Dragon Clan Chapter 3

They spent a total of a week in the cave, dressing only to venture out for firewood and water.   They learned much about one another, each recalling their past and their immediate plans for the near future.  One thing had become certain.  They would continue to travel together.  In addition to their skills as a team, their newfound affection for each other was a deciding factor.

 The weather had cleared to become sunny but still cool.  Ameni could sense the changes that were coming, and told Aldren that they should try and find some shelter that was more secure than their cave.  He agreed and they broke camp.

The valley they were now descending into was more forested.  They had been traveling for 4 days still heading north.  The trees were shielding them from the cool wind that was blowing from the mountains and the temperature was comfortable.  Their cloaks were tucked to the backs of the horses and they rode in the open with little fear of attack.  The weapons they carried guaranteed robbers would think twice.

Ameni was in the lead at the moment and Aldren was staring in wonder at the form in front of him.  Not only the lithe shape of her body (which was pleasant enough on it’s own), but the person who was within that body.  To any person they met she would be an elven warrior cold and deadly, and she was.  Only he knew what was beneath the exterior was a female who was passionate in love making and deeply caring with him.  Remembering the time they spent in the cave was having the normal reaction on him and he shifted in the saddle to relieve the discomfort in his groin.

He was so deep into his thoughts that he didn’t notice her sudden stop.  He pulled up just short of running his horse into hers.  She slid off the mare’s back and motioned him to follow.

The clearing just ahead was occupied with several figures hooded and cloaked in black.   They were heading into an archway cut into the side of a small knoll.  These were priests of the new God.  Aldren had seen the rituals that they performed in public for their followers. There was always talk of sacrifice and obedience and praying to the symbol of their God, the body of a man wearing a mask of gold, the face surrounded by rays of light.  The burning of herbs and lots of smoke always came along with the words of man being the chosen race and that the other races that shared the lands needed to be driven out or exterminated, for they were the cause of all the evil that cursed the humans.

Now he wanted to see what the high councils consisted of.  As the last of the robed figures moved in, the two warriors slipped up to the archway and peeked in. A raised dais with a long altar dominated the small room.  Upon this altar was a small but powerful form of a dwarf.  He was strapped down on the altar unable to move against the heavy leather bindings.  Ameni could see in the dim light that even though his face showed defiance, his eyes showed fear.  She started in, but Aldren stopped her.

“Wait and learn.” He whispered.  The priest at the center of the dais wore the same mask that was depicted on the symbol.  Another priest to his right started to speak.

“Brothers, you have been called to witness the punishment of this spy to our great God.  He was captured when he entered and defiled this temple.  It is decreed that any but the chosen who enter the temple must be put to death.    Now witness the justice dealt in honor of He-who-controls-all!”

A low chant started as the priests bowed their heads.  The figure in the mask stepped forward clasping a three-bladed knife.  The chanting was increasing in volume as he raised the knife, preparing to thrust it into the dwarf’s chest.  Aldren nodded to Ameni.  The arrow left her bow and lodged into the center of the priest’s chest.  He fell backward into the stone bench at the back of the dais.

There were several seconds of stunned silence then a roar of rage erupted.  Aldren stepped through the archway swinging his sword hacking limbs and bodies with impunity.  Ameni was working her way toward the figure still bound to the altar, her long knives carving a path of destruction.  She beheaded the priest that had announced the death sentence as he was retrieving the ritual knife.  She slit the bonds that held the little man down and looked up.

The sight they both observed was of Aldren in full battle mode.  He was yelling battle cries in both the common tongue and Elvish.  The dwarf picked the long knife and joined the fray.  The rest of the battle was swift and bloody.  Within a few moments, the priests had either been slain or had fled.  Aldren however was still in the grips of battle.  He started out to catch the remaining priests, intent on taking them down as they fled.

“Aldren, don’t!  You do not need to spill their blood!”

“Aye, I have killed enough today.”  Was Aldren’s reply.

The trio exited from the temple, Ameni calm and calculating as normal.  Aldren was slower, the battle rage rapidly disappearing from his body.  The dwarf cleaned the knife he had used on the grass.

“I am in your debt warriors.  I would surely be dead if you had not come along.  However I fear that you may have put yourselves in jeopardy for it.”

Aldren grinned at the short, stocky man.  “That had happened long before we came to the temple.”

“Ah yes.  I can see the elf maid would be in danger, but why would you be?”

“Besides being bound to the ‘elf maid’ I am halfelven and I had to leave the King’s Court to save myself from a death sentence.”  Was Aldren’s reply.  He was still angered by the priests but was trying to regain his composure.  He had not meant to let the ‘bound’ part sneak out.  He hoped that Ameni did not catch it.

