The
cottage seems to be as you left it all those years ago, except for thick
translucent layer of dust covering all shelves and furniture. With the
fire now burning merrily you sit down in your father's comfy old chair
and gaze into the dancing flames flickering shadows around the room.
"Good memories
for you?" asks the sword.
You remain
silent and just continue to gaze as the fire's hypnotic properties dull
the confusion in your head.
< Thud
>
Your combat
senses kick in to the sudden sound and with lightening reactions you assume
a fighting stance with sword firmly a grip, knocking a glass fruit dish
and its aged contents into the fire.
"Not so
tight, not so tight," the sword mumbles.
"sshhh!..we're
not alone," you whisper
You look around
the room as the fires shadows dance about causing confusion to your eyes.
< Thud
...Mumble >
"There it
is again," you whisper , sensing that the noise is emanating from the
hallway.
"Its probably
just a rat. Those pesky vermin are just a pain in the hilt!" Gleams
valetant.
You edge towards
the dimly lit hallway, not knowing what may be there.
< Mumble,
Mumble >
"That's
no rat!" you whisper.
As the hall
seems empty you realize that there can only be one logical place the noise
is coming from. A vision of your father and yourself as a boy fills your
mind. The built in cupboard was a great place to hide when you was young.
With the door slightly set in from the adjoining wall it was easily forgotten.
A safe house when eluding an angry father after something had accidentally
been broken. It had to be the cupboard and so with the tip of the sword
you flick the latch and open the door ajar.
< Mumble,
Mumble, Thud >
There before
you is what seems to be a young dwarf tied up, gagged and wearing a fur
coat and a fez. Unable to to control your sniggers you blurt out in laughter.
You savour the moment, as a sight like this is very far and few between.
Helpless in every way the dwarf retaliates with just a mean glare. Finally
pity gets the better of you and with a few well judged slices of the sword
you free the dwarf.
"So ya think
that's funny do ya?"
< Stomp!!
>
Dropping the
sword and grabbing your foot in pain form the dwarfs stamp you hop around
the hall.
"Now that's
funny!" Chuckles the dwarf waving valetant in its hand.
"Nice sword
too, gotta be worth summink" he says rubbing the hilt with his elbow.
"That's
what you think you mine dwelling miniature," shines valetant and with
that the sword emits a bright white hot glow.
The heat it
too much for even the thick skinned dwarf who immediately drops the sword
in pain. You lurch for the sword and roll to your feet. With one clean
flick of the wrist the sword glides effortless through the damp air to
within a fairies wing of the boastful dwarf.
"Err <
Gulp > I... I can see you have the better of me once again. You are an
adversary worth having on ones side! I am Odin, third cousin to King Colrom
ruler of the dwarfen realm or what's left of it," bows the dwarf waving
his hand in the air in a theatrical manor.
"I am Thorin
and this is Valetant" you reply retracting the sword to your side.
"So its
true then, the dwarfen realm has been taken over?" you ask
The plump looking
dwarf just glumly nods "Has been many nights since I've entered the
realm in fear of what my own family would do to me!....Something has taken
their will yet they continue to mine tin at a faster rate than ever before.
It just doesn't make sense."
"So why
weren't you affected then?" you ask curiously
"I was in
the hallowed chamber at the time....err looking for the fabled icons,"
replies Odin, producing a crimson cloth from underneath the fur.
"But all
I found was this useless curtain. When I returned I immediately sensed
something was wrong especially when I saw goblins working with the rest
of the dwarfs. I ran as fast as I could but those horrid creatures caught
me and tied me up here and said they'd be back for dinner later."
Odin sits on
the bottom step of the stairs, takes a deep breath and continues...
"I've been
in that dam cupboard for about three nights now. Still, thanks to you I
wont be the main ingredients to goblin stew."
You grin and
tell Odin "As you owe me a favour now, you can help me find my father
and discover what on earth is going on!"
Spitting on
his hand and extending it, Odin replies "My word is my bond, and I will
help."
You continue
to talk until the late hours of the night, exchanging stories and amusing
tales. Barricading the cottage for the night seems the most sensible thing
to do and so you and your stocky new friend get to work making the cottage
secure.
"I'm sure
my father wont mind us using his study bookcase as a barricade," You
say to Odin as you both take the strain of the surprisingly heavy bookcase.
< Hiss
>
The smell of
fungal air fills the study as the vacuum of air is broken from the sealed
room from behind the well used bookcase.
"Young Thorin
I think you've found it!" Shines valetant brightly
Puzzled, Odin
ponders "Found what exactly?" as he scratches his head
"Your fathers
sorcery room of course," comments the sword.
You both walk
down the corridor until you reach an old well carved door with symbols
around its smooth frame. Reaching for the door handle you are rudely barged
to one side by the dwarf. Odin begins to look at the symbols following
around the frame until near to the handle he stops.
"Booby trapped...and
an extremely good one too. Magical traps aren't passable only by magic
users!" exclaims Odin smugly
"Just touching
the door would probably leave you in a pile of dust or rat fodder!"
grins Odin.
"Great.
So I need magic to get magic!" you say with a defeatist expression.
"Magic you
need?...that's easy, why didn't you say. All you need is the touchstone,"
explains Odin "Once touched then magic will become yours. But be warned
only a true heart and the good lady luck on your side will you succeed!"
"And if
not?" you ask worryingly
"No one
really knows, except that its rumoured that those who fail are never seen
again and only their possessions remain!"
You make your
way back to the light of the study turning back to Odin.
"Let us
rest my small friend and tomorrow you shall show me this stone!" you
say with purpose.
Odin remains
in the darkness of the corridor, out of site until he faintly whispers
"I
didn't say I knew where you could find it though!...Oh why do I always
get myself into these messes. Pinching stuff is far more lucrative and
less dangerous...Oh well what the hell, I could do a lot worse."
And so with
the last candle being doused, "Good Nights" being exchanged, you
both get comfy in your chosen beds and soon fall deep into sleep with just
the faint hum and crackle of the fire to give your dreams a comforting
friend. |
