The skeleton, then turned its head to me. Great. I woke it up. Then, I was shocked. “Why are you here?”

“To uncovered the secrets of the arts past.” Kosser had answered.

The skeleton looked at Kosser. “You are a mage. You are allowed. Who is this?”

“My agent and bodyguard. They are allowed.”

“Yes, they are allowed. Very well, you may remain in Cloverdale.”

“Many thanks guardian.”

The skeleton nodded, and then, became inert. “I have heard of these things Tor. Ancient guardians created to guard the areas within its charge.”

“Good, so that means, we can close this door, and we shouldn’t be bothered at least in this area.”

“I think so.”

I closed the door. For good measure, I took one of the boards from one of the beds, and affixed it to the door. It would do no good to us if this thing got loose for whatever reason. My nerves were a bit on end, so, I leaned against a wall. So did Kosser. “I think, it is time to have a break.”

“That sounds like an excellent idea old man.”

He produced two of those wonderful goblets. I didn’t want my brain affected so I just had a simple ale. Kosser had a tea in his. We slowly drank and exhaled a sigh. Portal room, undead or magically created guardian, stone statues that could be golems. I guess I should count myself lucky being in an ancient city of mages. “Well now, for our next set of tricks..”

Kosser snorted. “Frankly, I was expecting worse.”

“What? What could be worse?”

“You had magi here that was able to perform magics that this world has long forgotten. And we still have not finished exploring.”

I don’t mind telling you, I made a gulp. I think I would of preferred the fight with the hill giants with no armor and no weapons. That would be something tangible for me to focus on. This, was not my element. It gave me a new respect for Kosser and his knowledge.

“Ok, so, where to now?”

“I think we need to retrace our steps to the first intersection. Looking again at Goper’s map, I would say these large rooms here and here, would be the places to go. These vaults were designed to preserve history, and to protect the greatest of magi items.”

“Wait a minute Kosser. I just thought of something. Let’s say that the vampire you fought did open a portal and escaped here. That valley of the dead I was going to assume is Alifax. This is Cloverdale. What the hell would those two kingdoms, at war with each other for so long, have a portal between the two kingdoms?”

“That, my boy, is a sobering question. What indeed. And with your earlier question, why divine and not arcane?”

“There is another question. Was that vampire you fought a form of a divine evil cleric? How else could the portals be opened? I was assuming that those portals you described were arcane in nature. But what if they were divine? An evil divinity?”

“There were two sets of portals Tor. Arcane, and now, divine.”

That pit in my stomach grew larger. A vampire, able to cast not only arcane, but divine magic?

“Kosser, the more I am finding out about the past I am not liking it at all. I cannot imagine how you are feeling about this.”

“It actually explains a lot to me Tor. How that vampire could function even after the heart was pierced. Of how it could evade me for days of pursuit. Of how it could control those vast armies of undeath in the castle. Yes, it actually answered questions fifty years old.”

“Kosser, you are one hell of a mage to have beaten and escaped that plight.”

“I am nothing. I failed that day.”

“No, you did not fail.”

He looked at me. “How can you say that?”

“You didn’t win Kosser, because Kristine was lost to you. But, should you have failed, you would have been killed or worse, turned into a vampire or some other undead under his control, rather than uncovering a set of ruins with a freak of a dwarf fifty years later.”

“I never looked at it that way Tor. Do you think this was meant to be?”

“Remember the night of celebration three days ago? I think so”

He was silent for some time. “So, all of this, was for a reason?”

“Or a set of reasons Kosser. You said you had unfinished business. Maybe, in these coming days, or even hours, your business will be fulfilled.”

“But why all of the pain and anguish for fifty years? Why have I suffered so, and Kristine more?” Kosser was anguished by my possible revelations.

