Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2000 08:56:41 EST
From: Bwstories8@aol.com
Subject: The Sword of Kings - chapter 9

Legal Notice:
The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts.
The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality.

Don't read this story if:
**You're not 18 or over,
**If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live,
**Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex.

The author retains copyright to this story.  Placing this story on a
website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author's
permission is a violation of that copyright.  Legal action will be taken
against violators.

I wish to extend my thank you to Ed for his editorial assistance with this
chapter, to Ian for his suggestions to improve the flow and readability of
this chapter, and to Matt for his ideas and support.

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at
http://members.tripod.de/wolfslair, in the 'Other Stories' section.

E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions, or other 'constructive'
comments or advice may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.

                 *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

****************************************************************************

   AUTHOR'S NOTE:
   There is a new race brought into this chapter, the Aignx.  It is pronounced
   as if it were spelled Ainks.  I just thought this would help you when
   reading this chapter.

   I also wish to apologize for delays in getting the chapters to you.  As
   I've mentioned before, these chapters are very time consuming to write,
   plus I've had some problems finding a job, and paying the bills has to
   take priority over writing a story that generates no income.  I
   appreciate you patience with this.

   Thanks, Bill

****************************************************************************

The Sword of Kings - by BW  (Fantasy/Sci. Fi.).   Copyright 2000 by billwstories
Chapter 9 - A brief reunion.                      September 2000

The dwarfs stood delightedly before the closed doors that led to their
ancestral home.  They had arrived shortly after sundown and, as usual, the
gates were closed and barred for the night.  They knew that by turning up
at this late hour they would have to signal for the guard in order to gain
admittance.  The three dwarfs drew their short swords from their scabbards
and each one banged the hilt of his weapon upon the sturdy wooden gate
until a small observation door opened.  This peephole was located at eye
level, on the panel on the right, and through it they could see the bushy
eyebrows and squinting eyes of the gate's guard.

"Who seeks to enter Thorold at this hour?" came a stout voice.  "State your
business here."

"It is Doenilio, Sedain, and Quintain, three dwarfs of this kingdom, and a
party of friends.  Our arrival is expected by King Brolin."

The custodian peered through the opening at the companions and he finally
beamed as he recognized his countrymen.  The observation door closed and
the company stood quietly in the torchlight as the bars were removed and
the gate was unlocked.  The huge doors swung outward with a quiet groan and
exposed the watch commander, from whom they had just requested admittance.
Doenilio, Sedain, and Quintain did not wait for any further invitation and
they escorted their friends through the cavernous opening that led into
their homeland.  A party of guards stood just inside, in case this was some
sort of ruse to gain admittance by attackers.

"You're much later than we thought you would be," the watch commander
began, "and the King has been concerned about your safety.  He feared
something had befallen you.  He wants to see you in his chambers
immediately when you arrive.  Follow me and I'll take you there."

"Garth," Doenilio began, "there are other needs we must attend to first.
We do not wish to be disrespectful to the King, but we have been traveling
a long time.  We are ravenous and extremely dirty, and we must refresh
ourselves first.  Please send a messenger to inform him of our arrival and
that we will be there as soon as we have bathed, changed, and eaten."

"Of course you are right," Garth replied.  "I'll dispatch a messenger to
advise him of your arrival and the circumstances of the delay.  I'll take
you to the guest quarters and have food prepared while you refresh
yourselves.  Is there anything else you need?"

"Not at the moment.  Sedain, Quintain, and I just use the guest facilities
as well, so as not to delay the King.  Just make sure everything is ready
so there are no delays."

"I shall see that it's taken care of," Garth responded, giving a sharp nod.
Turning to one of his subordinates, he barked a command.  "Run and advise
and advise the King that his guests have arrived and that they are well.
Also inform His Majesty that, although they mean no disrespect, they wish
to refresh themselves before joining him.  Inform him that we shall present
them to him as soon as they have had a chance to eat, bathe, and change."

The guard saluted, did a quick about-face, and then he sped down the
corridor and out of sight.  Garth turned back to the newcomers and he
bowed, as a sign of respect.  "If you would follow me, I will see to it
that you are all provided with a warm bath, clean clothes, and a hot meal."

The companions nodded their approval and they eagerly followed the dwarf
down a corridor and through a massive archway.  They emerged on the other
side to find themselves standing on a balcony that was located at the top
of a large, well-lit staircase.  Kieren scrutinized this new marvel from
top to bottom, noticing the delicate details that were carved into every
inch of the banister and balusters that supported the handrail.  He almost
lost sight of the intricate artistry of the detail work, as he was
overwhelmed by the enormity of the entire structure.

The boys moved to the front of the group, so their vision would not be
blocked by the bulk of their companions.  They wanted an unobstructed view
and they didn't want to miss even one detail of this wonderful place, not
even waiting to find out where they were going before they started to
descend the multitude of stairs.  This stairway led down into a great,
cavernous opening, which had streets branching from it in different
directions.  Each of these new passages was fairly well lit and meandered
past rows of shops or beside a myriad of simple dwellings.

