8 – Puzzle Pieces

The two boys led the way up the steep incline that opened into the tiered settlement. The Iron Summit as it was known was predominantly occupied by dwarves. It offered however, from snippets I overheard, a busy little industry attracting tradesmen from far and wide who required the specific wares the settlement offered; namely the scales, gizzards and hides of the incendosaurs and the frequently acquired bullets from the Iron Dwarves who worked and guarded the nearby mines within an area known as The Cauldron.

The boys were expecting Jarieth's father, a tradesman, who was due to arrive within the hour from his visit to Thorium Point, another dwarven settlement, across the plains. Lunk, as the ogre was called, followed them quietly, his brow knotted in deep thought.

On the lower tier was an anvil and forge, fiercely guarded by a gruff looking dwarf.

"Hello Fergus!" Theldran shouted as we passed. Jarieth also greeted the dwarf.

"Lads," Fergus replied. His eyes narrowed as he looked at me sitting on Theldran's arm. "Whit ye got there, Theldran?"

"A raven," the hunter replied, quite seriously.

The dwarf huffed. "Well ah cun see that!"

"It's a special raven," Jarieth intervened.

Fergus grunted then scoffed. With a dismissive wave of his hand he turned to his forge. "Aye. Whitever, lads."

The boys shrugged, then waved to more dwarves on the opposite side who busied themselves cataloguing and arranging crates, barrels and bags of supplies for the settlement. A couple of the workers waved back, but quickly resumed what they were doing.

On the next tier, a flight master tended to his two mounts; one a wyrven, which was technically a flying lion, favoured by the horde as I recalled. They were beautiful, and usually more placid than one would initially imagine. This one lay on top of a broad wooden perch, with its head resting on its paws. It opened one eye and looked at me. I watched, a little unsettled as its eye dilated and mouth rippled, a low growl coming from deep in its throat. I flinched as it flicked its tail like a whip. After a few unnerving moments, it closed its eye again and returned to snoozing in the midday sun.

The other perch, more of a large nest really, housed a majestic griffin; the great eagles of the Alliance skies. It simply flexed its wings, omitted a shrill screech then settled within the hay on its nest. I supposed it looked upon me as a poor and considerably smaller relative. The boys cordially waved at the flight master, who nodded in turn.

Next up was what I took to be the outhouse - for the entire settlement, going by the smell alone. I caught a glimpse of the boys wrinkling their noses as they passed it. What amazed me, was the woman who stood to the side of the building. She seemed utterly unfazed, perfectly cheery, smiling a greeting as we passed by. I wondered if perhaps she was responsible for cleaning the latrine. I'm ashamed to say that I also thought if she was, she wasn't doing a particularly good job, either that or the dwarves here had a rather questionable diet. She however, obviously had no sense of smell - lucky for her!

We had reached the top of the settlement, and in front of us was an iron construction consisting of one floor. A large ramp took you to the said floor, which, in all truth, was more of a platform really, that ran around the outside of the four corner supports. Above this was the roof. I had to admit, it seemed a bit pointless to me other than the vantage point it offered to take in the entire panorama that was Searing Gorge.

Lunk, dropped like a stone on his behind at the base of the ramp. The two boys stared at each other then at the ogre. "What are you doing?" Jarieth asked him.

"Sitting," Lunk replied. He reached into the small satchel he carried and pulled out an apple then proceeded to take a large bite from it. So large in fact the core was practically all that was left.

"Well, we can see that," Jarieth said mirthfully."But, erm, we need to get up there."

Lunk tossed the core away and pulled out another apple. "No, you don't."

Theldran and Jarieth glanced at each other and back at Lunk. "We do though, Lunk," Jarieth persisted. "My father is up there."

The ogre's beady eyes glittered as he looked at the young warlock. "You trick Lunk before with that."

The warlock shuffled awkwardly on his feet. "Yes, well, I was only having a little fun."

"That fun nearly make you dead."

The two boys grinned at each other mischievously. I took it from their exchange that this ogre had been placed in charge of these two urchins and they enjoyed tormenting him with their pranks. Lunk had a valid point however, their last antic had almost cost them dearly.

"You exaggerate," Jarieth laughed.

The ogre took a furious bite of his second apple, this time engulfing the core too. Between chewing he spat out his annoyance, apple juice dribbling down his bulbous chin as he did so. "You make Lunk look bad. Lunk told to look after you until your father returns."

