A spontaneous cheer erupted from the warriors. A grim faced dwarf declared, “A job well done, my comrades! We have once again demonstrated our superiority! It is too bad we do not have more soldiers.”
After lighting a torch, he bowed to Earthkin, saying, “I am Turrock, the commander of the Dwarf 2nd Brigade. I welcome you to the Kingdom of Hardstone. Your rescue has been worth the long, difficult journey through the mountains. I will be your guide on the trek to the Homekeep. Please feel free to talk with me if you have any questions or concerns. We will leave several guards to protect our retreat. I expect the trogs to break through the stone doors by nightfall. We will block the tunnel to prevent their invasion into this section of the mountain. It is important for us to leave immediately. We will rest at the Hall of Wonder.”
Earthkin bowed, responding, “Thank you for your hospitality. You arrived just in time. Any later and we would not be sharing this conversation. Several of my companions are very tired and sore. Please consider their needs as we travel. Also, the humans will need light to assist them in walking through the dark passageways. Again, thank you.”
The dwarves provided the humans with torches, plus words of encouragement. The passageways were wide with flat, even floors. The smooth, gleaming surfaces of the tunnel walls were a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The construction of these tunnels reached far back into antiquity, long before history was recorded. Yet, the workmanship clearly spoke of the devotion of the ancient dwarf communities.
The group walked at a leisurely pace for several hours before entering a large cavern named the Hall of Wonders. As they traveled, Earthkin shared stories he had heard about the cavern. Yet, his words did not express the splendor they experienced. The floor of the cavern was as smooth as glass with many crystals embedded in the clear surface. The torches illuminated what seemed to be millions of small points of different colored lights. These lights offered the sensation of waves flowing through the floor. Several times Coaldon almost lost his balance as he became mesmerized by the actions of the living dynamics of the rippling beauty.
The dome shaped room had several doorways entering from different directions. The ceiling of the cavern was truly a wonder to behold. Gems of every size, shape and color refracted the light of the torches in bands of radiant grandeur. Each movement of the torches created a new wonderland of magnificent colors and beauty. The seven guests looked in awe at the ever changing prisms of twinkling lights.
Earthkin proclaimed, “I have been blessed by entering this room. I can tell my children the gift of this special place. Some day I will return.” The rest of the group agreed with words of praise and admiration.
Magee and Norbert were the first to find a place to rest. Their minds spun in bewilderment at the rapid series of events they had encountered over the past several days. They were in a near state of collapse. Noel, on the other hand, was animated by the expedition. She grew more energized with the advent of each new and exciting event. Noel had been held prisoner long enough; she was ready for travel and adventure.
She was first to notice the weakened condition of her two guardians. She said to the group, “I do not believe Magee and Norbert are capable of traveling any further today. They need to regain their strength.”
Earthkin approached Turrock saying, “We need to rest before continuing.” Turrock responded, “There is a sleeping area next to the cavern. I will leave two warriors to be your guides. It is necessary for the army to return to the Homekeep to provide protection. I will visit with you when you arrive.” Turrock turned, gave several commands and the army disappeared into the darkness.
The seven companions slept in a small room with water flowing from a small fissure in the wall. The floor was dusty from lack of use, but offered what the travelers needed, a place to rest. After a long sleep the group continued the journey with renewed energy and determination. They walked for many hours through an unending series of passageways and junctions. The travelers could see many tunnel entrances along each passageway. Noel, using her vivid imagination, tried to visualize what it would be like to explore each tunnel.
As Pacer and Coaldon traveled through the tunnels, they tried to remember the many turns and junctions, but after a short time they became disoriented and lost. Whereas, Earthkin had the innate ability to memorize each step of the march.
Their arrival at the Homekeep was a major event in the history of the Hardstone Clan. The dwarves greeted the outsiders with restrained excitement and hesitation. The members of the Hardstone Clan were happy to receive help. Yet, the arrival of the strangers was a painful signal that change had descended upon the clan. They were afraid of losing their simple life by the assault of the outside world. The invasion of the trogs had violently shifted their focus away from holding onto the past to finding hope in the future. It had been too easy for the clan to cling to yesterday, rather than confront the uncertainty of life. The members of the clan realized it would be necessary to face danger in order to survive.
Upon arrival at the dwarves’ Homekeep, the guests were shown to their quarters. The guests noticed the dwarves’ Homekeep was a maze of large domed caverns, connecting passageways, home dwellings and businesses. The Homekeep was a busy hub of children and adults involved in the everyday activity of life. Each family group contributed to the survival of the whole clan by sharing a particular skill or talent. The dwarves’ economy depended on acquiring food and raw materials from under the mountain and from the topside world. The stability of the family group made it possible for the clan to survive for many centuries. Trips to the topside world to harvest natural products were necessary. The closure of the topside world, by the trogs, had caused the fabric of the dwarf society to deteriorate.
