Dragonvein - Book Three (6 page)

“What is it you intend to say?” asked Lotheri.

“I’m not sure. Nothing could have prepared me for a conversation such as this.”

Lotheri stifled a laugh. “No. I suppose not.”

When they were a few yards away from the first line of trolls, Halvar halted and gave a low sweeping bow. The trolls remained still, but their eyes moved away from him and settled on Lotheri. A particularly broad troll stepped forward. Its flat features were creased and distorted, and its eyes bore the deep lines of age. An elder, Halvar supposed. After a short pause it let out a series of deep grunts and gurgles, all of which ended in a low hum.

Lotheri turned to Halvar. “He wants to convey his displeasure regarding your treatment of their home.”

“Tell him that I deeply regret any harm we have caused,” Halvar responded. “We only did so out of ignorance. We did not understand the pain our mining was causing their young.”

Lotheri nodded, then approached the troll. The creature held out its massive, grime-covered hand and allowed the elf to place his palm at the tips of its fingers. Contact made, Lotheri began to hum softly in a series of rising and falling tones which, to Halvar’s ears, were completely random, almost to the point of sounding unpleasant. After this stopped, the troll replied with a guttural growl and began shaking his head slowly from side to side. This continued for more than a minute. At the conclusion, it took a long stride backwards and suddenly let out an ear-piercing howl.

Startled, Halvar instinctively reached to his side where a dwarf rod was carefully tucked away. His guards had already begun drawing their weapons and were racing toward their king.

Lotheri spun around with arms spread wide. “Stop! There is nothing to fear.”

Halvar motioned for the guards to back off. “What the hell did he say?” he demanded.

The trolls were showing no sign of aggression, though all of their eyes were now fixed on the guards who had been rushing toward them.

Lotheri lowered his arms. “He said that the reason they have come to help you defend your home is because one of your people and a young human showed them kindness not so long ago.” He frowned. “Do you have any idea what he is referring to?”

Halvar thought for a moment. Then it hit him. “Yes, I remember now. Birger and Ethan Dragonvein gave aid to a near fully grown troll they found who had been badly injured. Lord Dragonvein told me about the encounter before he left.”

“Then their kindness has gained you a powerful ally,” stated Lotheri. “The trolls will not allow anyone who serves the Emperor to enter the mountain. Only Shinzan himself could possibly overcome them.”

“This is indeed good news,” said Halvar. “But I find it hard to accept that a single act of kindness would make them forget the harm done to their young.”

“They have not forgotten. And their aid comes at a price.”

“What price?”

“You are to cease mining the mountain immediately. And though they invite you to remain once Shinzan is defeated, you must never resume such work again.”

Halvar heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry, but we still need rajni stones to craft our weapons. And now that King Ganix has abandoned his city, there is nowhere else for us to get them. I vow to stop once the war is over. But there is no way I can do so now.”

Lotheri frowned. “You cannot refuse this offer. Your people will need to venture out from the safety of Elyfoss to meet the enemy in battle, leaving those who remain behind undefended. Surely you have enough weapons already crafted.”

“Most of those we made went to the Emperor,” Halvar told him. “You must realize that rajni stones are difficult to find. And when we do locate them it is unusual to find more than small amounts – enough to make only a handful of weapons. If we are to face the Emperor’s armies, we
must
have more.”

Lotheri's face tightened. “Are you certain this is what you want me to tell them?”

“Though I deeply regret it, the answer must be no.”

After giving a sharp nod, Lotheri strode back toward the trolls.

Once the message had been conveyed, the troll elder’s gaze fell squarely on Halvar. The king struggled to meet his eyes. Though he was certain that his decision was correct, it pained him to think that they were forced to continue bringing anguish to these gentle creatures. He had always imagined that the dwarves were protecting them from the world outside by keeping their existence a secret from those who might seek to harm them. Yet all the while it was the dwarves themselves who were inflicting the most damage.

These thoughts had barely passed through Halvar's mind when the troll elder let out a series of high-pitched whistles. A few moments later a bare breasted troll female carrying a large, vine-woven basket pushed her way through to the front. She handed this to the elder and then slipped quietly back into the crowd.

Halvar could see a smile growing on Lotheri’s face as the basket's contents were revealed to him. The elf then beckoned him over.

On drawing closer, Halvar could not drag his eyes away from the line of massive figures towering over him. They were impressive enough from a distance, but up close they were absolutely terrifying. He was forced to constantly remind himself that in all of their history, an adult troll had never once attacked a dwarf.

