Dragonvein (Book Two) (34 page)

Ganix was touched by these words. Of all the lords, Anwair knew him best. And of all dwarves, he trusted no one more. If he said the people supported his decision, then it was undoubtedly true. That, at least, was some small comfort.

Anwair’s confident smile returned. “Come, Your Highness, there is something you should see. Perhaps your eyes will be able to unravel what mine cannot.”

The moment they stepped into the battlefield, Ganix’s face turned deathly pale. Thousands of bodies – both human and dwarf – were scattered about like so much refuse. Some were mangled beyond recognition, others burned nearly to charcoal. Many dwarves had been literally turned into pin cushions by the human archers. Severed limbs and discarded weapons were so numerous that they were forced to hop every few steps in order to continue forward. Time and again Ganix’s foot landed in a deep pool of blood, splattering it over his trousers and soaking it into his boots.

“A hell of a thing, is it not, Your Highness?” remarked Anwair, frowning. “How the peoples of this world continue to do this is beyond understanding.”

“Indeed,” agreed Ganix grimly. “Perhaps we will live to see the end of such madness.”

“Perhaps,” said Anwair, but with more than a small hint of doubt.

When they had walked a hundred yards away from the dwarf lines, Anwair swept his hand over the field. “This is where we were when they began to pull back.” He looked to Fulgur, who nodded his agreement. “We decided it was best to withdraw as well. Our lines had reformed, but we were still disorganized and feared it was a ruse to lure us further out.”

Ganix nodded. “Yes, a wise decision.” He noticed that for a while, as they moved further on, that fewer bodies lay on the ground. But after another hundred yards, the number of dead sharply increased once again. He looked up. “This must be where you first engaged them.”

“No, Your Highness,” said Anwair. “We never made it this far.” He could see the king’s confusion, so quickly added: “Anyone reading the field would think exactly the same. That’s why I hope you can reason out what we cannot.”

Ganix furled his brow. “I am not an expert on war.”

Anwair laughed. “What dwarf is? It’s been five-hundred years since our last battle. I have studied war strategy, as have some of the other nobles. My father insisted on it. But we have never actually seen or fought in one before.”

“I regret my studies were focused on other subjects,” said Ganix. “Though now I wish it were otherwise.”

“I fear that if Shinzan has his way,” Anwair continued, “there will be plenty of opportunities for us all to learn the ways of war very quickly.” He pointed off to his right where a thinly forested area ran along the entire north end of the field. “Ah. Here we are. This is what I want you to see.”

Ganix looked to where Anwair had indicated. At once, he saw the reason for his confusion. Strewn among the human bodies were the bodies of several dozen elves.

“So far, none of our people claim to have killed an elf,” Anwair added.

“Do you think the elves are fighting on the side of the Emperor?” asked Fulgur.

Ganix approached the bodies and looked at them closely, careful not to touch them. After several minutes, he stepped back and looked over the battlefield.

“If the elves are with Shinzan…” Anwair began.

“The elves are not with Shinzan,” Ganix quickly told him. “At least,
these
elves were not. They were killed by long blades swung by someone much taller than a dwarf. Human swords killed them. And look.” He pointed out several human bodies that had arrows protruding from their flesh. “We do not use bows.”

Both Anwair and Fulgur came to the same conclusion at once.

“Then it was elves who drove them away,” the two of them said together.

“But why would the elves care if we are slaughtered?” asked Anwair.

Ganix stiffened. “I think we are about to find out.”

From behind a pine tree stepped a large elf. Taller than a typical human by at least six inches, his muscular limbs, narrow waist and broad shoulders gave him the look of someone even taller. Dressed in a thin leather shirt and trousers, his black hair was tied into rows of tight braids. A long bow and quiver full of white fletched arrows were strapped across his back. His keen, penetrating blue eyes were fixed on Ganix. Without saying a word, he drew a short sword from his belt and tossed it to the ground. He then removed his bow and did the same.

The dwarves began to draw their weapons, but Ganix ordered them to stop.

“If he wanted blood, he could have fired his bow from the trees,” he pointed out.

This did not sit well with the others, but they obeyed their king.

“Have any of you ever seen an elf before?” asked Anwair nervously.

“Only in drawings,” replied Fulgur. He gave a smirk. “And the ears were not quite so long as they are in real life.”

“Long, yes,” called the elf. His voice was clear and commanding. “And they can hear the slightest whisper.”

“We meant no offence,” Ganix called back. He shot a reprimanding look in Anwair and Fulgur’s direction. “Did we?”

“No,” responded Anwair quickly. “You have my apologies.”

“And mine” added Fulgur.

The elf sniffed contemptuously. “Save your courtesy for when it is needed. I did not come here to exchange pleasantries.”

“Perhaps not,” said Ganix. “But one need not be friends to extend courtesy.” He bowed low. “I am King Ganix…”

“I know who you are,” said the elf, cutting him off. “And I know why you dare to cross our land.”

Ganix’s calm demeanor remained. “Then you are aware that we bear you no ill will.”

“We know that you were fools to attempt such a crossing with so many,” he shot back.

“We had no choice.”

“There are always choices. Yours was made through ignorance.”

“And what should we have done?” asked Ganix, trying to mask his now rising irritation.

“You should have remained in your mountain,” the elf replied.

“And waited for Shinzan to annihilate us?”

“It is unclear what Shinzan plans,” said the elf. He paused for a while, as if in deep thought, then gave a sigh. “But what’s done, is done. And perhaps this can work to our advantage. We know the time is nearly at hand for all peoples to gather together. And when all fates shall be decided.”

