Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2001 23:04:57 EST
From: Bwstories8@aol.com
Subject: The Sword of Kings - chapter 10

Legal Notice:
The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts.
The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality.

Don't read this story if:
**You're not 18 or over,
**If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live,
**Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex.

The author retains copyright to this story.  Placing this story on a
website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author's
permission is a violation of that copyright.  Legal action will be taken
against violators.

I wish to extend my thank you to Ed for his editorial assistance with this
chapter.

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at
http://members.tripod.de/wolfslair, in the 'Other Stories' section.

E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions, or other 'constructive'
comments or advice may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.

              *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

The Sword of Kings - by BW (Fantasy/Sci. Fi.).    Copyright 2000 by billwstories
Chapter 10 - The treasures of Thorold.                      July 2000

Kieren and the others followed King Brolin as he led them down a series of
tunnels toward the tombs of the dwarf kings of old.  As they moved along
the passageways that would lead them there, Kieren was able to observe the
outside of some of the family dwellings that they passed along the way.
These structures housed the common folk of this hard working race and were
all carved from solid rock.  There was a thin line carved into the stone
that outlined the exterior of each home and helped to distinguish it from
the domicile next to it.  Each dwelling had two small windows, a
semi-circular door, and a symbol over the door that identified the
particular residence.  Those were the only openings into the dwelling,
though of course there were openings between the various rooms that had
been excavated out of the stony interior of the Amber Mountains.  This
collection of hand-hewn caverns served as the living quarters for the
family, and the only light sources within them were a scattering of candles
or oil burning lamps.  This soft, flickering amber glow was the only thing
that kept the home from being constantly engulfed in pitch-black darkness.

Sedain told his friends that the typical dwarf family included two to eight
children, although there were those rare cases when a family had eight or
more offspring.  It was because of this fact that the normal dwarf dwelling
would have two to five bedrooms, in addition to the kitchen, an eating
area, and a parlor.  The parlor was the focal point of the home and it
served as the main area for all family oriented activities.  This was the
spot where the family would sit and relax together, often while discussing
topics of importance to their community or their family, and it was there
that the children got their informal instruction in world events and where
they molded their views about morality.  On other occasions, they might
play games in this room or dance together as one of the musically gifted
members of the family played or sang a tune.  This chamber was the hub of
family life and it was the mainstay of dwarven family values.

Some of the wealthier dwarf families might also have a children's activity
room that would be equipped with various devices to amuse, entertain, and
educate the children.  They might have toys constructed with beads that
moved from one area to another, to improve hand-eye coordination, or they
might have constructed devices which used a combination of pulleys, levers,
inclined planes, or hinges, where the children could watch how the toy
operated and learn how these simple devices functioned.  There might be
toys with wheels or that utilized rockers, while there were other items
that made the children use their imaginations to be of any value.  The
parents would use this room and these special toys to sequester the
youngsters when the parents had special guests or when they were holding
formal, adults-only events.

Quintain further explained that the typical household furnishings were
simple and extremely practical.  This was because the dwarfs, as a group,
were not disposed to extravagance where comfort or design were concerned.
Although they do use gold in their public areas and the elegant areas used
to entertain visitors into their kingdom, individually they chose a very
simple existence.  Their tables, chairs, and beds were usually constructed
from durable materials, usually hardwoods or stone.  The dwarf beds were
designed to be very firm, with only the thinnest of mattresses to cover it
(usually no thicker than the longest bone of the thumb).  This was to give
their backs the extra support they needed after a long day of performing
rigorous physical labor.

Doenilio then advised them that the vices of the dwarf men were few and
uncomplicated.  All they desired was a loving woman, plenty of tasty food
and strong drink, a selection of sweet tobaccos, and a fine long-stemmed
pipe to smoke the tobacco with.  It was this stern, rugged existence that
they endured which made them enjoy these ordinary pleasures even more.  It
was generally acknowledged that, even though they had these few
imperfections, they were still caring, loving husbands and attentive,
devoted fathers.

