Dwarven Ruby (52 page)

“We cannot stay,” Alex shook his head. “We stopped to see how the people of Southland were doing, and to leave two of our horses here for a few days. We must leave immediately.”

“Perhaps when you return in a few days then,” sighed Baron Timor. “We shall eagerly await you.”

“Wylan,” stated Jenneva, “retrieve four of our horses. Leave yours and Bin-lu’s in the stables. They need to rest.”

“But…,” Wylan started to object.

“Just do it, Wylan,” smiled Alex. “We will explain on the way.”

Wylan nodded and ran off to get the horses. Baron Timor gazed wonderingly at Alex, but he held his tongue. Wylan returned with the four horses, and Alex instructed Wylan and Bin-lu to double up with Tanya and Arik. They bade farewell to Baron Timor and rode southwest away from Southland.

“I really don’t think our horses needed to rest,” frowned Wylan after Southland had passed out of sight. “Why are we riding double? It will only take us longer to get to Dorgun this way.”

“It will be much quicker this way,” grinned Jenneva. “Between Southland and Dorgun is the Great Sordoan Desert. It is the only place in the world that we can feel safe to allow the unicorns to fly right now.”

“That is why we headed west to Southland instead of down the coast of Sordoa,” agreed Alex. “Sarac’s magicians have to be close to detect the unicorns’ spell. It is not likely that they would wait in the desert to detect us. Hang on tight.”

Kaz spread his wings and rose into the air. Yorra was seconds behind him. Chaco and Frea snorted gleefully and rose after them. They rose above the trees, and the Great Sordoan Desert appeared before them.

“Look at it,” Wylan said as he clung tightly to Tanya. “It is like a sea of sand. There appears to be no end of it.”

“All things have an end,” replied Tanya. “It is impressive though. I would not like to be crossing it on foot.”

The Rangers rode the unicorns throughout the day. The darkness of night came, and the vision of the vast wasteland below merged into the blackness. On into the night the unicorns flew.

“That should be Sarga,” Jenneva shouted as she pointed to small flickering lights below and to their right. “That marks the southern end of the Great Sordoan Desert. We need to be careful now.”

“And that is Korin,” shouted Alex later that night as he pointed to more tiny lights below. “It rests on the upper reaches of the Toulane River. It is time to feel the ground under our feet once again. Be prepared for an attack when we get lower. While it is doubtful that Sarac’s minions would be around here, we must remain prepared for anything.”

Kaz led the unicorns downward in a gentle glide. The ground below was dark and foreboding as the Rangers swept down out of the sky. Soon the unicorns were sweeping over the treetops in search of a field or a wide path to land on. Kaz finally set down in the mountains on a wide plateau. Alex frowned when he recognized the place where they had fought the goblins not too long ago.

“Careful,” warned Alex as the Rangers landed. “Goblins may be about.”

“Are we closer to Lanto or Dorgun?” asked Jenneva.

“Close doesn’t matter,” replied Alex as he turned towards Dorgun. “It is Dorgun where the ruby resides.”

The Rangers rode single file as Alex led the way along the plateau. He found a path leading down to the trail that the dwarves had taken them along. They rode for almost an hour before a familiar voice spoke out in the darkness.

“And here I thought we had us a load of sneaking goblins,” greeted Darok. “Humans shouldn’t travel these lands at night. They can’t see in the dark nearly as good as dwarves.”

“I am willing to bet that the goblins cannot see as well as dwarves at night, either,” chuckled Alex. “Lead us to safety.”

“Have ye come bearing gifts?’ inquired Darok as he led the Rangers towards the mine entrance.

“Just some old shield,” grinned Alex. “Your Garala is carrying it.”

“Praise Oykara!” exclaimed Darok. “You’ll be putting a smile on the faces of the dwarves this night.”

A shouted command as they entered the mine sent a dwarf running before them. By the time they reached the circular chamber, King Tring and Queen Trana were already seated. The room was crowded with dwarves, and Darok had to make a path for the Rangers to enter the chamber.

Arik bowed to the king and queen of the Dorgun dwarves. He smiled as he presented the Shield of Oykara to King Tring. Murmurs of wonder and appreciation rippled through the circular chamber and the tunnels beyond. King Tring held the shield of kings over his head.

“As was foretold,” King Tring declared loudly, “the Shield of Oykara has been returned by he who bears the mark. Let the dwarven people fulfill that which is required of us.”

Queen Trana rose to her feet and stood next to King Tring. Darok walked forward and stood on the other side of the king. Suddenly the room erupted in a verbal recitation.