The party was now led down another street, past a row of shops, until they
came to the front of a large structure that appeared to be the dwarf
equivalent of a luxury residence for foreign dignitaries.  As they entered
the doorway, they were met by a host of servants, who were each assigned to
a specific traveler.  Each of the guests was whisked off to a very plush
suite, where a bath was being prepared for them and an array of garments
had been displayed for their selection.  Other servants unpacked their gear
and took their soiled garments away to be laundered and mended.

Kieren went over to investigate the temperature of his bath water and to
finger the sweet smelling bar of soap that lay on a small table standing
near the tub.  The fragrance of the soap and the inviting temperature of
the water compelled the prince to hurriedly shed his clothing, slip into
the warm caress of the bath water, and relax.  Once submerged, he let its
soothing embrace drain the weariness from his body and his mind.  The
prince was thoroughly enjoying this leisurely activity, wishing he could
stay there for a considerably longer period of time, when he gave in to his
grumbling stomach and emerged from the tub.  Now he proceeded to dry
himself off and then he dressed in the new garments that had been supplied
for him.

The style of the clothing was different than the attire that Kieren was
accustomed to and he eyed himself in the mirror to see if he approved of
his new look.  As he scrutinized his reflection, the prince concluded that
this apparel was also not typical of the garments worn by the dwarfs.  He
realized that these clothes must have been specially prepared for them
before their arrival.  He studied the garments further and he decided that
they looked very similar to the clothing that Nathar, the Steward of
Leander, had been wearing on the day they first met him.  Surely, the young
man thought, Beraut must have ordered the garments for them while they were
at the castle and then had them shipped here in advance of their arrival.
Having solved this insignificant puzzle, Kieren returned to analyzing his
altered appearance.  Studying his image carefully in the looking glass, he
turned first one way and then the other, examining his reflection.  After
this careful inspection, he judged his raiment acceptable and then he
stepped out into the hallway to find the others.

As Kieren moved through the doorway, he was met by his dwarf guide and then
was led to a large reception area that was located at the end of the
hallway.  This area was filled with a collection of overstuffed chairs,
most of which were occupied by his companions.  They had been waiting
patiently here for the prince to complete his preparations and join them.
Now they rose from their comfortable resting places and they followed their
guide once more.  The small procession traveled down a series of well-lit
passages until they stood before another magnificent stairway, this one
leading downward even farther into the depths of the mountain.  This new
staircase was a truly grandiose sight, even more spectacular than the
stairway that they had traversed upon first entering the dwarf kingdom.
The railings and steps of this marvelous set of stairs were constructed
from a black marble, with a tracery of gold veins running through it.

The walls, which ran along either side of this magnificent structure, stood
a short distance from each handrail and they were covered with beautifully
carved stone murals.  These delicately carved masterpieces depicted some of
the most important events in the history of the dwarf people.  Kieren vowed
that he would return to examine them more closely later and then he would
inquire about their significance.  For now, however, he would continue to
follow the others down to their next meeting place.  As he continued to
descend the rich staircase, the young man was fascinated by the way the
light shimmered off the dark marble mirror of the floor and the brilliant
gold veins in it.  Looking at the area above him, he discovered that this
light emanated from a series of candelabra that lined the ceiling of the
expansive stairwell.  These light sources filled the area with a brilliant
amber glow, but they also represented additional works of art for visitors
and inhabitants to admire.

Now they reached the bottom of the long stairway and they continued to walk
along the corridor until they stood before a large set of double doors.
These doors opened into an elaborate banquet hall and it stood invitingly
before them.  Looking into the interior of the room, Kieren judged that
this place had a similar use as the Great Hall at Leander and he concluded
that it was here that the dwarfs entertained their visiting dignitaries and
high-ranking officials.  Yes, he was certain that this was the room in
which all the large, stately gatherings took place.  Kieren now paused to
absorb the sheer elegance of this new room and he stood admiring the
beautiful adornments that filled it.  He visually inspected every square
centimeter of this wondrous chamber, from the delicately crafted golden
sculptures down to the fine hardwood tables and the chairs with cushioned
seats.  He was intensely fascinated by the sparkling crystal chandeliers
that hung suspended from the ceiling and contained an apparently infinite
number of candles that helped to illuminate the spacious area.  The oblong
crystalline baubles that dangled from the various levels of the chandeliers
seemed to magnify the intensity of the candles' glow.

The prince now focused on the many immense banquet tables that occupied the
vast majority of the floor space available.  Kieren's thoughts were
interrupted as he and the others were led to a table at the far end of the
room.  The table had been generously set with food of all descriptions and
the aroma of the different items beckoned them forward.  They moved quickly
forward, seated themselves, and they greedily attacked the delicacies set
before them.  It had been a day and a half since they had last eaten, maybe
even longer for Qaim, and their basic need for nourishment took control
over their actions.  When they had finally consumed enough to satisfy their
ravenous needs, they pushed their chairs back from the table and they began
to relax.  Some of the warriors even lit pipes that were being offered tto
them, as they continued to survey the wonders around them.  They hadn't
been at this for very long when the chamberlain arrived and announced that
he was there to guide them to the Royal Audience Hall.

