SWNOVELS Chapter 18: Muella
Chapter 18: Muella
The day after the feasting and friendship making Tegus and Razahir said their good-byes to Norsewind, who said he would return to the University and await their return. The pair where escorted to what looked like a furnace. Eldus stood there looking confident.
“In you go” the king commanded.
Both looked at each other but of course Tegus went first and crawled through the grated door into darkness. He felt Razahir pushing behind him. Suddenly, there was a slam of metal as the grate shut, and they could see the King with a wicked smile through the grate. “Let me know if it works” the king said to them loudly to ensure they heard him.
“If what works?” Tegus questioned.
All the dwarfs held their bellies and laughed and at that, Eldus nodded and another one pulled a lever. The black cage they were in was spherical, and at first it stayed steady gaining speed and power, promptly it began to turn and roll down and next up some kind of shoot.
“Oh no, not again” Razahir remarked. Tegus held on.
The object got quicker and Razahir held back his meaty breakfast. The speed in which it began to spin flung them against the sides. Next thing they knew the object had started to level out and stopped the spinning; Razahir held down his meal, and then the top of the sphere popped off. A huge, knitted together, sheet of animal skins opened up above them, and they began to float. The pair stood up and looked over the sides. Their eyes were harshly tingled by the surface light. The ground was miles below, and they were floating in the air. Once their eyes adjusted the pair looked at each other in amazement. The Dwarfs were truly a Unique race. There was a flat bit on the bottom of the sphere they were stood with a latch on it. Tegus pulled it open to find food supplies, warm furs and scroll on top of it all that read;
“Tegus, Razahir. If you are reading this that means you’re not dead, which is wonderful news. Not that I didn’t have confidence in that new fast travel to the surface. It hasn’t been tested before; it basically fires you from our city into some pre-dug shoots we made that then take you to the surface. We precisely had to wait for the right moment and wham. We would shoot you up. So congratulations you are both a part of Dwarven history. Please use the food and extra clothes. The clothes will keep you warm on nights as you sleep and the food should last about three days. Now if I am correct, you should arrive near to where you need to be about then. Good luck and if you ever need our help just ask.
King Eldus”
The two looked at each other and chuckled at the crazy King and slouched back in their sphere. The two spent the next couple of days talking about the past and telling stories and jokes to each other. One involved a fish and a spoon which was hard to believe but then again, Tegus knew Razahir had got himself into some insane situations. Two days passed, and they settled down to sleep for one last night in the knowledge of in the morning they should be almost there.
They arose as the sun did the same. It shone a glow across the horizon lighting up every manner of trees and hills. It created a pyramid silhouette on the horizon with a large settlement at the base, the surroundings where all trees and bush like.
“That must be it” concluded Tegus.
“Indeed” Razahir had no arguments. “But how do we get down?”
Tegus just smiled and began to cast a spell.
Suddenly, they began to drop slowly, at first. It started to pick up speed as it fell, getting quicker as it went. Razahir clung on and looked at Tegus then looked at the approaching floor. He looked back at Tegus, and Tegus smiled and snapped his fingers. Razahir re-appeared over the side to see the floor a few feet away he looked up and Tegus smiled and jumped over. Razahir shook his head not agreeing with Tegus’ method and followed. They were in a dense jungle, croaks, yelps and whispers where all around. Razahir’s senses were flung into a whirlwind as his eyes darted around and his ears tickled at every noise.
“Tegus, we are not alone” Razahir said as Tegus’ hand started to produce a fireball which shone of Razahir’s now exposed blades.
Within moments, the two were surrounded by blades and spears of all sizes which left no exit. The pair looked at each other and neither wanting to be so reckless… yet, so they lowered their defences. “Good choice. Now you must meet with Frujak!” a voice came followed by a blow to their heads.
Tegus’ nose was filled with smells of an unnatural flavour, almost an unclean rotting smell. He started coming around and began to open his eyes. Before he had fully come to a voice spoke, “welcome travellers. You are our humble guests”
Tegus felt his hands bound and looked over at Razahir, who was still groggier than himself and his hands were bound to.
Tegus answered back, “Guests? Then why are we bound?”
The spokesman laughed and replied, “Guests is a nicer way to say Sacrifice. You both shall be sacrificed at dawn to our savior, Dovarak!”
“Why? We come in peace looking for...” Tegus began and thought best not to speak of the item.
“I knew it. You are trying to steal our treasure. The pronounced Dovarak, Saviour of the Skiv’ary made us the treasure’s protectors. Over the past two decades, I have added to this considerable collection and sacrificed people in his name,” The man proudly stated.
Tegus’ vision returned. He saw an elf man, young looking for an elf. Just a little older than Razahir, however, his garments differed greatly. He wore large red robes, Decorated with gold thread and jeweled symbols. Above his head sat a circlet of gold with horns ascending upward.
“Who are you?” Tegus questioned.
“I am Frujak, the leader of the Skiv’ary since the unexpected sad passing of my master and mentor” The man told him.