I had to admit, I felt somewhat sorry for the big guy. An ogre he may be, but he was unlike most of his brethren. From his intervention with the incendosaur earlier, he cared, it seemed, for all living things, even these two rascals who led him a merry dance. For all he was not the most articulate of individuals, I deduced, he nonetheless had a kind heart and a soul full of good intentions. Quite what I was thinking I do not know, but I flew down to sit beside him. He stared at me for a while, his beady eyes seeming to study my plumage with interest. I watched as his brows knitted together, as if processing a thought. I wondered what he was thinking.

"I thinking you are a strange bird."

I stilled. That was either an extraordinary coincidence or he had actually, somehow, sensed what I was thinking. I decided to find out which it was. What is your name? I thought.

The ogre shifted slightly and leaned down, resting his forearm on his knee as he inspected me closer. I watched in silence as the two boys sneaked past. "Lunk," the big guy said. "What's yours?"

I was rooted to the spot. I did not dare think that anything or anyone would be able to read my thoughts, but this rather environmentally friendly giant seemed to be able to do that very thing. I decided it may be beneficial to communicate with him in this manner. Perhaps I would uncover areas of thought which I believed buried deep in, or at the very least, elusive to my avian mind. If I was lucky I may be able to fit some puzzle pieces together. "I do not have a name, at least, not to my knowledge," I replied through my thoughts.

"Hmm," Lunk muttered. "Then I just call you...raven."

"Fine by me, Lunk." I ruffled my feathers and cawed to show my acceptance.

Lunk delved into his satchel and after a few moments, pulled out what looked liked a piece of cured meat. He offered it to me. "I not like. Not eat meat but I keep odd bits for critters, like you."

I stabbed at it with my beak. It was more tender than it looked, and in all honesty, it was rather tasty. It's flavour was spicy I guessed as my tongue felt tingly after I took a piece, but not uncomfortably so. It was then that the ogre realised the boys had scarpered up the ramp. His face scrunched up and for a moment I thought he was actually going to cry, but then he exhaled loudly and guffawed. I looked at him questioningly, cocking my head from side to side.

He pointed a chubby finger downhill. "Boys think Lunk stupid. Lunk not." I turned to where he pointed and saw a human male heading up the hill. He was broad, powerful, lugging a cart, full of crates and hides up the hill with assumed ease. The dwarves he passed on the way shouted cheery hellos as he rumbled up and neared the foot of the iron structure Lunk and I sheltered under. "Jarieth's father," Lunk informed me. "I knew he was not up ramp. I play Jarieth at his own game."

I chattered my beak in a gesture of mirth. Seemed this gentle giant was not as easily fooled as one first thought. At that very instant the boys descended and caught sight of Jarieth's father. They looked at the ogre. Jarieth placed a friendly hand on Lunk's shoulder and laughed. "You got me, Lunk."

"I know," the ogre replied joining in the laughter.

The boy's father approached, a wan smile on his lips. He stopped short of where we sat and glanced between the boys, but his eyes lingered on the young night elf hunter. Theldran saw this as an opportunity to inform the man that he had discovered a new "pet". The man then looked me over, a hint of mirth played in his eyes. "I have news from the Dark Portal boys," the man said, refusing to pursue what Theldran had just told him.

Bizarrely, a veil of silence seemed to fall over the settlement, even the griffon and wyrven quietened. The man looked at Theldran in particular. "Sad news I'm afraid boy..."

The young night elf faltered. "My father?" he whispered, eyes wide with alarm.

"No! No, Lhadral is safe, thank goodness" he paused while the boy showed relief that his father was alive. "I'm sorry to tell you though, Rishuul didn't make it." Theldran slumped. This Rishuul was obviously important to the boy.

"Lhadral. Why is that name vaguely familiar to me?"

"You know him?"

I glanced up at Lunk. He was asking that question of me. Turning my head to the others I saw them all staring between the ogre and me. Lunk answered their unspoken question by gesturing to me with his thumb. "Raven knows Lhadral."

"I'm not entirely sure if I do actually," I replied.

"It will come to you," the ogre said as if offering reassurance. Meanwhile, three pairs of eyes watched us with increasing disbelief. They no doubt thought Lunk a bit odd, speaking to a bird as if it were another humanoid. Jarieth's father then cleared his throat and turned his attention back to Theldran. "Sorry lad, I know Rishuul was a favourite of yours too."

Theldran sighed heavily. "Yes, she was a good cat, very loyal. My father will miss her greatly too."

"Aye, I believe he was really distressed over her loss. Your mother however, will be arriving soon and probably the very way she intends to take you home, by portal."

The young night elf nodded. "Well, thank you for allowing me to come along."

The man smiled sympathetically. "You two rascals have been inseparable for years, I don't mind bringing you along in the least, Theldran, besides it is educational for you if nothing else. I hope however, you two have not been causing trouble." At that he looked towards his son.

