Deepforge (3 page)

             
A long time ago,

              When we were on the brink.

              Death loomed over us,

              And we had naught to drink.

              Along came a dragon,

              And he pulled us from the doom!

              All raise a flagon and

              Toast to Deccon’s bloom!

              Toast to Deccon’s bloom!

              Toast to Deccon’s bloom!

              The Bloom of Ahl-Thoor-Hees,

              Oh, toast to Deccon’s bloom!

              Deccon was a dragon,

              and the fiercest of them all

              to him we raise our flagons

              for ‘twas he who saved us all!

              Toast to Deccon’s bloom!

              Toast to Deccon’s bloom!

              The Bloom of Ahl-Thoor-Hees,

              Oh, toast to Deccon’s bloom!

“Chieftain, we all know this, but our protests remain. My point being, the dragons did not specifically say we had to play with the humans, just not wipe them out,” Chieftain Fizzlecopper insisted.

Grognor continued pointing to the projected image on the wall, explaining, “There are a couple of things on here that don’t add up, and this leads to the current situation we are in. Here we have Fayla the Just giving her life to protect Markog Drgoodondt and his party of explorers. You’ll notice there is a disconnect here, with no obvious result to our lives, and then here we have Deccon stopping us from wiping out the humans. No continuity there, either.” He waited for everyone to chime in, and none did. They sat quiet, waiting for him to continue. He nodded his to assistant, and she changed the projected image. “This is the only remaining artifact of Markog Drgoodondt. This is an ancient scroll which shows his travels, journals, and maps of our continent. Besides the few descriptions of his travels and his ultimate fate, we have nothing else. No great riches were ever found, no lost civilizations, nothing. It was a life of heartache for the explorer. So, this begs the question; why would a dragon give her life to save Markog? What’s so special about him?”

The council began quietly discussing the issue, and none could answer the question. None had ever answered this pointed question. It had been a mystery for all history since.

“Well,” Grognor began, “I now know the answer.”

The council erupted with demands for the answer. “What is it? What’s the answer?” was asked numerous times.

Grognor smiled and turned toward the screen. “We’ve been looking at it the whole time. It’s the map itself. It stands to reason that if the only thing left behind by a dwarf so important a dragon would sacrifice herself to save, then the map itself must be the key. We have been given a great gift. Knowledge of the layout of our continent. We are meant to explore further. Something important awaits us out there, something yet to be discovered.”

The council once again erupted in conversation as the chieftains hotly debated the subject. Then one of them remembered the original conversation.

“Wait a minute,” Chieftain Berglond demanded, “I can see the logic of this, but what the hell does that have to do with playing with humans?”

“This,” Grognor started, “is where it all comes together. I will compete in the games. If any of you want to as well, then fine. But, I know my mission. As much as it makes my stomach turn, I must find the most hardy, worthy humans in all their society. I feel they will be important somehow in our expedition.”

“You’ve had too many beers,” Chieftain Garnet said.

“Ladies and gentledwarves, I believe the dragons want us to recruit a combined army of dwarves and humans, gnomes and halflings, and maybe even elves if we can find them. If you look at the patterns, the dragons have been pushing us in this direction for eons. Our peoples are supposed to unite and conquer the rest the world!” Grognor exclaimed in a crescendo of passion.

The council chamber was deathly quiet for a moment, until Chieftain Berglond began to laugh. Soon enough, all of the Chieftains joined in, laughing hardily at the apparent elaborate joke the Emperor was making.

“Have you asked Deccon?” Berglond asked.

“No, not exactly, but the evidence…” Grognor started.

Everyone continued to laugh.

Grognor scowled. “I’m serious,” he said with disdain.

Chapter 3

G
rognor accepted the council’s unanimous protests, but proceed with the plan anyway. He knew he was right. All the signs pointed to them completing what the great explorer had started. There was something out there, something worth finding. He began preparing for his journey to the human villages of Lakeshore where the games where held. It was nearly spring, and the games were due to begin in only a few weeks.  As he picked out his favorite hammers and axes, the telephone rang. He reached over and picked it up before the assistant had a chance to screen the call. “This is Grognor.”