“I do not have a concrete answer Kosser, but I may have one. When a crafter sets down to create a blade, the blade must have a goal and purpose. Depending on the purpose, the blade must have extra time to heat and forge, and cool and shape. Maybe, your blade needed time to seasons Kosser. Or maybe, you simply were not ready yet. It may be now, you are ready. I tend to think on the past, but not dwell in the past. The past is in the past. But pain, loss, anguish, are ingredients for the forge of a spirit. Just like joy, love, learning, are equal ingredients. You look back to your life as a life unfulfilled. Yet, I disagree. The fires have forged a wizened man. A man, who can take a child, and show the joys of the craft. A man, who comes to the aid of others and asks nothing in return. You regret that you left Kristine alone. For these years, you have fought with yourself that you should of taken her with you, or, left the old man to his plight. The road not travelled. It is perhaps the greatest curse ever to befall on anyone. In your mind, you and Kristine should of gotten married, had children, stayed in Stalvinport and perhaps rekindle the greatness of the mage guild that was here hundreds of years ago. An area of trade with an area of great knowledge and learning. And you should had children, and then grandchildren. You both would have been teaching the craft of magic to them, flourishing. Instead, she was taken from you. You have then devoted yourself to the city. Even that, you grew tired of. Your heart, wanted to have closure. Your spirit wanted to have retribution. You think of yourself cursed. But look at what you feel like it is a curse, is a blessing. Through your kindness and teachings, you have a fine apprentice in Steve. You taught his siblings, and they are launching themselves in their lives. Everywhere you go, you help others. You even helped a stranger dwarf, and never asked anything in return, save coming down here to get questions answered, and find out information. I am not downplaying your grief Kosser, but rather, showing you what those pains have forged of you. You have saved a dwarven people, with the simple act of allowing the use of an invisibility cloak. The good things that happen in life, doesn’t come from great things, but small things that have great results.”

I don’t believe it. I have stunned a mage. He sat in silence, an occasional tear falling from his eye. But he now was thinking, thinking back to all of his years. He then leaned forward with his goblet and toasted me. “Samos and Calvin are right. Your heart is as big as your body. Thank you Tor. Truly, thank you.”

I toasted back and finished my ale. “You are welcome sage Kosser. Now, shall we set about to go to those two locations that you wish to go?”

“Indeed my boy, indeed.”

We retraced our steps back to the original intersection. The air here, was a little easier, probably because of the door remaining opened. We turned around to the direction we first set out. Kosser pointed to the right, and that is where we went. We walked for a couple of minutes, when the passage rounded a right corner, and opened up into a huge room. Standing in the middle of the room, were a dozen skeletons. Except, these skeletons were not human, dwarven, or elven. They were skeletal minotaurs. “Oh great. I wonder if they are animated too, or are they more of your guardians Kosser.”

“One way to find out.” He walked up to them, as did I. “I am mage Kosser. Do you allow me to pass?” There was no voice, nor any movement. We were still quite distant from them. “Not guardians of the sort we already encountered. Any ideas Tor?”

“I have just one.” I put away my bastard sword, and took out my staff. I held my staff lengthways, and charged the skeletal minotaurs. Five feet from them, they started to move. But because of my rush, and the staff, I took out several on the first charge. Their bones were broken and strewn about. I then swiped at another, and then another. Soon, all of the minotaur skeletons were laid around my feet. “Well, that wasn’t so hard.” Normally, my mouth gets me into trouble. So I stood there in stance ready for the true foe to come. After a couple of minutes, nothing came. “Um, I wasn’t expecting that. I thought that there would be an extreme fight.”

Kosser examined the bones. “These were animated centuries ago. When you impacted them with the staff, they fell easily, because of the years upon years of decay.”

“Well, can’t say I am unhappy with such a good reason and outcome. But I wonder what they were doing here?”

“Probably backup troops for long ago.”

I nodded. Would be a good reason.

We examined the room, but found nothing peculiar. We went then to the other passage of the first intersection, the last unmarked one. Walking down, this opened up also to another large room. However, there was a difference. There was something shuffling around in that room. “That, does not sound like undead.”

“No, it does not. Padded feet.”

In the far end of the room, was a beast. This beast was over seven feet tall and looked like an ape and a bear combined with huge leathery wings. “A demon Tor.” I put away my staff and took out my sword. Demon huh?

“Who is there?” The thing said in a guttural voice. “I am mage Kosser. I am here for the item that you are guarding.”

“You are not master. You cannot have the item.”

“Do you not wish to be free? To return back to your realm?”

“I do wish. But you are not master. Only master can set me free.”

“I can try to break the enchantment demon.”

“No, no try. Here to protect. Will protect.”

