Chapter 29
The travelers broke camp early as the first rays of the sun chased away the night. Dean set a steady pace since the road was better and he wanted to make up for lost time. There was more sunlight penetrating through the leafy branches of the trees and it seemed to lift their spirits. The forest didn't seem as ominous or scary now and that gave them hope they would soon be out of it.
The travelers stopped for a short break when they ran across a place where the river curved into the forest. The horses were watered, and their waterskins refilled. Dean splashed cold water on his face to refresh him as he drew in some slow, even breaths.
"Man! This water is cold," Titus exclaimed when he copied Dean and threw water in his face sputtering and shaking his head to send water flying off the tips of his hair.
"It helps get the blood flowing," Dean chuckled before standing and popping his back, sighing softly. He walked around to stretch his legs before deciding they should get moving.
The further they rode the lighter it got until the road finally came out of the forest and led out across a valley to the high mountains beyond. Dean stopped long enough to look at the maps that Titus was carrying and decided on their route to the mountains. The land was filled with low hills, and he decided they could cut across them instead of keeping to the road now. It would cut their travel time to the mountains and hopefully they would get lucky and find a Red Dwarf settlement.
The horses picked up their pace now that they were in the open seeming to sense what the riders were feeling. The sun was sinking slowly toward the horizon as another day was ending. Titus was on the watch for movement in the grass around them hoping to scare something up that would be their dinner. It wasn't long before a rabbit-like creature broke from the grass and Titus slid from his mount loading his sling and hurried after it. When it jumped again, he launched the stone and took the creature down.
"Nice shot," Dean praised him and loaded his crossbow as he watched for more and caught movement ahead of him. He stopped Thunder and took aim, catching the creature in the chest and bringing it down. "These two will make a good meal for us tonight."
"They will," Titus agreed running to get the one that Dean had shot. He cut the creatures' throats so they would bleed out before tying them together and placing them in a pouch. He let Dean help him back onto his horse and they continued toward the mountains.
"Hopefully, we'll run across a stream and can set camp up there," Dean said.
"Off that way, those trees are usually near water," Titus pointed to several trees off in the distance.
"Alright, you want to lead the way?" Dean told him smirking when Titus grinned happily and nudged his horse forward to lead the way.
Titus was right and they found a stream of clear, sparkling water flowing from between the cracks of some rocks. It was small but would serve its purpose to water the horses and to use for drinking. Dean took the kills and cleaned them, getting them ready to cook over a fire that Titus was getting ready. He had cleared an area and dug a pit before gathering twigs and dried leaves to start the fire. Once it was going, Dean stuck two Y sticks into the ground and used them to hold the stick with the meat on it over the fire to cook.
The aroma of the cooking meat filled the air making Dean and Titus' mouths water with anticipation. Titus had found some wild onions, mushrooms and some type of root vegetables that he cooked together to go with the meat. They had enough bread for the meal and ate heartily.
"I gotta say that was good eating," Dean sighed as he wiped his mouth on his sleeve.
"It was," Titus agreed as he sat his plate aside and burped loudly.
"You've been hanging out with me too long," Dean laughed as he burped too. "I'll wash the dishes and you get our beds ready," Dean continued getting up and gathering the dishes and taking them to the stream. He quickly washed the dishes, scrubbing them with the sand from the riverbed. When they were clean, Dean shook them dry and walked back to the campsite.
Titus had spread their blankets out and checked on the horses being sure they were okay and able to eat the tender grass growing nearby. Darkness had spread across the land and the stars were slowly coming out one by one to sparkle in the night sky. Dean packed the dishes away and dropped down on a blanket beside Titus. He pointed out constellations he thought were familiar and told Titus their names, telling him Sammy taught them to him.
It wasn't long before small lights bounced around in the grass and drew near them. The little fairies flitted around Titus and Dean chirping and singing their songs of the night.
"Are these the same as before?" Dean questioned Titus.
"No, they are a different clan, but they will not harm us. They are only curious about us," Titus explained holding out his hand for one of the fairies to land on. She danced and sang to him as the others played around in the grass and on Dean's legs that were stretched out in front of him.
"Will they watch for danger too?"
"Yes, we are safe with them around."
Dean laid down on his blanket and hoped he didn't squash one of the fairies in his sleep as they floated, jumped, and skipped around him. His eyelids grew heavy, and he let sleep overtake him and carry him away into the abyss. The fairies circled the travelers and flew into the trees to stand watch over them during the night.
spn
The fairies were gone as Dean woke when the first rays of the sun broke over the horizon. They had a cold breakfast and quickly prepared to leave. The mountains were closer, and Dean was sure they would be there by noon. He hoped to find a settlement of the dwarfs, or he thought they might find them first.
Dean kept a steady pace with the horses and rode around clumps of trees or bushes always keeping the mountains ahead of them. It was close to noon when suddenly arrows whizzed through the air and landed in front of them stopping them.
"Don't draw your weapon," Dean cautioned Titus as he reined in his horse.
Dwarfs surrounded them with their weapons drawn, snarling at the two riders.