“Chieftain Grognor, this is Ambassador Taylen Riehl. The games council has met, and has decided to accept your entry into the Spring Games. How soon can you get your champions here for initiation and segment training?”

“Thank you, Ambassador. As it stands now, there will be but one entry, myself.”

“Oh…ummm…that presents a problem, Sire.”

“Problem?”

“Yes, Sire. The rules state that no person of supreme leadership status may compete in the games, to prevent the possibility of a leader being incapacitated, putting that particular realm in danger. In your case, since you are Emperor, it would be strictly forbidden for you to compete.”

Grognor laughed at the suggestion that these impudent humans could dictate to him. “Well, Ambassador, I
will
be competing, so your council will simply have to accept that. I’ll be leaving in the morning, and should be at Lakeshore in two weeks.”

Taylen sighed. “Very well, Sire. I’ll inform the council. Two weeks? Will you not take a barge down river?”

“No, I’ll be bringing my entire royal guard, and I want to tour the villages on the way there. Should be about two weeks, maybe a bit more.”

“Very well, Sire. We’ll make ready.”

Grognor hung up the telephone and thought about the conversation. “Hmmm… I’d better take more than just the royal guard. We may run into trouble,” he said to himself.

As Grognor prepared to leave the next morning, the telephone rang again.

Travlgnal answered, “Grognor’s chambers.” As he listened, his eyes got very wide and he was visibly shaken. “Hang on… here’s the Emperor!” He handed the phone to Grognor. “Sire, seems we have a situation, you need to take this.”

Grognor reluctantly took the phone. “This is Grognor.”

“Sire! They ambushed us! You need to make ready! They’re coming!”

“What? Who is this?”

“Sire, this is Colonel Coal at the southern valley entrance to Deepforge Mountain! Hundreds of humans swarmed us, we’ve lost many warriors! They blasted past us and are headed toward Deepforge! They have powder weapons!”

“Aw, hell. I was afraid of this. They’re protesting us entering the games. Colonel, stand your ground and keep me informed if anything changes.”

“Yes, Sire!”

Grognor handed the phone to Travlgnal. “Get me the human ambassador.”

Before Travlgnal could dial the number, the phone rang. Grognor grabbed it. “Grognor.”

“This is Taylen again, we just got word that a rogue army is marching on Deepforge. Do you need any help? We have an outpost just west of there, I can get them on the line.”

“No, Ambassador. I think we can handle it. Is this a protest?”

“That’s unclear, but it would be my guess. The news of the dwarves entering the games spread like wildfire. With the instant telephone communication we have these days, news travels faster than ever. Rest assured. This was not sanctioned by Queen Kathryn. She has publicly condemned any act of aggression against you.”

“I believe you, Ambassador. You’re an honorable man. We’ll keep you informed of the progress.”

“Thank you, Sire…and…we are deeply sorry about this.”

Grognor hung up the phone and turned to Travlgnal. “Sound the alarm. Let it sound for five minutes.”

Travlgnal nodded and ran to the wall. He unlocked a small cabinet that revealed a large red button and pressed it. Immediately, an obnoxious pulsating buzz began loudly invading all quarters of Deepforge. Red Alert.

Deepforge became nearly chaotic as everyone quickly prepared for battle. Grognor was attacked by his armorers who meticulously dressed him up in the finest, toughest armor available. He preferred to wear his two favorite weapons: his hammer and his axe. With his mighty hammer in hand, he climbed the steps to the observation perch. His assistants were right behind him. As he stepped out into the cool air, at least thirty degrees cooler than the perpetually hot interior of Deepforge, he looked out to see dwarven soldiers scrambling to get inside through the Great Door as a massive human army made its way along the mountain river that marked the trail into the Deepforge mountain valley. Grognor sighed. “This may just turn out to be a good day.” He smiled at the prospect of killing humans, one of his favorite pastimes. “If only we could make an official sport out of killing humans, all would be right with the world.” He smiled at his assistants.