I walked towards the demon. He saw me, drew in a huge breath. Out of his mouth came fire. I was ready for this. I dodged his breath of fire. I kept rolling for about fifteen feet and came up to my feet. Now, this, I can handle. This was tangible to me. The demon drew in another breath. Out came the fire. I rolled back to where I was dodging the flame. I rolled up to my feet. That attack, I felt a little bit. And I see why. The first breath attack, he wasn’t expecting me to roll. The second, he did it as an arc. I wasn’t going to wait for him to breathe again. I rushed forward and rolled. As I came up near him, my blade when straight his gullet in an upward angle. The tip of my blade came out in the back of its throat. The creature was in spasms, going quick limp. I just realized how heavy this creature was and grunted to get it off of its feet. I pulled out my blade and wiped off the blood against its fur. When done, I sheathed the sword and looked back at Kosser. For the second time today, he was stunned. He walked up, and prodded the creature. “Tor, I was expecting a heavy battle, but you just dispatched it like it was a kobold.”

“Well, if it is any consolation to you, it did singe my hair a bit.”

“Your…hair.” Kosser was shaking his head. I shrugged my shoulders. It was a creature, it was in the way, and as I was walking towards it, it tried to roast me. For me, it was simple: it needed to die. Behind it, was a small bag on a thin stone platform. I took the bag, and opened it. There were two rings inside of it. One looked like a simple silver band, the other, was an ornate gold band that had wizardly marks on it. I flipped the bag to Kosser. “No staff, but rings inside. I have no idea what they are. He took a moment and looked at the silver band. He tossed that one back to me. “I would wear it, heals damage. Regenerates.”

Really? I put it on. I looked at my hair, the ends of my hair. Sure enough, it was coming back. This, would be extremely useful. I saw Kosser pocket the other ring. I don’t know what it was, nor, did I bother to ask.

“But, no staff of Archmage Stalvin. I was pretty sure it would be here. Let’s go check the other passages.” And we did so. We came upon an actual library. These books and pages were protected by some sort of coating. So, I marked that one. The other rooms, were of various physical weapons. All of the weapons, save one, was rusted and in pieces. The one that wasn’t, was a beautiful two handed axe ornately forged and carved with multiple intricate runes. The axe was with a heavy handle of carved oak. It looked old, yet, there wasn’t a spot of rot or rust on the axe. This, I took without question. It was of dwarven make. I could tell upon looking. I wedged my existing axe into the straps of my backpack, sheathed my bastard sword, and wielded this axe. There was a faint vibration from this weapon, and I heard melodies, faint dwarven melodies. I must have had a look of confusion, for Kosser came up behind me and put his hand on my shoulder. “That, my boy, is perhaps the finest dwarven axe I have ever seen. A relic of old yet, the magic that comes from it, it is nearly blinding. It seems that fortune favors you for the moment.”

“Well then my old friend, shall we go meet some statues? Other than the scroll cases, that is the only room left to settle. And with this axe, if those statues are golems, I’ll cleave them.”

“There is a chance that the axe would break if those are golems Tor.”

I paused for a moment. That would not do at all. “Perhaps you are right. Wait a minute. I know just the thing. Remember the orc raid? The half breed orc wielded a two handed mace. And I know that is magical. Let us retreat back and get it.”

“Yes, that could work. Also, I think we’ve had enough for today too Tor. Do me a favor. Speak of nothing that was found. Oh sure, you were with me in the ruins. But leave out the details. I need to find out more before this place is known. It is not that I fear any theft. However, there still may be dangers here that I do not want curiosity punishing.”

“A wise idea Kosser. I could just close the door.”

“Actually, leave it cracked. I have spells that would allow me passage. And except for you, I doubt that anyone else could move that huge slab of stone. I will take the next couple of days to study the scroll cases. I know it would have been best to settle the ruins. But something is nagging me to read those contents. Normally I would dismiss such feelings, but someone just reminded me of a few things to pay attention to.”

“I wonder who that was.” I said this with a small grin.

“It was someone who cares, someone who cares about the woes of others before his own my friend. For the first time in so many years, I have regained the ability to live again. That precious gift, that I can never repay.”

“That’s ok. I’ll come and collect my debts someday.” Now I know, how would Tyna put it, I was being silly. But it was good to see Kosser moving with not only purpose, but with life in his being. To be in your own prison for so long, you forget yourself. “I know what it is to forget yourself Kosser. Mine, is through some happenstance. Yours was of pain.”

