Day 311 (289)((279))

Day 311 (289)((279)):

During breakfast, we spoke with Echo about what she could teach her fellows. Since her change, she had been speaking with them, but felt, as the Darrknots did, that they needed to see her changes to tell if they could reclaim their powers. To "warm up", she disappeared at different points around the room and "fought" Set with both fire and lightning. They kept it small and controlled, but it was entertaining.

Grikmor had left the speaking device in the parlor. Wrath settled into it and began singing the song he taught us to inspire the Raval troops. The rest of the household assembled to listen, being stirred by the words and tune. Some of the Darrknots arrived as he was singing. They were able to sing along, partially, as they did not know the entire song. When he finished, there was a thunderous applause. Wrath received praise from all the dwarfs. 

Echo took the other bat-dragons off to "teach" them in private. The Darrknots escorted us to one of the trapped rooms and demonstrated the trapping mechanism that would drop the door and catch the Duergar. After this, they showed us the strategically laid rugs and hung tapestries that would herd the gray one towards the traps. Also, the rigged rooms were falsely labeled as areas they would find interesting: treasury, arms storage, royal this or that. At least six levels had at least one trap room. 

We returned to the house and met up with Echo and the rest. They relayed that her instruction had taught them how to be invisible without holding their breath, which increased the time they could stay unseen. Their breath weapons were only slightly improved, being more focused and going straight to their target instead of dancing around it. They also were no longer as skittish around large groups and sparingly used the tethers to stay on the Darrknots.

We joined the Darrknots in their quarters for lunch. It was a simple meal during which they sang Wrath's song to the rest who had not been to the house. Even some of the oldest had forgotten parts of it and delighted in learning the whole song. The bat-dragons showed off some of their improvements as they fluttered around the large dining area. 

We wheeled the device from the house into the Darrknots' common area. There, Wrath began his first teaching lessons. Most of the Darrknots listened to tales of the Jambacas and asked him questions their elders could not or would not answer. Some of the older ones were shocked both by the questions and that Wrath answered them without hesitation. They chastised Wrath and the younger dwarfs for "meddling" in what they called "priestly business". Wrath, in turn, chided them for denying their people information that, in his time, was common knowledge. The older ones did admit that their elders had began portioning out knowledge to the population as they saw fit. Wrath suggested taking this matter to Gorval to see if such portioning could be undone. 

We all stayed with the Darrknots until dark. Wrath cleared up many points of confusion and explained a host of how traditions had formed. We left the device with them as we returned to Callie's home. Nana and the staff had freshened our rooms and rearranged things since the archivists had taken some items to cross check with their ordered records. Also, some of the furnishings were used to be part of the traps. We thanked them for their work as we headed to bed. 

Days 309-310 (287-288)((277-278))

Day 309 (287)((277)):

When we awoke, Echo was still there, which surprised us.

"Echo? Did Callie never go to bed?" I asked, concerned.

"She did, finally, but it was so late that I decided to stay here. She knows where I am and is not worried. I dare say she will not be at breakfast."

"I agree. Callie is difficult to wake if she has been up nearly all night. I do not expect to see her until lunch," I told her.

Echo nodded and, after I dressed, rode on my shoulder to breakfast. Alice was doubly loaded as well, Bo wrapped like a sash with Dawn following both by walking and flying. 

The plans were still on the dining room table. We five tried to make sense of all the markings and notations. Even with Alice and Anna, we found it highly confusing. Nana also tried explaining, but it soon grew too confusing for her as well. We left it laying so they could find all the parts again.

Not long after breakfast, Gorval and the council returned. We said nothing about it, but we were amazed that they were not still asleep. Builders and other "people of skill" joined them to look over the plans. All the dwarfs radiated good cheer and eagerness to get started. They gathered up the mass of papers and left, leaving the table nearly bare. The Crialas records had joined the Stahendring archives as the massive overhaul swept through the entire city, claiming and reclaiming thousands of items. If this journal were not with me, I think it, too, may have been cataloged. All that remained were parts deemed "repeated information: do not catalog". Truly, duplicate accounts of the same adventure were left. Fortunately, as we looked though this, we found an alternative to destroying the Mech. One account wrote that damaged Mechs "popped" back to Mechanicus almost the instant any serious damage was received. Being encased must have been why it had not done so. We decided to first try removing the encasing rock to see if that would cause it to go back home. If it did not, we would remove any gears that had been added. If it still remained, then we would have to destroy it. Many of the staff who listened to us praised us for trying the kind way first and giving this unintentional enemy a fair chance. The Keeper, on the other hand, did not seem to be one to whom we could be so kind. He had, willingly, turned from all things dwarf and Duergar to follow this malfunctioning Mech. However, we were not in a position to punish him. That would be up to Laduguer, the High Fathers, and all other dwarf gods. Remembering that my test had been a whimsy, I feared what real justice from dwarf gods would entail.

Lisa and Callie met us for lunch. They still looked tired. Echo and Bo warmly welcomed their return to our company. We dismissed their apologies, telling them we understood their passions and found no fault in last night's activities. They explained the plans. Material the Foot could not breach was to be laid strategically to guide the Duergar with the Foot to one of several trapped rooms. In each darkened room, a wooden room would be waiting. Once inside, a trigger would be tripped to lower wooden bars across the door, leaving no room for escape. In each room, a Darrknot with a bat-dragon would be waiting with a container of other non-penetrable material: wooden or glass box, cloth or leather bag. When trapped, this container would be used to quickly secure the Foot. Since there was a delay between the time Duergar and Foot were separated and the Keeper switching it with the acid cloud, it was hoped placing it inside something would prevent the switch if it was done fast enough. If this succeeded, they hoped the Keeper would attempt to recover it himself and bring the Mech along. At that time, the Mech could be removed and the Keeper brought to dwarf justice. As he was the leader and driving force behind the plans to invade, only he would be tried.
We thanked our sisters for clearing it up. We told them about our attempts to understand the written plans and how utterly confused we were. They laughed and told us all the short-hand notations and abbreviations, which, to anyone else, would seem like gibberish and be unintelligible. Lunch was a leisurely affair.
After lunch, as a thought, we went to look at the Stahendring archives. As we suspected, the place was in chaos. While watching, from outside, we saw it was rather organized chaos. Posts were set up to group the items. One by subject, one by author, and another by "index number", whatever that meant. Items were taken to all three posts to be fully cataloged. Set did not understand all the trouble. I explained as best I could, but to a being who, at some point, may make a bed out of gold and jewels, I suppose this would seem rather pointless.
It began as a change in air pressure. My sisters did not seem to feel it. I looked for its source, but did not see anything. Then, a tingle or chill rode up my back. Still, I felt no evil in this feeling. I turned to Callie. Both she and Echo appeared to be changing. Even Wrath was being affected. I reached out to touch her, but heard "Don't" in my head. The rest were becoming aware of their change, Callie and Echo stared straight ahead, into the archives.
"What is it?" the others whispered.
As soon as the question was asked, I knew, "High Fathers. Callie, Echo, and Wrath are about to do something god-like."
We stood out of their way. Callie extended her arms to the archives. Books, scrolls, pieces of parchment, and all matter of written material began zooming around the cluttered room. The archivists ducked and dived to avoid the flying articles. Someone noticed us and they made their way to us.
 Before any could ask, a deep voice resonated out of Callie, "Fear not, Children of Fire and Stone, this task is well in hand. While we praise your efforts, we are much more efficient and far gentler."
" 'We'? Who...what...'gentle'?" the dwarfs stammered as they watched the room flutter with all that material. Callie and Echo were still as statues from that point until the room become still, orderly, and clean.
"See your archives as they should have been and, hopefully, shall remain," the deep voice boomed as Callie walked stiffly into the room.
The archivists went in and saw everything perfectly arranged and orderly. At the posts they had stationed, they found their catalogs completely redone with every item described and documented. Taking the records from all three posts, they could cross-reference and find any item by subject, author, or number. Once they had investigated, they returned to speak to "Callie".
"Who are you, mighty one? Who do we praise for this?"
The deep voice laughed, a sound I had heard before, "We are not 'one', but many. You know us as the Court."
The dwarfs dropped to their knees and put their heads to the floor.
The laugh echoed again, "Rise, Children of Fire and Stone, your homage pleases us. We leave now. Strong as she is, this sister grows weak from our presence. Attend her well."
The air pressure left. Callie and Echo slumped. We caught both easily. Wrath, too, passed out, unconscious for the first time in centuries. The archivists aided us in returning her home. I could sense the shift Callie was experiencing, becoming more dwarf in form and feature. Echo, as I carried her, also seem to change. Knowledge came to me and I smiled. My sisters gave me puzzled looks.
"Bat-dragons are called Jambacas. Dwarfs will remember this name as child stories of protective spirits to guard them as they sleep. It is not coincidence nor chance that made them winter in mountains. Dwarf gods, with aid from Brimagor, created them as help mates. Bat-dragons are truly dwarfish dragons," I told them mentally.
They glanced at the sleeping form in my hands and smiled.
At the house, Nana barked orders like a general. People ran this way and that to comply. Once Callie was abed, Nana shooed us out to administer to Callie as if she was her mother. Echo become our charge as Nana knew nothing on dragon health. In my room, we made a nest-like bed near the dark corner she had chosen the night before. Some of the gnome spice Set liked was laid on her tiny tongue and drops of water washed it down her throat. She purred and cheeped in her sleep. We left her to sleep when my sisters called for us to meet Gorval in the parlor.
He, Lanara, and the head archivist were seated when we arrived. Concern and worry colored their auras and faces. We joined my sisters.
"Is all well?" Gorval asked, almost timidly.
"Yes, they are resting. We do not expect either to wake until morning. Wrath, however, may wake sooner," I told him.
"My questions," the head archivist interjected, " are why did the Court want the archives straightened so quickly? Did they find fault with us?"
"Yes and no," I began, "From what I gathered, they felt you might damage some items or mislabel others. Also, your method of triple checking everything was slow and sloppy. This way, they insured all the archives were done to their standards."
"Did they use Callie because she is of dwarf blood?" Gorval asked after checking that Lanara was keeping up.
"She, Wrath, and Echo are dwarf. Wrath is a full-blood dwarf and Echo is Jambacas," I answered.
"Jambacas!" all the dwarfs echoed at once.
"I thought that was something the elders made up to get children to not be afraid to sleep in the dark," Gorval stated.
"No, these small creatures are Jambacas, the protective 'spirits' that guard sleeping dwarfs. As fewer dwarfs believed, they have become less divine and more mortal. Your gods and Brimagor co-created them. Another reason to straighten out the archives so this information can return to the minds of all dwarfs, joban in particular."
The dwarfs sat in silence, minds reeling from this information. The archivist excused himself to find this record and begin the relearning process. The staff invited Gorval and Lanara to dinner, which they both accepted.
During dinner, we six felt Wrath regain consciousness. He was a bit worried about Callie, at first, but calmed when he checked and found her only sleeping. Gorval asked Wrath, through us, if he knew anything about Jambacas. Wrath began rattling off titles of dozens of stories featuring Jambacas.
Gorval stopped us and him, "We need to have him tell these stories himself. He holds a wealth of knowledge we have lost or misplaced. How can we do this?"
"We can channel our swords," Alice said, "Callie has channeled Wrath on a few occasions. It is far less taxing."
Gorval thought silently, then shook his head, "No, we need him to tell the tales. Our people must know they are his tales, not your or her's. I hate being stubborn, but they will not believe otherwise."
"Let us work on it, Sire," Anna volunteered, "Our swords are experts in various fields. We shall find an answer."
"It is left to you, then," Gorval said as he rose, "We have traps to build. Hopefully the 'clock' will give us time."
We agreed as he and Lanara left. We went to check on Callie while discussing how to let Wrath teach the ancient tales on his own while Callie did other things. She was sleeping deeply, snoring a bit. We parted to our separate rooms, yet still working on the problem. Echo had woken enough to perch on the ceiling and went back to sleep. We shelved the discussion until tomorrow and headed to bed.

