aj II

Hezekiah motioned up the trail for Micah to go before him. They had climbed up the first bench in the mountain range to survey, and were now started across the long flat area that hovered before the next ascent. They orcs would have to be careful following them up because there were numerous places to set up ambushes. Hezekiah, Meb and Micah were going to move up the trail as fast as they could, catch up with the rest of the caravan and continue to act as the rear guard until they made it too the cave or met up with its guardians. Here and there were scattered a few mahogany trees, but the landscape consisted mainly of rocks with a few boulders on top of the different slopes. These extended out of the natural curve of the mountain, and only thin grass struggled out of the little soil available. There were a number of small canyons that wandered up to higher levels of the mountain and Hezekiah could just see the last dwarf as he left the first open area and entered the canyon they were following up the mountain.

As slowly as the caravan was moving they had no trouble catching up. The caravan was led now by Galahad, with his wife following him, then all of the maidens with the donkeys, and lastly they were followed by the warriors.

They reached the top of the first canyon which opened out onto a wide mound on the side of a mountain that was mainly covered in flat rocks which had fallen off the side of the cliff face they approached. The cliff face was cut in the middle with a small stream tumbling from inside, and this is where Galahad was headed. The trail leading up to the cut and the stream was lined with stakes. From a distance it looked like leather sacks were hanging from the top of them. Closer examination revealed that the leather sacks were in fact the impaled heads of orcs and goblins. To make it to the head of the stream everyone would have to pass under the glare of those cold dead eyes, and the maidens were not the only ones who paused and shivered. Looking up at the top of the cliff face above him Hezekiah noticed what he had first thought was a rock, stand up. He recognized Aj motioning hello to the caravan. Aj was the keeper of the Trail through the mountain, it wasn’t as much of a trail as a system of tunnels and caves that had been purposefully carved through the mountain, so that those who needed to get from one side to the other in the winter could, without going south all the way around the mountain range. Since Jericho had fallen the tunnel was the only way for travelers to make the trek to the land of the Dessert Dwarfs—in summer or winter. As the caravan started into the slot canyon that the stream had carved out of the cliff face, Aj motioned to Galahad that everything was good to proceed and that he would meet him at the top.

The caravan slowed on the trail that passed through the stream as the dwarves started going from rock to rock up the canyon leading the donkeys through the water. After a couple of minutes the dwarves had to gave up trying to keep their feet dry and just walked in the water. As they went up the canyon they continued to find stakes wedged into the rocks, capped with an orc or goblin head in various levels of decay. Eventually the caravan came out of the canyon onto a small flat that the stream wound through. The flat was covered with even more stakes. Clearly the warning to the orcs and goblins should be clear: they were not welcome in this area. Across the flat again the trail led into a canyon, but this one was not so rocky nor as steep on both sides. As they exited Galahad was greeted by Aj.

Aj; (äzh)

Hezekiah looked back over the grassland that he had just crossed. The caravan had left a clear path through the grass; because of this the orcs that were following them would know exactly where they had started up the mountain. Micah was standing on a rocky outcrop that overlooked the trail as it started up the first slope between two small bluffs. He scanned south through a looking glass. They had found the missing army of orcs. As they neared the canyon Meb had recounted the size of the armies. One had nearly doubled its size, and that had seemed impossible, until they realized their “missing” army had simply joined up with the other. Micah was watching the tail end of the hoard that the trolls had gathered march through Jericho and then into the pass behind the city. Micah turned and looked back down their path, paused for a moment, and then put away the looking glass and turned to Hezekiah and said, “They are still back there, but far enough back that it is safe to go straight to the cave. With the kobold dead they will have problems following us once we get in the stream. However, there is a new group coming up from the south and it isn’t aiming for Jericho, if it keeps in a straight line it is going to cross our path right where we are standing. Here look for yourself a minute. I think there is an ogre in this group.”

Since the ambush two days ago the orcs had kept a safe distance behind them. They followed but were cautious enough that the caravan could keep its steady pace. Galahad and Hezekiah had both needlessly worried about how the maidens would react when the caravan came to the river, however the crossing had been without incident. The armies had swept the grasslands of any resistance except for the group behind them and a few stray boars. The boars had been easy enough to dispatch, and the mud huts at the shallow spot they used to cross the river had been empty. Either the inhabitants of the huts had run off to escape the armies or were now a part of those that had entered the pass. Hezekiah moved to stand by Micah and looked south in the direction that Micah pointed through the glass. It took him a minute, but he found the movement. Doing some quick estimating in his head Hezekiah figured there were over three hundred bodies moving in the group. From this distance it looked like the group was made up of mostly orcs, but there was one very large shape that had to be either an ogre or a troll. Hezekiah trusted Micah, if he said it was an ogre then it must be an ogre.

Going up the mountain would be a slow process with the caravan needing many breaks. Other than some short rests and a couple of quick naps the caravan had been going steady for five days now, even the elves were starting to show signs of fatigue. Last night a number of the maidens had begged for a break, but Marry and Galahad had refused; reminding the maidens that they would not be safe until they had reached the cave. The “missing” army of orcs had everyone worried enough that it was not difficult for Galahad to convince them to keep moving; that and the fact that the maidens didn’t want to upset Marry. The caravan had kept moving. If they had stopped the group of orcs to the south would be between them and the mountain and then they would have been in trouble. They didn’t have enough warriors to make a stand on the plains. Once they made it to the cave they wouldn’t have far to go before everyone could sleep in safety.

Pip

Scoti sat in the corner of the large tent by the compound holding the perfect little bundle that had Lil wrapped in the center with her sleeping.  He had already finished his food and held the baby because he wouldn’t be needed in the discussion.  His job in the family was the easy one, decide the best way to kill the enemy and lead his troop in killing them. Pip sat at the foot of the table completing her notes in preparation for the discussion.
           The table held the main part of the meal, bread, cheese, and fish. He figured that was going to be the mainstay of their diet for the summer.  Claira was an incredible cook and he could probably live on the different types of bread she made without it getting old. She was busy making sure everyone had plenty to eat, and Scoti thought of the pile of food she had placed in front of his boys and wondered if even Magnus could have finished it all.