“Pain, that is still there, but no longer shackles me.” He regained himself. “Come along my boy, we have done enough work for today. We have done in one day, what would of taken me weeks if not months to overcome. And now, you have given me more puzzle blocks to get through!” He actually vaulted forward, seemingly becoming twenty years younger, even though I know he hadn’t. I just shook my head in mild amusement, and followed him.

We got back to the entrance. At his request, I closed the stone slab until there was the barest of space showing. He nodded, told me that was good enough. We noticed it was nightfall, deep into the night. The moon rose high, showing the soft glow upon the landscape. I walked him back to his house, bade him good night, and walked back to the farm. Everyone, save the sentries, were asleep. Fifteen hundred troops and dwarves stationed here. I know many more will be coming in the next several weeks. I just feel that it still isn’t enough. The horde army was caught unaware last time. This time, they will be ready. And all of our plans are based on guess work, my guess work. We need more info. “We still do not know enough. I wish I could find Tyna.”

“Wish granted silly. What is it?”

“You know, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that. How long have been you been here?”

“I was watching the door when you both went into those stuffy ruins. That place isn’t for me at all. I hate places like that. Been following you since.”

“Well thank you. I have been thinking.”

“You didn’t hurt your head did you?”

“Heh, no. I have been thinking. We still know very little about the horde army. I was wondering how we can find out more information.”

“Well, a spy would help. I’m sure they have spies on us.”

“The sentries have not detected any spies in this area.”

“Course not. Spies would be at Stalvinport.”

“Which, they would report that these archers left this morning.”

“Yeah, but Bram is not a fool. He’s got a perimeter around Stalvinport. He probably already imprisoned the spies.”

“But we cannot be sure.”

“Nothing is ever for sure silly.”

“I know. When I went to Sigur Fortress, I had surprise and stealth on my side. I caught them off guard. They won’t be like that when they advance. In addition, if their leader moves up the time table, we won’t know about it until they are maybe a day’s march out. When they will come, they will be ready to annihilate. Siege weapons, numbers, maybe even giants again, or worse.”

“So, the unknown scares ya?”

“Not me for me. But for everyone else, yes. Everyone here has so much to live for.”

“And you don’t?”

“I’m not sure. Til my memory returns, I am not sure.”

“Well, that’s something to live for isn’t it? For your noggin to get back to being right again, if a dwarf ever can be right.”

I chuckled. Tyna’s knack for good words with her quirkiness, is a skill I do not think I will ever possess. “I guess I was sharing with you my thoughts to see if you had any additional thoughts.”

Her tone suddenly went serious. “I have plenty of additional thoughts Tor. Like, what will be the condition of the land after war? What will be the condition of the people after war? How many dead are we going to bury? Who we are going to bury? Am I going to live through this? I know that war is coming. There is nothing we can do except meet them in combat. I thought that people wanted war, they liked war. It wasn’t until Stalvinport that my mind changed. People do not want war. But people are not sensitive enough to nature’s response to war. When there is a great battle, forests are destroyed. Fields burn. Animals and nature’s beings die. Nature is the true victim in war. And when nature gets hurt, nature responds with fury of her own. Nature does not mind trees being cut, as long as new trees are nurtured to grow. Nature does not mind fields cultivated, as long as the animals can eat and live. But when nature is forgotten, or worse, abused, nature will exact payment due. And that only leads to more suffering. And how you might ask? Long winters, short growing seasons, droughts, storms, floods-we are near a major river you know. And then there will be more suffering. People will then get angry with nature, and try harder to make the fields, cut the wood, and the like. It starts a vicious cycle that sometimes never ends.”

I listened to her words. Her flighty nature belies a deep caring and wisdom inside of her mind. Her words impressed me greatly. I actually sat down and thought about all of it. The aftermath of war. I’ve considered it, but not to this extent. What will be the condition of the land after these battles?

Tyna put her hand on my cheek. “Tor, I can see you care. You are thinking about what I just told you. I know I joke on you because you are a dwarf, I joke about you being ignorant. And that’s ok. It is all a game. You truly care. You have no agendas about what you do. Even these dwarves, have changed. At first, when they came here, I thought they were going to be the same boorish lot that dwarves are. But, they haven’t been. The trees that they cut, they plant three in its place, so when the snow eases, the seeds may grow. They dig in the mountain, but with such care and precision. They are on the lands, but they do not destroy the lands. For that, nature will pay such respect with respect. And why do they act this way? Because of you. You have shown them a different way of living. You have shown them that all creatures deserve respect. You use what you need, but no more. They have done the same. I thought it was very sweet that they respected the woman healer. But to have the heavens themselves show their approval, that was earth shattering. Everything has changed, and all for the better. Which is why we cannot allow this horde to succeed. Whatever occurs, the heavens and nature have given their approvals. So, what do you need from me?”