Day 310 (288)((278)):
A mental scream jolted us in the darkness. Callie's mental scream sounded again. By instinct, I grabbed Vanity and went through kirlan to appear in Callie's room. She was still screaming, mentally and verbally, in the darkness. I called the cover off the suncrystals and glowing grubs. Callie was sitting upright in bed, still screaming. Wrath hung in the air beside her, trying to calm her. I sat on the bed and took hold of her.
"Callie! Cal! It's me, Kayla. You're safe. You. Are. Safe."
She stopped screaming, blinked a few times, then collapsed on me, sobbing. I held her and rocked her, speaking soothing words and stroking her hair. Wrath and Vanity hovered in the air near us. Our remaining sisters ran into the room, followed by Nana and a few others of the staff.
"What by the All-Father is going on?" Nana asked breathlessly.
"Nightmare," six of us intoned together over Callie's sobbing.
"Nightmare? My dear, what images could cause such outcries?" Nana asked, getting a chair to listen and dismissing the rest of the staff as she did.
Callie was crying too hard to answer. Alice took up the tale.
"She saw the gray ones invading, killing everyone as they went. You, the rest of this household, Echo, Gorval, and all of us lay dead in the tunnels. She was completely alone, even Wrath was gone. The gray ones were dragging her down to sacrifice to the Divine Clock, to make it walk and talk once again. She started screaming as they were dismembering her."
"Oh, child!" Nana exclaimed and joined me in holding her.
Callie continued to sob, releasing all of her fear. Echo took her place on Callie's shoulder, purring and cooing to comfort her. Finally, we got her calm enough to lay back down. Echo remained and Wrath lay on the bed beside her. We left a bit of the lights uncovered so the room was not pitch black.
By our best guesses, we still had a few hours until dawn. Aside from Callie, the rest of us did not got back to sleep. Nana was very concerned. We told her that Callie's dreams have always been vivid with her nightmares the most intense. We went to the parlor. Drinks were brought to us and we took up last night's discussion of how to share Wrath's knowledge with the dwarfs. Sloth threw out several ideas and designs.
Just after dawn, the wizard Grikmor and his assistant Kaybany arrived at the house. They were brought into the parlor. Their emotions were swirling. They had armfuls of stuff.
"Ladies, we've been experimenting. Since the Mech cannot verbally speak, we have been working on devices to make his 'voice' audible. We have nothing to test on, which is why we are here. Your swords are the only sentient objects in Stahendring. It is our hope we can test them on your swords," Grikmor explained.
I smiled while my sisters gave me the look that said they saw Fate's hand in this development. We agreed to let them test their devices. The swirling emotions settled as they laid out their items. Some radiated strong magic while others shown none at all. They ranged from really simple to highly complex. Sloth, being both a wizard and the largest of the seven, volunteered to be part of the test. While they were setting up, Callie, Echo, and Wrath met up with us. She, too, gave me the look when we told her what we were doing.
We all had breakfast while watching the test. Some failed miserably. A few got minor results. They got some sounds from both magical and non-magical items, but nothing that could be called speech. Sloth provided tips for tweaking each to get results. About the third or fourth from the last, we were all shocked to hear real words squawk from the horn-like opening. Sloth stood upright on a thick mat with thin stiff metal rods surrounding him and pointing at him. All of these led to a large horn-type opening. When Sloth spoke, we seven hearing him clearly, the rods vibrated, sending them down the connections to the horn.
Out of the opening, we heard, "...ello...Hello...This is Sloth...an you hear me?"
"Yes! We hear you!" Grikmor shouted.
He jumped up and began fine-tuning all the rods and connections.
"Is that better? Can you hear me clearly?" Sloth's familiar voice sounded not in our heads, but out of the horn.
The room exploded in cheers. When we all calmed down, we tried it with the other six. Each one, with minor adjustments, spoke with their own voice through the device. Word was sent to the King.
Gorval, Lanara, the head archivist, several other archivists, and some of the council that had assembled in Callie's home. It was a tight fit, but we all managed to sit comfortably in the parlor. Grikmor and Kaybany presented the device, orginally designed to give the Mech its voice back.
"We have been told of the wealth of information held by the sword Wrath," Grikmor continued, "Hence, this assembly has been called so you can hear his words directly from him."
Gorval let a smile escape before he schooled his features back to neutrality, "Good work, wizards. Does it take much magic to power?"
"No, my Lord, in fact, pass enchanting these rods, there is no magic powering this device. The entity speaking holds ninety-nine percent of the magic in this combination."
The dwarfs applauded enthusiastically. With their general distrust of magic, knowing so little was in this thing let them accept what they might learn from whatever was in it.
"Wrath," Gorval called, "we are ready to hear about the Jambacas."
Wrath floated from Callie and settled into the device. As he was the last one to use it, no adjustments were needed. Lanara and the others got out writing tools and paper to record Wrath's tales.
His voice, as strong and sure as we heard it in our heads, rang out from the device. He began telling how, when the Drow elves encounted the dwarfs in "our" tunnels, they began sending dark magic to make the dwarfs fear the deep caverns. Some, later referred to a Severed or Departed, deserted the mountains and never looked back. Others, who became the Duergar, became allies with the Drow to stay in the deep places. Deep Dwarfs and joban neither left nor stayed, living closer to the surface than the Drow or Duergar or in areas unoccupied by either. To protect them, the High Fathers worked with Brimagor to make Jambacas. Originally, they could be invisible for hours, silently watching for the Drow's dark magic, usually in the form of venomous spiders. Dwarf eyesight let them sort of see the invisible beings and they called them spirits. While parents told children about them and the children believed, Jambacas had full power and kept them safe. Gradually, the tales faded, spirits became something to fear, and Jambacas slowly became bat-dragons and jobans forgot about their invisible guardians and relegated the stories to fantasies told to children. Until now, even the memory of anything like the bat-dragons was forgotten.
"Echo, having been divinely touched, is now a true Jambacas," Wrath told us.
Echo fluttered in front of the assembly, showing the minor physical changes she had received. The true changes were in her abilities. She could stay invisible much longer and her "flaming zap" was separated into a fire weapon and a lightning weapon.
"If I understand you, Wrath," Gorval interrupted, "rediscovering these being could revert them to their previous blessed states?"
"Simply finding them and seeing them is not enough," Wrath answered, "Dwarfs must renew their faith in these helpers to do what they were made to do and, then, over time, they may get some of their abilities back."
The assembly grumbled their understanding. The archivists made side notes, but I did not understand their notations.
As Wrath did not tire, he continued to pour tale after tale to all who wished to listen. He told of the terrible evil done to the dwarf nations by the Baalocs. He even explained why elves and dwarfs dislike each other so much. Lunch and dinner were served as he spoke. Stacks of scrolls were carried out by Callie's staff and junior archivists. Wheels were attached to the device to allow Wrath to speak anywhere in Stahendring.
The assembly left well after dark, heads spinning with all they had learned. A message was sent to us that the Darrknots wished "Jambacas training" for their partners, in hopes those skills could be awoken, even a bit, if they saw it for themselves. We sent back for them to meet us at the house around mid-day.
Callie kept some of the light on as she settled into bed. I agreed to stay with her until she fell asleep. In Faerie, I sang a lullaby that was also a spell for good dreams. I left when I saw her smile in her sleep.