Cam sat in a comfortable chair back from the table and watched the boys fight an invisible enemy around the fort and the fields by it.  At that moment Tyr stood on top of a rock wall and gave a battle cry swinging his axe above his head.  Zack and Eliseus had just jumped off the wall and with their swords out were in a full charge straight ahead.  Tye always cautious was leading Coal around the wall to out flank the enemy while the others kept the enemy’s attention.

           Magnus sat in the other corner still with his robe on, but the hood had been pulled back.  The man’s neck was larger than most men’s thighs.  His head showed more scars than Scoti had ever seen before.  This was the first time other than on the ship that he had noticed that Magnus was not in Niona presence.  He was her Protector any time she left her home island, so she had to be in calling distance.  Iza had fallen asleep in his lap; they had become fast friends on the ship.
           Elijah sat at the head of the table very calmly picking at a little food that was left on his plate.  Hadassah sat at his side. She wanted the women at home to know what occurred during the meeting, so she was writing a letter to the family. She knew they would appreciate knowing what had taken place, and the men didn’t always remember fine details. She planned on sending the letter to the island with Isaac when he sailed home.        
    Isaac finished a buttered roll, “Scoti, take a look at Seth over here, can you imagine a woman much more beautiful than a goblin being willing to marry him?”
           Seth didn’t fit in with the rest of his family, most of the men were handsome enough but Seth’s looks far surpassed his brothers.  He was a tall man, with broad shoulders, and only spoke when the conversation required his perspective.  He felt most comfortable with the ocean air in his lungs and steady rock of the waves lulling the ship on.  His hair was sun-bleached blond and his skin was sun-darkened. Even if found miles from the sea anyone would be able to tell that’s where he belonged.

“From what I have heard if they hadn’t found each other she never would have found a husband.” jested Scoti.

Cap was sound asleep in his chair with a slight snore escaping from him every once in a while letting everyone know he was still there.

friends and family

Cam and his group stood off to the side of the dock giving room to those who left it and moved inland.  Cam and Claira greeted the dwarfs as they passed them and loaded their things into a wagon that had been provided for the purpose of taking them out to the military camp.  Elijah greeted all of the dwarfs, and gave directions and instructions so that they knew what to do and where to go.

There were two longboats shuttling passengers from a long sleek caravel with four masts that sat in the cove a short distance from the dock.  The bowsprit mast extended over the head of the figurehead swan.  The caravel had a long forecastle and a large aftcastle with a rounded stern.  It rested in the still waters of the cove.  Each longboat had six rowers, and room for eight passengers and their gear.  As Cam looked on one of the longboats pulled alongside the dock and delivered another eight dwarfs.  Each of the dwarfs visibly relaxed as they set foot on the dock.  Dwarfs are too heavy to swim without anything to weigh them down, and all of the dwarfs were carrying their full armament.  Battle axes, war hammers, bucklers, long knives, helmets, armor and about a third of them carried crossbows. 

            As Cam looked on, the sails of a cog came into sight at the mouth of the cove.  The cog had a shallower draft than the caravel and was able to glide around it and stopped gently at the dock.  As this was going on one of the longboats came to the dock.  After the tying of both vessels off, Cam’s excitement became obvious to everyone, as he rocked from heal to toe.  If Claira had not been holding his hand he would have crowded the dock to meet those embarking from each vessel.   

            First to climb up from the longboat was Pip, a thin young female dwarf with straight red hair, a straight slightly pug nose, wise blue eyes, wearing a wool skirt and a white blouse.    For eighty years of age Pip carried herself with the assurance that she understood what she wanted and was determined to get it.  She was more aware about the world, its current condition, and the situation for the lands occupied by the light than any other dwarf.  As dwarf custom dictated, ten years ago she had broached the subject of marriage to her husband, surprising him because of her youth and the fact that her independence hadn’t indicate that she was ready to have a husband.  She recognized his potential and common sense, and knew they would work well together.

One of the things that Pip had wanted was children and she had four of them before she was eighty.  Dwarfs normally did not have their first child until they had been married and settled for a number of years, and then did not have a second child until the first was old enough to look out for itself in the world.  Pip did not care about convention, but she did care about the commandments, and one of the first commandments was to fill the earth with children of the light. 

Next up the side was Iza a very small girl dwarf, with tight curly blond hair and a face and dress that matched her mother’s, Pip.  Her hair was especially curly due to the humidity in the air, and it clung to her head in small curls.  The look on her face gave the impression that she did not care for the smell of fish that came from the docks and fishing boats.  She preferred the smell of flowers that she collected for her mother.

From the same longboat, sprang up to the dock two excited little boys, Tyr and Tye.  The boys were thin for dwarfs, but full of energy like all young boys.  They were dressed in brown wool shirts and pants with patches at the elbows and knees with heavy boots on their feet.  They didn’t look exactly alike, but their size and looks left little doubt that they were twins.  They had red hair the same color as their mothers, but it was cut short and stood straight up in the air on top.  They had a twinkle in their eye that showed their mischievous nature.  Their little sister looked about to see who noticed her presence and make sure she was the center of attention.  The brothers tolerated her, but really paid no attention to her when she tried to boss them around.

They looked down the dock and spotted their great grandparents; without asking for permission they left their mother and heading down the dock.  The closer they got to the end of the dock the faster their little legs moved.  As they got close, Cam kneeled down and opened his arms. Both boys stopped with fists closed and right arms to the left breast they saluted him, then giving him thumbs up they both sprang forward and wrapped their arms around Claira’s legs.  Cam turned to act as if he was watching the boys, but kept an eye on Iza as she followed her brothers as fast as she could, half running, half skipping.  Iza didn’t slow down to salute instead she stumbled into him with arms open.  In exaggeration Cam grabbed Iza pretending to be knocked over and rolled onto his back as the group around them chuckled in amusement.

Walking up the dock to take in this sight was Pip and Scoti. Scoti was Pip’s husband.  He was wearing the same brown shirt and pants as the boys down to the patches and boots.   He had a dirk strapped to his left wrist, a throwing axe slipped through a loop on his right thigh with a throwing hammer on the left thigh, a single hand war axe on each hip a buckler across his back, and various throwing knifes hidden about his person.  The short brown hair on top of his head stood straight up, for a dwarf his beard was rather thin, but of the right length.  He was about an inch taller than his wife.

