[SleepingDragon]: 268.Northward Bound

Chapter Five

Northward Bound


A fortnight or more north of Elvenwood, a pair of dwarfs continued their march. They had seen good weather for the most part, with the exception of the occasional afternoon shower and the dampness common to springtime mornings. Rations were low and consisted of a couple of the smoked fish Daemon and Anna had shared with them upon parting and water in their skins. They had not had the opportunity to hunt anything and the land they had traveled thus far was bereft of berry or mushroom, though briar bushes seemed aplenty.

They had seen no one, friend or foe. There was no trail that they followed. They simply kept the sun to their south and marched on, covering a surprising amount of ground each day. The land was dry and rocky, being close to the mountains to the west. In the few days past, their path had sloped ever downward and they were nearing wooded land at last. Perhaps it would offer food to hunt or some sort of civilization where they could rest on a soft pallet and restock supplies.

"I wonder how those two have gotten on with the elves Father." Dorin offered for conversation.

"Elves!" Dorfin spat.

"They have found the wood hospitable at least I hope."

"More than hospitable, I should imagine." Dorfin rolled his eyes. Then he looked over to Dorin and seeing him thoughtful, lowered his tone. "You miss the woman’s company?"

"Yes, and I do not know why." He admitted. "She was more trouble than anything, was she not?"

"She was indeed." Dorfin offered. "Smart though, and pleasant to speak with."

"Yes!" Dorin exclaimed. "Oh, her knowledge of mountain lore! Would that the maids of Stoneharrow could speak as she!"

"Let us hope there are dwarf maids left upon our return." Dorfin replied flatly.

They trudged on silently for a time, picking their way over rocks and through brambles. After an hour or more, they came upon a patch of ground that was somewhat flat and clear of brush. They decided it would serve well for a short rest. They sat upon the ground sharing cold fish and passing the water skin.

"Tell me again Father." Dorin said, after they had eaten. "Why is it that dwarfs avoid elves so?"

"You know the tale." Dorfin grunted. "Why must we speak of it again?"

Dorin picked at the ground thoughtfully.

"It just does not make sense to me in the light of what is happening. The elves live differently than we do. Why should this matter now? Do we not need to ally ourselves with any that will fight this force from the Western Sea?"

"Indeed we do." Dorfin answered. "But dwarfs will be loath to ally themselves with elves. That is if the elves are willing to pull themselves from their love nests in the trees and fight!"

"Then it is true they take more than one for their own?"

"So it is said." Dorfin replied. "And I ask ‘where is the loyalty in such behavior’? ‘How can they be trusted to fight along side of men and dwarfs?’ A dwarf takes one mate for life. This is how it should be."

"Is it not also said that elven archers and swordsmen are some of the finest in the land? And cannot they see and hear what others do not? Truly they would have much value in battle."

"Elves cannot live with others without strange entanglements." Dorfin asserted. "Do you not remember the tale of the dwarf prince Orrick who found himself in love with the elven queen? She betrayed him for another, and a babe was born full elvish. Still the fool was so smitten that he had a fountain constructed in her honor! Alliances that could have been, ceased to be possible. Dwarfs shunned the elves then and Orrick became but a wandering exile, for he refused to disavow his love for the elf. Neither would the elves have a dwarf in their midst after that."

"It is a sad tale Father," Dorin admitted. "But did not Orrick know their ways before he became involved? One cannot expect a bird to change its feathers."

"Perhaps." Dorfin acquiesced. "But these are queer birds we speak of. And this conversation is for naught. We are a fortnight north of Elvenwood."

"It may have been better to be well provisioned for our journey." Dorin said.

"True enough, but it is too late now. We must make due with what there is. Let us continue. Perhaps we can reach that wood before sundown."

The pair hoisted their packs once more and continued on throughout the day. The ground began to level and become softer under foot. Soon, it was as Dorfin had hoped. As the sun was sinking behind the western mountains, they came at last to the edge of the forest.

They found a small glade with a tiny stream just inside the tree line and made themselves comfortable for the night. They refilled their skins from the stream and ate the last of the fish, which was also the last of their food. The stream had only tiny fish in it that were too small even for dwarfs. They would have to forage for food in the coming days.

They felt safe enough having not seen evidence of enemies for days, and lit a small campfire to keep warm. They each slept next to it on the ground.