Once again, they were led down a profusion of crisscrossing passageways,
though these were much more expansive than the ones they had traveled over
earlier, until they came to a pair of gigantic golden doors.  The panels of
these doors were intricately etched with vines and leaves and the
companions were studying them when they noiselessly swung inward into the
royal hall.  They strolled forward, through the prodigious archway, where
they were suddenly thrust into another marvelous chamber.

The floor of this splendid room was completely surfaced with highly
polished, black marble slabs that reflected the likeness of everything in
the room.  At the end opposite from where the guests had entered stood two
very plain gray rock seats, upon which sat two dwarfs, one male and one
female, whom Kieren assumed to be the dwarf King and his Queen.  Kieren now
steadied his gaze on King Brolin, who was seated on the right, and Queen
Glynis, who was seated next to him.  Beraut stood to the right of the King,
looking down at them as they entered.  The royal pair rose, as the party
neared them, and the companions stopped and knelt before them.  As Kieren
looked up, he scanned all three faces and he noticed that they each wore a
very broad grin.

"Hail and welcome, my noble friends," greeted the King.  "I am well-pleased
to at last receive you into Thorold and I extend to you the hospitality of
my people.  I promised Beraut that I would be brief, so I will say no more.
I will now turn this reunion over to my ancient friend and confidant.  I
can tell you that he is anxious for you to recount your tale of the past
several days so, Beraut, the floor is now yours."

The wizard stood, beaming as he glanced from face to face, but his
expression suddenly changed as he surveyed the party and counted noses once
more.  "As you first entered the hall, I hastily counted heads and was
relieved to find the same number as had departed from Leander more than a
week ago.  Now, I note that I had not miscounted, but one of this company
is indeed missing and a new face appears in his stead.  I would be grateful
if someone could account for this fact."

Kieren glanced at the others and they wordlessly urged him to be their
spokesperson.  Stepping forward toward Beraut, he relayed the story of
their journey from the capital, up to the point when they reached the Murky
Marshes.  Then he explained how Selvaggio had been attacked by the Serpent
Colossus and how he had the life squeezed from his body before they could
kill the beast.  The room fell deathly silent as he relayed this part of
the tale and the expressions on the faces of the attentive audience changed
from shock, to anger, to sincere sympathy during the story's rendering.
Kieren then went on to tell the tale of the capture of Sedain and of
Hadwin's inventive plan that helped to safely rescue the dwarf.  He
followed that by telling them about their night in the cave, the scouting
party, and their escape.  Kieren detailed the use of the medallion and
their journey through the underground route that led them safely to
Majestic Falls.  The prince then told of their encounter with the large
enemy patrol, their flight into Briarwood, and Romaric's heroic efforts
that led to the capture of Qaim.  He then informed them of Garreth's brave
deed that protected Kieren from the charge of the wild boar and how Qaim
led them out of the forest maze.  He concluded his story by recounting
their mad and joyous dash to the gates of Thorold and of their warm welcome
within its protective embrace.  As he finished his story, he gave his
friends an appreciative grin and then he turned toward the mage.  Kieren
looked into his aged face and he tried to read what was going on behind
those ancient eyes.  The prince noted the glowing look of admiration and
pleasure that radiated from the wizard's face as he glanced around the
room.

"This party was certainly well chosen," the magician began, "and my
estimation of Kieren's strengths and leadership abilities has been
vindicated by his actions under pressure.  I also see that my decision to
allow the two young elves to join this party has also proven to be
fortuitous.  I knew that their devotion to Kieren might prove to be
advantageous on this mission, but I had no idea that their loyalty would be
put to the test so soon.  On the other hand, I am sorely grieved by the
news of the loss of Selvaggio, as I know you all are.  He was a mighty
knight who was also a steadfast friend and a devout patriot.  We knew the
road might be fraught with dangers and that the loss of life along the way
might be inevitable.  But let us not dwell on this point, for we must now
look ahead as to what awaits us in the days to come."

Beraut paused, stroked his flowing beard, and he stared at Qaim.  The small
creature was growing exceedingly uneasy under the magician's astute gaze
when the wizard finally spoke, breaking the tension.  "I am curious to know
if any of you realize what it is that you have discovered while stumbling
through Briarwood?"

The companions looked awkwardly at each other, trying to comprehend exactly
what it was that Beraut wanted to know.  No one seemed to be able to figure
it our, so Kieren took it upon himself to attempt to answer the enchanter's
question.  Timidly he addressed his mentor.

"If you are referring to Qaim, he is just some tangled mass of fur and
debris, although we are not exactly sure of his species.  We can all vouch
for the fact that he is harmless, however."

"Indeed, harmless he is," came Beraut's reply, "but let me fill you in on
his true identity.  What you have discovered is an Aignx."

"A what?" blurted Hadwin, his face beginning to redden as he realized he
had spoken his thoughts aloud.

"An Aignx," repeated the conjurer.  "I would have hoped that some of you
would have studied your history a little more conscientiously and you would
know to what I am referring.  Nonetheless, I shall enlighten you.  The
Aignx is a nearly extinct, somewhat magical creature, who once roamed the
many mountain ranges throughout Tarolia.  The dwarfs, at least, should know
this much about them."

The three dwarfs hung their heads, embarrassed by the wizard's last
statement.  The others were eyeing their newly found companion, trying to
figure out what there was about him that might be magical.  They were quite
surprised at how different he appeared, now that he had been washed and
groomed.  The wizard raised his voice to bring their attention back to
himself.