Day 308 (286)((276))

Day 308 (286)((276)):

I awoke to find my room full of people. My sisters were trying desperately to keep the others from waking me.

"They all came in at once. The cave people said they just had to talk to you. The King and others told them about your trip and they are not happy. They keep calling you weird words and names I don't understand," Set told me.

"They have questions. They need answers. Tell them to meet us in the sitting room, Sisters. We will all be more comfortable there than here."

It took a bit, but they agreed. After they left, I got dressed and we joined them. Nearly as soon as I entered the room, the dwarfs assaulted me with shouting, finger pointing, and pounding on books they were holding. Calmly, I found a place to sit. They continued to shout. My sisters sat with me as we calmly waited for them to shout themselves out. This took longer than with humans or elves. When it looked as if they would never stop, King Gorval, Lanara, and a few of those who watched my vision yesterday entered. Gorval silenced them with only a look.

"What does this accomplish?" he asked as he sat with us, "How does shouting at them, at her, change anything? You have our records, what else do you need?"

"Sire," one began plaintively, "it is obvious they have deceived all of you. No one, not even a seer," he said with a sneer, "can see what is written here. They, somehow, spun this fantastic and ridiculous story for reasons unknown. We only want the truth."

The other shouters mirrored his attitude, grumbling about being devious, sly, and untrustworthy. Gorval and his group whispered low among themselves. Nana, cautiously, slipped in and laid food and drink in the midst of all of this and motioned for us to eat. We seven and our four companions ate as the two groups of dwarfs tried to come to an agreement. Dwarf stubbornness made Gorval's group insist the records and viewing was the truth as well as making the others insist it was all lies.  

I stood and silenced them all, "Good people, I wish I knew how to end this debate. I can only give you my word that none of that was made up nor fabricated. Have you asked the High Fathers or Hengi Jomfru to verify what I saw?"

They all, the dwarfs, burst out laughing, even Gorval. I looked at my sisters, but they didn't see the humor either. I remained standing as we waited for them to stop. Seeing that I was serious, they ceased.

"Kayla, one does not consult the High Fathers or Hengi Jomfru as if calling upon a friend. There are protocols that must be strictly followed and lengthy rituals performed to gain such an audience," one explained, "Matters such as these are for us to work out. They cannot be bothered with such triviality."

"When do you seek them? What matters are worthy of their audience?" I asked politely.

All of the dwarfs, Gorval included, exchanged looks. None of them could think of anything that would be worth bringing before their deities.This seemed rather strange to me.

"Do any of you visit your temples and shrines? Pray? Call to them to guide you? Anything?" I asked, seeking the answers not only in words by also in their glows.

Everyone of them radiated shame. They were so concerned with protocol and mining that they neglected their spiritual sides. They tried coming up with reasons, excuses, why they had not, but each crumbled before they were voiced. 

"Let us make this deal: Go to you holy places and ask for guidance in this matter. If it still bothers you, return and take up this debate."

Relief washed over them as they agreed to my proposal and filed out of the room. Gorval said nothing, but patted me once on the shoulder, nodded, and left. 

Nana, who had been just outside the room, re-entered, beaming, "You girls learn fast. Instead of defending yourselves, you make them defend their positions. Truly brilliant."

"It was not a ploy. They place such a high opinion of their deities yet do not consult them. Other races we have met seek out the guidance of their gods constantly. It just seemed odd they would not," I told her.

"We joban can get tunnel vision, focus on one or two things to the exclusion of all else. Maybe this will wake them up a bit," she said, smiling.

We agreed. Pushing that aside, we went to the dining room where all the reports still took up two-thirds of the table. We continued looking over the records, seeing if there was any way to fix the Mech in this realm. Alas, every report said only gears made from metal from Mechanicus and by Mechs in that realm could restore a Mech to "fully functional and properly programmed". This shattered any hope of fixing it and we resigned ourselves to the conclusion that it had to be destroyed.

Over lunch, we asked Echo how deep she or her kin had gone into the tunnels. Neither she nor they knew dwarf numbers, but told us of seeing the Duergar "nests" a generation or so back. The Duergar would not permit the bat-dragons in their living areas, even if the ceiling was very high and they were cloaked in darkness. Something about "remains and excrement" being the main complaint. We asked about their invisibility. She said they could not maintain it for very long and they had to hold their breath to "vanish". Intelligent Echo saw where we were headed.

"Let us work on it. There are ways into these places that even dwarfs don't know. Callie, I will return, do not think otherwise," she spoke as she flew out.

We watched her fly away. We finished lunch and went back to the records. Since we accepted it had to be destroyed, we looked for weaknesses, vulnerable spots. Obvious, lava, eventually, would do it. The records spoke of "critical deactivation" which occurred when enough gears or the right gears were removed. This would mean sticking our hands inside and pulling it apart. We would put that aside as an option. Cold, water, crushing, and other methods of destruction seemed to do little or nothing to Mechs. So, we concluded, intense heat seemed to be our only choice as far as how to destroy it.

Callie was a bit distracted and kept looking for Echo's return. I, Alice, and Lisa understood her worry better than the rest of our sisters.

We took a break to clear our heads and uncross our eyes. Walking outside, we looked out across the mountains. To many, mostly humans, this would be a scene of emptiness. "Lifeless" mountains huddled under accumulating snow and ice. "Inhospitable" to all life and "useless" as a place to live. We, however, knew very different. Before my sight, beings moved across the mountains' surfaces, invisible to many, living happy and free upon those slopes. Inside, each mountain held thousands of dwarfs, Drow, Givagar, plus untold numbers of bat-dragons, Stone people, and a multitude of creatures. We wondered if Thantos' map was helping change those perceptions.

Echo returned as we gazed over the mountains. Callie's mood improved instantly. Echo seemed very pleased with her results.

"We can get there without being seen, " she told us happily, "I don't know the meaning, but their living area is marked with this."

She went to the ground and scratched dwarf markings on the dirt. When she finished, Callie read the number as sixty-eight, meaning the Duergar were sixty-eight levels below where we stood. Echo recognized the Keeper from my visions and told us where his "quarters" were in relation to the rest of the gray ones. Unlike the rest, his area was carved and shaped into a house of sorts, with a door that could be closed and locked. She spoke of how the rest parted before him and obeyed his every word. Any negative comments about him were in whispers and far away from him.

Echo's tale was interrupted by a couple of Darrknots, both of whom seemed to hold a high rank. They looked a bit angry.

"Ladies, our partners have shared a journey your friend here and many others took today. We did not authorize such activities. Upon who's authority did she undertake this action?"

We looked at each other, wondering how to respond. Would they believe it was Echo's idea and we didn't know what they were doing until after it was done? Hadn't their bat-dragons already told them?

As we pondered, Echo flew off Callie and hovered before the Darrknots. She proceeded, without fear nor hesitation, to explain how the bat-dragons had started out just seeing if they could get there without detection. Only when they had achieved that did they take up scouting the area and finding the Keeper's personal dwelling. She also told them that they, the bat-dragons, were free to go anywhere they chose and did not need to be authorized.

"We go or stay as we please. Only your partners are bound to your rules. I and those still in the caves are not. so, understand that, two-legs, or next time, we won't share."

The two Darrknots barely showed their embarrassment at being put in their place by such a small creature. They apologized and left to avoid further chastising. Echo returned to Callie's shoulder, puffing a bit from exertion at flapping in place and telling off the dwarfs. We headed back inside to let Echo rest. 

Nana met us at the door, smiling broadly, "While I couldn't hear her words, I could tell Echo was giving them the what-for. Good for her. Some of our fellows need to understand that the dwarf way is not the only way."

She walked us back to our research. Tunnel maps had been brought to us that were marked with the places gray ones were found. We noticed a curious thing. Large areas had no marks at all. There were key places in those areas as well and they were above and below places they had been. We brought this to Nana's attention. With only a brief look, she told us those were "family areas". Some "houses" were completely inside the stone and only engraved panels told that it was some one's home and not a public place like the armory or storage. 

"The Duergar do not know before hand where people live or what is public. So, why are these areas avoided?" Lisa pondered aloud.

