Demonkin (29 page)

“You are deviously clever, Karicon,” chuckled the elf. “And you are correct. Our peoples must never fight one another again.”

“Let’s proceed to the drilling. I will not expose any more dwarven secrets,” he added with a grin. “You will just have to imagine where the rest of the thousand dwarves are.”

Karicon led the way through the new tunnel, which appeared fairly empty. Every so often there were side tunnels, and Morro envisioned dwarves hiding in the dark zones. When they reached the end of the new tunnel, there was a large chamber carved out of the rock. In that chamber was a large knot of dwarves clustered around the dwarven king. One of the dwarves was on his knees with his face to the wall where the tunnel ended.

“It is forested,” the kneeling dwarf was saying. “I can see some soldiers in the distance, but they do not look alarmed. I do not think they have extended their magical wards to the walls of the valley.”

“As I suspected,” stated the dwarven king. “Without the knowledge that the dwarves still live, there would be no reason for such wards.”

“What do we do now?” asked one of the dwarves. “Do we create an opening?”

“We notify Garth Shado that we have completed the tunnel,” stated the king. “We cannot create the opening without knowing what might be watching.”

“There is a solution to that problem,” offered Morro as he gazed at the hole in the wall.

The dwarven king turned at the sound of the elf’s voice. He frowned at the intrusion, but he nodded for the elf to continue.

“That hole looks large enough for a fairy to get through,” explained the elf. “If there are no magical wards, the fairy can tell you when it is safe to create the opening.”

The dwarves were excited about the prospect of creating the opening, but the king frowned and shook his head.

“I promised Garth that we would not enter the valley without him being here.”

“We would not be entering the valley,” said one of the dwarves. “Only the fairy needs to pass through the hole.”

“What if Garth needs to get into the valley in a hurry?” asked another dwarf. “We could be waiting for days, if there are people on the other side. If the fairy can tell us it is clear now, it would be wise to make the opening while we can.”

“I have already sent Pebble to inform Garth that we were drilling the hole,” retorted the king.

Morro stuck his finger into his pocket and stirred Sparky to life. “I also have a fairy. His name is Sparky.”

“You called?” chirped Sparky as he stuck his head out of the pocket.

The king stared at the fairy for a moment of indecision. Eventually he sighed and nodded. “I can see no harm in creating the opening if the other side is clear, but we will take no chances of discovery by the Federation. We will only proceed if the fairy assures us we can do so without being observed.”

The dwarves smiled at the king’s decision. Morro issued strict instructions to the fairy, and Sparky crawled into the hole. Moments later, the fairy returned.

“The closest soldiers are over one-hundred paces away. There are only two of them. I could put them to sleep.”

“No.” The king shook his head. “Putting them to sleep might alert the enemy to trouble. We will not proceed as long as anyone is within eyesight of the opening.”

The dwarves were disappointed, but they did not argue. The king turned and walked away. The dwarves in the chamber sat down and began enjoying a meal break. Morro and Karicon joined them and shared some of the ale from a keg that had been brought into the chamber. Forgotten during the period of relaxation was the fairy. About an hour after the king had left, Sparky landed on Morro’s shoulder.

“There is no one outside now,” announced Sparky. “Those two soldiers have left.”

“Are you sure?” asked Morro.

“I am a fairy,” retorted Sparky. “Need you ask?”

“Someone inform the king,” said one of the dwarves.

“He has already given his permission,” stated another dwarf. “If no one is within eyesight, we can start working.”

The dwarves excitedly got to their feet.

“Go back outside, Sparky,” instructed Morro. “If anyone comes near, we must be informed immediately.”

“I shall be your eyes,” saluted the fairy.

Sparky disappeared into the hole, and the dwarves began preparations to create the opening. Karicon caught Morro’s sleeve and dragged him away from the working dwarves.

“You seem rather keen to create the opening,” Karicon said. “I understand such enthusiasm from my fellow dwarves as the opening signifies the completion of their task, but why are you in such a hurry?”

“I want to enter the valley,” admitted the elf.

“No.” The dwarf shook his head. “The king will not allow it. He has promised Garth that none of us would enter the valley.”