In the morning, they found mushrooms enough for breakfast and after eating them cold, continued on into the wood. They gathered more of the mushrooms along the way as well as wild onions and a few berries. They had no bow with them or any means to trap wild game. They could club something with axe or mace if it got close enough but that was not likely to happen in the wild.

It was after midday and they had continued after a short rest. Dorfin stopped short.

"You hear that?" He asked, eyebrow raised. Dorin stopped and listened.

"’Tis an axe on firewood or I have never heard one." He said in recognition. "Someone is nearby."

The pair stood there for several moments debating whether to investigate the source of the chopping sound. Finally, they both agreed it was worth the risk, and they made their way forward through the trees.

In a short time, they had come to a clearing in which stood a small wooden cabin. In the yard was a short but burly man with dark hair and a beard. As expected, he was chopping firewood. At first glance, he reminded them of their kin Morin Orrock except for the fact that he was not a dwarf. The pair approached cautiously.

"Afternoon!" Dorfin announced to the bearded stranger when he took a break between axe swings. Startled, the man tightened his grip on the axe he held.

"Who are you two, creeping into my back yard? Speak quickly, least my blade chop more than wood today!"

"Dorfin Thorax and my son Dorin of the realm of Stoneharrow in the Red Mountains." Dorfin tried to sound pleasant and made sure his hand did not venture too near his own axe, girded at his belt.

"Stoneharrow? Where is that?"

"In the southern mountains of Abernath." Dorin offered. "Or it was when we left. It was under attack. We were sent north for aid."

"You’ll not find much here. " The man said somewhat sarcastically. "I live alone and I keep out of other peoples business! Strange to see a dwarf in these parts though, let alone two…and especially from the south."

"You know of other dwarfs?" Dorfin and Dorin both asked at once.

"Only those near the north isle, a fortnight or more north of here." He said. "You’ll not find them easily though. In fact, none that venture north of here are ever seen returning. May chance they like it in the north, I dunno."

The dwarfs looked at one another, surprised.

"Jack is the name by the way." The man told them. "Jack Diggins. Ask no more about it. I’ve a keg of good ale inside and roast mutton. And I’m feelin’ like sharin’ today so come in if you like."

Kinder words Jack could not have spoken to the dwarfs and soon they were inside around a wooden table hoisting ales, filling their bellies and sharing tales. They told jack of how Stoneharrow had been besieged, how they had been sent to Westgate for aid. They told of the trip through the mountain passage and the attack of the rock trolls and all the adventures they had had between then and now. They told how the western sea was full of enemy vessels and how Abernath was poised to fall to a foul enemy that would likely seek to have the entire continent.

"That’s quite a tale." Jack said. "I would think you bards if you were not dwarfs. Where is it you are going if the war is to the south?"

"We must not speak of our errand." Dorfin said flatly. "But our path takes us north."

"North!" Jack exclaimed. "Have you not heard what I’ve told you? None return from that road."

"So we have heard." Dorfin told him. "Yet none have said why it is so. Perhaps you know?"

"Queer things in the wood is all I know." Jack said. "None come back to tell. Myself, I only go east to Barters Row for supplies and back home. I hunt the wood nearby and keep to myself like I said."

"This Barters Row, where is it?" Dorin asked.

"Five leagues due east." Jack told him. "But it won’t do you no good. You’ve nothing’ to trade. Lest you want to wander the wilderness without your weapons and I would not advise that."

"We must restock supplies somehow." Dorfin said. "Perhaps there is a service we may perform for someone?"

"Not with that lot!" Jack laughed. "Unless you want to be tossed around for laughs!" Then he looked at them seriously. "I’ll tell you what. I don’t know why but I like you two. You bunk here tonight and help me finish with the wood out back and mend the roof. I’ll fill your packs with dried meat and cakes. I’ll even throw in a bow and quiver. Then you be on your way and tell none you met Jack Diggins. You were never here. And stay away from Barters Row if you know what’s good for you!"

Though this made the dwarfs more than a little curious about Barters Row, it was an offer they could not refuse. So they spent the afternoon and evening swinging axes and carrying cedar logs from a nearby swamp, before enjoying another round of ales and mutton by the fire. There were no beds for them but they enjoyed a place on the floor by the fireplace to sleep and had no complaints.

In the morning, they took breakfast with Jack and then set about cutting cedar shingles, tossing them up onto the roof where Jack did the mending.