Doenilio filled them in on the dwarven women who were also very hard
workers and they took care of not only the household, the children, and the
meals, but they occasionally worked alongside their husbands for a small
part of the day.  They willingly shared in the physical labor in the mines,
the quarries, or the forges, and they reveled in every moment they were
able to spend together with their mates.  These women also proved to be
equally as tough and stern as mothers, as the men could be as fathers.  The
women wanted their children to be happy and to make something of
themselves, but they did not indulge them in self-centered or unproductive
activities, nor did they allow them to become caught up in the harmful
vices that sometimes plagued the other races.  They felt that any of those
types of indulgences would only produce soft, unmotivated, lazy adults, and
they were determined that their sons and daughters wouldn't grow up to
become unproductive members of society.

After nearly an hour of travel, the guests passed the last abodes of these
hearty people and their path grew barren and more dimly lit.  As they
walked down these desolate corridors, Kieren concluded that this
undeveloped stretch of the tunnel was probably left this way by the dwarf
architects who had originally designed Thorold, to allow for the future
growth of the population, in years to come.  During the generations that
had followed Thor's reign, the inhabitants had been continually developing
the area to suit their own needs, not having to rely on the foresight of
their predecessors.

Eventually the long barren stretch of tunnel ended, as the group reached a
fork in the roadway.  The left branch progressed along the same level as
the tunnel they were in, while the right branch ascended slowly upward and
gradually out of sight.  King Brolin indicated that they would be following
the path that veered to the left and he told them that this would lead them
to the Royal Burial Chambers.  The other path, he explained, led to the
tombs of the commoners, which were carved several rows high, out of the
rocky ledges.  He informed them that these tunnels would eventually merge
again, on the opposite end of the royal tombs, but the upper route was much
longer and a more complicated maze of zigzagging passageways.

The company trudged on, not looking forward to their excursion beyond the
dwarf tunnels.  All they could think about was the supernatural wasteland
that awaited them once they reached the sealed rear door, and this was
anything but a pleasant, comforting thought.  They knew, however, that it
was necessary that they plod onward and navigate their way across that
haunted valley because it was imperative for them to reach Treblanc.  They
had to get into this stronghold and recover the missing Sword of Kings, if
they were to have any chance to defeat the Dark Lord and prevent him from
taking control of their beloved homeland.  Silently, Kieren prayed that
they would discover some alternative to this plan before they reached the
point where they would leave the safety of the dwarf kingdom.  He did not
wish to venture out into the spirit world that lay beyond that final
doorway and he didn't want to tread through the ghouls' playground that
Beraut had just described.  His mind was still intent upon these thoughts
when the entourage came to a halt in front of a single gigantic granite
door, which was set upon a heavy iron framework.

This massive covering was specially designed to protect the entrance to the
royal tombs from those who might wish to plunder their ageless treasures.
There was a single series of runes engraved in the stone, around the outer
edges of the portal, and King Brolin stepped forward and touched the
symbols in an order prescribed by an age-old ritual. Deftly, his fingers
danced from rune to rune, as his arms waved from one side of the doorway to
the other.  Each run glowed slightly after he caressed it, the glow
mounting until a ring of fire encircled the door.  He continued this
process for some time, until the gate swung outward of its own accord,
permitting the assemblage to pass over the threshold and enter the sacred
chamber beyond.  The Dwarf King removed a torch from one of the last
brackets on the hallway wall and he held it to a round opening that was
located just inside this new hall.  As if by magic, the torches running
along the walls of the mausoleum ignited, one by one, starting with the
ones nearest the entranceway and continuing on down the gallery.

The young prince caught his breath, as the light glimmered off the treasure
that lay around each of these ancient sarcophagi, a fortune reserved for
the use of these deceased rulers in the afterlife.  The magnitude of the
wealth in this tomb was breathtaking and the outsiders were staggered by
the thought of how large a fortune surrounded them.  Suddenly, each of them
realized the honor that had been bestowed upon them, being allowed to view
these riches that spread out in all directions.  The dwarfs were hesitant
to let outsiders even enter their kingdom, let alone give them a guided
tour of this well-guarded secret.  The others, like Kieren, were totally
engrossed with the treasures that surrounded them.  They would have
continued to stand there and ogle these riches, if King Brolin's voice had
not broken the silence.