The dwarves provided a delicious meal of roasted nuts, moss greens and boiled deepwater roots. At the end of the meal, Earthkin received a message inviting him to attend a meeting of the Council of Elders. His exclusive invitation meant the humans would be curtailed in their contact with the dwarf community. At the meeting, Earthkin encouraged the council to allow his companions free access to the Homekeep. After a long discussion between Earthkin and the elders, it was decided that all seven guests would be allowed to participate in meetings of the Council of Elders. It should be noted that the dwarf society would only allow elders to speak during the formal council meetings. Elders were men elected to the council by the vote of clan members. This system of leadership was established in the ancient origins of the dwarves’ common history.
The clan was summoned to the council meeting by the throbbing sound of several community drums. The Clan of Hardstone relied on the Council of Elders to provide the leadership necessary for the clan to survive. The members of the clan granted great authority to the council’s decisions. As dwarves entered the meeting chamber, they talked in excited voices. The outsiders were surprised by the large number of dwarves attending the meeting. The arrival of the guests into the cavern created a loud stir of conversation. As they walked to the front of the meeting room, little children rushed out of the crowd to touch a human and hurry back to the safety of their mothers. Sid wandered among the children creating screams of happiness and delight. Each of the visitors, including Earthkin, experienced the sensation of being an honored guest, plus a novelty of unique character.
When everyone was seated a frail, old dwarf entered the cavern followed by six elders. The Council of Elders slowly walked to the stage in front of the room with steps reflecting the heavy responsibility they carried. They formed a line in front of the community, bowed to the audience and sat in large wooden chairs.
The old dwarf said in a dignified voice, “I, Rolfe of the Family of Stone Chip, welcome each of you to this important meeting. It is with joy I present our seven guests for your acceptance and appreciation.” The outsiders stood, turned to the crowd and gave a deep bow.
Looking at the seven outsiders, Rolfe said, “Would each of you please introduce yourself to the clan.”
Starting with Magee, the visi
tors stated their names and presented a brief history of their families. When Coaldon’s turn came, he declared in a loud, clear voice, “I am Coaldon of Rocknee, the Hand on the Sword and heir to the throne of the Empire. Wastelow, through the power of Crossmore the Wizard, deposed my grandfather as Emperor, killed my parents and imprisoned my twin sister. I stand before you offering my assistance. I invite you to join us in fighting the evil scourge infecting the Empire.” It was obvious to Coaldon that the audience was both surprised and impressed by his statement. The clan did not expect to have an outsider with Coaldon’s status as their guest.
In a sad voice Rolfe stated, “Thank you for your willingness to offer your help. It is difficult for me to admit our failure, but our recent history has been characterized by the fulfillment of our own selfish goals. The clan has retreated from the activities of the Empire out of fear and suspicion. This attitude has brought us to the point of impending destruction. We have no one to turn to for advice, support or assistance. Lord Coaldon, please tell us about the evil growing in the Empire.”
Coaldon was shocked at being called Lord. It took several moments for his mind to regain enough composure to provide a brief summary of events. He explained the history of the great splendor of the Age of Seaborn, the violence of the First Quarter Age under the wicked power of Doomage the Wizard, the casting of evil into the Chamber of Oblivion by the Key of Ban, the peace and prosperity of the Second Quarter Age and the current reawakening of wickedness by Crossmore. He further explained that the Empire was in the Age of Change and being ruled by increasing confusion, hatred and violence. In conclusion he pulled his sword from its scabbard. As he raised it into the air a surge of electricity danced around the tip of the sword. The audience gasped in disbelief at the display of power.
Coaldon declared, “This is the elfin Blade of Conquest. Under its banner, we have the power to return the Empire to a time of peace and prosperity.”
A long silence followed Coaldon’s presentation. Finally, Rolfe stood and bowed to Coaldon. He stated, “It seems you have been guided to us in our time of need. The invasion of Trogs started many years ago. At first it was easy to drive them from our kingdom. Recently, their increasing numbers have imprisoned us in our world under the mountain. In great sadness, I state that half of our clan has been killed at the hands of trogs and geks. We do not know what to do or where to go.” Jumping to his feet, Earthkin declared, “I am Earthkin, an elder of the Clan Long Beard from the Great Hall of Rockham. I was overjoyed to learn that the clans Long Beard and Hard Stone are relatives. I extend to you greetings and good blessings. My friends and I have been commissioned by Brad, the rightful Emperor, to help free the land of corruption. I pledge to you, I will do everything in my power to assist you in your struggle. I offer to you the resources of the Clans of Rockham. All dwarf clans need to pull together for the common good.”
After Earthkin’s short speech, tears of joy ran down the face of Rolfe. In a slow, rough voice he continued, “What do we do now? We can sit here and wait for the end to come to us, or do something. Which do we choose?”
