The Wrathful Mountains (11 page)

A dwarf with a frizzy red beard stepped forward,
tilting his head to look Galen in the eye. Like every other dwarf in the room,
he stood no taller than the elf’s waist. “Where’d you come from?” he asked. His
words were followed by a loud hiccup.

“The valley below the mountains,” Galen replied,
unoffended.

The man peered inside his mug. “Can you drink this
stuff? You look awful delicate.”

Galen couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh yes, I can
drink it. I’ve lived among dwarves for the past few years.”

“You don’t say,” the dwarf replied, ale spilling
down his beard. “Well, you’re all right then,” he announced, lifting his mug.

The noise level rose, the miners returning to
their revelry.

Slapping a coin on the counter, the red-bearded
dwarf said, “An ale for my friend here, and a refill for me.”

The bartender obeyed. Nodding his thanks, Galen
grasped the mug and downed half of its contents. The dwarf grinned and did the
same.

Raad ordered a drink as well. “I’ll pay for the
lady’s too,” he told the bartender.

“Won’t your wife be upset?” the dwarf jibed as he
filled the mugs.

“She don’t know I’m back yet,” Raad replied with a
smirk. “Best get a few drinks down me or she’ll be hollerin’ for me to get home
and get some chores done.”

“Thanks, Raad,” Kaiya said, taking her drink from
the dwarf behind the bar. Plopping herself on a low stool, she pressed the mug
to her lips. With a large gulp, she took her first taste of the local ale.
Rubbing her tongue against the roof of her mouth, she attempted to rid herself
of the bitter flavor.
Raad was right,
she thought.
This isn’t as good
as down south.
The second sip wasn’t as bad, and by the third, her tongue
was accustomed to the flavor.

His cheeks reddening from ale, Galen burst into
song, surprising the dwarves gathered around him. Kaiya had to cover her mouth
to avoid spraying ale all over Raad, who was grinning from ear to ear as he
listened in.

In a slurred tenor, the elf sang out.

“Once I met a dwarven girl,

her eyes like crystals shone.

She took me home and stripped me bare,

And skinned me to the bone!”

A raucous laughter filled the room, mugs slamming
against the table to signal the miners’ approval. Dwarves loved a good drinking
song, the bawdier the better. Others took up the song, adding more to the
story.

Kaiya enjoyed the moment of levity, especially seeing
the joy it brought to Galen. He spent so much time studying the runes and
reading that he rarely engaged in social activities. Proving he could be the
life of the party, he made himself at home here among the miners, keeping time
with his mug as the other men sang.

For a short time, Kaiya forgot about the evil
presence. There was no talk of impending dangers or dark magic. In this moment,
she was simply Kaiya, a dwarf girl from a farming village, enjoying a drink
among friends.

P
ounding a fist
heavily on the bunkhouse door, Raad’s head throbbed. The noise echoed between
his ears, amplified by the prior night’s drink. He needed a pot of coffee, and quick.
With any luck, he wouldn’t have to make any more noise to wake those sleeping inside.
Shoving open the door, he stepped inside.

Kaiya sat up, ready
to start her day. Unlike the men, she had consumed only two drinks, and her
mind was functioning perfectly. Stretching her arms, she nodded at Raad, whose
eyes were reddened, his hair disheveled. A smile crept over her face as she
wondered what his wife had said when he returned home in the wee hours of the
morning.

The jest died on
her lips as she glanced over at Tashi, who sat on the edge of her bed, staring
at the back wall. Her head propped on one arm, and her shoulders slumped, the
priestess appeared completely defeated. Throwing off her blanket, the sorceress
swung her legs over the side of the bed and pulled on her shoes. Taking two
steps toward Tashi, she paused at the sound of Raad’s voice.

“Foreman’s
expecting you,” he announced.

Glancing back at
Tashi, she sighed. It would have to wait for another time. Whatever troubled
the priestess, it was less important than figuring out what was causing the
tremors. The foreman had information Kaiya desperately needed, at least she
hoped he did. At the very least, he could give her permission to enter the
mines to seek out the magic she sensed, and save her the need to break in.

Struggling out of
his too-short bed, Galen found his way to Kaiya’s side. “You want me to come
along?” he asked, his mannerisms surprisingly normal considering the volume of
drink he had guzzled.

“I think you best
wait,” Raad replied. “He’ll want to meet an elf, for sure, but not right this
moment. He asked for Kaiya alone.”

“That’ll give me
time to explore the city,” Galen said, unfazed. “You want to come along,
Tashi?”

The priestess
slowly rose from her bed and made her way toward the others. Her eyes focused
on the narrow window, her mind a million miles away.

“You’ll be headed
back home, won’t you?” Raad asked. “Some of the miners up here might think
worse of your kind than I did. I’d hate to see any of them misunderstand.”

“I don’t fear
them,” she shot back, her voice full of venom.