Tegus knew that unexpected sad passing probably meant he killed him to become the leader before he was ready and things started to make sense. Tegus thought he would push his luck just a little more. “You killed him, became the new leader and now steal from travellers for your own pocket and then claim you must sacrifice them when in actual fact, you are simply robbing and murdering them!” He may have pushed his luck too far as he felt a heavy gauntleted hand smash across the side of his face. He didn’t notice Frujak wearing gauntlets until now. This made him re-assess the situation, maybe Frujak wasn’t just a leader but a well-trained warrior too. Blood made a channel down his face and dripped to the floor.
“You insult me Tegus; yes, I know who you are and your friend. Vakaroth has kindly warned me about you and your University that trains thieves and assassins” Frujak was clearly easily led.
Tegus knew Vakaroth had played Frujak. He knew he must bide his time. For his and Razahir’s sake, he could do little in his current situation.
“Take them to the platform” Frujak commanded.
Another blow came to Tegus’ head but this from behind and felt himself lose consciousness once again.
When he awoke he saw Razahir standing up with his hands still bound looking out with the night sky around him. Tegus arose to his feet and felt the floor wobble as he did.
“Watch your footing Tegus. This platform is, just as they said.” Razahir expressed without turning to him.
Tegus curious as always walked slowly over to the edge of the platform. It was suspended by a vine on all four corners which lead to one giant vine in the centre that was attached high above them over the biggest branch Tegus had ever seen. It ran from the branch down into some kind of beautifully structured gate house that had smaller vines and shrubbery growing over it.
Tegus looked out and couldn’t even judge how high they were. All he saw was more beautifully crafted building that clearly was the build-up of the city and in the far distance a huge building, the focus of everything, he knew it was the shrine where he had met with Frujak and where they must have hoarded all the riches, they had stolen under his lead along with their own treasures.
“Well any ideas?” Razahir asked, “I can probably get down, but I can’t get you down too?” He turned to Tegus and rubbed his wrists where the bindings had been. Tegus smiled and held his hands up knowing Razahir still had a blade. Razahir of course had one and released Tegus’ binding.
“Are you ok?” Razahir asked seeing the dry blood on Tegus’ forehead.
“Ye fine” he admitted all but having a headache.
“I could float down?” Tegus began to say but suddenly, there was some commotion below. Something was happening. They heard clanging and shouting and could see someone, just a figure, in the distance, fighting an array of enemies single handily.
The figure was fighting their way towards the gate house and slowly one by one; the enemies were dropping. The figure managed to get inside, and The pair could see no more of what was going on. That was until two unaware guards flew out of the entrance; clearly caught off guard.
The pair watched and waited. Abruptly, there was a judder. The platform rocked. Next nothing for a moment and then another which caused Tegus to slip and almost fall off, Razahir grabbed him and pulled him back.
“Thanks” Tegus began as there was an almighty snap and the platform started plummeting toward the ground. It landed with a mighty thud flattened any vegetation below them.
“Are you two alright?” A voice asked. They both looked at one another surprised to be in one piece. They looked up at the figure of a female elf wielding one of the biggest blades they had ever seen; it was almost like she was asked to hold it for someone. Her hair was silver and short and complimented her face. Her eyes where jade and looked back at them. Both men became boys again amazed by her beauty, which was radiated by the moons dull glow.
“Was that you who fought your way into the guard house?” Tegus asked.
“Yes and I will answer any questions later but right now Frujak will know of my betrayal. We need to move. NOW!” she ordered and both shot to their feet and followed as she ran past.
She began swinging the oversized blade in a powerful yet graceful way, fully in control of the blade she cut and sent flying all kinds of shrubbery and branches, literally clearing her way through the dense jungle. Razahir followed dodging the incoming debris in his attempt to accompany often using one log to volley forward past another. Tegus, not built for such physical activities ran in a flat straight line, that was until he was almost whacked by a lump of potential firewood. He began casting spells as he ran, commanding everything that was heading to give him a beating to stop its current direct route and drop to the ground or fly off to the side. The three bustled on this was through the jungle until they came to a slight clearing at a cliff edge. Water cascaded hundreds of feet below. The elf women stopped first and Razahir just behind while Tegus was still a little off.
“Now what?” Razahir looked at the women.
“Jump” she commanded as she leapt off the cliff edge.
“NO WAY!” Razahir cried to her as she got smaller the lower she went.
At that, Tegus arrived through the trees and cast a spell at Razahir that swept him of his feet and backside first over the edge. Tegus followed, more gracefully and apologised as they fell, “Sorry Raz but I heard them coming behind me and we didn’t have time to wait.”
“You may not have. I could have” Razahir grumpily protested and at that they plunged into the river and were submerged by the force; they had hit it with. They both were washed away, unable to get up for air and the stream was also carrying them. Suddenly, they bumped into something colder than the water which allowed them to get a footing on the river bed and push up.
“Grab on” they heard the women say. She plunged her mighty weapon into the river to create a block. They grabbed on, and she pulled the weapon with both men taking hold with some effort but not enough to break a sweat.
