Chapter 6
“These caves had a fearful reputation,” said Feron as the trio of hunters studied the gaping maw before them, the archway dark and foreboding in the pale moonlight, “Of course I talk of the old days, before the great war, it is said they were one of the greatest strongholds of Nilgoth, crawling with Goblins and Trolls and much worse I'm sure.”
“That is ancient history,” replied Tillendur quietly, “And I do not doubt that many unsavoury creatures still lurk inside, but that is not what troubles me, it is said that the caves and tunnels form a labyrinth, vast and complicated, full of dead ends and pit falls, without a guide we could wander in the darkness for weeks never to find the captive, and most likely never to find our own way out again.”
“Can you not follow their trail by scent alone?” asked Ulaff as he rubbed the deep scratches on his arms, scratches gained as he squeezed his massive frame through the tight passage that led to the glade where they now stood.
“That is possible,” the Elf nodded deep in thought, “But I doubt it will be that easy, this Goblin leader is clever. Ask yourselves, why did they not attack us? The odds were heavily in favour of a victory for them, sheer numbers almost guaranteed that, yet he chose to run and not risk his captive. No,” he declared, “He will have masked his trail somehow.”
“So what should we do?” questioned Feron as he eyed the tunnel entrance, “I understand hesitancy to enter in an Elf, but I think you should not worry unduly about becoming lost, we Dwarves do not easily become disoriented in caves and tunnels.”
“This I know,” replied Tillendur, “And it is not the tunnels themselves that concern me, I merely worry that we will lose valuable time, and also consider this, we cannot hope to take the horses inside.” he shook his head slowly as though reaching a difficult decision, “I too know of the legends and stories surrounding this dark place, is it not told that inside are many stairs and ladders cut into the rock? Our horses cannot climb ladders, and if we should find our way through without them, we face a long march without provisions, only what we can carry on our backs. We will lose the advantage of speed without our mounts.”
“You speak wisely,” Feron nodded, “These are points that I had not considered, so what do you suggest, is our hunt at an end?”
“Far from it,” replied Tillendur as a smile broke on his lips, “We have a long journey ahead, but we know their final destination, they are heading north, to the frozen lands. We must find a way over the mountains rather than through them, speed of horse is our ally, we must ride hard to recover the time we will lose. But I feel in my heart that we will catch up before their helpless captive can be delivered to Kangan.”
“Days of hardship and toil ahead of us, an uncertain and dangerous road to follow, what cause have you to smile my friend?” asked Ulaff, confused by the Elf's expression.
“I am thinking of how Feron will enjoy a long and fast ride.” he chuckled and patted the stone faced Dwarf on the back, “See Ulaff, you can see his joy at the prospect clearly by his happy expression.”
As with all creatures that choose to live underground Gnomes possess excellent night vision, yet Gondell had never experienced any darkness as complete as that in the tunnel that led steadily down toward the very roots of the mountain. They have better eyes than me, he admitted after several minutes of blind jogging, for the first time he didn't resent the leather thong attached to his wrist bindings, the steady pull gave him direction and a feeling of security. An open space, he sensed as the echoing of dozens of marching feet suddenly disappeared, the sound no longer trapped in a stone tube, free to escape into the void.
“Halt,” called Ruaq, “Torches,” he ordered. Instantly flint stuck fire-stone, the momentary flashes bright in the utter darkness, the soldiers had obviously been anticipating the command. Obviously we are deep enough now to prevent any glow reaching the entrance, thought Gondell, this Goblin is cautious.
Several torched spluttered to life driving back the darkness to reveal a vast cavern in their smoky light. Gondell almost gasped at the sight, now this is what you call a cave, he thought as he turned slowly gazing up at the domed ceiling high above.
“Welcome to the Caverns of Durth,” the guard that had led Gondell through the forest whispered, “Impressive aren't they, but this is nothing compared to the Great Hall. This cavern is natural, but the hall was dug from the living rock by our ancestors, when you gaze upon our achievements you will begin to understand how powerful we were, and how powerful we will become again.”
“Onward,” cried Ruaq and strode toward the centre of the vast cavern, his troops falling in behind, with Gondell being held in the middle of the line. On they marched across the even cavern floor surrounded by a pool of flickering torch light, massive stalagmites rose from the ground marking a wide path lined with the tapering columns of limestone, I wish I could have seen all of this under different conditions, Gondell sighed in regret as wonder faded and his dire circumstances re-emerged.
