The Rescue Of The Queen Page 18

  "This was during the time of the artillery duels during the siege. Your grandfather's army and the General's lobbed boulders and oil at each other. Your father ordered me to go up in one of the observation towers. The towers were prime targets for the General's engines. I know your father was hoping to get rid of me. When I climbed to the top, I found a fifty-pound stone had crashed into the platform, but had not broken through. It had bounced to the platform's edge and when I looked over, I saw your father standing down below. With all sorts of things flying through the air, I simply rolled the stone off the tower. When he viewed the body of his son, all your grandfather had to say was 'Now I don't have to share.' That was when I contacted the General."

  Inga stopped talking and stood still stiffly, ready to receive their censure and scorn.

  "Is that why you withdrew from everyone, including myself?" asked Iona.

  "What else could I do?" sighed Inga. "I murdered my husband and betrayed my family."

  "To save the daughter you loved," added Per.

  Iona walked over and embraced her mother. Inga stiffened for a moment and then collapsed into her daughter's arms.

  "It's alright, mother," soothed Iona, stroking Inga's hair. "You were right, you know. I would have never believed you before the cave. Strange... Yayenski meant to safeguard the cave and actually saved my family by doing so."

  "Let's move inside," said the General. "Inga has been under a terrible strain for too long and needs some rest."

  "As do I, since I am leaving at first light," said Per. "I have to find, you know."

  "Can't you put it off for a day or so?" asked Iona. "I'd like to spend some time with my mother."

  "You know I can't," replied Per with understanding. "It's alright if you wish to remain behind."

  "Remain behind?" asked Inga, controlling her emotions. "Where are you going?"

  "Inside," commanded the General. "This is not the place to discuss this."

  They all walked inside the keep and went up to the General's private suite of rooms. There Per explained about Queen Shara's kidnapping and why he was trying to rescue her. He also told Inga of Yayenski's involvement.

  "I'd leave her to rot," said Inga flatly when Per had finished.

  "Mother!" admonished Iona.

  "I would," repeated Inga. "However, I know Per is going after her. You are going too, Iona, and I don't want to hear another word about it. We owe it to him for what he has done for us. I'll be fine. I've survived on my own for quite some time and I can do so again until you return. Just make sure you do return."

  Chapter 9: The Dwarf Fortress Of MarHaven

  Per leaned back against a tree gasping for breath. He looked over at Iona who was wiping sweat from her brow. "Was it good for you?" he asked.

  Her body rocking back and forth as she tried to regain her breath, Iona shot him a look of scorn. She straightened up and looked around. "I hope there aren't any more of them," she panted. "This is getting tiresome."

  Per shook the dark blood off Dorgeth and looked down at the eight goblins they had just killed. He bent over and snatched up one of the rough cloaks that the goblins had been wearing. He used it to wipe the remaining blood off his sword, sheathed it, and then walked over to Iona.

  "I agree," admitted Per. "At least, they're scattering apart and not grouping together."

  They had left Delta to head back to the crater where Yayenski was supposed to have disappeared underground. The first several days had been idyllic. After that, they began seeing the scattered remnants of the force Yayenski had sent to assault the walled city of Delta. The attack had been so bloodily repulsed that the attackers broke apart and fled. Unfortunately, the defenders had suffered casualties, too.

  At first, Per and Iona could easily avoid the small groups of orcs, kobolds, and goblins they saw throughout the day. At night was different because these races were nocturnal and a couple of bands almost stumbled upon their campsites. They kept a cold camp with no fire to give away their position. The closest group to pass them by was five hobgoblins. They came within twenty feet of the pair and Per kept them covered with his crossbow until they were out of sight and sound. The nights passed by uneasily.

  Every morning they set out for the crater. Per had slowed their pace and was keeping a sharp eye out. Even so, they ran into a group of three kobolds and then into the band of eight goblins. The kobolds were totally surprised and were quickly dispatched. The goblins entered a clearing from the other side at the same time Per and Iona walked out. It was a tough fight being outnumbered four to one, but, with their heavier armor and magical weapons, they killed off all eight of them.