“And none of you shall,” smiled Morro. “Look, Karicon, Garth cannot just march an army through your opening into the valley. First he needs to know what is in the valley. He needs to know the strength of the army, the number of mages, any defensive fortifications, and anything else that would hamper a battle. Someone has to gather that information, and I am the perfect one for the job.”

“You are an elf,” frowned the dwarf. “If you are sighted in the valley, the soldiers will immediately know that there is an entrance somewhere. A human would be a better choice.”

“No human can move like an elf,” retorted Morro. “A human is more likely to be detected, and I am more than just an elf. I am a thief. I have spent my life avoiding detection. There is no one better for this task than me.”

“King Drakarik will not allow you to go,” stated the dwarf.

“Then he must not know that I am going,” replied the elf.

“Why not just send the fairy?” asked Karicon.

“The valley is vast,” answered Morro. “Even if the fairy was capable of recording every little detail, it would take days to view the images. It will take both me and Sparky to explore it. I will need him to keep watch while I sleep, and he will need me to protect him while he sleeps.”

“How long would you be gone?” asked the dwarf.

“Quite some time,” answered the elf. “If King Drakarik’s map is accurate, the valley is fifty leagues in length and twenty-five leagues in width. I have a gift of speed, so I can go faster than most, but it will still be quite a few days.”

“I don’t like it,” frowned the dwarf. “That is too long to remain in the enemy’s camp. You will never return.”

“My mind is made up,” declared Morro.

“Be that as it may,” retorted the dwarf. “I will not let you go, and neither will any of the other dwarves.”

“I thought you were my friend,” frowned the elf.

“I am your friend,” retorted the dwarf. “That is why I will not let you go.”

Morro stared at his dwarven friend for a moment with deep furrows in his brow. Suddenly his features softened and he smiled broadly.

“Well, you have to admit, it was a good idea.”

Karicon sighed with relief. “A good idea, but not a good ending I fear. I am glad that you have come to your senses.”

“I am still excited about the opening. How long will it take them to get through?”

“These are the best of the dwarves,” Karicon said with pride. “They will be through in a couple of hours.”

“Hours?” Morro said sadly. “I know that is quick, but it seems a long time to wait. Perhaps I will nap for a while. Will you promise to wake me before they are finished?”

“Certainly,” agreed the dwarf.

Morro moved to the side of the large chamber and curled up on the floor. He closed his eyes, but he opened them a moment later to see where Karicon was. The dwarf was helping the other dwarves, and Morro reached for his hourglass. He triggered the device and leaped to his feet. Running as fast as he could, the elf retraced his steps to the sleeping chamber he shared with Karicon. He picked up his pack and raced back towards the end of the mine. Just as the last sands were clearing the upper chamber of the hourglass, Morro threw his pack in the corner and regained his former position on the floor. He watched as the dwarven workers snapped out of their frozen positions and then he closed his eyes for a nap.

A couple of hours later, Karicon woke the elf. “They are through.”

“What happens now?” asked Morro. “They will try it to make sure it works, won’t they?”

“Just briefly.” Karicon nodded. “and they won’t open it all the way. There is no need really. They have done this many times before.”

“Where is Sparky?” asked Morro.

“He comes in every few minutes to report on things in the valley,” answered Karicon. “We will not test the opening until he comes in with a good report.”

A few minutes later the fairy appeared. He reported that everything was still safe outside and prepared to crawl back through the hole. Morro called to him, and the fairy perched on his shoulder. Morro walked away from Karicon while the dwarf was watching the other dwarves make their final modifications. Morro whispered to the fairy, and Sparky climbed into the elf’s pocket.

Morro felt a fresh breeze as the dwarves opened the secret entrance a bit. He triggered the hourglass and grabbed his pack. He dashed to the opening and squeezed through it. He pulled his pack on and raced into the trees.

Back in the mine, Karicon turned towards Morro excitedly, but the elf was gone. The dwarf frowned as he rotated, searching the chamber for his elven friend. The opening closed amid cheers from the dwarves, and Karicon turned to stare at the secret entrance.

“Where is Sparky?” he asked.

