A Mouse in the Mountains
A Mouse in the Mountains
or
How Mouse got even.
The war was going well. Yfel Malovil was nowhere to be found, and his minions had either all been killed or captured, or they went with him to wherever he fled. The monsters were being driven out of Newhome. This generally meant that the monsters who had lairs were tracked to them and killed, or that the monsters who had come from the mountains were hiding there. For the most part, monsters were becoming less common. This was good, as adventurers had become less common. It became widely know that you could get killed while adventuring, and often did. That put the whole business in a different light. Meanwhile, back at Castle Samovar....
Fall had come to the Castle domain. The leaves were turning and the harvest was ready. Every farmer was gathering and picking or plucking, whatever was needed. The work was hard, but the rewards this year would be good. The war had driven up the prices and the fields around Samovar were ripe for a bumper crop. The fall colors added to the generally festive mood. Reds, Orange and Yellow were interspersed with deep violet of the Ronwood trees, while the Goarts were their usual indigo blue. Even the Bushes were a riot of colors, with white and gold, mixed with deep greens and browns. Everywhere the land was awash with color, but inside the castle, no one took notice. There were rumors afoot, and monsters know no season.
Fall had come to the Castle domain. The leaves were turning and the harvest was ready. Every farmer was gathering and picking or plucking, whatever was needed. The work was hard, but the rewards this year would be good. The war had driven up the prices and the fields around Samovar were ripe for a bumper crop. The fall colors added to the generally festive mood. Reds, Orange and Yellow were interspersed with deep violet of the Ronwood trees, while the Goarts were their usual indigo blue. Even the Bushes were a riot of colors, with white and gold, mixed with deep greens and browns. Everywhere the land was awash with color, but inside the castle, no one took notice. There were rumors afoot, and monsters know no season.
"We're going to have to look into the reports of a Dragon to the West," Maude reminded Mouse, "The chances are it's either not there, or it will come this way, eventually."
"May I remind you," Mouse replied, "I'm the only one with an amulet that shields from breath weapons."
"I ain't afraid of no Dragon," a voice popped in, announcing the arrival of the Mage of Samovar, one Kur Lee.
"You were always suicidal," Strider remarked, "I guess that's what brought you to Samovar."
"Well, it wasn't the cuisine," Kur Lee admitted, "The food here is all just meat and roots. Haven't you people ever heard of Spices?"
"Ask Black Cat sometime," Mouse shot back, "He can make food that practically cooks itself."
"I suppose the food of Magic Isle might intrigue you,"Lorelei put in, "They use spices that are so exotic, you can faint just from the smell. Or so I've heard."
" I've found ginger, and cloves and many others," Kur Lee complained, "The spices grow, but no one knows how to use them."
"Enough talk about food, " Black Cat entered the room, "I've got some bad news."
"I'm almost afraid to ask," Mouse said, "What you call bad news is usually terrible, or worse."
"Out with it," Strider put in, "Don't let us stew in our own juices."
"The Dragon to the West is Green, complete, and intelligent." Black Cat began, "It's also evil."
"I'd have just settled for you telling us that the Dragon was real," Maude remarked, "That would have been enough to be bad news."
"Well, I guess that means we won't be having any block parties, soon" Kur Lee noted, "Unless we knock the block off of a Green Dragon."
Lorelei learned, and passed on to Mouse, that Strider had come into 'a family way' only a month or less after she had. Maude, only wife who was not 'with child, became pregnant less than two months later. Strider was going to have twin girls, and since Lorelei had chosen to name her daughter Summer, Strider decided to use Spring and Autumn for her two. Maude chose Gideon Demaris, from his grandfather and the Archduke Archimedes Demaris, of Bobuktu.
Lorelei learned, and passed on to Mouse, that Strider had come into 'a family way' only a month or less after she had. Maude, only wife who was not 'with child, became pregnant less than two months later. Strider was going to have twin girls, and since Lorelei had chosen to name her daughter Summer, Strider decided to use Spring and Autumn for her two. Maude chose Gideon Demaris, from his grandfather and the Archduke Archimedes Demaris, of Bobuktu.
The rest of the day was devoted to gathering together enough supplies and retainers to make the expedition, together with beasts of burden, mounts, wagons and other miscellaneous equipment. The evening was spent in the Castle's newly-restored library, searching for information concerning green dragons.
Green Dragons were poisonous, and used more magic than some. They tended to be large and their aura was at least unsettling. They attacked, as dragons will, with claws, teeth, wings, tail, and magic. That was usually after they had exhaled poisonous gas all over the general area. The neither asked nor granted quarter, and that meant a fight to the death. Not a pretty picture were these green lizards. Black Cat noted that they were not even especially weak to any of the usual mass attacks, like fire, electricity, ice or even poison. They were actually almost immune to poison, because of their biology. Insofar as toughness went, they were not so impermeable as those Dragons who resembled stone or metal, but were tougher than the ice or venom dragons. Finally everyone went to bed. It promised to be an early start to tomorrow's day.
Castle Samovar, if anyone cares, is quite impressive, now that it's restored. The entire Castle is surrounded by a rise of earth, which leads to a moat, sometimes called the Motte. There is a wall at the top of the rise, usually referred to as a palisade, but the bailey was actually inside of it, and the Keep inside of that. The bailey is almost a town, since the Baron remembered his experience with the Castle at Lackland. The keep is huge. Maude remarked that one needed a mount to get from the Baronial bedchamber to the dining hall, and Strider said she'd just opt for wings. Lorelei was heard to say that anyone who actually lived in the Castle needed teleportation magic. The rooms are all elegant, even if some are a bit 'over the top'.
The library contains books from several of the 'seized' libraries, as well as books from the Elves, Dwarves and booksellers all over Newhome. Maude even hired a couple of scribes, to augment the content there, and the Castle Sage, Albert, was constantly offering restored versions of ancient writings, to augment the various collections . Insofar as appearance, shelves of ornate manufacture are in evidence, even if some are still being carved, and the windows are even taller than those multi-tiered holders. Light infuses every corner of the place during the day, and there are magic chandeliers for the night.
The 'game room' contains every type of amusement that the various advisers and residents knew. Cards, billiards, dominoes, chess and checkers could be found, together with games of strategy and even for role playing. There was a magical theatre there, which could play illusions that were crafted strictly for entertainment. It was a room designed to dispel boredom.
The music room has every musical instrument that Mouse has been able to obtain, and that is more than a few. A chamber orchestra could practice in that room and not need to bring instruments. There is a small stage, which has nearly perfect acoustics, and a collection of music that rivaled any in the land. As a Bard, Mouse tends to come across music and musical instruments everywhere he goes. There's also a small niche where Mouse can compose, since his disguise as a Bard requires that he be current in his song content. Bards are also historians and news tellers.
Most of the chambers were carpeted, over stone flooring, but some floors were hardwood, for instance, the Ballroom. Larger than any other single room, it has a central area for dancing, of course. Along either side of the dance floor are seating areas, and places for refreshments. There is a stage for the orchestra, or perhaps just a small group of performers. Mouse sometimes uses the place to rehearse his performances. His group, Cats and a Mouse, has become well-known and he is forced to tour more often than he might like. It is a necessity though, since that disguise keeps him alive in a sea of political intrigue and assassination.
There is an audience hall, the main hall, the Hall of Court, and private versions of each of those rooms. Often, as Baron, Gladriel entertains visitors or petitioners from almost everywhere, and dedicated rooms are required. Thus, the Hall of Court is lavish, with precious metals abounding, and rare woods carved by experts, while the more private rooms are understated, so that an air of intimacy can be fostered.
There are small dining areas, and one main Dining Hall, for state dinners. Again, the Dining Hall for State dinners is a cynosure of excellence, showing the tastes of Maude and Lorelei, as well as Jana and Seana. The walls, like the floors are either stone or wood-covered stone, with more than an occasional tapestry hung where it can be seen. The people of Samovar are known for woodworking and weaving, among other skills, so there is more than a little ornamentation. In what Maude called "the breakfast nook" a room of only 400 or so square feet, there is an ancient machine for making nutbrew, from which it was rumored the Barony got its name. It is, quite probably, the only such machine still in existence.
Some of the windows are stained glass, gifts from grateful subjects. Some of the doors were restored from the original Castle, some are from the Elves and one is even Dwarven. The steps have been restored, for the most part, but the staircases are all new. The castle has always had five floors, being designed to keep several generations of Samovars housed at the same time. While the lowest floor has been described, the uppermost floor is for recreation, like reading, sewing, meditation and crafts. There are, of course Chapels, one for public use and one for the 'family'. In addition, there are several 'devotional' rooms, because Maude and Lorelei each needed one and two more seemed appropriate. The second floor contains guest suites, each two or three rooms, with one being a study. The third and fourth floors are home to the Castle residents, although having the staff housed 'above the stairs' is almost scandalous in the eyes of the more elite of royalty.
Castle Samovar had been designed to make use of the original foundation, but with additions by Black Cat, for security. Kur Lee made changes so that the edifice would accept and hold magic with more alacrity. Maude made changes so that the defenders could more readily access critical points when attacked. Strider designed inclusions for both archers and battle mages, so that they had access to enhanced fields of fire. Even Lorelei made some minor adjustments, so that areas for healing the injured in battle were more common. The end result was something almost surreal.
There were now towers at every corner, with long stoas between them, having embrasures with balustrades in the center of each. One might have almost suspected heliolatry among the residents, from all of the roof space and roofless porticos along the walls. Archers and healers would have plenty of room, as would the various mages who worked spells for defense and attack. Construction materials were not a problem, since Kur Lee was skilled with Earth magic and supplied any stone, including ores for metal extraction. The elves were anxious to try skills of fabrication, and did so, with the result that the Castle contained places where the exterior walls were stronger and harder than steel.
The exterior of the superstructure was decorated with bas-reliefs, paintings and carvings. The colors were carefully monitored by Maude, Strider and Lorelei so that they would not clash and the Castle would be attractive. Maude often remarked that she would not live in an edifice that resembled a house of ill-repute in Port Narl.
When the construction is finished, the entire Castle will be surrounded by rise of earth, leading to the Motte. There is already the wall at the top of the rise, referred to as palisade park, but the bailey is actually inside of it, and the Keep inside of that. The palisade wall is not earthen, as one might expect, but is magicked stone, topped with iron spikes and crenelated merlons. Archers could find an excellent vantage, and the spikes should keep out the Riff-Raff.
This should satisfy all those who care, and the rest can start reading again.
The library contains books from several of the 'seized' libraries, as well as books from the Elves, Dwarves and booksellers all over Newhome. Maude even hired a couple of scribes, to augment the content there, and the Castle Sage, Albert, was constantly offering restored versions of ancient writings, to augment the various collections . Insofar as appearance, shelves of ornate manufacture are in evidence, even if some are still being carved, and the windows are even taller than those multi-tiered holders. Light infuses every corner of the place during the day, and there are magic chandeliers for the night.
The 'game room' contains every type of amusement that the various advisers and residents knew. Cards, billiards, dominoes, chess and checkers could be found, together with games of strategy and even for role playing. There was a magical theatre there, which could play illusions that were crafted strictly for entertainment. It was a room designed to dispel boredom.
The music room has every musical instrument that Mouse has been able to obtain, and that is more than a few. A chamber orchestra could practice in that room and not need to bring instruments. There is a small stage, which has nearly perfect acoustics, and a collection of music that rivaled any in the land. As a Bard, Mouse tends to come across music and musical instruments everywhere he goes. There's also a small niche where Mouse can compose, since his disguise as a Bard requires that he be current in his song content. Bards are also historians and news tellers.
Most of the chambers were carpeted, over stone flooring, but some floors were hardwood, for instance, the Ballroom. Larger than any other single room, it has a central area for dancing, of course. Along either side of the dance floor are seating areas, and places for refreshments. There is a stage for the orchestra, or perhaps just a small group of performers. Mouse sometimes uses the place to rehearse his performances. His group, Cats and a Mouse, has become well-known and he is forced to tour more often than he might like. It is a necessity though, since that disguise keeps him alive in a sea of political intrigue and assassination.
There is an audience hall, the main hall, the Hall of Court, and private versions of each of those rooms. Often, as Baron, Gladriel entertains visitors or petitioners from almost everywhere, and dedicated rooms are required. Thus, the Hall of Court is lavish, with precious metals abounding, and rare woods carved by experts, while the more private rooms are understated, so that an air of intimacy can be fostered.
There are small dining areas, and one main Dining Hall, for state dinners. Again, the Dining Hall for State dinners is a cynosure of excellence, showing the tastes of Maude and Lorelei, as well as Jana and Seana. The walls, like the floors are either stone or wood-covered stone, with more than an occasional tapestry hung where it can be seen. The people of Samovar are known for woodworking and weaving, among other skills, so there is more than a little ornamentation. In what Maude called "the breakfast nook" a room of only 400 or so square feet, there is an ancient machine for making nutbrew, from which it was rumored the Barony got its name. It is, quite probably, the only such machine still in existence.
Some of the windows are stained glass, gifts from grateful subjects. Some of the doors were restored from the original Castle, some are from the Elves and one is even Dwarven. The steps have been restored, for the most part, but the staircases are all new. The castle has always had five floors, being designed to keep several generations of Samovars housed at the same time. While the lowest floor has been described, the uppermost floor is for recreation, like reading, sewing, meditation and crafts. There are, of course Chapels, one for public use and one for the 'family'. In addition, there are several 'devotional' rooms, because Maude and Lorelei each needed one and two more seemed appropriate. The second floor contains guest suites, each two or three rooms, with one being a study. The third and fourth floors are home to the Castle residents, although having the staff housed 'above the stairs' is almost scandalous in the eyes of the more elite of royalty.
Castle Samovar had been designed to make use of the original foundation, but with additions by Black Cat, for security. Kur Lee made changes so that the edifice would accept and hold magic with more alacrity. Maude made changes so that the defenders could more readily access critical points when attacked. Strider designed inclusions for both archers and battle mages, so that they had access to enhanced fields of fire. Even Lorelei made some minor adjustments, so that areas for healing the injured in battle were more common. The end result was something almost surreal.
There were now towers at every corner, with long stoas between them, having embrasures with balustrades in the center of each. One might have almost suspected heliolatry among the residents, from all of the roof space and roofless porticos along the walls. Archers and healers would have plenty of room, as would the various mages who worked spells for defense and attack. Construction materials were not a problem, since Kur Lee was skilled with Earth magic and supplied any stone, including ores for metal extraction. The elves were anxious to try skills of fabrication, and did so, with the result that the Castle contained places where the exterior walls were stronger and harder than steel.
The exterior of the superstructure was decorated with bas-reliefs, paintings and carvings. The colors were carefully monitored by Maude, Strider and Lorelei so that they would not clash and the Castle would be attractive. Maude often remarked that she would not live in an edifice that resembled a house of ill-repute in Port Narl.
When the construction is finished, the entire Castle will be surrounded by rise of earth, leading to the Motte. There is already the wall at the top of the rise, referred to as palisade park, but the bailey is actually inside of it, and the Keep inside of that. The palisade wall is not earthen, as one might expect, but is magicked stone, topped with iron spikes and crenelated merlons. Archers could find an excellent vantage, and the spikes should keep out the Riff-Raff.
This should satisfy all those who care, and the rest can start reading again.
***
The Castle staff was in evidence as what Kur Lee called the "Dragon Party" prepared to start. From the Seneschal to the chief gardener they were all present. The Chef, the Head of Household, The 'Gentleman's Gentleman, and all the rest came to wish the Baron and Baronesses well and good fortune. It didn't hurt that a score of Knights were going as well. The Elvin archers attracted more than a little attention, as did a squad of Dwarven fighters. There were also about two score of adventurers, who had learned that traveling with Mouse was usually lucrative. Horses, wagons, Thralz, and other creatures were in evidence, with drivers as needed. There was even a cook going, but rumor had it he had been one of Saul Baric's best fighters, after he left the Knights. There were some other retainers, such as volunteered to go, who would tend the camp, horses and wagons while the 'fighting force' dealt with monsters. At least that was the theory.
The entire force exited the Castle, coming around to one of the Ancient paths which lead in the general direction of the Backbone Mountains. It looked as if they had lost their parade. Mouse had already reflected that the Base camp would probably be far from the actual goal, since the Mountains were not kind to horses, wagons or those who were unused to wild country. It was comforting to be able to travel a couple of days in the desired direction without having to be too inconvenienced. But the road ended, and the Base Camp was established, before the fourth day had come to a close.
Mouse, Maude, Strider, Lorelei, Kur Lee and Black Cat left the main party for an excursion into the foothills, and subsequent wastelands. They took with them several other Knights, who were well known to them, and a few archers and adventurers who requested to attend. The group was not as soundless as it might have been, but was quiet. No one would have heard them who did not know to listen for them. In addition you would have had to have been close. The creatures in the mountains varied from dangerous to utterly lethal, and no one wanted to disturb any of them unnecessarily. One only had to see a greb taking a ground biter to be convinced. The venomous tongue of the greb, flashing out at blinding speed to surround and envenom the ground biter was a lesson in how quickly one could be attacked and slain.
Watching the ground biter leap on its prey was also eye-opening. The creature had retractable fangs that enabled it to bite and kill prey larger than itself. If it surprised a greb, the battle would end very differently. From the small to the large, it was the same. Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten. Almost every creature in the mountains was something of an omnivore, because evolution decreed that if you lived in the constantly-changing environment of the mountains or foot-hills, you needed to eat anything that had food value. Ground biters get their name from the existence of certain fungi and the like that live on the surface of or just below the ground, which the ground biters eat. If they smell the right growth, they ingest it, ground and all, and excrete whatever isn't digestible.
Hardy, twisted trees and bushes, rocks and various ground covering plants were the normal terrain for the badlands that were also foothills. Not much grew to any height, because the landscape changed almost from day-to-day. The current change in the Backbone Mountains, if it continued apace, would result in them being a 'normal' mountain range in less than 10,000 years. This was the most rapid change on all of the world of Thoss, and was not natural. Mouse had already been taught about the existence of other mountains, ones that took millions of years to erode away. The Backbone Mountains seemed to be on a 'fast-track' to vanishing. The reason escaped even the most accomplished of scholars and scientists. Mouse knew that a 'scientist' studied non-magical natural occurrences, rare though they were.
High in the Backbone Mountains it was rumored that magic would fail, or act with unexpected results. No one went there to check, because the air was too thin to breathe. Until recently, there were no passes through the mountains where the air was sufficient for passage. The ultra-rapid erosion had created lower and lower passes over the past few centuries, until now some existed that could be used. This was theory at the moment, since expeditions into the mountains were non-existent. No one wanted that kind of risk without probability of reward.
Even though the Mountains showed signs of wear, they were still like a series of supports for the sky. They rose so high that they changed the day length in this part of Newhome, as the Sun set behind them and the shadows were miles and miles long. Some said they reached almost to Castle Samovar, before merging with the horizon. The Sky was it's usual color of blue, with the tiniest hint of green and indigo. Multi-colored sky was one of the things Mouse liked best about Samovar. When you traveled to the east, the towns and cities didn't allow you to truly appreciate the sky. There were some exceptions to the broken nature of the land, places where flat squares of land seemed to have been carried along. Unbroken, these places had trees and shrubs that looked out-of-place in the arid and twisted lands of the mountains. One could almost think that the mountains had been created from the opposite side, by some great impact, and were now trying to resume their 'normal' shape.
When they had passed through the 'broken' area, and reached the places where huge planes of stone jutted upward, Mouse and the others could relax somewhat. While on the flat slabs, even though you were climbing constantly, there was much less chance of an unexpected attack. The healers were glad of that, as they had been casting 'heals' on a regular basis, whenever something had tried to eat someone in the party. In one case a rush of turtle pigs had seemed to want to simply kill and eat the entire party. Magic and arrows slowed, but did not stop the things, and beaks with tusks were plenty of reason to wield swords and Sindie's chakram, until they were all dead. The only good result from this attack was that the meat from these creatures was edible, unlike many of the denizens of the badlands. As a result, the party was able to camp on one of the huge flat pieces of bedrock that lay before them. A fire, tents and a ring of wards made for a camp that was less hostile than the day's journey. The previous night, spent in the badlands had forced Kur Lee to use one of his magical inventions. An item that, when fully charged, would expand into a stone dwelling, with a wall and foundation. It required days of inactivity to build up sufficient energy to function, and could only remain active for a period of 18-22 hours. Everyone congratulated him on his work, since without it the night would have been, at the very least, unpleasant.
Camp on the rock was a chance to eat well, since there was meat, and catch up on whatever the party members had observed. It was also a chance for Maude and Lorelei to use magical viewing of their sort. Kur Lee used a magic mirror that allowed him to see as if he were flying over the land in any or all directions. The various viewings turned up nothing at first, until Strider suggested they look North-west by North toward a place where the sunlight had indicated a gap in the Mountains, albeit a very high gap. Once directed, and with all three looking, trace of the Dragon was found. It had fed, and in taking prey, had stained the rocks with yellow-green streaks.