We started looking around Callie's home as an example of a dwarf residence as Nana said most were similarly furnished whether below or above ground. Rugs abounded as many dwarfs went barefoot all the time. Tapestries hung on the wall depicting a variety of subjects.
"What is it here that would bar the Foot from passing through the stone and entering? I feel like it should be right in front of me," Callie said aloud to no one specifically.
We all began pacing, hoping to work the answer out,.talking aloud.
"The spots where they were found was worked, smooth, and polished."
"The lower levels are rough cut and without adornments."
"They hurt bat-dragons to have enough room for one Duergar to pass between them."
"Living things block them both directions. Kin on the ceiling keep them from going up and from going down through the floor."
"But the kin are barely touching the stone. A bunch of feet and nests just touching the stone keeps the Foot from going through."
"We need to know how the Foot works. Jordsonn said he instructed others on its use. Surely those instructions were written?"
We all stopped, "RECORDS!" we shouted as one.
Nana and a couple of others had been watching and listening. They jumped when we shouted.
"Records of what?" Nana asked, "The Foot? Yes, we have those. We'll see if someone can unearth them," she said and turned to instruct another staff person.
"No need," I told her, causing her to turn back to us, "We can call them to us."
The seven of us converged in the center of the room as they watched. Placing our hands together, palms up, we called for Jordsonn's instructions, written by him, on the use of the Master Miner's Foot. A very old scroll case materialized in our collective grasp. We took it to the table. Gently, we opened the case and pulled out the ancient scroll inside. With great care, we unrolled it, revealing Jordsonn's signature and a riot of dwarfish script. Once fully opened, Callie began reading it silently. Soon, she found what we were looking for and read it aloud.
" 'The stone or metal to be crossed must be without any other material upon it. Clothe of rug and tile are impenetrable. Wood of any thickness is impenetrable. Glass is impenetrable. There must be enough room between stone or metal and any other material for the one holding my Foot to stand fully. If he cannot, then he cannot pass. Rug upon the floor leaves no room between clothe and stone to stand. Wooden shelves against the wall likewise leaves no room. Stone, however, as well as metal of any thickness is easily crossed and breached. Such, alas, is its fatal flaw. A mountain can be passed though with ease, but a ladies' veil is impenetrable.' "
"That is the answer," Nana whispered, " the rugs, tapestries, shelves, and other furnishings keep the one with the Foot from passing through. We've been adding more stone and steel when a thin veil would have done the trick."
She sent a few staff to get Lanara to properly document this and show it to the King. While we waited, we looked for anything to turn off its power or turn it down. Aside from a wooden case, glass case, or cloth bag, it said nothing other than containment. It, like the Rod, radiated its power continuously without any way, other than containment, it could be dampened. The instructions warned that, if dropped or placed on or in stone or metal, one could lose it as it might pass through it and continue unhindered to unknown depths and unexplored areas. We concluded that the Keeper had such a place to house the Foot. We also concluded that, somehow, the Foot had imparted this information to the Mech during the many years they were encased together.
The staff returned with Lanara, a couple of councilors, and King Gorval. We were rather surprised by his appearance.
"You ladies are providing so much information that I got weary of hearing it second or third hand. Now, please, tell us what you found."
We showed them the ancient scroll. It took a bit to explain how we came into possession of it. Nana's confirmation did little to cap their anger at our pulling out such a rare item without permission. A message was sent to the archives to alert them as its location. During our wait, we pointed out the fatal flaw in the Foot. This caused them all to sit in shock. I could sense all of them remembering the layers and layers of stone or metal they had placed at strategic areas to keep out the Duergar.
Lanara voiced their frustration, "Cloth! Paper! Rugs and tapestries! An item that goes through mountains and acres of metal is stopped by silk and parchment! Why? Why limit it so? It makes no sense!" she ranted, standing up and pacing as she spoke.
"To dwarfs, you, it makes no sense," Callie told her, "Which, I think, is exactly why it is so. Dwarfs, particularly joban, think big, strong, powerful. Just as you stated, such thin and fragile material would not even occur to you, and allow those possessing the Foot free access to all parts of Stahendring or other cities. Those who might have thought of such things would, most likely, been non-dwarfs and, therefore, ignored."
The dwarfs around us nodded, seeing the logic as Callie laid it out for them. Lanara sat down with the rest, having vented her frustration.
"Now what? Cover everything is cloth and paper? That does not sound practical," Gorval observed.
"Not everything, Sire," Lisa chimed, "But we may be able to catch the gray one and the Foot with strategically placed materials into a well-laid trap."
The distraught dwarfs suddenly perked up. Lisa, Callie, and the dwarfs began charting plans and paths to herd the Duergar into well disguised and multiple traps. The rest of us grew rather bored and excused ourselves, which seemed to go unnoticed by them.
It was late afternoon. The sun was nearly halved by the mountains and most of the outside area of Stahendring lay in shadow with streaks of orange light. There were very few people about and light from the windows was piercing the shadows. Set, Dawn, Echo, and Bo, who were also bored, went flying in the darkening sky. We watched them as they enjoyed sailing in the swirling winds the peaks created.
The one sent to the archives saw us standing in the near dark. He radiated mirth.
"Sisters, I will let you know what I am going to tell the King. Until I asked if they were missing the scroll, they did not know they even possessed it. Wherever it had been stored, its removal did not cause a change in the stacks or shelves. This caused the head archivist to order a complete overhaul of every item in the archives."
We laughed with him and a bit more as he left to tell the others this news. We remained outside until all light left the sky and the stars shown brightly. We were commenting on the stars when Nana called for us to come and get some dinner before the King and council ate it all. Our fliers were recalled and we went inside to join the others.
Grand plans lay everywhere. Even as they ate, parts were planned, dismissed, re-planned, and dismissed again. I do not know how they understood each other in all that noise.
After the food was gone and dishes taken away, they still argued. We left them to it as we headed to bed. I am not sure they noticed us one way or the other. Echo asked to stay with me and Set until Callie came to bed. She did not like being alone. We gladly welcomed her. Bo went with Alice and Dawn for the same reason and was as warmly accepted. Echo found a suitable dark corner and bid us goodnight. Set, Vanity, and I  got ready for bed in a slightly darker than usual room. As a "treat", Echo ate two glowing grubs before she settled in. Once ready, we covered our crystals and went to bed.

Day 307 (285)((275))

Day 307 (285)((275)):

I was unsure of the time when I awoke. Vanity relayed that I had been "visited" by nearly everyone in the house, checking on me. Last night's plates were gone and Set was in the process of cleaning off another one. Set had pushed the incident out of his mind and was quite cheery. I, however, was still dealing with it all, particularly parts that were not like me at all. I've been mad before, but not enraged. Even while angry, I have never threatened anyone. This morning, I wasn't even sure what I had meant by that threat. What could I do that would fulfill my threat?

"Daughter, we Faerie are capable of much," Aloriana's voice came from a shadowy corner. 

She glided over to me and got me to sit. She held my hand as she spoke.

"Just as Nature told you outside of Gowgornok, Faeries are a force of nature, especially when our friends and loved ones are in danger. I have, in my time, re-routed rivers, stopped cyclones, and transformed armies into rodents. So, destroying a door is a pittance. As for the threat, it was just that. The fact you cannot think of actions to back it up proves it was hollow."

I listened to her words and knew it was all true. She also helped me realize that I had no reason not to trust Ricvar and his compatriots. The shackles were brought as another test, not preplanned to seize Set. Only after Set's fire demonstrated his power did it occur to them to keep Set in their "safe custody". As I was on the other side of a thick door when this was decided upon, I could not see the changes in their glows and Set did not know what those changes had meant until they pounced on him.

"As you see, this was not a lack on your part nor Vanity's alertness. Let you minds be at ease."

"Thank you, Mother. I will also thank my sisters, who's concern, I'm guessing, prompted them to call for you."

Aloriana laughed, "Very good, Daughter, you know them well. They felt this was a Faerie-to-Faerie thing to work out. The door, just so you know, is about five paces out Callie's back door."

We talked a little longer. They were still trying to find out how I can enter kirlan alone and continuing to revive Selvis and Crialas.

A hearty knock interrupted us.

"Kayla? Are you well?" Gorval's voice was muffled by the door.

"Enter, all is well," I called.

Gingerly, he opened the door. He looked puzzled at Aloriana.When I introduced them, he stumbled back.

"Faerie Queen, I am honored. It pleases me that Kayla has such as you for guidance. We dwarfs are not masters of magic and even our clerics were at a loss as to aid these girls with such power. Is everything settled now?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, it is settled," I told him.

"Good, I am glad. Ricvar and his crew have been sent to Elv Ror to fix boats. They will not bother you again. I do have their results, if you wish them."

"I would like to add them to my journal, so that others will know what to expect from emperor dragons."

"They are downstairs with your sisters and their research. Will you both join us?"

"I have business elsewhere, but thank you for the offer. We still have some puzzles of our own to figure out."

Gorval and I took our leave of the Faerie Queen and headed to meet up with the rest. Set finished his meal and joined us before we reached the dining room. In there, the table was nearly buried in books, scrolls, and parchments. My sisters, Lanara, Nana, plus members of the council were pouring over them. While my sisters did not have to look up to greet me, the rest smiled slightly and verbally acknowledged the three of us. Nana cleared a spot and ushered me over to it and placed food and drink in front of me and urged me to "eat up". 

There was a lot of information on Mechanicus from many different races. As expected, they focused more on the dwarf and gnome accounts than elf or human. We learned that it was a rigidly lawful and the Mechs, or the mechanical inhabitants, are just as rigid. As the Duergar had, many called upon them to enforce laws, agreements, or vows. Since the could not be bribed, threatened, or swayed, they were absolutely objective and unbiased.

"When non-dwarfs arrived in the mines, why did the Duergar see it as betrayal?" Lisa asked randomly.

 One of the councilors answered, "Over the centuries, we have splintered into actual sub-races. Each accepts they are not the same as when dwarfs were first created save two. Duergar and Deep Dwarfs, both who do not venture into sunlight, are utterly convinced they are 'true' dwarfs. Deep Dwarfs tolerate the rest of us as 'errant children' who have lost the 'path'. They live in only the largest mountains, keeping as much material between themselves and all surface races as possible. None are in Stahendring as it is too 'shallow', other races are too close. Duergar, on the other hand, seek to punish us for 'falling away from the true ways of dwarfs'. They preach that every being save for Duergar are either inferior or 'mistakes'. Bringing non-dwarfs inside the mountain was sacrilege to them. That is why they accused us of betrayal. We soiled their 'pristine' area."