  "If this keeps up, we'll be fighting every inch of the way to the crater," said Iona, yanking her spear out of a goblin's chest.

  "Unfortunately, it's the only way I know how to follow Yayenski," replied Per. "We could circle around to MarHaven, the dwarven kingdom east of here, but there is no guarantee that their passages would lead to the crater or to what's underneath it."

  "It still might be best to circle around," said Iona. "I'd say most of these creatures are heading back towards the crater. Circling around may keep us from running into too many of them."

  "I doubt it'll do any good, but let's give it a try," said Per. "A couple of the creatures the General described that assaulted the walls I definitely don't want to meet by accident."

  The two of them circled around to the east. The number of encounters diminished and they were able to avoid them all. The sun was beginning to set when Iona held up her hand. Per looked at her questioningly and saw that she was listening to something with her head cocked to one side. He took off his helmet and listened himself.

  He heard nothing at first and then heard a growl off to his left. Per jumped when he heard a bowstring twang and the meaty thunk of an arrow hitting flesh. A chorus of laughs broke out. (Good shot!) shouted out in orc. Per put his helmet back on and tightened the chin strap. He moved slowly forward and pulled Dorgeth out of its scabbard.

  A fire blazed in a clearing surrounded by shrubs so they were able to approach it unseen. Per rose up on his stirrups until he could see over the bushes.

  Six orcs were standing around the fire. All were dressed in ringmail and one was holding a bow. On the opposite side of the clearing were three naked bodies tied up by their wrists to a large oak branch. Two of the bodies were pincushioned with over a dozen arrows each. The third body was still twitching with four arrows sticking out of it. Per noticed something strange about the bodies and looked closer.

  The hanging bodies were males, but shorter in stature and stouter than a human. Long beards hung down past their waists. Even though, he had only met one or two of their race, Per was certain that they were dwarves.

  (Come on! Finish him off!) snarled one orc. (We got the female to get to!)

  (No rush,) leered the orc with the bow as he notched another arrow. (That juicy tidbit will keep.)

  Using hand signals, Per indicated to Iona that there were six orcs and he was going to attack. She shook her head no and motioned that they should leave. Per stopped her and signaled again that they should attack. Her face took on a look of disgust, but agreed.

  When his horse burst through the brush in a single bound, the orcs froze. To them it appeared that evil incarnate had materialized in their midst. All they saw was a large figure in burnished fieldplate waving a bastard sword on a huge warhorse. The closest orc's eyes widened at the sight of two steel-shod hooves crashing down on him. His cohort next to him lived only a split second longer before Per cleaved Dorgeth through his skull.

  A third orc bounced off the horse's front shoulder and spun off into a tree. There was a series of snaps and pops as the orc's back crashed into the tree trunk before he fell limply to the ground.

  Per managed to rein in beside another orc. The orc grabbed for his sword and had it halfway out when Per buried Dorgeth into the orc's chest. The orc's ringmail armor crunched nosily and provided as much protection as a p
iece of paper. Per yanked Dorgeth free with a large splattering of blood. He looked over at Iona and saw her retrieving her spear from the back of an orc. The last orc was on the ground with a large gash in his skull.

  "I thought we were going to avoid these little incidents," said Iona sarcastically.

  "Extenuating circumstances," replied Per, nodding at the hanging dwarf bodies.

  "They're dead," said Iona sadly. "They were dead or dying when we got here,"

  "She's not," said Per, looking in a new direction.

  Iona had to move several feet to one side to see around a concealing bush. Tied to a tree with a gag in her mouth was a female dwarf. She was short, but not as squat as the males were. Her thick dark brown hair was braided into two braids, which were tied up behind her head. She was wearing an embroidered brown skirt, a white blouse, and a brown and yellow outer corset. She looked to be around twenty years old.

  She started to struggle as Per and Iona approached her. She yanked against the ropes tying her hands behind her to the tree. She moaned loudly through her gag as if pleading with them to go away.