“Is that why you drove the Imperials away?” Ganix asked.

“We drove them away because
you
may hold the key to our survival,” he stated flatly.

“I take it you are speaking of Ethan Dragonvein.”

The elf nodded in affirmation. “We know he was with your people.”

“He was,” agreed Ganix. “But he has since left us to seek the dragons.”

“He has already found them,” the elf told him. “And for now, Shinzan cannot leave his lands. He can only send out his armies and minions to do his bidding.”

This was welcome news indeed for the king, but he masked his feelings by only nodding stoically. “So what is it that you need from my people?”

“You must summon Ethan Dragonvein to us. We wish to speak with him.”

Ganix lowered his head in thought. Finally, he met the elf’s eyes and nodded. “I will fetch him on one condition.”

The elf raised an eyebrow. “And what would that be?”

“Bring your leader to me,” Ganix told him. “I would have a lasting peace between our people. What good is victory if it does not end the war?” He pointed to the battlefield. “The day Shinzan dies, that should be the last day anyone need ever witness such horror as this.”

The elf sneered. “And what of the humans? You think such a peace would be honored by them? You dream of things that can never be, Dwarf King.”

“Perhaps you are right. In fact, you probably are. But when in our long history did the elves ever come to the aid of the dwarves? Yesterday, I would have said that such a thing was impossible. And yet I was wrong. Do as I ask, and let us hope that we can continue being wrong about what is and is not possible.”

The elf stared at the king, his expression unreadable. Slowly, the corners of his mouth upturned. “You are indeed a fool. But were your ancestors such fools as you, our history might well be very different.” He bowed his head. “You need look no further. I am Lotheri, ruler of the elven tribes. I am endowed with the authority to speak for all of my people. And there will be a peace between us. No elf will harm you or your kind so long as this peace lasts.”

A combination of satisfaction and relief rushed through Ganix. “Is there a ceremony or ritual we should perform?” he asked.

“If you would wish it that way,” Lotheri replied. “But for an elf, our word is enough.”

Ganix nodded. “Then I swear that no dwarf will raise arms against your people so long as the peace lasts.” He could see doubts and reservations on the faces of the others. It probably
was
a fool’s wish. But for today, the wish had come true.

“Leave your wounded behind,” said Lotheri. “We will tend to them and deliver them to your mountain in the south when they are well enough to travel. As for your dead, if you will allow it, we will bury them with all reverence.”

Fulgur leaned into the king’s ear. “This will not sit well with our people.”

“If you do not hurry,” Lotheri continued, “The humans will return. We can hold them at bay long enough for you to escape. The choice is yours.”

Despite Fulgur’s warning, it was not a difficult decision for Ganix to make. Especially with time being so precious. Their badly wounded were going to be left behind anyway, so this arrangement would ensure they had the best possible chance of survival. As for the dead, he firmly believed Lotheri when he promised that they would be buried with full honor.

He drew a deep breath and nodded. “We thank you. Your help is received in the spirit in which it is given.”

“I also offer to an escort anyone you send to summon Ethan Dragonvein,” Lotheri added. “My people can traverse this land unseen and unheard. We can ensure the message is received.”

“Then you will be escorting me,” Ganix told him. He pulled a stone from his pocket. “I gave the other one of these to Ethan should he need to find me, and only I can use it.”

“No, Your Highness,” snapped Fulgur. “
This
I will not allow.”

Lotheri frowned. “I see your wisdom may take time to spread amongst your people.”

“And I suppose all of the elves will start loving dwarves simply because you say so,” Fulgur countered.

“No,” he admitted. “Many will resist and think me a fool. But they
will
respect my decision. Will you not afford the same respect to your own king?”

The words struck home. Fulgur’s anger and embarrassment was painted clearly on his face.

“A valid question,” said Ganix.

The dwarf grumbled and lowered his head. “You will always have my undying respect and obedience, Your Highness.”

Apparently satisfied with this, Lotheri pursed his lips and let out a rapid series of high-pitched chirps. From behind another pine tree stepped a younger, female elf. Though not as tall or as muscular as Lotheri, she was far from fragile. Her hair was a deep brown and tied in a single braid that fell to the center of her back. She was wearing similar clothing to Lotheri, though her shirt was cut short at the midriff.

She stepped behind him and bowed to the dwarves.

“My daughter, Keira, will be your escort,” he said. “When you are ready, return to this spot and the two of you will depart.”

He turned briefly to whisper into his daughter’s ear. She smiled and nodded in return.

“Until we meet again…King Ganix,” Lotheri said. “Tell your people they have nothing to fear between here and the mountains. We will guard them well.”

“Thank you…” Ganix paused. “I’m sorry, but I am unsure how to address you.”

Lotheri smiled. “My title is Suldani. But I am simply referred to by my name.”

“Then I look forward to our next meeting, Lotheri. With your permission I would like to leave a few of my people behind to aid with our burial rites and to help with our wounded.”

Lotheri nodded. “That is acceptable. They will be returned when your wounded can travel.”

Without another word, he picked up his weapons and strode off into the forest, his daughter at his side.

“I don’t like this, Your Highness,” said Fulgur, once they had disappeared.

“I have to agree,” added Anwair. “How do we know we can trust them?”

Ganix slapped him fondly on the shoulder. “We don’t, my friend. But that’s how trust is built. One step at a time. And the first step is often the most difficult to take.”

End Book Two

Dragonvein

Book Two

Copyright © Brian D. Anderson 2015

Published by Longfire Press

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

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