“Tyna, we need information. It is that simple. We need to know that what we have planned will have a chance to work. If they speed up their time tables, or slow them down, we need to know. I just can’t see how to accomplish this. And I do not want you to risk anything.”

“Silly, there is no risk. The how is simple. We’ll let nature tell us.”

“How?”

“You do not know? I can speak to the woodland creatures. The eagles and hawks will tell us when they move. Whether by boat or by land, we’ll know when they will move. It is not like they can appear at our doorstep without our knowing about it.”

“Wait, yes they can! Oh man, we have got to get back to Kosser’s house! I have been a fool! Tyna, can you ask your eagles and hawks to see if there is a portion of that army heading east to southeast?”

“Umm, sure, but why? That would be heading away from us, Wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

“No, not at all. It will spell for us doom! Follow me, I’ll explain why!”

I ran to Kosser’s house. I ran fast. The portal ring. If that portal is activated, and with those halls in there, ten thousand troops could be transported. With great difficulty, the door could be opened, and then, the troops can go through and muster outside. Our walled area, would be doomed. We would have the enemy surrounding us. That portal, must be destroyed!

“Ok silly, I’m keeping up with you, but just barely. You want to tell me what all of the fuss is about?”

“Tyna, Kosser and I found what looks to be a portal. If that is true, a portion of the army can then come through and be at our backs too. We would be slaughtered!”

“Wow! Ok, let’s get there!”

We came upon Kosser’s door, and I banged on it loudly. It took a few minutes, but a sleepy old man answered. “Tor, Tyna, what are you doing? Do you know what time it is?”

“Hopefully time enough Kosser. We’re in trouble.”

“What..what trouble?”

“Remember everything that you told me down in the crypts?”

“Yes?”

“And where you suspect that portal ring connects to? It’s ok. Tyna knows, but only the three of us know.”

“Ok, you must have had good reason. Ok, go on?”

“Since we have sealed off the path to come through the mountains, and given the size of those ruins, what if that third attack will come from where you suspect, and they are transported here? We would have an army at our backs too. The three prong attack can still happen!”

Now Kosser was awake. And with that, his face transformed into the look of ‘oh crap, all is going to hell’ look. “Ok, give me a few minutes to get my things together.”

I nodded. “Tyna, please go. Find out for us what I suspect is true. If this leader is half as smart that I think he is, ten days, no wait, eleven have gone by. Those troops could be reaching the area east by southeast any moment now!”

“Ok, got it. I’m off!” Tyna sped out of there. It all fit. The huge rooms, the passages, the entrance to here. It would be devastating for us. Completely devastating. Secure the east side here, destroy everything here, allows for the main army to come up. The ruins and the mountain cavern would be their eastern base of operations. I have been a damn fool!

Kosser came back, his original gear equipped. We nodded to each other and headed off back to the stone door. Reaching the door, I took my staff, wedged it again, and opened it. We descended quickly and headed towards the portal room. Half way there, we heard noises up ahead. “Stop Kosser. Douse the light.” He did so. In the distance we could hear the clanking of metal. “We’re too late Tor. They are already here.”

“They may be here, but I do not think it is too late. There will be several hundred to be sure, but, it is not too late. Quick Kosser, go back, awaken and notify everyone.”

“And just what the hell are you going to do?”

“Anything and everything I can Kosser. I’ll buy you as much time as I can.”

“You are not thinking about going up against that army?”

“Yes, and it isn’t an army yet. Forces yes, but not an army. Quick now, I’ll hold them off.”

“With what?”

“I will figure that out. Now, go!” I vehemently whispered to him. He was reluctant to go, but saw the need of getting the troops here. He nodded but grasped my shoulder. “Don’t you dare die on us.”

“I don’t plan on it.”

Kosser headed back, and I moved slowly forward. There is where I wish I had my armor and my bow. Sadly, I had neither with me. In my rush, I didn’t think it through. When will I learn to follow through?