"If I might take a couple of minutes of your time, I would like to tell you
a little about some of the tombs that you see before you.  This immediate
area is the final resting place of the first four Kings of my people.  The
first stone coffin on your right is that of Thorin, the founder of our
homeland and the one for whom both Thorold and Thorley were named.  He was
the one who selected this site and encouraged my people to begin excavating
a new city for themselves and begin a new way of life.  Although it took
several decades to get to the point where it began to resemble its present
form, he was the one who commissioned its design, oversaw the early stages
of its construction, and kept encouraging his subjects to continue on this
important venture.  Once they had a dug a tunnel from one side of the
mountain to the other, he also suggested that they establish a farming
community in Peaceful Vale, so they would become self-sufficient and not
dependent on the other races for survival.  It was through his leadership
that the dwarfs became a true race to be reckoned with.

"The next three sarcophagi, the one next to Thorin's and the two on the
other side of the aisle, contain the remains of the three kings who
followed Thorin to the throne and helped to complete his dream.  It was
under their leadership that the miners, stonemasons, and engineers
continued their work, taking Thorin's vision and making it reality.  They
were the leaders who kept our people focused upon the vision of a truly
great king and helped to complete his subterranean realm.  They were also
the ones who kept reminding us of the riches we could uncover, as we dug
closer and closer to the core of the mountain.  You see, there are gold and
precious jewels deep underground, which we extracted from this land as we
hewed out our homes, shops, and other structures.  Those rulers were the
ones who decided to keep this wealth a secret, lest our homeland become a
target for thieves and robbers.  They did allow our goldsmiths, jewelers,
and other craftsmen to design magnificent pieces from these riches and
sparingly use them to barter with the other races.  They never allowed much
to be sold at any one time, making the other races think these trinkets
were the results of rare finds.

"All four of those kings died before the Royal Burial Chamber had been
completed and their remains had to be temporarily laid to rest in another
area in our kingdom.  When this vault had been completed, the remains of
those great monarchs were exhumed and a joyous funeral procession was
organized to bring them to this place of honor.  A small part of their
personal possessions, which you can plainly see as it surrounds their
tombs, was placed here with their bodies, to give them the items they would
need to live in the world beyond.  This way they can also enjoy some of the
prosperity that they enjoyed in this life, to sustain them in the next.

"If you look at the lid covering each sarcophagus, you'll notice that it is
adorned with a life size replica of each sovereign and the facial features
on these statues were duplicated from the original death mask of that
king."  The outsiders now strained to get a better look at the
representations of the dwarf kings of old, to see if they looked anything
like their descendents.  As they moved nearer each funeral vault, Beraut
offered a stern warning.

"Heed my advice about touching any of this, even accidentally.  Remember,
the dwarfs are a clever bunch and they fervently protect that which
rightfully belongs to them.  Those trying to take what isn't theirs will
definitely have harm befall them.  Even those who innocently pick up a
trinket to admire it, with no intent of larceny in their heart, will suffer
the same fate as those who intend to filch this booty."

As they had listened to Beraut's admonishment, King Brolin touched the
runes on the inside of the door, resealing the portal through which they
had just entered the tomb.  They were now temporarily sealed in this
chamber along with the corpses and they eagerly followed Beraut and King
Brolin as they moved slowly forward.  Purposefully they moved down the
center aisle, passing between the burial sites of each king who had ever
reigned over this race.  The visitors continued to try to visually examine
all of these new crypts and absorb as much of the splendor and detail as
was possible.  None of them had ever beheld or imagined such treasures as
were strewn about the burial vaults.  Now they stood nearly transfixed,
gawking at the various crowns, armor, weapons, serving dishes, statues, and
ornaments that lay before them.  Most of these items were made of gold or
silver and many of them were adorned with precious gems.  These offerings
to their former monarchs were of every size, shape, and description, and
they were too numerous to even count.