Glancing over at her he knew that was a false hope.  He saw in her eyes even though her features remained impassive.  But whether it was hope, anger or fear he couldn’t tell.  She broke the gaze and returned to getting settled on her horse. The dwarf chose to walk to his home and both warriors decided to follow to assure his safety.  It would not be long before the priests got a mob together to come after them all.

During the long trek Murdaek, as the dwarf called himself explained how he became to be in the position that he had been rescued from.  His voice was deep for his size and his speech was accented as he told his tale.

“I was returning from a journey from the Gorroth Mountains when I stopped to rest in that glade.  The archway had not been there before when I had last been there.  I went in and saw the altar.  I was then grabbed from behind by two humans and bound.  They tortured me for several days trying to find out what I was seeking when I came in.  They would not believe me that it was nothing more than curiosity.  They held a conclave and decided that I would be killed as soon as they could get the council together.  It took a couple of weeks for them all to gather and during that time I was held in a room behind the altar.  I almost escaped twice but was held by some sort of magic.  I was pulled out and strapped to the altar and then you two appeared.”

The signs of hot iron were apparent on his body, long red lines along his arms, legs and torso.  The marks were still fresh enough to be losing the skin that had been burnt.  Aldren knew also that the dwarves were a vengeful race and that this could trigger a war.  A war that, on their own, they could not hope to win.  The dwarves were not many in number and the battles and skirmishes could reduce them to extinction.

They traveled late into the night, Murdaek trudging along paths only known to him and his kin.  Ameni followed along on the mare leading the packhorse.  Aldren brought up the rear, often stopping or riding back to check for pursuit.  They finally stopped to rest, each standing watch.  At the false dawn they started moving again.  The trail was moving closer to the mountains in the west were there was rumored to be a dwarf stronghold that was burrowed deep into the mountain’s very roots.  

 No human had been there as far as anyone knew for the dwarves kept contact to a minimum being a self-sustained race.  Truth be told, little was known about the race.  They were the half the height of Aldren and stocky.  Very strong and tireless they were excellent allies and formidable enemies.  Other than an occasional trade dispute the race was peaceful, trying to be neutral with all other races and their wars.

It was nearing dusk on the third day after the rescue when Murdaek signaled for them all to halt.  They were at the base of a cliff whose sheer rock face stretched upwards for hundreds of feet. Dark gray and smooth in the daylight, in the dusk of the evening it took on an ominous black presence.  In the center, at its base was a set of doors made from a metal that was as dark as the rock face.  Upon either side were baskets that contained wood fires that cast flickering shadows on the surrounding area.  With a low word, Murdaek told them to stay where they were.  He went forward and knocked on the doors with the pommel of his short sword.  A small window opened and words were spoken in the native language.  

A few minutes later Murdaek walked back to the warriors. “You have been requested to enter the city and speak with the council.  It has been agreed that afterwards you are to be the quests of our king.  Your horses will be tended to by the men over there.”

Arden and Ameni both dismounted and followed Murdaek through the doors.  As soon as they were clear, the doors closed, moving silently on their great hinges.  The guards, dressed in full battle gear resumed their positions on each side of the archway.

The sight in front of them caused both of the warriors to stop and stare.  The hallway they were in was about 20 paces across and columns of black volcanic thicker than three men lined it. Behind the columns the shadows hid areas that would allow for scores of warriors to lie in wait for any enemy that survived breaching the outer walls.

The torches that were fitted in the columns created a trail of fire reflecting on the polished surfaces.  Any enemy that made it past the first defensive line would be easily cut down before they could ever make it to the doorway at the far end.

It was to this doorway that Murdaek was heading.   His confident strides were echoed by Aldren’s booted tread and the light step of Ameni.  The doors silently moved on hidden hinges as they approached.  On the other side of the doorway was room vastly different from the outer hall.  The use of crystals along the ceiling and walls turned the torchlight into a brilliance that rivaled a summer’s daylight.

Aldren and Ameni could see the looks of awe as they passed through this hallway. On each side there were doors and archways that led to rooms that were used for the everyday life of these beings.  There were storerooms and armories, but most seemed to be the living quarters for the families that populated the keep.  Normal movement stopped as they passed and every head was turned in their direction.  It gave credence to the rumors that no human or elf had ever passed this far into the keep.

The hushed tones of the dwarf-speech would start as they passed toward another heavy door that was down another hallway.

This door opened into what must have been the seat of power.  The room was not as well lit as the outer areas, but the walls were covered in rich tapestries that muted the stark blankness of the stone walls.  Heated by a huge hearth the chamber was uncomfortably warm.  Murdaek moved toward the back wall where a dwarf was seated on a massive stone throne.  He was wearing robes of dark red velvet and a crown of intricate interwoven designs was on his head.  

