Tales of the Wolf: Book 01 - The Coming of the Wolf (18 page)

He looked each of us square in the eyes before continuing. His dark brown eyes showed the grief and pain of the memories. “There was never a sign of trouble. Not a cry, nor sounds of clashing weapons, nothing. It was like the fortress just swallowed them whole. We waited and kept watch all day and deep into the night. We had planned on entering the fortress ourselves the following dawn but we never got the chance.”

Quickly and smoothly Stamm drew his short sword, my brothers and I jumped back slightly at his sudden move. Stamm ignored us; he was caught up in the memory.

“Just before dawn when the night is the darkest, we were attacked. Large rocks came hurling in from all directions, Jotens. They had us surrounded. Several of my friends were crushed in that first volley. Reacting quickly, we formed a phalanx and held our shields above our heads and charged their lines. The fighting was intense, many died when our two lines crossed. We tried to drive west toward our homeland but there were too many. We were forced back time and time again. Finally, we were forced all the way back to the river and to the edge of the falls. By this time, there were only five of us left, all injured. They closed quickly, laughing and joking. We knew our death was near.”

Tears filled his eyes at the memory but he ignored them and continued with his story. “The five of us looked at the gathered jotens. There must have been thirty or forty of them. Then we looked at the falls. We knew there was no chance of survival against that many one-eyes. With a silent agreement, we jumped.”

I gasped at the thought of jumping from the top of the Black Falls. I had been to the bottom of the falls in my youth. I had never heard of anyone surviving a jump from the top of the falls. Many had died jumping from ledges halfway up the falls. I looked on with disbelief, so did my brothers.

Noticing our looks, Stamm just smiled and chuckled slightly. “I assure you it was not my first choice and it is not something I would like to do again. But I did jump, along with four of my friends. However only two of us survived the actual jump and we would have died right there, if not for the immediate assistance of some humans. Some monks were fishing in the great pool when we landed. They pulled us out and took us to their monastery and tended our wounds.”

Pulling up his pants, Stamm revealed several large scars running up and down his legs. “I broke both of my legs, the bones shattering and splintering on impact with the water, sending shards of bones through my leather pants.” Tapping his right arm and ribs, “I broke my arm and several ribs.” Holding out his left hand, “I also lost two fingers in the battle before I jumped. The other dwarf who survived the jump with me had similar wounds but got an infection which spread into his lungs and he died.”

Sheathing his sword, Stamm continued. “It was almost a year after we had jumped before I was able to return to my homeland to report what had happened. Since then, none of my people have dared venture anywhere near the fortress. I have a burning desire to find out what happened to my brother and avenge his death if possible. So, now you know my story and my desire for this mission.”

We glanced at each other for a moment, before my father spoke again. “Well, now you know our mission and our goal. We also know a little about some of the dangers we might face. I think it is time to turn in for the night and get some rest. Reflect on what you have learned here tonight, it could possibly save your life over the next few days.”  Rising quietly, he walked out of the firelight.

Stamm followed a moment later. But just before he left the edge of the firelight, he turned back and spoke quietly. “There must be more than cyclops in the fortress. Even a hundred one-eyes would be hard pressed against thirty well-armed and well-seasoned dwarven warriors, especially in the close quarters of the fortress. Keep that in mind as you listen to the song of the wolves and think of tomorrow.”

Turning away, he left us alone with our thoughts.  

*  *  *   *   *

Tatianna paused. Her eyes were filled with tears at the painful memories. Hawkeye began to walk over to her but a stern glance from Red Crow stopped him in his tracks.

Standing slowly, the old chieftain walked over to her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I know it’s painful but the best way to honor their memory is to tell their story. That way, they will never truly die. Their memory will live on long past you and me.”

Looking deep into his brown eyes, Tatianna saw pain and concern there, but also great wisdom. She found herself thinking, ‘
If the eyes are the windows to the soul then here is a kind and gentle soul that has seen much pain in its life.’
 

She flashed him a weak smile. “Thank you. I will try.”