It was hard to comprehend how much wealth was scattered about the area, but
the dwarfs had made no pretense of trying to disguise its presence.  Around
each stone casket was stored but a mere fraction of the previous owner's
worldly belongings and the aggregate riches assembled here was
mind-boggling, to say the least.  The companions were not only in awe of
the amount of wealth represented here, but they were also fascinated with
the artistry and beauty of each individual piece they saw.  The skill of
the craftsmen who had produced these pieces was obvious and the splendor of
each item could still be appreciated, even though the items had lain
neglected and tarnished for many years.  Here were some of the loveliest
pieces of jewelry, goblets, dishes, weapons, and armor that had ever been
produced in Tarolia, and they had remained hidden for many years.  The
visitors relished their unique position of being allowed to witness this
for themselves and they made sure that they would notice as much as they
could.  Their heads pivoted back and forth, as they looked from one side of
the room to the other, and they strained to view every artifact they could
on this brief tour.  Realizing that they had already tarried longer than
they should have, Beraut broke the silence.

"We must quicken our pace," the wizard urged, "or we shall fall dangerously
behind schedule.  Possibly King Brolin will allow you to return sometime in
the future, after this task has been completed, so you can see the things
you might have missed.  For now, however, speed must be our utmost
concern."

"Yes, my newly met friends," added the King, "Although we don't normally
allow outsiders into this sacred place, I would be pleased to allow you to
return after you have successfully completed your mission.  At that time, I
would be glad to give you a tour of our entire homeland, including the
royal crypts.  So, please, make haste and don't worry about losing this
opportunity."

The companions thanked King Brolin for his gracious offer, as they
quickened their pace down the aisle.  They were still trying to observe as
much as they could and they would, occasionally, see something that would
reinforce the warning they had been given prior to entering this chamber.
Intermittently, they would chance upon the carcass of a long deceased
animal, be it a rat, a bat, or some other unfortunate creature that had
chanced into the hall, and made its way into the piles of treasure.  These
unwitting critters had either been the victim of the effects of the deadly
poison that had been spread over each item or they had become the victim of
some unseen device that the dwarfs had placed there to dispense with
unwanted visitors.  These remains served as a silent witness to what would
happen to any curious or greedy individual who decided to disturb the items
that had been left there.

As they continued forward, the companions noticed that they were coming to
the end of the royal gravesites, if not to the end of the chamber itself.
When they reached the last of the stone sarcophagi that adorned the room,
King Brolin pointed out the vault that would be the final resting place for
him and his queen.  This harmless little gesture caused Kieren to reflect
on his own mortality and he quickly thought how someday his remains, and
those of his friends, would each be stored or disposed of according to the
custom of their people.  Now Kieren looked at this place from a different
perspective and he began to appreciate the fact that these vaults all
represented beings who had once walked these corridors and breathed this
air.  Up to this point, Kieren had somehow thought of these long dead kings
only as a part of history and he never really pictured them as vital,
living beings.  Now he realized that they had lived as King Brolin did and
that someday others would pass this current ruler's tomb and come to the
same realization.

Having passed this special spot, they walked down the empty hallway past
the area that would someday house the remains of kings yet unborn.  This
barren expanse continued forward and it took them another forty minutes of
travel before they reached the doorway at the other end of the chamber.
This portal was identical to the one they had used to enter this crypt and,
again, King Brolin touched the runes adorning the archway.  As he followed
the ancient ritual, the door opened unassisted into the hallway beyond.

"We will now be leaving the Royal Burial Chambers.  Once we are on the
other side, we will follow the tunnel beyond until it joins with a second
tunnel.  Along that passageway are the burial sites used for the commoners.
It is also the path that looped around this chamber as we entered the other
end of the Royal Vaults."  As they entered this new corridor, the King
paused to reseal the entrance to the chamber.  When he had completed his
task, the companions were on the move again.

"We are now about halfway to our destination," King Brolin began.  "This
path will lead us directly to that centuries old gateway that opens into
the Valley of the Dead."

"Why are there no burial sites here?" Romaric wondered aloud.

"We have not yet reached this point from Thorold," the King told him.  "We
are still using the crypts that lie along the route that we bypassed when
coming here.  Our relatives from Thorley had not reached this point for
laying their dead to rest, either.  Eventually, the two areas would have
kept growing until they met, then we would have found a new location for
our deceased."