Travlgnal handed Grognor the microphone. “Here you are, Sire.”

“Thank you, Travlgnal.” He twisted the top of the cylindrical instrument, making the electrical connection to the attached cable, which led into a box, and then into an elaborate sound amplification device that had initially been invented by the gnomes for use in the telephone system. This led to massive speakers distributed in key places throughout the mountain fortress. This specialized public address system was much more powerful, and designed to catch the ear of every citizen. The Deepforge address system was online. He turned up the power so that his voice sounded much as Deccon’s. “WARRIORS, PREPARE FOR BATTLE… PREPARE FOR SPORT!” He laughed out loud as he enjoyed the newly quoined phrase. “PREPARE FOR
HUMAN
SPORT! LOAD THE MAGMA LAUNCHERS, AND READY THE FIRST WAVE!” He laughed again as his heart warmed even more with the thought of killing humans.

“Sire, I’d bet the humans would never consider actual battle a sport, but I sure like it!” Travlgnal laughed with his Emperor.

The human army swarmed up through the valley, screaming a constant war cry with raised weapons and steeds pounding the ground as they ran.

Grognor scoffed. “They actually call those warhorses. They may be fast, but ours could stomp theirs into the ground. Also, the humans are too tall! See how their feet are so close to the ground?” he pointed.

The assistants nodded.

“That’s a clear strategic disadvantage. Anyone on the ground could easily get a hold and pull them clean off, making them prone. I swear these humans must be the dumbest creatures alive.” He held the microphone to his mouth and announced, “FIRE MAGMA AT WILL!” Then he handed the microphone back to Travlgnal.

Teelena loved to watch her Emperor at command. She had never had the courage to ask him something, but with the impending battle, the fierce energy pumped her up, and she somehow managed to ask. “Sire, why is it you’ve never taken a wife?”

Grognor was surprised at the question and quickly turned around to face her. She stepped back a bit, dreading his answer.

“Why do you ask?” He stepped toward her. “Are you hoping to get the job?” He grabbed her by the waist and planted a huge, wet, passionate kiss on her. She swooned.

Travlgnal began laughing. “Oh, I
so
knew it!”

As the two new lovers continued to kiss, the magma launchers engaged, sending massive balls of deadly molten rock toward the invading humans. 

The balls of magma made a sinister sound as they assaulted the cool mountain air, flames raging behind like meteors falling from the sky. The humans had anticipated this attack and immediately stopped in their tracks, backing away at full speed. The magma balls slammed into the ground with ear piercing explosions of molten rock and flame. The ground shook from the impacts. Some of the fire balls hit the river, causing instant bursts of steam to explode into the valley.

Several humans didn’t get turned away in time, and fell victim to the dwarves’ attack. The massive balls of magma blew apart horses and humans alike, as screams of terror filled the valley along with smoke and steam.             

Grognor finally released his now wife-to-be, and looked down at the destruction below. “Ahhh, nothing beats the sounds and smells of war to get a dwarf in the mood!” He continued to make out with the smitten dwarven lady.

Travlgnal cheered and continued laughing at the exhilaration of it all. Inside Deepforge, the massive army stood prepared to rush out at a moment’s notice.

Then, Grognor heard something. He pulled away from Teelena and searched the cloudy valley. He laughed and pointed out the cannon balls flying toward them. “Cannons! They actually think they can breech our walls with cannonballs!”

Seconds before the cannons hit the massive fortress walls, the report of the cannons themselves were heard.

Grognor and the others looked down as the puny cannonballs pathetically impacted onto the solid walls and flattened, to fall helplessly to the valley floor, no longer spherical. They all laughed as Grognor grabbed the microphone. “ARMY STAND READY FOR GROUND ASSAULT.  FIRE MONGERS ADJUST MAGMA LAUNCHERS FOR ANOTHER ROUND. FIRE AT WILL.” He hung up the microphone and waited.