“Take your time. We have all night.”  Red Crow moved back to his seat while a young brave brought her a log to sit on and a clay pot of water.

Taking a long drink, she sat down and after a few moments she continued her story.

*  *  *   *   *

“The next morning we crested the rocky ridge and found ourselves overlooking a vast valley with a large river cutting through the barren landscape until it poured over the cliff with a thunderous roar. Our eyes were unwillingly drawn to the imposing and ominous looking fortress that was situated on a rocky island in the middle of the river only several hundred yards from the falls. Built in a diamond shape with five towers and made entirely of smooth black stones, it didn’t reflect any light. Rather, it seemed to absorb the light from the surrounding area making the fortress seem as if it were made of shadows instead of stones. Dark rain clouds hung over the fortress giving it an even more ominous look. No movement other than a few dozen crows could be seen anywhere in the dreary valley.

The largest tower of the fortress was directly opposite of the only gate and was taller than any tree I had ever seen and commanded a great view of the landscape. The two side towers were about half the height of the main tower and situated across from each other. On the top of each tower were two ballistae and a catapult.

From our vantage point, we couldn’t tell if the siege equipment was in working order or not. Two small towers that probably housed the controls for the main drawbridge guarded the only visible entrance into the fortress. The drawbridge, which was down, lead to a smaller rocky island that was within a stone’s throw of the falls. Situated in the center of some very rough rapids, its garrison had two drawbridges that were also down and ran to each side of the river.

Mortharona was the first to break the silence. “My, what a lovely place.”

I snapped at him. “You would like this dismal place. I don’t like the looks of this at all!”

Feigning a wound to the heart, Mortharona snickered silently. Turning my attention back to the fortress a strong gust of wind came off the falls spraying the party with a fine mist.

Barely audible above the wind, I heard Stamm say, “Brother, I have returned as promised those many years ago and by the beard of Bromios, I will not leave until you are avenged.”

Khlekluëllin and I turned to look at Stamm who seemed not to notice anything except the dark fortress below. Khlekluëllin shot me a concerned look. I started to say something, when my father interrupted my thoughts. “We need to enter as soon as possible. It is still several hours before highsun so we need to go now.”

Turning away from the fortress, Stamm nodded his head in agreement. “The sooner we enter the better chance we have of surviving.” He pointed at the brown grass of the surrounding valley. “When I was last here this valley was green and fertile. I’m afraid that something evil is poisoning the land.”

My father turned to the warriors that had accompanied us. “Five of you find a suitable base camp. Keep your eyes open and remember what Stamm has told you of his last trip here. The rest of you come with us.” 

Turning toward the fortress, he moved down the hill at a quick pace with Stamm right at his heels. The other seven warriors fell into place while Khlekluëllin, Mortharona and I lagged behind.

Khlekluëllin advised, “Keep a close eye on Stamm. He’s out for revenge and that will make him careless.”

I didn’t agree with him. “Of course he’s out for revenge. The jotens killed his brother but he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the mission.”

Mortharona snickered. “Sis, your naiveté is showing. Not everyone is as honorable as you are. I don’t trust Stamm any more than I would trust a spider.”

I was angry with him for being so rude, so I turned away from him to hide my anger and embarrassment.

Mortharona added, “Don’t worry about me; I plan to keep one eye on the dwarf at all times.” Turning, he headed down the valley after the others.

Khlekluëllin gently placed a hand on my shoulder. “He didn’t mean to hurt you by that remark but he is right. You cannot expect everyone to have the same values and beliefs as we do. Remember that.” 

Moments later, we followed the rest of the company down the hill. Noticing that my father and the others had almost reached the first drawbridge, we had to run quickly down the trail to catch up. Reaching the drawbridge, I was last and caught up to them just as they were crossing the final drawbridge that lead into the ominous fortress. The massive oak gates were wide open and the iron portcullis was up.

Mortharona added dryly. “It looks like they’re expecting us. I hope they have dinner ready, I’m hungry.” 

My father and Stamm flashed him a dirty look which Mortharona ignored and just continued walking. The seven elven warriors slowly drew their weapons and fell in behind.