“Now, don’t start
that,” Raad replied. “I’ll introduce all of you to Foreman Daro, then he and
Kaiya can head off to the mine. I’ll show you other two around the camp.”

“Sounds like a
plan,” Galen replied. Glancing at Tashi, he saw no sign of change in her dour mood.
He’d have to find some way to cheer her.

The morning sun
barely peeked over the horizon, its soft-pink light illuminating the sky. Raad
led the visitors westward, his every step labored. It was too early for this,
and he would have much preferred to sleep in. But the foreman wouldn’t wait.
The bonus he’d paid Raad to fetch the sorceress was enough to keep the miner
moving despite his lack of energy.

Straight ahead, a
series of carts waited to ferry the miners to their work higher in the
mountains. The steep terrain near the mine made habitation impossible, so a
fifteen-minute ride was necessary to move the men to and from their worksite.
Sturdy bighorn sheep, tamed by the skill of the dwarves, were well-suited to
the task of pulling the carts over rough terrain.

Kaiya found the
crowd surprisingly quiet as they awaited their turn on the carts. No other
explanation came to her mind, save the early hour. Miners were hard workers,
but few among them were morning people, regardless of their assigned shift.
Rising early was the duty of farmers, like Kaiya’s own father. It was likely
due to him that she could fully appreciate the beauty of a sunrise.

By the time the
visitors reached the miners, most of them had been loaded into their carts.
Their wooden wheels crunching along the gravel path, they disappeared inside
the morning mist. Raad signaled with a wave, drawing a single dwarf’s
attention.

Foreman Daro came
forward with hurried steps, relieved to see that Raad had returned. A black-and-silver
beard braided into a single row, along with a smoothly shaved head, gave the
man a look of authority. His deep-brown eyes showed great concern, lines of
worry creasing his brow.

“Raad,” he said,
nodding at the miner.

“Foreman Daro,”
Raad began, “this is Kaiya, the sorceress.” Gesturing with his thumb, he said,
“These are her friends, Galen and Tashi.”

Daro’s eyes darted
between the visitors, unsure which to acknowledge first. It was Kaiya he had
requested, but her friends were a sight to be seen. Extending a hand to Kaiya,
he gripped hers firmly. “I’m glad you’ve come,” he said. “We need your help.
Are your friends here to help as well?”

“Tashi led us here
through a path in the mountains,” Kaiya replied. “Galen is an apprentice rune carver.
He’s come to consider the magical possibilities of Dwarf’s Heart.”

Daro’s eyes danced
with astonishment. “I’m delighted to meet you,” he said, reaching for Galen’s
hand. A lifetime of fascination with creatures of magic, he felt nearly overwhelmed
by the presence of a Westerling Elf. Forcing himself not to stare, he turned
his attention to Tashi. With a nod, he said, “I thank you for helping our
visitors reach us safely.”

Crossing her arms,
the priestess did not reply.

“The Ulihi have a
camp about day from here,” Raad said, filling the awkward moment.

“We know about it,”
Daro admitted. “We know about the path too, but we stay clear of it.” The
mining company that employed Daro had been thorough in surveying the land. For
the most part, they had done their best to avoid disturbing the Ulihi in their
current encampment.

“This mine is built
on our hunting grounds,” Tashi finally said.

“I can’t help
that,” Daro said. “This is where the Dwarf’s Heart is, so this is where we had
to build. We’re aware of your tribe, and we won’t bother you if you don’t
bother us.”

Heat rose in
Tashi’s face. “You’ve already bothered us!” she shouted. “Why do your kind
insist they own this land? No one can own it. The mountain is its own master.”

“I don’t doubt
that, Miss Tashi,” the foreman replied. “But we’ve claimed it for the time
being. If you want to represent your people at the next company meeting, I’ll
see that your voice is heard.”

Blinking in
surprise, Tashi didn’t know how to reply. Kaiya smiled, her heart full as she
tried to catch Tashi’s eye. When she finally did, she nodded, encouraging her
companion to speak.

“I would like
that,” Tashi stammered. “Thank you.”

Daro waved the
words away. “It’s the least I can do,” he said. Focusing his attention to
Kaiya, he asked, “Are you ready to inspect the mine?”

Finding herself
suddenly nervous, she took in a deep breath and said, “I am.”

“Will you be
joining us?” he asked Galen.

“I—” Galen started
to say.

“If I may,” Kaiya
cut in. “It would be easier for me if Galen stayed behind. His elven magic will
be a distraction as I search for the source of power I’ve felt in this area.”

“I understand,”
Daro replied. “I’ve heard magic radiates from an elf’s hair.” He took a moment
to scan the length of Galen’s hair, wondering what mysteries hid themselves
within it.

“I’ll look after
these two for you,” Raad said. Hopefully another trip to the tavern would make
its way onto the agenda. With his arm feeling better, the following day would
mark his return to the mines, which meant today shouldn’t go to waste.

