| 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.
-
 Dokken
and Lem looked at each other. Neither made a move to follow after the quickly
moving knight.
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