"Tarolia was once inhabited by many beings like the newest member of your
group.  They loved all the high mountain ranges but, most especially, they
loved the Devil's Horseshoe, the mountain range that protected Treblanc.
As you have already noted, the Aignx is not a very fierce race; in fact
they are extremely docile.  The Council of Wizards was fond of using them
as servants, to look after the domestic chores at their headquarters.  The
Council would pay them by giving them food, shelter, and, most importantly,
protection from their predators.

As you might also have been able to tell, the Aignx was not a particularly
intelligent race and they could easily be taken advantage of by an
aggressor.  During their evolutionary maturation, these creatures began to
develop certain skills, skills that allowed them to sense danger and the
ability to hide from such threats.  They also seemed to develop the ability
to escape from nearly any type of trap.  When they came to be known by the
Council of Wizards, the Council decided to endow them with certain
additional magical gifts, as well.  The magical enhancements were enough to
make them quite valuable in certain circumstances.  They can pick locks,
even enchanted ones, to get away if captured.  They also have the ability
to avoid traps and to discover devices that would open secret hiding places
or unleash unseen weapons or traps.  In addition to these other talents,
they are also experts at camouflaging techniques."

During the discussion, the members of the party focused on Qaim.  Now they
looked closely at him, taking note of the changes that had occurred when
the dwarf servants had cleaned the Aignx up.  No longer was he a pile of
matted leaves and dried twigs that they had first discovered in the forest
when Romaric leapt on him.  He was now a well-groomed creature who was
covered in a very thick coat of long, dark brown fur.  He now had an
elegant appearance and the companions were amazed by this transformation.
They had never fully considered what the creature might be and his new
appearance added impact to what the wizard had just told them.

"You see," Beraut continued, "Romaric had only observed movement and
thought something lurked beneath the pile of compost.  He did not realize
that the pile, itself, was the intruder.  This is about the only way any of
you could have detected the Aignx and, had he not been so curious at the
sight of rarely seen newcomers, I doubt that you would ever have known that
he even existed.  I was surprised by your account that you not only
discovered him, but that you were also able to capture him and convince him
to help you.  The Aignx have become very leery of all but others of their
kind, and they are not easily convinced to forsake this distrust and help
another group.  But I have been sidetracked, going on about such trivia,
and I will now get on with my story.

"The Aignx enjoyed the protection of the Council for many years but, with
the end of Thialfi and the true Council, Madumda rounded up all of the
Aignx he could locate and he used them as slaves.  They were forced to tend
to his needs and the needs of his followers.  My brother used them to carry
mortar and stones to help fortify Treblanc, which was already nearly
impregnable, and he made them perform all the menial chores that were part
of Treblanc's daily life.  In addition, Madumda found a way to neutralize
their special powers, at least for as long as they were under his sphere of
influence.  The Dark Lord literally worked these poor creatures to death
and the race nearly into extinction.

One by one they died off and Madumda sent his troops out to secure more and
more of their kind.  As they had always been under the protection of the
Council, none of the Aignx suspected any treachery and their limited mental
capabilities wouldn't allow them to see past the deception.  Willingly,
they followed Madumda's men and they were led into a life of misery and,
eventually, to their doom.  Before the entire species had been totally
annihilated, one particularly clever Aignx was able to break away from the
Dark Lord's influence and slip out of the castle.  He went about warning
the others who still remained free about Madumda's intent.  This simple act
helped to preserve the remaining members of this race, as they avoided the
Dark Lord and his henchmen from that day on.  Today there are less than one
hundred known survivors of their kind who still roam the land, a small
fraction of the numbers that had once existed.

Kieren felt a great deal of empathy for his new comrade, as well as for
others of his kind, and he gained a greater appreciation of the enormity of
their discovery in the woods.  Had it not been for this quirk of fate, the
company might still be wandering around Briarwood, searching for a way to
escape the fearful grasp of its entwining hold.  After considerable
reflection on this matter, Kieren addressed the incantator.

"Since our number has been depleted by one, with the loss of Selvaggio, I
would like for you to explain our venture to Qaim and invite him to join us
in our efforts."

"An excellent suggestion, my dear young friend, for I was thinking along
those very same lines."  Beraut went on to briefly tell the puzzled aignx
of their plans and, when Qaim fully understood the implications of their
scheme, he was asked to join the group.

Eagerly Qaim accepted.  "Qaim want to help get rid of bad wizard.  Qaim
want to help hurt the one who killed others like Qaim.  Qaim go with you."

"Your offer is greatly appreciated and I'm sure you will be a valued asset
to this group," Beraut responded before turning toward the others.  "Now it
is time for you all to get some rest before the next stage of our journey
begins.  It is very late, so off to bed, all of you.  We shall meet again
tomorrow afternoon and you must be prepared to travel.  We shall set out as
soon as I am able to inform you about the next part of this venture and we
have had the opportunity to consume a brief meal."

Kieren left hesitantly, for he still had many questions he wished to ask
the seer, but he was firmly guided out of the hall and back to his room.
Kieren had barely closed the door behind him before Garreth and Romaric
were coming through the entranceway.  "We thought you might like some
company for a while," Garreth told him.