“The fairy?” questioned one of the dwarves. “He is in here somewhere. I was watching the hole, and he didn’t go back out.”

Karicon had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. He turned and ran towards his sleeping chamber, hoping to find the elf there. When he entered the room, he was not surprised to find it empty. When his eyes landed on the spot where Morro kept his pack, the pack was gone. Karicon felt ill. He sat on the low table and placed his head in his hands.

* * * *

General Forshire sat outside the gates of Despair. His fairy had reported that Colonel Hardi and a dozen riders would be arriving at any moment, and he wanted to meet them before they entered the city. After waiting for a while, he grew anxious about the gate guards watching him so he rode northward to meet his men. Ten minutes later, Colonel Hardi called a halt to the group. The colonel saluted smartly, and General Forshire urged the officer forward.

“You are right on schedule,” greeted the general. “How far back is the rest of the army?”

“About a day,” answered the colonel.

“There has been a change in plans,” stated the general. “I need a covert force of three hundred in the woods west of here. I would like you to head up that group. The men selected must be among the best and most loyal. The rest of the army will be turning around.”

“Where to?” asked Colonel Hardi.

“I want Colonel Magee to parade them through every city in the Federation,” smiled General Forshire. “Or at least most of the cities. He is to take them up the coast as far as Giza and then up to Olansk. He will continue on to Zinbar. I want the army to be seen, and I want everyone to believe that it is at full strength.”

“So the three-hundred men are not to be missed?”

“Exactly.” The General nodded. “Even I am supposed to be with the full army. I am sure Colonel Magee can cover for me if anyone wishes to speak to me.”

“These men will be among the three-hundred,” declared Colonel Hardi as he nodded towards the men behind him. “Should I leave them with you while I deliver your orders to Colonel Magee?”

“No,” replied the general as he handed a pack to the colonel. “A Corps is not to be seen near Despair. In that pack are three-hundred V Corps patches. The men chosen will be wearing them. When you near Despair, you will get off the road before coming into view of the gates and travel through the Bloodwood to where we camped in the early days. Establish a base camp there. I will bring fresh orders after you arrive.”

“I will see to it,” promised the colonel. “Who commands V Corps?”

“General Garibaldi of Vinafor. He has raided the prisons as we did, but his men are the ones we would not accept. Keep that in mind when you come across people.”

“Slovenly and inefficient,” grinned the colonel. “Is there anything else?”

“Yes,” answered General Forshire. “I have a job for you before you leave the area. I want a detail to go to the bridge over the Despair River, but you are not to be present. Dress one of your men as a colonel and make sure that the A Corps patch is removed from all uniforms. Can one of your men handle that?”

“Absolutely,” declared the colonel. “What do we do at the river?”

“The guards there should keep a log of everyone coming or going to Elfwoods. Last month there was a large military unit sent into Elfwoods along with two black-cloaks and a Priest of Balmak. I want to know who authorized the group, or if that is not available, who led the group. I would like it done as covertly as possible.”

“I take it that you do not want to be associated with this investigation?”

“You are correct,” replied General Forshire. “Nor do I want your face associated with the group asking questions. If things get nasty, the man chosen to play the colonel might need to be sent far away, so choose carefully. The rest of the men should only be seen from a distance. A show of force, if you will, in case the guards at the bridge are reluctant to share the information.”

“I understand,” stated the colonel. “I know which man to use, and he will accompany Colonel Magee just in case things do turn nasty.”

“Excellent,” smiled general Forshire. “Camp in the old spot tonight. I will visit you after dark to get the results.”

* * * *

The small column of Federation soldiers approached the bridge across the Despair River. Upon approaching the guard hut, the officer of the column deployed his men. The soldiers spread out in a semi-circle surrounding the hut and cutting off any traffic that might try to access the bridge. The company of guards manning the bridge immediately became alarmed at the offensive posture of the opposing troops. A captain stepped out of the hut and shouted orders to his men. The guards anxiously moved to the bridge entrance and blocked it. A colonel from the column rode forward and halted his horse at the hut. He dismounted and turned to face the captain. The captain saluted the colonel, but his hand quickly returned to his side to be near the hilt of his sword.