Chapter 10
A New World
"It is so beautiful," Oggy said as his eyes danced across the landscape. Intense warmth grew inside of him. Never in his life had Oggy experienced such a feeling. "I heard stories about the surface. I have looked at the old drawings, but never could I imagine it would be so beautiful. Colder than I expected, but still beautiful."
"Bout as purdy as a spotted pup under a rose bush," Red said.
"It is very beautiful, and you have seen only a small portion," Lot said as he wrapped his grappling hook around his arm and tucked it back into his satchel. "And it is not always this cold. We are at the end of Harvesta, nearing Dyed."
"As extraordinary as it is, Hasbarie threatens to destroy it all," Locmire said.
Why would anyone want to bring about ruination to a place such as this? Oggy thought.
"That is an ambitious goal that I will not allow to happen," Urganox said, grinding his knuckles together.
"Wizard?" Oggy asked.
"Yes, King Stonefist," Locmire answered.
"I know we are in a hurry and have much to do." Oggy looked down at the ground, kicking a small stone. "Would it set us back something terrible if we walked around for a bit?"
Most of the Wizard's face hid behind his cowl, but Oggy was pleased to see a smile growing.
"We can spare a few moments, King Stonefist."
Oggy returned his smile and walked, ran, down to the base of Mt. Pizenchaffe.
"He be's a happy lil fellar," Red said. "It be mighty good of ye, Wizard. Lettin him run round."
"He must become accustomed to the surface. Leisure will do him well," Locmire replied. It will do us all well.
"Me would love ta had a lil fellar like dat runnin around on me ship. He just be's so darn cute," Red said, putting his hands on his hips. "A good luck charm."
"I cannot imagine what it must be like for him," Lot said, watching the Dainty scurry down the mountain. "The surface must be overwhelming."
"Indeed," Locmire replied.
Once Locmire and the rest of his companions made it to the foot of the mountain, they traveled south until they came to the main road.
Urganox could not help but to let his thoughts drift westward to Morgorath. The green skin of his forehead wrinkled. The grinding of his teeth became louder and louder.
If I were there when the Bear Men attacked. I would have charged them outside the gates. My people might have lived.
Locmire sensed the pain and anger within the Brazurkin's heart. He knew that he had to ease Urganox's troubled soul.
"Urganox," Locmire said. "I would like to travel to Morgorath."
Urganox stopped mid-stride. His eyes grew wide.
"No need. The only thing that awaits us at Morgorath is death and despair," Urganox replied. A scene I do not wish to deal with at the moment.
"We should go there and examine the situation. Also, Oggy needs more time to adjust to the surface. Let him explore until we meet with the others," Locmire rebutted.
Urganox considered this for a moment. "If we must."
The trip to Morgorath proved eventful, mainly due to Oggy's enthusiasm over the surface. It turned out to be the perfect day to show off the wonders of Calencia. The sun beamed down with a few fluffy clouds floating in the sky. The air was crisp, but the wind was mild, and there were no signs of rain. Oggy relished every moment.
The sight of the Dainty trying to chase down an apuhroo incited much laughter. They passed by a small pond, where Oggy stripped his armor and jumped into the clear, crisp, water. His swim came to a halt when a sawfish mistook him for dinner and nibbled at his heels. Often, they pushed Oggy along as he gazed at the clouds trying to figure out how they took the shape of so many things. Oggy was positive that one cloud looked like a great and mighty dragon. After a while, the Dainty became accustomed to the sun and removed the dark goggles allowing him to take in all the beauty this new world offered. He had never seen so many colors in his entire life.
"Why would anyone in their right mind wish to live under a mountain when such treasure lay above the surface?" Oggy asked. "What were my people thinking?"
"Pizenchaffe is beautiful, in its own way," Lot said.
"Dat be true," Red blurted out. "Ain't no Broken Lamien up here. Me swears dat place be's da best pub me ever been to."
"When this is all said and done, I shall have to share the recipe for our drink with you, my friend," Oggy said, giving Red a slap on the thigh.
