Chapter 4
Background: Egglund is an island nation granted neutral status by the Gods to ensure some semblance of peace is maintained in the world. Humans, dragons, and mages have the right to free movement, settlement and magical practices provided they abide by the code. In this country the conflict between the Harmony and Chaos faction ends here.
"CLANG!"
The pick-axe chipped into the hard, brittle earth. Underground where the heat is stifling, reaching boiling point akin to the earths' core. Shrill machinery reverberates through the narrow dark tunnels punctuated merely by faint gas lamps, vision disorientated by humid fumes that could suffocate even the toughest of dragons… they were close to hell.
"CLANG!"
Suddenly the horn blew and everyone inside exhaled deeply, almost fainting from the terrible heat.
They dropped their tools back into the main cart, to be pulled in from the outside. Another cart adjacent came forward too, this one with contents shimmering in gold, jewels and rare metals that merchants would slay one another to get their hands on. Fafnir would be most jealous.
"Well I don't know about you but... that was a pretty good workout… got a lot in, no injuries and plenty to feast our eyes on eh?"
"Yeah …"
The gang eventually made it outside inhaling in as much air their tiny lungs can gather, progressively gaining enough strength to walk down the hill. It was green and bright; a blue oasis mapped the sky without a single cloud leaving the unfettered sun to beat down on the poor workmen.
"By hell, the Chaos dragons would pick us off seamlessly in this weather!" one of the boys quipped.
"Heh, you got that right. Perfect season for hunting… don't suppose your friend can cast a shield around here, can he?"
"Who, Josh? nah he's still busy at the moment, at the academy teaching kids how to make potions or something…"
"Ah right, may come in handy one day… once we start getting involved in the war and all"
"Huh? What war? We're neutral, aren't we? Besides they can't really strike us because it's written in the code."
"Indeed Marc, Indeed… but the Gods can easily just as well overturn that code!"
"Well if you that concerned why don't you shoot off? They could do with more soldiers. Don't need to think, just follow orders"
"Oh, while you just sit here and do nothing like you usually do?!"
A fight was about to brew, which the team foreman broke up before it got ugly.
"Hey hey! stop it you two….!"
They looked at each other scowling with intent, there clearly was a difference of sorts between them.
"Now let's just keep going down alright? we don't want to miss our wages…"
The group returned their trek downwards, both men remaining silent throughout. This was a hot button issue, the decision to go with the Harmony Council's demands for Egglund to send in reserve troops to would entail too many problems, Will the refugees be safe? Will conscription be enforced? Will the island become a defenceless target for the forces of Chaos?
For Marc, who'd never been involved in conflict a few fights at the bar, it terrified him the prospect of going out to a foreign land all alone up against dragons and monster beyond his comprehension. To die for a cause he had no part in let alone understand well enough to participate. It was hard enough breaking his back shovelling and hacking away at granite and basalt for some scare treasures, last thing he needed was to keep at it 24/7 for the sake of survival.
Soon the troubling thought passed and made his way toward the pub, where Joshua (or Josh) was chatting up the barmaid, although his luck with women leaved a lot to be desired, he turned his head around greeting the destitute-looking man.
"Ah hey Marc! Had a tough day as usual? Looked as if you climbed out of the mines with your bare hands, ha ha!"
"Aye very funny… gives us a couple of beers then eh Josh? Dying of thirst here."
Joshua started to sound a little anxious
"I'll buy two for us each then that's it ok...? after what happened last week you should definitely cut down"
"What do you mean that'll be it, man? I'm perfectly normal under the influence! Just felt a bit more tipsy than usual that's all"
Joshua was having none of it
"Oh that's all is it then eh?! Making advances to a well-known Elf kings' daughter? Is that what you call a bit tipsy? A near recreation of the Quetzalcoatl incident?!"
He turned back and paid the barmaid for two stein cups of mead, irritated at Marc's lack of tact.
Marc eventually sat down next to him
"Aye well, she came on to me like, you know giving me the eye and all that… had a pretty revealing dress too, you could see her rump well defined… oh and her melo-"
"Marc, please don't dig yourself further, you're already in a hole."
Joshua interrupted, noticing the other patrons starting at them. Marc unaware of the embarrassment instigated.
"Fine, I'll shut me trap"
Joshua then gave an approving smile, patting Marc on the cheek. He still had an affection for him despite his crazy antics.
"Anyway…" Joshua said sipping his mead "I need to talk to you about something that happened back at the academy… something quite interesting, in fact it's the reason I took an early leave… that and an incident with a botanical spell."
Marc had a bright grin on his face
"Oh aye, what have you been up to then eh?"
"Look never you mind! That's not the point, the point is that whilst I was tidying up after the fifth class I overhead some chatter in the meeting room next door to me… sounded as if the Council were there as well, especially in the manner they spoke."
Marc's eyes were wide open, it must've been a crucial meeting if they were involved, the Council were responsible for all the affairs on and off the island, including the responsibility to send out an official declaration of war.
"So I eavesdropped in a little and talked a lot about sending in a group of messengers to inform migrants in the other worlds, said there needed to be warned about a situation."
"Uh huh, and why's that so important then?"
"I don't know, it's something that might just interest us one day, get us out of the country and discover new places and societies…"
"Ah well, we'll be safe here Josh don't you worry, they'll get some dragon or mage to sort it out in the end, I doubt they'll use real people, too clumsy and all that"
"Hmm… well I best be off, need to have an early rest. Got to teach an 8am lecture in the morning"
"8am?! Jeez that's early..."
"Yeah well, some of us have a job to do eh? Anyway, I'll see you around sometime, and I'll tell you about that botanical incident when it's quieter around here"
Joshua got up putting his side bag on and headed for the door, before giving a thumb to his pal.
Marc did a quick wave and gulped the rest of his drink down in one go, letting out a big resonant burp, taking some pride in the act, the untamed nature of the man had some charm (dubious as it may seem).
As Joshua made it onto the path home, a looming shadow crept up upon him from behind…
