The Hellhound Consortium by B A Simmons

Author:B A Simmons [Simmons, B A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Glass Spider Publishing
Published: 2018-02-24T22:00:00+00:00

15 – Aruth

The island of Aruth was, by far, the largest Rob had ever seen. He and Doctor Morris had taken passage aboard a returning lumber ship, which came in sight of Aruth a day after passing Aura Isle. Aura itself was magnificent with its vertical cliffs surrounded by millions of seabirds and the dozens of lumber ships bobbing up and down in the waves around it.

Yet, after three days of sailing along its coast, Rob’s perception of Aruth became fixated on a mystery. What was on this island?

Doctor Morris spent those three days educating Rob on Duarve culture. At least as much as the teacher himself knew. The Duarves were a secretive race. Dwelling primarily in caverns, most of which they excavated themselves, and shunning contact with other races, there really was little that humans understood about them.

“It’s because of their size and their subterranean lifestyle that we call them Duarves. This is the word our ancestors used to describe a mythical race of beings from our folklore.”

Rob smiled, “How interesting that they were mythical until discovered to be real.”

“There is much that falls into that category,” Morris said. “However, what is most important about the Duarves is that they believe this world is theirs. They have always lived here, according to their traditions, and we humans, the Quillian, and the Ferlies are all foreign invaders.”

“But you also said they don’t like to travel the seas.”

“Yes, I did.”

“Then how can they claim to be the original inhabitants of a world that is mostly sea, if they don’t like to travel on those seas?”

“Whether or not their claim is true, it is still their belief and there are Duarves who will kill anyone who defies it.”

“The Duarve I saw on Hellhound Isle looked so small, I have a hard time believing they’re that much of a threat to humans.”

“Looks can be deceiving. Never underestimate a Duarve, and never insult their beliefs. Especially since we seek their help.”

“We do?”

“The acquaintance I told you about back on Engle Isle is a Duarve. It lives among the courtiers to the Baron of Aruth.”

“It? Oh, that’s right. They’re hermaphrodites. Wait, do they mind being called it?”

“This one doesn’t, at least. Unlike most Duarves, it is willing to be around humans so as to help maintain a healthy relationship between our races. Do not make the mistake of thinking it likes us any more than the rest of its race does. Yet, we need to convince it to translate our Duarvish figures.”

“Do you think he . . . um, it will do that for us.”

“I think that’ll depend on how well it remembers me.”

Nestled into a narrow valley on the northern shore, Port Aruth was the largest city on the island. Rob’s first impression was that it looked militaristic. A large stone keep sporting cannon turrets greeted them on the edge of a well-protected jetty. The jetty was surrounded by an extensive wooden barricade that reminded Rob of Roger’s friction horse. A tall, defensive wall separated the wharf from the rest of the city.

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