Trak admires the manner in which the baron combines half-truths with an occasional fabrication to create a plausible tale that placed a favorable interpretation on the events. Perhaps all histories are recorded the same way, he muses.
The king remains silent for a few moments before turning to Trak. “Is it true you are a sorcerer and Krage’s son?”
“I am Krage’s son. When Krage dies I will become the 60th Thaumaturgist of the Septantrak. I have been trained in alchemy and metallurgy. I don’t claim to have any magical powers.”
“Is my queen well?” asks the king as he leaves his throne and begins slowly approaching Trak. He seems to be taking close note of the cross-breed’s facial features.
Trak keeps his voice steady and looks directly into the king’s blue eyes. “Your Highness, except a brief visit to the capital city, I have spent my entire life on the Isle of Uisgebeatha. The truth is I had not heard the story of the kidnapping of your queen until Lord Ran related the tale to me three days ago. I can only guess at why Krage chose to keep his secret from me. I know nothing about the queen’s health or whereabouts.”
Red lifts Dragon Fire and waves its blade menacingly in front of Trak’s face. “Do you know the secrets for making fire spitting swords and the new pyrotechnics?”
“Yes, Your Highness. In exchange for the life of Duke Amin, I agreed to reveal the secrets and to aid you in any way I can to facilitate the release of your queen from her imprisonment.”
The king thinks, I have been dealing with goblins my entire life. You can’t trust them. This one is also lying, but what part is a lie and what part is truth. Where is the trap? There is always more to what a goblin says than an honest man would expect.
The king walks slowly back to the platform on which his throne sits and after a pause says, “Baron, you have once again valiantly served the kingdom. It pains me that you have lost so many of your liegemen. Give my thanks to the widows who lost their husbands and to the children who lost their fathers. Their heroic defense of the kingdom will not be forgotten. I am satisfied that a major embarrassment has been inflicted on the goblin kingdom. I will send the goblin king a message demanding the release of my queen in exchange for the son of their sorcerer. And you, sorcerer, will prove your good intentions by revealing to Baron Teiber the secrets of the goblins’ new weapons.”
Trak accompanies Lord Ran and Baron Teiber back to Westland. Lord Ran provides him with a room and writing materials. Trak summarizes what is needed to construct an iron production facility. Having just completed a similar project for the goblin king, Trak finishes the task in three days. Trak presents his plan to Lord Ran, “The next task is to select a location for the operation. I must know more about the potential sources of iron ore and charcoal.”
King Red receives a reply from the goblin capital four weeks after Trak arrives. The message sent by Lord Lizardthroat and contains surprising news. King Red reads, “When King Giforing refused your offer, I, with the support of the noble houses, deposed the king. On behalf of the goblin kingdom, I accept your proposal and suggest the exchange take place in five weeks at a place of your choosing. I hope the exchange represents a new beginning in the relationship between our two kingdoms.”
Five weeks is not much time, so Red immediately sends a message with a positive reply. He is careful to add Lord Lizardthroat seems a reasonable fellow and he looks forward to meeting him.
While waiting for the exchange to take place, Trak uses his time to familiarize himself with the local geography and survey the coastal areas for resources and a possible foundry location. Lord Ran loans him the use of a horse and allows him to wander about in the company of two guards, who act more like guides than jailers.
***
In a tavern in Westhaven, Trak and his escorts enjoy the local ale. At the next table sits not only a man and a cross-breed but also a full-blooded goblin. Lukin, one of his guards, explains, “It is our custom to bring war prisoners back to the kingdom and use them as slave labor. They work mostly in the mines. Eventually, some gain their freedom, move out of the mines and find work in the towns. They generally marry other goblins but cross-breeding also happens.”
“How are outsiders accepted?” Trak inquires, still surprised to find those he thinks are natural enemies sitting at the same table.
Stam, the oldest of his guard, explains, “It depends on where ye be. In rural villages and in noble houses, people be committed to keeping their bloodlines pure. Here in the city, attitudes be more tolerant. Outsiders be useful in generating trade with foreign lands. The kingdom be split between those that want to blame outsiders for all our problems and those that see outsiders as a source of cheap labor.”