"A combination of H2S and HNO3," Kur Lee decided, "That would be the Green Dragon we wish we weren't looking for."
"In Common," Strider remarked, "If you can."
"The breath of this Dragon uses Sulphur and Aqua fortis, or spirit of nitre, to create a cloud of corrosive poisonous gas. The contact with rocks and the environment in general will produce some yellow stains from the Sulphur and some green, white, or even reddish stains from the nitre. Contact with various other substances can cause flames and/or explosive burning." Kur Lee explained, "I have made a study of these traces and can spot a Dragon Breath from it's spots."
"That's a skill I need to learn," remarked Strider, "You got a book on it?"
"I have a book on almost everything," Kur Lee answered, "just not with me."
Now that they knew where they were going, the group took the night off to get some much-needed rest. They had eaten fresh meat, albeit a strange source, and had been able to use the supplies they brought to augment the fare. Morning was a breakfast of more meat and sparse else. Kur Lee and Black Cat saw to it that there was rice, but beyond that, fresh vegetables were in short supply. Travel Cakes would have to do.
When they came to the end of the large rock they were on, there was a crevice along the edge. Kur Lee put a rock bridge across to the next area, remarking "I'm not going down into that Crevice." The remainder of the party agreed with him.
Crossing was no problem, as Kur Lee was experienced at building short solid bridges. The next rock, it turned out, was alive.
The rock monster was not too upset at having the party move onto its back, because as a species, rock monsters aren't the sharpest knives in the crayon box. In addition, it decided to move away from the source of the disturbance, and so took the entire party along the way they wanted to go anyway. It stopped when it reached a region of gullies and boulders, as that the limit of it's territory. Rock monsters, it is said, are very territorial. The party dismounted on a ridge and began to walk along side of the gully, looking for a convenient place to cross.
Suddenly there was a dark speck in the sky, and everyone was seeking cover. That was a Dragon, and no mistake. Everyone went over the edge of the nearest gully, fortunately all choosing the same one. As soon as they recovered from the transition, people started seeking something to get under. Kur Lee found a ledge, with a large amount of gully below it, and soon found himself surrounded by everyone he knew. Mouse began playing his song of concealment, as those who were not already there arrived, and Strider went around clearing any obvious signs that the party had hidden itself. Kur Lee was collecting components from his various pouches, and Lorelei was calming the party, magically. This all took time, although precious little, so that it was almost two full minutes before the party had appeared to vanish away.
Dragons have a magic that is inherent, they can frighten with their life force. All a truly huge Dragon has to do is get close enough and the small things around him will run. Mouse was sincerely hoping that the Dragon didn't get that close, until he realized that it would have to come in range of attack, to accomplish anything. Mouse suspected that if the Dragon were being hurt, in large and unexpected amounts, that it would be less able to panic anyone. And he thought about what kind of effort a bunch of fear driven adventurers would expend. Fortunately for the Dragon, it didn't swoop down into the gully and die.
The good news was that the Dragon was out. That meant that the party could find and maybe even enter his lair unopposed. Strider was drawing in the dirt, and then made an announcement.
" He was in a descending glide when we spotted him, so that means he had just climbed." She studied her calculations for a moment, "Since he was only minutes away from us, he has to have come from," she made a mark on the ground, "Exactly there, and that far."
Kur Lee came over to her calculations and cast a quick spell, changing the rude map into a sky overlook, where he could follow what she had drawn and actually see the ground below. The view shifted, as he moved his pointer, and eventually came to a mountain, with a cavern opening in its side.
"Bingo," Kur Lee announced, "We have a winner."
Mouse and Maude, combining magics, found a route to the Cavern that was traversable, and computed it to be fourteen miles, more or less. Black Cat figured that it would take a solid day of travel, but due to the time of day they were starting, they would have to camp below the mountain somewhere and arrive early the second day. Everyone looked at the projection, but there was nowhere to hide near the place. The dragon had made sure of that. Kur Lee finally found a place where the Mountain had a cleft, and it was large enough to provide a camping area, but was actually beyond the cavern, and would mean pushing the group at a quicker than comfortable pace. A quick survey among the members gave complete approval for this, since they were warriors and adventurers, not a bunch of untried rabble. They all figured that they could get to the place, get hidden rest well and see what the future held. If only they had known.
The next sixteen hours were spent, climbing, traversing, descending, following a gully and moving along ridges. Everyone scanned the sky as often as they could, and no one stopped, for anything. They passed piles of huge bones, evidence that the Dragon had fed, and saw nothing of consequence in the area. Animals and smaller Monsters seldom stayed in the area in front of a Dragon's lair. They were almost in sight of the area they sought, as the sun was setting. Then someone saw the telltale speck that meant the Dragon was coming. Kur Lee, never the one to be caught napping, cast a short range portal that would open very near the desired cleft. With no thought, beyond escaping the Dragon encounter in an open space, the entire party went through the portal at a run.
The cleft was home to a giant, but he was not an intelligent giant. The party spread out until he was confused as to who to chase, and then Strider and Debbie made a bit of illusory magic for him to chase. It wouldn't last long, but the giant would think he was chasing the party away from his place. He ran almost a mile into the open and then realized that the Dragon was overhead. He grabbed a small boulder and threw it at the giant lizard, in an attempt to gain time to retreat, but the Dragon hadn't fed on his current trip and the Giant looked good enough to eat. His perspective must have been off, because he dove to breathe on the Giant. The Giant was not intelligent, but he knew how to take advantage of a stupid move on the part of his attacker. He backed away until he was beside a good sized boulder, one that would tax his strength a bit, and when the Dragon was in his final dive, the Giant hurled the boulder with all of his strength into the Dragon's path. The Dragon tried to swerve, but the rock was too large to miss. The impact caused its target to lose critical altitude, and speed. Unable to correct, the Dragon hit the ground, with 'rock rash' and a tumble resulting. The Giant used a fallen tree trunk as a club, and that's where the story would have ended, had the trunk been solid. It was partially decayed, however, so that it shattered and lost much of the force it would have had. The Dragon rose, badly injured and angry. It released a blast of the Breath that was caustic and poisonous, hitting the Giant right in the waist, and down to the knees. Screaming, the Giant ran over to the dragon and jumped on it. The impact of a furious Giant was not what the Dragon needed to make him 'all better'. After about two hours of Giant-to-Dragon combat, with holds, claws, bites body slams twists, broken wings and tail, the fight ended. It appeared, to the Dragon, that the Giant was dead. It appeared the same to the Giant, as his life departed. The Dragon was glad that he would eat well, and felt that he could endure the climb to his cavern, one he had fed and rested. Little did he know that a party of adventurers, led by a Baron with a mission, was coming. They arrived in less than a minute.
As they arrived, Kur Lee set a fog on the creature. It was neither poison nor acid, but Mouse recognized the smell.
"That's paint solvent" Mouse cried." What are you DOING?"
"Should sting when it hits all those wounds and abrasions," Kur Lee explained, " I figure it will stop any spell casting."
"Well," Black Cat put in, "At least that's one thing we won't have to worry about."
Maude and Lorelei had decided to opt for Flame from Above, so that the fog could be removed from the suffering creature. While the Dragon's hide was resistant to fire, it was split in many places, so that the fire cooked his wounds. The pain seemed to distract him, so the knights used spears to get his attention. The spears pierced the creature, being designed to do so, and then The Elvin Archers got in place and blinded him. The Dragon couldn't breathe much, due to broken ribs, but he tried. The party managed to avoid taking much damage from this, and attacked with swords and other close range weapons, while the Dragon tried to find his breath. Kur Lee was using his magic bolts, and arrows were being fired, while everyone who could was slashing or stabbing at the creature. Mouse sat an sang, softly, a song that he'd been working on.
The Dragon managed to send a wave of healing through its body, and shook, all over. The violent convulsion hurled its attackers to both sides, and it struggled, trying to rise. It was very injured, but if it escape, the Dragon knew he would be able to heal. Mouse reached the apex of his new song, and from clouds above came a bolt of natural lightening. It hit the Dragon precisely in the back, and killed it. No fanfare, no blood, nothing but dead. One dead Green Dragon, and one exhausted Bard, Mage, Ranger and attendant party. It took two days in the lair of the giant, but the party recovered. They also realized that there was a bit of Treasure to be hauled back to the Castle. Magically, Kur Lee contacted an apprentice who had come with the main party and told him where the Baron was and what needed to be loaded and carried back to Samovar. It was amazing to see how efficiently the drivers and camp personnel were able to get wagons and beasts to the mountain, it took only slightly more time than the Baron and his party had used. It was easier because they didn't have to worry about any major monsters, and were well armed enough to fend off the minor ones.
It took four months to move the Treasure from the mountain to Samovar Castle. The Treasure room had to be expanded, and thankfully, Jana, Seana, Kur Lee and Mouse were able to do it in concert, with help from Maude, Lorelei and Strider. The end result was a Treasure room larger than that of Egbert, if less full. Black Cat couldn't help but comment that the Baron had rebuilt the Castle, the city of Targun and the surrounding countryside, and still had more treasure than any other Duchy. And his was only a Barony. When Mouse was almost certain everything was going well, he got a letter from someone he should have known but didn't.
" Greetings to the Baron Gladriel of Samovar, from his Uncle, Duke of Bobuktu, His Grace Archimedes, Duke, Knight and Defender of the Realm:
"We hope this epistle finds you well, but the physicians tell me my time is near. First Cousin to your Father, the Baron Gideon, we should have met you long ago, but Bobuktu is a long and dangerous journey. We have no heir and would appoint you to receive our title when we pass. We look forward to your arrival.
His grace, Duke Archimedes"
That was the message. Short and sweet, it gave the New Baron a whole world of Trouble he did not need. Now he would have to organize and defend an entire new region, and claim a new title, He bore no illusions about the reception his claim to a Duchy would inspire. He vaguely wondered if he could, perhaps, acquire it 'in absentia'. While the problem was one of succession, Mouse knew that he had to 'make a visit' to Bobuktu. That was not a problem, since Kur Lee had gone south and cleared a city for himself. Mouse and his wives had gone along, but Kur Lee had done most of the work, with a host of retainers that he moved into the place. Monsters had been driven out and the entire city was flourishing, but Mouse feared he would never get used to the name "Forgotten City". Kur Lee liked it and it was his city, so the name stuck.
The journey to "Forgotten City" was easy enough, even if Mouse had to travel as Baron Samovar, with Knights, retainers, and members of court. Elves came, with a few Dwarves, and many who simply wanted to make the journey. It was fairly uneventful, and the Baron did not announce that they would go on to Bobuktu until they arrived at "Forgotten City". So they spent a few days at the city and then went on.
The Journey to Bobuktu was more of a guarded Caravan type passage, with occasional encounters occurring. Animals of the dangerous type and even a few that might have been called monsters, but nothing that couldn't be handled by Knights and Elvin Warriors. The Dwarves actually enjoyed the trip, because the road was almost always enclosed and dim, like a Dwarven Cavern, and there were things to fight along the way. Baron Samovar was relieved to reach Bobuktu with his party intact. Much worse could have happened. Then he met the Duke.
The audience chambers were full, at the formal reception, and there was a great deal of protocol, primarily for the benefit of those in attendance. After a large amount of formality and much ado about nothing, the private audience could occur. In the small audience chamber, all titles and formality vanished. It was 'let me look at you' and you know you're famous don't you? While Gladriel told Archimedes of his secret life as a Bard. The old Duke was amazed that Gladriel could be Mouse and get away with it, until he realized that no one ever looked at a Baron as a real person, any more than they did a famous Bard. Mouse was a disguise, yes, but so was Baron Gladriel. If there was a real person, it was probably Sam, the Knight. Only Maude, Strider and Lorelei really knew him, along with the other Knights, Kur Lee and Black Cat. The old Duke realized that he had chosen an excellent heir.
Paperwork, envoys, messengers and ambassadors went to many different places, all carrying the official proclamation of the Duke Bobuktu. Duke Archimedes knew, with almost a century of experience, just who to inform first, and who would be the last to know. He made sure that the Council had already met before the most prejudiced of the Nobles were even aware of what was going on. The proclamation was countersigned by the King and approved by council before Baron Samovar was able to make the long journey to Lackland, there to be proclaimed the Duke Apparent of the Lands Samovar. It would be the largest and richest Duchy in the whole of the High King's demesnes. Duke Gladriel Samovar would be His Grace Gladriel in but a few short years. Then something happened. One trip Mouse made, with a minimal troup, didn't end as expected. Mouse didn't come home.
Mouse was playing an inn, not a huge one, but a nice place to spend the night, and he got room and board for himself and the rest of his performers. They didn't even have to perform, Mouse was all that was needed. He made a fair amount in 'tips' as well, and then someone came from the audience to ask him if he would like to exchange those tips for 'something interesting'.
"Got it from one of those 'bandit types', I did," said the seller, " He claimed that it came from the treasury of his boss, and he needed funds to make the trip back to where the boss was."
Mouse recognized a goblet from the Castle instantly. It was one of the things the monsters had taken from the room where 'less valuable' items were stored. It still carried the aura of monsters and their master on it. Mouse bought it, without giving the seller a clue that he knew the origin. He left the inn when the listener did, and followed him.
In the morning the performers woke up to find Mouse gone. He had taken his traveling bag, the huge magic one, but only those things that would assist him in a journey. The group gathered up everything and went back to the Castle, where they had to face Maude.
"He told no one he was leaving, your ladyship" the conductor said, "We went to our rooms, slept, and in the morning he was just gone. No word or indication of where he was going. Not even a hint as to why."
Maude was kind, and good. She did not kill the messengers, and was even kind enough to put them up at the Castle for a few days. She didn't want word that the Baron was missing, or was it Duke, anyway, she needed to make sure that his absence was not worthy of note. She called everyone together, even Kur Lee, courtesy of a 'magic mirror'.
"We need to know where he's going," Maude told Kur Lee, when he arrived, "Do you have any idea?"
"Thanks to this handy-dandy thing, I can track him from right here," Kur Lee assured her, "As a matter of fact, he's on his way,,,,, THOUGH THE BLOODY MOUNTAINS? What sort of a fustilarian idiocy is he contemplating?"
"Grab your gear, folk," Maude announced, "Everyone who is able to tolerate the trip is about to go through the mountains."
"I enjoy mountain climbing," a voice remarked, "I believe I'll 'Tag' along."
Tagernoab, the High Dwarven Councillor and Lord of Whitsno, had been visiting and had just overheard the exchange between Kur Lee and Maude. He decided to formally request the Baron's presence in Whitsno, and since that trip would take about two months, they had a window of opportunity to recover the missing Baron/Duke.
"Move it people," Maude commanded, "The sun won't set on us in the Castle, or near enough to camp there. We'll be well into the foot hills and following a mouse trail by then."
It was a testament to the people's love of Baron Samovar, and the ability of Maude to inspire both respect and fear, that the party was indeed miles from the Castle by sunset. They were well supplied, had plenty of people and were probably the most dangerous thing West of the Mountains. Every potion that was even remotely useful, every arrow that had magic, every throwing weapon that any of the knights or adventures could use, all were bundled in packs and on either pack horses or Thralz, so much so that Maude sent some of it home on the second day. Kur Lee sent one of the apprentice Mages who had volunteered, telling her that she needed to be a 'line of communication'. It was easier than trying to explain to her that she didn't have the skills to survive the Mountains. A dozen or so of the 'Warriors', either knights or adventurers, were sent with her, so that "the castle would be defended" until Maude and the rest returned. It was more in the way of kindness, and Maude still worried about a few of those who were going.
"We can train on the way," was all Black Cat said.
While Kur Lee used the item of location, Lorelei operated a crystal. Strider used a magic form of her incredible tracking skill. Maude cast a 'seeing spell'. They found Mouse, now well into the mountains, and tracking something or someone of his own.
"Whoever that is, that he is tracking," Black Cat observed, "I hope they're right with God, because when he finds them, they gonna meet with Him, for sure."
"If I find Mouse, and there's not a very good reason for this," Maude left the sentence unfinished.
" I know Mouse," Strider came back, "And he too lazy to make a trip like this. Unless he's gone barmy, or lost the plot completely, then some gormless, mankey plonker has gotten him so cheesed off that he's ready to bite someone's arm off to get to the bottom of the pile."
"I think some bloody delcop has lit a fire under his arse," Tagernoab put in, "I've not seen him like this before."
"I think we can all agree that Mouse doesn't go off half-cocked," Lorelei agreed, "But what would so enrage him as to make him follow without a word?"
"The curse," Kur Lee, announced, " And those who destroyed his family when they set it."
Everyone agreed that Mouse was either mad, or angry, and so it behooved them to catch up to him before he did something that might cost him his life. They slept short and moved on.
Fifnir did not expect the party to be mounted, and therefore did not anticipate their going beyond that wall he could not pass so quickly. He, erroneously decided that they had to have started earlier, and were not involved with disappearance of his snake people. His level of amusement decreased. The party passed through a guarded gate in the long wall that separated Kahn from Fifnir, and entered a land unlike any they had seen before.
Mouse, Maude, Strider, Lorelei, Kur Lee and Black Cat left the main party for an excursion into the foothills, and subsequent wastelands. They took with them several other Knights, who were well known to them, and a few archers and adventurers who requested to attend. The group was not as soundless as it might have been, but was quiet. No one would have heard them who did not know to listen for them. In addition you would have had to have been close. The creatures in the mountains varied from dangerous to utterly lethal, and no one wanted to disturb any of them unnecessarily. One only had to see a greb taking a ground biter to be convinced. The venomous tongue of the greb, flashing out at blinding speed to surround and envenom the ground biter was a lesson in how quickly one could be attacked and slain.
Watching the ground biter leap on its prey was also eye-opening. The creature had retractable fangs that enabled it to bite and kill prey larger than itself. If it surprised a greb, the battle would end very differently. From the small to the large, it was the same. Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten. Almost every creature in the mountains was something of an omnivore, because evolution decreed that if you lived in the constantly-changing environment of the mountains or foot-hills, you needed to eat anything that had food value. Ground biters get their name from the existence of certain fungi and the like that live on the surface of or just below the ground, which the ground biters eat. If they smell the right growth, they ingest it, ground and all, and excrete whatever isn't digestible.
Hardy, twisted trees and bushes, rocks and various ground covering plants were the normal terrain for the badlands that were also foothills. Not much grew to any height, because the landscape changed almost from day-to-day. The current change in the Backbone Mountains, if it continued apace, would result in them being a 'normal' mountain range in less than 10,000 years. This was the most rapid change on all of the world of Thoss, and was not natural. Mouse had already been taught about the existence of other mountains, ones that took millions of years to erode away. The Backbone Mountains seemed to be on a 'fast-track' to vanishing. The reason escaped even the most accomplished of scholars and scientists. Mouse knew that a 'scientist' studied non-magical natural occurrences, rare though they were.
High in the Backbone Mountains it was rumored that magic would fail, or act with unexpected results. No one went there to check, because the air was too thin to breathe. Until recently, there were no passes through the mountains where the air was sufficient for passage. The ultra-rapid erosion had created lower and lower passes over the past few centuries, until now some existed that could be used. This was theory at the moment, since expeditions into the mountains were non-existent. No one wanted that kind of risk without probability of reward.
Even though the Mountains showed signs of wear, they were still like a series of supports for the sky. They rose so high that they changed the day length in this part of Newhome, as the Sun set behind them and the shadows were miles and miles long. Some said they reached almost to Castle Samovar, before merging with the horizon. The Sky was it's usual color of blue, with the tiniest hint of green and indigo. Multi-colored sky was one of the things Mouse liked best about Samovar. When you traveled to the east, the towns and cities didn't allow you to truly appreciate the sky. There were some exceptions to the broken nature of the land, places where flat squares of land seemed to have been carried along. Unbroken, these places had trees and shrubs that looked out-of-place in the arid and twisted lands of the mountains. One could almost think that the mountains had been created from the opposite side, by some great impact, and were now trying to resume their 'normal' shape.