“Shall we?” Daro
asked, gesturing his hand to the remaining cart.

Accepting his hand,
Kaiya stepped onto the cart, the bighorns pawing with impatience as she found
her seat. Daro signaled the driver to head out, and the team lunged forward,
eager to be underway.

“It’s the deepest
mine that any dwarf’s ever dug,” Daro said. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Tell me why you
needed a sorceress,” Kaiya replied. It was time for some answers.

Shifting in his
seat, the foreman said, “You know about the avalanches. We’ve had a lot of men
hurt, and the mining company is losing money.”

“An avalanche or
two is to be expected,” Kaiya stated.

“Naturally,” Daro
replied. “But something isn’t right in there. I’m no mage, but I’ve had an
interest in magical enchantments since I was young. It’s a feeling I get down
in those tunnels.” Looking away, he added, “I suppose it sounds silly.”

“Not at all,” the
sorceress replied. “Even those without magic can sometimes sense its presence.”

The foreman
swiveled his head back toward her. “You mean that?”

“I do,” she said.
“There is magic here. I can feel it too.”

A sigh of relief
escaped the dwarf’s lips. “That already makes me feel better. I was afraid I
might be overreacting.”

“I don’t think
you’ll feel better for long,” she replied. “What I sense is malice, an evil
heart bent on destruction. Even now, it echoes in my chest.” As they moved
closer to the mine, Kaiya’s fingers shook, a tingling sensation buzzing through
them. Something was testing her, a tug at her magical stores confirmed it. Each
breath came faster as she forced herself to remain seated, fighting the
instinct to run toward the mine. Or was it the urge to flee? Grinding her
teeth, she did her best to steady her mind.

“Are my men safe in
there?” Daro asked, leaning toward her.

“I don’t know,” she
replied honestly. “I have to go down there to find out.”

Stopping near the
mine entrance, the driver set the brake and waited for his passenger to disembark.
Daro assisted Kaiya as she stepped down before sending the driver away. Kaiya
paused outside the mine, her eyes staring intently into the darkness. The color
drained from her face.

“You all right?”
Daro asked, laying a hand on her shoulder. Her pale visage unnerved him, her
silence alarming.

Kaiya gave no
answer, her hand reaching for a lantern as she stepped inside the mine. Daro
followed closely behind, grabbing a lantern of his own. Upon entry, the path
descended. Kaiya immediately made note of the lack of fresh air. The
ventilation system required for such a massive pit would have to be extensive,
but it provided no wind. Miners were not able to stay down as long as usual,
forcing the work to be done in four shifts rather than the standard three.

Stillness cut
through Kaiya, panic running along her spine. With much effort, she forced
herself to remain calm. Here, more than any other place, she was vulnerable.

Dim lanterns lined
the walls, a system of movable platforms descending to and from the depths.
Stepping onto the platform, she waited for Daro to pull the lever.

“Down we go,” he
said.

They sank into the
darkness, the music of mining picks serenading them along the way. Dots of
green light illuminated the walls, a gift of the glowworms that inhabited the
mines. Without these creatures, the miners digging at the lowest depths would
be forced to work in complete darkness, the lanterns barely able to draw enough
oxygen to remain lit. The flame in Kaiya’s hand flickered, reducing itself to
the size of a pea. More an item of comfort than of practicality, the lanterns
were nearly useless.

A buzzing entered
Kaiya’s muscles, radiating throughout her body as they arrived at the first
plateau. Stepping off the platform, Kaiya stumbled, righting herself before
Daro could notice. To her relief, a system of mirrors stood at various angles,
catching light from above and projecting it along the pathway to the lifts.
Taking courage from the light, she drove the buzzing away without the use of
magic.

“How many levels
are there?” she asked, peering over the ledge.

“Three,” Daro
replied. “There aren’t any workers at the bottom. I assume that’s where you
want to go?”

“Yes,” she replied,
though she wanted to say no. A low voice called from the depths, urging her ever
downward. Though she’d come here to confront it, she wasn’t sure she wanted to.
The stillness raged around her, and should she require the use of her magic,
her stores could quickly become depleted. Lacking the element required for
replenishment put her at great risk.

Her eyes finally
adjusted to the darkness, Kaiya followed Daro as he led the way down to the
second plateau and made his way across the expansive deep. The third platform,
the one that led down to the deepest level, lay just ahead.

“I’ll go alone from
here,” she announced as they reached the platform.

“You sure?” Daro
asked. “The light barely reaches down there, and it’s easy to get lost.”

“I need complete
concentration,” she replied. “I’m afraid your presence could distract me.” Even
the quietest dwarves were typically noisy, and she would need complete silence.
“Can you order your men to stop hammering until I return?”

“Aye,” he replied.
“I’ll do that and come right back to this spot. You can shout when you’re ready
for me to bring you back up.”