"Yeah, it's been a few days since we've been able to do anything together,"
Romaric added.  "What do you say?"

"I say that we'll have to do it quickly because we will need our rest for
the next leg of this mission."

"What if we all help each other at the same time?" Romaric asked.  "That
way we will be able to get some relief and it won't take a great deal of
time."

"Yes," added Garreth.  "If we form a triangle, we can each do one of the
others and then we can go to sleep.  Is that okay with you, Kieren?"

"Yes, that would be fine.  Get undressed and we'll do it on my bed."

Quickly the trio had shed their garments, thrown back the covers on the
bed, and they arranged themselves in convenient positions.  Kieren was
placed so his head was at Romaric's groin, Romaric had his head next to
Garreth's privates, and Garreth was aligned with his head near Kieren's
genitals.  Without a word being said, each of the boys bent forward and
began to fondle the penis nearest them, with both their hands and their
mouth, until their friend's magic wand was standing tall and proud.  Heads
began to bob back and forth as they suctioned the dick in their mouth,
letting their tongues provide additional stimulation to the teen-meat under
their control.  The action took on a frenzied pace, as their bodies began
to respond to the attention they had longed for, and soon the muffled moans
of pleasure became audible in the room.  It only took another minute or so
before their penises began to release their treasure, allowing the three
young men to enjoy the release they had so desperately sought after.  Once
they were all sucked completely dry, they rested on the bed and enjoyed the
lingering pleasures of their orgasms.

Wordlessly, they all managed to crawl under the covers on Kieren's bed,
snuggle close to each other, and soon they were all enjoying the comforts
of the first real bed they had seen in over a week.  Being totally
exhausted from their many escapades of the past few days and still enjoying
the warm glow from their recent climaxes, it took no time at all before
they were all lost in a deep, dreamless slumber.  Beraut just smiled when
he popped his head into Kieren's room before he went to his own chamber,
not the least bit surprised to find the three teens together yet again.

Kieren was the first to awake, late the next morning, and he looked at his
two beloved friends before saying a silent 'thank you' for their love and
devotion.  He could not imagine a life without them and he certainly
wouldn't wish their relationship to be any other way.  Kieren leaned back,
enjoying the cushiony embrace of the feather mattress, letting his mind
wander of all of the things that had happened to him since he first met
Beraut.  Before he could think ahead, about the next part of this mission,
the two elves slowly stirred to life.  The trio got out of the bed, rubbed
the sleep from their eyes, and stretched every muscle in their bodies to
get the blood flowing once more.  At that moment there was a knock at the
door and Kieren inquired as to who was there.  It was once of the servants
who had come to assist him.  The boys threw their nightclothes back on and
Kieren opened the door.  Garreth and Romaric returned to their own rooms,
having been advised that there were others waiting to help them, as well.

The young boy looked as if he were twelve, possibly thirteen, years old and
he looked at Kieren and spoke, "I was told to advise you that you are
requested to dine with King Brolin in an hour.  Would you like for me to
prepare a bath for you first?"

"Yes, please.  I would like that."  The boy went about his duties, running
in and out of the room to fetch the buckets of water, both hot and cold,
that would be needed to fill the tub.  Kieren was looking forward to this
small treat and realized that he might not be able to enjoy this simple
please again for some time.  He knew that the wizard planned to leave
directly after the meal and he had no idea how long it might be before he
could avail himself of this small luxury again.  He assumed that there
would be multi-day interludes between such hygienic opportunities, so he
was prepared to take full advantage of indulging himself with this amenity.

Kieren undressed as the young dwarf brought the final buckets of hot water
to warm the bath.  As the boy emptied the last container into the tub,
Kieren stepped in and gradually lowered himself into its soothing embrace.
The young dwarf stood by the head of the tub, waiting to see what Kieren
wanted him to do.  After waiting a few minutes like that, the dwarf spoke
up.  "Would you like me to wash your back, sir?"

Kieren was somewhat surprised that they boy was calling him 'sir'.  "My
name's Kieren and I want you to use my name and not 'sir'.  Is that part of
your job, to wash my back?"

"Yes, sir...Kieren.  It is.  Would you like me to wash you now?"

"Yes, that would be fine.  What's your name?"

"My name is Hoby, sir."

"How old are you, Hoby?"

"I am eleven, sir."

"Will you please drop the sir, Hoby?  How long have you been doing this?"

"For over two years now, s...Kieren."

"Why do you have to work like this?"

"My family can use the extra money, so I came to work here.  I can help pay
for myself and my brothers and sisters."

"How many brothers and sisters do you have, Hoby?"

"I have five older and eight younger than myself."

"That's quite a large family."

"Yes, it is.  People say my mother is lucky because she's so fertile.  Two
of my mother's friends have not been able to have any babies, so they come
over and help take care of the younger ones."

"Well, I can see why you need to work."

"My three older brothers and my two older sisters work too.  My next
younger brother will be starting his job soon."

"I see.  Your parents are very lucky to have such responsible children."

"If you say so, sir.  I think we've all taken jobs because we felt we had
to.  Otherwise, there would hardly have been enough money for food."