Only when he was a mere couple of steps away from Lotheri was he able to catch sight of what the basket held. It was rajni stones. Dozens of them. Uncut and pure, they glowed softly with a faint green light. Any sense of menace from the trolls was instantly forgotten.

“He told me they will provide you with as many as you require,” Lotheri said with a satisfied grin. “They know you covet these as well as other gems and metals found in the mountain, and will ensure you have all that you need if you agree to their terms.”

Try as he might, Halvar couldn’t imagine how these creatures were able to mine. Though their ways were mostly a mystery to him, he was certain they possessed no tools or equipment.

“How…how did they get them?” he asked.

“What does it matter?” Lotheri replied. But it was clear to him that this response was unsatisfactory. “Trolls have unique gifts,” he continued. “Their connection with the Mother enables them to manipulate the rock without tools or craft.”

“So they just use their hands?” asked Halvar incredulously.

“In truth, I don’t know. I’ve never seen it done. But it seems to me that if they are willing to give you what you need, then there is no reason to reject their offer.”

Halvar considered this. “Only one thing bothers me. Why are they suddenly willing to fight? They have never been violent before. We assumed it just wasn’t in their nature. Even though we were the cause of their young becoming feral, they never sought to stop us. What has changed?”

Lotheri scanned the faces of the trolls in front of them and smiled. “Nothing has changed. They are as they have always been. The thought of doing harm is repugnant to them. They would sooner end their own lives than kill another living being.”

“Then how exactly will they protect our home?”

“There are more ways to fight than with fire and steel. If they say they can help you, I believe them.”

Halvar looked directly into the troll elder’s eyes. He had never been this close before. Very few dwarfs had. He expected to see a glint of intelligence, or at least a slight indication that the being before him was something more than a dumb beast. But there was nothing. Lotheri’s words echoed in his mind.
Not all intelligence manifests as you would expect
. Perhaps I just lack the wisdom to see it, he thought.

“If they will provide us with the materials we need, I will gladly agree to their terms,” he announced in a clear, strong voice.

Lotheri gave him an approving nod, then told the elder of Halvar’s decision. The troll sniffed and grunted twice before letting out a low rumbling sound that was obviously intended to conclude matters. The huge gathering of trolls behind him slowly turned and began lumbering away from the gates.

Halvar and Lotheri watched in silence until the last troll had vanished into the depths of the mountain. They then turned and started back toward the king’s manor.

“You should post sentries at the gate,” suggested Lotheri. “And allow one of my people to keep watch as well. They will be able to communicate your needs to our new allies.”

“Agreed,” said Halvar. “And I would ask that you and at least a dozen of your kin remain here as my guests until Lord Dragonvein returns.”

This drew a quizzical look. “What purpose would that serve?”

Halvar gestured to the dwarves gathered along the main avenue. “Can you see the fear in their eyes? At this moment, they are more afraid of you than they are Shinzan.”

Lotheri slowly nodded his agreement. “I can stay for a time. And I will do what I can to alleviate the fears of your people. But should Dragonvein delay too long, I must leave. I have duties which cannot be ignored.”

“I understand. In the meantime, I would be grateful if you can educate my commanders on the world outside the mountain. As you pointed out, we must leave Elyfoss in order to fight. And very few of us have ever been further than the foot of Gol’ Shupa's southern end.”

“I am sure there is much we can accomplish,” Lotheri assured him. “And perhaps our time among you will also serve to ease the fears of my own people.”

Back at the manor, Halvar instructed that Lotheri be shown to his room. He also assigned the elf king an escort and guide.

“Naturally, you are free to come and go as you please,” Halvar told him. “As are the rest of your party. I would ask only that you do not wander about outside this manor unaccompanied until a bit more time has passed.”

After Lotheri had retired to his quarters, Halvar instructed that word be sent to all miners to cease operations and return to their homes. A short time later, he gathered the council together to inform them of the latest developments. Their reaction was a combination of disbelief and alarm.

“How can you trust the
elves
?” cried Jurok, springing up from his chair. His wiry gray beard bristled and his ice blue eyes burned with fury. Normally a mild tempered dwarf who was generous with his humor, he was finding this to be more than he could bear. “You halt our mining merely on the word of a people who have vowed our destruction. Are you mad?”