There was a small bundle wrapped in a blanket and cradled in his left arm.  As soon Claira had extracted herself from the boys she took the bundle from Scoti.  She started cooing at the baby, Lil, contained in the blanket.

Elijah and Hadassah’s attention at this point was taken by Isaac approaching with Zake, Coal, and Eliseus in tow, each carrying a pack.  Eliseus bounced ahead of Isaac, dropped his pack and put an arm around Elijah and Hadassah in a loving embrace of their legs.  Coal was looking around the shore for his father who was not present.  Elijah commented to him, “Your dad isn’t here yet, I don’t expect him for a couple of days yet.  Did you boys keep your stomachs the whole trip?”

The boys all expressed their assurance that they had stomachs of steel as one last longboat tied up to the dock, and out stepped a cloaked figure who helped Niona out of the longboat.   Niona was an average sized elf with long full ears that could be seen through her blond hair and dressed in a deep blue dress that hid her feet.  She had a typical elfin face, thin with high check bones, thin lips, and walked with the elegant grace of a queen.  The cloaked figure was huge for a man in a dark brown monk’s robe that covered everything except his hands; they carried a quarterstaff that was just taller than him and about three inches in diameter. On his back was a large pack with many pockets and folds.  As he walked up to the group the bottles in the pockets tinkled with each step.  The man was a head taller than Elijah; few men were taller than Elijah.  Some of the adults showed a little unease in the huge man’s presence, but the dwarf children showed no reticence as Iza walked, stood in front of the large man, and pulled on his robe asked, “Magnus, are you going to the camp with us?  Can I ride on your shoulder?” obviously this was a position she had enjoyed in the past.

Cam pulled his bag from behind Claira, grumbled, and cleared his throat stammering, “Before we go to camp… I think there is… something… that might interest the cherubs… let’s see here.”  With that he opened the bag, pulled out a hand carved oak rattle with three loops for Lil, and handed it to Iza asking, “Will you hand this to your dad?”  Iza grabbed the rattle and then tested it shaking it hard with her little hands before handing it to her dad.  Then he pulled a small iron wood war hammer out of the bag.  It had a square head on one side and a spike on the other with a handle in the center. It was made from one piece of wood having spirals and swirls up the handle with lightning symbols carved on all sides.  Cam looked at the small boys then called Tye to his side, “I think this should be yours.” Then he motioned to Tyr and pulled out a carved iron wood war axe that had the same spirals and swirls up the handle with lightning bolts carved into the sides of the axe head.

Cam could see the lack of patience in Iza’s demeanor. She was tired of waiting for her turn, so he turned to wink at her mother.  Then he pulled out of the back three short swords carved out of ironwood.  The handles had clovers carved into the handles and lightning bolts carved up the blades.  Cam questioned, “Does anybody see three little boys that these swords would be the right size for?” 

Before anyone could answer Cam’s question, an indignant voice growled, “The next thing to come out of that bag had better be for me, or you aren’t getting any more hugs Grandpaps.”  Everyone looked at Iza standing in front of her dad with hands on hips and a big frown on her face.  Before Cam could say anything the three boys jumped forward each taking a sword from Cam and then showed it to the closest adult.

Cam looked in the bag then gave Iza a frown saying, “Well, I don’t know if these things would be any good for a little girl, come look for me and tell me what you think.”

Iza approached Cam, grabbed the rim of the bag with both little hand, and peered into it. Cam said, “What do you think?  You want the two items in the bag?”

Iza gave Cam another hug, then reached in the bag, and pulled out an oak comb and a iron wood bracelet just the right size for a little girl.  Then she took the comb and started combing Cam’s mustache.

Pip announced, “I think we need to move this party to somewhere where we can talk, I have some information that is going to change a few things.”

Elijah said, “I think Claira has some food prepared back at the camp and Haddasah has some hot water prepared so that you can freshen up before we eat.”

Iza walked up to Magnus, paused, then in disgust said, “Oh Magnus, oh.”

Before she could say what she really wanted to say Magnus kneeled down and pulled the hood to his robe down and showed his bald head, not a hair on it anywhere.  With a deep voice he whispered, “If you want a ride from someone that you can use your new comb on honey, that’s fine, but if you want I can give you a ride and you can comb your own hair.”

Pip watched Magnus pick up her daughter and sat her on his right shoulder. Everyone started leaving the dock. The little boys trotted along, showing each other their new possessions.  Cam walked beside Claira, her hand in his, and with the step of a younger man. 

Friends

Cam, a dwarf with a white beard and hair, a big nose, and a short squat body devoid of any fat, was the master of arms for the Gabriel family, and had been for almost two hundred years.  His beard was braided to show that he had grandchildren and braided again to show the great grandchildren.  He had trained the seven sons of Noah in their first use with practice swords, and made sure their play with the bamboo had not developed any bad habits that he would later have had to break.  Cam had taught the brothers how to properly shoot a longbow, even though he was not tall enough to shoot one himself, and how to deflect a blow from a bigger opponent using a shield without breaking an arm.  They had learned from him how to sharpen steel, how to swing a hammer, and how to walk like a man that didn’t fear anything.  Most importantly, they had learned to look after family, to be charitable, and to plan ahead so that they could provide for those they were responsible for.  Cam was the Clover Island chess champ.  He had never lost to one of the boys or girls on the island in all the time he had been the master of arms.  He considered teaching how to play chess well his greatest gift, and everyone on the island was a recipient.  He taught them all to plan moves far in advance. Although tone deaf he also tried to share his love of music.

He wasn’t aware of all the things he taught others but playing chess and music were the things he intentionally tried to teach.

Cam’s greatest love was his wife, Claira, followed by his granddaughter Pip and her four children.  Cam and Claira had two boys; the oldest was a lord at the Forgotten Mountain, and the younger acted as Cam’s assistant in training and teaching the Gabriel family. The younger of the boys was Cap, Pip’s father.  Cap was the spitting image of Cam other than his beard was red and only braided once.  Pip’s mother, Tam lived on Clover Island and after her first and only tumultuous ride on the ship that had taken her to the island she had vowed never to leave it.