Jack was good to his word when they were finished and filled both of their packs with provisions. He then dug in a chest and produced a short bow and a quiver of arrows, which he presented to Dorin.

"Enough for a few hunts if you are prudent." He told him with a nod.

"My thanks you have." Dorin said happily.

"And mine!" Dorfin added.

After another round of ales with Jack, Dorfin and Dorin lifted their packs and made ready to depart.

"The storm that comes is no bard’s tale." Dorfin told Jack seriously. "If you’ve men to stand and fight with, make them ready. Should we return from the north we will ask any who would to come with us."

"Farewell and be cautious." Jack said. "It is a dangerous road you travel. Return soon with meat on the stick and we shall sit with ale once again!"

With those words, they parted, heading due north through the trees. While not exactly well rested after the half a day’s work, they were at least well provisioned. Having half a bellyful of ale, they were in better spirits than they had been in some days despite the heavier packs they now carried.

"A good man, that Jack Diggins." Dorfin said after they were out of earshot from the cabin. "I would swear he was a dwarf but for his size."

"Aye." Dorfin agreed. "But I am curious about this Barters Row. Perhaps we should detour and have a look before heading north. Should we not take word to all?"

"Do not be a fool!" Dorfin admonished him. "Let us heed a friendly warning from friendly folk. We do not need trouble and word will spread fast enough with Jack knowing our tale. And we have not the time to turn aside."

"Very well." Dorin agreed. "Yet still I am curious."

Dorin let the matter drop and they traveled in silence for a time through thick pine forests. As the daylight was beginning to dwindle, Dorin managed to bring down a rabbit and two squirrels and retrieve the arrows spent on each. This was more than enough for a small feast for the two of them as they sat beside a warm campfire. After eating and passing the skin, they settled down on a soft bed of pine needles and drifted off to sleep.

They continued the next morning after downing leftovers, bearing north as well as they could tell through the heavy cover under which they traveled.

It was around midday that they began to see the strange mushrooms.

"I’ve never seen mushrooms like these." Dorin reported. "They are an odd color." The mushrooms in question were purple with pink spots upon them.

"Leave them be." Dorfin told him. "We have food enough and do not need to take chances on fungus that may make us ill!"

"Perhaps a few for later." Dorin suggested. "We’ve food for a fortnight but what then? What if we find ourselves where this bow is useless?"

Dorin bent to pick one. Dorfin swatted him alongside the head.

"Fool! Leave them be I say!"

Dorin held the side of his head.

"Did you need to hit me so hard father? You made me see stars!"

Dorfin looked oddly at Dorin. He had not hit him that hard.

"What are you talking about? What kind of dwarf are…what was that?"

Dorfin had seen a small flash of light out of the corner of one eye, then another. He looked at Dorin who still appeared to be dazed by the slap. Suddenly flashes of light were going off on each side of him, just out of his field of vision. Try as he might, he could not focus on a single one to see their source.

"Fairies!" Cried Dorfin. "Run!"

Dorin stared wide-eyed in recognition and then the two of them bolted away from the small patch of mushrooms. It seemed as though they had stumbled upon a fairy ring. It was said in tales of old that any that did so would be swept off to a land out of time and mind, never to return. Was this what had happened to travelers who ventured north?

"Run!" Dorfin yelled again, but it was no use. The mushrooms seemed to be everywhere that they turned and soon there were so many dancing lights about that they could not tell which direction they were going.

They ran and they stumbled. They fell and then got up and ran some more, never knowing exactly where they were headed. The lights continued to dance and on they went, trying to escape them. They knew not how much time had passed but on they ran. Soon there were no trees to be seen or to run into. The earth beneath their feet turned soft and sandy. Daylight merged with the glow of the dancing lights and they could hear a sound like waves upon a shore. Confused, they spun about not knowing which direction to run.

Then another sound filled their ears. Beautiful and shrill, it sang to them from out of the ocean nearby. It was pleasant and soothing and it called to them, making each yearn to be cradled in the warmth it promised to deliver. A woman appeared before them then, more beautiful than any they had ever seen. Smiling, she sang again and they knew her for what she was, a nymph of the sea. It was too late. They were already powerless over their desire to give themselves to her. They collapsed upon the beach, each staring longingly at the face so beautiful and deadly. The lights continued to dance.

"Sleep my friends." The voice soothed. "Sleep my good dwarfs."