A massive column loomed ahead in the middle of the path, the light revealing more of its carved sides with each step forward. “What is that?” Gondell whispered to his guard as he saw strange and deeply engraved runes appear from the shadows on the polished faces.
“That marks the centre of the Kingdom of Durth, a homage to the all powerful Nilgoth, The Bringer of Darkness.”
“The Kingdom of Durth?” questioned the Gnome, “I have never heard of it.”
His guard chuckled and turned with an evil smile on his face, “Of course you have never heard the name, but soon it will be known to all the peoples who survive the coming storm, soon you will come in pilgrimage to worship the true king, The Kingdom of Durth is the vision of Lord Kangan, it will be established in honour of our ultimate Lord, and here will be the site of his rebirth.”
“Rebirth?” confusion surrounded Gondell as he trotted past the massive monument.
“Lord Nilgoth will be reborn, Kangan will bring him back, then the age of darkness can begin.”
Nilgoth reborn, the age of darkness... what have I landed in the middle of? A chill crawled down Gondell's spine. I am somehow central to all of this, well the sword is central, but from what I guess only I can release it. Damn you Cellie, his thoughts stoked a building anger, I wouldn't be in this mess if it hadn't been for that damned Siren! I'm not being fair, he replied controlling his anger, yes, she is partly to blame, but that Fairy is more responsible, and it appears to me now that it would only have been a matter of time before someone else had recognised the emblem, this is a situation that was just waiting to happen!
At the far end of the cavern Ruaq paused again, “You know the routine lads,” he called as Gondell spotted five tunnels ahead, clearly the Goblins had a protocol in place as the smaller stooped creatures broke away from the main group. Extra security Gondell slowly understood, five tunnels, and which one to choose? He imagined trackers reaching this same point to be faced with a conundrum, their keen noses or even hounds unsure which passage to follow, Goblin scent heavy in all. As the decoys disappeared quickly into the larger openings Ruaq led his remaining force into the smaller tunnel on the extreme right, the low ceiling blackened by the passing of innumerable smoky torches. The narrow slot intensified and condensed the torch light and for the first time Gondell could see his way clearly as the tunnel jinked left then right, climbing steadily with each stride. Deeper into the mountain he jogged and the temperature rose steadily, sulphur, he sniffed the air, and something else, he couldn't pin point the scent, much fainter and overpowered by the stomach churning stench of rotten eggs. Moments later the source appeared as the troupe arrived in another cavern, much smaller this time and lit with an eerie orange glow. All around small pools of crusting lava bubbled, foetid air escaping like the bubbles that pop and flop in thick porridge in a hot pan.
“Be careful where you step my little mouse,” his guard grinned wide exposing uneven and sharply pointed teeth, “It would not do to cook you too ear
ly.”
Gondell shuddered and kept close behind his guide as they wove their way between the stinking and smoking pools, the path worn smooth by many years of foot traffic.
“Keep your balance, the bridge is close,” the guide called over his shoulder and Gondell risked glancing ahead for a moment, dragging his attention away from his feet, but saw nothing more than the broad back of his Goblin guard.
“The bridge?” he questioned but received no reply other than a wicked laugh.
He heart sank down into his boots as the source of light became apparent and a deep chasm opened spanned by the slimmest of stone bridges, it's not even a bridge, he noticed as his alarm grew, just a thin ribbon of rock... too narrow. Heart beating fast he held his breath as Ruaq trotted out over the chasm before pausing half way across, “One at a time,” he shouted, “Send the keeper over first, but keep him on a long line.”
Gondell felt rough hands grab him as he was carried and pushed to the edge of the smouldering abyss, another leather thong was tied securely around his waist as he peered nervously down into the depths. Below ran a river of fire, more like an ooze than a flow, he decided as he studied the sluggish orange lava that bubbled and churned. Staring ahead Ruaq had reached the far side, his figure distorted and wavering in the haze of rising heat.
“I can't do this,” cried the anxious Gnome, “I have no head for heights, I will surely fall.”
“Why do you think we have a tether on you,” laughed one of the soldiers, “Across you go maggot.” and gave Gondell a hefty shove toward the narrow bridge. With a small squeal Gondell turned and dived for the safety of his guard, his head spinning and panic on the verge of hysterics flooding his mind.
“I can't do it I tell you.” he squeaked.
“And I say you will,” replied the large soldier as he drew a wickedly curved dagger, “Or I might have to tickle your ribs with this.”