“Sire,” started Travlgnal, “has Deepforge ever been conquered? Have the walls ever been breached?”

“Of course not. These walls have withstood anything ever thrown at them, including chromatic dragon attacks. It would take a power beyond anything we’ve ever seen to breach the walls of Deepforge. These humans have two choices: turn away now and live, or continue to fight until they run out of black powder. If they insist on fighting, I’ll release the army so that they may have human sport. I sure like the sound of that! With all this talk of games lately, human sport sure sounds like fun!” He grinned.

“Sire, when I get old enough for proper combat training, I can tell you I’ll take great pleasure in human sport!” Teelena boasted as Travlgnal agreed.

“Of that, I have no doubt. Travlgnal, I’ve seen you in weapons practice, and know you are highly skilled with a sword. Teelena, I’ve seen your skills with a hammer, and can tell you that you both already have what it takes to defeat any human out there. In fact, Teelena, I can see you and I as a mated couple, battling against the humans side by side…oh, I forget…” Grognor winked, remembering his greater plan of conquest, using the humans as allies. “Well, some kind of
sport
, anyway!”

The three of them laughed.

Almost as if on cue, the magma launchers engaged again, this time at a much higher angle. They flew at what seemed to be a forty five degree angle and nearly out of sight before rapidly falling to the shrouded valley below. An instant later, massive explosions blasted across the valley going up in bright, fiery mushroom shaped clouds.

“Yea! They hit the humans’ powder cache!” Teelena exclaimed with a roar of victory.

Grognor spoke again in the microphone, “RELEASE THE ARMY FOR HUMAN SPORT!”

The massive door practically crashed open as the hooves of gigantic warhorses roared across before the door was all the way down. They sounded like rolling thunder. The powerful dwarven army expertly rode, ready for battle. Grognor was pleased.

“Ok, time to go play. The fireworks were great, but I need some sport!” Grognor laughed and descended from the perch to where his massive warhorse waited. He jumped upon the steed’s back and rode off with the army, ready to fight. “Let’s go have some fun! This may be the last time we can really do this, don’t waste it!”

Most of the army didn’t hear him, but it was understood. This may well be the last battle against humans. Sport, indeed. The thousand member dwarven army raced down Deepforge valley, storming toward the human army. Their hooves thundered over the trail, echoing across the mountains. The rolling thunder of the army could be heard far down into the depths of Deepforge, and out to where the human army scrambled to recover from the magma attacks. Through the smoke and fog, the humans saw a frightening sight. The large, heavily armored warhorses burst through the mist with the also heavily armored dwarves riding with weapons in each hand, the horses only needing leg commands. As soon as the dwarves came within sight, they all roared their war cry of doom.

The humans saw them and stumbled over each other to prepare for battle. Quickly, before the humans could react, the dwarves attacked. The front line trampled across human carcasses, over the exploded remains of the black power wagon, to the first living humans as they stood for battle. The humans’ war horses whinnied in fear and began to panic. The first clash was of Kergnor as he swung his great sword down, crashing down upon the head of a mounted human, slicing him in half and also killing the horse by severing its spine. They both fell to the battlefield as several humans on foot attempted to shoot arrows into the raging dwarf. The arrows simply shattered on Kergnor’s armor as he laughed. Haansa laughed and jumped her horse into the middle of the fray, attacking with ferocity alongside her brothers.

The line of dwarves clashed and fought with the humans, blood and gore. The sounds of battle echoed across the mountains, echoing back again so that it was magnified to an unearthly level. It was deafening. Metal clashed against metal, screams of pain and roars of war cries intensified as more and more dwarves arrived, their warhorses invading the scene and fighting just as hard as their dwarven riders. The humans’ warhorses finally began to run away in panic, leaving the humans on foot for the most part. The humans who were still mounted couldn’t control the mortally frightened horses, and became their unwitting riders.