When they had passed through the 'broken' area, and reached the places where huge planes of stone jutted upward, Mouse and the others could relax somewhat. While on the flat slabs, even though you were climbing constantly, there was much less chance of an unexpected attack. The healers were glad of that, as they had been casting 'heals' on a regular basis, whenever something had tried to eat someone in the party. In one case a rush of turtle pigs had seemed to want to simply kill and eat the entire party. Magic and arrows slowed, but did not stop the things, and beaks with tusks were plenty of reason to wield swords and Sindie's chakram, until they were all dead. The only good result from this attack was that the meat from these creatures was edible, unlike many of the denizens of the badlands. As a result, the party was able to camp on one of the huge flat pieces of bedrock that lay before them. A fire, tents and a ring of wards made for a camp that was less hostile than the day's journey. The previous night, spent in the badlands had forced Kur Lee to use one of his magical inventions. An item that, when fully charged, would expand into a stone dwelling, with a wall and foundation. It required days of inactivity to build up sufficient energy to function, and could only remain active for a period of 18-22 hours. Everyone congratulated him on his work, since without it the night would have been, at the very least, unpleasant.
Camp on the rock was a chance to eat well, since there was meat, and catch up on whatever the party members had observed. It was also a chance for Maude and Lorelei to use magical viewing of their sort. Kur Lee used a magic mirror that allowed him to see as if he were flying over the land in any or all directions. The various viewings turned up nothing at first, until Strider suggested they look North-west by North toward a place where the sunlight had indicated a gap in the Mountains, albeit a very high gap. Once directed, and with all three looking, trace of the Dragon was found. It had fed, and in taking prey, had stained the rocks with yellow-green streaks.
"A combination of H2S and HNO3," Kur Lee decided, "That would be the Green Dragon we wish we weren't looking for."
"In Common," Strider remarked, "If you can."
"The breath of this Dragon uses Sulphur and Aqua fortis, or spirit of nitre, to create a cloud of corrosive poisonous gas. The contact with rocks and the environment in general will produce some yellow stains from the Sulphur and some green, white, or even reddish stains from the nitre. Contact with various other substances can cause flames and/or explosive burning." Kur Lee explained, "I have made a study of these traces and can spot a Dragon Breath from it's spots."
"That's a skill I need to learn," remarked Strider, "You got a book on it?"
"I have a book on almost everything," Kur Lee answered, "just not with me."
Now that they knew where they were going, the group took the night off to get some much-needed rest. They had eaten fresh meat, albeit a strange source, and had been able to use the supplies they brought to augment the fare. Morning was a breakfast of more meat and sparse else. Kur Lee and Black Cat saw to it that there was rice, but beyond that, fresh vegetables were in short supply. Travel Cakes would have to do.
When they came to the end of the large rock they were on, there was a crevice along the edge. Kur Lee put a rock bridge across to the next area, remarking "I'm not going down into that Crevice." The remainder of the party agreed with him.
Crossing was no problem, as Kur Lee was experienced at building short solid bridges. The next rock, it turned out, was alive.
The rock monster was not too upset at having the party move onto its back, because as a species, rock monsters aren't the sharpest knives in the crayon box. In addition, it decided to move away from the source of the disturbance, and so took the entire party along the way they wanted to go anyway. It stopped when it reached a region of gullies and boulders, as that the limit of it's territory. Rock monsters, it is said, are very territorial. The party dismounted on a ridge and began to walk along side of the gully, looking for a convenient place to cross.
Suddenly there was a dark speck in the sky, and everyone was seeking cover. That was a Dragon, and no mistake. Everyone went over the edge of the nearest gully, fortunately all choosing the same one. As soon as they recovered from the transition, people started seeking something to get under. Kur Lee found a ledge, with a large amount of gully below it, and soon found himself surrounded by everyone he knew. Mouse began playing his song of concealment, as those who were not already there arrived, and Strider went around clearing any obvious signs that the party had hidden itself. Kur Lee was collecting components from his various pouches, and Lorelei was calming the party, magically. This all took time, although precious little, so that it was almost two full minutes before the party had appeared to vanish away.
Dragons have a magic that is inherent, they can frighten with their life force. All a truly huge Dragon has to do is get close enough and the small things around him will run. Mouse was sincerely hoping that the Dragon didn't get that close, until he realized that it would have to come in range of attack, to accomplish anything. Mouse suspected that if the Dragon were being hurt, in large and unexpected amounts, that it would be less able to panic anyone. And he thought about what kind of effort a bunch of fear driven adventurers would expend. Fortunately for the Dragon, it didn't swoop down into the gully and die.
The good news was that the Dragon was out. That meant that the party could find and maybe even enter his lair unopposed. Strider was drawing in the dirt, and then made an announcement.
" He was in a descending glide when we spotted him, so that means he had just climbed." She studied her calculations for a moment, "Since he was only minutes away from us, he has to have come from," she made a mark on the ground, "Exactly there, and that far."
Kur Lee came over to her calculations and cast a quick spell, changing the rude map into a sky overlook, where he could follow what she had drawn and actually see the ground below. The view shifted, as he moved his pointer, and eventually came to a mountain, with a cavern opening in its side.
"Bingo," Kur Lee announced, "We have a winner."
Mouse and Maude, combining magics, found a route to the Cavern that was traversable, and computed it to be fourteen miles, more or less. Black Cat figured that it would take a solid day of travel, but due to the time of day they were starting, they would have to camp below the mountain somewhere and arrive early the second day. Everyone looked at the projection, but there was nowhere to hide near the place. The dragon had made sure of that. Kur Lee finally found a place where the Mountain had a cleft, and it was large enough to provide a camping area, but was actually beyond the cavern, and would mean pushing the group at a quicker than comfortable pace. A quick survey among the members gave complete approval for this, since they were warriors and adventurers, not a bunch of untried rabble. They all figured that they could get to the place, get hidden rest well and see what the future held. If only they had known.
The next sixteen hours were spent, climbing, traversing, descending, following a gully and moving along ridges. Everyone scanned the sky as often as they could, and no one stopped, for anything. They passed piles of huge bones, evidence that the Dragon had fed, and saw nothing of consequence in the area. Animals and smaller Monsters seldom stayed in the area in front of a Dragon's lair. They were almost in sight of the area they sought, as the sun was setting. Then someone saw the telltale speck that meant the Dragon was coming. Kur Lee, never the one to be caught napping, cast a short range portal that would open very near the desired cleft. With no thought, beyond escaping the Dragon encounter in an open space, the entire party went through the portal at a run.
The cleft was home to a giant, but he was not an intelligent giant. The party spread out until he was confused as to who to chase, and then Strider and Debbie made a bit of illusory magic for him to chase. It wouldn't last long, but the giant would think he was chasing the party away from his place. He ran almost a mile into the open and then realized that the Dragon was overhead. He grabbed a small boulder and threw it at the giant lizard, in an attempt to gain time to retreat, but the Dragon hadn't fed on his current trip and the Giant looked good enough to eat. His perspective must have been off, because he dove to breathe on the Giant. The Giant was not intelligent, but he knew how to take advantage of a stupid move on the part of his attacker. He backed away until he was beside a good sized boulder, one that would tax his strength a bit, and when the Dragon was in his final dive, the Giant hurled the boulder with all of his strength into the Dragon's path. The Dragon tried to swerve, but the rock was too large to miss. The impact caused its target to lose critical altitude, and speed. Unable to correct, the Dragon hit the ground, with 'rock rash' and a tumble resulting. The Giant used a fallen tree trunk as a club, and that's where the story would have ended, had the trunk been solid. It was partially decayed, however, so that it shattered and lost much of the force it would have had. The Dragon rose, badly injured and angry. It released a blast of the Breath that was caustic and poisonous, hitting the Giant right in the waist, and down to the knees. Screaming, the Giant ran over to the dragon and jumped on it. The impact of a furious Giant was not what the Dragon needed to make him 'all better'. After about two hours of Giant-to-Dragon combat, with holds, claws, bites body slams twists, broken wings and tail, the fight ended. It appeared, to the Dragon, that the Giant was dead. It appeared the same to the Giant, as his life departed. The Dragon was glad that he would eat well, and felt that he could endure the climb to his cavern, one he had fed and rested. Little did he know that a party of adventurers, led by a Baron with a mission, was coming. They arrived in less than a minute.
As they arrived, Kur Lee set a fog on the creature. It was neither poison nor acid, but Mouse recognized the smell.
"That's paint solvent" Mouse cried." What are you DOING?"
"Should sting when it hits all those wounds and abrasions," Kur Lee explained, " I figure it will stop any spell casting."
"Well," Black Cat put in, "At least that's one thing we won't have to worry about."
Maude and Lorelei had decided to opt for Flame from Above, so that the fog could be removed from the suffering creature. While the Dragon's hide was resistant to fire, it was split in many places, so that the fire cooked his wounds. The pain seemed to distract him, so the knights used spears to get his attention. The spears pierced the creature, being designed to do so, and then The Elvin Archers got in place and blinded him. The Dragon couldn't breathe much, due to broken ribs, but he tried. The party managed to avoid taking much damage from this, and attacked with swords and other close range weapons, while the Dragon tried to find his breath. Kur Lee was using his magic bolts, and arrows were being fired, while everyone who could was slashing or stabbing at the creature. Mouse sat an sang, softly, a song that he'd been working on.
The Dragon managed to send a wave of healing through its body, and shook, all over. The violent convulsion hurled its attackers to both sides, and it struggled, trying to rise. It was very injured, but if it escape, the Dragon knew he would be able to heal. Mouse reached the apex of his new song, and from clouds above came a bolt of natural lightening. It hit the Dragon precisely in the back, and killed it. No fanfare, no blood, nothing but dead. One dead Green Dragon, and one exhausted Bard, Mage, Ranger and attendant party. It took two days in the lair of the giant, but the party recovered. They also realized that there was a bit of Treasure to be hauled back to the Castle. Magically, Kur Lee contacted an apprentice who had come with the main party and told him where the Baron was and what needed to be loaded and carried back to Samovar. It was amazing to see how efficiently the drivers and camp personnel were able to get wagons and beasts to the mountain, it took only slightly more time than the Baron and his party had used. It was easier because they didn't have to worry about any major monsters, and were well armed enough to fend off the minor ones.
It took four months to move the Treasure from the mountain to Samovar Castle. The Treasure room had to be expanded, and thankfully, Jana, Seana, Kur Lee and Mouse were able to do it in concert, with help from Maude, Lorelei and Strider. The end result was a Treasure room larger than that of Egbert, if less full. Black Cat couldn't help but comment that the Baron had rebuilt the Castle, the city of Targun and the surrounding countryside, and still had more treasure than any other Duchy. And his was only a Barony. When Mouse was almost certain everything was going well, he got a letter from someone he should have known but didn't.
" Greetings to the Baron Gladriel of Samovar, from his Uncle, Duke of Bobuktu, His Grace Archimedes, Duke, Knight and Defender of the Realm:
"We hope this epistle finds you well, but the physicians tell me my time is near. First Cousin to your Father, the Baron Gideon, we should have met you long ago, but Bobuktu is a long and dangerous journey. We have no heir and would appoint you to receive our title when we pass. We look forward to your arrival.
His grace, Duke Archimedes"
That was the message. Short and sweet, it gave the New Baron a whole world of Trouble he did not need. Now he would have to organize and defend an entire new region, and claim a new title, He bore no illusions about the reception his claim to a Duchy would inspire. He vaguely wondered if he could, perhaps, acquire it 'in absentia'. While the problem was one of succession, Mouse knew that he had to 'make a visit' to Bobuktu. That was not a problem, since Kur Lee had gone south and cleared a city for himself. Mouse and his wives had gone along, but Kur Lee had done most of the work, with a host of retainers that he moved into the place. Monsters had been driven out and the entire city was flourishing, but Mouse feared he would never get used to the name "Forgotten City". Kur Lee liked it and it was his city, so the name stuck.
The journey to "Forgotten City" was easy enough, even if Mouse had to travel as Baron Samovar, with Knights, retainers, and members of court. Elves came, with a few Dwarves, and many who simply wanted to make the journey. It was fairly uneventful, and the Baron did not announce that they would go on to Bobuktu until they arrived at "Forgotten City". So they spent a few days at the city and then went on.
The Journey to Bobuktu was more of a guarded Caravan type passage, with occasional encounters occurring. Animals of the dangerous type and even a few that might have been called monsters, but nothing that couldn't be handled by Knights and Elvin Warriors. The Dwarves actually enjoyed the trip, because the road was almost always enclosed and dim, like a Dwarven Cavern, and there were things to fight along the way. Baron Samovar was relieved to reach Bobuktu with his party intact. Much worse could have happened. Then he met the Duke.
The audience chambers were full, at the formal reception, and there was a great deal of protocol, primarily for the benefit of those in attendance. After a large amount of formality and much ado about nothing, the private audience could occur. In the small audience chamber, all titles and formality vanished. It was 'let me look at you' and you know you're famous don't you? While Gladriel told Archimedes of his secret life as a Bard. The old Duke was amazed that Gladriel could be Mouse and get away with it, until he realized that no one ever looked at a Baron as a real person, any more than they did a famous Bard. Mouse was a disguise, yes, but so was Baron Gladriel. If there was a real person, it was probably Sam, the Knight. Only Maude, Strider and Lorelei really knew him, along with the other Knights, Kur Lee and Black Cat. The old Duke realized that he had chosen an excellent heir.
Paperwork, envoys, messengers and ambassadors went to many different places, all carrying the official proclamation of the Duke Bobuktu. Duke Archimedes knew, with almost a century of experience, just who to inform first, and who would be the last to know. He made sure that the Council had already met before the most prejudiced of the Nobles were even aware of what was going on. The proclamation was countersigned by the King and approved by council before Baron Samovar was able to make the long journey to Lackland, there to be proclaimed the Duke Apparent of the Lands Samovar. It would be the largest and richest Duchy in the whole of the High King's demesnes. Duke Gladriel Samovar would be His Grace Gladriel in but a few short years. Then something happened. One trip Mouse made, with a minimal troup, didn't end as expected. Mouse didn't come home.
Mouse was playing an inn, not a huge one, but a nice place to spend the night, and he got room and board for himself and the rest of his performers. They didn't even have to perform, Mouse was all that was needed. He made a fair amount in 'tips' as well, and then someone came from the audience to ask him if he would like to exchange those tips for 'something interesting'.
"Got it from one of those 'bandit types', I did," said the seller, " He claimed that it came from the treasury of his boss, and he needed funds to make the trip back to where the boss was."
Mouse recognized a goblet from the Castle instantly. It was one of the things the monsters had taken from the room where 'less valuable' items were stored. It still carried the aura of monsters and their master on it. Mouse bought it, without giving the seller a clue that he knew the origin. He left the inn when the listener did, and followed him.
In the morning the performers woke up to find Mouse gone. He had taken his traveling bag, the huge magic one, but only those things that would assist him in a journey. The group gathered up everything and went back to the Castle, where they had to face Maude.
"He told no one he was leaving, your ladyship" the conductor said, "We went to our rooms, slept, and in the morning he was just gone. No word or indication of where he was going. Not even a hint as to why."
Maude was kind, and good. She did not kill the messengers, and was even kind enough to put them up at the Castle for a few days. She didn't want word that the Baron was missing, or was it Duke, anyway, she needed to make sure that his absence was not worthy of note. She called everyone together, even Kur Lee, courtesy of a 'magic mirror'.
"We need to know where he's going," Maude told Kur Lee, when he arrived, "Do you have any idea?"
"Thanks to this handy-dandy thing, I can track him from right here," Kur Lee assured her, "As a matter of fact, he's on his way,,,,, THOUGH THE BLOODY MOUNTAINS? What sort of a fustilarian idiocy is he contemplating?"
"Grab your gear, folk," Maude announced, "Everyone who is able to tolerate the trip is about to go through the mountains."
"I enjoy mountain climbing," a voice remarked, "I believe I'll 'Tag' along."
Tagernoab, the High Dwarven Councillor and Lord of Whitsno, had been visiting and had just overheard the exchange between Kur Lee and Maude. He decided to formally request the Baron's presence in Whitsno, and since that trip would take about two months, they had a window of opportunity to recover the missing Baron/Duke.
"Move it people," Maude commanded, "The sun won't set on us in the Castle, or near enough to camp there. We'll be well into the foot hills and following a mouse trail by then."
It was a testament to the people's love of Baron Samovar, and the ability of Maude to inspire both respect and fear, that the party was indeed miles from the Castle by sunset. They were well supplied, had plenty of people and were probably the most dangerous thing West of the Mountains. Every potion that was even remotely useful, every arrow that had magic, every throwing weapon that any of the knights or adventures could use, all were bundled in packs and on either pack horses or Thralz, so much so that Maude sent some of it home on the second day. Kur Lee sent one of the apprentice Mages who had volunteered, telling her that she needed to be a 'line of communication'. It was easier than trying to explain to her that she didn't have the skills to survive the Mountains. A dozen or so of the 'Warriors', either knights or adventurers, were sent with her, so that "the castle would be defended" until Maude and the rest returned. It was more in the way of kindness, and Maude still worried about a few of those who were going.
"We can train on the way," was all Black Cat said.
While Kur Lee used the item of location, Lorelei operated a crystal. Strider used a magic form of her incredible tracking skill. Maude cast a 'seeing spell'. They found Mouse, now well into the mountains, and tracking something or someone of his own.
"Whoever that is, that he is tracking," Black Cat observed, "I hope they're right with God, because when he finds them, they gonna meet with Him, for sure."
"If I find Mouse, and there's not a very good reason for this," Maude left the sentence unfinished.
" I know Mouse," Strider came back, "And he too lazy to make a trip like this. Unless he's gone barmy, or lost the plot completely, then some gormless, mankey plonker has gotten him so cheesed off that he's ready to bite someone's arm off to get to the bottom of the pile."
"I think some bloody delcop has lit a fire under his arse," Tagernoab put in, "I've not seen him like this before."
"I think we can all agree that Mouse doesn't go off half-cocked," Lorelei agreed, "But what would so enrage him as to make him follow without a word?"
"The curse," Kur Lee, announced, " And those who destroyed his family when they set it."
Everyone agreed that Mouse was either mad, or angry, and so it behooved them to catch up to him before he did something that might cost him his life. They slept short and moved on.
***
Mouse was up at the point where movement had to slow, because the air was thin. He had gained on his party, because they took time to join others going to the same place, wherever that was. He was glad of two things. First, the way had leveled out, which meant he was about to cross the mountains. Second, it was about to be downhill for awhile, and he could use his bards magic to 'coast' down the slope. That would make him able to be almost entirely invisible to those around him, and spare him the tedium of killing the monsters which were sure to exist beyond the mountains.
He slept in his magic tent, once he realized that he was approaching the camp of his quarry. He didn't want to come on them here, where magic could be unreliable. His armor and weapons were his best friends in any upcoming encounter. When the morning came, he ate trail rations, packed up and moved out, going slowly so as not to gain on his adversary. He was still amazed at the stupidity of the man. To carry and sell an item that would get you hung, and to sell it to someone who might know what it was. Mouse wasn't sure that the sale was all that accidental. He wanted to know more before he committed himself to combat. He was trained in this sort of thing, both as a Knight and by Black Cat. He would bide his time, waiting for the moment which, as Black Cat said, "would always come, if you wait."
When the Trail began the long descent into the lands once called "Old Home", Mouse was surprised to see that they weren't as rife with monsters as he had expected. It would seem that an aura of evil magic lay across the land, and it fostered evil creatures, but not with as much power as Mouse would have expected. Maybe the creature Fifnir was getting weaker. Mouse hoped so, fervently. It would be less daunting to fight a weakened master of evil. When the trail forked, near the base of the mountains, Mouse was left with a choice, either North or South. The monsters and men he was following had divided at this point and his tracking was too vague to know which direction led to his original target. He chose randomly and went South. Luckily, this was the wrong choice to follow. The chalice bearer had gone north.
Mouse went down this trail for almost a day, keeping out of sight as well as he could, then he came upon a village. He was almost to the edge of it when he realized that it was peopled with creatures who were part man and part snake. Snake heads abounded, and also man head and shoulders on snake bodies. It was as if he had wandered into a nightmare, and couldn't wake up. It was too late to run, so he knew he would have to make a stand. He played up a wall of thorns, and backed away, noticing that his playing seemed to have an effect on the magical aura of the entire area. He hoped that would prove helpful.
***
"Praise the Goddess he slowed down here," Seana and Strider agreed, " We'll gain on him now, since we can make air."
"Magic works," Lorelei agreed, "But only sporadically. We need to have a care, even as we rush along."
"I can go from air bubble to air bubble," Maude remarked, "If it takes that."
"We'll catch him," Kur Lee promised, "He's not even a day away."
Maude and the others were faster than Mouse going down the mountains, but not much. The had to contend with monsters and the like, which Mouse avoided by being hard to see. Still they gained, and went South at the trail without incident. They came upon the village of the Snake People about half an hour after Mouse arrived. The fighting was, to say the least, desperate. The snake people were trying to simply run over Mouse, and he was using trees, rocks and dead snake people in order to jump over or to the side. Kur Lee sent a blast of flame into a line of the Snake People, one that threw snake bodies in all directions. Maude set a whirling mass of Blades well in front of Mouse, to give him a moment's respite. Strider sent a bolt of lightning with an arrow that punched a hole in the snake people's force. Lorelei simply called flame from the skies and set a pack of them aflame. Black Cat had vanished, and snake people were dying so profusely that you could see a trail he had made.