Once again, they resumed their march down the tunnel, going more quickly
now, as there was nothing for them to see.  After many minutes of traveling
through this barren tunnel, they reached the first of the burial sites from
Thorley, the last of their community that they had laid to rest.  Now they
trudged past the former residents of Peaceful Vale, with the gravesites
going further back into antiquity with every stride.  The members of this
small company began to notice the deterioration of the tombs, which grew
more noticeable as they journeyed farther along the tunnel.  It seemed that
there had been few visitors to this neglected region and the last person to
set foot along the pathway probably came from Thorley, one night before the
Grim Reaper left their souls to wander aimlessly in the valley.  The dwarfs
still hoped that one-day the area would be free of those tormented souls
and remove the curse that kept the area from being fertile.  Maybe some day
in the future Thorley could be rebuilt and it would serve as a great
farming community again.

As Kieren was pondering this, they reached the anteroom that separated
tombs and the now defunct agricultural area that spread out beyond the
doorway.  It was here that the group stopped to make their final
preparations before leaving the safety of the dwarven kingdom.  Without any
signal necessary, the companions huddled together, looking toward the Dwarf
King and the industrious wizard for their next cue.  Beraut was paying them
no heed, however, as he was busily unpacking some items from one of the
satchels he was carrying.  Carefully, he spread the objects before him, on
the floor.

"Soon Beraut will be sealing up your ears and you will not be able to hear
a sound," the King began, "so I will tell you now all that you need to
know.  You are about to undertake a journey that will be extremely
difficult and will probably prove to be the deciding factor in this
conflict.  You have already faced many dangers on your way to this realm,
but now you will face an even greater peril as you travel between here and
Treblanc.  On this next stage of your mission, you will become more
vulnerable as you venture closer to the areas controlled by the Dark Lord
and his henchmen.  I beg each of you to never doubt your abilities or the
righteousness of our cause as you face these new trials and tribulations.
Do not let Madumda bring uncertainty into your minds or put fear into your
hearts, for good must always overcome evil and so it will be in this matter
as well.  I wish for you much speed and good fortune on completing this
assignment.  I want you all to know that you will long be endeared to the
hearts of all dwarfs, those living and those yet to be born, for what you
are about to do and you will forever be welcome into our homeland."

Everyone stood motionless and speechless as the King concluded his
comments, deeply moved by the sincerity and emotion that he displayed as he
spoke to them.  It was because of these strong feelings that he exuded that
Kieren felt a special kinship to the dwarf ruler.  The youth now had a
sudden urge to remain in this realm, so he could get to know the King and
his people better, but he knew that they both had to accept the roles they
were assigned and honor the demands that had been placed upon them.
Possibly when this was over, the gods willing, he would be able to return
and dwell for a while, if even for a short time, so he could bond with the
noble race as deeply as he had bonded with the elves who had helped to
nurture and educate him.  He wanted to sensitize himself to each group that
populated this fair land, so he could understand the way they thought and
be able to see why they acted as they did or comprehend what things were
important to them.  If he was destined to rule them, then he wanted to be
able to represent them fairly, as he would be able to do with the elves and
men of this land.

The prince's thoughts were suddenly disturbed, as the voice of the magician
split the silence.  "We must now attend to making ourselves ready for the
journey across the valley.  It is imperative that you listen carefully to
all that I tell you and you must not let your thoughts roam, even for a
second, as I instruct you on what we will do next.  I will only give these
directions once and, after we prepare ourselves for this venture, no
further communications will be possible.  If you miss even the smallest
detail that I am about to impart to you, it may cost you your sanity or
your life.  I implore you to pay diligent attention to all that I am about
to say.