At another table Trak sees two men with skin browner than he has ever seen. They speak a tongue that Trak never imagined existed. “What about them?” Trak asks. “Are they outsiders?”
“Oh, you mean the Southerners. I’ve not seen ‘em here ‘fore. They probably be traders who arrived on a foreign ship.”
Trak thinks he knows a little about geography, but his escort is describing a world beyond what Krage taught in his lessons. He asks Stam to describe the world. “When it comes to the four corners, I’m not the one to query. Let’s ask that sailor friend of mine.” He calls to a man standing near the entrance who comes over and joins them. “Hello, Ben, This here is Trak. He just arrived from the north and wants to know the places you sail to when you ‘ead out to sea.”
The sailor stares at Trak and notes his primitive leather clothes. He regards the strange, barbaric tattoo that is partially exposed under Trak’s vest. The sailor thinks, a wild cross-breed fresh out of the north. He looks like a character out of a bard’s tale. Ben begins, “I mostly sail to the kingdoms on this continent, but twice I have crossed the Southern Sea and visited ports in the south lands.” Trak takes out a small knife and asks the sailor to sketch a map of the world. The sailor scratches the two continents on the tabletop; he knows in detail every bend in the coastline and every dangerous shoal and landmark along the way. His life depends on it.
“We be here.” Ben points to the west coast of the northern continent. “The goblins occupy the far north. The remainder of the continent be divided into five kingdoms all ruled by men or, more truly, four men and one women.” Ben scratches lines to indicate the boundaries. “A four week sail to the south brings you to a much larger continent. Merchants from the northern continent have trading colonies in all the desirable harbors. I’ve heard wild nomadic tribes and an elfin kingdom inhabit the interior. It is said to be a deserted wasteland with active volcanoes.”
“What does one find if one sails east or west?” Trak asks. Ben looks at Trak like he is a complete idiot. “Anyone daft enough to try would be eaten by sea monsters or eventually reach the edge and fall into a dark abyss.”
Trak is delighted with what he has learned that morning. The world is much more interesting than he imagined. He tries to remember what Krage taught during his lessons. Trak thinks it strange that Krage never mentioned the southern continent. Certainly, he must have known.
Trak and his escort journey south down the coastal road. They pass small villages and scattered farms before arriving at an area that is only sparsely inhabited. Whereas the area around the port city is much like the rocky soil found on the Isle of Uisgebeatha, the land half a day’s walk to the south contains twisted basalt formations left by ancient volcanoes. In the late afternoon they reach a place where the coastal road descends into a valley made barren by an old lava flow. The basalt formation is fractured into chunks and riddled with lava tubes. It reminds Trak of Dragon’s Belly, far to the north.
A small stream cuts deeply into the basalt. It carries water falling on the eastern mountains to a small, protected cove. The forests Trak passes through have been stripped bare of hardwoods used in the construction of the port city. But south of the lava beds, the forest still contains the oaks and hickories Trak needs to make charcoal. He recognizes the lava f
ields have no agricultural value, but are a suitable location for his iron works.
Where the road crests the ridge and enters the valley, Trak will build his residence. He envisions a broch much like the one Krage occupied on the Isle of Uisgebeatha, standing on the edge of the cliff overlooking kilns and workshops. In addition to a smithy, Trak envisions a dormitory and kitchen for workers. Stone for building lay about in large quantities. With Lord Ran paying the bill, Trak indulges his fantasies.
As Trak explores the ridge overlooking the valley, he is surprised to encounter a stone circle and ruins of a monastic building that resembled those found in the goblin kingdom. “This looks like a goblin building,” Trak announces.
Stam replies that he guesses it was possible. “Goblins once occupied the lands around here but were driven out centuries ago.” The information is a revelation to Trak. It is his first inkling that the goblin kingdom once occupied the entire northern continent.
It is early evening and too late in the day to return to the baron’s castle, so they make camp. After consuming a meal, Trak expresses the desire to walk through the lava field. The guards are in no mood to take a long hike, but Lukin grudgingly indulges Trak’s request.