We accepted his explanation. The records we had contained accounts of meeting with other clockwork beings. I could tell Alice and Anna were "seeing" the events written before us. Wisely, they did not tell more than what was recorded. I, too, received images as we culled through the mountain of information. Once account stopped me cold. A physician, no race given, recorded witnessing "surgery" being performed upon one being by another. The one doing the task freely explained that each cog served a function and determined the being's "occupation". The one being fixed had a damaged cog which was making it behave erratically and was highly destructive. It stated that only cogs made in Mechanicus could fix Mechs. While cogs and gears made elsewhere would physically fit, they would not have the same function and the Mech would behave as if no cog was there at all. When I showed this to the others, they hit upon the same conclusion. Gorval voiced it.
"If this Guardian was badly damaged and his parts replaced by gears from this realm, he is the mechanical version of insane, even though physically intact. He, literally, has some screws loose."
"Given the way this being looks, I do not see how it could be called a clock," Lanara stated, pulling some drawing done by various people to illustrate her point.
Callie placed a piece of paper over one of the drawings and began quickly sketching, mumbling to herself as was he habit. Her family teased her about it, saying she "talked pictures into being". The dwarfs, however, were fascinated and watched her intently. Soon, she had "encased" the Mech in rock and dirt.
"Since we know it fell into lava, it may have become shrouded like this," she said, holding up both her drawing and the Mech picture, "then, when it was discovered..." she trailed off as she adjusted her marks, "it could have either been carved or broken, or beat around to look like this," holding up both again to show a strange approximation of a large clock one might see in palaces or rich homes. We nearly all gasped.
"Duergar have never seen true clocks," one of the councilors stated, "They may have seen drawings or heard them described. The one who found him, the Keeper's father we presume, must have seen some of the gears, the size, and heard the noise and called it a clock."
"What puzzles me is how did it fall into lava?" Lisa asked, " As such an observant being, surely it knew the danger of the stuff and avoid it."
"Unless it thought otherwise," Anna commented, "What if someone had the Foot and was walking on the lava? If it knew nothing of the Foot, it may have concluded that it was safe to walk on and did just that."
"Interesting idea," someone added, "but impossible to determine."
My sisters and I exchanged looks while mentally discussing how to find out. Observant Lanara saw our exchange.
"Sisters? You know something? We can be hard-headed, but if you have a way to get this information, we will listen."
The other dwarfs, slowly, began encouraging us to share.
"I have done it before," I started, "To uncover something in the past, I have mentally journeyed there and witnessed the event as if I had been there originally."
The dwarfs huddled and whispered, confusion and doubt hovering around them. They did not talk long and returned to us.
"Kayla, please do this again. It is the only way to find out. We do ask if you could do this in the Temple of the All Father's Eye. It would allow us to see as well," Gorval requested.
We accepted the conditions and followed them to the temple with the huge mirror. Once there, we told the clerics our plan. They set up a "seer's chair" between the mirror and altar. Other chairs were placed within easy viewing of the mirror. I sat and laid Vanity, unsheathed, upon my lap. Set curled around the chair and placed his head across both of my feet. I stilled my mind and calmed my emotions. Gently, I slid...
...into Andros' home. Vanity stood waiting. Surprisingly, Laduguer was also there. He nodded slightly and led us to the door.
"See the events as they truly happened," he encouraged.
He stepped through and we followed.
We were in a large cavern. It shown little evidence of carving  or working of any kind. Small niches dotted the walls, connected by holes made to take the place of ladders. Duergar slept, sat, or were active in the niches.
"Unlike joban," Laduguer told us, "Duergar do not shape the tunnels, caves, caverns, or channels any more than absolutely necessary. They are not lazy, but they do not do more than is needed for minimum comfort."
He continued to lead. He seemed sad. I guess he noticed my look of concern enough to be moved to explain.
"This was my strong time. They forsook all gods but me. Every temple, shrine, and holy place was mine. I could command them to do anything. Now, I need your help just to reveal this small thing."
We did not press that issue any further. He stopped before a flowing magma river. He indicated for us to watch. A Duergar came running, holding something close to his body. Not far behind, a Mech was gaining on him, shouting for the dwarf to stop and return the "property" to its rightful owner. The Duergar ran on top of the hot flowing rock without pause or looking where he was going. The Mech stopped and watched this happen. Making up its mind, it took off in pursuit, on the lava. Not feeling pain, it ignored its smoking feet and melting shell. It grabbed the Duergar, knocking the Foot out of his arms to land on the hot rock. Without it, the dwarf began burning, screaming in pain. The Mech dropped him to get the Foot. The dwarf was quickly burned to death and cremated in the lava. Picking up the Foot, it proceeded back the way it had come. However, it was still smoking and melting. It continued until it could no longer walk. It tucked the Foot inside its chest and crawled, still on the lava, towards its destination. Eventually, this, too, became impossible. It clasped it melting hands to its chest and let the flowing magma carry it away, into a tunnel and out of sight.
"For the next three to five generations, no one would see either Guardian or Foot again," Laduguer told us.
The cave changed as we instantly went to another part and time. This area was much smaller. The remains of the Mech, encased similarly as Callie had drawn, lay a few feet from the river of lava, far enough to be out of the heat. A portion of rock had fallen away and the clicking of its gears echoed loudly in the small space. From a tunnel, a Duergar male entered cautiously. The echoing made it difficult to pin-point the Mech's location, but he did find it. Pulling off some of the encrusted rock, more gears were revealed by the dwarf, as well as the Foot. Although it did not speak aloud, it somehow instructed the Duergar on how to use the Foot. Taking both Mech and Foot, the dwarf walked on the lava and back up to the living area. The others looked fearfully at him as he walked unharmed over the intensely hot stone. He shouted to the others that the "Divine Clock" had told him how to use the Foot to walk on lava. Someone, shouting in fear or anger, threw a rock and knocked the Foot out of the finder's grasp. Fortunately for him, he jumped when this happened, one foot landing on the firm side of the lava flow. The other foot, however, plopped right into the hot rolling magma. He screamed and fell forward, regaining the Foot, tossing the Mech ahead of him, and saving the rest of his leg from burning away. Duergar and Mech were drug away to another part of the cavern. The burnt flesh was removed and the remains of his leg were tended. As he was treated, this male continued to tell all what the Mech, the "Divine Clock", was teaching him, which included denial of gods, powers, and any deity of any sort. He began to have a following and fewer Duergar visited temples and shrines. For some reason, only this male and his son could hear the Mech speak. The son excelled at the lessons taught and soon became a strong wizard. The father, however, descended into madness and, towards the end of his life, a mumbling invalid who's words had to be interpreted by his son. The son became the Keeper, who continued to teach the lessons taught to him by the Mech. The temples became deserted. A chance slip of a joban miner let a piece of human or elf handiwork tumble to the Duergar. This renewed the feelings of betrayal and started their "purging of vermin" from "our" territory. The Keeper listens to the Mech and follows its word as to when to make incursions on the joban. Its word is the new law.
Laduguer placed his hands on my shoulders and nodded. The cavern seemed to melt.
It took a few moments to reorient myself to my true location. Our audience was finishing their recording of the vision. A cleric brought me water as Set rubbed against my leg to get me to firmly return to the present. Vanity hummed in my lap and told me how well I handled such a journey. The concern of my sisters flitted around me like moths. When I could fully acknowledge them, we returned to the dwarfs. The clerics seemed pleased at how well their devices shown my visions. Gorval and the council were slightly distressed. While I could not hear their thoughts like I could the elves, their emotions told much. Turning from a dwarf god to follow a malfunctioning mechanical being shook them deeply. Laduguer's declining power also concerned them.
As they consulted, I drew one of the clerics to me.
"Cleric, how often does mental communication occur among dwarfs?"
"Rarely, Sister, maybe one in five thousand can hear any such speaking at all. One in twenty thousand can understand that speech. Last we checked, no one could speak mentally who was more than one thirty-second dwarf. If I can hazard why you asked, the Keeper and his father were two rare beings among all dwarfs, both  Duergar and joban."
"Thank you, you hazarded correctly. for your records, Callie is one sixty-fourth dwarf," I told him.
The cleric noted it and returned to his duties. The council was rising and heading out the door.
"Ladies, we have to meet with others concerning this news. If you would not mind, could you stay home until we have a working plan on our next step?": Gorval asked.
We told him we had no objection and there was plenty to keep us busy back at the house. Relieved, he gave us our leave.  My legs were a bit wobbly and Set, Callie, and Lisa helped me walk back to the house. Nana had moved our research to one end of the table. It was dinner that was set before us, which was slightly surprising. Time was hard to track inside sunless caverns.
I nearly fell asleep while eating. I am not sure who aided me to my room or who got me ready for bed. Set and Vanity were beside me when I surrendered to a dreamless sleep.

Day 306 (284)((274))

Day 306 (284)((274)):

Set, Vanity, and I were walking in unknown tunnels. Glowing grubs lit the low ceiling. We rounded a corner and entered a spacious area decorated like a chapel. Standing in the center was a grim-faced dwarf in gray simple clothing. He did not speak but motioned for us to enter and approach him. Set preceded me, the spikes on his back vibrating as he cautiously approached the dwarf.

"You are not dwarf," he stated when we got close to him.

"No, sir," I replied respectfully, "we are Faerie and he is dragon."

