“I made this,” he said. “I want you to have it.” Dardanos held it out to me with two hands, reverently, as though is was a sacred object.
“I… can’t take this, it’s too beautiful,” I whispered in awe.
“Yeah, she shouldn’t take it,” Zach added in agreement, and probably jealousy. I shot him a glare, but didn’t say anything.
“Yes, take it,” Dardanos encouraged. “I can make more. It’s what I do. I make knives, swords, and other weapons. I made this to be a gift anyway. Why not for you?” He gazed at me until I looked up, the heat of his stare burning away the last of my regret and sadness.
“Who was it for?” Zach asked, trying to interrupt our moment. He moved in closer to get a better look, shoving me to the side.
“Merithanar, the elven king, but I want you to have it,” he said to me. “You need it.” He smiled shyly, and lowered his eyes when our hands touched. “It’s enchanted.”
I took the knife, knowing I was blushing profusely, but not caring. “Thank you, Dardanos. I’ll treasure it.”
“Just use it to keep safe,” he said, squeezing my pinky finger.
Flitwicket stepped forward. “My turn. I just bought this, and haven’t had a chance to use it yet, so it’s brand-new.” She handed me a beautifully carved snowy-white wand. Ivy markings swirled around the seven-inch shaft, and intricately carved flowers adorned the thick handle.
My eyes widened, and when I said every experience I had here kept getting better and better, I wasn’t lying. “Flitwicket, it’s… it’s perfect, but too precious to give away. I shouldn’t take it. I can use your old one.” And I meant it. I felt terrible taking this work of art from her. I’d been sulky and pouty all day, and everyone was being so nice.
“No. You need a new one to put your mark on. This one is extra special, as the Emerald Elves made it. Its magic is very strong.”
I hugged the dryad hard, never more sincere in my whole life, but then, never had I received such meaningful gifts. Not only would they save my life, but they were freely given, not to win my affection, or to be accepted as a part of my group, but out of genuine fondness. They were things the givers needed themselves. These new friends of mine had sacrificed to make my birthday special. Zach was the only one who had given me nothing. He had forgotten my birthday wholly and completely.
I watched him later that night as he sat on his bedroll, depressed and distracted. I knew he felt bad about not having a gift to give. He’d hugged me and told me he was sorry, and I had forgiven him completely, but he was still unhappy about it. I’d have to tell him that being here in Terratir was gift enough. It was turning out be a wild adventure that I knew I would treasure someday.
He didn’t suspect I was still spying on him, because he rose and tiptoed over to the tunnel we would take in the morning. He peeked down its glowing length, and then disappeared around the corner.
My heart raced at his sudden disappearance. Where was he going? Why did he leave? Why didn’t tell anyone? Within a split second, I was out from under my blanket and following him into the dark tunnel.
I tried to catch his attention. “Pst!”
He stopped at the end of the hall and turned back, his eyes wide and frightened. “Lauren?”
“Just what do you think you’re doing?” I said, tiptoeing toward him.
“I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d explore a bit. That’s all.”
Gritting my teeth, I placed my hands on my hips. Part of me wanted to be parental, but that was hard when we were of equal height, so I said, “Fine. But I’m going with you.”
“No. I want to be alone.”
“Too bad.”
We stared each other down, and he was the first to give in. “Fine. Whatever.” He started walking away, so I hurried to keep up, terrified of the dark shadows, but more terrified that he’d get lost in here and cause all sorts of trouble.
After about five minutes or so, I heard a gravelly voice say, “Going for a walk?”
Zach and I both jumped back in surprise. The voice didn’t sound dangerous, but it could be a trick, and I was suspicious of everyone in this stupid, crazy world.
“Hello? Anyone there?” Zach called, hugging wall.
“Of course someone’s here. I just spoke, didn’t I? I asked if you were going for a walk.”
“Did you bring your swords?” I whispered, straining to see around the bend. Then in a louder voice, I called, “Uh, we can’t see you.”