Trak heads in the direction of a volcano to the east and crawls over the basalt flow for an hour. Finally, Lukin baulks and Trak suggests, “Why don’t we rest before going back? I want a few minutes to sit and experience the night air.”
“If you want to sit, you can do that back at camp,” Lukin complains impatiently.
When they return to camp it is late. Lukin joins Stam in a deep sleep. Trak sits several yards away from the sleeping guards. He wants to determine if there is enough volcanic activity beneath the surface to allow him to project his spirit. He is surprised how easily the tingling sensation enters his fingers. Lava must be flowing close to the surface. When Trak is ready, he sends his spirit back to Uisgebeatha to seek the old goblin. He finds her spirit seated on the floor of her cave. Her spirit form is so youthful that Trak recognizes her mostly by her unmistakable smile. “Hello Grandson, what brings ye here?” she asks.
“No special reason, I miss your company,” he replies.
“Heck hinnie! I sense ye be in the south. Be ye sound?” she queries.
“I am safe but under guard. Lord Lizardthroat has deposed King Giforing and is sending King Red’s queen south. Melkerei hopes to exchange the queen for me, but I am not safe in the capital. Melkerei has already tried to have me killed on several occasions. I intend to stay in the south where Melkerei can’t get his hands on me.”
“For the moment, that seems wise. Did ye know that Krage be headed south to intercept the queen before she be handed to King Red?”
Trak reflects on this new information and replies, “What does Queen Meriem want? Perhaps allowing her to return to the south is best if it brings peace between the kingdoms. I have reason to believe that she will not be harmed when she returns.” He adds, “Please inform the Thaumaturgist of my decision to remain in Bretwalda.”
“Why don’t ye contact him directly? Ye will find him travelling along the Razor’s Back. Ye can explain the situation in the south better than I.”
Trak wakes to see Lukin standing over him watching the blue glow that envelopes him dissipate. “What is that blue light all about?” asks Lukin. “I thought you might be in some kind of trouble.”
“It is nothing,” Trak suggests. “It is just something that happens when goblins meditate.” Trak can see that Lukin is not buying his explanation. He decides to wait for another time before seeking Krage. He is still angry with his father and in no hurry to reestablish contact.
The next day Stam and Lukin escort Trak back to Baron Teiber’s castle. It is already early autumn, and Trak is concerned that he wouldn’t get his kilns and workshops built before the winter arrives. Lord Ran reassures him that the clime in the south is mild and work will continue. Lord Ran shows Trak’s plans to the baron’s craftsmen. They estimate that all work will be completed by the following summer. The plans are detailed. Lord Ran decides to begin construction since it is uncertain how soon Trak will return to the south after the exchange. He is excited and doesn’t want to delay. He orders the construction of the dormitory to house the workers who will build the smithy.
The baron grants Trak access to his library, but it does him little good. Northern men and goblins both speak a similar dialect of the common tongue, but their scripts are different and the books are all written in a script Trak can’t read. Learning the script is a priority.
King Red summons Trak to his fortress. It is time to move toward the border where the exchange will take place. Trak frets. He discusses his concerns with Lord Ran. “How will King Red respond if Krage succeeds in rescuing the queen? If Melkerei doesn’t show with the queen, the king will certainly be outraged and unpredictable. Will Red turn his anger against me?”
“It is likely,” Ran replies.
Chapter 17
Razor’s Back: The Earth Spirit Speaks
Walking the Razor’s Back in the height of summer, Myrel’s spirit soars. She is free of the temple, the prison and underground city. Every step takes her farther into a new world. Her father walks before her and two good friends are by her side. The four-day walk to Dragon’s Belly gives her time to ponder what she will do after they rescue her mother. Krage reasons that until it is safe to return to the capital, they should all remain in hiding. He suggests that Myrel make for the Isle of Uisgebeatha, not to the duke’s castle because that is too conspicuous, but to his mother’s cave in the forest. Krage plans to take Queen Meriem to the east coast where they can hide in an enclave of Septan followers. Grenab and Alexia are free to accompany him or travel their own road.