Mouse, now that he had a moment, was able to produce his harp. Playing it with as much skill as he could muster, he called a storm of fire onto the village before him. So massive was the magic that it pushed the evil aura away to the horizon. Once the aura of evil had been banished, the snake people began to die spontaneously. They could not exist without the evil magic which sustained them and were soon all dead. the fire faded, and the village was a ruin, with only a few of the largest buildings still standing. Tag went into the place and found the gaol, or jail, which he proclaimed still had inhabitants.
Inside the jail were cells with dead snake people, a room with dead snake people, and one cell with four men in it. Kur Lee approached the cell and spoke in a language that only he and the prisoners understood. They spoke only a few words at first, and then seemed to gain interest and animation, speaking in sentences. This continued for several minutes, until Kur Lee announced that the men should be released. He explained that they came from the land where he was born, and were captured by the snake people. They were warriors and could lead the party back to the land from which they had come. Maude did a tiny bit of magic, and gave her assent, after which the men were freed.
The men who had been captive were being attended by a couple of the Healers who had come with the group. The adventurers were attending to the acquisition of every object and piece of metal or sculpture that even might have value, and was left when the snake people died. Those who had been following Mouse were gathered together for his explanation.
"When the guy approached me at the inn," Mouse was saying, " I figured it was just another piece of brummagem. I almost didn't even look, but then I realized it was from the Castle, before it was destroyed."
"How did you not kill him on the spot?" Strider wanted to know.
"You can thank Black Cat for that," Mouse answered her, " He's always taught me that even if you don't believe it, there's a good and proper time for anything, even vengeance."
"You never learn much from the dead," Black Cat agreed.
"What possessed you to follow him, though?" Maude put in.
" I just had to know who was pulling his strings," Mouse answered, "Especially the one that made him talk."
" It had to have been a trap," Lorelei agreed, "But I think it failed."
"Why so?" Kur Lee asked, "Mouse would have died if we hadn't happened along."
" That's the very reason I believe it failed," Lorelei went on, " Because whoever set it had to know that we would have followed, and would have made preparation for that. There aren't any Monsters of the size and ferocity that you or I would have used. I think Mouse took a wrong turn at that place where the trail divided."
" I agree," Maude put in, "This village was not the destination of any human, not even one working for Fifnir."
"That having been said, " Kur Lee spoke up, " We have choices to make and routes to plan. We are presented with a unique opportunity."
Kur Lee explained that the four former prisoners were from his homeland. Not only were they of a group he recognized, but they knew the path back to the land of his birth. They could lead Mouse and his people right to it, and would do so. This was something Kur Lee couldn't do, and they might never find anyone else who could. More than that, anyone they found who knew the way might not be willing to share it. Only the fact that Mouse and his people had defeated the snake people and released the captives had been enough to persuade those men that the party from beyond the mountains could be trusted. It was a rule that only Fifnir's minions crossed the mountains and returned. It was also a fortuitous circumstance that Kur Lee had been there and able to talk to them.
The entire party was finally gathered together, and talk began. It seemed that everyone was able to find a reason for the journey onward, from those who felt that Honor required them to assist the men in returning home, to those who saw an opportunity to acquire more treasure. There were discussions about trade routes that might be established, and allies in the upcoming conflict with Fifnir. There were those who felt that it was a valuable chance to learn. Kur Lee just wanted to visit home, and be famous there. Mouse wanted nothing more than to raise an alliance and go punish those who had destroyed his home. Finally a choice was made, depending on the willingness of the four former captives to lead them.
Kur Lee had brought the men, who were from Kahn, to the confabulation. They didn't understand the language, and Kur Lee couldn't translate everything, but he kept them apprised of all that was going on in the debate. When it was finished, the men spoke, at length, with him. They appeared satisfied with his responses, but asked him to translate for them in a conversation with Mouse. It went something like this.
"We are the warriors of Zhang Xuan, a powerful leader from the northernmost part of Kahn." the man speaking seemed to be in charge of the four, " I am Ban Chao, his most honorable representative. With me are" he indicated each in turn," Bao Gong, Yue Fei, Zhang Qian and Zhang He."
It was at that moment that Mouse realized there were five, not four men from Kahn.
"I am Baron Gladriel Samovar, of the Lands Samovar, and I am honored to meet each of you." Mouse responded.
"We are most appreciative of your having released us from the snake people, who most certainly would have eaten us, as they did our companions. "Ban Chao paused," We understand that you wish to accompany us on our return journey to Kahn. This is most fortunate for us as we are without weapons or armor, and would do poorly in our travels home, were you not with us."
" We shall attend to the armor and weapons from those captured when the snake village was taken," Mouse told him, "Unless you find, among the weapons and armor we carry, something which is more acceptable to you."
" We will accept your gifts with honor," Ban Chao and the others were obviously overjoyed, " As we have done nothing to deserve them, we will serve you as warriors until we reach Kahn. Once there we must return to the house Zhang, as we are pledged to service there."
Mouse passed the word that the Warriors from Kahn were to be allowed to look over all the unissued swords, armor and miscellaneous gear. Some of it was quite good, but nothing wonderful. The best of the swords were no better than those from the booty taken in the snake village, but then, they hadn't found the best of them. The five warriors showed their rescuers where to find the treasure vault of the village, and with much careful spellcasting and trap removal, not to mention some of Black Cat's best lockpicking, the underground chamber was opened. The snake people has obviously been preparing for war. The equipment was not designed for them however. It was an armory for trolls and ogres, with some provision for man-sized warriors. The weapons were mostly huge, but some very fine swords and daggers were present. The five warriors were able to find at least one weapon each, although they searched for two swords, one short and one long, to make a pair each.
"When the guy approached me at the inn," Mouse was saying, " I figured it was just another piece of brummagem. I almost didn't even look, but then I realized it was from the Castle, before it was destroyed."
"How did you not kill him on the spot?" Strider wanted to know.
"You can thank Black Cat for that," Mouse answered her, " He's always taught me that even if you don't believe it, there's a good and proper time for anything, even vengeance."
"You never learn much from the dead," Black Cat agreed.
"What possessed you to follow him, though?" Maude put in.
" I just had to know who was pulling his strings," Mouse answered, "Especially the one that made him talk."
" It had to have been a trap," Lorelei agreed, "But I think it failed."
"Why so?" Kur Lee asked, "Mouse would have died if we hadn't happened along."
" That's the very reason I believe it failed," Lorelei went on, " Because whoever set it had to know that we would have followed, and would have made preparation for that. There aren't any Monsters of the size and ferocity that you or I would have used. I think Mouse took a wrong turn at that place where the trail divided."
" I agree," Maude put in, "This village was not the destination of any human, not even one working for Fifnir."
"That having been said, " Kur Lee spoke up, " We have choices to make and routes to plan. We are presented with a unique opportunity."
Kur Lee explained that the four former prisoners were from his homeland. Not only were they of a group he recognized, but they knew the path back to the land of his birth. They could lead Mouse and his people right to it, and would do so. This was something Kur Lee couldn't do, and they might never find anyone else who could. More than that, anyone they found who knew the way might not be willing to share it. Only the fact that Mouse and his people had defeated the snake people and released the captives had been enough to persuade those men that the party from beyond the mountains could be trusted. It was a rule that only Fifnir's minions crossed the mountains and returned. It was also a fortuitous circumstance that Kur Lee had been there and able to talk to them.
The entire party was finally gathered together, and talk began. It seemed that everyone was able to find a reason for the journey onward, from those who felt that Honor required them to assist the men in returning home, to those who saw an opportunity to acquire more treasure. There were discussions about trade routes that might be established, and allies in the upcoming conflict with Fifnir. There were those who felt that it was a valuable chance to learn. Kur Lee just wanted to visit home, and be famous there. Mouse wanted nothing more than to raise an alliance and go punish those who had destroyed his home. Finally a choice was made, depending on the willingness of the four former captives to lead them.
Kur Lee had brought the men, who were from Kahn, to the confabulation. They didn't understand the language, and Kur Lee couldn't translate everything, but he kept them apprised of all that was going on in the debate. When it was finished, the men spoke, at length, with him. They appeared satisfied with his responses, but asked him to translate for them in a conversation with Mouse. It went something like this.
"We are the warriors of Zhang Xuan, a powerful leader from the northernmost part of Kahn." the man speaking seemed to be in charge of the four, " I am Ban Chao, his most honorable representative. With me are" he indicated each in turn," Bao Gong, Yue Fei, Zhang Qian and Zhang He."
It was at that moment that Mouse realized there were five, not four men from Kahn.
"I am Baron Gladriel Samovar, of the Lands Samovar, and I am honored to meet each of you." Mouse responded.
"We are most appreciative of your having released us from the snake people, who most certainly would have eaten us, as they did our companions. "Ban Chao paused," We understand that you wish to accompany us on our return journey to Kahn. This is most fortunate for us as we are without weapons or armor, and would do poorly in our travels home, were you not with us."
" We shall attend to the armor and weapons from those captured when the snake village was taken," Mouse told him, "Unless you find, among the weapons and armor we carry, something which is more acceptable to you."
" We will accept your gifts with honor," Ban Chao and the others were obviously overjoyed, " As we have done nothing to deserve them, we will serve you as warriors until we reach Kahn. Once there we must return to the house Zhang, as we are pledged to service there."
Mouse passed the word that the Warriors from Kahn were to be allowed to look over all the unissued swords, armor and miscellaneous gear. Some of it was quite good, but nothing wonderful. The best of the swords were no better than those from the booty taken in the snake village, but then, they hadn't found the best of them. The five warriors showed their rescuers where to find the treasure vault of the village, and with much careful spellcasting and trap removal, not to mention some of Black Cat's best lockpicking, the underground chamber was opened. The snake people has obviously been preparing for war. The equipment was not designed for them however. It was an armory for trolls and ogres, with some provision for man-sized warriors. The weapons were mostly huge, but some very fine swords and daggers were present. The five warriors were able to find at least one weapon each, although they searched for two swords, one short and one long, to make a pair each.
Seana noticed that Zhang He had no long sword. He had found an excellent short sword, but nothing else 'fit' him. He was a bit taller than the others, and needed a sword of slightly greater length. Seana understood this well, being tall for an elven woman. She went into her 'private stash' and found a sword that she had owned for , well too long to admit. It was slightly curved, like the ones that came from Kahn, and was magicked more than almost any sword she had known. It was a beautiful weapon, and the balance was sublime, but it was not a sword that fit her training. She had kept it because it was a work of art as much as a sword. She decided to give it to Zhang He, if it was a sword he could use. She had always wanted to see it in the hands of someone who could appreciate it and use it as a weapon.
" I am cousin to the Baron Samovar," Seana used Kur Lee to translate, " I wish to honor his request that the Warriors from Kahn be given good weapons and armor. I notice that you have found a short sword that is a good length for you, but no longer one. It is my hope that this sword will be one you can use. It is the best I have of it's kind."
Zhang He took the sword, wrapped in silk, as Kur Lee had suggested, and unwrapped it carefully. His eyes widened when he saw the fine workmanship of the Pommel and Scabbard. He carefully removed the Sword and tested it for length and balance. The magic of the sword did not escape him, and he began quickly to look for any identifying marks on the tang. By using a release, that he found easily, he was able to move the handle just enough to see the hallmark of the sword's maker. It was someone named Masamune. The name of the forger was actually an honorary title, and one which had not been given in over half a century. This forger was actually Masamune the 15th, and was almost legendary. The sword, Seana learned, was called a Katana, and was probably the finest blade in the world. Zhang He expressed his undying gratitude to Seana, and then confided that he knew what it meant to be a cousin to one in power. His cousin was Zhang Xuan the scholar and Lord to which they all owed allegiance. Seana realized that she had made a friend and ally, so she spent some time telling him about her elven heritage and the elves in general. Imagine her surprise to learn that Kahn had its own version of elf, known as hsien. The Hsien lived, as they had for thousands of years, in the forests of Kahn, where they had cities and a civilization. Seana was certain that Mouse, Strider, and at least some of the others, would be excited to meat this far western example of the Elven race.
The five Warriors were pleased to learn that the party was all mounted, either on horseback, Thralz or in wagons. Mouse made sure that they each had a Destrier, and was pleased again that the folk of Samovar had so over-supplied the party. They began their journey to the West, and almost immediately went south to the Ocean. The trail which led to the Northern mountains and wall of Khan was one that hugged the coastline. It seemed from what Kur Lee was able to learn, and already knew, that Fifnir had never spent much time creating creatures that were adapted to Ocean living. This had led to a safer environment along the seashore, with fewer monsters and less chance of observation. If Fifnir noticed them, they would be hunted by a flight of Dragons.
Mounted as they were, and with the Knights wielding Lances, the monsters that hunted the seashore were easy prey. Only a few times was it necessary to dispatch some of them with magic. Mouse kept the party hidden, as much as he could, but it required him casting the same concealment spell every few days. The evil miasma that hung over everything kept interfering with it. Kur Lee was engrossed in studying the interaction between Mouse's magic and the prevailing evil. He kept analyzing it until he finally was able to quantify it. He found a simple magic that everyone could use to enhance the removal of the evil field. In a few days, everyone was creating water as often as they could, not only to drink, but because it helped banish the evil. By the time Fifnir noticed the disturbance in his magic, the location was hundreds of square miles, and the party within could not be located. His magic simply failed when he attempted to look where the party went, or currently was. He was not amused. More than a month had passed since Mouse and his party first came beyond the mountains, but Fifnir did not know that. He was forced to examine the area, and finally found the destroyed snake village.Fifnir did not expect the party to be mounted, and therefore did not anticipate their going beyond that wall he could not pass so quickly. He, erroneously decided that they had to have started earlier, and were not involved with disappearance of his snake people. His level of amusement decreased. The party passed through a guarded gate in the long wall that separated Kahn from Fifnir, and entered a land unlike any they had seen before.
Khan you feel the love tonight?
Every inch of the Land of Khan, or as Kur Lee reminded them, The Land of The Khan, either was, or at least faintly resembled, a garden. It was 'tended', magically, and that made a wall of magic that Fifnir could not breech. It also made the land beautiful to behold. Trees along quiet waterways,with Bushes that usually surrounded them, but open ways that gave everything an air of freedom. It would have been very dangerous to encounter a beast or monster here, because the land looked so peaceful and harmless that one could not remain vigilant. Fall came later to these southern lands, but the first indications of it were about. Some trees had fall blossoms and some even had nuts ripening. There were fruit trees everywhere, each with unripe fruit that held the promise of sweet delight. Berry vines grew where there were stone outcroppings or walls. Strawberries were everywhere. One had to walk carefully to avoid treading on them.
Kur Lee had spent the time of transit to the great wall carefully. He had transferred knowledge from the Warriors to the Knights in attendance, and had spread the language to every member of the party. Learning the subtle ins and outs of culture and society were things he spread as much as he could, with The noble family first and Black Cat, Seana and the others having to wait. The final result was that most of the party knew enough to be able to remain on good terms with the society they would encounter. The fact that they were, gaijin would protect them from some mistakes, but not from anything that was outside the realm of Honor. Kur Lee drilled them all in the basic tenants of honor, how to avoid insulting another, how not to be disrespectful, and most importantly how to avoid treating anyone as inferior. Every person in the society here was considered important, and the jobs they did were all necessary to the common good.
Kur Lee admitted that criminals did exist, but they were shunned if known, so any criminal you might meet would at least appear to be just another honorable citizen. He stressed over and over that the society here was built on honor and everyone strove to be honorable. Your place in society was, in some measure, defined by the amount of honor you, and your house, possessed. To earn more honor, the people of Khan would do just about anything. Seana's gift to the warrior, of a fine sword, had earned her honor, and his having it would elevate the honor he held. Having brought the five warriors back from the snake people's village would bestow honor on Baron Samovar, and all of his party. The five Warriors had maps and information for their Lord, Zhang Xuan, and that, combined with the goods that Mouse intended to trade here, would bring honor. Honor for the expedition would fall on their lord, but it would be shared among all who served him. Zhang Xuan would be more famous, and those who served would have the increased honor of serving a more famous lord.
The entire party went to the Castle, or perhaps Fortress would be a better word, of Zhang Xuan, the Scholar. Once there, they were allowed to dine and rest while the five warriors made their report. When this had been done, the party was given an audience with the Lord and he met Gladriel and his wives, personally. Seana and Black Cat were also allowed to greet the Lord in person, but the others were considered to have 'shared' in the meeting, by witnessing it. The knights were treated as warriors, and the others as retainers, all of them were given space to sleep and would be attending meals composed of their equals. Baths and a sauna were available, and Kur Lee had briefed them on the necessity of cleanliness in all situations. Much was different in experience, than in description, so that the knowledge of the language came in handy more than once. The women were, at first surprised that the baths were not separate. Men and women and even children bathed together, but it was a custom older than history, and not one likely to change. The women suffered through it and the men had a chance to practice extreme self-control, as to become excited was to lose honor.
The first action of the Lord was to request information from all of the Baron's Party. Kur Lee was put in charge of seeing to the scribes and questioners, so that none of the 'guests' would be inconvenienced or insulted. It took some time to satisfy the curiosity of the regional Lord, and while this was occurring, a request was delivered to the Lord from the Khan himself. It seemed that he had interest in meeting the 'visitors' from beyond the Mountains. Mouse was interested in meeting the Khan himself, as were others in the group. Tagernoab was eager, both as a Councilmember and as a representative of the Dwarven community, to make that appearance. Seana was an Elvin Lady, and member of the Court at Goldenwood, so she saw an equal opportunity. Mouse reflected that his status as Duke of the Southern Lands would be pretty much assured, if he could pull this off.
"The Knights of Samovar, and the militia as well, have moved into support positions, which will be advantageous to us as we will be unhindered in our passage to the mountains. As you have recently come from this area, you are more familiar with the dangers than not. With care we can accomplish this, I have faith in your abilities, as our Duke trusts you all."
His expression of Mouse's trust may have been simply an assumption, but it was the catalyst which galvanized the Generals into a force he could use. Alhabra was able to learn much and plan more in the next hours, and did not have to answer to anyone. His plan was simple and brilliant and gave confidence to all of his new generals. They left the conference with a definitive plan and the ability to put it into action. Each General went to his specific 'army' in the main force, with a list of actions that group was to perform. Alhabra was to be surprised as to the speed and efficacy of the 'Warriors of the Khan'.
Mouse and his group had much to take care of, in Samovar and in the larger arena of the domain of the High King. Maude had several ceremonies to perform and Lorelei had to go to the coastal city of Franklin, where a cathedral had just been completed and required her blessing. Strider needed to visit her stronghold, from there she would obtain her Ranger Mount, and it was past time that she did it. Mouse, himself, needed to go on a tour to the north, and look in to the holdings of Samovar below the Great Plateau. He should have already accomplished this task, but other concerns had gotten in the way.
Each pillar of the Duchy, for so it would soon be, went off, with a personal guard, to accomplish tasks that would be necessary to maintain normal life. That was always assuming Fifnir left any of them a 'normal life'. Mouse played about seven towns in eight weeks, and was well into that space of land, which humans occupied, between Bryedale and Brightwood. He was attracting audiences of Elves and Humans, as well as a smattering of smaller folk. Then, at one show, he got a squad of barbarians. Tall, muscular, unmannerly troglodyte-like humans, Mouse found them interesting. He made a point of looking them up and favoring them with a song especially for their group. When the subsequent conversation period had passed, Mouse knew much about the incursion of Barbarians from the Great Plateau. He began to think that there might be an advantage in cultivating a friendship, or two, among that bunch.
Strider had made the acquaintance of Meadahl, a Bronze Dragon who often hunted in the woods near the Ancient Way. He had actually requested to be her 'Ranger Mount', and she had, of course, accepted. She took the time to verify with Maude and Alhabra that this was not a trap or bad idea. Some of the Brownies and Fairies came to her, asking to be allowed to join the war against Fifnir, and she gave conditional permission. They had only to insure that all of the Fairies and Brownies were of like mind in this, and it would be so.
Maude found herself in a situation, as an entire order of Paladins had come to join the war, and she was forced to set them a quest. She used her mirror to consult with Alhabra, and then set them as his guardians, to protect him from evil whenever he was in human form. She gave Father Michael the task of leading them. He was thrilled.
Lorelei was the luckiest and least lucky, in that her tasks went as planned, without a single problem. Then she was visited by a creature as large as an island, who wanted a part in the war. Charging him to guard the coast of Samovar from Port Narl to Bobuktu, she asked what he was called.
"I am the Dragon Turtle," he answered, "Because there is only one."