“I’m right here.” A little man stepped into view, barely two feet tall. He had long, pointed ears that stuck out on both sides of his head, with tufts of hair growing from each tip. A smile split his face from ear to ear.
I was ready to let loose an ear-splitting scream, but Zach hurried to cover my mouth. We stared at the man in wonder.
“Who are you?” Zach asked.
“I’m a tunneler, of course. I live in this mountain along with the rest of my people, making tunnels.”
“You make these tunnels?” I motioned to the swirling, iridescent walls that felt wet beneath my fingers.
“Of course! Who else would?”
“How do you make it so… rainbowish?” I ran my fingers along the shifting colors that spread and glowed beneath my touch.
“Magic, of course. And we use special tools.”
“I don’t remember reading about you in the… uh.” Zach didn’t finish his sentence, but I knew what he was going to say. Something about the game again.
“Oh, you wouldn’t know about us. Unless we spoke to you. We’re invisible to most people, and only show ourselves to a special few.” The little man came closer, waddling like a duck, his fine hair floating out from his balding head.
“Why do we get to see you?” Zach asked.
“Because.” The man grasped his hands behind his back and rocked on his tiny feet. “You’re special. I can tell. You have an important mission, don’t you?” He was talking directly to Zach now, as though I weren’t even there.
Zach grinned at the little man. “As a matter of fact, I do, but I don’t think it’s important to anyone but me.”
The man nodded then peered into Zach’s eyes. He leaned forward, his hand outstretched. Zach backed up slowly until he was against the rocky wall. “Are you part of the Legion or the Guild?”
I was wondering the same thing. Was the little man dangerous? Should we run screaming for our lives? I was tempted, but there was something about this gnome that kept me there, still and quiet. Listening.
The tunneler leaned in close.
Zach shut his eyes and turned away, and then the man placed his hand gently over Zach’s heart and chuckled. “Oh, I knew it.”
Zach opened his eyes, his eyebrows pulled down in a confused frown. “Knew what?”
The man giggled and walked back the way he’d come without saying another word.
“Hey, wait! Who are you? What’s your name?” I called as we hurried to follow, our fear gone.
The man kept walking and tapping the wall as he went. “I have a name. But I can’t give it out to strangers.”
“Oh. Well, I’m Zach, and this is my sister, Lauren. There. Now we’re not strangers.”
The man stopped, turning to face us. “Hmm. Maybe you’re right.” He stuck out a pudgy hand. “I’m Giddel.”
“Hey Giddel,” Zach said, pumping our new friend’s hand. Then Giddel turned to me and did the same.
Giddel stepped back, and the warm smile stayed on his face. “You’re friends are waking now. They wonder where you are.”
Zach’s eyes widened in suprise, making him appear much younger than he really was. “They do? How do you know?”
“That’s not important.”
“Can I ask one more question before we go?” I said.
Giddel nodded in the affirmative, his pointed ears bouncing back and forth.
“Uh, do you know if it’s very far to the other side of the mountain?” I didn’t want him to leave yet, and if I k
ept him talking, maybe we’d learn some useful information… like how much farther we had to walk. My feet were about to fall off with how many miles we’d already gone.
Giddel placed his hands on his hips, thinking. “Now that depends on what you think is far.”
“Uh, I don’t know.” I answered. “A mile?”
Giddel laughed, full and loud. “Then it’s far.”
“Maybe Kirth knows,” Zach offered.
Giddel tapped his mouth with a finger and nodded his head. “Kirth?”
“Kirth is a pixie and a high-level tracker… and a prince,” Zach added.
I quickly glanced at my stupid brother for spilling Kirth’s secret. He shrugged bashfully, an apologetic look on his face.
“Ah. Well, you have a very good leader then. If I don’t see you again, it was a pleasure.” Giddel bowed, then turned and walked down the tunnel, whistling and knocking his hammer on the wall.
Zach ran after him. “Wait! That’s it? Why did you come out to meet us in the first place?”
Giddel turned, his blue eyes sparkling in the waning light. “I wanted to meet the boy who would defeat the Warlord.”
