Dragonvein - Book Three (3 page)

“Are you?” challenged Hanvir. “You brought strangers here once. And they led the Emperor directly to us.” He flicked a hand in Keira's direction. “And now....now you bring an elf!”

“Ethan and his friends did not betray us,” countered Ganix.

“Then how can you explain what happened?”  

“What
did
happen?” asked Ganix.

Hanvir’s eyes darted from Keira to Ganix. “I will not speak further in front of her.”

Ganix stiffened. “You will do as I command,” His tone was suddenly hard and unyielding. “Regardless of what you might feel at this moment, I am still your king.”

The pair locked eyes while Keira sat impassively through their conflict. Finally, with a deep grumble, Hanvir yielded.

“It happened two weeks after you left,” he began. “A fleet of thirty Imperial warships penetrated the barrier. At first we hoped they were unaware of us. Rakaal advised patience, hoping they would simply pass through. But soon it became evident they would not.”

“Did Rakaal believe us betrayed?” asked Ganix.

“Initially no,” he replied. “But after they landed, they knew exactly where the entrance to the island was hidden and immediately began trying to break it down.”

Ganix considered this for a moment. There was no way the entrance could have been found without aid. But he was certain that Ethan would not have betrayed him. In fact, he knew for sure that he had crossed the sea and was now in the Dragon Wastes.

“We immediately launched the three remaining craft and attacked the Imperial ships,” Hanvir continued. “I tried to stop Rakaal from going with them, but he refused to listen.” He paused, choking back his sorrow. “We sank their fleet and killed all who dared to tread upon our home. But it was at great cost. Now it has fallen upon me to lead us.”

Ganix regarded the dwarf for a long moment. He knew Hanvir well. He had been Rakaal’s brightest student and had lived on Borgen since he was a small boy. The pain he was barely masking was unfathomable. “You are right that we were betrayed,” admitted Ganix. “But I do not think it was Ethan Dragonvein, or any of his companions.”

“Who then?” His eyes shot to Keira

“Yes, there are elves who know of this place,” said Keira. “But you have my word that the Emperor did not learn of it from us.”

“And I’m supposed to trust you?” scoffed Hanvir.

Keira flicked her wrist. “Trust whatever you please. But I would remind you that Shinzan is powerful beyond anything you can imagine. There are more possibilities than you may be aware of. And perhaps questioning the captive human would be more productive than casting baseless accusations about.”

Hanvir was clearly fuming at Keira's relaxed attitude and perceived glib remarks. “Your Highness,” he said, his eyes still fixed firmly on the elf. “We have questioned several soldiers already. All we have learned is that the fleet received the location of Borgen, along with orders to mount an assault, shortly after you departed. They didn’t appear to expect much in the way of resistance, otherwise they would have come better prepared.”

“We will question him anyway,” said Ganix. “Then kill him.”

At that moment, a commotion from outside the room snatched their attention. A couple of seconds later the door flew open and a young human boy burst in. Ganix recognized him at once as the lad they had brought from the smugglers' vessel.

“Poul,” snapped Hanvir. “What do you think you are doing?”

The boy’s hands were balled into fists - his face a picture of resolve. “I want to speak to the king,” he stated.

Hanvir sighed. “We’ve been over this many times. You are to remain here in Borgen, and that is the end of it. So please leave us”

But the boy held his ground. Eventually, Hanvir sighed again and waved him closer. “Very well. Here he is. But it will do you no good.”

Ganix glanced questioningly at Hanvir as the boy strode up and bowed low. Hanvir merely shook his head in exasperation.

“Your Highness,” said Poul. “I wish to go to Elyfoss and join the fight against the Emperor.”

Ganix was taken aback. “And why would you want to do that?”

“They killed Rakaal,” he responded, his young voice dripping with malice.

“Rakaal took a keen interest in the lad and had begun to educate him,” explained Hanvir.