The dwarf looked at the three of us critically, "Yes, Faerie, neutral among the gods, First One's own. Dragon, also neutral, unconcerned with mortal affairs. My troubled mind must be deeply burdened to call such as you to me. I am Laduguer, the Duergar are my special area, given to me by the All Father to guide. Lately, however, my guidance has fallen on deaf ears. No cleric attends any temple or shrine. My name is nearly forgotten."

"Sir, they listen to a wizard called the Keeper. He has it in his mind that he is the Master Miner's son and he listens to what he calls a 'divine clock'. Does that..."

"Divine Clock? It is worse than I thought. When the joban started bringing other races into the mines, the Duergar accused them of betrayal. They summoned a creature to avenge them. This creature collapsed the tunnels between the joban and Duergar and kept any from digging up to their levels. It fell into lava and thought destroyed. About a generations ago, parts of it were recovered and reassembled. The one who found it payed the price with his leg. But, something is wrong with it. It was originally a peaceful creature, a clockwork being that could not be bribed, threatened, or coerced. Now, what is left, makes strange demands and tells outrageous lies. It is the cause of the trouble."

"Laduguer, we will let the joban know. Do not blame yourself for this. Gods do not get attention unless something goes wrong. Thank you for clearing this up."

Vanity, Set, and I  took hold of each other and nodded once.

I awoke to furious pounding on the door. I flicked my hand at the door. My sisters fell into the room. They all began chattering about not being able to talk to us and rushing to my room to see if anything was wrong. I told them to get dressed and we would explain over breakfast. Relieved, they went to get dressed. We all met in the dining room where I told them what I had learned. Then, we discussed how to bring this news to the King. Nana told us seers, in dwarf culture, are not viewed well. Any who say they hear and see visions are handed over to clerics and rarely seen again. Non-dwarf seers were generally ignored. Nana suggested meeting with the clerics and passing the information to them and allow the clerics to tell the King. We agreed and asked if one of the staff could give them the message. A few volunteered. Nana selected a pair and sent them off. We helped clean up as well as some other chores as we waited for word from the clerics.

The pair returned, followed by a fair of clerics. We gathered in a sitting room to allow everyone to talk comfortably. The dwarfs studied us a bit before one of them spoke to us.

"We were told one of you is a seer. We take you have been told how seers are viewed by us?" one asked.

We confirmed that we knew and that was why we had asked to speak with them to properly bring our information to the King. They were pleased that we understood protocol and were willing to follow it. 

They interviewed us for a time, to know we were of sound mind and not making up the information we sought to share. Once they were satisfied, we were escorted to one of their temples. Save for some minor details, it was like the one where I met Laduguer. Before us, on the wall and on the other side of an altar, was a massive mirror. The clerics seemed pleased with our reactions.

"We see you are familiar with viewing visions in a mirror. That is good. It tells us your visions are true. The King will be here shortly. Let us explain what we want from you."

They showed me hand and foot prints, dwarf sized, on the altar and near it. They asked if I needed "encouragement" for visions, meaning drugs, potions, or other outside substances. They were, again, pleased, when I said no. King Gorval entered as we were going over the instructions.

"What is this? I was told there was an important message in here. What is going on?"

"Sire," one of the clerics bowed and approached the King," this girl had a vision and wants to share it with us all."

"A vision? When? Does it concern the gray ones?" Gorval asked rapidly.

"We are ready to answer those questions, my King," the cleric told him, "Kayla, if you please."
Nodding, I stood on the footprints and put my hands on the hand prints. The large mirror became blurry then began showing my vision dream. The dwarfs gasped when they saw Laduguer. They listened intently to his words. One of the clerics rushed out and returned with a large book. He began flipping through it and found something of interest. The vision faded and the mirror returned to normal. Gorval just stared.

"My King," the cleric with the book got his attention, "we have records of this creature. Simply called 'Guardian', the Duergar believed it would destroy us since we 'betrayed' the dwarf race and our gods. It saw the truth that no betrayal existed. It barred us from each other. When that did not solve the problem, it gave us warning that it was collapsing key tunnels to keep us apart. That was the only solution it saw to the conflict between the Duergar and joban. It must have done a good job for the next recorded meeting with the Duergar was one hundred-seventeen years later. They did not speak of the Guardian or any clock-work being. I guess it had already fell into the lava."

In the book, he showed us a detailed portrait of the Guardian. Like a statue of metal gears, it was an impressive sight. From the description, it was well over six feet and probably several hundred pounds. Gorval looked back at the mirror and me.

"Well, it seems you ladies have learned how to go through proper channels to get information to me. When did you learn this?"

"Overnight, Your Majesty, it was a dream vision," I told him.

"I see. If you receive anything else, let these know so that it can be properly documented. Clerics, I want as much information on that clockwork being as you can find. I will bring this to the historians as well. Carry on," Gorval called as he left.

The clerics began going through their records, leaving us nearly alone. Since we had not be officially dismissed, we were not sure about staying or leaving. It took one of them nearly running into us for them to remember we were still there. As one was leading us out, I saw an older cleric who's yellow glow was nearly lost in the divine magic surrounding him. He stopped our escort.

"I will attend these ladies. Return to your duties," he told the other in a way that left no room for argument.

The younger cleric simply bowed and returned to the others. This older cleric led us in a different direction. He led us to a parlor of sorts and asked us to be seated.

"Ladies, I am Cleric Ricvar. From Kayla's expression, I know you see the gods have touched me. You realize they will find very little in our records about the clockwork Guardian, correct?"

We slightly nodded, not wishing to anger him by pointing out the error. He sighed.

"Our legendary stubbornness can be our undoing. They will exhaust every text before they admit failure. I pulled you to this quiet place to see if we might find something to present to the King about this being and why it is acting so strangely."

We pondered. Lisa's hand touched her crest and the Givagar key about her neck. She jumped in her excitement.

"Crialas! They would know. The portal surely stops at the home realm of this being."

Ricvar's face darkened slightly, "Elves? Can we trust that they kept such records, or any records for that matter?  They are not known for their documentation."

We told him of the massive archives we plowed through to track down the Founders' offspring. This lightened his features slightly. He agreed to help us contact them, but refused to speak with them himself. He produced a clam-shell device like the Crowns used and Janesh carried. He tuned it in until an elfish face appeared in the mirror-like portion then quickly handed it to us.

"Royal Palace of Crialas, state your business," the elf intoned through the shell.

"Lisa Tree Singer to speak with any archivist available," Lisa stated.

"Lisa...Tree...Singer," the elf slowly repeated as he wrote. He stopped as he head snapped up to look at us, "Sword Sister! Yes, right away, archivist, historian, whomever I can grab."

He disappeared, leaving us looking at the curtain that was behind him. Ricvar seemed impressed that Lisa's name could cause such a reaction.

Within a few minutes, one of the historians we had met sat down in front of the curtain. His smile was genuine.

"Greetings again, Sisters. What service may I render for you?"

We told him of the clockwork being. He was pleased to tell us that they had volumes of information on "Mechanicus" and the "Mechs" of that realm and would gladly share it, even with dwarfs. He said he could have it assembled and sent to us by evening today or tomorrow morning. We thanked him and ended the communication. Ricvar seemed conflicted. He was glad for the aid but not about who was providing the aid. A young cleric entered and asked him if we were his lunch guests. It took a moment for the words to register before he asked if we would join him. We accepted.

Ricvar and the young cleric escorted us to a large well-lit cavern in the temple quarters. Ricvar, obviously, was in high standing as a whole table was vacated just on his word alone. The younger cleric, as well as two others, served us. Apparently, everyone ate the same thing as we saw no one else had anything different on their plates. Our attendants looked at our four companions with puzzled expressions. From somewhere, a couple of dwarfs drug a heavy container to our table.

"For them," one said, nodding at Set and the others, "We've fed riding dragons before and have started feeding the Darrknots' partners. We hope this is to their liking."

Our companions sniffed the container as the lid was removed. The way they dove in told everyone around that they approved. Some of those watching had to turn away as our friends tore into intestines and other raw parts in sight of everyone, even though they tried to keep it hidden in the large pot-like container. We and Ricvar returned to our plates after he dismissed the young clerics.

"It pleases me to see your charges are not spoiled creatures who demand the choice cuts and finest fare," Ricvar said casually.

"Our charges are still wild creatures," I explained, "Except for Set, all of these beings were independent and living full lives and they each, Set included, chose to be with us and could, at any time, choose to leave us."

Although Ricvar could not hear them, all four of them confirmed my words. 

Set swallowed, got Ricvar's attention, and slowly said, "Kay. Me. Always."

Even though he had not spoken loudly, the entire room went silent and stared at him. This intense attention made Set race over to me and huddle against my body and nearly entwine himself around my chair.

"What did I do? Why are they staring at me so?" he asked me, rather frightened by the silent dwarfs.

"I don't think they expected one as young as you to speak so clearly. I think you surprised them," I consoled him as the room continued to stare.

"How old is he?" Ricvar asked in a whisper.

"Four and a half months, sir, " I told him plainly.

This caused some farthest from us to rise and approach, getting a better look at the young Emperor. Even wrapped up so, I could tell they were mentally measuring him. Ricvar was performing the same calculations.

"Kayla, I think your counting is off," Ricvar began in a teaching tone, "At that size, he is obviously over a year old. Also, verbal speech is not even attempted until age two or three for riding dragons."

Around us, dwarf heads bobbed, along with agreeing mutterings.

"Sir, Emperor dragons grow faster than most others. Speak to Maudrin or Falcon to confirm his hatching day. He was around a month old when Mara was Crowned Queen of Selvis," I informed everyone listening.