Zach stopped, frowning. “Huh? I’m not here to defeat the Warlord.”
“We shall see.” Giddel winked, then turned and walked away.
We returned to the cave to find Dardanos, Flitwicket, and Kirth sitting up waiting for us.
“Uh, hey guys. What’s up?” Zach said, like nothing unusual had just happened.
“We were just talking about you,” Kirth answered.
Flitwicket cocked her head to the side and smiled. “Yes. We were amazed to first, find you gone, and second, to be talking to a tunneler.”
“Is that unusual?” I slid under my blanket and lay down.
“So, we asked ourselves,” Kirth continued, ignoring my question, “what’s so special about this boy and his sister, that a tunneler would show himself?” Kirth reclined back and picked his fingernails.
“I don’t know. There’s nothing special about me… or Lauren.” Zach lay down beside me and pulled his blanket up to his chin.
“Hmm,” Dardanos said, punching his pack to make it softer. “Then go back to sleep. Morning will come soon enough.”
I stared at the ceiling, mesmerized by the wild colors swirling over our heads. Why had the tunneler appeared? What did it mean? Wasn’t Zach’s job to find the Eye of Tanúb? I mused on the tunneler’s words. Zach defeat the Warlord?
No freaking way.
With a cold heart, Kalika stared at the missive in her hands. A soldier had delivered it first thing that morning. Her mother stood near, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Kalika read the note one more time. We regret to inform you that your brother, Delik, drow warrior, has fallen in battle. His bravery will be remembered always.
It had been two years since Kalika had seen her brother. Now she would never see him again. She didn’t cry. Not one tear escaped her obsidian eyes, but rage grew inside her—white hot, and ripe with hate.
She hated the Warlord.
His greed had brought them to this. She crinkled the letter in her fist, gritting her teeth, and gazed hard into her mother’s tear-filled eyes. “I will make this right, Mama. I promise you that.”
Her mother grabbed her by the arms, “No! I will not lose another child to this war!”
Kalika reeled at the terror on her mother’s normally peaceful face. “I’m sorry, Mama, but I have to go back. They would arrest me if I didn’t. You don’t want that, do you?”
Her mother’s shoulders drooped in resignation. “Of course not.” Her frail body shook, and her sobs became audible.
Kalika held her mother close. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
The next morning came early, too early if you count the sleep we lost visiting with Giddel. The cave was dark as the fire had burned low, but I could see Dardanos was already up. He stood across the room, leaning against the wall, eating some sort of jerky.
With shaky legs, I scooted out of my makeshift bed and quietly walked over to him. “Morning,” I said quietly, not wanting to wake any of the others.
“Morning.” He held out another piece of dried meat, and I took it rather than stick out my tongue and make gagging sounds. Jerky was one of my least favorite foods.
I nibbled the tip. “Thanks.”
“Sleep good?” he asked.
“Not really.”
“Me neither,” he said, looking directly into my eyes.
“Why not?” I asked, wondering if it was the same reason I’d lain awake half the night, knowing he slept only a few feet away, knowing our lives were in danger, and that Dardanos and I didn’t have much time to get to know each other. Zach and I could disappear at any moment, just like we’d come, and then I’d never know this guy, who was starting to seem pretty dang amazing.
Dardanos looked away, actually blushing!
It took all the courage I had, with my heart racing—because a part of me was screaming to just walk away—to get as far from this boy as possible, because he didn’t like me anyway and would only break my heart. But I placed my hand over his, not saying anything. I didn’t need to.
His head jerked toward me, his eyes wide open and surprised, dark pools of distress, which surprised me. “Lauren.”
I searched those eyes, which hid secrets too heart wrenching to talk about. Something passed between us. Something that didn’t need words or explaining. I ached to put my arms around him, to comfort this big, beautiful man whom I was quickly falling for.