“He was the only person ever to treat me with kindness,” added Poul. “I would have his death avenged.”

Ganix regarded the boy, smiling warmly. “Rakaal was indeed a kind soul. Though I am a bit surprised he would take a human under his wing.”

Poul shifted his feet. “He said it wasn’t my fault…being human, I mean. He said I should have been born a dwarf.”

This elicited a laugh from the old king. “Did he now? And you think going off to fight is the best way to honor him?”

“I…I only want…” Tears began to well in his eyes as he searched for a suitable reply.

“Tell me, Hanvir,” said Ganix. “Does the boy show potential?”

Hanvir smiled. “He does indeed. Rakaal was wise to teach him. What's more, I have offered to continue his education. But he keeps insisting on this foolishness of running off to fight.”

Ganix leaned back in his chair and folded his hands in his lap. “You seriously would want to fight your own kind, boy?”

“I hate that I’m a human,” he hissed. “I’d kill them all if I could.”

Ganix’s eyes darkened. “Never say that again. Do you understand?”

Poul opened his mouth to speak, but Ganix silenced him with a raised hand. “You are never to feel shame for what you are.” As the boy's tears fell, Ganix’s face softened. “However, as Rakaal deemed you worthy, I will grant you an honor. You are now to consider yourself a kin to my people. Do you know what this means?”

The boy wiped his eyes and shook his head. “No, Your Highness.”

“It means that you are now a dwarf in all but form. Your body may be human, but your spirit dwells with us. I hereby grant you full rights and privileges enjoyed by any dwarf who lives under my rule.”

The boy was speechless for several seconds, his eyes wide and tears quickly drying. “Thank you, Your Highness,” he said finally. “Does this mean I can go to Elyfoss?”

Ganix turned to Hanvir. “Is Borgen still defensible?”

“Very much so,” he said. “Our boats are damaged, but not beyond repair. And we have food enough to last for some time. Should the Imperials return, we will sink their ships before their boots even scrape the sands.”

“In that case,” said Ganix, returning his attention to Poul, “You are commanded to remain here and assist Hanvir.”

“But, Your Highness,” Poul protested. “Why can’t I –?” 

“With rights and privileges comes responsibility and duty,” Ganix said, cutting him short. “I am your king now. And your king has commanded you. Now go. I’m sure you have work to attend to.”

Poul stood stiff for a moment before bowing low. “Yes, Your Highness.” His tone was a strange mixture of elation and disappointment.

As the boy reached the door, Ganix called after him. “Remember this, Poul. The more you learn, the more you will honor Rakaal’s memory.”

The boy nodded. “Then I will study even harder.”

Hanvir smiled as the door closed. “Thank you, Your Highness. Poul has been unbearable since Rakaal’s death. I never thought a human could hold such love for our kind.”

“Humans are a strange race,” said Keira. “And unpredictable. Why have them among you?”

“The same has been said of elves many times,” responded Ganix. “And yet here you are.”

Hanvir was quick to jump in. “Which begs the question, why?” he said. “It was unusual enough when you brought Lord Dragonvein here, though we at least understood the reason for that. But now you bring an elf into our midst.”

“The time for old hatreds and fears is at an end,” Ganix told him. “Whatever our past disputes may have been, we now have a common enemy. One which we must overcome or it will destroy us all. I have formed a truce with the elves. One that I expect you and all those who live under my authority to honor.” He went on to tell of his battle with the Imperial army, and of his subsequent meeting with Keira's father.

At the end of it, Hanvir still appeared unconvinced. He furled his brow. “So you are saying that we should now welcome elves here - a place that even most dwarves do not know the existence of?”

Ganix leaned in and leveled his gaze. “I am saying that should a thousand elves swim onto the shore, you will open the doors and welcome them all as allies.”

Hanvir turned to Keira. “And what of your people? Will
they
honor the peace?”