  Per stopped about six feet away from her and crouched down. "Miss, we mean you no harm, but you have to settle down before we release you," he said to the dwarf. "A scream could bring who knows what else here." He turned to look at Iona. "Do you speak dwarven?"

  "Mum mumph umph," came the muffled reply from the dwarf as Iona shook her head negatively.

  "I think she understands, though," said Iona and she reached around the dwarf's head to untie the gag.

  "Of course, I understand what you're saying, you bloody stupid oaf," hissed the dwarf. "What do you think I am, some slimy kobold with a brain the size of a pea or a troll who doesn't have any brains at all?"

  "My apologies," muttered Per, now not quite sure if releasing her was such a good idea. He nevertheless quickly cut the ropes around her wrists and legs.

  "Where are my kinsmen?" asked the dwarf as she stood up. Per guessed her height to be slightly over four feet tall. She was broad across the shoulders as was all of her race. The round stiff corset and long skirt hid her body's shape.

  "I'm afraid the others are dead," stated Iona. "The orcs used them for target practice. We came upon you afterwards. We've haven't had a chance to cut them down yet."

  Pain flashed through the dwarf's brown eyes. She closed them and stood perfectly still as she tried to contain her emotions. Per suddenly liked her better for the feelings she had.

  "Another mark against the orcs for a debt they will repay," said the dwarf softly. "I was enroute to MarHaven. I have need of your assistance to get myself and my kinsmen's bodies there. You will be reimbursed for your time and efforts."

  "I am Per and this is Iona," said Per, standing up. "We are also headed to MarHaven and will help you."

  The dwarf inhaled sharply as she looked up at Per. "You're no human!" she accused angrily.

  "Never said I was," answered Per. "I am the one who is going to get you to MarHaven safely." He pulled off his helmet. "I'm half-ogre and half-human. I've given you our names, which appears to be manners beyond the grasp of a dwarf."

  "I'm Holina, daughter of Gola, not that the names would mean much to one such as you. Your manners would be strained, too, if you were trussed up like a chicken and the rest of your party killed."

  Per took in a deep breath and let it out in a big sigh. "My apologies, Holina. You've been through an ordeal. Come, we can cut your kinsmen down and tie them over the horses."

  "Apology accepted," said Holina contritely and even a little abashed. "My race has numerous grudges against orcs, goblins, ogres, and their ilk, and all for good cause. I'll go see what I can round up of our gear that the orcs haven't soiled yet."

  "Prickly," murmured Iona as Holina walked away. "I've heard dwarves are that way, but I think she was also trying to apologize."

  "Probably," commented Per.

  They cut down the dwarves' bodies and tied them over the horses. Holina gathered together all the dwarf armor, weapons, and equipment that was salvageable. She did not touch anything belonging to the orcs and spat on their carcasses each time she walked by one. Once packed, the three of them headed towards the dwarven kingdom and made camp late that evening.

  "Holina, can I ask you a question?" inquired Iona as the two of them sat next to the fire. Per had gone out for more firewood and was out of sight in the blackness of the forest.

  "You just did," replied Holina, "but ask away anyway. I've got a few of my own for you."

  "Very few dwarf women are seen outside of their realms, yet, here you are," said Iona. "I was just wondering why, if you can tell me."

  "There was a great upheaval in the underground world recently, which I suppose you know of," said Holina. Iona nodded. "Our realm was attacked as well as the city of Delta. We barely managed to beat back the assault and we heard that it was the same for the humans. My father sent me to Delta to talk with them and find out what happened."

  "A person named Yayenski abducted Queen Shara from another kingdom to the north," said Iona. "He came here for some purpose and opened a crater in the middle of the forest. We think he managed to convince the races he came into contact with to attack Delta and, it sounds like, also your realm. According to a prophesy, there is an ancient spell that had a quota to be filled before it could be used."

  "Well, if the quota was in blood and lives, there was certainly enough given in the attacks to satisfy even the most blood-thirsty. Why are you two here?"

