The Black Dragon by W. D. Newman

Author:W. D. Newman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-08-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18: The Naming

“Now, you need to give them your name,” said Mueller.

“Oh, sure” said Ben. To begin with, he felt rather silly naming the gnomes. That they were making such a big deal out of the whole thing just made matters worse. However, the gnomes obviously attached great importance to a name, so Ben was as solemn and as reverent as possible when he bestowed his last name upon Harry and Bobo. He decided to include Mueller in this makeshift ceremony too and began with him.

“I need all three of you to kneel down on one knee.”

When the gnomes were in position, Ben stood before Mueller and unsheathed his hunting knife. “Mueller, do you promise to defend your newfound freedom and to faithfully uphold the laws of the new and liberated Kahzidar?”

“I do,” Mueller answered.

“Then, I here by name you Mueller Alderman, a free gnome of Kahzidar,” said Ben. He tapped Mueller twice on each shoulder with his knife. “Rise up and, umm… be free.”

Ben quickly performed the ceremony on Harry and Bobo. When he was finished, one thing was certain; the three Alderman gnomes standing before him were different now. He could see the hunger for true freedom in their eyes and the determination to achieve it in the way they set their jaws. He could also tell that they would now do anything for him. Now he had three insiders to help him rescue his friends and possibly many more. Things were finally beginning to look up.

“Okay,” he asked them, “what’s our plan?”

“As I said,” Harry answered, “there is already an underground movement, among the Holediggers, to remove Ringwald. Bobo will go into the city and spread the word among the dissenters that the overthrow is taking place tonight. While he is doing that, we will descend into the mines and rally the Holediggers and Mudcrawlers down there. When the rebels from the mines arrive in the city, they will go straight to the elevators and secure them first. We cannot let the elevators get destroyed; we must capture them in working order. The ones that are already stationed in the city will attack the upper levels as soon as the skirmishes break out at the elevators. The Stonebreakers will be busy defending their homes and we should be able to capture the elevators and start bringing up the rest of the Mudcrawlers.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” said Ben.

“It is," Bobo interrupted, with much excitement in his voice. "And if I may take my leave, then I’d better be on my way. I have many Holediggers to speak with tonight.”

“Tell everyone to watch for the skirmish at the elevators. When those start, begin your attacks at once.” reminded Harry.

Bobo nodded and set off down the tunnel, toward the city, at a brisk trot.

Harry turned to Mueller. “It has begun. Lead us to the slave mines, we have much to do.”

Mueller told Harry to extinguish his torch and to follow quietly. The torch, he explained, was too bright and smoky.

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