"First, I would like to tell you about what you can expect to see after we
leave the safety of the dwarf kingdom.  The trip through the valley cannot
be completed in a single day, so we will have to make at least one camp
during this time.  This, I am sure, is not a pleasant thought for you to
entertain and I would be willing to bet that it will not be a soothing
night's rest for you either.  It may be more bearable if you understand
what you will be facing.  There will be spirits drifting in the air about
you during our whole stay in the valley.  Much of the time you will not be
able to recognize that they are even there, but there may be other times
when they seem to take shape before your very eyes.  It is not their
appearance that is deadly, though, but their wails are what can affect
other mortal beings.  I will be placing devices in your ears to keep that
from happening, but you must be careful not to let anything affect you in
any way that might dislodge these devices from their designated places.  My
preparations will protect you from their pitiful wails and demoniacal
sounds that echo between the mountain slopes, but you will have to maintain
your composure and not allow yourself to react in ways that could cause you
to lose this advantage.  I will be powerless to assist you in this area and
only you can keep harm from befalling you in this fashion."

Beraut paused, to allow his message to sink in and give them a chance to
envision what it might be like in the valley, without letting them miss
what else he had to say.  Having given them a few minutes for thought, the
wizard continued instructing the companions.

"During the course of this trip you will have to follow a series of hand
signals, which I shall teach you.  These gestures will be used to indicate
what it is that I wish you to do.  I will not use any elaborate signs, so
you should easily be able to understand the meaning of most of these
gestures without training.  If you don't comprehend what it is that I am
trying to tell you, watch the others to see if they have picked up my
suggestion and then follow their lead.  I will also mouth my commands as I
give them, so you may be able to read my lips to understand what I am
trying to tell you, if you don't understand them the other way.  Whatever
happens, though, do not be tempted to loosen or remove your earplugs and
bindings.  These must not be loosened until we have passed out of the
valley and we have moved through the gap that separates the Amber and the
Citadel Mountain ranges.  Once we are beyond this point and we are out of
range of the effects of the specters of the valley, you will need to be
diligent and ready for the new dangers that may arise from that point on.
It will be at that time that I shall have to leave you, as I must return to
lead the allied army into battle."

Beraut now went on to explain the hand signals that he would be using
during their journey across the valley.  Carefully he went over each motion
and, when he was finished explaining them, he quizzed them on their
meanings.  When Beraut was satisfied that they all understood these
commands, the wizard continued his instructions.  "I will now give you the
earplugs and bindings that I referred to earlier.  Do not do anything with
them until I am able to instruct you on how to properly place and secure
them for your protection."

The wizard explained to everyone how he had crafted these protective
devices specifically for them.  "I made each set of earplugs specifically
for the one I shall hand them to.  At various times when we were together,
I magically crafted these devices so they would form a perfect seal into
the ears of whoever wore them.  They would also work for any other member
of your race, but each race would be unique and thus require a different
device.  I made these devices from a very thick, tough wax and then I cast
a magical spell over them, to seal the imperfections and to make them
impenetrable to any sounds, no matter how unnatural their origin.  Once
these are placed in your ear canals, you will take the cloth bindings that
I will give you and secure them into place.  You will do this by placing
the wide center portion of the cloth over the nape of your neck and then
pull the ends upward and over your ears, securing them tightly over your
brow.  If you wish, you may place your helmets over this cloth strip to
make sure that the bindings do not slip out of place.  Be careful that you
strap your helmet securely on, once they are in the proper position, to
keep them from dislodging the bindings later.  This will insure against any
mishaps, should you happen to fall or get jarred along the way.  When you
are all prepared in this fashion, King Brolin will open this long sealed
passageway and let us enter that neglected valley.  Once we have left this
place, the King will reseal the door and we will no longer be able to
return here.  Do any of you have any questions?"

The mage turned from face to face, seeing if there were any questions that
were waiting to be asked.  When his gaze fell upon Garreth, he knew that
the youth had a question that he was not sure that he wanted to ask in
front of the others.

"What is it that troubles you, my young elfin confederate?  Speak up, you
are among friends here and there are probably others around you who would
wish to ask a similar question, but who are too timid as well.  Please let
me know what is troubling you."

"It's probably just a stupid question, Master Beraut, and the others will
probably consider me childish for asking it."

"Untrue, my hesitant friend, the only dumb questions are the ones that are
left unasked.  These unspoken questions leave doubts in the minds of those
who might have asked them and these doubts can later cause miscalculation
that could prove to be disastrous.  You have already proven your courage
and manhood in the forest of Briarwood and no single question could
diminish the respect we have held for you since that time."