Cam hurried through the gate, ignored Hadassah and Elijah, headed to the kitchen, and exclaimed in a bellow, “Woman, your granddaughter has arrived. I am getting my presents and heading to the dock, are you coming with me?”

Claira stuck her gray haired head out the door, and without a word held up one finger signaling she would be with him shortly.  Claira could command an army and never raise her voice.  Cam’s whispers could wake the dead.

Hadassah made her and Elijah’s presence known by walking her horse in front of Cam. She blocked his way and asked, “Are we allowed to witness the greeting?”

Cam looked up the horse at Hadassah with delight in his eyes, when Cam had a gift to give the bigger the crowd the better, and the chance to show off his progeny just doubled his pleasure.  They all knew that Cam had ignored them as part of his act, to let everyone know how excited he was to see his granddaughter.

Cam exclaimed, “Hadassah, get off that horse and come down here were I can talk to you without getting a stiff neck.  Come on girl, you too Eli, get off the horses and let’s go to town.  You can get the Holy Father later.”  He rubbed his hands together in excitement then signaled Hadassah and Elijah to get off the horses, as if they were not moving fast enough.  He started to bellow again, but stopped when he saw Claira had already come out the door carrying a cloak and bag.  Cam took the bag from Claira, grabbed her hand, and almost dragged her out the gate. He looked over his shoulder and asked, “Are you two coming or not?”

Hadassah and Elijah smiled and walked beside each other holding hands and led their horses out the gate. 

After a quick trot Cam ducked into a short tent, and almost immediately came back out carrying a pack over one shoulder.  Then he took Claira’s hand and headed to the dock.

Elijah

The town of Porto was situated around a small cove, and surrounded by hills which  guided a small stream through them.  Porto was encircled by a newly constructed wooden palisade mounted with a walkway and built up with mounds of earth to strengthen the foundation.  Outside of the walls refugees from the neighboring kingdom had constructed a mish-mash of hovels and lean-tos.  They weren’t much too look at, but they provided some shelter against storms and frost.

Above the town, on a hill to the east, was a military compound.  It was more a collection of barracks than an actual fort, with the buildings built next to one another and a courtyard in the middle. The back walls of each barracks extended up with the roof of the barracks acting as the walkway around the walls.  A gate was built into the west side of the fort, emphasizing its connection to the town.  The path leading from it to the town had increasingly widened, the grass disintegrating beneath the regular traffic between the two centers. Each day Cam would push the soldiers-in-training to run around the fort several times before heading through the line of tents to the fields between Porto and the compound for training and conditioning.  This firmed up the soil, which would make it more difficult for an enemy to burrow beneath the walls during a siege.

            Cam, a dwarf, was standing in a circle of men, young and old, shouting instructions on how to hold a shield and spear.  Over and over again he corrected the men; lifting the shoulders of an old man here, changing the angle of a spear for a tall gangly lad, and then doing it again when they tried to relax. The green soldiers had learned that Cam would make them practice all day, expecting them to master something before moving on. A few men were working with the dwarf in the center of the circle.  In frustration Cam strapped on a shield and snatched up a spear.  He faced two of the students, jabbed his spear at one, and used the shield to knock the other to the ground.  Then he stuck the spear between the legs of the first and swung it around, pushing him to the ground.

            In another field his son Cap and veteran soldiers of the Gabriel family worked groups of green archers in training with yew longbows.  A well-trained, practiced archer could shoot ten to twelve arrows a minute with accuracy.  The best of these troops was only capable of seven or eight shots a minute.  To improve the ability of the troops Cap had them run a lap around the field before taking their turn at the targets on the butts.  In war conditioned troops had a clear advantage.  Various youth from the town and surrounding crofts had gathered around the field trying to pick up some of the techniques taught  in anticipation of the day they would be big and strong enough to use a longbow.  The boys could hear Cap correct one of the archers saying, “A steady draw, smooth, don’t jerk your arm back.”

            Elijah and King Samuel, of Porto, stood observing the training, gauging the progress of the troops.  The pair turned and walked through the gate into the compound. Smoke slowly snaked its way out of a chimney, accompanied by the smell of fresh baked bread. An older woman, obviously a dwarf, stood in the doorway holding a basket with a red checkered cloth protruding from under the lid on one side.  She had gray hair and a lovely wrinkled face—obviously frequented by a smile. Her name was Claira.

A stunning woman, with an angel’s face, high cheek bones, a narrow nose, and a strong chin walked in Claira’s direction.  Her wavy black hair framed her face, floating with the passing breeze, suggesting that even the wind conformed to her grace.  She was holding the reins of a horse, and although dressed for riding there was no mistaking her perfect figure, she was easy on the eyes. With long strides she met Claira and they both smiled in greeting.  She slid onto the horse, and Claira handed her the basket. Quickly she turned the horse around and approached Elijah and the king as they entered the gate.

Elijah was large of stature, as was all the sons of Noah, with close cropped blond hair. He was clean shaven with strong arms and a full body.   He was of average looks, until his personality shined forth, then he was a remarkable man. He had a presence that steadied others, a natural ability to lead, and a calming influence even in dire circumstances.  After getting to know him others understood why Hadassah, one of the most stunningly beautiful women in the world would decide to love him.

Elijah greeted his wife, Hadassah with a question, “Shall we go for a ride?”  Hadassah didn’t like to be away from Elijah, she was afraid that if they were parted she might lose him like Emzara had lost Noah.  Emzara and Noah’s loved one another very deeply.  Noah had given his life so that Galahad and his sons could live, and Emzara pregnant with Hezekiah at the time had felt her loss at that moment in her heart and soul.  Emzara, with a scream of pain that wrenched the hearts of all those that heard it, had fallen to the earth sobbing in front of the manor on Clover Island.  For five years Emzara had withered away from her loss until she had died of a broken heart, no matter how hard her family had tried to fill the void in her heart with their own love.  Newly married Hadassah had scarred from witnessing Emzara’s pain, ever since not wanting to leave Elijah’s side.