  "Per needs to rescue Queen Shara because he will probably be blamed for her abduction," said Iona. "I understand there is bad blood between the two of them, which would make Per the perfect suspect. We were headed to the crater to find a way to get to Yayenski, but it would have been a constant battle to get there. We were hoping that there might be underground passages from MarHaven, which would take us to the site. Yayenski is supposed to be underground now."

  "There are undoubtedly passages," stated Holina. "Most of our battle took place underground. Our king would be the one to ask. He has maps of almost all the tunnels and caves for the surrounding area. Are you Per's woman?"

  "I don't think Per belongs to any one woman," said Iona. "Why?"

  "Well, to put it bluntly, I was wondering what the attraction was. No offense, but I know you humans have some pretty perverse tastes."

  "Per and his friends saved me and the group I was with after we had a run-in with a hobgoblin raiding party," said Iona flatly, her dislike for Holina evident on her face. "I owe him more than I can ever repay and Per is not your typical anything. Otherwise, he might have left you with your orc captors.

  "Of course, I do also like having his thick twelve-inch cock stuffed inside me. Maybe that's why your folk hate the big one." Iona held her pinkie finger straight up in the air by way of illustration.

  Holina looked ready to bite nails. She shook her head and then rocked back laughing hard. Iona jumped, not expecting this reaction as she was all tensed up for a fight. Holina wiped the tears of mirth away from her eyes.

  "Let me enlighten you," chuckled the dwarf. "My race puts on a dour, grim face in front of others, but we party and play hard amongst ourselves. We may be short and squat, but that usually isn't the case of our men's private parts. They may not have much finesse, but they make up for it in gusto. I tell you what, I'll do something atypical for a dwarf. I'll keep an open mind about Per. Deal?"

  "Deal!" said Iona with a smile. "I lied before. I've only had eight inches of him inside me."

  Holina's eyes widened. "You mean, he really has...?"

  Iona held her hands up about twelve inches apart.

  "Woof!" grunted Holina in amazement. The two of them both broke out laughing. Standing silently at the wood's edge, Per let out a silent sigh of relief.

  * * * * *

  It was four and a half days later before they caught their first glimpse of MarHaven. The distant peaks had always loomed on the horizon, but now Per could pick out
towers and battlements built into the mountain. A massive barbican with tremendous doors guarded the entrance into the underground dwarven realm.

  When they were several hundred yards away from the barbican, Holina stopped them. Per could see numerous dwarves in chainmail lining the battlements. It was hard to tell their expressions because of their heavy beards and the distance. However, there was something very business-like about the way they were holding their crossbows, all seeming to point directly at them.

  "Listen up," said Holina, turning to face Per and Iona. "You need to wait here while I go inside. Take the bodies off the horses and lay them on top of the shields. Please try a little reverence when you do this. Otherwise, you may end up as pincushions."

  Without saying another word, Holina turned around and walked into the cavernous opening as the gates were opened for her. Per and Iona looked at each other before going to untie the bodies and lay them out. When they were done, they sat on the ground, facing the barbican.

  "You know, I'm sort of getting tired of waiting outside cities with dead bodies," quipped Iona.

  "I know what you mean," replied Per. "I think that MarHaven isn't so much a city as an entire realm. My step-father, Tenan, told me some of the sagas of dwarves. Most of a dwarven realm is underground, stretching out a hundred miles in all directions."

  "What do you think they will do?" asked Iona, with a nod towards the barbican.

  "I don't know, but I'm keeping my helmet on until they show their intent. I don't want some hothead thinking my green hair could use a part in the middle made with a crossbow bolt. I may not be as lucky the second time around."

  Iona did not reply and the two of them sat silently for the next hour. Except for a dwarf or two shifting his weight from one foot to another, nothing moved. The only sound Per could hear, beyond the normal sounds of nature, was the dwarf pendants flapping in the breeze. It was understandable that both jumped at the first loud deep boom of a drum.