Mouse checked in with everyone, and learned that the Army was already advancing on the mountains. The warriors had readied everything in a matter of days, instead of weeks. With all going well, Mouse informed the family that he and Tag were going to visit an emerald mine that had been shut down several years ago due to unspecified problems. Black Cat, at loose ends for the moment, went to join him. Frank, John, Ted, Debbie and Sindie also made an appearance. Everyone was certain that if he were going to investigate, the problem would be interesting.
"That's a pathetic hole," Tag said, when he saw the mine, "No Dwarf had a hand in making that mess."
" Which makes me nervous," Mouse shot back, "There were supposed to be Dwarves in charge here."
"Well," Sindie spoke up, "Something made the hole, and it still lives here."
"Enlarged is more like it," Tagernoab said, looking more closely, "It was smaller and then something huge moved in and clawed away at the tunnel until it was as large as the creature wanted."
"Perhaps we should move," Ted remarked.
" Perhaps we should quickly move", Debbie agreed.
Mouse heard the sound of claws on rock, big claws. He ordered everyone back, away from the entrance, until they could determine what lived there. Sindie was the last to depart, because she recognized a smell. As she turned and moved toward the rest of the group, she remarked that it smelled of spiders. As she made the announcement, a spider of a size normally seen only in drugged nightmares burst from the ground. She was too close and its legs were tipped in claws as long as her arm. One found her, and pierced her through. Mouse was armed, instantly, as were the others. Before any of them could move, something large and unkempt came from the nearby treetops, landing on the spider's back, and beginning a rhythmic pounding on its back, with a hammer. The head of the Hammer was the size of a pony keg, and would have strained any of them to lift, but the person on the spider's back wielded it like it was a normal warhammer.
When the spider shifted it's focus, each of the group on the ground took a leg and attacked. The creature must have been smart, because it tried to turn and run. Since several of its legs had already lost their tips, it fell and the body struck the ground. Tag threw his Ax, Mouse his javelin, and the person on it's back landed a two handed stroke, almost all at the same time. Where it was struck by the javelin, a small fire appeared, indicating that the lightening had discharged. Tag's Axe went into the creature so deeply that it couldn't return, and the person who swung the two-handed blow, lost his hammer inside the thing. By this time the spider was dying, thrashing the only leg it had left and leaking great gobs of ichor onto the ground. Everyone was trying to find a way to increase the damage when they realized that the Barbarian, for so he was, was trying to build a fire under it.
Debbie helped start his fire and Mouse added some oil to spread it. Black Cat made cuts and shoved cedar branches into them to make a hotter fire. Everyone in the party found some way of enhancing the fire, to keep from looking at Sindie, because they knew she was dead. Spider poison rots you away from the inside, and everyone knew it. Sindie would not be recovering from this death. Not to mention neither Maude nor Lorelei had come along on this trip. Mouse resolved not to travel again without either one or the other of those two. Sindie had been his good friend and fellow knight for almost a decade now.
Mouse used his mirror to contact Elgion, who contacted both Maude and Lorelei, as well as Strider, Seana and Jana. In short order, every close friend of Sindie was gathered. After being certain that nothing could be done to resurrect the victim, Sindie was buried at the mine, with a marble headstone. Her Chakram would return to the vault at Samovar, to be kept in memoriam. Everyone had something good to say about her, or had a story concerning her. When the funeral was over, Lorelei walked to the tunnel from which the Spider had emerged.
"Do you suppose there are more of them in here?" she asked Mouse.
"Without doubt," Mouse answered, "Such is the way of spiders, even giant ones."
"Hope they like fire," she said quietly, and then sent a column of flame into the aperture that had to be a thousand yards long. Then she went off to do penance for her excessive revenge.
"What in all that's holy was that?" Ted asked Mouse, as he hurried up.
"I think Lorelei got angry," Mouse answered.
"I don't like her when she's angry," Ted observed.
"I do," said Debbie.
"Speaking of Angry," Maude came up, "When are we going to clean out that hole in the ground?"
"Tagernoab is checking for other ways in, and we'll know more when he's done." Mouse answered her.
"Can't be soon enough for me, "she rejoined, "I think these giant spiders are straight out of Fifnir's playbook."
The conversation was limited to vengeance and methods of killing spiders, with a few side comments about whether they could feel pain, until Mouse called a halt and told everyone to move swiftly away from the tunnel. He'd heard something.
This time the group almost ran from the tunnel. They knew the folly of being too close when the creature(s) came out. When Eglion noticed them moving away, he told Seana and Kur Lee. Kur Lee did something that everyone thought was extremely foolish. He strode purposefully toward the cave. It was impossible to stop him, he had chosen a path that was distant from any other person. He raised his hands above his head and stood, unmoving. As the first of the giant spiders emerged, Kur Lee burst into flames, blue ones. The spider tried to stop, it really did, but the ones behind it drove it into the flames. Kur Lee burned for the better part of five minutes, and the Spiders quit coming. He finally 'went out' and walked away from the tunnel.
"That really felt good," he commented.
Mouse decided to investigate the Barbarian who had jumped on the Spider that killed Sindie. He found the man in the edge of the woods near the main camp. With an offer of food and drink, he lured the barbarian into conversation. He soon learned that the man had been following Mouse and his group and wondered if they knew about the spiders. By the time he realized that they did not, it was too late for Sindie. Since he felt responsible for her death, he set about to kill the spider that killed her. He said that's what his people did, in such cases. His name was Gaelehn, and he hailed from above the plateau. Fifnir's monsters had begun attacking up there and he and his people were driving them south. Again, he explained that his people did that sort of thing. He, himself, was actually a weaponsmith, and made weapons for a living. The hammer he had almost lost was one of his tools, actually. Mouse asked him if he would like to stay on with the group, as a forger and occasional muscle. He liked that idea, and said he'd stay until the wind changed.
Mouse was at a loss. The tunnel was home to hundreds of Spiders, and yet it was known as a source of emeralds. The corpses of several spiders already killed had been found to contain some gem quality stones. Tagernoab was more than ready to mount an expedition into the place, but warriors were not available, the conflict with Fifnir had rendered all of them occupied. What he could do next was not apparent, so he got together with his wives and they all had an idea session. It was Maude who suggested that he hire the barbarians nearby to kill spiders, but Lorelei knew something of the group and assured her that they were almost never 'for hire', as a group. Strider echoed the information, explaining that, while barbarians were almost always eager to make some coin 'on their own', they had an aversion to being in a group unless it was led by someone from their tribe or tribal group. Mouse had his epiphany at about this time.
"Gaelehn," Mouse called, "You got a minute?"
"Got a whole hour, " the man replied, "If it anything interesting."
"Just looking for advice, " Mouse told him, " I'm wondering whether to offer a bounty on the spiders, or try to hire a group to get rid of them. I need this mine to help fund the war on Fifnir."
"Got a third option for you," Gaelehn offered, "You make it worth my while, and I'll go up and get some of the boys and we'll clean this cave out so well you can live there,"
"It's an emerald, mine," Mouse admitted, "You'll probably find a wealth of emeralds as you go."
"I got emeralds," Gaelehn responded, indicating a small sack at his waist, "What I need are rubies, and a large diamond."
Mouse took a moment to consider, and then spoke, "I'll give you a sack of rubies the size of your emerald sack, and a diamond as big as your eye," he said, "If, and when, you clear the mine of spiders."
"Not a problem," Gaelehn told him, "When spring comes you can move in or just turn it into a trading post. Unless you just want to mine the stones."
" I need the cash to provide supplies and wages to the armies I have, " Mouse explained, "Otherwise I might just make it a Dwarf village."
" Speaking of, " Gaelehn came back, "If you can spare some supplies, there's a few thousand of the guys who want to cross the mountains and kill a bunch of monsters. They know it would make life at home more peaceful. The wives are upset, and when momma ain't happy, nobody's happy."
"Don't I know it," Mouse looked askance, " I spend much of my time on that very thing. But if it will help, I'll send what I can spare to the trading post there below the climbing route to the plateau. All I need is a contact to give them to."
"Eric the Bearclaw is in charge of that group, I'll message him and see who he wants to pick up the goods." Gaelehn answered.
Mouse had a message sent to Samovar, where it was relayed to Duke John of Wayne. By the time the supplies were ready, Gaelehn had a name and Mouse passed it on. In a span of a few weeks, there were about ten thousand barbarians preparing to cross the mountains, "with extreme prejudice".
By this time, Gaelehn had managed to go home, gather his horde, and return. Mouse was fascinated by their technique for clearing the mine. They went to every air hole they could find and dropped in burning wood, followed by refuse that would burn, a mixture of peat and something like cork, and then green leaves and holly. The smoke was toxic, and there was lots of it. By searching the ground, several other places were located that could stand to be 'smoked', and they were. Then the Barbarians gathered at the mouth of the cavern, by now belching smoke, and waited for the spiders. They were not long in coming, and the barbarians took them on as they came forth. Singly or in bunches, the arachnids were no match for the force awaiting them. Spiders died by the dozens, until, finally, no more emerged. Gaelehn explained that in a couple of weeks the air would clear and the barbarians would go into the cave and take care of any stragglers that might still live. The only danger, he went on, was that some section or sections of the cave might have escaped the fumes and still be spider holes. Strider offered to go along to send fiery bursts into any such places. Kur Lee also offered, and then Maude, and finally it was decided that everyone would go who was welcome. That was the beginning of the 'Spider's Cave' story that you still hear told around many a campfire.
Kur Lee had spent the time of transit to the great wall carefully. He had transferred knowledge from the Warriors to the Knights in attendance, and had spread the language to every member of the party. Learning the subtle ins and outs of culture and society were things he spread as much as he could, with The noble family first and Black Cat, Seana and the others having to wait. The final result was that most of the party knew enough to be able to remain on good terms with the society they would encounter. The fact that they were, gaijin would protect them from some mistakes, but not from anything that was outside the realm of Honor. Kur Lee drilled them all in the basic tenants of honor, how to avoid insulting another, how not to be disrespectful, and most importantly how to avoid treating anyone as inferior. Every person in the society here was considered important, and the jobs they did were all necessary to the common good.
Kur Lee admitted that criminals did exist, but they were shunned if known, so any criminal you might meet would at least appear to be just another honorable citizen. He stressed over and over that the society here was built on honor and everyone strove to be honorable. Your place in society was, in some measure, defined by the amount of honor you, and your house, possessed. To earn more honor, the people of Khan would do just about anything. Seana's gift to the warrior, of a fine sword, had earned her honor, and his having it would elevate the honor he held. Having brought the five warriors back from the snake people's village would bestow honor on Baron Samovar, and all of his party. The five Warriors had maps and information for their Lord, Zhang Xuan, and that, combined with the goods that Mouse intended to trade here, would bring honor. Honor for the expedition would fall on their lord, but it would be shared among all who served him. Zhang Xuan would be more famous, and those who served would have the increased honor of serving a more famous lord.
The entire party went to the Castle, or perhaps Fortress would be a better word, of Zhang Xuan, the Scholar. Once there, they were allowed to dine and rest while the five warriors made their report. When this had been done, the party was given an audience with the Lord and he met Gladriel and his wives, personally. Seana and Black Cat were also allowed to greet the Lord in person, but the others were considered to have 'shared' in the meeting, by witnessing it. The knights were treated as warriors, and the others as retainers, all of them were given space to sleep and would be attending meals composed of their equals. Baths and a sauna were available, and Kur Lee had briefed them on the necessity of cleanliness in all situations. Much was different in experience, than in description, so that the knowledge of the language came in handy more than once. The women were, at first surprised that the baths were not separate. Men and women and even children bathed together, but it was a custom older than history, and not one likely to change. The women suffered through it and the men had a chance to practice extreme self-control, as to become excited was to lose honor.
The first action of the Lord was to request information from all of the Baron's Party. Kur Lee was put in charge of seeing to the scribes and questioners, so that none of the 'guests' would be inconvenienced or insulted. It took some time to satisfy the curiosity of the regional Lord, and while this was occurring, a request was delivered to the Lord from the Khan himself. It seemed that he had interest in meeting the 'visitors' from beyond the Mountains. Mouse was interested in meeting the Khan himself, as were others in the group. Tagernoab was eager, both as a Councilmember and as a representative of the Dwarven community, to make that appearance. Seana was an Elvin Lady, and member of the Court at Goldenwood, so she saw an equal opportunity. Mouse reflected that his status as Duke of the Southern Lands would be pretty much assured, if he could pull this off.
***
Travel from any major location to another was different in the lands of the Khan. One went to a portal, set the end location, and simply went there. The Royal palace, and even the city around it, were protected from being chosen as a destination unless the Khan himself had approved it. Since the nearest Portal to the Khan's city was almost a day's journey by any non-magical method, this had the effect of isolating the city and its inhabitants. Mouse and his party had no idea what to expect, but what they encountered was strange beyond imagination.
They went through the portal without incident, and arrived in the City in the late morning. They arrived onto a large green slab, which everyone quickly realized was pure jade. It was framed by alabaster columns and sat within a garden. The plants were interspaced with small artificial streams, surmounted by walkway bridges. The paths wound their way to the edge of the garden, where streets inclosed the entire area. These streets were large enough to contain a Caravan as large as any Mouse had ever seen. It appeared, from first examination that every street in the City was equally as wide. Then the scope of the buildings became apparent, since they were tall. Some of the buildings seemed to be over a hundred stories in height. The bridge arrangement of Chevalier was present, but at several levels. There were no street vendors, stalls or even outdoor cafes, as there were gaps between the buildings that had parks and outdoor restaurants. Mouse noticed that there were even park and the like suspended between the buildings at height. Maude commented that even if only a fraction of these buildings were dwellings, the city still had a population to rival all of Lackland. The colors were muted, but in every shade and hue. The spires were precious stone, and gilded. Silver seemed to be a common item for use as grout or mortar. Taken as a whole, the City of the Khan was more beautiful than can be easily described. Even Tagernoab was struck speechless, with only Maude able to fully keep her wits about her.
A guide approached them and handed each of the principles a talisman. It would serve to direct them to their destination, should they become separated from the party in transit. In the meantime, conveyance had been provided. The conveyance was a platform that was able to move independently of any surface. Down was always toward the platform, no matter it's orientation. While passengers and cargo were moved, there was no inertia, with respect to anything outside the confines of the platform. This appealed to Black Cat, who took the time to inspect this massive, and obviously ancient, city. He paid attention to the gardens and to the people in them. He noticed that there was no evidence of an 'extremely poor' class. Everyone seemed to have a home and at least enough to clothe and feed themselves. He saw no beggars, at least not in the sense he knew them. No one unkempt, and he did not see any evidence of a patrol to keep order. All he could observe were people going about their lives in a city which had an unimaginably large population. Finally he was forced to admit that there might be five million people in the City of the Khan.
After some time spent travelling between the tall and beautiful buildings, enjoying the sights and smells of the city, they arrived at an open plaza which surrounded a palace of another time, and perhaps another world. It was a city in itself, incredibly tall, made of crystal and black columns and walls. It seemed to be something out of a dream. Mouse and Tagernoab had the same realization at almost the same time. The walls of this edifice were made of the hardest, strongest of armor. What took the artisans they knew months to craft into a piece of armor was here being used as building material. It would take everyone in Newhome working together, for centuries, to make something like this. The entire party, once Tag had shared his epiphany, was speechless.
The platform did not land in front of the Palace, but rose up into the air some three hundred feet, to come to rest in a niche where it fit, exactly. Before them was a large open area, configured into a garden. The trees were small, not even waist high, and the streams and bridges were proportionate. It was just large enough to allow comfortable walking, but only in single file. Two persons could not walk abreast in its narrow paths. Their guide led them through the quiet scene, and Kur Lee noticed, as did most of the others, that they walked through a field of magic. They were observed closely as they approached the Palace of the Khan.
When they had arrived at the covered area, too large to be called a veranda but of the same general design, they noticed that the back wall was lined with warriors. These armored men were well armed, but did not move. At first one might think they were statues, perfectly carved and painted, who resembled men. This illusion was dispelled when they came to attention and formed a guard for the Khan to pass through, as he exited the doors before them.
"Baron Samovar," he said, "And Maude, Lorelei and Strider, how kind of you to stop by for a visit."
"Well," Maude answered instantly, "We were in the neighborhood,,,,"
The Khan began to laugh, at this, and soon was joined by his guests. He motioned them to a table, that had been brought out by servants no one saw, and they all took chairs. The Khan knew all of their names and where they called home, as well as what they liked to eat and drink. Black Cat was astounded at the dish he received, because he had never had it outside of the area around his home city of Narl. Strider was pleased to see that someone knew how to prepare strawberry delight, besides her mother. Mouse was delighted with the biscotti and espresso blanc, it had been awhile. So it went for each of the party, with everyone finding himself, (or herself) happy and comfortable. After a moment the Khan turned to Acernon.
"Your Majesty," he began, "It pains me to have to be the bearer of ill tidings, but you are King of Seacliff. "
" I,,, I ,, don't have an answer for that," began Acernon, nonplussed.
" I wouldn't expect one, " The Khan told him, " The battle in Seacliff only just occurred, and the monsters think you dead. They need your city for their planned attack on Magic Isle, and cannot take it. Those at the harbor have proved tougher than the monsters who came to conquer them."
" I guess I should go home, then," Acernon said, after a moment.
" Good answer, your majesty," The Khan came back, " I'll send a few thousand of my warriors to accompany you and you can teach those monsters how foolish they were to attack an ally of the Khan."
" I am stunned by your generosity, " Acernon replied, "I don't even know what to call you..."
"To you, Ace, and to you as well, Mouse," he answered, "I'm just Moe. The khan, ruler of Khan and ancient beyond words. Or maybe just Moe Khan, "
" But what do we say as an address?" Tagernoab asked, "Your Royal Majesty? Your imperial Highness? High muckety muck of Khan?"
" Those who use that sort of thing," The Khan said, " Generally just say 'The holy and exalted ten thousand year lord of heaven' but that's a bit much, don't you think?"
Mouse knew he was going to laugh, he just knew it, but Maude pinched him and prevented it. Black Cat collapsed to floor, falling all the way out of his chair. Noting this, the Khan remarked, " See? I was right." That broke up everyone. Lorelei leaned over and kissed the Khan on the cheek and said
"You're a dear, dear man,"
" It's been over three thousand years since last I was kissed," the Khan said to no one in particular, " I think I'll declare this a holiday. The day of the kiss. From now on this day of the year will be the day on which the kiss is remembered, and held sacred."
"Shall I write it so, most ancient and venerable one?" said a courtier with a pen and tablet.
"So let it be written," the Khan answered, "And proclaim it throughout the land."
"I'm a bard", Mouse said, by way of apology, "And so I was wondering just how much we're allowed to know about you?"
"Oh, that's an easy one to answer, " The Khan said, " I was born in Beijing, and as a baby took the journey to Thoss. Once here I contracted a disease that was about to kill me and the doctor gave me an experimental drug which should have finished the job. The magic of Thoss intervened and I became immortal. I lived through the War with that alien who crashed into our planet, the one called Fifnir, and built the Great Wall. Those who, like me, had learned to use magic, helped me enchant the wall, from one end to the other, so that Fifnir couldn't cross it. I then moved south, to where we are now, and built this palace. Slowly, over the centuries, I built the city around it. That's why the mages of Khan are so skilled with earth magic. It's my favorite."
"How do you know so much about the rest of the world?" Strider asked, "It's like you have spies everywhere."
" Nope," the Khan came back, "No spies. Don't trust them. I just keep magic in place that shows me the entire planet and what's going on everywhere. And I have a few friends, from over the years, who keep me up to date on anything I may have missed."
"Like Alhabra?" Mouse said.
"My pet lizard?" the Khan answered, "No, not him, I haven't seen him in almost two thousand,,," He stopped and said, "Can I see your belt thingy?"
Mouse took off his girdle and passed it to the Khan.
"That's his work, no doubt." the Khan said quietly. "Is he ok? Doing all right?"
"He's become Guardian of the Dragons, and lives at Samovar," Mouse told the Khan. " I would call him friend, if he weren't so powerful."
"Well," said the Khan, "Call me friend then. I'm more powerful, and if Alhabra thinks well of you, you're just what I've been looking for in a friend."
" I'd be honored to have a friend who is the most powerful person in the world" Mouse answered, "And I'd be proud to call you my ally as well."
"Make that a piece of statuary, with a mirror and portal. Put both our names on it and get Gam See to enchant it. Make two, and I'll do the portals myself." this was said to a person standing nearby, who left almost at a run.
"Don't mind him," the Khan said, " Suing Lo is a fine servant, and one of my best. I don't know what I'd do without him."
"Wow," Seana said quietly, "My cousin is famous."
