As the sun set behind the peaks of Red Mountain, Dra-lin gazed down at the fires below him. He and his soldiers had been burning the trees that clung to the side of the mountain for nearly a week now, and he was pleased with the results. His cold, steel-gray eyes scoured the burnt earth, where the tall towers of mine shafts were being built. On ledge he had a perfect view of the entire slope of the mountain, and the fires that burned below were impressive to behold, as they showed the signs of progress.
Dra-lin folded his arms across his chest. His worthless brothers of Dread Mountain still kept hidden to the trees, dealing with the disgusting Kin and humans that had become so populace in the foothills underneath the mountains. But worse than both the Kin and the humans were the Werrals. Foreigners from another land, they were tall, skinny, and covered with ragged golden-brown hair. Their faces were like those of dogs, but their bodies resembled humans. Just thinking of them made Dra-lin frown in anger. They were notoriously inept at physical labor and were incessant complainers. They had come from Deltora's west shore, and had settled in the land between Tora and the Mountains, but seemed to ever be creeping towards Red Mountain. He and his followers on Red Mountain were at odds against the gnomes of Dread Mountain, as they were farther away from the Werral filth than the Red gnomes. Dra-lin meant to fix the problem himself now.
He smiled as he turned from the view of the ledge and proceeded back into the catacombs of Red Mountain. He could hear the hammering of steel and the roar of fires as he walked through the blackened corridors. The engines of the future, he thought smugly. His plans were going as scheduled, and soon it would be time to begin. He meant to take the gnomes out of the darkness of their caves and remove Del and Tora as the major powers in Deltora. It would belong to the Red Gnomes. Even the Dread Gnomes, who often sneared behind their backs at them, would bow to him. He was close now. Close to his army that would bring him conquest.
He entered the Central Cavern, where the majority of the furnaces and iron workers were. Everywhere gnomes were hammering down on metal, some making swords, others arrowheads, other constructing larger machines of war. His eyes glinted in admiration as he stepped towards a large catapult, its sturdy metal arms gleaming in the firelight. He'd like to see the magic of Tora stop these.
One of his commanders ran up to him as he moved through the lines of machinery.
"General Dra-lin!" Ra-gor saluted as reached him.
"At ease," Dra-lin nodded to the commander, dressed in his full military suit, "What news from the other Mountains?"
"Nurrad Mountain has agreed to pledge soldiers to the cause, as have Pralar and Solithar. Barren Mountain rejects our offer though. They remain loyal to the Dread Gnomes."
"Barren Mountain has little strength. Their assistance will not be needed," Dra-lin continued walking, Ra-gor on his heels, "Solithar is the key ally we need. They have sufficient soldiers to spare and their position will give us a strong foothold in the mainland, while we take the west."
Ra-gor nodded, "Nurrad Mountain is strongly behind the plan, but I have doubts about the Pralar Gnomes. They seemed very anxious during our meeting. There may be a chance they could report it to Dread Mountain."
"As I'm sure the Barren Gnomes will do. But by that time we will have more than enough power to defeat Dread Mountain. Then, it will up to those who show loyalty towards our cause whether they stay or fall."
At that moment, a guard came running up to them, his wiry hair wet with sweat.
"Sir!" he saluted to Dra-lin and Ra-gor, who returned the gesture, "The sentries find someone in the forests at the foot of the mountain. A Werral spy!"
Dra-lin clenched his fists together, "Take me to the dog."
They followed the guard down the pathways in the mountain until they reached a large, square room filled with cages, some lying on the floor, some hanging from chains in the air. The guard led the them to a cage in the far left corner, where a rather large Werral was cowering in the corner, shivering pathetically. At the sight of them he tried to crawl further back in the cage. Dra-lin took grim satisfaction in the fact the filth itself would be much taller than them if it stood up. But now, they stood menacingly overhead.
"We found him sneaking around in the trees at the base of the mountain. He had a clear view of the fires. No doubt on his way to the Dread Gnomes." one of guards standing in front of the cage explained.
"Please, my lords!" the Werral begged, is long bony fingers covering its eyes, "Have mercy on me! Please! I did not mean to come into your forests! I was trying to get home, after a long day of work!"
Ra-gor laughed cruelly, "You stupid dog! You've never done a full days work in your life, I'm sure of it. All you filthy Werrals do is beg for food, all day long. Well you won't find the mercy of the Torans here! Not on Red Mountain!"
The Werral looked up for a moment, "But the lords of Dread Mountain are so kind to poor me. They give me food and shelter from the rain, and tell such wonderful stories."
This time Dra-lin laughed and kicked the cage with his boot, "Does this look like Dread Mountain to you? Does it?!"
The Werral shook his head quickly and curled up into a ball again, "Please don't hurt me. I just want to go home."
Dra-lin unsheathed the short sword on his belt and walked over to the back of the cage without a sound. "Then leave Deltora, " he said, and before the Werral could react he drove the blade into the beast's back. He slumped down into a pool of his own blood, tongue hanging limply from his mouth.
"Get this filth out of here," Dra-lin ordered the guards, "It's making my dungeon dirty."