Down Into the Foothills
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 6857
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For five days the three men traveled north along the rocky cliffs
of the Goth. At first they had
made for higher ground, as far above the evil and haunted forest below them
as possible. But as soon as
the dark grey canopy of the tree-tops below thinned out, Dokken led them
back down to the lower
slopes. With the expanse of the tainted forest behind them, it was safe
now to continue their journey
through the less arduous highlands on the western shoulder of the dark
mountain range. Fred said
nothing to his silent watchmen, but he was relieved that they were leaving
the hard paths of the cold
mountains. The weather was turning and autumn was reaching out with her
chilly embrace. The
snowcapped peaks of the Goth rose high above them; the threat of snow or of
rain was not yet very
great, but the winds that blew down from the passes above them were cold
and carried the smell of storm
clouds. Fred did not relish the idea of traveling among the dark steps of
these strange mountains in the
middle of a freezing downpour.
But that was not the only reason Fred was happy to depart from the crags and ridges of the Goth. He did not like this place. The rocky heights that surrounded him were anything but cheerful; the weight of the ancient hills was heavy and oppressive and seemed filled with brooding and melancholy. He wondered if it was just in his mind though, for he saw no sign that the dwarves shared his unease. But then, since the death of Baren, they had become even more dour than usual. They were as inscrutable as the Goth itself, so who could know what they felt. Fred did admit to himself though that he had no real reason to feel so ill at ease. Their journey since leaving the cursed forest had been quiet and uneventful. There had been no further attacks on them, either from the forest below or the stone cliffs above. But still, Fred would not breathe easy until he had left these disquieting peaks far behind. His heart grew less heavy as they made their way down into the foothills. Soon he would be able to put all this behind him. At the rate they were going it would be a matter of only a few more days until they passed from out of the shadow of the Goth and into the rocky passes of the Shreken, and once past that he would be back in the civilized lands of Haevnheim. No more ghosts, no more monsters, no more dwarves. He yearned to look upon the valleys and rivers and clean forests of his homeland. With joy would he gaze out at the happy kingdoms that spread themselves across that mighty land. And above all else, his thoughts were filled with fair Allaria, the Great Kingdom. She was his home and his comfort, the crown jewel of the north country. The day was far advanced when they reached the low-lying hills. Dokken halted and they began to prepare camp. Fred wasn't sure who's territory they now walked upon but out here, so close to the menacing Goth, he did not expect for them to meet any harm or indeed to meet anything at all. It was therefore a great surprise when he heard the cry for help. He stood up, instantly alert, and searched out where the cry came from. The dwarves hefted their war axes, ready for any threat. Fred grabbed his sword, not Nelheth-Mord though, but the other sword he had taken from the Dragon's deadly lair. It too had runes he could not read, it too in all probability was ensorceled, but until he was proven wrong he would assume that it was only a steel blade that he held in his hand. He dared not believe otherwise. "What do you think you're doing?" Dokken asked gruffly. Fred turned to him, anger on his face. "Someone is in need of aid, would you have me turn a deaf ear? Would you have me be derelict in my duty?" Fred asked with contempt. Dokken's face grew dark, "Your duty is to return to your homeland and it is our duty to make sure you do not fail. Nothing else matters." The cry rang out again, louder this time. Fred turned toward the voice and then looked back at Dokken with a glare. "I decide where my duty lies, dwarf. If you have been set to watch over me, then very well, watch. But do not dare to command me. I am my own man. I go where I will and do what I must." With that he strode out of the camp and headed toward the plaintive cries.
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WolfRun
1/17/2000 4:22:54 PM
Extending Enabled
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