"So are you Seana Brightleaf, High Lady of Goldenwood and Keeper of the grove, " said the Khan, "And as cousin to my friend and ally, Mouse, you are always welcome in my home."
"As are you in mine," Seana returned. This meant more than one might think, since no one in all of Mouse's encounters, had ever even seen Seana's home.
"We have an enclave of Elves here, " The Khan said casually, "Would you like to visit? "
"I would climb down the side of the Palace and walk to the woods, for such a chance." Seana assured him.
"No need of that kind of effort," the Khan came back, then he pointed at the floor and said a name in High Elvish. A moment later an Elf appeared, at the very spot.
Mouse had to translate in his head what the Elvish woman said, and his High Elvish hadn't gotten any better over the years. It was something like "What do you want, you old... and he missed the last word.
"Talk common," the Khan said, "We have company."
"An Elf, and a mudblood," Said the Elf, "What a treat."
"He's my new best friend, and she's his cousin, Aeronwen, so play nice."
"Honored to make your acquaintance," Aeronwen told Seana, "And pleased to meet you too," she added to Mouse.
" Go mbeannaí Dia duit, Aeronwen," said Mouse, "I am Duke Gladriel von Samovar, of the domain of the High King, in Newhome."
"Dia Duit, Gladriel," answered the Elf Lady, somehow deeply moved, "I did not know that Humans allowed part Elves to hold title."
"It wasn't easy," Seana put in, " Artheon himself had to back the boy."
" Artheon?" said Aeronwen, "How is he? I've neither seen nor heard of him for three thousand years. Is my brother well?"
"He is ruler of all the Elves in Newhome, " Seana assured her, "And a fan of Mouse the Bard."
"You're Mouse?" Aeronwen said, " The Bard who can sing the old songs?"
"Not all that," Mouse answered, "Although I've a nice harp, and people enjoy my music."
" Sing for the lady, Mouse," the Khan put in, " I'll broadcast it city wide when you get started."
Mouse had his Harp, because it was an integral part of his outfit, so he unlimbered it and made ready to sing. He only knew a single song that was all high elvish, but "Come by the Hills", seemed somehow appropriate.
He began with an opening interlude, which captured the attention of his audience, and then started singing the ancient ballad.
"Buachaill ón Eirne mé's bhréagfainn féin cailín deas óg
Né iarfainn bó spré léithe tá mé saibhir go leor 'S liom
Corcaigh a mhéid e , dhá thaobh a ghleanna's Tír Eoghain
'S mur n-athraí mé béasaí 's mé n' t-oibhr ar Chontae
Mhaigh Eo"
"Common, now" said Aeronwen, through her tears.
"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free.
And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the loughs meet the sea,
Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun;
And the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done.
Come by the hills to the land where life is a song.
And stand where the birds fill the air with their joy all day long,
Where the trees sway in time and even the wind sings in tune;
And, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done.
Come by the hills to the land where legend remains.
The stories of old, fill the heart and may yet come again,
Where the past has been lost and the future is still to be won;
And, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done.
And, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done."
After some time spent travelling between the tall and beautiful buildings, enjoying the sights and smells of the city, they arrived at an open plaza which surrounded a palace of another time, and perhaps another world. It was a city in itself, incredibly tall, made of crystal and black columns and walls. It seemed to be something out of a dream. Mouse and Tagernoab had the same realization at almost the same time. The walls of this edifice were made of the hardest, strongest of armor. What took the artisans they knew months to craft into a piece of armor was here being used as building material. It would take everyone in Newhome working together, for centuries, to make something like this. The entire party, once Tag had shared his epiphany, was speechless.
The platform did not land in front of the Palace, but rose up into the air some three hundred feet, to come to rest in a niche where it fit, exactly. Before them was a large open area, configured into a garden. The trees were small, not even waist high, and the streams and bridges were proportionate. It was just large enough to allow comfortable walking, but only in single file. Two persons could not walk abreast in its narrow paths. Their guide led them through the quiet scene, and Kur Lee noticed, as did most of the others, that they walked through a field of magic. They were observed closely as they approached the Palace of the Khan.
When they had arrived at the covered area, too large to be called a veranda but of the same general design, they noticed that the back wall was lined with warriors. These armored men were well armed, but did not move. At first one might think they were statues, perfectly carved and painted, who resembled men. This illusion was dispelled when they came to attention and formed a guard for the Khan to pass through, as he exited the doors before them.
"Baron Samovar," he said, "And Maude, Lorelei and Strider, how kind of you to stop by for a visit."
"Well," Maude answered instantly, "We were in the neighborhood,,,,"
The Khan began to laugh, at this, and soon was joined by his guests. He motioned them to a table, that had been brought out by servants no one saw, and they all took chairs. The Khan knew all of their names and where they called home, as well as what they liked to eat and drink. Black Cat was astounded at the dish he received, because he had never had it outside of the area around his home city of Narl. Strider was pleased to see that someone knew how to prepare strawberry delight, besides her mother. Mouse was delighted with the biscotti and espresso blanc, it had been awhile. So it went for each of the party, with everyone finding himself, (or herself) happy and comfortable. After a moment the Khan turned to Acernon.
"Your Majesty," he began, "It pains me to have to be the bearer of ill tidings, but you are King of Seacliff. "
" I,,, I ,, don't have an answer for that," began Acernon, nonplussed.
" I wouldn't expect one, " The Khan told him, " The battle in Seacliff only just occurred, and the monsters think you dead. They need your city for their planned attack on Magic Isle, and cannot take it. Those at the harbor have proved tougher than the monsters who came to conquer them."
" I guess I should go home, then," Acernon said, after a moment.
" Good answer, your majesty," The Khan came back, " I'll send a few thousand of my warriors to accompany you and you can teach those monsters how foolish they were to attack an ally of the Khan."
" I am stunned by your generosity, " Acernon replied, "I don't even know what to call you..."
"To you, Ace, and to you as well, Mouse," he answered, "I'm just Moe. The khan, ruler of Khan and ancient beyond words. Or maybe just Moe Khan, "
" But what do we say as an address?" Tagernoab asked, "Your Royal Majesty? Your imperial Highness? High muckety muck of Khan?"
" Those who use that sort of thing," The Khan said, " Generally just say 'The holy and exalted ten thousand year lord of heaven' but that's a bit much, don't you think?"
Mouse knew he was going to laugh, he just knew it, but Maude pinched him and prevented it. Black Cat collapsed to floor, falling all the way out of his chair. Noting this, the Khan remarked, " See? I was right." That broke up everyone. Lorelei leaned over and kissed the Khan on the cheek and said
"You're a dear, dear man,"
" It's been over three thousand years since last I was kissed," the Khan said to no one in particular, " I think I'll declare this a holiday. The day of the kiss. From now on this day of the year will be the day on which the kiss is remembered, and held sacred."
"Shall I write it so, most ancient and venerable one?" said a courtier with a pen and tablet.
"So let it be written," the Khan answered, "And proclaim it throughout the land."
"I'm a bard", Mouse said, by way of apology, "And so I was wondering just how much we're allowed to know about you?"
"Oh, that's an easy one to answer, " The Khan said, " I was born in Beijing, and as a baby took the journey to Thoss. Once here I contracted a disease that was about to kill me and the doctor gave me an experimental drug which should have finished the job. The magic of Thoss intervened and I became immortal. I lived through the War with that alien who crashed into our planet, the one called Fifnir, and built the Great Wall. Those who, like me, had learned to use magic, helped me enchant the wall, from one end to the other, so that Fifnir couldn't cross it. I then moved south, to where we are now, and built this palace. Slowly, over the centuries, I built the city around it. That's why the mages of Khan are so skilled with earth magic. It's my favorite."
"How do you know so much about the rest of the world?" Strider asked, "It's like you have spies everywhere."
" Nope," the Khan came back, "No spies. Don't trust them. I just keep magic in place that shows me the entire planet and what's going on everywhere. And I have a few friends, from over the years, who keep me up to date on anything I may have missed."
"Like Alhabra?" Mouse said.
"My pet lizard?" the Khan answered, "No, not him, I haven't seen him in almost two thousand,,," He stopped and said, "Can I see your belt thingy?"
Mouse took off his girdle and passed it to the Khan.
"That's his work, no doubt." the Khan said quietly. "Is he ok? Doing all right?"
"He's become Guardian of the Dragons, and lives at Samovar," Mouse told the Khan. " I would call him friend, if he weren't so powerful."
"Well," said the Khan, "Call me friend then. I'm more powerful, and if Alhabra thinks well of you, you're just what I've been looking for in a friend."
" I'd be honored to have a friend who is the most powerful person in the world" Mouse answered, "And I'd be proud to call you my ally as well."
"Make that a piece of statuary, with a mirror and portal. Put both our names on it and get Gam See to enchant it. Make two, and I'll do the portals myself." this was said to a person standing nearby, who left almost at a run.
"Don't mind him," the Khan said, " Suing Lo is a fine servant, and one of my best. I don't know what I'd do without him."
"Wow," Seana said quietly, "My cousin is famous."
"So are you Seana Brightleaf, High Lady of Goldenwood and Keeper of the grove, " said the Khan, "And as cousin to my friend and ally, Mouse, you are always welcome in my home."
"As are you in mine," Seana returned. This meant more than one might think, since no one in all of Mouse's encounters, had ever even seen Seana's home.
"We have an enclave of Elves here, " The Khan said casually, "Would you like to visit? "
"I would climb down the side of the Palace and walk to the woods, for such a chance." Seana assured him.
"No need of that kind of effort," the Khan came back, then he pointed at the floor and said a name in High Elvish. A moment later an Elf appeared, at the very spot.
Mouse had to translate in his head what the Elvish woman said, and his High Elvish hadn't gotten any better over the years. It was something like "What do you want, you old... and he missed the last word.
"Talk common," the Khan said, "We have company."
"An Elf, and a mudblood," Said the Elf, "What a treat."
"He's my new best friend, and she's his cousin, Aeronwen, so play nice."
"Honored to make your acquaintance," Aeronwen told Seana, "And pleased to meet you too," she added to Mouse.
" Go mbeannaí Dia duit, Aeronwen," said Mouse, "I am Duke Gladriel von Samovar, of the domain of the High King, in Newhome."
"Dia Duit, Gladriel," answered the Elf Lady, somehow deeply moved, "I did not know that Humans allowed part Elves to hold title."
"It wasn't easy," Seana put in, " Artheon himself had to back the boy."
" Artheon?" said Aeronwen, "How is he? I've neither seen nor heard of him for three thousand years. Is my brother well?"
"He is ruler of all the Elves in Newhome, " Seana assured her, "And a fan of Mouse the Bard."
"You're Mouse?" Aeronwen said, " The Bard who can sing the old songs?"
"Not all that," Mouse answered, "Although I've a nice harp, and people enjoy my music."
" Sing for the lady, Mouse," the Khan put in, " I'll broadcast it city wide when you get started."
Mouse had his Harp, because it was an integral part of his outfit, so he unlimbered it and made ready to sing. He only knew a single song that was all high elvish, but "Come by the Hills", seemed somehow appropriate.
He began with an opening interlude, which captured the attention of his audience, and then started singing the ancient ballad.
"Buachaill ón Eirne mé's bhréagfainn féin cailín deas óg
Né iarfainn bó spré léithe tá mé saibhir go leor 'S liom
Corcaigh a mhéid e , dhá thaobh a ghleanna's Tír Eoghain
'S mur n-athraí mé béasaí 's mé n' t-oibhr ar Chontae
Mhaigh Eo"
"Common, now" said Aeronwen, through her tears.
"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free.
And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the loughs meet the sea,
Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun;
And the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done.
Come by the hills to the land where life is a song.
And stand where the birds fill the air with their joy all day long,
Where the trees sway in time and even the wind sings in tune;
And, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done.
Come by the hills to the land where legend remains.
The stories of old, fill the heart and may yet come again,
Where the past has been lost and the future is still to be won;
And, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done.
And, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done."
When he finished, he realized that everyone wanted another song, so he sang one. Finally, after several songs passed, he opted for one he'd written, that had been received well all over his travels. He simply called it the Song of Samovar. It moved everyone, but this time it moved him as well, because it was a song of his home, and his home was gone. He felt the pain of losing his family and the sadness of the coming of the Monsters. He was called again to the hills of his childhood, that might never be as peaceful as they once had been. He felt the call of nature in the copse beside the Castle, where berries had grown and Trees had sheltered birds and animals. That land where he had been a child, that Samovar, was no more, and might never be again. All of this came to his mind as he sang, and he was near to tears when he finished.
"It would seem I also have a new best friend, " Aeronwen remarked, her voice still choked with emotion, " Seana, your cousin is something of a marvel."
" And I love him more than a brother," Seana answered, none too steady in voice either.
"I have something I should, perhaps, say" Strider announced. "I'm an elf from Stonewood."
"There are no valley elves yet alive," Seana corrected her, "And you don't look like an Elf, either."
"We, of Stonewood, have ears like a human, but we're otherwise like any Elf." she explained, " When our group passed below the mountains, we took the first open area we could find. It was not as suited to Forest as it should have been, and we lived in the valleys between the foothills until the Monsters came and either killed or drove out all our people. I was born after than, but am over a hundred fifty years old. I've always pretended to be a human man, because there's really no place for 'valley Elves' in Newhome."
"There is now," Black Cat observed, " You being the Forest Lady of Samovar, and with that area that is Elves and Druids, you can be the Valley Elf in charge, and all the valley Elves who are hiding out can come live there."
"Strider, dear, what's your real name?" Aeronwen asked.
" Sevi Lowenek, " she responded " I haven't used it since my mother and father were killed."
" Elvish Law says a motherless Elf must be adopted," Aeronwen said, "And since no one else has seen fit to do it, I shall. So let the trees record, Sevi Lowenek is now my daughter, and entitled as any daughter of the Elf Queen of Thoss may bestow. By my Title, My Forests, My Rivers and glens, I declare it to be so. Let none dispute it from this day."
" Let me be the first," Seana knelt, " to say your highness, my princess."
" Let me be the first," Seana knelt, " to say your highness, my princess."
"I'm gobsmacked" Strider said, " I don't understand what just happened."
" It's like this," Moe Khan put in, " Under old Elvish Law, any child who is orphaned, must be adopted by the first responsible adult able to do so. The Queen, here, seems to feel that you've been an orphan long enough, and has adopted you. She sealed it with the oath of the Elves, so it will stand in any court or other place of judgement. Like it or not, you're now, by adoption, a princess of the elves of Khan, and niece to the King of the Elves in Newhome."
"My brother will be pleased, " Aeronwen remarked, "Or I shall visit him. Then he will be pleased, I'm sure."
Suddenly everyone had to talk. Conversation would have continued for the rest of the day, except that the day was almost over, and the Khan declared that is was time for dinner and a drink. Everyone filed into the Castle, even the Elves, and the Khan waved his hand at the empty banquet table. It filled with a score of dishes, from Asparagus to Zucchini and from Boar to Wildebeeste. All were either hot or cold as required of the dish, and it was a meal from 'Soup to Nuts', as the traders would say. Talk still continued, during the meal, but often shifted to the various things that the diners had eaten, over the years. Finally, when everyone had eaten his/her fill, Glasses full of something golden were brought to each of the guests.
"A toast to the future," The Khan proposed, "We will have need of patience and endurance, courage and fortitude, and strength. May this toast grant to all of us enough years to win, and the attributes to go with them."
Everyone drank, and the substance was quite good. Not exactly wine, but not a strong spirit either. It seemed to be 'just right' somehow. After several minutes, during which no one spoke, the Khan resumed his role as master of ceremonies.
" A small confession, here" he began, " That drink was a potion I cooked up to give each of you a kind of 'boost' for the upcoming festivities." He paused.
" We are, all of us, about to enter into a war of epic proportions." he paused again, " None of you have any idea what we're facing, but, I assure you, you will quickly gain that knowledge. We are dealing with a creature, or perhaps an entity, who is not now nor has ever been, a part of our history. Fifnir is something from beyond the stars themselves, and he has been on Thoss for thousands of years. What he is seeking, I do not know, but I know that he is looking for something that he knows is on this world. He has killed millions of humankind, because he does not regard us as an intelligent species. We are pests, interfering with his search, and we are to be exterminated when we become inconvenient. If we are to survive, as a species on this world, it will be at the cost of his life."
" I've known for years, that I would be in a war with Fifnir," Mouse put in, " Since I left for training as a Knight, when I was the subject of several auguries."
"Perhaps you're a nexis," the Khan mused, " One of those rare people who can make a difference in the lines of probability."
"What happens now?" John, who hadn't spoken much, asked.
"Well John, you'll have to be trained, along with the other Knights, for the upcoming war. I've an academy, or school, where warriors are trained in a special kind of warfare."
"I'm up for that," Sindie volunteered, " The warriors of this region have a way of moving and keeping balance that I envy."
"We can help make you even more expert with that chakram, if you like," the Khan said, " I know a guy who's an expert with them."
Talk of War and alliances was intermixed with planning for a couple of hours, during which time the group moved into another room. A huge map was there, which featured more world than Mouse, or any except the Khan, knew existed. The Khan explained that Fifnir had confined his search to the area which had been colonized by humankind, back when men first arrived on this world. That, in itself, was fantastic, that Humankind was from 'somewhere else' and had come to Thoss in the very far distant past. That Fifnir was looking for something in the area of Old Home and Newhome, was just more icing on the pastry. The entire party, including Kur Lee, was reaching the point of being overwhelmed with knowledge when the Khan decided it was time for sleep. A few seconds later everyone was asleep but him. He had his servants carry the sleeping party to rooms where they were washed, groomed and put to bed. They all slept the night away, with a few pleasant dreams thrown in.
Morning came, without fanfare. Everyone awoke, figured out that they were in bed, and eventually stumbled to the breakfast table. The after effects of the potion they had drunk were not to be ignored. The meal they had for breakfast would easily have fed a company of troops in a standard army. They didn't really notice. They all ate in silence and finally were shown to an outdoor garden different from the first one they visited. It was still hundreds of feet in the air, but this garden was more like one from Lackland, with trees and shrubs of the forest and a stream that actually looked real, running through it. It was calming and peaceful, two things they all appreciated at the moment.
"Good morning, campers," the Khan said, entering, "And welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends."
Mumbled responses and half-hearted acknowledgements brought a smile to the Khan's face. "Ah, everyone can think, and no one is injured, " the Khan was obviously pleased, "The spell seems to have worked perfectly."
"Just what did we get," Maude asked, "That was worth the suffering?"
" Only a few hundred extra years of life," the Khan answered, "And an upgrade in strength, intelligence and general constitution. You won't get sick, you'll tire less easily and you'll have an expanded use of magic."
" I can live with that," Maude responded.
" I hope I can," Mouse remarked, looking as worn as he felt.
" A few hundred years, " Aeronwen put in, "Seems like little enough, for an elf."
" Oh all the Elves got a thousand, and the half Elf got five hundred, " the Khan explained, "But you,,, Sevi Lowenek called Strider,,,, for you I can see no end."
" Oh, and you Dwarf Tagernoab, " the Khan remarked, " Leader of the Clans and Councilor of Kings. You're getting about fifteen hundred years of extra life."
" This is all conditional on our winning the war," he spoke to the group, " If Fifnir wins, all bets are off."
" I'll kill him myself, " Kur Lee spoke, "just for this night alone,"
" You may at that, monk-mage, " the Khan acknowledged, " I see you as a thorn in his already damaged flesh."
" Well, " Kur Lee shot back, " Every rose has its thorns, even a smelly dead one."
That got a laugh out of the room, even from the Khan. Then it was time to begin the hard road to victory.
***
The Kahn was fascinated with the spell for granting knowledge, one he didn't know. Seana didn't know it either, but Eglion did, and with the assistance of the Portal at Castle Samovar, Eglion and Linda were soon in Khan. They were suitably impressed, especially since the Khan remembered when all Druids were a member of a society that held, and welcomed, Elves. It seemed that all the Druids in Khan were Elves even now. Linda, as High Druid of Newhome, was something of an anomaly, albeit a welcome one. Eglion and the Khan went into chambers and exchanged about fifty years of magical knowledge, and the Khan showed him how to recover the energies thus lost. Then Linda and Eglion were given a drink, the same one that the Baron's party was yet suffering, and they went off for a nap.
Moe, the Khan, set about using his authority and power. He called together a group of mages, at least as many as in all of Samovar, and set them all tasks. Instead of sending the group off to train, he decided to use the new spell he had learned to pass along the knowledge of his best masters. He had his best brought by his mages, from all over the land of the Khan. Sword masters, combat and tactics, survivalists, and martial artists, all were brought. Even the master of the chakram was brought, for Sindie. Each of the members of the 'Duke's' party was given about twenty years of training, over the space of a few weeks. Then a week went by while they adjusted to what they had learned. Another couple of weeks in the gym and various places let them practice, so that the learned muscle memory could become second nature. They went from excellent warriors to men and women of legend. There might well never have been such a group before. They were easily the equal of any force three times their size.