“If I am, then so is King Ganix,” Halvar shot back. “The elves have made a pact with him, and I intend to honor it. They have tended our wounded and saved the lives of thousands of our people. That is good enough to show me that they are sincere. And it is far more than I suspect we would have done for them had the roles been reversed.”

This silenced Jurok at once, though his expression remained one of pure disdain.

Lady Thora was the next to speak. “We do not doubt the word of King Ganix,” she began. “Nor do we doubt yours, Your Highness. But how can we know that this is not some plot hatched by Shinzan? There have long been rumors that he has influenced the elves. If this is so, how can we know that Lotheri's translation was accurate? Do we even know for sure that the story he told you about the troll young being driven mad by our industry is true? Could this not be a scheme to halt our production of weapons?”

“I’m surprised to hear you say this, Lady Thora,” remarked Halvar. “You were among the first of us to embrace humans. Why now do you suspect treachery?”

She raised a hand. “I am not saying the elves are acting out of malice. Or that they are not being forthright. I only say that we should be cautious. Our true enemy is cunning beyond our understanding. It would be foolish to give our complete trust to a people, who as Jurok has just pointed out, have sworn our destruction.”

Her words were met with nods of agreement. Halvar looked deep into her eyes. He could see no hint of rage or fear; though he doubted she would openly display such emotions, regardless of her inner feelings. No. Her face was a stone mask, and her voice as even and clear as a crystal bell.

“I share your concerns,” he replied. “But I see no other course. I ask only that you trust me until there is reason to believe I have been misled. Should the trolls not deliver what Lotheri has told me they have promised, then we will resume mining immediately. Until then, it is my judgement that we embrace our new allies as friends. I hope I have earned your faith well enough for you to grant me your unanimous approval on this matter.”

Thora lowered her eyes and took her seat. “Of course, Your Highness. If you are sure, then I for one offer you my full support.”

Halvar gave her a smile of appreciation, then looked to the rest of the council. One by one they nodded their acceptance.

“I thank you all,” he said. “And let us pray that your trust in me is not misplaced.”

Kat thanked Lylinora one final time before she departed. All was prepared. She looked at the sun setting over the hills and suddenly her heart began pounding. Ethan would be arriving soon. And this time he would
not
reject her.

The first time he'd resisted her advances had come as a shock and had badly hurt her feelings. It wasn’t until Markus later assured her that it was a sign he did indeed care very much for her that she felt a little better. The era that Ethan came from, Markus went on to explain, was far less liberal than the Earth she knew in the 1980s. He was just finding it difficult to adjust.

She had already read as much as she could about Ethan’s time during her own spell on Earth. She had even learned about the 101
st
Airborne and the significant part they played in World War II. That he had been a member of such an illustrious group was most impressive. Mr. Pollard had served in the Army during the war as well, though not in the Airborne.
Tough old bastards
. That’s what he called the 101
st
.
Tough as goddamn nails
. She had tried repeatedly to picture Ethan as one of this number, but never could. Markus, for sure. But Ethan…he was just too sweet. Too kind and gentle.

She sat down on the end of the dock, allowing the sun to warm the back of her neck. The blue silk dress Lylinora had given her felt odd. She had not worn a dress in years. Even while on Earth, her life on the farm meant that her clothing was almost entirely practical. In fact, aside from a denim skirt that she rarely used, she had only ever owned jeans and tee-shirts.

The things Lylinora had explained to her kept racing through her mind. The way she described how physical love could be was wonderful beyond anything she had dreamed. And yet her words had come with a warning.

“If it’s not as you imagine it will be, do not think that means you don't love him enough,”
she had said.
“Or that he does not love you. These things can be tricky. Particularly as you are new to each other.”

“It
will
be perfect,” she said in a loud whisper, as if to banish any doubt.

“
What
will be perfect?” came a deep male voice from behind her.

She turned to see Jake heading her way, a roguish grin on his lips. His shoulder length brown hair was blowing in the sea breeze and his confident swagger was emphasized by his masculine frame.

He paused to rub his chin. “You look beautiful. What are you doing here all alone?”

In spite of herself, she couldn’t help but stare. He was very handsome. And charming in a brutish, clumsy sort of way. But that didn’t matter. There was one thing he wasn’t. He wasn’t Ethan.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she told him.

Jake chuckled and slid down beside her. “What's the matter? Afraid I’ll ruin your big date? Don’t worry, Ethan’s still up at the cabin getting himself ready. We have some time.”