Since coming to Porto, when Hadassah thought that Elijah needed a break from the demands others placed on him she would plan a visit to the orphanage, Knowing Claira would make sure that Elijah went with her.  Claira would never let her ride alone to the orphanage.  Claira had also heard Emzara’s cry, and knew how Hadassah felt, she went wherever Cam went.  Claira treated the Gabriel family as if they were her own grandchildren, feeling it her right to look out for them as only a grandmother could.  If Hadassah had not planned a trip to the orphanage Claira would have suggested it, except to sleep Elijah had not had a break from the problems of building an army out of refugees and farmers for a few days.  Although Cam and the retainers of the Gabriel family were in Porto to help him train and organize the new troops everyone looked to him to solve any problem minor or not that might come up.

Hadassah answered, “Just taking a treat to the orphanage, would you like to go along?”

Elijah looked around for his horse expecting to see it, “I’m sure Claira has my horse saddled around here somewhere?”  The expression on his face made the statement a question.

They both looked at Claira as she pointed to the gate, a young man led Elijah’s horse into the compound. Elijah took the reins from the young man, and mounted the horse saying to Samuel, “We can escort the holy father back with us.  It is time that Esau and Jade were made to face their future.  With the other kings coming tomorrow I want the problem of dealing with Esau out of the way.  If Obe shows up early keep him away from both of them.”

Samuel nodded his head in understanding and started for the kitchen.

The chase

Hezekiah ran down the slope of a hill that was covered in trees.  The sun was directly overhead and sweat was dripping off of him as his legs took long strides to put a little distance between him and what was following him.  He could hear the snapping of branches and the breaking of twigs behind him, so he put a little more speed into his running.  They were closer than they should have been and if he didn’t hurry they might get a shot at him when he broke from the trees and ran up the slope ahead of him.  He knew that the orcs had been following the caravan since the night before.  Just before sunset while he was checking the back trail he had noticed them.  As large as a man and wearing black leather armor they were not hard to see. Their pig snouted faces and long ape like arms helped identify them as orcs. A number of them carried man made weapons and shields instead of ones made by orcs.  Two carried bows that could have been man made, but he was too far away to be sure.  They were following the trail that the caravan had left earlier in the day. There were only twelve orcs when he first saw them. He had hoped for one more day before the enemy picked up their trail, but they were not going to get that one day.  The caravan was just over half way across the plains, and if nothing had been following them they would have stopped for a while at sun down to rest.  They had been lucky not to stumble onto a stray orc or goblin so far in front of them, but they had crossed paths with a couple of boars that were quickly killed.  The absence of goblins and orcs was caused by having the three armies of hell spawn passing through the plains before them as the armies headed to Jericho and Millers Pass.  With some amusement, he tried to picture trolls asking for volunteers as they went to war. The plains for the most part had been swept clean of the pig lovers.

            When morning came he discovered that just over twenty goblins had joined the orcs.  He had been surprised to see even a kobold had joined the group.  It had a snout like an alligator, a high forehead, and bugged out eyes. It carried a shield and a war hammer.   Spiked horns stuck out of the middle of its back.  It was smaller than the goblins, and had a stooped back so it always looked like it was sniffing the ground as it walked. Although it was daylight he knew that it wouldn’t slow down because of its keen sense of smell.  When it became dark its night vision and ability to see heat in the dark would help it follow their trail just as if it was a dwarf.    He did not know of any kobold dens in this area. Besides, the trolls that lead the armies would keep any kobolds that they had brought south in their sight.

With the kobold as a part of the equation things had changed, they couldn’t leave any false trails for the orcs and goblins to follow.  The kobold had too sensitive of a nose to be led astray for long enough for it to do any good.  In truth with the kobold joining the orcs this had turned into a chase.  He had just tried to shoot the kobold from hiding a few moments ago, but he would have had to be out into the open for a dangerously long time to get a good shot, so he had put an arrow into a goblin that had moved to the front of the group.  It had been going too fast for its own good, and had ruined his plan to take out the kobold.  The group behind them had been joined by a few more orcs since this morning and another twenty plus goblins.  The orcs that he had originally seen must have sent runners to gather more fighters to join the hunt.  The caravan could not hide its size.

They wouldn’t catch the caravan today, but they might catch up in the night if something wasn’t done to slow them down. Dwarfs were not known for their speed. The donkeys were getting tired, and, in truth, so were most of the maidens. The group following them wasn’t big enough to worry the caravan, but Hezekiah didn’t know where one of the armies was and that was troubling him.  If a runner from the orcs knew where that army was and went to it for help the caravan could be in trouble if it was close.

Hezekiah broke from the trees and started up the slope of another small grassy hill scattered with large boulders.  A branch broke behind him, much too close for comfort so he started sprinting to the top of the hill.  Goblins are smaller and faster than orcs, and do not wear armor like the orcs so he figured that it was a goblin that was closest behind him.  The fact that some of the goblins had darker green skin with many more warts all over their body, and no loin cloth, told him that almost half the goblins had been female.  Only male goblins wear clothing of some sort. The goblin females were more savage than the males, and if they caught someone they would torture them, sometimes consuming the poor soul alive—if they survived long enough.  He didn’t want to be caught.

Just before he got to the top of the hill he turned and notched an arrow in his longbow.  He could see movements in the trees in a number of spots.  One of the goblins was dodging through the trees near the edge, so he picked it as his target and shot.  The goblin jumped over a log just as the arrow got to it, hitting the goblin square in the thigh.  It fell to the ground, dropped its knife and shield, squealed in pain, and held its leg. 

Hezekiah already had another arrow notched, but the goblins that emerged from trees used their shields for protection, having learned from their companion’s mistake.  Right behind the first few goblins a larger group followed, with their bows out.  Hezekiah shot into the group, and before they could take aim turned and ran over the hill.  This time there wasn’t any squealing because the arrow hit the goblin in the forehead.

The group, of over twenty goblins, started screaming at him as they gave chase. Stragglers started coming out of the trees.  Hezekiah had accomplished what he needed to do.  After he topped the hill, where the goblins couldn’t see him, he turned directly to his left and started around the hill.