Murdaek stopped in front of the seated figure and bowed low.  Aldren and Ameni followed suit.  Murdaek then spoke in dwarf speech to the Lord of the Keep.  What sounded like a question was asked, which Murdaek answered.  

As the conversation continued Aldren took note of the guards that were around the outside perimeter, as well as the courtesans that were standing to the side and just behind the throne.

The conversation between the two ended and the Lord motioned to a dwarf to come forward.  Then the lord would speak and this dwarf would translate into common tongue.  “The Lord Morgatan states that he is in debt to you outsiders for the saving of his son’s life.  In payment for this service, you will be guests of the lord for the evening meal and will be given shelter.”

Two other dwarves appeared and led them down a long hallway and into a large room that contained two beds and pegs along the walls for their possessions.  The dwarves bowed out of the room closing the door.  In the corner of the room was a large cask that must have just been filled with steaming water since there were wisps of steam coming from the surface.  

Ameni began removing her armor and garments determined to feel the warmth of the water as soon as possible.  Aldren smiled at her enthusiasm, but began removing his clothing as well.  

The sigh Ameni gave as she slipped into the warm water was almost passionate as the tensions of the ride and the uncertainty of the situation melted away.  She motioned Aldren to join her.  It was a tight fit but they both settled in and proceeded to clean themselves and each other.  Between the natural reactions to Ameni’s naked beauty and the closeness caused Aldren to become almost painfully erect. It didn’t take long before Ameni to notice, then to willingly accede to his advances.  It was not long before there was as much water on the stone floor as there was in the cask as Ameni straddled her lover and rode as she would a wild horse.

Their lovemaking was swift and passionate due to the limited time before the feast but the kisses afterwards hinted at a more satisfying coupling later that night.

By the time they had dried off and dressed again, there was a knock at the door.  Aldren opened it with knife in hand, not from fear of attack, but mostly from habit.  A guard was there to escort them to the Lord of the Keep.  As a courtesy, the left their weapons in the room after receiving the solemn vow of one of the guards that nothing would be touched.

The meal was served as the guests were seated on cushions in a rough circle.  The food and drink were served from large vessels that were presented to each of the guests, starting with Lord Morgatan. The food was hot and flavorful, and the guests ate as much as was polite.

Conversation was formal and difficult due to the language barrier.  Murdaek did his best to make his rescuers feel welcome, but his father was not helping in this matter.  Aldren was asked about the changes that were happening in the real world, but his descriptions did not seem to have any affect on Lord Morgatan.  He felt secure within his keep and did not see any reason to care about what was going on beyond his walls.  It was rare indeed when any communication with the other two dwarf cities was initiated.

Murdaek was quietly explaining this to Aldren and Ameni when an ancient dwarf came into the chamber from one of the side doors.  Tendrils of his long white hair escaped from the hood of his cloak.  He was bent over from age and moved with a shuffling step.  As he neared the circle a place was prepared for him at the right hand of the lord.  He glanced in the direction of the two outsiders as their presence was being explained to him.  When his eyes locked onto Aldren, he felt like he was trying to bore into him.  

Suddenly, he turned very pale and started to shake.  He then spoke rapidly in dwarvish, and then moved as faraway as the room permitted.  At the same time, Lord Morgatan’s distant mood seemed to change as well.  Instead of being just disinterested, he looked almost fearful.  Murdaek finally translated for the two outsiders.

“The ancient one is a seer.  He uses what little magic that the dwarves still retain.  I don’t know why, but he is frightened of you.  He says that you hold the remaining threads of a wild and forbidden magic.  A magic that could change the face of the world.  He believes that you will face peril and return from the darkness stronger than before.”

Aldren scoffed at that warning but continued to be concerned about the reactions of the lord.  Ameni was watching the guards carefully now.  Neither one had their weapons, but she was already plotting their escape.

Lord Morgatan recovered some decorum and at least on the surface was once again his distant and cordial self.  Through the translator he told them that they had his appreciation once again, and understood that they would no doubt be tired.  Then lifted his goblet in a final toast, thus ending the feast.

Aldren and Ameni followed the guard back to their room and were gratified to find all their gear was still as they had left it.

With the door barred, they prepared for sleep.  As a precaution, their swords and knives were placed within easy reach.  Their promise of lovemaking was replaced with wariness and they decided to keep watch.  Aldren took a position in the shadow of the wall and Ameni drifted off to sleep.

They switched places midway through the night, but it didn’t seem all that long before Aldren was awakened by a knock on the door.  A servant girl came in with a tray laden with food to break their fast.  She kept her eyes lowered and was silent.  When Ameni thanked her she smiled in appreciation, but quickly resumed her previous posture as she left.