“Time for what?” She shifted away a few inches.

He flashed a smile. “Calm down, darlin’. I just figured you could use some company. A gorgeous girl like you should never be alone.” He leaned back on his elbows. “Besides, I thought I could maybe talk you out of a big mistake.”

“A mistake? What the hell do you mean by that?”

“Just that Ethan’s not right for you.” His eyes locked onto hers. “You have to know that. He’s too…too goody, goody. You need someone with more passion.”

Kat sniffed. “And I suppose you’re just that type of guy.”

He slid in closer. “You know I am. And don’t think I haven’t noticed you looking at me.”

“You’re crazy. Why would I want anything to do with you?”

“Because you want a real man. I hate to say it, but Ethan is just a boy.”

“He was man enough to kick your ass,” she scoffed. “Or did you forget how he smacked you around back on Earth?”

Jake scowled. “He got lucky. Let him try it again.”

Kat turned her head and smiled. “Well, here he is now. Why don’t you find out how lucky he was?”

He followed her gaze and saw Ethan cresting the hill. Even at a distance, his displeasure at seeing Jake sitting so close to Kat was obvious.

He pushed himself to his feet. “You can play your little games. But we both know I’m right.”

“Here’s what I know,” said Kat. “I know I’ve seen your type a thousand times before. Boys like you used to be in and out of the Pollard’s farm all the time. They pretended to be so sure of themselves. But all they really wanted was their mommy. Ethan’s twice the man you’ll ever be. And the sad part is…you know it.”

“You don’t know shit,” Jake growled. But he did not seem inclined to hang around long enough to test his theory about Ethan's luck. He instead stormed away, still scowling heavily as the two of them passed by each other.

“What was he doing here?” Ethan asked the moment he reached Kat.

She grinned impishly, enjoying his jealousy. “Oh, nothing. Jake just dropped by to say hello.”

He grunted. “To say hello? Looked like a lot more than that to me.”

Kat offered Ethan her hand, allowing him to pull her to her feet. “You have nothing to worry about. Jake’s not my type.”

At least partly pacified by this, he took a moment to appreciate Kat’s beauty. “You should wear dresses more often. I mean it. You’re breathtaking.”

She kissed him lightly on the cheek before leading the way onto the boat where a small table and two chairs had been placed on the rear deck. A bowl of fruit and a plate of roast lamb awaited them, along with a bottle of wine. Kat muttered a soft incantation and steam began rising from the meat.

“Better than a microwave oven,” she remarked. Then, seeing that Ethan did not understand the reference, she added: “I don’t suppose they had microwaves in the 1940s.”

Ethan pulled back her chair for her, then took his own seat. “From everything you’ve told me, there was a lot we didn’t have in those days.”

Soon, the last of the daylight faded. Kat touched a small stone she had placed in the center of the table, which at once began to glow softly.

“Aren’t you hungry,” she asked.

Ethan hadn’t yet so much as touched his food. He simply gazed longingly into her eyes. “I just can’t get over how lovely you are.”

Kat raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying you didn’t like the way I looked before?”

He reached across the table and took her hand. “Of course not. You would look beautiful in anything.”

Kat took a sip of wine, staring at him from over the rim of the cup. “Or perhaps nothing?”

Even in the dim light, she could see Ethan flush. Though judging from his expression, this time it was not from embarrassment. With one hand still in his, she placed the cup on the table and in a single fluid movement, pulled his hand closer.
The small things
, Lylinora had said.
The tiny seductions
.
They are every bit as important as skill in bed
. Lightly, she kissed the tips of his fingers.

Ethan’s breathing was now definitely becoming more rapid. The excitement she saw shining in his eyes, in turn excited her. She imagined his manhood swelling with anticipation. This caused a wave of heat to crash over her entire body, and within seconds she could feel the juices flowing between her legs.

Not too quickly, she warned herself.

Rising from her chair, she sauntered around the table. Ethan attempted to rise as well, but she placed a firm hand on his shoulder to keep him in place. Once positioned behind him, she ran her fingers down his chest until her lips were touching his right ear.

“I’ve been wanting this for so long,” she whispered, nibbling at his earlobe. She felt him tense, and at first she thought he was not enjoying what she was doing. Panic gripped her for a moment, but it quickly passed when she heard him let out a deep moan.