Some of the goblins had grouped together at the edge of the trees.  They resumed the chase, following after Hezekiah, up the hill. Just as they approached the place where Hezekiah had shot from, the snap of crossbows sounded followed by the thump of bolts meeting flesh.  All but two of the goblins had been hit in the ambush.  They retreated, followed by a few more that still had use of their legs.  The rest were either dead or soon would be.  Twenty-five dwarfs stepped out from behind the boulders; most of them working the cable to their crossbows back in place. 

The main group of orcs and goblins reached the edge of the trees, taking in what had happened.  The orcs were not willing to start up the hill, and the goblins would not go without them. Because crossbows would not be effective at that distance, the dwarfs started slipping behind the boulders, and headed over the hill until all of them were gone.

A number of the female goblins strode over to the writhing goblin and pulled the arrow out of its thigh, while slipping a rope over its feet.  They threw the rope over a branch in a tree, and pulled the struggling goblin off the ground.  It started squealing in terror, knowing its fate. The largest female took a knife and walked behind it, grabbed the hair on its head, and yanked it back—slitting off the goblins ears.  The goblins, orcs and a kobold turned to watch the gruesome butchering, and ignored the chase.  Then she started to cut at the nose of the hanging victim.

 Those closest to the kobold jumped in surprise at the sound of an arrow that had hit the kobold in the back of the head, and protruded from one of its eyes.  They all turned to look in the direction the arrow had come from, but Hezekiah was already gone.  He had learned in his youth to think more than one move ahead.

Home III

The next morning, as the sun was rising, Isaac came into the house from the milk barn to a bustling kitchen.  In the center of the room was a large table with benches down both sides that could sit thirty people easily.  Off to the side was a work station for preparing the food and at the back of the kitchen was the large cast iron dwarf stove.  The stove didn’t leak smoke, and was so well made that it didn’t have hot and cold spots. The family never worried about something going wrong with it and burning down the manor. On each side of the stove on the back wall were two doors that opened on a courtyard.  In the summer the doors could be opened to let the heat from the stove out of the house. Thirty loaves of bread sat rising on the kneading table off to one side, and around the table sat all of the children who were the grandchildren of St. Gabriel.  Isaac returned all of the greetings he received from the children and sat down at the head of the table in the only chair.  His sister-in-law, Mercy, Luke’s wife, put a plate of eggs and bread in front of him, along with a glass of milk, in a business like manner.  The women of the house tolerated no nonsense when it came to feeding the family.  The only sister-in-law that wasn’t present was Hadassah who wouldn’t leave Elijah’s vicinity.   

Three little boys all about the same size and age were just finishing their breakfast.  Isaac thanked Mercy for his breakfast and then bowed his head in prayer.  After giving thanks to the Lord for his food he said to the boys, “I need the three bags in my room brought to the door would you boys please get them for me?”

The three boys all sprang from the table, raced into a hall on one side of the room, and disappeared.  All of the women smiled in conspiracy with one another as they watched the boys leave, and then continued with their work.  Isaac started to eat his breakfast. The boys came back into the room struggling to carry the bags.  Isaac issued them instructions to put the bags on the porch just outside the door.  By the time they were done wrestling the bags out the door he had finished eating, moved to the wall by the door, and took down his sword and shield.  Sarah came across the room and picked up his spear and they headed out the door followed by Mercy and Ruth, Elijah’s second wife.

On the porch Isaac handed Zack his Shield and said, “Carry this down to the dock for me.”  Then he gave his nephew Coal, Luke and Mercy’s son, his spear saying, “How about you carry this for me.”  Then he bent over and picked up two of the bags and with a swing put them over his left shoulder and with his right hand picked up the third bag.  Sarah handed her nephew Eliseus, Elijah and Ruth’s son, the spear to carry. All of the boys were six years old and had been born in the same month.  The boys were dressed for their normal day of adventure around the harbor and into the crags. Most of the rest of the family was already started to the harbor on the large path that led to the docks, so they would be on hand to say goodbye to those leaving.

When they reached the cog Isaac completed his goodbyes and told the boys to put his weapons in his cabin in the stern castle.  The boys disappeared into the companionway and Isaac signaled to the captain to get under way as he stepped aboard.  Most of the crew had smiles on their faces and everyone on the dock who was in on the joke was laughing.  The ship started to slip away from the dock. Some of the smaller children had concerned looks, and one little girl pulled on Sarah’s arm and said, “Mom, the boys are still on the ship they can’t leave yet.”

Sarah answered, “Honey, the boys are going with your father, but they don’t know that yet.”

The little girl said, “But what will they wear tomorrow?”

Sarah smiled and answered, “We packed for them, and Daddy planned it this way.”

Just then the boys came on deck and all three gave exclamations of surprise.  The crew laughed and those on shore could see Isaac telling the boys that they were going along.  The three boys all jumped for joy and ran to the rail of the ship to wave to those on the shore.

Sarah said, “Your dad didn’t want to put up with them asking everyday all day when they were leaving and how long it would take and what can they take and put up with all the questions three little boys would ask.  This was a lot easier.”

             

home II

Sarah sat up straight to add to the conversation, “It is sad to think that we have come to such a state.  When I was little it seemed that Porto was the safest place on earth.  If the five little kingdoms fall Capiz won’t last long and Salem will be the last refuge before the peninsula is the front line for the north.”

Eliza said, “If that happens it will be like the north has no chance and the south will give up on them.”

Isaac countered, “Not everyone in the north may realize it yet, but other than us the south has given up on the north.  They can’t expect any help from that part of the world any longer unless they make some changes.”

Sarah countered, “We are not the only ones that will help. There are other families in the south that have family relations with some in the north.”

Isaac cautioned, “There are some that would take refugees but none of them are sending anything to make a difference in the war.  If it wasn’t for Methuselah and the knights of St. Michael the north would be gone already, Porto and all.”