Myrel asks her father’s, “How can I use my time meaningfully while living in the forest?”
“Most anything you truly want to pursue can be done on the island as easily as in the city.”
Myrel replies, “I liked tending the sick in the city’s prison.”
“Perfect! Krage responds. “There is no better person to teach you how to care for the sick than your grandmother. The islanders will benefit from having a healer at their disposal.” Myrel eagerly mulls over the prospect as the party makes its way toward Dragon’s Belly.
It is clear to Krage and Myrel that Alexia and Grenab are developing a special feeling for each other. The two sit alone and talk softly about their future. Grenab is unsure where his loyalties belong. He wants to be with Alexia, but he is the king’s man, and King Giforing is now held prisoner. The king would pardon Grenab were he returned to power. Grenab might even regain his former position as a member of the king’s guard. Alexia fears for his life. She is sure he will be killed if he attempts to return to the city and aid the king. She tries to persuade Grenab to follow Krage to the eastern side of the kingdom and hide in the distant enclave. Grenab dithers as the party nears Dragon Belly and tensions grow. Rescuing the queen might not be easy, and neither Grenab nor any of his companions is certain to survive the attempt.
On the fourth evening, the rescuers reach the lava fields and hide just inside the trees that overlook the basalt flows. In the afternoon of the fifth day, Lord Lizardthroat arrives. He orders his captains to set up camp north of the lava fields. After Krage locates the queen’s tent and assesses the placement of the camp guard, the rescuers move deeper into the trees. There they plan the rescue.
“It is as I hoped,” says Krage. “The side of the camp that abuts the lava field has been left unguarded. They trust the rough terrain to protect their back. We will split into two groups. Alexia and Grenab will move to the north side of the camp and in the early morning create a minor distraction that will draw the guards’ attention. Myrel and I will approach the camp from the lava field and rescue the queen. Myrel will then guide her mother to our hiding place. My job is to lead Melkerei’s police as far from you as possible. I will rejoin you here when it is safe, and we will make our way into the mountain
s to the east.”
At dark, Krage and Myrel circle the camp out of sight of the guards and enter the lava field. It takes a couple of hours to negotiate the lava beds and position themselves. After midnight, Alexia and Grenab light a large campfire on top of a rise a league from Lord Lizardthroat’s camp. The fire is far enough away that it appears to present no threat, but it worries the captain in charge of the watch. “Why would someone make a large fire in the middle of the night?” He sends four scouts to investigate.
“Stand ready to aid me if I run into trouble,” Krage instructs Myrel. He crawls into Melkerei’s camp and cuts a rent in the back of the queen’s tent. Ten minutes later, Myrel sees her mother and father climb through the rent and head in her direction. She worries; everything is going too smoothly. As her parents scramble to where she is hidden in the lava field, a guard spots the escaping queen moving with her accomplice. They have a five-minute head start; but it is not enough to outrun the guards who make up the distance quickly. Krage hasn’t forgotten the lava tube where he and the king retreated seventeen years before. It is nearby.
When they enter the tube, the pursuing guards think they have their quarry trapped, but Krage climbs the ledge at the back of the tube and pulls Myrel and the queen to the top. He is surprised to find the wall the royal guard hurriedly constructed seventeen years before still standing. He guides them to the small fissure at the back of the tube. Once out, the queen and Myrel hide in a deep fissure while Krage continues on across the lava field. Lord Lizardthroat spots Krage’s glowing blue silhouette moving eerily across the craggy lava and orders his guards in pursuit. The guards chase Krage for an hour before his light suddenly goes out and they can find no trace of him in the complex of fissures.
When Krage returns to the designated hiding place, he finds the others waiting. Queen Meriem and Myrel embrace him warmly. The queen permits the rescuers to savor the moment before she asks, “What will be King Red’s reaction when I don’t show up? His hatred of goblin treachery has already led to two minor wars. How many people will die this time when he exacts his vengeance?”