After a minute, I could make out torches. So, some of the troops cannot see in the dark. This was good information to know. The trick is, how can I use that to my advantage? I gripped my newly acquired two handed axe, and tested the width of the passage with my arms outstretched. Standing in the center, I could come within six inches of each side of the passage. The best option for right now, would be to charge them. If I can get enough slain, the bodies would start filling the stone passage. Fortunately, no more than three can attack me at a time, six, if goblins rolled between legs. I should be able to hold that off. The ceiling was too low for overhead swings. So, jabs and side half swings it is then. Fortunately, their large weapons will not be able to get through either. I squatted down and hugged the right wall. They were advancing slowly towards me. Before the edge of the torchlight can get to me, I’ll charge them. I waited patiently. I could see the visages of the enemy: Orcs, gnolls, and bugbears. Good. A few of them cut down and stacked up should buy me some more time. About fifteen more seconds. Ten. Five. Charge!

I didn’t yell, but started running extremely fast, holding out my long axe sideways. Within thirty feet, they saw me, surprised, barked words, and tried to pull out there weapons. I slammed into the first ones, knocking several down. They were so packed like fish in a barrel, I couldn’t knock any more down. Suited me just fine. I switched my grip, and just started swinging in front of me. The cries of pain and death was actually welcoming to my ears. Several of these goblinoids, I cleaved in two. I felt jabs of daggers and short swords, but I didn’t stop. I continued to swing, cleaving and cutting the foes before me. With each body that had fallen, I quick turned and kick the bodies behind me. They landed with thuds. About thirty feet in, I started to retreat back. I was careful not to slip on the bodies and all of the blood that ran. I reached to where the bodies started to stack. I ran back a bit, and started tossing the first bodies upwards. The foes paused as they digested what was happening. After a minute, I had the bodies of their own army stacked up in front of me, giving me about three feet of a ‘wall’ in front of me. I kept my axe at the ready. Several tried to venture forth. I cut and killed at them with ease. Their movements were hampered, and they didn’t take the care that I did in not slipping on blood. They stopped, and a lot of yelling and barking commenced. They were at a loss as to what to do. I kept looking forward. There was no way I was going to yield. I would rather die than yield. Speaking of dying, I noticed that I didn’t. The wounds I just suffered of dagger and sword strikes, were already closed and sealing. That ring, was indeed a wonderful item.

The goblinoids in front had regrouped. Now, the orcs were in the front. And they had bows with arrows notched. I see what they were going to do. They would press forward, and if I shown myself to these arrows, arrows would fly. Looking down at the bodies, I noticed a couple of bows and a quiver of arrows. I set the axe down, picked up a bow, and slung the quiver. I took to shooting first. The bow I had was crude, and the arrows even more crude. But, I didn’t have to worry about distance-they were practically at my face with being twenty feet away. I let arrow after arrow slam into these orcs. The orcs responded back with shooting arrows at me, several of the arrows hitting my body in various places. I grunted but didn’t let up. There were about a dozen bodies by my arrow shots, but more orcs with bows just kept coming. I emptied that quiver, tossed it, and picked up another quiver. I kept shooting arrows into these orcs. The bodies kept piling, as I kept shooting. I then ran out of arrows. But at this point, there were dozens that laid dead or dying. The orcs were holding their ground. It did not matter to me. This was a delay tactic. I took a moment and pulled the arrows out of my body. I swear, they were more painful taking them out than entering my body.

“Dwarf.” One of the orcs spoke. “We allow you retreat. If not, we push and run you over.”

“Go ahead and try. You will simply make my task easier of killing all of you.”

“You cannot win.”

“I am already winning.”

They took another moment. A central column charged forward. I swung my axe into the chargers. Four orc bowmen took shots. They were on each side, and with two kneeling. As I added to my body count, I felt more arrows pierce my body. The chargers came, and now, became bugbears. Several more fell, and I maneuvered them into a higher wall. I was rewarded with more arrows. I had eight arrows stuck into my body. I lowered myself, not wanting to be pierced with more arrows. I started feeling light headed to be sure. But if I gave up this position, they will rush forward.

“He dead. He has eight arrows in him.”

“Come forward and check out the dead dwarf.” I exclaimed from my lips. There was another quiver of the crude arrows. I picked these up and notched the orc bow I had.

“Go on, he is dying. Go forward.”