He wouldn't dare, Gondell thought as he eyed the cruel blade, I am too valuable, but he declined to put his theory to the test as the Goblin stepped forward levelling the blade ominously. “All right, all right, I'm going,” he muttered, “But untie my hands first. How can I hope to balance trussed up like a chicken?” The soldier glanced at his bound wrists, doubt and confusion in his eyes. “Oh come on!” exclaimed Gondell in exasperation, “You still have a lead around my waist, and honestly, think about it... where could I run?”
Doubt remained in the soldiers eyes as he placed the razor edge of his knife on the leather bindings before drawing swiftly back, the bonds dropping to the ground, “Don't try anything.” he hissed, a sound loaded with menace.
Don't try anything! Of all the stupid things to say, Gondell laughed as his eyes were drawn down to the smoking river below, a nervous laugh attempting to bolster his courage, a laugh that failed dismally as his mouth dried and his legs began to shake.
“Get on with it,” hissed the soldier behind as he took another step forward, “We don't have all day.”
Don't look down, Gondell cautioned himself, Just look straight ahead and take tiny steps. Hesitantly he placed his foot onto the narrow bridge and closed his eyes, willing his trembling to cease. Slow and steady, he encouraged himself as he opened his eyes again, setting them firmly on Ruaq in the distance before shuffling unsteadily forward.
Some minutes later he had almost reached the middle, frequently he had paused and squeezed his eyes tight shut to calm the spinning sensation that threatened his unsteady balance. Only another hundred paces, he consoled himself, over half way, I can do this. In that moment of growing confidence Gondell made his greatest mistake, in glancing down his world began to spin and slide as vertigo grasped him, for a moment his heart stopped beating and his breath caught in his throat, panic blossomed and he felt his knees begin to buckle.
“Oye.” cried the host of Goblins in alarm as he passed into a dead faint on the narrow causeway, only pure luck preventing a fall into the depths, his mind blank he lay motionless for long moments an arm dangling over the edge. Slowly sense returned to his clouded mind, where am I? he asked, seconds before reality rushed back and nausea engulfed him.
“Get up,” shouted Ruaq as he hovered on the brink, “Keep moving.”
Gondell pressed his cheek against the comforting solid rock and took a deep breath, “I am not getting up,” he gasped, unconcerned that his voice hadn't the strength to carry over the noise of hissing and spitting far below, I'm fine right here.
“If you can't stand... crawl.” ordered the captain, his patience obviously wearing thin, 'We don't have all night, get on with it.”
Yes, I can probably crawl, decided Gondell as he shuffled hesitantly to his knees, obviously a comical sight as the hoard of Goblins behind roared with laughter.
“Like a suckling pig ready to roast,” one called.
“Hey Grundash, his bum is in the air ready for your spit, we all know how you like them young and tender.” cried another earning the leering Grundash many comradely pats on the back as he pretended to drop his raw hide breeches.
Gondell flushed, not only as a result of the stream of ribald comments, the heat rising from below had become intense and the palms of his hands smarted as they singed on the hot rock. With his head clearing fast he began to crawl, slowly at first but as his confidence grew so did his pace, only a minute or so later he collapsed panting and sweating onto the cool safety of the ground at Ruaq's feet.
“Finally,” laughed the captain, “But you have courage for a maggot, many a proud warrior has failed that test the first time.” Gondell couldn't be sure in the flickering orange glow but he could have sworn he caught the smallest hint of respect in the Goblin captains eyes as he offered his hand and helped him to his feet. Gondell nodded his thanks at the curious act of kindness before retreating further from the edge as quick steps signalled that the host had begun to cross.
“Captain Ruaq,” he called in a strong and steady voice, “You have my word that I will not attempt any escape if you will leave my hands unbound, it is not comfortable and unnecessary, and where is there for me to run?”
Ruaq studied the serious Gnome and for a second and his stern expression softened slightly, “So be it,” he declared slowly, “But I warn you, do not make me regret my decision.”
“You will not,” replied Gondell as he bowed low, a sign of respect, “My word is my bond.”
“You have your own perception of my race,” replied the captain quietly, “Much of it well deserved I do not doubt, but some of us still recognise honour, I accept your bond in the spirit that it is offered.”
Amazing, thought Gondell as he sat with his back against the safety of solid rock well away from the gaping chasm, I didn't think honour could exist within such a black heart. Without the influence of evil, could these be a decent and compassionate people? But that is a question that can never be answered, he admitted sadly, not while leaders like Kangan and Nilgoth exist.