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.