Red laughed and rubbed his leg. Under his breath, Red whispered, "Dat hurt a lil bit."
Urganox came to Lot, and asked, "Any more visions of your brother, or the others?"
"None," Lot replied. "It has been several days. I hope they are well."
"If something had happened to them, darkness would have already blanketed the land," Locmire said.
"After Morgorath, do we plan on reuniting with the others?" Lot asked.
"Yes," Locmire said. "As soon as Thaddeus lays down the portation stone I will know. He has already placed one near Lasticall."
"What would happen if we tried to go to them while he still had the stone in his possession?" Urganox asked.
"It would be quite messy," Locmire replied, curling his upper lip.
"Well then, let us make for certain he has placed the stone down before we go to them," Urganox said.
"I will know when the time comes," Locmire answered.
Up ahead in the road, a large brown bear lay basking in the sun. Oggy's eyes lit up with excitement. "What is that?" he asked.
"Dat thar be's a bear," Red replied. "Don't be fixin to go and-" Red tried to warn him not to bother the bear, but it was too late.
Oggy tore off in the bear’s direction. They yelled for him to come back, but it did no good. Excitement and curiosity overtook him. His tiny legs moved at unbelievable speeds, making it impossible to catch up with him.
"He is surprisingly fast for his size," Lot noted.
"Let us hope he is faster than a bear," Urganox chuckled.
"Should we go to him?" Lot asked.
"Nah," Urganox said, waving him off. "Let him figure it out on his own."
When Oggy got within a few feet of the bear, it rolled over on its side to see a tiny being running straight at it. The bear's eyes grew large, and it clambered to its feet. Oggy did not slow. The bear let out a loud roar and swatted at Oggy. This took the Dainty by surprise.
"Whoa there, fellow," Oggy said with wide eyes.
The bear did not listen. It swatted at him again. Its claws cried out as they raked across Oggy's armor. The Dainty flew through the air and tumbled to the ground. As soon as Oggy got back to his feet, he saw the bear charging him. He retreated in the opposite direction.
Running by his friends, with the bear in hot pursuit, Oggy cried, "Help me! This thing is mad!"
Their laughter could not be stifled. The bear ran right past them. Locmire stretched out his staff, and a clear orb came from its end and encapsulated the bear. The orb lifted the bear off of the ground and floated away into the forest. The bear clawed and flailed about in the bubble, but it did it no good. Oggy never even noticed that the bear was no longer a threat to him and continued to run out of sight. When the King of the Dainties came back, out of breath and sweaty, he walked over to Red and punched him in the thigh. The Pirate let out a yelp and hit his knees.
"Why in da muddy rudder did ye do dat fur?" Red asked as he fell to his bottom and massaged his thigh.
"You almost got me killed!" Oggy cried.
"Me tried to warn ye. Ye not listen ta me!"
"You most certainly did not," Oggy replied.
Urganox doubled over in laughter. Lot and Locmire sported large, toothy grins but held back their laughter.
"You think that was funny, eh?" Oggy asked as he rounded on Urganox. I will show you funny.
The Brazurkin King, after many attempts, quelled his laughter, and said, "I do."
Oggy drew back his gigantic fist
and slammed it into Urganox's shin. The mighty Brazurkin let out a cry and fell to the ground grasping his lower leg. Urganox's face grew with rage. Then he cackled out once more.
"Bah!" Oggy said as he waved them off. "I am done with the both of you."
They continued onward to Morgorath, a little slower than before. For a small being, Oggy packed a big punch. Red and Urganox's legs were quite sore, and Oggy showed them no compassion. His tiny legs never slowed.
Locmire enjoyed the company of his new companions. They displayed so much emotion, each full of life. The Wizards of Fogarth never joked and carried on the way his new companions did. If a Wizard would have struck another Wizard, the way Oggy had Red and Urganox, it would have ended as a duel to the death. Calencia held many mysteries that Locmire did not understand when it came to humor and camaraderie, but he would soon learn with this bunch.