He stood in silence waiting for the clan to respond. It did not take long before a flood of emotions erupted in the meeting chamber. Loud shouts, heated conversations, and anger filled the room. The pent up memories of hopelessness, death and agony exploded into a demand for action. Emotions of this intensity only burst from clan members every two or three centuries. The clan’s past history of stoic patience turned into a call for heroic deeds. Voices of determination escalated into nearly unanimous commitment to the future of the clan.
After the clan’s emotional outburst had run it course, Rolfe responded, “I accept your insistence for action. It is my understanding that you desire to gain freedom and security. What actions do we take to achieve these goals? Do we fight? Do we hide? Do we travel to a new home? Do we seek advice? Do we join arms with other dwarves? Do we join the forces in the Empire to conquer Crossmore?”
The clan’s emotional call for action had suddenly been challenged by reality. What price was the clan willing to pay to live in freedom?
Rolfe continued his speech, “It is now time for the council to begin its special meeting. As head elder, I formally call the Council of Elders into session. You are reminded that only the elders are allowed to speak.”
The seven elders gathered at the large table and began a discussion that lasted for the remainder of the day. On a rotating basis, each elder stated his opinions and concerns. It was the responsibility of the council to examine the issue from every possible viewpoint. After a general overview, it was time to find an acceptable solution. As the debate continued, the content of the discussion became a rehashing of the same ideas from different perspectives. The audience passively accepted the repetition of each argument as a redefinition of the debate. Dwarves were unhasty people who had infinite tolerance. They would patiently wait for a consensus to mature after a long dialogue.
Noel sat through the discussion of the council with increasing irritation. Her robust nature had a difficult time listening to the same ideas repeated over and over. At first she only twitched with annoyance, but after several hours her whole body pulsed with agitation. Finally, out of frustration at the clan’s inaction, she jumped from her chair asking, “May I have the opportunity to speak?!”
The audience and council gasped in disbelief at this violation of council etiquette. She stood facing the council without wavering from her request. The council members talked quietly together before Rolfe answered.
Rolfe finally said, “Young lady, your impulsive interruption is a breach of the council’s Code of Standards. This Code was established to protect the council from unnecessary disruption of its debates. We view your request with both shock and admiration. Your courage is a quality the clan will need to demonstrate in order to survive. Even though we are creating an uncomfortable precedent, we grant you the right to speak before the council. The Clan of Hardstone will need to face the future with the same boldness as you have approached the council.”
Noel stood before the council in humility. The lessons taught by Norbert and Magee had been lost to her half elf nature.
She responded, “I apologize for my youthful brashness. I will speak briefly and to the point. I believe you must leave your Homekeep. Only death and destruction will haunt you in this place. I also suggest you seek help from the citizens of Rockham, plus offer your strength to the war against Crossmore. Thank you for your understanding and patience.”
After Noel’s very candid observation and recommendation, Rolfe decided it was time to end the session and allow the community time to think.
He said, “I believe that each of us needs to evaluate all that has been discussed. We will meet tomorrow at 12 hours to continue the discussion.”
After the dismissal, the community members quickly left the room deep in thought. A glimmer of hope could be seen in the faces of the dwarves.
The seven outsiders did not talk about the meeting, but rather returned to their rooms, ate a cold meal and quickly fell asleep. The roll of drums woke the guests, calling them and the clan to the council meeting. Rolfe called the meeting to order with his gentle, yet firm voice.
He said with clear authority, “The council met early this morning to discuss how to proceed. The members have decided to break tradition by allowing the adult members of the clan to determine their own destiny. Since any action will have profound consequences, you will need to make the decisions. Also, we have decided not to allow any further debate. It is now time for action, not discussion.”
After a brief pause to allow the community to absorb his statement, he continued, “If you are in favor of the following resolution, please stand and be counted. The majority will rule.”
Rolfe questioned, “Do you believe it is best to leave the Homekeep and seek a new future?”
The dwarves looked at each other with hesitation and doubt. Then with uncertainty a majority of the community slowly stood u
p. For the dwarves to accept a change of this magnitude, required the community to recognize and accept the hopelessness of their future in the Homekeep.
Rolfe continued, “Please be seated. I declare the clan will leave the Homekeep. Do you believe it is best for the whole clan to leave the Homekeep together?” With less hesitation, a majority of the clan stood up.
Rolfe directed, “Please be seated. I declare the whole clan will leave the Homekeep as a group. Do you desire to go to Rockham?” This time all adults stood in total agreement.
Rolfe continued, “I declare we will travel to Rockham. It will be necessary to travel overland, because the old tunnels under the mountains are too dangerous. As clan leader, I declare we will leave for Rockham in three days. Will the following people please meet with me directly after this meeting to plan our escape: Lord Coaldon, Elder Earthkin, the Council, the brigade commanders and the head of the women’s group. The escape committee will make the plans for our trip south. May the One Presence be with us. May we have the faith and courage to fulfill our destiny!”
~ ~
The Journey to Rockham