Act III: The Gathering of the Stars

Chapter 20: Belgan of Hathindiur

The next day, they were ready to enter the ancient Dwarven ruin of Hathindiur. The party had slept at the top of the stairs, and I wasn't a very comfortable night, sleeping on stone. The ducks and Mei were particularly uncomfortable. They were eating breakfast when two petite warriors jumped out of a narrow side passage. The Hathindiur party jumped.

"Dwarves!" Swisher exclaimed. Both of the dwarves were four feet tall, and had charcoal black eyes. They both wore chainmail tabards and steel plate leggings. On top of their heads were round steel helms with nosepieces. One dwarf had long red hair and long, but neat braided beard and mustache. The second had long blonde hair that was put into a rogue knot and a forked beard and waxed mustache. The dwarves were short but sturdy and broad. They looked packed with muscle. The first dwarf bore a large steel warhammer and the second bore a broadsword.

"Yes, dwarves!" The first growled. "What did you expect, dragons?"

"And you brought an Elf! How insulting!" The second snapped.

Mei's eyes narrowed. "Well, I didn't think I would have to stand before a pair of sarcastic midget moles, either."

The second Dwarf snarled. "Your kind has no right to come here!"

"Please," Rorin sighed, "we came here for peace, not battle."

"Yes, we need to speak to your commander." Swisher added.

"With an Elf at your side, you're probably here to assassinate him!" The first dwarf refuted.

"Wow, Sarge! These midgets are stubborn!" Catcher said.

The second dwarf snapped his head around to the Duck. "What? You're not much taller, and we're stronger!"

Flyer fluffed up his feathers, and squawked. "You want to find out?" The Duck drew his halberd. Catcher pulled out his spear and net. Swisher took out his swish and smack the two Ducks.

"Be quiet!" Swish shouted at them.

Then the gates opened silently, and a third Dwarf entered the area. "We have visitors. Why haven't you invited them inside?" He asked and though he eyed Mei with a slight show of malice, he was much warmer than the other two. The first two Dwarves were shocked. "Answer me, Delval!"

The red haired Dwarf, Delval, answered. "Yes, Commander Belgan! We'll bring them in right away!" Belgan smiled as Delval and the second Dwarf led the party into Hathindiur.

The party let out several sighs of relief as they felt the morning breeze on their faces. They had entered a large circular courtyard with a wide set on stone stairs in front of them leading up to a second set of gates. To the right was another set of stairs leading down the mountain. On left was a small orchard with small white fruit hanging from the trees. Kyu looked up to see the top of the mountain not far from where they stood. It was maybe another hundred feet.

Belgan smiled at their expressions. "We don't usually get anyone coming from the Clearwater Passage. Then again, we usually don't get visitors at all." He laughed a very deep and warm cheerful laugh. "I am Commander Belgan Deepdelver. These two are Delval Firebeard and Kilrak Deepdelver." As a fourth dwarf came from the descending stairs to the right, Belgan added, "and that's Harrim Ironarm."

Belgan was about three inches taller than the other three dwarves, but he wore the same armor as them. He had a blonde beard, mustache and hair like Kilrak. His beard and mustache were braided with silver and gold beads. On his back was a halberd.

Harrim was about six inches shorter than Delval and Kilrak. He had dark brown hair and beard that was unruly. His mustache however was braided and gray. He also bore an eye patch over his left eye. He carried a battle ax.

Harrim bowed low. "At your service." Then the short Dwarf went back to his post.

"Kilrak, Delval, get back to your posts and close the Clearwater Passage gates." Belgan ordered and the two Dwarves went right to work. Then he turned to the party. "Let's go inside the fortress and talk."

Belgan led them up the stairs and through the gates. The main hall was magnificent and glorious, however empty. The ceiling was about forty feet high and the hall was around thirty feet wide. The floor was of polished granite and the walls were of pure marble with veins of shimmering gold. Massive pillars held up the ceiling.

Belgan led them past several side passages, and then they turned down another wide hall and entered through a pair of thick oaken double doors. It was a spacious rectangular room with a large marble table with around twenty marble chairs. "Please sit down." Everyone sat, though Mei and Belgan sat the farthest away from each other.

"Now, how may I help you descent travelers?" Belgan asked.

Kyu spoke. "I am Kyu Rith, one of the Six Great Sindar Knights. With me, are Suta and Cate, two more of the Six Knights. Then there is Sergeant Swisher, Doctor Fisher, Flyer, and Catcher of Camina Village. Mei is of Arenaen and student to the Rune Sage Petunia. Giles is a warrior from Madicast, and Rorin, here, is one of the Sindar Rune Bearers."

Belgan nodded, greeting each of them. Then Rorin spoke. "We have come to find a sanctuary for our army."

Belgan nodded in understanding. "So, you came to Hathindiur, since my family long ago gave the keys to Swisher's family as a reward. You also expected for no one to be here. Well, Nurdin Dwarf-King, my great grandfather will have to decide that. We were sent here to keep watch over Hathindiur and to make sure that Chagrin's forces didn't arrive."

"Can we speak to your king?" Rorin asked.

Belgan thought for a moment before answering. "I could send Kilrak as a messenger to Deepdwelve, but it would take three days. Then, if Nurdin decides to come, it will take another three days with about a day in between. Deepdwelve is far to the east, hidden in the Ashwall Mountains." Belgan looked directly at Rorin. "I think there's another reason for you to come here."

The entire party looked at Rorin. Kyu had been suspicious of that ever since King Julion had sent him along. "And what would that be?"

Belgan laughed. "I believe that your king is cunning and clever. He knew that Nurdin would want to come, and you are here to act as ambassador. Your king is most likely doing something very important for your cause, but Nurdin likes to speak with the king before he makes an alliance with him."

Rorin nodded and smiled. "You're correct. Chagrin's war is not only against Sindar. Chagrin wishes to conquer the world and he doesn't care too much for non-Sindar. He would massacre the Elves, Beavers, Ducks, Kobolds, and Dwarves."

Belgan nodded. "Yes, that is why I will send the messenger and not kill you for bringing an Elf into Dwarven lands. This is a time for unity, not division."

Mei's eyes narrowed but she agreed on the last comment. Rorin nodded his agreement as well. "Good. Dwarves are fearsome fighters and it would be a pleasure to have you on our side."

Belgan laughed. "I did not say that Nurdin would agree. He may still kill you."