Dragonskull: Wrath of the Warlock by Jonathan Moeller

Author:Jonathan Moeller [Moeller, Jonathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub

10

RIVALS

They took a few moments to prepare.

Given that they planned to launch a hit-and-run attack on Makarov’s warbands, taking the pack horses would be a poor idea. After some discussion, they decided that it would be best to lead the horses down the stairs to the cavern. It would keep the animals out of the weather and make it less likely that the xortami or their kobold vassals would stumble across them.

It was also possible that predators would come up from the Deeps and eat the horses, so at Morigna’s suggestion, they all carried as much as they could in their rucksacks. Even if they lost all the horses and the supplies the animals carried, Gareth and the others would still at least have enough food for a few days.

Once the horses were settled, Mthrozgar and his escort descended the stairs and joined them.

“It is always pleasant to be underground again, wouldn’t you say?” said Mthrozgar.

“Given the many dangers of the Deeps, one can hardly agree,” said Morigna.

Mthrozgar let out a chuckle. “As compared to the surface world? At the moment, the land near Takaris all but seethes with dangers. You’re just overly fond of the sun and unappreciative of the pleasant shadows of the Deeps.”

“Let’s save the debate for another time,” said Gareth. “Whether you like sunlight or not, we’re wasting it.”

“Indeed,” said Mthrozgar. “This way.”

They descended back into the Deeps, Morigna’s and Joachim’s spells of light pushing back the darkness. Given that the dvargir could see in the gloom, no doubt they would have preferred to travel without any light, but they gave no complaint. Only about half of the dvargir warriors accompanied them, while the other half wrapped themselves in shadows and vanished. Mthrozgar claimed they were going to scout the locations of the xortami warriors. Gareth had his doubts, but between Morigna’s earth magic and her Sight, the dvargir would have a hard time sneaking up on them.

Nevertheless, Gareth would not relax his vigilance.

Especially since the Deeps were full of dangers other than the dvargir.

Still, no foes showed themselves as they passed through the maze. The dvargir set a swift pace, clearly familiar with the environment, and Gareth and his companions followed. Traveling through the gloomy caverns, surrounded by black-armored dvargir warriors who might become foes at any second, made Gareth’s sword hand itch, and he kept it close to Stormshield’s hilt.

But the dvargir kept their word, at least so far, and did not attack.

They made good time. The tunnels wound back and forth, but unlike the surface, they did not have to contend with hills, gullies, and tree roots. Gareth glanced at Morigna every so often, and the Guardian always gave a shallow nod back.

She knew where they were.

Which was a relief, because Gareth wasn’t certain. He thought he could retrace their steps back to the horses, but a single wrong turn in this maze, and God only knew where they would end up. It was like the Shadow Ways, but without any trace of masonry made by the hands of humans and dwarves and elves.

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