Isaac continued more confidently, “Father worked on accumulating enough wealth to be able to have the forces to open new lands for twenty years before he died.  He started working on this plan shortly after he met Niona and her fairy started shrieking.  I didn’t even see the fairy until everyone started looking at it.  Hurt my ears.  I have spent the last eighteen continuing with his plan and getting everything in place.  It would be better if we could start now and load everyone on ships and head north, but we can’t let the little kingdoms, as you call them, fall, so we will spend the summer keeping Miller Pass closed.”

A small voice through the window perked up, “Cam said Grandfather thinks they need to take the abandoned city of Jericho and tear it to the ground. Then the orcs will leave.” And then inquisitively he asked, “Why did the fairy start shrieking, I thought people can’t hear them talk?”

Sarah turned to send the owner of the voice back to bed, but before she could say anything Isaac called into the house, “Zack you should have kept your mouth closed, now your mother knows you have been hiding there the whole time.”

Eliza answered Zack’s question, “People and dwarfs can’t hear them talk, only a few elves that have a special gift can hear them.”

After Zack had given himself away, he felt free to continue, “Why didn’t you see the fairy? Why was the fairy shrieking? Where were you, and what was the fairy trying to say?” Then he walked out the door and put his hands on his hips standing in front of his father pushing his luck as his curiosity got the better of him, “Who is Niona and why is the fairy story a secret.”

Sarah pulled Zack to her trying to slow him down, but his father picked Zack up and sat him on his lap, then he answered, “Its not a secret, I guess we never talk about it because everyone knows about it except little boys that should be in bed.”

Sarah put her hand on her sons arm giving it a squeeze and took over answering Zack’s questions, “Where to start, we don’t normally hear a fairy because our ears don’t pick up their high voices.  Your dad was down at the docks when Niona came to help your grandmother Em when she was going to have Caleb and Joshua.  It is not easy to have twins and Niona is like a miracle worker and a cleric, but the fairy tells her how to help people when they are sick.”

Eliza interrupted, “Fairies can smell real good and tell if someone is sick before they know they are sick. Then they tell them.” Looking at Sarah she asked, “What would you call it, Niona is… not its owner?”

Sarah shrugged her shoulders guessing, “Friend?”

Eliza continued, “Anyway, if you are sick the fairy can tell what is wrong and tells its friend how to help you.”

Then she nodded to Sarah to take over, but before Sarah could continue Zack interrupted talking to his father, “But why could you hear it?”

Isaac answered humbly, “Sometimes a fairy gets overcome by the light and makes a prophecy and its voice changes to a,” deepening his own voice he continued, “deeper tone.” He returned to his normal pitch, “The fairy was making a prophecy about your Grandfather Noah and Hezekiah, it was saying that when my dad’s seventh son became a warrior the tide would turn.”

Zack had an extremely puzzled look on his face, after thinking about it a second he asked “But the tide turns twice a day, and Hezekiah is younger than Caleb and Joshua, Hezekiah wasn’t even born yet?”

Tickled Isaac explained, “She didn't meant the tide in the war, the forces of light would start to win.”

Sarah took over, “A prophecy is telling about the future, so the fairy was saying that Noah would have a seventh son, years before he was even born.”

Still troubled Zack asked, “But Hezekiah isn’t even a knight it should be Caleb and Joshua that do it.”

Isaac was getting exasperated, “Hezekiah can’t do it by himself, that’s why Grandpa started planning for the future.  Now Hezekiah is trained to be a warrior and we feel a little more confidence about the future.  That is why we are going to try and take Jericho.

Zack, with all of the confidence of a six year old, said of his uncles, “Caleb and Joshua will push those orcs and trolls out of Jericho first thing and Cam and Grandfather can tear the walls down and then Porto will be safe again.”

Isaac shook his head, “It’s going to take more than just tearing the walls down.  When most of the orcs and goblins got back through the pass last summer they learned that we are weak there.  They will be back, led by more trolls and because of their success there will be more of them.”

Zack questioned his father, “But we will win, won’t we? That’s what the fairy said.”

Isaac said reassuringly to his son, “We will win this summer.” Under his breath he said to his wives, “Its next summer that is gong to be the problem.”  Then he continued in a stronger voice, “They will need to carry the stones away and they are going to do that with the help of the dwarfs that Silas is bringing from the Lost Mountain. Hopefully Hezekiah will have a fair amount of dwarves with him that decided to join us.  Anyway, Elijah and Luke hope to have enough help that we can tear Jericho’s walls down and use the stone to build a wall or outpost at the mouth of Millers canyon.  Hopefully without a lot of work the dwarves can use the old stones.  The stone on the five little kingdoms side is too soft for making a good wall but the stone at Jericho is granite. Cam will make sure that it is put in the right spot.  The five Kings will need to make sure it is manned properly.”

Zack proclaimed, “Caleb and Joshua won’t hide behind a wall, them and their knights will ride right over all those orcs.”  It was easy to see who Zack idolized.

Sarah commanded Zack to bed saying, “Go to bed, I am not going to wake you in the morning and you will miss saying goodbye to your father.”

In a parting shot Zack retorted, “You don’t have to wake me I’m not going to sleep tonight.”  They all knew both were blustering and that Eliza wouldn’t let him miss saying goodbye to his father.

The three adults sat in silence for a while and then Isaac said, “A number of the forces we have gathered are going to start the summer green, but by the time it is over they will be well seasoned.  I hope they like to eat fish because before we can harvest next summer it will be the main course of our diet.”

Eliza responded, “Yes, but with the new land your dad picked out they won’t be eating fish after the next year unless they want to.  The dwarfs are going to be able to grow all the potatoes they want, if the way you describe the black soil is right.  It sounds like a perfect spot,” She sighed, “except it can’t be because we already live in the perfect spot.”

Sarah stood and walked to the door to make sure that no little boys were still up then she said, “The boys’ bags are in the cabin, I hope you can keep three little boys out of trouble for a month.”  Then she went into the house.

Eliza whispered, “So you will be gone for a month?” then she took his hand and led him into the house.