As a response, I leapt up, aimed at an orc archer, and fired the arrow. The arrow imbedded itself into the forehead of the orc. I lowered myself quickly, as three arrows whizzed by me. “See, the dying dwarf still fights. Come forward if you want. I’ll kill you before you breach this.” I leapt up and shot the other standing orc archer, this arrow going into his throat. I squatted back down. As I did so, I pulled out the arrows out of my body. I was losing a lot of blood, mine mixing with the humanoid blood already spilled on the ground. I set down the bow and picked up the axe. I waited for the response.

Not one of the moved. Did I scare them into a position of indecision? I felt more light headed. The bleeding from the arrows had stopped, but again, I lost a lot of blood. Whatever. I needed to hold this position. Suddenly, I heard “Dwarf, look upon me.”

What the hell was that? That was no humanoid. I took a peek beyond the wall of humanoid wreckage. There was a robed figure, covered in darkness. The humanoids shrank back from it. The Leader? Here? “There you are dwarf. I must say, I am quite impressed by your actions. I am also quite surprised to find you here. How did you find this place?”

“I fell in a hole. Couldn’t climb back out, so now, I’m stuck.” A bold face lie I know. However, I am trying to play for time. The figure chuckled. “Fell through a hole? I fight that very hard to believe dwarf. There is forty feet of earth above us.”

“What can I say. Nature had a fit and swallowed me inside.”

Another chuckle. “Dwarf, you amuse me. But I will give you a chance. Join my legion. If you do, you will be made an officer. Refuse me, and you will burn.”

“Burn? How? Just how will you burn stone?”

“Like this dwarf.” I ducked. I knew what was going to happen. A huge blast of flame came forward. It started roasting the dead humanoids that was my wall. The bodies and the armor started to burn. Suddenly, the fires disappeared. “You see, I do not need anything except my will to burn what is in my path dwarf. Again, you have this one chance. Join me, or die burning.”

“What if I do join you? What would I get?”

“As I said, you will become an officer. You will have troops of your own to control, within my orders of course. You will have much treasure to gain.”

“What about other benefits? How about if I get wounded so badly I cannot go on. I cannot see you allowing me to live, much less gather treatments for my wounds.”

“Oh you will go on dwarf. Once your life filled body has been used up, there are many ways to have you continue onward in death.”

“Death? What, no health benefits? No pension? Just croak, die, and come back as whatever?”

“You try my patience dwarf. What is your answer?”

“I’ll give you my answer ‘Leader.’ My answer is the same answer I written in ogre blood outside of Sigur Fortress. My answer is that I will always stand up against your ilk, til the gods take me into their bosom.” My answer is ‘Retribution.’”

“YOU! You are the one that did that to my ogres?”

“And held you back at Sigur Fortress. Does it embarrass you to know, I took out your army and your giants on my own? None other aided me. I was the lonely defender in that castle. So, please, bring me your fire. I have died once and rose back up. I’ll die again and rise back again if I have to. Just as long as your kind does not win.”

Surprisingly, I gave the ‘Leader’ now pause. It was his turn to think. I say his, but I couldn’t tell. The voice, as Tyna had said, was not based on a gender. I stood up straight and looked at the ‘Leader.’ He stood there, with his arm still raised. Also, the darkness was still there. He looked like a shadow of sorts.

“You dwarf, will die most horrible. When I have you, I shall torture you until you beg for death. Except that death will not come easy. I will make sure of that!” With that said, another blast of flame erupted from his hand. The wall was going to burn and burst through in a few seconds. I ran back down the hall. I had no choice. I felt my hair burning, my back burned too. I continued to run. About one hundred feet from the wall of bodies, I turned around.