As soon as they both ate and were dressed, another knock came on the door.  This time it was the dwarf that had served as the interpreter the day before.

“My Lord Morgatan instructed me to say that while he appreciates your bravery, he understands that you will be anxious to continue your journey.  To this end he has your horses awaiting you at the entrance to the keep and he wishes you a good journey.”

The warriors strode from the room following the guard that was to guide them out.  The population of the keep seemed to have heard of their departure for every doorway was filled with eyes that would turn away when either of the outsiders would glance in their direction.

Just outside the huge gates of the keep they found their horses being held by Murdaek.  He explained that he wished to talk before they left.  Aldren signaled for him to speak.

“First my friends, I wish to apologize for the behavior of my father and the people of the court.  He is mired in the old traditions and ways.  We have been self sufficient for as long as any history goes back and have been wary of strangers.  I have been an emissary for the keep for a long time and I understand that we can’t stay isolated from the rest of the world for much longer.”

“Unfortunately, my sire will not listen to me.  He is too entrenched in his outlook to even listen to reason.  I know that when I ascend to the seat of power I will be looking at a completely different world and that we will either have to adapt to or die out as a race.”

Aldren placed a hand on the dwarf’s shoulder.  “I am afraid you are right.  The world is starting to change and not for the better.  I don’t know what will happen, but I do know that we can never go back to what it was before.”

Then Ameni spoke up.  “You have shown yourself to be wise in the ways of this land.  The kindred did not see the danger until it was too late.  But it is well that you and your kind have a place such as this to retreat to in danger.  May it withstand the forces that will soon come to cause its demise.”

With those words the warriors mounted their horses and turned toward the path that would take them back toward their earlier goal.

They had decided to avoid roads that could possibly be traveled by humans for the time being.  The road would be quicker, but also more dangerous.  They knew that word of the battle with the priests would spread and though confident that they could handle most situations, it made sense to avoid them.

They headed back east, planning to skirt the edge of a settlement of the Kindred. By the time they came back close to human settlements, the distance would cloak who they were.

The first couple of days went easily.  The trail they were riding was open and often they rode side by side talking quietly.  The sun was shining through the trees and kept the days comfortable for the pair.  The nights were cool but not to the point that it made sleeping uncomfortable.  The watch at night was kept only out of habit, as they did not expect trouble this far away from human settlements.  

The riding was easy and it gave Aldren time to ponder what the seer was talking about.  He didn’t want to think about what it could mean.  He had seen what his mother had endured by being outcast for her magic. One memory in particular haunted him.  

He could not have been more than nine or ten when one night he awoke and heard voices from his bedroom window.  An evil mage seemed to be threatening his mother.  A ball of pure energy flew from the mage’s hand and toward Avliene. It seemed to flow around her and dissipate.  She just laughed at his attempts to do her harm.  

She then spoke in a strange language, seeming to grow larger.  The mage was frightened, his face ashen and his eyes huge.  Avliene pointed at him and a tongue of flame shot from her hand and into the mage’s chest.  He collapsed without a sound and Aldren watched in horror as his body smoldered and disappeared leaving nothing.  The shadow of his mother seemed to change and shrink back to her normal size.  When he asked her about it a few days later, she told him that it must have been a nightmare.  

Now he was not as sure.  Lately he had felt something growing within him.  A hunger or maybe a longing for something that he didn’t understand.  Physical confrontation he could cope with.  Flesh, bone and tendon he could deal with, it was the idea of magic frightened him.  Even what he used he kept hidden from most.  Magic had been the ultimate reason for his mother’s demise and He did not want to go the same way.

It was toward the evening of the fifth day that they were looking for a place to camp.  As they had moved further east, the forest became denser.  The trail had narrowed to a path as they got further away from the settlement of the kindred. The trail that led to that settlement was now over a day’s journey behind them and they were figuring to move away from the foothills tomorrow and try to pick up the main road.

It was close to full darkness and they still had not found a good place to camp for the night.  The trees did not thin enough to allow for a fire and even stretching out to sleep would be difficult.

Ameni was in the lead her eyes scanning the trail ahead and to the sides looking for a break in the massive trees that would indicate a clearing large enough to allow them to camp for the night.  Aldren was following several lengths behind watching Ameni as she moved on the back of the horse.  Since he was occupied with her lithe form swaying, he did not hear the branch move behind him.

Ameni jerked her head back around when she heard the scream of a Hellcat.  She saw as the creature leapt from the branches overhead and toward the back of her lover.  

“ALDREN!!” she screamed as the tawny body made contact with the warrior - its claws sinking deep into his back and shoulder as their momentum sent them both to the ground.