Jarieth shrugged and gave a sideways look at Lunk. Then his eyes came to rest on me. "Theldran was telling you he has a new pet," he announced pointing at me. I really objected to being thought of as such.

His father raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? A raven?"

"Oh but he is quite unique," Theldran injected moving closer to me.

"What's so special about him?" the man said with a resigned sigh.

"He shoots bolts of magic." Theldran said trying to coax me onto his arm.

"Magic! A raven?" Jarieth's father asked, his voice peppered with laughter still. "Did you fall and bang your head or something?"

I jumped back, trying to avoid Theldran's arm. He inched forward as I moved back. The boy was clearly disappointed I would not respond as he wished, but he knew there was no amount of coaxing would get me to go to him now. "I can assure you, he cast bolts of frost from his beak and killed the incendos..." his voice trailed off. From the glance between himself and Jarieth, I gathered it was a bit of information they had wanted to keep from Jarieth's father. Judging by the look on the human's face, I gathered why they had wanted to keep it quiet.

"You went down to the flats?" the man said, his voice suddenly authoratitive.

"Erm, only for a moment..." Theldran said, his tapered eyebrows fluttering in the updraught from the base of the settlement.

"We wanted to help save the raven because the incendosaur was going after it and Lunk was too slow to reach it first!" Jarieth offered. Theldran gave a slight nod of his head, confirming his friend's explanation. Lunk emitted a loud grunt of protest.

"Let me get this straight. You went to save a raven which can escape easily by flying..." The boys looked a tad sheepish. "One, who you attest, is armed with frostbolts? Allegedly!" the warlock's father stood with his fists on hips and scowling at the boys for their implausible yarn.

A sound like a water torrent escalated to a loud thrum, and just behind Jarieth's father, a swirling azure, jade and amethyst mass expanded, forming a rough oval shape. From its centre a woman emerged. She was striking, blue-skinned, small horns atop her head and she moved with such exquisite grace. Jarieth's father turned. "Good afternoon Umrii," he said.

"Umrii?" I hopped forward.

"You know her too?" Lunk asked.

The woman was oblivious to the ogre speaking with me and addressed Jarieth's father. "Hello Konrad, how are you and the boys. Has Theldran been behaving?"

Before Konrad had a chance to answer, the young night elf moved to his mother's side. "How is father? I heard about Rishuul."

The woman lowered her head and took a deep breath. A maternal gesture was afforded her son as she turned him round and fixed his hair then brushed down his tunic. The boy was visibly embarrassed by his mother's preening of his person. Jarieth sniggered behind his hand. Koran cuffed the warlock's ear relieving the boy of his mocking laughter. "Your father is understandably very upset," the woman said in her melodic accent. "He had Rishuul from the time she was a cub." There was a hitch in the woman's voice. This Rishuul was obviously very important to all the family.

I was still mulling over the names. They were definitely familiar. This woman in particular. There was something about her that reached far into my psyche, straining to scratch at a memory hidden deep within the perimeter of my mind. Puzzle pieces floated about in my head, almost fitting together then floating away, tumbling. "I will remember. I will!"

"Remember what?" Lunk asked, leaning down to me. I watched from the side as all eyes turned to us. Lunk offered an explanation. "He knows you, but he not remember how."

"Remembers who?" Konrad asked.

"Woman and boy's father," the ogre replied pointing to Umrii and Theldran.

The woman sighed heavily. "Sadly that is highly unlikely. The only raven that would know us perished at the Dark Portal, though it was not actually a raven." She turned to the portal she had conjured and with a hand on her son's shoulder guided him through. She was about to step over the threshhold herself when Konrad spoke. "You mean the Archmage? So it is true, he is dead?"

Umrii paused and looked back over her shoulder at the human. A sadness filled her eyes. "Yes. I would like to think he is with my father now. They were great friends. But their spirits may be no more after what happened at the Dark Portal." Konrad nodded an acknowledgement. "Thank you for bringing Theldran on this trip. He does so enjoy travelling with you both," she smiled at both Konrad and Jarieth before bowing her head and following her son through the portal. The shimmering colours wavered and pulsated, the oval shape gradually decreasing in size.

Konrad looked towards me, his eyes heavy. "Well, you are no Archmage anyway raven. May he rest in peace. I hope he has somehow found Vindicator Ocel to travel the Twisting Nether with."

I blinked my eyes. And again. Archmage? Ocel? I looked at the reducing portal. With a pop it vanished. Then, a pain in my chest caused me to shuffle to the side, stumbling. I knew not what was happening, but I knew it was not life-threatening. It was more - emotional. Lunk's hand closed gently around me. "It okay raven. It will come back to you."

Puzzle pieces ... puzzle pieces ...