  The Ruby holds the darkness back

  And keeps the Dwarven people safe

  Its power foils strong attack

  The Ruby makes the Dark One chafe

  Outside the mine the world is dark

  The tall one finds the shield of kings

  The gem to he who bears the mark

  Garala tall the snake with wings

  The Darkness foul and will appall

  The ruby cannot make it right

  The Dwarven people must gather all

  And follow Garala in his fight

Arik watched in amazement as the king and queen bowed to him. Darok and all of the dwarves also bowed to Arik. When the queen rose, she removed her simple crown. She handed it to Darok who removed a tool from his belt and worked the Dwarven Ruby free of its setting. Darok turned and presented the gem to Arik.

“This is the Dwarven Ruby required to be presented to Garala,” Darok declared. “You have fulfilled our prophecy. The dwarven people stand ready to follow you.”

“Follow me?” questioned Arik as he accepted the Dwarven Ruby. “Follow me where?”

“Wherever it is that you require us,” replied Queen Trana.

“And whenever you require us,” added King Tring. “Until you need us, our son, Prince Darok, will ride with you. All of the dwarven people stand as your loyal followers.”

“Prince Darok?” echoed Arik.

The dwarven prince nodded and grinned. “How may I be of service?’ he asked.

“The dwarves are known for their skill in fashioning armor and weapons,” suggested Jenneva. “Perhaps they could be helpful in fulfilling the needs of Southland and the Army of the West?”

“Perhaps,” nodded Arik as he looked at Prince Darok. “There is an army of humans that lack armor, weapons, and horses. Would it be an imposition to request such things?”

“An imposition?” chuckled Prince Darok. “Hardly. Dwarves make the finest armor in the world. You need only tell us how many and what types you require. Our people will begin making it in the morning.”

“The dwarves have little need for horses,” frowned King Tring.

“But the elves do,” interjected Queen Trana. “I shall ask Queen Lywen where we may purchase some.”

Arik nodded gratefully and withdrew the Sword of Heavens.

“Don’t,” warned Jenneva. “I do not know what the power of the Sword of Heavens might do inside the mountain. It is best if we step outside before you insert the Dwarven Ruby.”

Arik blushed with embarrassment as he nodded. “That would be a poor way to begin our relationship with the dwarves,” he stated. “Prince Darok, can you show me to an exit where I might stand under the sky?”

“With pleasure,” grinned Darok. “I am anxious to see the Darkness roll away.”

“As are all of us,” added Queen Trana. “This will be a night to keep the scribes going without sleep. Lead the way, Darok.”

Prince Darok led the large party through the tunnels of Dorgun. After a while they emerged onto a large plateau, and the dwarves spread out in a large circle. Prince Arik held the Sword of Heavens before him and inserted the Dwarven Ruby. A loud click resounded through the night silence. Arik raised the Sword of Heavens over his head as a blinding flash of lightning streaked skyward.

Everyone held their breath as the lightning smashed into the Darkness with an explosive force. A deafening clap of thunder reverberated through the Southern Mountains as the Darkness was pierced. The brilliant light of the lightning bolt appeared to linger in the sky as the Darkness rolled away. A loud collective sigh rippled through the dwarves as they realized the lingering light was the moon directly overhead. Stars appeared in the smooth blanket of black sky as the Darkness fled outward. Within moments there was no sign of the Darkness. A beautiful night sky hung over Dorgun as the dwarves broke into cheers.

Alex frowned at the amount of noise the dwarves were making. He stepped close to Prince Darok and spoke in his ear.

“We are exposed out here,” warned Alex. “We do not want to be attacked at this time.”

“Fear not, friend of Garala,” rejoiced Darok. “The goblins will be cowering under a log tonight. They have no idea about what is going on. Let them hear the loud voices of my people shout for joy.”

Darok raised his axe and rotated in a circle to get everyone’s attention. When silence had fallen over the assembled dwarves, Prince Darok lowered his axe and bowed to Arik. Every dwarf bowed with the short prince, and the thunderous sound of their voices filed the air.

“Long live Garala,” shouted the dwarves.

Not far away, Fredrik woke up and nudged Niki. They rolled out from under the wagon and stared up at the sky. Boris joined them a moment later.

“They have succeeded,” Master Khatama declared as he watched the Darkness flee.

“Indeed they have,” grinned Fredrik. “No matter how many times I see the sky, I cannot help but marvel at its beauty.”

“I put the Diamond of Edona into the Sword of Heavens last time,” declared Niki. “It felt wonderful. Master Khatama can tell you. He was there, too. Right, Master Khatama?”

When Boris did not answer, Niki turned around and looked for him. When she saw him face down on the ground she screamed.

THE END

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