Home

The island was naturally covered in clover and as green as one would expect considering its name, Clover Island.  The north side has a small harbor and around the island are a number of little coves.  The south and west sides have grassy hills with a few pockets of trees well suited for raising cows.   The east side has a number of plains that were perfect for raising grains. Many large fields surrounded a very small hamlet that housed the hired hands and their families who worked the fields. The north side of the island was characterized by rocky crags and steep hills with a number of plots that were fenced off for growing crops, potatoes being a favorite, and raising sheep and goats.  Among the rocky crags and looking down on the harbor was the manor house.   It was a large building with the kitchen acting as the great hall taking up most of the main part of the house.  The front side of the house had two stories and numerous windows with a large double door.   There were two wings extending off the sides at right angles, and the back of the building was made up of many sleeping chambers.  At the back of the house and at the end of each wing were double chimneys.  Having the kitchen in the manor was unusual because of the risk of fire burning the building. The chimney that rose out of the main part of the house was for a large dwarf made cast iron stove.  The craftsmanship of the dwarves from the Lost Mountain was legendary because of the quality, and since few knew where the mountain was anything that bore the mountain’s stamp was considered a precious commodity. The chimneys from the wings of the house were for fireplaces that heated the wings from the small library or reading room on one side and solar on the other side. The solar contained a number of chess sets so that the younger members of the family would learn the value of planning a number of moves ahead.  Outside was a sweeping covered porch that rounded the sides and front of it.  Each side and the front of the house had at least one large swinging bench and a number of wicker rockers.

     The compound of the house contained various other buildings and two large barns. Leaving the compound was a road connecting it to a small village that had developed by the harbor. The village contained the families of the various tradesmen and hired help that worked on the island or in the local waters.  Some of these cottages were owned by their inhabitants.

The island was famous for its cheese, a result of the clover, and its owners, the Gabriel family, which was famous for having two saints in their ancestral line, and for the virtue and honor of its fighting men.  Most of the island had been in possession of the Gabriel family for generations. The manor provided a safe haven for all of the seven sons of St. Gabriel and their families. 

            Sitting on the porch was a large man named Isaac; he was the oldest son of Noah Gabriel.  The Order of St. Gabriel was named after Noah.  Isaac at forty eight was a young man but had a look of experience about him.  Along with him were two women, Eliza, a big boned blond with braided hair kept high above an elfish face, and the demeanor of a person who works at a firm and steady pace. The second woman was Sarah, a small slim brunette with a matching face that regularly seemed to carry a look of concern.  She always worked at a frantic pace.  They were enjoying the quiet after the sun had set and a momentary loll in what was normally a very active house to discuss the coming events for the Gabriel family.

            Eliza pushed a plate of cookies toward Isaac, her husband, and with a smile commented, “This is pleasant, the first time I think I have sat down today.”

            Sarah leaned forward to listen to a noise in the house, tenderly patted Isaac’s hand and motioned for him to ignore the noise and stay with them on the bench that he shared with both women.  Then with the sound of regret in her voice she whispered, “It is going to be lonely around here without you. I can’t wait for you to get back, and you haven’t even left yet. Maybe I should take after Hadassah and Claira and go with you when you leave in the morning.”

Isaac smiled and kissed her on the top of the head, “With Claira and you gone nothing would get done.”  Eliza elbowed Isaac in the ribs and he gave an exaggerated grunt.  Both women knew he was stretching things a bit, but there was a lot of truth in the statement because Eliza was too kindhearted to discipline anyone.  When she did scold someone she felt terrible for days and lavished affection and sweets on the guilty individual until she felt she had done enough penance.  When Sarah wasn’t around Hezekiah would annoy Eliza until she lost patience with him; he thought that the benefits more than made up for any punishment.

            Eliza asked, “How long?” not feeling the need to put more words into the question. They all looked down into the harbor were an elfish designed cog with two masts sat at the main pier among small fishing boats.  The bow of the ship was contoured like the smooth backside of a swan with the front of the hull narrowing at the forecastle, matching the slope of the swan’s feathers toward the neck, and resulting in the figure head of a large swan. The railing gracefully followed the contour of the ship without sharp corners. Even though it sat low in the water it appeared ready to quickly move.

Isaac thought for a moment and then said, “A week of sailing depending on the winds and a little more than a day to unload at most.   Hopefully Seth will be there or right behind me.  He should have set sail a week ago from the Lost Mountain.” Then in a happier voice, after giving Eliza a nudge, he exclaimed, “I haven’t seen Hezekiah in over three years and I want to be there for the wedding.” He stopped to think for a moment then continued, “Of course that is if they haven’t been wed before I get there, you haven’t met Tess yet, she is a fireball, and might not wait for me.”

 Sarah tilted her head to the side and commented to no one, “Two peas in a pod there.”

            Isaac continued as if he had not been interrupted, “I want to talk with Luke and I don’t know if he will be there yet.  If Pip can’t get the five kings to make a treaty of alliance to defend Miller Pass I might just load our solders up and leave them to their own fate.”  A moment passed, “If Luke hasn’t started for Porto he will need to soon.” He continued quietly, “It will be the first time all seven of us will be together since mother died fifteen years ago.” Both women leaned their heads on their husband’s shoulders in sympathy.

 “Caleb and Joshua will join Luke in Salem with approximately one hundred bowmen who have been trained by the Brothers of St. Michael to work with the spearmen that Luke is bringing.”  With a sigh he continued, “Elijah and Cam should have their troops at least half way prepared.  I have never seen Cam so disgusted in my life.  Some of those boys were so skinny it was evident they hadn’t eaten a decent meal in months and the fathers were even worse.  They had to put some fat on them before Cam could work any muscle into them. He had planned on starting the training right away but knew he would have to go slow at first.” Brushing some crumbs off his lap he continued looking at Sarah, “I know I have said it, but the relief on your fathers face when we started unloading the grain was heart breaking. I could see the concern he had for the refugees and we all know he would sacrifice his kingdom trying to help them all.  It is unlikely that the other kingdoms, all combined, had as many refugees as he did.  I don’t think many of them went home for the winter; the orcs wouldn’t have left any food behind when they retreated.  He was running out of silver to pay his retainers because of all the food he had already bought.   I think he probably only had about ten retainers on hand when I left and your little brother was trying to increase the household guard, but with what your little brother had to work with it would cost more than they would be worth.”  With a sigh he finished, “Of course any honorable man with integrity would spend his last coin to defend his homeland.”