Just before I entered the fortress, I took one last glance over my shoulder at the desolate valley. I wasn’t sure but I thought I saw several large wolves standing on the ridge where we had just been watching us. Then, we passed out of sight as we moved deeper into the fortress.”

*  *  *   *   *

With tear filled eyes, Tatianna paused and looked around the bonfire. Every warrior gathered waited and watched patiently.

Wiping her eyes she said, “I’m not sure what happened next. We were in the tunnels and passageways of the fortress for many hours, constantly moving down. Finally, we came out into an immense cavern.”  Gesturing with her arms, “This whole village could easily fit inside with room to spare. Stamm seemed happy to find the cavern. We were halfway across when we encountered trouble.”

Tatianna looked straight into Red Crow’s eyes and said, “Skeletons. We had found the remains of the dwarven expedition. Most of the dwarven skeletons looked as if they had been chewed up and spit back out. Except ten of them which were fully intact and still wearing their armor. As we walked through the battlefield, Stamm was in tears as he recognized most of the skeletons. When we reached the center of the battlefield, the ten intact skeletons stood up, drew their weapons and attacked. It was frightening.” 

Suppressing a shudder, Tatianna looked directly at Anasazi and asked, “How does one kill something that is already dead? The skeletons had the element of surprise which they used to good effect. They killed one of our warriors and mortally wounded another before we could organize our defense. Stamm was the first to react, charging the skeletons he began swinging the side of his axe back and forth wildly. The whole time he kept apologizing to the skeletons for not being with them in the time of need. The rest of us followed his example and began hacking at the skeletons with the sides of our blades. Moments later, it was over. As we tended to our dead and wounded, Stamm gathered up the weapons of the last skeleton he had vanquished and put them in his backpack.”

“That’s when we first heard the drums. As the lights of hundreds of torches began entering the cavern from every direction, we ran to the one area without lights and picked a tunnel at random. Running blindly, we turned left then right at every crossroads. The tunnel gradually ascending but the sound of drums still followed. Hodios the Wayfarer must have been traveling with us because the tunnel we had chosen ended at a huge door covered with ornate runes and the personal symbol of Haldar. Through sheer luck, we had found the vault.” 

Staring deeply into the fire, Tatianna paused briefly. “My father and Stamm worked quickly to open the vault while my brothers disarmed the traps, magical and mundane. The remaining warriors and myself guarded the passageway. It was very nerve wracking waiting in that small tunnel with nowhere to run and with every passing moment the sounds of drums drawing closer.”

Tatianna’s eyes filled with tears as she relived those last few moments but her voice never cracked or slowed. It was as if the story needed or wanted to come out.

“Finally, the great vault door opened and we ran into the room. It was filled with more gold, jewels and treasures than I could ever imagine but we didn’t have time to look around. Just as we ran into the vault, arrows came thudding into the walls and floors. Our enemies were upon us. Turning quickly, we returned fire. Shooting arrows and hurling magical blasts of lightning and fire, we slew many goblins in our first volley but their arrows kept coming. They weren’t very accurate but even a blind man will get lucky sometimes. Two of our warriors fell to the arrows before they stopped.”

“All was quiet for a moment as we braced ourselves for what we knew would come next as a massive wave of goblins rushed our position. There must have been a hundred of them trying to get through the vault door at the same time. We hacked at arms and feet, blasted them with fire and froze them with ice but still they came. At the first pause in the battle, when they pulled back to regroup, we took stock. There were only five of us left, my father, both of my brothers, Stamm and myself.” 

Turning her attention to Hawkeye, she stared deep into his steel gray eyes. Her eyes were full of tears. “My father thrust a scroll tube into my hands and commanded us; ‘Flee my children. You are our last hope. This scroll must not fall into the hands of the enemy.’ Stamm handed me a finely crafted axe and said, ‘Take this also. I don’t want those scum sucking pigs touching this relic.’

 Khlekluëllin kissed me on the left cheek and whispered, ‘Fear not sister, it is not our destiny to die tonight.’