"Well, Hoby, maybe I can help you and your family after I've finished my
task.  Would that be acceptable to you?"

"Yes, Kieren, but how will you be able to help me?  You're not much older
than I am.  Are your parents wealthy?"

"No, they are not, but I might have a way to help you some time in the
future.  I think boys your age should be out playing and having a good
time, not working to take care of others.  I will not forget you, Hoby, and
don't you let me forget my promise to you.  Agreed?"

"Yes, sir, but I don't know how to find you so I can remind you if you
forget."

"I'm sure that I will be visiting Thorold again.  You can tell me on one of
those visits."

"Thank you, sir...Kieren.  I appreciate your offer."

Hoby helped Kieren finish bathing, then he help dry the prince off, and
then he laid out a set of traveling garments for Kieren to put on.  "I was
told that you should wear this clothing, though I don't understand why.  I
was told that you were going to eat next."

"Yes, Hoby, I will be eating next, at least I hope so, but I will be
leaving after that.  That's why you've been told to have me wear these.
Thank you for all of your help and I willl see you again someday.  May the
gods watch over you until that day."

"Thank you, sir, and have a good trip."  Hoby started to leave the room and
then he turned to face the prince again.  "One of the King's valets will be
here for you shortly.  Fare-thee-well, Kieren, and have a safe journey."
He smiled, waved, and left the room.

Shortly there was a knock on his door and he opened it to find a
well-dressed, middle-aged dwarf.  The dwarf asked Kieren to follow him,
they collected the two elves, and then they made their way down the
corridors to the banquet hall they had dined in the night before.  His
other companions were already there, but this time they were not alone.
There was also a collection of Dwarf officials at other tables, beside and
across from his friends.  The trio was led to the head table, where they
were seated with the Dwarf King and Queen and Beraut.  Kieren was seated
between King Brolin and the wizard, as was befitting of his position of
future King of Tarolia, while Garreth and Romaric were seated on the other
side of Beraut.

Kieren was quite uneasy with the seating arrangements.  It was hard enough
for him to be included at the head table, without having the seat next to
the Dwarf King.  He would have preferred to have Beraut in this position,
so he could have sat beside his two friends.  Graciously he accepted his
seat, but he still felt that Beraut was more worthy of the honor.  Kieren
decided not to dwell on this any longer and he glanced around the room.
First he looked past King Brolin, to look at the Queen, and he admired her
elegant appearance and her refined manners.  This did not mean that Kieren
thought her beautiful, for dwarf beauty would be hard for him to measure
and beyond his understanding, but she had the poise and grace that only a
fine upbringing can provide.

His thoughts were interrupted, as the serving staff moved into the room
with the meal.  The afternoon's fare included many dishes that were new to
the prince.  He didn't even know the names for many of the delicacies he
was sampling or what ingredients they contained, even after he ate them.
All he knew was that he enjoyed almost everything he tasted.  A dark mead
was served to wash the meal down and Kieren was eager to sample this as
well, for he had heard many tales about its flavor and long-lasting
effects.  As he finished downing his first mug of the potent brew, he began
to wonder if all dwarfs ate like this or if this was just an example of
their finest culinary efforts.  That reminded him of Hoby, and Kieren
realized that this elaborate meal was most likely only enjoyed by the elite
of this race.  He was planning to pursue this thought further, but Beraut
interrupted his musings when he stood to speak.

"We are nearing the resolution that we have long waited for and the fate of
Tarolia will soon be decided, once and for all.  When this engagement has
ended, there will be but one undisputed ruler of the land, be it for the
better or for the worse, but our years of wondering about the outcome will
have come to an end.  I would now like to take a minute to brief those of
you assembled about what transpired at the Second Council of War, which was
held after Kieren and his protectors departed from Leander."

Beraut went on to elaborate on the events of that meeting, explaining how
the armies were aligned, the size and strength of the various divisions and
the opposition forces, as well as a very quick explanation of the battle
strategy that was to be employed.  He then went on to explain that, six
days hence, the armies would be forming on the Plains of Asimae, preparing
to move against each other and determine which side shall rule the land.

At this point, the dwarf officials were dismissed from the gathering and
they went about, shaking hands, exchanging greetings, and talking about
upcoming events.  After a half an hour of such formalities, the King asked
them to leave the hall, so he could talk to his guests in private.  The
dwarven officials left, though not altogether happy with the turn of
events.  When the last of these dignitaries had exited the hall, leaving
only the companions, the Dwarf King and Queen, and the wizard, Beraut stood
and began to speak.

"We must leave this evening if you are to reach Treblanc on or before the
time our forces begin to engage in battle.  Before we leave, however, I
would like to fill you in on some of the obstacles that are still before
you.  To accomplish this, I must first give you a brief history lesson.
Thorold has been the home of the dwarf ruling family since the beginning of
recorded history, but it has not always been the only residence for the
dwarven people.  There was once a fairly large agricultural settlement
called Thorley, which was located in the bountiful meadowland called
Peaceful Vale.  The agrarian dwarfs who lived in Thorley, and in the rural
areas that spread out around it, produced plentiful harvest that met not
only the needs of their own people, but also left enough to use to barter
for goods produced by men and elves.  This was a highly profitable venture
and, when added to the sale of the quality items provided by the dwarf
goldsmiths, armorers, and gem dealers, this revenue made the dwarfs a
considerably wealthy race, envied throughout the land.