"I shall heed your advice and rely on your better judgment.  What I wish to
ask is this: I have never seen any apparitions before and I was wondering
how these wraiths would appear to us.  Could you please tell us what they
will look like, so we may better prepare ourselves and reduce our surprise
as we leave here?"

"The boy is correct," added Rhys.  "I, too, would like to know the answer
to this question.  Please impart this information to us, if you would be so
kind."  The others chimed in their agreement, making Garreth feel better
about having summoned the courage to speak up.  The enchanter flashed a
small grin, nodded his head slightly, and he prepared to answer the youth.

"As I told you, young sir, there are often others who are struggling with
their own apprehensions about asking the same or similar questions.  This
new courage you have invoked has relieved them of their own burden, as
well, and will provide the answers to their questions, as well as to yours.
Now I must inform you, however, that I'm not certain that I can give you a
satisfactory response, but I will do my best.  There is no singular
description of the forms that you might see, as they are constantly
changing.  All I can do is try to draw parallels between their appearance
and things that you are more familiar with.  During the daylight hours you
will not be able to clearly distinguish the forms of these spirits.  They
will merely appear as wisps of smoke or fog that might drift across your
path.  They will have no discernable characteristics or features and, for
the most part, you probably won't even be aware of them."

Romaric interrupted the magician's description with a question.  "What
happens if we should walk through one of these things without knowing it?"

"Not a thing, my nervous lad.  These ghostly forms have no physical
properties, other than they are somewhat visible and emit their distressing
wails.  They cannot harm you in any way other than with their shrill cries
of anguish.  It was wise that you thought to ask, though, for if this
should have been otherwise, it would have posed an immediate and definite
threat - one that you would have been better to know about.

"Now, as I was saying, during the daylight hours you will only be slightly
aware of their presence, as the brightness of the sunlight will blot out
any visible features.  Don't let this lull you into a false sense of
security, during which you drop your guard and relax your vigilance,
because your vulnerability will still be the same.  It will be the hours of
darkness that will be the most difficult for you to bear.  This will be the
time when the phantoms can be most clearly observed and when the impact of
these visions can most unnerve even the most hardened warrior.  At night,
these specters will appear as cloudlike shapes, reflecting the moonlight
off their meandering forms.  Their features will be constantly shifting and
changing, as they move about the air, readjusting their appearance with
every change in wind current.  Had you known the being that had once
belonged to this soul, you would not be able to recognize that it was the
same person that you once knew.  About the only thing that you can
distinguish is the vague recognition of the race of this tormented soul, be
it a man, a dwarf, an elf, or a gnome.  These spirits can still be wicked
at times, taking on monstrous visages which they use to try to scare any
intruders into their valley."

"Will they haunt this valley forever?" blurted out Romaric.

"These spirits will roam this land for eternity or until their deaths are
avenged.  If Madumda should be destroyed, however, their souls would be
released from the torment of this world and they would be able to seek
their peace in the hereafter."  Beraut now eyed the gathering, to make sure
that there were no more questions waiting to be asked.  After scanning
those assembled, Beraut was convinced that they were satisfied with his
explanation.

"I will try to avoid traveling during the hours when these forms would be
most recognizable.  I will also permit you to cover your eyes with
blindfolds during these times, if shielding you from these apparitions will
put you more at ease.  I believe that this is as much as I will be able to
do to assist you in this area.  Does that suffice, Garreth?"

Garreth merely nodded his agreement as he considered the information that
he had just been given.  Kieren watched his childhood friend and he tried
to imagine what was going on inside his head.  Again, the prince thought
how grateful he was to have Garreth and Romaric along with him on this
journey and he wanted desperately to assuage his fears.  Although they
hadn't had as many opportunities as they would have liked to talk privately
during their travels, the questions that the other two asked in these group
sessions gave Kieren a sense of reassurance that he was not alone,
physically, mentally, or emotionally, at these times.  Their queries often
mirrored Kieren's own thoughts and the answers would allay his own fears
and apprehensions, as much as they would reassure the original questioner.
It wasn't that Kieren had been afraid to ask those same questions but, as
he was forming a suitable inquiry in his mind, one of the others would
vocalize similar feelings and insecurities before he was ready to verbalize
his own thoughts.  This might have been due more to Kieren's advanced
maturity and that he tried to think things through before he spoke, not
wishing to ask questions that he could have answered for himself.
Nonetheless, the three found comfort in the fact that they often knew what
the other two were thinking or feeling.  Kieren's thoughts were interrupted
as Beraut's voice boomed out again.