Some stepped in closer, trying to make sense of what I was saying and what they were seeing. Ricvar summoned a young cleric and instructed him to contact Maudrin and Falcon to get Set's "true" age. He summoned another to unearth any information on "Emperor" dragons. Beside those two, several others left, racing either with them or in other directions. Around us, people began returning to their seats, but still staring at us. I urged Set to return to his food. He did, but he kept on watch, wary of the staring dwarfs.

As we were handing our empty plates and the empty pot back to the cooks, one of the young clerics returned, followed by those who had left with him.

"Elder Ricvar," he bowed, " Rider Maudrin and Master Falcon confirm that the Emperor Dragon Sarroset is four point five three three months of age from time of hatching."

I was relieved they had factored in us going back in time. Aloriana must have told them, or Falcon at least. Ricvar merely grunted and dismissed the cleric. He turned to Set and I.

"Would you two permit us to examine you thoroughly, Set? Such rare information cannot go undocumented."

"What is 'examine'? Will it hurt?" Set asked me, pressing hard against me.

I knelt down to be at eye level with him and spoke aloud, "Remember in Gowgornok, when the gnomes looked you all over and we saddled you many times? That is 'examine'."

Set was still as he remembered. When he understood what was being asked of him, he agreed, but only as long as he could see me and know he was safe. Ricvar began shouting for "specialists", yelling titles I did not understand. We walked as he continued to call titles and names, ordering them to follow us. We followed him to a strangely empty room surrounded by tiers of seating. He asked Set to get on a blanked-covered table. I comforted Set as we waited for those Ricvar had called.

One of the girls from Callie's house found us and said stacks of books and scrolls had "suddenly appeared" in Lisa's and Alice's bedrooms. I assured them that Set and I would be fine. If we got uncomfortable, we always had kirlan. That eased their minds and they left to look over the information from Crialas.

The other dwarfs filled the room quickly, falling silent as they entered. When Ricvar was satisfied with the crowd, he called them to order.

"Colleagues, I have called you together to document a rare being. Before you is Sarroset, an Emperor dragon. Outside sources have confirmed his age at one hundred thirty-six days since hatching. We shall examine him thoroughly."

The assembly nodded and began gathering into groups. When they had settled, Ricvar began bringing each group to do their specific function. The first group measured every part of Set from nose to tail and everything in between. These were written down by the rest of the assembly. The second had wheeled in a massive scale and proceeded to weight Set as a whole and in parts. Set thought it was amusing that they weighed each foot, his tail, and each wing. Due to the curve of his horns, they could not weigh them and had to "calculate" their "approximate" weight. The third, while the other two were taking their turns, had been mixing and molding stuff. On their turn, they took molds and impressions of Set's teeth, horns, scale pattern, spines, wings both folded and opened, feet, and tail. It took a bit to keep him still enough to let them cast his head. With him seeing though my eyes, it removed his anxiety about having his head encased. After their turn, we took a break to clean him off as some of the material stuck to him. While I cleaned him, another group brought in large pots of water, wood, and chunks of iron. I asked Ricvar what all that stuff was about.

"To test his breath weapon," he told me as he watched them set up. 

"You mean weapons, he has more than one," I corrected.

Everyone stopped. Ricvar took a moment to gather his thoughts.

"How many does he have?' he finally asked, motioning for everyone to write my answer.

"Currently, three. It has been speculated he could have more. As of now, he has fire, ice, and lightning."

As the rest wrote, the ones setting up separated their items to test all three. With Set clean, we proceeded with the tests. One of the water-filled pots was placed on a table with the wood flanking it on both sides. Satisfied, Ricvar turned to us.

"Set, this tests your fire. We want to see how hot it is and your control. We would like you to heat up the pot without burning the wood."

He and I went over their request to make sure Set understood. He positioned himself and began stoking his fire. Soon, twin streams of smoke began pouring out of his nostrils. Set focused and shot a concentrated fountain of flame at the bottom of the pot. Within moments, steam was rolling out of the pot. Set exhausted his flame and sat back. The metal pot was glowing and still rolling out steam. The wood closest to the pot was slightly scorched but not burning. I patted Set as we waited for the steam to stop and the pot to cool. The dwarfs seemed impressed. They finished their recording and removed the nearly empty pot and wood. Another pot of water was sat before us.

"This is for your ice. Freeze it as much as you can," Ricvar explained.

Set positioned himself again and took a few deep breaths. A light frost formed around his mouth as he blew cold upon the pot. It and the table became encrusted in frost. Groans and creaks sounded from the pot. When he could blow no more, Set sat back and leaned on me. The dwarfs inspected the pot and table. One leaned on the table to look inside the pot and the table shattered into millions of frozen splinters. The pot fell along with the table and dwarf. When the pot hit the floor, it also shattered, leaving only a block of ice the shape of the pot in the middle of all the debris. They measured the ice and cleaned up the mess. Set and I tried to apologize for the destruction, but we were told "one of the hazards of experiments, worry not."

They brought in another table and placed a large chunk of raw iron on it. Ricvar instructed Set to hit it with his lightning. We had to clarify whether they wanted it just touched or for him to try to destroy it. They told us whichever was Set's maximum strength. With that cleared up, Set began sparking. He let loose a single bolt of lightning that shattered the rock on the table. The dwarfs gathered all the pieces and examined them thoroughly. We waited for them to finish. Once everything was gathered, I hoped they were done with us. The looks we received squashed that hope.

"Kayla, please leave. We need to test Set alone. We must confirm that it is his power alone that has accomplished these things," Ricvar stated gravely.

While I understood his reason, I didn't know if Set would agree to it. They set up the tests again while I explained to Set. It took a bit, but as long as we could still talk, he agreed. I walked out and leaned on the closed door, touching it as I spoke soothing words to Set. They began the fire test the same as before. Having done this already, Set had no trouble making this pot white-hot and boil nearly every drop of water out of it. The wood on both sides was only slightly blackened. As some were recording the information and removing the items, Set, and I through him, heard Ricvar and some others discussing Set's "value" and being "too precious and rare" to allow "a mere girl" to "wander aimlessly with such a prize". He did not really understand what they meant but I told him to be wary. He turned sharply when he, and I, heard chains rattle. Through him, I saw Ricvar and the others walk towards Set with dragon-sized manacles and a muzzle-like device. Set tried to flee, but the rest of the assembly pounced on him and held him as these placed on Set. I began banging on the door, trying to open it and found it was locked.

"Kay! Help! I can't pop! This stuff won't let me go to kirlan! Help!"

I yelled through the door for them to release him. 

I heard Ricvar tell me through the wood, "He is too precious for you. Go back home to your humans and forget him. We know how to care for rare gems."

Even with the bees and the gnomes, I had never been so angry. I faced the heavy door separating me and Set. Power built up to the point even my hair crackled with it.

"You will release him NOW!" I commanded and sent all of my rage at the door.

It shattered before me, surprising the dwarfs inside. I walked stiffly into the room. I looked at Ricvar and pointed at Set.

"Release him at once or face me!" I told them, power making my voice echo.

The dwarfs looked at each other, but did not move. Since they did not comply, I flicked my hand and Set was freed. He ran over and stood beside me. Ricvar and a few others stepped forward as if to recapture him. I held out my hand.

"You will not touch him."

"Kayla, we can keep him safe," Ricvar began explaining as if to a child, "Here, no dragon slayers will try to kill him and he won't be a beast of burden, carrying you and other worthless things place to place. We will treat him like royalty."

"Steal half my soul and tell me it is for the best? I think not. He and I are one. I know how precious he is and no one, not even you, will harm him."

"No harm will come to either of you," a male voice called out.

Looking up into the tiers of seating, we saw my sisters standing with King Gorval, Lanara, and several Darrknots. Ricvar attempted to speak, but Gorval silenced him.

"I have witnessed with my own eyes and ears what you were doing, so spare me your excuses. It is not up to you to decide Set's place or movements. It is obvious Kayla is capable of protecting him. Sisters, return to Callie's home. This is Stahendring business."
My sisters and companions ran down to Set and I. They horseshoed around me as Set and I faced Ricvar and company one last time.

"Know this," I told him, voice still full of power, "if any of you even think of touching Set, King Gorval's punishment will look like a paradise compared to what I could do to you."

We turned our backs on them and walked through the shattered door. I stopped, looked back at King Gorval, then flicked my hands at the splintered remains. As we left, the door reassembled to its original condition, which took the last of my built up power.

Walking back to Callie's house, my sisters explained how they had gotten Gorval there so quickly. When they felt my distress, Callie got Echo to alert the Darrknots, who, at that moment, were in conference with Gorval about rank and position among the other guards. They told the King of Ricvar's deeds as they and my sisters raced to us. The spectators' area was unlocked. They entered just a few seconds before I shattered the door and saw Set's predicament. Gorval had whispered just before they parted to "cool" me off far away from anything fragile. At the house, I told them I needed time alone, physically and mentally. They understood and Set and I went to our room. We sat on the bed, hugging and crying. I apologized over and over for letting that happen to him. Even Vanity cried and apologized for not being more alert. I don't know how long we were like this. A timid knock and a gentle mental brush preceded Callie and Echo entering with plates of food.

"Nana insisted," Callie said as an apology.

We accepted both plates and kindness. I could tell Callie understood, especially now that she was with Echo. I conveyed to the rest my appreciation for letting me sort through my jumbled thoughts and feelings. They all wished us good-night and they left the room. I lightly nibbled at my food even though Set devoured his. Exhausted, we all curled up together on the bed and were soon fast asleep. 