They both lay on the river bank looking like drowned rats looking up at the cliff side where they now saw torches glowing in the distance.
Tegus pulled himself up and almost fell from the loose gravel at the side of the river.
“Who are you elf lady? We owe you are lives if what Frujak said was to be true” Tegus’ was of saying thanks.
“I am Muella, a warrior of the Skiv’ary. What Frujak said is true, just not how he said it. He is only taking in travellers and traders and killing them to steal their riches for himself and calling it a sacrifice. Dovarak would be ashamed” the women now had a name.
“Pleased to meet you Muella” Tegus said while his cheeks started to turn pink, luckily it was dark, so she did not see. He felt it now. This was that magnificent feeling he had experienced when King Eldus talked of this place. He wanted to know her but didn’t know what to say next.
Razahir did, looking like a soaked sewer rat he stood up. Water dripped from him, “I am Razahir and what a beauty you are” he bowed low, and as he raised up, she punched him so hard in the arm. He lost his balance and fell back down. Tegus and Muella both let out a joyful chuckle then looked at each other with a heart filled smile. Did she feel the unexplainable connection to; he wondered?
Razahir grumbled as he stood, which interrupted their gaze. “Let us make camp and you can tell me your tale young Tegus” Muella said and turned walking away. Razahir realised too as she wanted to hear Tegus’ tale more, and that she was additionally into him. The mighty punch left a fist shaped red mark on his arm.
A little while later they found a spot to make camp against a cliff side, out of sight and the far from the wind. Muella had felled a tree with one swing and chopped the wood to make firewood and three beds from the branches and leaves while Tegus had magically lit the fire made the rock face grow outward to provide a kind of ceiling and then made sides to hide them in another place. Muella was more impressed by the second ability, and Tegus felt he maybe had a better chance of winning her affections than Razahir, but that was obvious. Razahir had gone out, sulking Tegus thought; he was, in fact, hunting for their supper.
While they waited, Tegus told Muella about the University and what was going on and even told her things from his past, he hadn’t told many others. He felt comfortable with her, and he knew he could trust her. As time progressed, Muella felt herself let her guard down too and instead of talking about the Skiv’ary as a part of her, she began to talk about herself as one and revealed how nice the area was when she was young.
“I remember the first time I felt what it meant to be a Skiv’ary, to be loved but feared at the same time. It was a proud feeling. Travelers gave us respect. They knew our kind nature. All were welcome. Nevertheless, they knew that if they crossed us or stirred up trouble, they would be put back in their place.” She laughed, “it was at that moment I knew I wanted to be a warrior of the Skiv’ary a keeper of the peace. The old leader got a sudden case of Ralek fever, and passed before his time and before Frujak was ready. Frujak is the youngest Skiv’ary to lead.” She let out a sigh. “Many believe that the old leader was just unlucky, but I knew him; he trained me with a two-handed blade, showed me how to wield it and use its size and weight to my advantage. He was not a weak man. Frujak did this.” Her fists were clenched with anger; she was a passionate woman, and Tegus liked that.
“Muella, I know this jungle has vast wildlife and vegetation. Is there a plant called the Mokabar root that grows here? It looks like a mushroom but has little to no shoot.”
“Yes. I know it. Why do you ask?” Muella asked.
“With it, I can create a potion that will show us what really happened. We just need to get close to the old leaders remains.” Tegus told her.
Muella laughed in shock, “Do you have any idea what you’re asking? His remains are laid to rest in the vault along with all the leaders from before him right back to Dovarak himself.” She sighed.
“Ok. But I am sure with your direction and Razahir’s skill; we could get in?” Tegus stuck to his plan even after her mocking.
“I can get you in anywhere” Razahir interrupted confidently and slung down a hefty boar he had had slung over his shoulder. He then began skinning the beast and removing its innards and flinging them out of the cave. “So what’s the plan?” he asked raising his head from what he had started. Tegus felt a tad queasy but held it back so Muella did not see. Razahir was not like most elves Tegus had come to meet who were clean and quite squeamish, and he was of course only half elf. Tegus then explained what they intended to Razahir, and Razahir was delighted he might see some action. “You are not to kill anyone. These people may be misguided, but they are good people.” Muella warned him. Razahir nodded in accordance. “I can do that, it’s not as much fun or as easy, but I can do it.”
“Good” was all Muella needed to say to warn him again and next went on to explain to them the layout and between the three of them; they devised a way to get from the outer ground, through the town, into the treasure chamber and after that the vault of the leaders. They all knew it was risky but with all their skills, they knew it could happen.
While Razahir got some sleep Muella went looking for the root, and Tegus lay awake thinking of what led him here; what people had done for him, who he had lost along the way and people who he had loved. Loved, he thought about the concept, about how he lost most people he loved as he wasn’t strong enough to protect them, but Muella, she was strong women like he had never met and could protect herself. Her strength was as beautiful as she was. He lay thinking of Muella and how perhaps after Vakaroth had been stopped perhaps he would tell her how he felt. Maybe...