While they learned the various disciplines of war, the other knowledge of their masters seeped in. They learned history, biology, herbology, philosophy and various other paths of knowledge, to numerous to mention. The Khan believed that a great warrior was skilled not only in war, but in life as well. Mouse learned the music of the land of the Khan, and quickly mastered the nine tone system. While the 'well-tempered' system was appreciated in the Lands of the Khan, the nine tone system was classic and often used. It made for a rich and varied range of music, even if some of it sounded 'strange' to those from Newhome. The art was also strange, although Black Cat learned to carve as he never could before. He also learned something called Ninjutsu, which he found useful. He especially liked being able to pass through solid objects, walk on water and move without leaving a trace. With the skills he already had, he became a true force of nature. Much like Maude. Maude learned to fight as well as anyone in either land, and her magic expanded to that of an archmage. She could heal, cure and raise the dead. Maude also learned the art of being difficult to harm. She was never unprotected, her nude self being the equal of chainmail. With unarmed skills like those of a monk of ten years training, and the martial skills she had already possessed, Maude was even more intimidating. Lorelei contented herself with half a century of Healing arts, also learning the various defensive spells. She was able to reach into the past of any creature or object, to know where it had been and what it had done. She could 'see' evil and good, know a magic thing and what it was and did, not to mention find almost anything that she, or a questioner, had handled, even once. Strider learned to be 'at one' with the forest. She could track a rumor through the marketplace, use two weapons at the same time as well as almost any other warrior could use one, and was able to survive in any environment where life existed. With the constitution of a monk, and the training of both a forest Lady and a ranger of the lands of the Khan, she knew poisons, how to cure them, what could be eaten and how to prepare it. From a to z, Strider was a ranger Lady who was a fit Princess. At the insistence of her family, she even learned the manners of court. Seana, Mouse, Maude and Lorelei helped with that, not to mention the Khan himself. While still a nightmare to any she had to attack, Strider, Sevi Lowenek, was a Lady and fit to attend any court in any land.
Sindie was thrilled to be able to send her Chakram across a field of obstacles, hit most of them, and have it return to her hand. Even her Master was impressed, because she had techniques he had not known.(he learned them even as he taught her) Frank became what was known as a 'Sword Saint', while John just settled for being one of the finest warriors on Thoss. Ted and his sister Deb learned how to be guards, sensing danger magically and almost eliminating the element of surprise as it related to them. Ted added the arts of a monk, and Debbie chose to be trained in attack magic. The Elves with the group chose to learn to be more 'Elvish', not realizing that the Elves hereabouts were Druids as well. They picked up hundreds of Druid Spells and much new forest lore, even while sharing the magic skills and martial skills of their home forests. There was an odd looking bow in use in the lands of the Khan, called a Daikyu, which while no more powerful nor accurate than an elvin composite recurve, was usable mounted more easily. The upshot was that there ended up being a laminated recurved Daikyu, which was both easily usable while mounted and about twice as powerful as the bows that had proceeded it. The Elvin warriors earned the appellation "Ghosts of the Forest" because they could vanish into the woods so easily.
Every member of the party that had come from Samovar became a figure of legend. It was a necessary thing, the Khan assured them, as they would be creating a few legends, and only legendary figures would be able to survive. He was careful not to mention that some legendary figures died, in legends. Acernon had taken his army of warriors through the portal before the training time, because of the situation in his home. While he received all the knowledge of the rest, the actual practice he would get on the road home. He went to Samovar and moved his troops as well, causing some consternation in Samovar, as 50,000 Warriors marched East, with the intention of going to the aid of those in Seacliff. Acernon was pleased that a troupe of support wagons and followers went with him from Targun, even if it was small. He acquired more as he journeyed, coming to Seacliff looking very much like a returning King. But that's another story.
The monsters north of Khan had been gathering at the Wall, thinking to prevent the return of Mouse to Newhome. They represented some eighty to one-hundred thousand creatures, most of the monster population in the area. The Khan referred to them as a 'small force of monsters' and well he might have. The Khan's army, that encamped before the wall, was over a million strong, so as not to alert Fifnir. They awaited only the readiness of the Heroes to begin their assault to the mountains. The plan was to clear an entire section of the countryside, all the way to Samovar. It was a bold plan, but well considered. When all was in readiness, the Khan came with his guests to the wall.
"I've put the best of my generals in charge of the army," he told them, "But I won't be going with you. I need to stay here to defend the kingdom. Even though I'm sending only half my army with you, they're some of the best I have."
"I'm just amazed at the force you've assembled, " Mouse said, " I wouldn't have thought it possible."
" I keep a standing army of two million," the Khan replied, "This is just a portion I've decided to send to my allies."
That having been revealed, Mouse discovered that he was the leader. He never enjoyed being the 'leader', but he was getting better at it. He had also just received a ton of training in that area. By the end of the day, the Army had established itself outside of the Wall, and monsters were doing just what Mouse liked them to do, dying. The Party from Samovar was putting their training and new knowledge to use. Each and every one of them was at the forefront of a battle somewhere, with thousands of troops and monsters to spare. In a few days the monsters were gone, all slain. Fifnir would not tolerate retreat this close to his primary residence, but he had badly underestimated the force that he would face. His monsters, even though it was almost his entire force, were far too few to face the Army of the Khan, who'd been preparing for this for over a thousand years. Once the initial battle was successfully concluded, Mouse and his army moved east. Every scrap of opposition was wiped away, with Mouse singing almost constantly, to disrupt the field of evil that Fifnir had constructed. Everyone with Druid magic was contributing, and those with magic from Newhome never missed a chance to use it. Fifnir could not maintain his field, and it shrank backward, toward him. He was forced to maintain it at a distance from the Army. This, in and of itself, destroyed many of the unnatural creatures and plants that were in place. The Army was able to make good time and reached the Mountains in only a couple of months. For an army, not all of whom were mounted, this was good time. Then came the climb to the pass.
From the base of the mountains to the pass was a climb of ten thousand feet, and a trail forty eight miles long. The climb was severe, and the temperature in the pass was below freezing. If the army made twelve miles per day, which Mouse thought optimistic, it would take four days through the mountains. The first day was monster free and eighteen miles went by. The second day saw a few skirmishes and sixteen miles. Fourteen miles remained to be climbed, and it was more steep. Just about halfway through the third day, when the force had moved eight miles, that they encountered monsters blocking their path. With cliffs on either side, the trail had narrowed to the point where only a few columns at a time could pass. Because of this, the monster in the pass could deal with fewer adversaries at a time. It was a classic strategy, but in this case, it was flawed.
When two forces are evenly matched as to ability, or when the defending force is better trained and equipped, a bottleneck can be held for an extended period. If this be not the case, as in the case of Maude versus almost any monster, the bottleneck strategy will fail. Mouse, Maude Strider, Black Cat, Seana, Sindie, John, Frank, Ted and Debbie were the first line of attack. Behind them were Eglion, Kur Lee, and Lorelei. The combatants were bathed in protective magic, and their weapons were beyond dangerous. The monsters who faced them were each twice the size of a human, and almost twice as fast. They were giant canids, a type of monster which was derived from one created to eat the 'little folk'. Tagernoab, A brace of Elven Archers, and row after row of the Khan's warriors were following, and the monsters were ill prepared for any of this. Behind the hundred or so Canids were Chukes and Blemmyes, Ogres and Hobgoblins. These were followed by Dogmen and Goblins. There were probably several thousand monsters in all, and they stretched all the way to the top of the Pass.
Mouse decided that, since they were still low enough to reliably cast magic, he would do so. He took out the Harp and played up a storm. The storm was made of fire and lightening, with gale force winds and hail made of CO2. Any monster that charged forward to escape, met nine kinds of death, literally. As Mouse was forced to end his magic, the mages behind him began theirs. Bursts of flame, bolts of lightening, and blasts of incredible cold were interspersed with deadly fog, hailstones, and spears of magical force. As these spells faded, those with Mouse followed him into whatever gaps had been made. Anything not yet dead was a target, and Sindie was happy to distract any creature still able to attack. Her Chakram was like a thing alive, spinning through the opponents and injuring one after another, in rapid succession. The monsters were unable to effectively attack, because of the protective magics in place. The march up the pass continued, slowly into the night and throughout it, with a glowing globe lighting the area of combat, so that Mouse, and his, could keep fighting and the archers could keep killing from afar. This went on for hours, and finally fatigue began to set in. Fortunately the worst of the Monsters had been slain, so Mouse and the others could leave the 'lesser Monsters' to the Khan's warriors. Each warrior was determined to be remembered for this battle, so they all fought without any consideration of death. This was bad for the Dogmen, Goblins and even the Hobgoblins. Death had come for the Monsters and they weren't ready.
By morning, even though the attackers were nearing exhaustion, the monsters were nearing extinction. Mouse and Tagernoab were double teaming, with the Scimitar crippling them and the Ax finishing them, almost as fast as one could tell it. The pass had widened, and Archers could now stand twenty abreast while firing. Those who were too far back to enter the actual battle, were retrieving arrows and passing them forward. Finally it was over, and none too soon. Magic had become unreliable and fighting had to be conducted without any enhancements. This did not represent a huge disadvantage to Mouse and his group, but it made the killing harder. By this time the Khan's forces had broken up into squads, with each squad choosing a monster to kill. In this way losses were minimized and the Monsters died apace. By the time the last of the Monsters had been taken, Mouse and his group had found a clear area at the beginning of the flat area to use as a camp. Rest was no longer optional, and Mouse instructed the Generals to take the Army into the Pass to camp. Mouse and his Group would camp at the area where Monsters from below would have to come. Scouts and Guards were posted, from among the many thousands who had not fought during the uphill fight to the pass. Mouse spent time staring at the inside of his eyelids, until sleep came by and took him.
When night had spent enough time being dark, morning took over and it became day. Nothing had come to disturb them during the night, and alarm bells were going off inside of Mouse's head. Why the ambush had occurred, and what the goal was were paramount in his mind. It was Tag who suggested it might have been a slowing action. Why Fifnir wanted them slowed was something no one could answer. The solution was to make up the lost day and try to descend into Samovar as soon as possible. Eglion pointed out that the slowing action had not been successful, since four days had still found them at the top. While slightly reassuring, this information did nothing to quell the sense of urgency that Mouse felt. He moved at a run to reach the enclave of Generals which was some distance ahead.
The army was already assembling to march by the time Mouse reached what had been the enclave. It was packed and ready to move. Mouse was not happy. He spotted one of the Generals and quickly overtook him.
"Can we somehow speed up our force?" he asked without preamble.
"Of Course, your Grace," came his answer, "The men have been distressed at the slow pace for days."
"Inform the other Generals," Mouse said, "We need to reach Samovar with all possible speed. But not forgetting safety, it will do us no good to lose men to haste."
"I will see to the order being relayed," said the general, " And you may be assured that we will lose no one to the route. Traveling with speed does not require that we be reckless."
Mouse had never seen a 'forced march' in the manner of the Khan's warriors. They traveled down the pass as fast as the mounts could move and were beyond the badlands, in the Western region of Samovar Proper in less than five days. Mouse called a halt there, because he needed to find out what he could about anything Fifnir might have been planning. It was also an area where the huge Army could bivouac or encamp without infringing on the farms and ranches of Samovar. While it was not improved, it was, largely, monster free. After a few days, it was completely monster free. In his research into the plan of Fifnir, Mouse had help, although it was unexpected. Alhabra arrived with some friends.
Alhabra had brought his intended, Sapheara, and other Dragons as well. They were all in human guise, although a few of them were slightly reptilian. Mouse supposed that it had to do with practice, or perhaps the level of magic required. He was wrong.
"Galandry is more comfortable in Elvin guise, " Alhabra explained, " While Darkho is usually a Dwarf. Charmie is usually at the Shire lands, among the Small Folk, and Belkhir spends most of his time blending into the forest as one of many animals. We've only take human form together because we need to join your army."
" Technically it's the Army of Samovar, " Mouse pointed out, "As much yours as anyone's. You only have to take your place as commanding General."
"You would pass leadership to me without any argument?" Alhabra said, " For what reason?"
" Because not only have I seen what you can do," Mouse answered, "But because your friend Moe Khan speaks so well of you."
"Moe's Alive?!" Alhabra said excitedly, then he turned to Sapheara and continued, " Sapheara,,, Moe's Alive! He must have gotten far enough South to construct that 'barrier' he was talking about."
Conversation about the Khan, and the land he created, and what had transpired, took up more than a few moments, but was news that Alhabra simply had to have. He had lived as companion to the Khan for many years, and they had developed a close bond. When he learned of the Portal, he became determined to use it, as soon as this 'trouble with Fifnir' had been cleared up. Mouse found his optimism wonderful.
When the conversation concerning the Khan naturally led into a discussion of the Army, and why they had come, Alhabra was delighted. It seemed that monsters had been excavating one of the lower cravasses in the mountains, with the apparent intention of making it suitable for the passage of Dragons. They were, even now, beginning to come close. The time for action was at hand.
There was a suitable conference hall at Castle Samovar, albeit small after a trip to the lands of the Khan, and it was there that the Generals assembled when the vast army had been encamped on the outlying lands, away from Targun. They were curious as to the sense of urgency they all felt in the Duke who led them. He addressed then as a group.
"You are some of the finest Generals among those loyal to the Khan," he began, " If any of you have knowledge of Alhabra, please raise your hand", When a few hands had been raised, he continued, " Alhabra, since the Khan knew him, has become defender of the Dragons in Newhome, and Commanding General in Samovar. Please share your knowledge, and when you are ready, he will address you."
There was quiet conversation for several minutes, among the Generals, not only because of the knowledge they possessed, but in response to the Dragon being a commanding general. Dragons were revered in Khan, and no one would object, but neither had they seen a Dragon in human form. Finally they quieted and Alhabra took the podium. He spoke in the language of Khan, which Mouse now understood, and was precise and very authoritative.
" We face a battle with some of the Dragons of Fifnir, " he began, "Unless we can drive away those monsters who are attempting to open a pass through which a flight of Dragons can pass. So long as the Dragons are forced to appear singly, we of Newhome can defeat them without problem. If this pass be opened, the Dragons will come in groups, and we may be overcome."When two forces are evenly matched as to ability, or when the defending force is better trained and equipped, a bottleneck can be held for an extended period. If this be not the case, as in the case of Maude versus almost any monster, the bottleneck strategy will fail. Mouse, Maude Strider, Black Cat, Seana, Sindie, John, Frank, Ted and Debbie were the first line of attack. Behind them were Eglion, Kur Lee, and Lorelei. The combatants were bathed in protective magic, and their weapons were beyond dangerous. The monsters who faced them were each twice the size of a human, and almost twice as fast. They were giant canids, a type of monster which was derived from one created to eat the 'little folk'. Tagernoab, A brace of Elven Archers, and row after row of the Khan's warriors were following, and the monsters were ill prepared for any of this. Behind the hundred or so Canids were Chukes and Blemmyes, Ogres and Hobgoblins. These were followed by Dogmen and Goblins. There were probably several thousand monsters in all, and they stretched all the way to the top of the Pass.
Mouse decided that, since they were still low enough to reliably cast magic, he would do so. He took out the Harp and played up a storm. The storm was made of fire and lightening, with gale force winds and hail made of CO2. Any monster that charged forward to escape, met nine kinds of death, literally. As Mouse was forced to end his magic, the mages behind him began theirs. Bursts of flame, bolts of lightening, and blasts of incredible cold were interspersed with deadly fog, hailstones, and spears of magical force. As these spells faded, those with Mouse followed him into whatever gaps had been made. Anything not yet dead was a target, and Sindie was happy to distract any creature still able to attack. Her Chakram was like a thing alive, spinning through the opponents and injuring one after another, in rapid succession. The monsters were unable to effectively attack, because of the protective magics in place. The march up the pass continued, slowly into the night and throughout it, with a glowing globe lighting the area of combat, so that Mouse, and his, could keep fighting and the archers could keep killing from afar. This went on for hours, and finally fatigue began to set in. Fortunately the worst of the Monsters had been slain, so Mouse and the others could leave the 'lesser Monsters' to the Khan's warriors. Each warrior was determined to be remembered for this battle, so they all fought without any consideration of death. This was bad for the Dogmen, Goblins and even the Hobgoblins. Death had come for the Monsters and they weren't ready.
By morning, even though the attackers were nearing exhaustion, the monsters were nearing extinction. Mouse and Tagernoab were double teaming, with the Scimitar crippling them and the Ax finishing them, almost as fast as one could tell it. The pass had widened, and Archers could now stand twenty abreast while firing. Those who were too far back to enter the actual battle, were retrieving arrows and passing them forward. Finally it was over, and none too soon. Magic had become unreliable and fighting had to be conducted without any enhancements. This did not represent a huge disadvantage to Mouse and his group, but it made the killing harder. By this time the Khan's forces had broken up into squads, with each squad choosing a monster to kill. In this way losses were minimized and the Monsters died apace. By the time the last of the Monsters had been taken, Mouse and his group had found a clear area at the beginning of the flat area to use as a camp. Rest was no longer optional, and Mouse instructed the Generals to take the Army into the Pass to camp. Mouse and his Group would camp at the area where Monsters from below would have to come. Scouts and Guards were posted, from among the many thousands who had not fought during the uphill fight to the pass. Mouse spent time staring at the inside of his eyelids, until sleep came by and took him.
When night had spent enough time being dark, morning took over and it became day. Nothing had come to disturb them during the night, and alarm bells were going off inside of Mouse's head. Why the ambush had occurred, and what the goal was were paramount in his mind. It was Tag who suggested it might have been a slowing action. Why Fifnir wanted them slowed was something no one could answer. The solution was to make up the lost day and try to descend into Samovar as soon as possible. Eglion pointed out that the slowing action had not been successful, since four days had still found them at the top. While slightly reassuring, this information did nothing to quell the sense of urgency that Mouse felt. He moved at a run to reach the enclave of Generals which was some distance ahead.
The army was already assembling to march by the time Mouse reached what had been the enclave. It was packed and ready to move. Mouse was not happy. He spotted one of the Generals and quickly overtook him.
"Can we somehow speed up our force?" he asked without preamble.
"Of Course, your Grace," came his answer, "The men have been distressed at the slow pace for days."
"Inform the other Generals," Mouse said, "We need to reach Samovar with all possible speed. But not forgetting safety, it will do us no good to lose men to haste."
"I will see to the order being relayed," said the general, " And you may be assured that we will lose no one to the route. Traveling with speed does not require that we be reckless."
Mouse had never seen a 'forced march' in the manner of the Khan's warriors. They traveled down the pass as fast as the mounts could move and were beyond the badlands, in the Western region of Samovar Proper in less than five days. Mouse called a halt there, because he needed to find out what he could about anything Fifnir might have been planning. It was also an area where the huge Army could bivouac or encamp without infringing on the farms and ranches of Samovar. While it was not improved, it was, largely, monster free. After a few days, it was completely monster free. In his research into the plan of Fifnir, Mouse had help, although it was unexpected. Alhabra arrived with some friends.
Alhabra had brought his intended, Sapheara, and other Dragons as well. They were all in human guise, although a few of them were slightly reptilian. Mouse supposed that it had to do with practice, or perhaps the level of magic required. He was wrong.
"Galandry is more comfortable in Elvin guise, " Alhabra explained, " While Darkho is usually a Dwarf. Charmie is usually at the Shire lands, among the Small Folk, and Belkhir spends most of his time blending into the forest as one of many animals. We've only take human form together because we need to join your army."
" Technically it's the Army of Samovar, " Mouse pointed out, "As much yours as anyone's. You only have to take your place as commanding General."
"You would pass leadership to me without any argument?" Alhabra said, " For what reason?"
" Because not only have I seen what you can do," Mouse answered, "But because your friend Moe Khan speaks so well of you."
"Moe's Alive?!" Alhabra said excitedly, then he turned to Sapheara and continued, " Sapheara,,, Moe's Alive! He must have gotten far enough South to construct that 'barrier' he was talking about."
Conversation about the Khan, and the land he created, and what had transpired, took up more than a few moments, but was news that Alhabra simply had to have. He had lived as companion to the Khan for many years, and they had developed a close bond. When he learned of the Portal, he became determined to use it, as soon as this 'trouble with Fifnir' had been cleared up. Mouse found his optimism wonderful.
When the conversation concerning the Khan naturally led into a discussion of the Army, and why they had come, Alhabra was delighted. It seemed that monsters had been excavating one of the lower cravasses in the mountains, with the apparent intention of making it suitable for the passage of Dragons. They were, even now, beginning to come close. The time for action was at hand.