She continued to lightly kiss her way along his neck, her hands sliding down his stomach as she went. Then she reached his thigh, and suddenly, there was the hard outline of his member. Of course she knew that it was close by, but the contact was still unexpected and she very nearly pulled away instinctively. Fortunately, she was able to gather her wits in time.

As she ran her palm over its length, she was startled by the size of it. Particularly considering Ethan’s slight frame. After only a few seconds his hand shot up and grabbed her arm, squeezing tightly. His breathing was now coming in short gasps.

Following Lylinora’s advice, Kat did not linger where she was for more than a few seconds lest his passion get the better of him. She eased back, still tasting his skin on her tongue. She wanted more. Her mind was racing as her desires flared.

Ethan stood and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him with surprising power. Again she could feel his hardness, but this time it was rubbing against her most sensitive place; the tiny place Lylinora had warned her not to expose to his touch too soon.

Their kiss was deep and desperate. Two creatures of pure carnal need aching for one another. Her knees began to weaken as their tongues tickled each other delightfully. She was on the verge of surrender - of allowing herself to fall into complete abandon - when Lylinora’s voice whispered in the back of her mind.
Be patient. Even when you don’t think you can wait a moment longer
.

Only with a tremendous effort was she able to pull away. Ethan stumbled forward, his hands trembling and his eyes glazed, oblivious to all but the woman before him.

“Not yet,” she whispered.

When Ethan opened his mouth to respond, she placed a finger over his lips. Taking his hand, she silently led him from the boat and down to the nearby beach. With each step she tried to remember Lylinora’s instructions, but her mind was unable to focus on anything apart from the fact that she was at last going to have the man she loved. Did he love her in return, or was the look in his eyes purely from carnal desire? It didn’t matter. Not anymore. Her love was strong enough for them both.

A large blanket that she had placed on the sand earlier awaited them. At a flick of her wrist, the torches standing in each of the four corners burst to life, filling the night with warm radiance.  They sat down facing one another. Ethan took her hands and kissed the back of her fingers gently, his eyes still locked on hers.

“You haven’t asked me,” he said.

Kat smiled. “What haven’t I asked?”

“If I love you.”

Kat hesitated. A part of her wanted to say that she didn’t care. Another part was afraid of what he might tell her if she
did
ask. More than anything, she didn’t want her moment to be lost.

“You don’t need to –” she began.

This time it was Ethan’s finger that pressed against
her
lips. “I need to say this,” he said. “And you deserve to hear it.”

He lowered his head briefly and drew a long breath before continuing. “When I look at you, I can’t help but wonder what you see in me. Sure, I’m supposed to be this great mage descended from an ancient family of mages. And I’ve been told over and over how I’m destined to save Lumnia and end the rule of Shinzan. The dwarves even call me
Lord Dragonvein
for God’s sake.”

A short, ironic laugh slipped out. “But the truth is, I was brought up a baker’s son in Brooklyn. We lived in a two bedroom apartment on 86
th
Street, not some big fancy palace. I played stick ball in the streets and hung out with my friends. After I joined the Airborne, I figured the best destiny I could hope for was not getting killed by the Krauts. And as far as women go…” He gave another laugh, this time a self-effacing one. “It’s not as if girls didn’t like me at all. But none of them were ever like you.”

Kat started to say something, but Ethan raised his hand. “It’s all right. I know I’m not the best looking guy ever. I’m not Jake, or even Markus.”

This time Kat would not keep quiet. “Jake is nothing compared to you,” she told him emphatically. “And Markus is definitely
not
my type.”

Ethan smiled. “Well, I agree that Jake’s not the brightest guy in the world. But he’s handsome enough. And now that Markus’ scars are healed, he’s not too bad either. Lylinora seems to think so, anyhow.”

For a split second, Kat felt a pang of jealousy at the mention of Lylinora’s name. But the look in Ethan’s eyes told her that she was being silly. Whatever had been between them, it was now well and truly over. And even if Lylinora did still hold feelings for him, it was most unlikely she would ever act on them. As for Ethan – he was way too honorable to betray either her or Markus.

She remained silent.

“What I’m trying to say,” he continued, “Is that I've been finding it hard to understand why you love me the way you do. I mean, you waited for five years with no real hope of ever returning to Lumnia. And when you did manage to return, the love of the young girl hadn't faded away. No, it had grown. Hell, it had blossomed into something so wonderful, it took me completely by surprise. And you had become more beautiful. Not just on the outside, but on the inside too.”