"Hello," Dean greeted them as he slowly dismounted holding up his hands. "I mean you no harm. I came to talk to your leader, elder, headman; whoever leads your village."
"Weapons," the leader of the band barked at Dean as he held his axe ready to do battle.
"Okay, Ty let them have your weapons," Dean told him carefully removing his sword, crossbow, and knife to give to a dwarf. He watched Titus do the same and they waited to see what they would do next.
The dwarfs mumbled among themselves as they eyed the two strangers warily. Finally, one of the dwarfs motioned for them to start walking toward some hills that were nearby. Titus had dismounted and walked beside Dean leading his horse as he tried to check out the dwarfs.
They stood about four and a half feet tall, with long, dark hair and most had bushy beards. Their bodies were broad with muscular arms. They were dressed in leather pants, cotton, homespun, handmade shirts and some wore vests. They carried axes, bows and arrows, and short swords.
One of the dwarfs put a ram's horn to his lips and blew on it, alerting the village of their impending arrival. They kept their weapons trained on the two strangers being sure they were not a threat. When they rounded the hill, the first sign of huts and structures could be seen at the base of the mountain. The village stretched back to a large cave opening at the foot of the mountain.
Dean looked on with interest when he saw the village and the cave. He could see dwarfs moving in and out of the cave and saw what looked like large furnaces like a blacksmith might use and figured that was where they smelted the ore and made weapons.
The dwarfs herded their captives to a large, round building that sat toward the center of the village. The horses were tied outside, and Dean and Titus were motioned to enter the structure. Dean went in first and paused to let his eyes adjust to the dimness inside. He looked around and saw it looked like a meeting hall with tables, benches, and chairs. At the far end was a raised platform where four larger chairs were arranged. Sitting in two of the chairs were two older dwarfs who emitted an air of authority. Their weapons were laid in front of the elder dwarfs.
"Let me do the talking," Dean mumbled to Titus as they approached the dwarfs. "We come in peace," Dean spoke in a calm voice.
"Why have you trespassed into our kingdom?" one of the dwarfs asked.
"We mean no disrespect sir," Dean answered. "I have journeyed to your kingdom to barter for one of your weapons. I have been told you make an exceptional weapon from the ore that you mine."
"You are not of our land stranger," the other stated as he eyed him closely.
"No, I'm not," Dean answered truthfully. "I was taken from my world and brought here to participate in what is called the Dark Hunt because I am considered one of the best hunters there. In order for me to be allowed to return to my world, I need to complete the tasks given to me by Queen Moa. This is the last task I need to do, obtain a weapon crafted by the Red Dwarfs."
"Why should we believe anything you say?"
"In my world I am an honorable and honest man. I try to protect the innocent who can't protect themselves. I'm willing to work for the weapon. I'm not asking for it for free and I am not a thief or killer, nor willing to forcibly take it."
The dwarfs leaned close to each other and whispered between themselves before turning back to Dean and Titus. They stared long and hard at them before giving their answer.
"Are you willing to work in the mines?"
"Yes, if that is what you want, but we can only stay for a week. I need to return to Queen Moa's court before another week passes. That is all the time she gave me to complete this task. Then I will be returned to my world and my family."
"And the boy? Is he your slave?"
"No, he is my companion, guide, and friend. I would never treat him like a slave," Dean stated firmly. "And I hope you would do the same."
"Very well, you will be given a place to stay and will start tomorrow. I must warn you, if you have lied to us, you will not be leaving our land."
"I understand. Thank you for accepting my offer," Dean replied bowing his head to them before turning to leave.
"We will keep your weapons, but you may take your knives back. The others will be returned to you when you leave," the elder dwarf stated before Dean could walk away.
"That will be fine," Dean replied turning to retrieve their knives and then leading Titus from the room.
"What about me?" Titus questioned taking his knife from Dean. "Do I work the mines too?"
"I'm sure they will find something you can do too. We need to be respectful of these people. I don't want to get on their bad side."
Dean and Titus took their horses and followed two of the dwarfs toward the caves where there were several huts sitting off to the side. One had a lean to attached that would be suitable for the horses. Once Dean had the horses unsaddled and cared for, he inspected the hut thinking it would work for them. There were two cots, a table and two chairs, washstand, and a rocking chair.
"Why don't we find some water for the horses and for us?" Dean suggested sitting the saddles and bags in the hut.
"Okay and we can find a place for them to graze maybe too," Titus added.
"That sounds good. I'm sure they'd like that and being able to rest will get them ready for our trip back."
The dwarfs of the village were curious about Dean and Titus but didn't seem frightened or defensive toward them. They offered buckets to them when asked and showed where the well was to draw water from. They filled the buckets and took them back to the hut to water the horses and put some inside for their use. A couple of the female dwarfs brought food for them to eat, and they settled down to enjoy the meal. They would sleep well tonight since there was no worry of being attacked by wild creatures and Dean would start his work in the mines the following day.
A/N: The Red Dwarfs have been found and Dean worked out an arrangement to get a weapon. What could go wrong? Reviews/Comments would be great. NC