Despite Hanvir’s skeptical tone, Keira's expression remained steady. Her voice was firm. “My father has made peace with your king. No elf will ever dishonor him by breaking it, even though many of us will fear this alliance. In fact, I am counted among them. But my fears are outweighed by the coming doom. My father is wise – more so than you can imagine. If he sees no other way, then I must accept his judgement.”

Hanvir studied her face for a long moment before returning his attention back to the king. “And do you think there is hope for victory?”

Ganix shrugged. “Hope? Perhaps. We may not possess the strength to destroy Shinzan. But it has been decided that our people will no longer suffer a slow death. We shall either be liberated, or meet our fate.”

“And what of Borgen?” Hanvir pressed on. “Shall we abandon our work? Clearly Shinzan is aware of us. What shall become of this place?

“Shinzan will not come here,” Ganix told him. “As I understand it, he is bound to his source of power, which lies somewhere close to his palace. But I leave the final decision up to you, Hanvir. Should you feel at any time that you cannot hold Borgen, then you have my leave to flee and seek refuge in Elyfoss.”

“Why not simply move the island?” Keira suggested.

Both Ganix and Hanvir stared at her, utterly bewildered.

After a short pause, Hanvir gave a mocking laugh. “Move the island? And just how do you propose we do that?”

It took a moment for Keira to realize that the two dwarves were genuine in their reaction. “Have you lost
all
knowledge of your past?” she asked them. “Surely you are aware that Borgen is more than just an island.” On receiving no response to this, she burst into laughter. “And to think we have continued to fear this place.”

Ganix could see Hanvir’s irritation building. He spoke quickly before anger seized the moment. “Please explain to us what you mean. As far as we know, Borgen was where our forefathers built and housed their technology. We have spent many years here and have not found anything to suggest it was ever something else.”

Keira shook her head. “This place was once far more than that. It roamed the oceans, ravaging the coast. Nothing could stop it.”

Hanvir narrowed his eyes. “And how did you come by this information?”

Keira waved her hand casually. “It is a tale long told amongst my people. We fought the dwarves of Borgen many times; it was the one place that remained unconquered by us. They held the island against all our assaults, but then for some reason, later abandoned it.”

“Are you certain your legends are accurate?” asked Ganix.

“As certain as one can be when telling such tales,” she replied. “If you are asking am I certain that the island once moved, then the answer is yes. That much I do not doubt.”

Excitement was building in Hanvir’s eyes. “Your Highness, if this is true it would be a devastating blow to Shinzan.”

Ganix was a touch less enthusiastic. “Yes. But only
if
you could puzzle out how to make it move. Rakaal was here longer than anyone, and he didn’t even know that it was capable of such a thing.”

“But Rakaal never thought to look,” Hanvir countered. “His focus was solely on the artefacts the island held, not the island itself.”

“Well, you are certainly free to try,” Ganix said, waving a hand. “But as it has taken many years to get even the smallest of items to function for just a short time before bursting into flames, I do not think you will discover anything in time to aid our coming conflict.”

“Perhaps the answers are buried in the Dragon Wastes along with your vessel,” Keira suggested.

Once again, the other two looked confused. She let out an exasperated sigh. “I assume that you know your people did not spawn from Lumnia; that you are from a distant star.”

“Some of us do,” admitted Ganix. “Certainly those here on Borgen. But so many important details have been lost to time.”

“Are you saying that the ship that brought us here still exists?” asked Hanvir. In contrast to Ganix's more cautious approach, his excitement was clearly building to a near uncontrollable level.

“I don’t see why it shouldn’t,” answered Keira.

Hanvir and Ganix fell silent for a brief interlude while contemplating the magnitude of what she had just told them.

Without warning, Hanvir sprang from his seat and raced to the door. “I’ll be back,” he called out, his voice trembling.

A few minutes later he returned with a long, rolled parchment. As Hanvir spread it out on the desk, Ganix could see that it was a map of the known lands of Lumnia, along with several large islands he had never seen.