There was a suitable conference hall at Castle Samovar, albeit small after a trip to the lands of the Khan, and it was there that the Generals assembled when the vast army had been encamped on the outlying lands, away from Targun. They were curious as to the sense of urgency they all felt in the Duke who led them. He addressed then as a group.
"You are some of the finest Generals among those loyal to the Khan," he began, " If any of you have knowledge of Alhabra, please raise your hand", When a few hands had been raised, he continued, " Alhabra, since the Khan knew him, has become defender of the Dragons in Newhome, and Commanding General in Samovar. Please share your knowledge, and when you are ready, he will address you."
There was quiet conversation for several minutes, among the Generals, not only because of the knowledge they possessed, but in response to the Dragon being a commanding general. Dragons were revered in Khan, and no one would object, but neither had they seen a Dragon in human form. Finally they quieted and Alhabra took the podium. He spoke in the language of Khan, which Mouse now understood, and was precise and very authoritative.
"The Knights of Samovar, and the militia as well, have moved into support positions, which will be advantageous to us as we will be unhindered in our passage to the mountains. As you have recently come from this area, you are more familiar with the dangers than not. With care we can accomplish this, I have faith in your abilities, as our Duke trusts you all."
His expression of Mouse's trust may have been simply an assumption, but it was the catalyst which galvanized the Generals into a force he could use. Alhabra was able to learn much and plan more in the next hours, and did not have to answer to anyone. His plan was simple and brilliant and gave confidence to all of his new generals. They left the conference with a definitive plan and the ability to put it into action. Each General went to his specific 'army' in the main force, with a list of actions that group was to perform. Alhabra was to be surprised as to the speed and efficacy of the 'Warriors of the Khan'.
Mouse and his group had much to take care of, in Samovar and in the larger arena of the domain of the High King. Maude had several ceremonies to perform and Lorelei had to go to the coastal city of Franklin, where a cathedral had just been completed and required her blessing. Strider needed to visit her stronghold, from there she would obtain her Ranger Mount, and it was past time that she did it. Mouse, himself, needed to go on a tour to the north, and look in to the holdings of Samovar below the Great Plateau. He should have already accomplished this task, but other concerns had gotten in the way.
Each pillar of the Duchy, for so it would soon be, went off, with a personal guard, to accomplish tasks that would be necessary to maintain normal life. That was always assuming Fifnir left any of them a 'normal life'. Mouse played about seven towns in eight weeks, and was well into that space of land, which humans occupied, between Bryedale and Brightwood. He was attracting audiences of Elves and Humans, as well as a smattering of smaller folk. Then, at one show, he got a squad of barbarians. Tall, muscular, unmannerly troglodyte-like humans, Mouse found them interesting. He made a point of looking them up and favoring them with a song especially for their group. When the subsequent conversation period had passed, Mouse knew much about the incursion of Barbarians from the Great Plateau. He began to think that there might be an advantage in cultivating a friendship, or two, among that bunch.
Strider had made the acquaintance of Meadahl, a Bronze Dragon who often hunted in the woods near the Ancient Way. He had actually requested to be her 'Ranger Mount', and she had, of course, accepted. She took the time to verify with Maude and Alhabra that this was not a trap or bad idea. Some of the Brownies and Fairies came to her, asking to be allowed to join the war against Fifnir, and she gave conditional permission. They had only to insure that all of the Fairies and Brownies were of like mind in this, and it would be so.
Maude found herself in a situation, as an entire order of Paladins had come to join the war, and she was forced to set them a quest. She used her mirror to consult with Alhabra, and then set them as his guardians, to protect him from evil whenever he was in human form. She gave Father Michael the task of leading them. He was thrilled.
Lorelei was the luckiest and least lucky, in that her tasks went as planned, without a single problem. Then she was visited by a creature as large as an island, who wanted a part in the war. Charging him to guard the coast of Samovar from Port Narl to Bobuktu, she asked what he was called.
"I am the Dragon Turtle," he answered, "Because there is only one."
Mouse checked in with everyone, and learned that the Army was already advancing on the mountains. The warriors had readied everything in a matter of days, instead of weeks. With all going well, Mouse informed the family that he and Tag were going to visit an emerald mine that had been shut down several years ago due to unspecified problems. Black Cat, at loose ends for the moment, went to join him. Frank, John, Ted, Debbie and Sindie also made an appearance. Everyone was certain that if he were going to investigate, the problem would be interesting.
"That's a pathetic hole," Tag said, when he saw the mine, "No Dwarf had a hand in making that mess."
" Which makes me nervous," Mouse shot back, "There were supposed to be Dwarves in charge here."
"Well," Sindie spoke up, "Something made the hole, and it still lives here."
"Enlarged is more like it," Tagernoab said, looking more closely, "It was smaller and then something huge moved in and clawed away at the tunnel until it was as large as the creature wanted."
"Perhaps we should move," Ted remarked.
" Perhaps we should quickly move", Debbie agreed.
Mouse heard the sound of claws on rock, big claws. He ordered everyone back, away from the entrance, until they could determine what lived there. Sindie was the last to depart, because she recognized a smell. As she turned and moved toward the rest of the group, she remarked that it smelled of spiders. As she made the announcement, a spider of a size normally seen only in drugged nightmares burst from the ground. She was too close and its legs were tipped in claws as long as her arm. One found her, and pierced her through. Mouse was armed, instantly, as were the others. Before any of them could move, something large and unkempt came from the nearby treetops, landing on the spider's back, and beginning a rhythmic pounding on its back, with a hammer. The head of the Hammer was the size of a pony keg, and would have strained any of them to lift, but the person on the spider's back wielded it like it was a normal warhammer.
When the spider shifted it's focus, each of the group on the ground took a leg and attacked. The creature must have been smart, because it tried to turn and run. Since several of its legs had already lost their tips, it fell and the body struck the ground. Tag threw his Ax, Mouse his javelin, and the person on it's back landed a two handed stroke, almost all at the same time. Where it was struck by the javelin, a small fire appeared, indicating that the lightening had discharged. Tag's Axe went into the creature so deeply that it couldn't return, and the person who swung the two-handed blow, lost his hammer inside the thing. By this time the spider was dying, thrashing the only leg it had left and leaking great gobs of ichor onto the ground. Everyone was trying to find a way to increase the damage when they realized that the Barbarian, for so he was, was trying to build a fire under it.
Debbie helped start his fire and Mouse added some oil to spread it. Black Cat made cuts and shoved cedar branches into them to make a hotter fire. Everyone in the party found some way of enhancing the fire, to keep from looking at Sindie, because they knew she was dead. Spider poison rots you away from the inside, and everyone knew it. Sindie would not be recovering from this death. Not to mention neither Maude nor Lorelei had come along on this trip. Mouse resolved not to travel again without either one or the other of those two. Sindie had been his good friend and fellow knight for almost a decade now.
Mouse used his mirror to contact Elgion, who contacted both Maude and Lorelei, as well as Strider, Seana and Jana. In short order, every close friend of Sindie was gathered. After being certain that nothing could be done to resurrect the victim, Sindie was buried at the mine, with a marble headstone. Her Chakram would return to the vault at Samovar, to be kept in memoriam. Everyone had something good to say about her, or had a story concerning her. When the funeral was over, Lorelei walked to the tunnel from which the Spider had emerged.
"Do you suppose there are more of them in here?" she asked Mouse.
"Without doubt," Mouse answered, "Such is the way of spiders, even giant ones."
"Hope they like fire," she said quietly, and then sent a column of flame into the aperture that had to be a thousand yards long. Then she went off to do penance for her excessive revenge.
"What in all that's holy was that?" Ted asked Mouse, as he hurried up.
"I think Lorelei got angry," Mouse answered.
"I don't like her when she's angry," Ted observed.
"I do," said Debbie.
"Speaking of Angry," Maude came up, "When are we going to clean out that hole in the ground?"
"Tagernoab is checking for other ways in, and we'll know more when he's done." Mouse answered her.
"Can't be soon enough for me, "she rejoined, "I think these giant spiders are straight out of Fifnir's playbook."
The conversation was limited to vengeance and methods of killing spiders, with a few side comments about whether they could feel pain, until Mouse called a halt and told everyone to move swiftly away from the tunnel. He'd heard something.
This time the group almost ran from the tunnel. They knew the folly of being too close when the creature(s) came out. When Eglion noticed them moving away, he told Seana and Kur Lee. Kur Lee did something that everyone thought was extremely foolish. He strode purposefully toward the cave. It was impossible to stop him, he had chosen a path that was distant from any other person. He raised his hands above his head and stood, unmoving. As the first of the giant spiders emerged, Kur Lee burst into flames, blue ones. The spider tried to stop, it really did, but the ones behind it drove it into the flames. Kur Lee burned for the better part of five minutes, and the Spiders quit coming. He finally 'went out' and walked away from the tunnel.
"That really felt good," he commented.
Mouse decided to investigate the Barbarian who had jumped on the Spider that killed Sindie. He found the man in the edge of the woods near the main camp. With an offer of food and drink, he lured the barbarian into conversation. He soon learned that the man had been following Mouse and his group and wondered if they knew about the spiders. By the time he realized that they did not, it was too late for Sindie. Since he felt responsible for her death, he set about to kill the spider that killed her. He said that's what his people did, in such cases. His name was Gaelehn, and he hailed from above the plateau. Fifnir's monsters had begun attacking up there and he and his people were driving them south. Again, he explained that his people did that sort of thing. He, himself, was actually a weaponsmith, and made weapons for a living. The hammer he had almost lost was one of his tools, actually. Mouse asked him if he would like to stay on with the group, as a forger and occasional muscle. He liked that idea, and said he'd stay until the wind changed.
Mouse was at a loss. The tunnel was home to hundreds of Spiders, and yet it was known as a source of emeralds. The corpses of several spiders already killed had been found to contain some gem quality stones. Tagernoab was more than ready to mount an expedition into the place, but warriors were not available, the conflict with Fifnir had rendered all of them occupied. What he could do next was not apparent, so he got together with his wives and they all had an idea session. It was Maude who suggested that he hire the barbarians nearby to kill spiders, but Lorelei knew something of the group and assured her that they were almost never 'for hire', as a group. Strider echoed the information, explaining that, while barbarians were almost always eager to make some coin 'on their own', they had an aversion to being in a group unless it was led by someone from their tribe or tribal group. Mouse had his epiphany at about this time.
"Gaelehn," Mouse called, "You got a minute?"
"Got a whole hour, " the man replied, "If it anything interesting."
"Just looking for advice, " Mouse told him, " I'm wondering whether to offer a bounty on the spiders, or try to hire a group to get rid of them. I need this mine to help fund the war on Fifnir."
"Got a third option for you," Gaelehn offered, "You make it worth my while, and I'll go up and get some of the boys and we'll clean this cave out so well you can live there,"
"It's an emerald, mine," Mouse admitted, "You'll probably find a wealth of emeralds as you go."
"I got emeralds," Gaelehn responded, indicating a small sack at his waist, "What I need are rubies, and a large diamond."
Mouse took a moment to consider, and then spoke, "I'll give you a sack of rubies the size of your emerald sack, and a diamond as big as your eye," he said, "If, and when, you clear the mine of spiders."
"Not a problem," Gaelehn told him, "When spring comes you can move in or just turn it into a trading post. Unless you just want to mine the stones."
" I need the cash to provide supplies and wages to the armies I have, " Mouse explained, "Otherwise I might just make it a Dwarf village."
" Speaking of, " Gaelehn came back, "If you can spare some supplies, there's a few thousand of the guys who want to cross the mountains and kill a bunch of monsters. They know it would make life at home more peaceful. The wives are upset, and when momma ain't happy, nobody's happy."
"Don't I know it," Mouse looked askance, " I spend much of my time on that very thing. But if it will help, I'll send what I can spare to the trading post there below the climbing route to the plateau. All I need is a contact to give them to."
"Eric the Bearclaw is in charge of that group, I'll message him and see who he wants to pick up the goods." Gaelehn answered.
Mouse had a message sent to Samovar, where it was relayed to Duke John of Wayne. By the time the supplies were ready, Gaelehn had a name and Mouse passed it on. In a span of a few weeks, there were about ten thousand barbarians preparing to cross the mountains, "with extreme prejudice".
By this time, Gaelehn had managed to go home, gather his horde, and return. Mouse was fascinated by their technique for clearing the mine. They went to every air hole they could find and dropped in burning wood, followed by refuse that would burn, a mixture of peat and something like cork, and then green leaves and holly. The smoke was toxic, and there was lots of it. By searching the ground, several other places were located that could stand to be 'smoked', and they were. Then the Barbarians gathered at the mouth of the cavern, by now belching smoke, and waited for the spiders. They were not long in coming, and the barbarians took them on as they came forth. Singly or in bunches, the arachnids were no match for the force awaiting them. Spiders died by the dozens, until, finally, no more emerged. Gaelehn explained that in a couple of weeks the air would clear and the barbarians would go into the cave and take care of any stragglers that might still live. The only danger, he went on, was that some section or sections of the cave might have escaped the fumes and still be spider holes. Strider offered to go along to send fiery bursts into any such places. Kur Lee also offered, and then Maude, and finally it was decided that everyone would go who was welcome. That was the beginning of the 'Spider's Cave' story that you still hear told around many a campfire.
***
When Mouse finally returned to Samovar, the Army of the Kahn had secured the pass that was to have admitted the Dragons. Alhabra decided that the area would make a 'lovely home' for him and his wife, Sapphira. He found just the right Cavern, with an aperture suitable for takeoff and landing, not to mention plenty of room for a nursery and main hall. There was even a room to store treasure, if he decide to accumulate such. Mouse wasn't fooled for an instant. Alhabra had a treasure trove that would have ransomed every king in the land all at once.
There was a mountain, down below the chosen lair of Alhabra, which was unique. Ancient records told of something called Volcanoes, mountains with fiery cores, but this was the only thing that anyone had ever found to even resemble such a thing. Alhabra explained that it was actually a 'heat discharge' for the inner workings of Thoss, whatever that meant. The explanation was not necessary for Gaelehn, he opted to build a forge there and use the molten rock as fire for his more exotic creations. There was no 'bidding war' for the real estate.
After much debate, Gaelehn was give the title "Forgemaster of Fire Mountain", which he liked, very much. He allowed Kur Lee to put a 'mirror' in his home, even though his home was more of a Cavern. Kur Lee mentioned that it was 'roomy' and would allow him to entertain many guests. Strider mentioned that if he ever got tired of the place, he could rent it out to monsters, who would be right at home. Maude simply went to work with ,magic and her indomitable will, and made the place into something that even a fairy would be proud of. Gaelehn didn't mind, the forge workings were deeper, and he seldom used the entry cavern for anything. He figured that he would be able to ignore the mirror better if he wasn't likely to spend any time in the area.
It was learned, by Black Cat, that Yfel Malovil had set himself up in the vast desert of Char,to the North. This was an area, bounded by mountains on all sides, where it Fifnir had blasted the world long ago. When Mouse asked Alhabra about the event, Alhabra explained that he would have to talk to someone more expert in such things. Mouse wasted no time finding a Sage, to be resident at Samovar, and he got perhaps the best in the land. The man's name was Albert, and he had become anxious for his safety in Lackland. It seemed that trouble brewed in that city constantly, and there were monsters coming out of the sewers of Chevalier, for the first time in centuries. He was more than happy to move to Samovar, because the monsters were avoiding the place now that the Baron Gladriel and his wives had secured Castle Samovar. It seemed that the defenders of the Barony were being avoided, as bad for a monsters health. Sadly, however, not even Albert Planck knew anything of Char's origins, beyond the fact that the area was from the first war with Fifnir.
When Maude consulted with the Khan, or Moe, she learned that there was a person who could answer questions in Newhome. This person was sometimes called Kanthos, and would have answers to even the number of questions Mouse had. Strider, Lorelei and Seana began searching for Kanthos, using Forest, Church, and Elves respectively, but were having no success. Albert managed to find a reference to a Kanthos Bane, in an ancient tome, but that was no help, as the book was a copy of an older tome and the discourse was a thousand years in the past. Black Cat even hit a wall, when he began to search, and all he learned was that someone knew someone who had heard something. Finally Mouse went on tour, stopping at every major city in Newhome, going from library to library, using his tour as cover. He took almost six months, and his wives took turns accompanying him, since he didn't want to be without a healer, in case of trouble. Thanks to what was perhaps an overuse of magic, Mouse managed to be himself and the Baron Gladriel by turns, and Kur Lee got to set up portals all over Newhome. The ruling powers in Magic Isle were, at first, resistant to this, but when they realized that it could be a source of income, they relented. Still the elusive Kanthos was not to be found. Mouse was at his wits end, but he decided that he would take what research he had found to Albert, and see if he could make sense of it.
Only Albert could have been pleased by the amount of literature brought by Mouse. He took it into the study which had been allocated, formerly a small dining room, and began to collate and organize the mass of data. He came upon an anomaly almost at once. It seemed that the Kanthos of today was the Kanthos Bane of ancient history. The descriptions and details of the behavior and mannerisms of both made the fact that it was one person almost impossible to deny.
"The man would be thousands of years old," Albert marveled, "I can only assume he was one of the legendary figures that we usually consign to Myth or Legend."
"I've never come across a song about him," Mouse mused, "And given that he's been written about in so many tales, that's strange. Usually someone writes a song about anyone who makes it into history."
"I've found place in my research," Albert said, " Where entire sections have been lost. They seem to have this Kanthos Bane charecter in common, and little else."
"Not surprising," Mouse commented, "If he were trying not to be noticed."
Albert began clearing his desk and asked if he might have some seclusion. He explained that he wanted to use his "Sage's Stone" to interface with the other Sages and Scholars of the World, and see if this type of thing had ever been observed previously. This would require privacy and time, as time of day varied across the land, and he was fairly certain that every scholar and possibly every Sage would want to attend this discussion. There might even be an archmage or two, since they were researchers in their own right.
Mouse went back to that room in the Castle which had earned the title 'common room' by usage. Maude and Strider were there, as was Black Cat. Shortly after Mouse entered the room, the castellan, Sir Dargo, entered, his face flushed and his manner anxious.
"What is it Dargo?" Mouse asked him.
" Lord Gaelehn is on the mirror, and he's in such a rage that I was frightened just to see him." Dargo replied.
" Saints and angels," Maude exclaimed, "Gaelehn hates magic. What could possibly have moved him to use the Mirror?"
"We won't learn that until we get there," Strider put in, "And we should probably all be there."
Mouse ran the distance, Maude strode and almost kept up. Strider moved as only a Ranger could, and took the lead. Black Cat was talking to Gaelehn when they arrived.
" What do you mean, invasion?" he was saying, "We've wiped out Fifnir's legions in the south and north. He can't have that many more. "
" Can't say anything about that, " Gaelehn answered, "But on the other side of the mountain it looks like maybe sixty thousand various monsters. That includes some I haven't seen before."
" Oh mais la!" Black Cat began, "Those, Feet pue tan...they can... Beck moi tchew! I think we need to make a little war."
This was the first time Mouse had ever heard Black Cat unable to keep himself in Common Speech, and the things he said in Drow were not for polite conversation. He continued for a moment and then subsided. Gaelehn was impressed.
Tag had entered the chamber, as he was in the Castle for diplomatic purposes and had heard that Gaelehn was 'on the mirror'. He had heard just enough to anger him, and evidently spoke Drow. It didn't stop him from adding a comment that was partially in Dwarven speech.
"A crowd of Leam-leat to be sure," he remarked, " And they can Thalla gu Taigh na Galla, for my part."
Mouse was suddenly glad his Dwarven was so poor, but Strider blushed to her elbows. Maude was too busy being upset to care what was said.
" I believe I need to spend some time making scrolls," she finally said quietly, " The kind that make monsters die. That's just in case even one of them breathes in our direction."
" I'm going to charge some magic staves, for curing the injured and sick, who will certainly soon appear," Lorelei put in, "that and a few magic stones for fire and blasting undead should be handy."
"I'm going to the Forest," Strider announced, " I have some forest creatures who should know this."
" Like who?" Mouse wanted to know, "What forest creatures need informing?"
"Dragons and Brownies, for two," Strider told him, " And the fairies, gnomes and other intelligent species. There are even some giant cats who speak and are interested."
"I've got a giant cat, and a Wartearn as well, " Maude remarked, " I wonder if I should tell them?"
"I'll handle it," Strider told her, "You work on the various scrolls and items for the conflict."
A tall man entered the room, much to the surprise of everyone. He had bypassed the guards, wards and every defensive measure of the Castle. He was slightly gray at the temples, had excellent muscle tone, and was dressed like something out of a children's storytime tale.
"Is there anything I can do?" Kanthos Bane asked.
Comments
Post a Comment