He reached out, cupping my face with his huge, calloused hand, his thumb glossing over my bottom lip. My eyes closed of their own accord as I relished his touch, my hand over his. He leaned in close. I opened my eyes, feeling his warm breath on my face, and just when I thought he would kiss me, we heard the rustle of someone moving on the other side of the cavern.
Dardanos quickly pulled away.
Glancing over, I noticed both Kirth and Flitwicket getting up, but their backs were to us. They’d seen us though, I was sure, and part of me wanted to die of embarrassment, our intimate moment observed. But the other part of me didn’t care one bit. I was all for PDA’s if I was the one involved.
Dardanos pulled his armor from his bag and began to don each piece.
“Here. Let me help,” I said strapping the buckles around his arms.
I strapped my new knife to my waist, and then slipped my wand into my belt. The weapons made me feel powerful and strong, with a fierce desire to protect my friends. A new feeling for me. A way better feeling than just being popular at school, or a girl all the guys wanted to date.
For the first time, I didn’t care about my looks or the condition of my hair, or even if I’d showered… which I hadn’t… since I’d been here. The only time I’d washed was when I was in the singing stream, and technically, that wasn’t a bath.
Body odor followed us around—like a stubborn shadow—and it didn’t even bother me. Soldiers didn’t have time for regular bathing, and neither did we. I sniffed my armpits and wrinkled my nose, shrugging.
I tied my hair back with a leather string, gazing at my unwashed robes that radiated power and beauty. I smiled, feeling beautiful, and sauntered over to Dardanos. Leaning against the wall, I watched him as he strapped on his greaves. My heart raced at the image of him in full battle armor. He was… just sexy. There was no other word for it. I stood there, melting, a warm ache in the pit of my stomach.
“I wonder how long it will take to get through the mountain,” I said, batting my eyelashes. Not on purpose though. It was pure natural talent.
Dardanos glanced up. “A couple of days, if we don’t run into Rufios.”
“Rufios? What’s that?”
“Bandits who prowl these caves. Murderous thugs,” Zach said, interrupting my schmoozing.
“Are they monsters?” I asked, trying to get Dardanos to talk more. He seemed way too quiet this morning.
&
nbsp; “They’re part ogre and part… something else. I don’t remember what.” Dardanos continued to strap on his armor, flexing and stretching his muscles to get the right fit.
I stared, mesmerized by the art of it all. From the shining breastplate to his bulging biceps, I never tired of watching him. “So, Dardanos. Does your name have any special meaning? I’ve noticed that most names here mean something important.”
“It means the devourer,” Zach said, interrupting again.
“That’s right.” Dardanos stopped to glower at Zach, as though it was a total violation of his privacy that he knew so much. Zach kept forgetting we weren’t supposed to know anything about Terratir, but it was hard for him to refrain from speaking up. He seemed to like that he knew so much and I knew so little. It was one area where he could beat me. Like I even cared?
“Strange name for a baby,” I teased, refocusing on Dardanos, and playfully socking his arm.
Dardanos didn’t laugh. “My father named me. He was a great warrior. He wanted a son who was also a great warrior.”
“Well, he got that,” I said breathlessly.
Dardanos was bent over, lacing his boots. At my comment, he lifted his face, his eyes saying something words didn’t have to. He looked down, his arms flexing with each movement. “My heart warms, hearing you say that.”
I knew that look. I’d seen it many times on boys at school, but coming from Dardanos it was different. Better. Richer. Like the difference between a pendant made from rubies rather than glass. And it sent a rush of adrenaline through my veins. I blushed, closing my eyes. Slowly, I looked up, meeting his gaze, my heart racing at the intensity of feeling we shared.
I glanced over to Zach, who stood too dang close for comfort. He wore a horrified expression, looking like he wanted to sock me. Whatever. He was too young and immature to understand. When he got older and really liked a girl, he’d get it, but until then…
“Okay, friends! Are we ready?” Kirth interrupted from the other side of the room.
We all murmured in the affirmative and headed out. After an hour, I leaned over to Zach, unconcerned with how angry he was with me. “How much farther? I feel like we’re going in circles.”