The flames burst through the bodies, consuming them totally. This mage fire was intense. Smoke was now thick in the corridor. The ‘Leader’ glided over the flames. He was advancing towards me. I cursed and started back pedaling down the corridor. He was gliding faster. I had to turn and make a run for it. I looked back. We were very far away from the fires and torches. And just as I feared, my night sight was able to discern the passage, but not the figure. That darkness prevented my sight. I was close to the intersection. Suddenly, torches were lit far ahead of me. The troops had arrived. Good! But the ‘Leader’ was at my back too. I had one chance at this. I slowed just a little, trying to hear the fabric of that robe behind me. It was getting a little stronger. I had to gauge this just right. When I was within eighty feet of the torches, I noticed that the corridor was barricaded by stone furniture. It was full five feet high. Ok, I really had to time this. Gripping my axe, I suddenly turned and went forward towards the ‘Leader’. I swung my axe around into an upwards stroke. It hit the ’Leader square in the chest. He didn’t glide anymore, and gripped his chest. What followed next scared me. The howl of pain it released, it was like nothing I have ever heard before. It was completely unearthly of a howl, a roar of beast mixed with undeath or maybe demonic. I do not know, I do not know demonic howls. But this, it let loose such pain and hatred, that it is a sound I shall never forget. The ‘Leader’ clutched at its chest. I wasn’t going to give it any chance of respite. I pulled back the axe, and swung again, this time into his side. Another inhuman howl of pain erupted from the form. Then, the robe dropped. The ‘Leader’, turned into a smoke like form. It retreated backwards. I contemplated running after the ‘Leader’, but decided against it. I noticed the torches were appearing behind the ‘Leader.’ Also, I was so weakened from loss of blood and burned from the flames, that I thought against it and ran for the furniture barricade. I ran, and leapt over the barricade. Dozens of archers greeted me, and ushered me away. I heard bow strings, as arrows poured into the hallway. The archers worked like clockwork, the first ones would then turn and twist away, taking time to notch another arrow when an archer to their respective places and fired, then turn and twisted away when a third respectively fired. A constant stream of arrows poured into the hallway. I went way off to one side, and slumped against the wall. Kosser made his way through the archers, and got to me. “You made it my boy. But wow, you look awful.”

“Spirits, please. I feel horrible.”

Kosser produced a goblet and handed it to me. I willed cold dwarven spirits and there was the familiar liquid. I drank it all in one draught. The pain was intense. I needed the alcohol to dull the pain. “Kosser, I saw him. I saw the ‘Leader’ I couldn’t kill him though. He turned into a smoke form and went back down the corridor. I failed to get him.”

“Nonsense my boy nonsense. You did what you set out to do, you delayed them til I could get the archers.”

“I know, but I could of ended this.”

“We may just still end this.” He stood up, motioned the archers to get back, and spoke an incantation. A figure literally rose from the ground. It was huge, the top of the head barely missing the ceiling by an inch. It was made out of stone and dirt. It advanced towards the humanoids. I could hear scream after scream pouring through the tunnels. The creature went after them. “What, in the hells, is that?”

“An earth elemental. I gave it a command to destroy all it sees down to the end of the tunnel.”

“Always full of surprises aren’t you Kosser?”

“As you are Tor. Although, I do not get ‘torn’ up performing surprises.”

I laughed, but stopped. It hurt to laugh. I groaned right after too. But the alcohol was helping. Painfully, I picked myself back up. “I want to end this. We have a chance to end the ‘Leader.’ Let’s take that risk.

Kosser nodded. We clambered over the barricade, with orders that if anyone or anything other than either or both of us appeared, that the archers were to shoot it down. They nodded, and we went down the corridor. We had to take a little care walking. This earth elemental, had been completely pulverizing the humanoids. There wasn’t much left of them. Their weapons and armor, were broken pieces of gear. Fortunately, there was enough of a clearance to pass through. The earth elemental was nearly as wide as it was tall. It did not let up. And the speed that it destroyed these forces was amazing to me. Finally, we caught up with the elemental right at the portal room. It was crashing and thrashing the humanoids all over. We noticed that the portal was still active. In a corner, the smoke like form of the ‘Leader’ was there. It was waiting for an opportunity to pass into the portal. Problem was, the elemental was in his path. Then, the ‘Leader’ was making his move. Kosser said another incantation, and then, the portal was shut down. The ‘Leader’ stopped and screamed, as the earth elemental swung its huge arms. The ‘Leader’ came out of the smoke like form and crumpled against the far war. The last of the humanoids were also crushed. The elemental looked at Kosser. “Thank you for your help earth friend. You may go now home.” The thing nodded, and just disappeared back into the earth. I would of still been there stunned and shocked if it wasn’t the revelation that the ‘Leader’ was in our midst. Kosser said another incantation, and the darkness surrounding the ‘Leader’ disappeared. I pulled the hood back, ready to swing my axe, when I stopped. I staged against the ground. There, the ‘Leader’ was indeed a vampire. But, instead of the ‘Leader’ being some old vampire, it had the face of a boy. And that face, I recognized. The vampire’s boy face that stared back at me, was Steve Randoss!