Day 305 (283)((273))

Day 305 (283)((273)):

We spent the morning inside Callie's home. We did not realize its size as it, like most dwarfish dwellings, was partially inside the mountain. Nana showed us around, explaining the purposes for various rooms. Dwarfs, unlike other races, did not rely upon magic, arcane or divine, unless no other power or process did the job. With the sun crystals and glowing grubs, fire was reserved for cooking and forges. A natural hot spring provided both hot water and vapor to keep the dwelling comfortable. It was also the reason Echo and her clan wintered here, to take advantage of the warmth.Cold rooms were separated from this warmth and the cold stones kept the food from spoiling too quickly. Wine and other spirits were set into holes in the walls themselves. As we toured, we began appreciating all the tasks the staff did and thanked them, as we found them, for all of their hard work.

After the tour and lunch, we went outside, with Nana, to further investigate the city of Stahendring. She was pleased by the pleasantries we exchanged with those we dealt with yesterday. With Nana's help, more shops were uncovered and tradesmen abounded.

As we entered a leather shop, we encountered the Darrknots. Their partners were being fitted with tiny harnesses, bearing the shield upon their chests. The tanners and craftsmen, while outwardly stone-faced, radiated joy at the challenge of such intricate work. While the harnesses looked identical, tiny adjustments were needed to fit individual bodies. Also, the Darrknots were being fitted for harnesses of a sort. Pads were being attached to the shoulders of their uniforms. These provided a place for the bat-dragons to ride and not dig into the flesh of their partners. Hanging from the pad were two straps that clipped onto the little harnesses. This was mainly for the small ones' safety, as a few had already been knocked about by inattentive dwarfs. Plus, we were informed that some other dwarfs demanded these "creatures" be contained in some fashion. The skillful bat-dragons demonstrated that they could clip and unclip themselves quickly and easily. They were only "contained" as they desired.

Even without mental communication, Nana was able to perceive the different personalities of the small flyers and commented on good matches made by all.

We left the corp to continue their fittings. We went around to more shops, exchanging our skills for items Nana said needed replacing. Callie's ability to reform stone caused some to ask if she was descended from Jordsonn, the Master Miner. When we explained he had no children, why he didn't, and how we knew, we heard whispers of "spirit talkers", "Hengi Jomfru", and other strange phrases. Nana asked if the King knew of this. We had not told him so, we guessed, he did not. Nana sent people to take our items back to the house while we went to King Gorval.

Lanara met us outside the palace as she was entering as well. We asked her if the King knew Jordsonn had no children. The look on her face told us she did not. Her grabbing Callie and dragging her into the palace told us she didn't think Gorval did either. We, Nana included, followed them as Lanara pulled Callie through the halls, calling for the King. Gorval, along with many others, burst out of doors to see what all the shouting was about. Lanara had to turn around, nearly lifting Callie off her feet.

"Sire! The Duergar Keeper is not the Master Miner's son! His claim is false!" Lanara shouted for all to hear.

"What? False? How do you know this?" Gorval asked as everyone looked at us.

Lanara turned to us, "Please tell them, Sisters, they must know."

We told them about the spirit of Jordsonn Gudfarspokelse, the one known as the Master Miner, telling us his story through Callie and the Rod. I showed Lanara my recording of his words in this journal. Those that heard, especially the older ones, understood the old ideas about what was or was not "normal". Lanara shown the rest Jordsonn's age at the time the Rod was made. They were mentally calculating his age, the amount of time they had the Rod, the three generations it has been with the gnomes, and came up with a number that did not fit the Keeper's age. Even, by some means, Jordsonn had fathered a son, the Keeper was simply too young to be him.

"Sisters," Gorval started, "can you get to the truth of this matter? What can we do to help?"

Ideas passed between us and the swords.

"Are there wizards here?" Anna meekly asked.

"I have none in my household, but there are a few in the city," Gorval replied, hope beginning to brighten his glow.

"Please contact them," I requested, "We need to talk wizard-to-wizard with the Keeper."

Gasps and murmurs ran through those listening. We heard some comment on the danger of such and was it really a good idea. Gorval silenced everyone by calling for messengers to find any wizard willing to undertake this task. The rest of the assembly returned to their duties as we joined the King and Lanara in a parlor to wait for the replies. Nana returned to the house.

As we waited, we told them of past communications with dangerous and hostile adversaries. The messengers returned with two wizards, one pass middle age and one many years younger, panting as they tried to catch their breath. They were introduced to us as Wizard Grikmor (griik-MORE) and his assistant Kaybany (kay-BAN) (the y is silent but denotes a junior status). Gorval motioned for them to sit with us and dismissed the messengers.

"Gentlemen, we are in need of your service," Gorval began, "We need to communicate to a Duergar wizard known to us only and the Keeper. He holds the Master Miner's Foot and is behind their incursion into our areas."

The wizards huddled together, whispering. Finally, Grikmor spoke.

"My King, it can be done. It will take a while to find him to connect our viewing glasses. If you have something of his, the finding would be quicker."

Gorval sent someone to retrieve the bottle of acid cloud. The two wizards were shocked when they saw it, but began sorting out the energies of those who had touched it from each other and found the Keeper. Grikmor fished a wizard's glass from his clothes and they began tuning it to the Keeper's energy. 

Before long, Grikmor announced, "It is done."

Placing the glass on the table in the center of our assembly, the pair proceeded to call to the Keeper. In short order, the Keeper's grizzled face appeared.

"Eh? Who is this? Who calls me?" he growled.

"King Gorval Stormhammer," the King replied.

The Keeper huffed, "Joban bastard king, what do you want? I am very busy."

"Yes, busy plotting attack points into my city in order to invade us," Gorval countered.

Even in the glass, the Keeper paled. He did not deny it, but began talking boldly about it, "It is not invading to route vermin from your home, especially vermin that thinks it is home to them. Joban bastards to be expelled or killed, as long as our territory is free of you. Plus, retrieving property that is rightfully mine."

"You mean the Rod?" Gorval playfully asked, "Do you not know? Nurz is dead. The Rod is still safe in Gowgornok."

The Keeper's shout rattled the wizard's glass, "LIAR! I just spoke with him not but three days ago. He confirmed the Rod was nearly his. He had the right families to open the barriers."

We looked at each other. Nurz was a week dead and had not gotten even one of Gowgornok's centered families. Who or what was he talking to that gave him such incorrect information? A quick sending on my part to the other riders told me all was well and Nurz was still a rotting corpse wrapped in vines. Gorval accepted my news with a concealed smile.

"Keeper, check again. That plot has failed. Besides, it is not your property by any means."

The glass rattled again, "Filth! That is my father's leg! I will have it returned to my family. No one but I has any right to it. I will have both parts."
"Both? Don't you mean all three? The Master Miner's leg was made into three items: Rod, Wand, and Foot," Gorval told him.

"Wha...? Three? Wand? What garbage is this? You are trying to confuse me. My father told me his leg was made into two powerful items. The Rod that moves mountains and the Foot that walks through them. He would rub the end of his leg where they were cut off as he spoke."

Again, we looked at each other. The Rod still had the hip ball that was pulled from its socket. It was the thigh bone, not the ones from below the knee. This fellow didn't even know what part he was after.

"Have you ever seen the Rod?" Gorval asked patiently.

"No, I have not. Those accursed naghle have had it all of my life. Stolen property in the hands of your accomplices, kept in unnatural light so we cannot touch it, surrounded by foul creatures and unnatural magic. My father would shriek in pain each time it was used."

The gnomes hadn't used the Rod in three generations. As gnome and dwarfs aged nearly the same, his father wasn't even born when it was used last. His tale was far removed from the truth.

"I tire of this discussion," the Keeper told us, "You try to confuse me with your lies. It will please me to watch you die a slow death. Leave me!"

The Keeper picked up his glass and shattered it, cutting our tie. Grikmor and Kaybany tried to apologize for the loss, but Gorval let them know they had not failed.

The pair were dismissed and we were invited to dinner with the King. Dawn was sent back to the house with the message that we would not be home for dinner. She joined us with their reply of "Have fun." Only the King joined us. We went to his private area. We could tell he was a bachelor king as this area shown no signs of female occupation. Past glories plastered the walls as did the portraits of previous kings. The dining room was a large place considering it was only for him and his private guests.

As we ate and talked, the subject of Gorval's queenless state came up. At first, he gave half-hearted reasons: "too busy", "plenty of time", "no one of interest", etc. When he realized we weren't buying his excuses, he finally admitted he had gained the title from his unpopular father who cared more for wealth than happiness for either kingdom or family. He had not pursued any females as his father forced him to focus on mining and trades. I offered to see his future, but he declined, stating that dwarfs dealt in the here-and-now, not in maybe futures. We did discuss the Keeper's "divine clock" that "told" him when to send Duergar into the upper levels. Gorval retrieved the reports. We saw the times of the incursions were wildly inconsistent and dates varied just as much. They also did not match up with slow times or rest days or any such activities. None of us could see any rhyme or reason to their activities. Gorval did seem in better spirits when we parted for the night. It pleased him to know someone was just as perplexed as he.

The staff at the house was preparing for bed and night-time chores when we arrived. Nana thanked us for the courtesy of letting them know of our dinner plans. While they would have inquired if we were not there for dinner, they appreciated our thinking of them. As we headed to our rooms, I could feel the staff's affections for us and knew Callie would be surrounded by love in this place.