Chapter 27
That morning they woke early when Connor spotted a set of lanterns bobbing up and down in the distance, the bodies of those who held them hidden in the mountains great shadow. They hoped it wasn't the Empire's soldiers or perhaps slavers, if so a fight would be inevitable, for they were blocking the only way out of the valley.
They crept slowly forward through the forest, Austin taking the lead. He had amazing stealth, dispite the weeks of travel, he never seemed to tire. He would easily slither like a serpent through low-hanging braches so he could climb higher into the trees, and then disappear, only to appear on the ground several feet away from his previous sighting. No wonder he's a spy. Thought Nolan, reaching up to scratch his now fully grown beard. He would have trimmed the facial hair with magic, but decided to save the energy for later.
As hours passed and the line of torches moved across the horizon, they couldn't help but feel like they would never reach the valley, they were still mile away. Soon they had to stop and eat the remains of yesterdays, smoked over a flameless fire. There they sat for the next few minutes, talking amoungst each other until Austin, who was firmly watching the trail of torches, signaled their leave.
As they appraoched the valley they passed under the knotted branches of one of the Beor mountains' forest. The trees were tall, with creviced bark that was almost black, dull needles of the same color, and knobby roots that rose from the soil like bare knees. Cones littered the ground, each the size of a horses head. Sable squirrels chattered from the treetops, and eyes gleamed from the holes in the trunks. Green beards of tangled wolfsbane hung from the gnarled branches.
The forest gave Nolan an uneasy feeling; the hair on the back of his neck prickled. There was something hostile in the air, as if the trees resented their intrusion "They are very old." Said Nolan, touching a trunk with his hand.
The forest grew denser the farther in they traveled. The lack of space forced them to bunch up, even Austin had trouble sneaking around. Without a clear trail to follow, the tough underbrush slowed their progress. A steady stream flowed nearby, filling the air with the sound of gurgling water. A peak obscured the sun, casting them into premature dusk.
At the valley's mouth, Nolan realized that although it looked like a slim gash between the peaks, the valley was really as wide as many of the Spine's vales, which he had traveled to twice before. It was only the enormous size of the ridged and shadowy mountains that made it appear so confined. Waterfalls dotted it's sheer sides with gleaming ribbons of liquid. The sky was reduced to a thin strip winding overhead, mostly hidden by gray clouds. From the dank ground rose a fog that chilled the air until thier breath was visible. Wild strawberries crawled amoung a carpet of mosses and ferns, fighting for the meager sunlight. Sprouting from piles of rotting wood were red and yellow toadstools.
All was hushed and quiet, sounds dampened by the heavy air. The valley darkened as the hours slipped by. Without the sun to provide warmth, the sharp bite of frost crept into the air and the ground mist froze on the trees, coating them white. Night animals began to creep from their dens to peer from shadowed hideouts at the strangers trespassing on their land.
Their travel had wiped out all thought of time or distance, just movement. Walking forward without thought or motive. And without notice they came within earshot of the traveling torches. From where they stood they could make out a group of about twenty or so people. Mostly armored men holding spears, whilst one wore a gleaming breastplate and a burnished helmet with a golden crest of a hammer surrounded by twelve stars and tin greaves. A war hammer was clipped to his belt. This man walked while the gaurds followed as if the man were an important figure.
Nolan noticed that the men were shorter than average, but were healthy, strong, and looked exteremely disiplined. Nolan belived that these soldiers were allies of the Varden, and therefore, stepped out from his hiding spot.
The branches rustled as he moved and the gaurds turned, spears held out. At the sight of Nolan, the gaurds stepped in front of the one who wore the crest, pointing the tips of their spears directly at Nolan's chest three feet away. No one moved until Trey, Austin, and Connor joined Nolan in his speechless endevour.
"Who are you and what is your business here in the Beors?" Asked one of the soldiers, his voice muffled from behind his thick beard.
"We are searching for something of great importance." He told the truth, just didn't reveal all the facts, he wasn't sure if he could trust these strnage people yet.
The soldier who had spoken turned to the crowned one behind them and they spoke in some wierd language. For several seconds they waited, until the soldier returned his attention to Nolan and said. "Begone, or you will be killed. Sorry, but it's the way things have become."
The man behind his wall of protectors pushed them aside and signaled his men to lower their weapons. "Can't you see that these are travel-worn...travelers. Let us take them with us so they can be sheltered and fed."
The soldier protested. "But your majesty," Ah so he's a king. " Can't you see that they bear weapons of good quality make and fashion. These are weapons any common traveler would not have."
Nolan and his human companions shifted their wieght as the men argued.
"Well the times have changed, forcing them to take these desperate measures." Said the King.
"Sir, our job is to protect you, even if you disagree we will protect. These men have volunteered to give their life at any moment so that you may live a long and life. Let us do our job." The soldier made a point, and it almost seemed that the King would agree, but...
"And your doing a marvelous job at it. But that doesn't mean that we can't shelter a group of padestrians." The king stepped forward and held out his hand to Nolan.
Nolan took his hand and they shook. "What is it that you are seeking, as you mentioned earlier."
Nolan took a moment and observed their armor. No signs of the Empire's insignia occupied the armor, only the hammer and twelve stars. Then he decided to trust these strangers a little bit, but as a percaution he extended his mind towards the group of short people and met unbreachable barriers around their minds. The soldiers must have sensed it cause the king said. "I understand the need to figure who we really are. No worries, we can be friends for now."
Nolan hesitated then said. "We search for the Dwarfs, we believe that they can help us with something."
The king seemed to harden, as if he was caught off gaurd. "Well, your in luck. We are dwarfs," he said motioning to his gaurds, "and I am the dwarf king, Orik."