"A few years later, Madumda had gained his immense powers and was
establishing himself at Treblanc.  The dwarfs of Thorley were preparing for
their Festival of Thanksgiving, which was held every year after the fields
were gleaned, on the night of the Harvest Moon.  On this occasion, the
village was always filled to overflowing with visitors from all over
Tarolia and beyond.  Men, elves, dwarfs, and for a while even gnomes, came
to enjoy this festival and it was considered one of the best celebrations
of the year.  This particular year was to be no exception.  For three days
before the festival began, strangers started pouring into Thorley, seeking
lodgings and making merry.  They were just getting warmed up for the best
times, which were yet to come.  At last, the night of the celebration
arrived and the activities got under way.  There were booths and bazaars
set up on both sides of the main thoroughfare and along many of the side
streets.  There were games, activities, and every kind of entertainment
imaginable, as well as stalls to sell all varieties of food, drink, and
crafts spread abundantly about.  It was on this night, one of the most
joyous days of the year, that Madumda struck another devastating blow to
those who dared oppose him.

"Madumda sat in his stronghold and conjured up a spell to summon the
Specter of Death.  He charged that remorseless apparition to perform a task
of such enormity that it would forever live in the annals of Tarolian
history.  That night he sent this grim reaper from Treblanc and into the
Peaceful Vale, there to destroy everyone who happened to be present for the
festivities.  As the Specter slid through Thorley, at the height of the
merriment, it slaughtered everyone and everything in its path.  By the
following morning, every living thing that had been in that lush, emerald
valley - from the plentiful plant life to the large hordes of people - had
been destroyed.  Bodies were strewn in the places they had fallen,
mid-flight, and their souls were trapped to the land, condemned to haunt
that area until justice is extracted against the Dark Lord and their deaths
are avenged.  This, and only this, will allow their spirits to be released
to their eternal rest.

"This hecatomb, created by the sorcerer's command, was a massacre whose
magnitude had never been equaled and hopefully never will be either.  This
night has haunted the memory of the dwarf people for many years and they
have vowed never to rest until the souls of their kin have been released
from the valley.  That once fertile valley is now only filled with the
weeds and brambles that will grow in the fouled ground, and the area is
haunted by the souls who were so heartlessly murdered that evening long
ago."

The magician scanned the room, reading the expressions on the faces of his
audience, recording the impact the story had made on each of them.  It was
obvious that none of them, with the exception of the dwarfs, had ever heard
this tale before.  Their expressions showed signs of shock, anger,
disbelief, and sadness, as each individual struggled to contain the feeling
evoked by the monstrous tale.  Each member of the group felt their hatred
of their enemy grow, and their resolve to complete their mission stiffened.
At this precise moment, Kieren's feelings were so incensed and such a surge
of adrenaline was coursing through his body, that he felt that he would
have been able to summon sufficient strength to defeat Madumda in personal
combat.  He was sure that, at this precise moment, he could have destroyed
that vile necromancer, no matter how much more powerful or skillful the
sorcerer was.

Beraut could see the tension building in the youth's slender body, as his
muscles tensed in extreme agitation.  The prince's face was reddening from
the excessive amount of blood that was being pumped by his racing heart and
little beads of perspiration were collecting on his forehead as his teeth
visibly ground in his fury.  The silence in the hall was deafening and the
tension was so thick that you could cut it with a knife, only to be broken
by Beraut's voice, as he continued his tale.

"It has been many, many years since this foul deed happened and throughout
the years those restless souls have drifted across Peaceful Vale, emitting
their cries, seeking revenge.  This place has now been appropriately
renamed the Valley of the Dead and anyone trying to cross that accursed
place is soon driven insane from the wails of those souls begging for
justice.  The pass through the Citadel Mountains, which led from central
Tarolia and into that valley, also had its name changed from Heaven's Gate
to Death's Door.  It is, for all intents and purposes, never traveled and
it has become strewn with rubble that has cascaded down the slopes of the
mountains.  Those who might try to use this pathway share a very real fear
of wandering too close to the valley and becoming inflicted with the
madness by the madness that it causes.

"You may wonder why I am telling you this tale of horror, and rightfully
so.  I am trying to prepare you for something that no man has the right to
request of another.  I am asking you to travel with me, through this deadly
place, on your way to your final destination."

Expressions of shock and disbelief were now registering on the faces of the
companions, as they were unable to accept what the old conjurer had just
told them.  How could he ask them to journey through this place that he had
just told them would drive them insane?  Had Beraut already lost his own
mind?

"Fear not, my hearty comrades," Beraut continued, but he was only half
heard by the others, "for I have made preparations that will protect you
from the fate that I have just described.  I feel that we must use this
route precisely because it would be the one that we would be least expected
to take.  Therefore, this is the course that would be most likely to help
us gain admittance into Treblanc without being detected."

The volunteers were only slightly relieved at this last revelation and they
squirmed unceasingly in their seats.  They continued to glance furtively
from one face to another, trying to gage the other's reaction as they
listened to Beraut while he continued his narration.

"To get to the Valley of the Dead, we will travel through underground
passages known only to the dwarfs.  King Brolin, himself, will guide us
downward through the catacombs of the former Kings of Thorold.  These
tunnels will eventually link up with the tombs of the officials and
commoners of the race, who once dwelt in that rural community.  When, at
last, we reach the sealed egress, that was once the passage through which
the dwarfs of Thorley had carried their dead, we will pause and prepare
ourselves for crossing the desolate valley floor.

"I must offer a final few words of caution before we begin this march.  The
first warning will be an advisement against touching any of the relics we
shall pass by as we journey through the Royal Burial Chambers.  The dwarfs
bury many valuable possessions with their deceased leaders and, to protect
these valuables from thieves, they are booby-trapped in many ingenious
ways.  Once sprung, any of these devices will badly maim or kill the
intruder.  In addition to these mechanisms, other items are coated in a
potent poison that can be absorbed through the skin to kill those coming
into contact with it.

"The second warning is that when we reach the staging area, where we will
prepare for the crossing of the valley floor, be sure to follow any and all
of the given instructions precisely.  Any error on your part could doom you
to a lifetime of madness.  Lastly, I would like to advise you that once I
guide you across this damnable land, I will again be forced to leave you on
your own.  This is because it is imperative that I return to direct the
allied forces as they confront the forces of evil that await them.
Finally, I want to give all of you a chance to reconsider your decision to
go on this mission.  Anyone who wishes to leave the quest may indicate so
now, so I can plan accordingly for the rest of this endeavor."

Everyone scanned the room, to see if anyone was going to request to be
excused from their commitment, but no one made any indication that they
wanted out of their obligation.  Kieren looked intently at Garreth and
Romaric, almost hoping that they would protect themselves by staying behind
but knowing that he would not be complete without them by his side.  They
also looked over at him, and he could tell from their demeanor that they
were not about to leave him at this point.  Once again he was thankful for
their loyalty, but there were more important concerns to attend to now.  Up
to this point, no one had dared to interrupt the enchanter to ask
questions, but now they barraged him with an assortment of queries.

"Will you be able to rejoin us at a later date?" asked a nervous Garreth.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible, my heroic young lad, but Kieren has the
means to contact me, if necessary.  I strongly suggest, however, that he
does this only as a last resort, for his proximity to Treblanc will most
likely alert Madumda of his presence the moment the Medallion is used.  You
will now be traveling in an area of great interest to him and, I would
imagine, he will be constantly scanning the area around his fortress for
signs of intruders."

"Is it just the sounds that cause the madness," Rhys asked, "or are there
also visions that would trigger the insanity?"

"It is only the cries of the dead that would affect you, though the visions
are not entirely harmless.  I will advise you about these facts later."

"How, then, shall we find our way into and through those secret passages
that lead into Treblanc?" demanded Kieren.  "I thought you said that only
members of the Council of Wizards knew this information.  We shall never be
able to find the way on our own."

"Ah, your information is quite correct, my nervous friend, and this
bothered me as well, until I rejoined you here.  Upon your arrival, I found
that you and your companions had provided me with the solution to this
dilemma."

"But how did we do that?"

"When you discovered and brought with you the Aignx.  He shall be your
guide and, even better, he will be able to locate any traps that Madumda
may have installed during his many years in residence there.  I will advise
Qaim of the general directions to follow and this will be all he will need
to know. I imagine that you never guessed how valuable your discovery was
or how important this strange looking creature would become."  All heads
were nodding in agreement with this last statement and then the questioning
continued.

"Shouldn't we ask Qaim if he is willing to join us?" Romaric wanted to
know.  "The rest of us were given a choice as to whether we wanted to go
and I think we should offer him the same opportunity."

"That is very wise of you and I agree with your assessment.  Qaim, would
you be willing to lead this group to Treblanc in my place?"

"Will the young master go?" Qaim wondered.

"Yes, Kieren will be with the group," Beraut told him.

"Will we have munchies to take with us?" Qaim asked his next question.

"Yes, the dwarfs will provide you with plenty of food."

"And we will hurt the one who killed the others like Qaim?"

"Yes, we do hope to destroy Madumda and he was the one who mistreated and
killed many of your kind."

"Then Qaim go."

"Thank you, my friend.  It is kind of you to agree to go with the others
and I'm sure that your service will prove to be invaluable."

There were other questions that followed, but these queries were not quite
as important or as insightful as those already presented.  After many more
minutes of these questions, the discussion ended and the group prepared to
leave the room.  Kieren turned to thank King Brolin and Queen Glynis for
their hospitality and to offer the King his prayers and best wishes in the
upcoming battle.  The King graciously accepted his thoughtfulness,
impressed by Kieren's concern for the well-being of others and not just for
his own little group.  The Dwarf King then offered his own blessings and
well-wishes to the prince and his companions, showing his genuine concern
for the young man's welfare, as he set out to do his part in the conflict.
With everything having been said, Kieren turned to join his comrades and he
prepared to venture off to the new dangers that awaited them.

                  *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at
http://members.tripod.de/wolfslair, in the 'Other Stories' section.
E-mails may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.