"I will now hand each of you the earplugs that I have prepared specifically
for you, and I will also give you the headbands to bind them into their
proper place.  I will help Kieren insert his devices, as I wish to use him
to demonstrate to the rest of you how these devices should be seated.  King
Brolin will also protect himself with similar devices, as he will expose
himself to the same dangers when he opens the portal to let us pass
through.  Let me reiterate, one final time, the importance of following
these instructions completely, as any mistakes could be fatal to your
well-being and to the success of our mission."

"Master Beraut," Kieren interjected, "if you are helping me to prepare to
enter the Valley of the Dead, will you have time enough to get ready
yourself?"

"I have no need for such devices, though I thank you for being concerned
about my safety.  My magical powers keep me protected from the effects of
the cries of those poor souls and I have walked in their presence before.
I can hear their screams and feel their anguish, but I am immune to the
maddening effects that overwhelm others.  I do appreciate your concern,
however, and I am impressed that you take the time to think of others at
times like these.  Now we must get back to our task and begin our
preparations.  I will now give each of you the earplugs made for you."

Beraut scurried from individual to individual, checking his satchel for the
wax plugs that were crafted and marked for that particular individual.  He
would hand the person his device and then move to the next one, repeating
the process again.  When at last of the protective gear had been
distributed, Beraut continued his instructions.

"If you will look at your earplugs, you will notice that not only is there
a part that fits into the ear canal but there is also a part that has been
sculpted to fit into the folds of your outer ear as well.  On the exterior
of that piece you will find a marking to indicate whether it is for your
left or right ear.  When you place it into position, the magical spell will
seal it tightly to the ear and prevent any gaps through which even the
slightest sound could pass.  Kieren, will you please come here so I may
demonstrate this to the others."

Dutifully, Kieren obeyed the enchanter and stood motionless before him.
The seer then took the wax plug for the prince's left ear and placed it
carefully into position.  "Before you go ahead and insert your own plugs, I
will also demonstrate on Kieren how the headbands should be fastened."

 Beraut then placed the other wax fitting into Kieren's right ear and
sealed it into place.  Kieren felt a slight pressure inside his ear, once
the wax fitting was inserted, but there was no discomfort.  It would be
noticeable, but not something he couldn't adjust to.  Next, the seer took a
cloth binding from his satchel and stood before the boy.  He held one end
of the fabric in each of his hands and then he lifted the piece of material
over and behind Kieren's head.  He placed the widest part of the cloth just
below the curve on the back of the boy's skull, at the top of the neck, and
then he drew the ends forward, so the strip came across each ear.  The
placement held the plugs firmly into position as he tied the ends high on
Kieren's forehead, just below the hairline.  This left the prince in total
silence and he could only watch as Beraut passed out the strips of cloth to
the others.  Then his companions mimicked the steps the wizard had
performed on him, securing their own protective devices into position.

As Kieren impatiently watched the wizard observe the others' preparations,
he noticed that Qaim had not yet begun to place the plugs into his ears, as
he had been instructed to do.  It was then that Kieren realized that there
were no earplugs for him, as he was not part of this original group.  After
Beraut had left Kieren's side, Kieren began to worry about this fact and he
was ready to mention it when he noticed Beraut hurriedly altering the
devices that had been made for Selvaggio.  As the spell-caster whittled the
changes to accommodate the Aignx, the youth feared that Qaim might believe
the hastiness with which his devices had been prepared might cause some
slight imperfection that could endanger his well-being.  Kieren wanted to
ease his apprehensions, so he moved next to him and spoke.

"Are you worried that they might not fit correctly?" the prince asked the
nervous Aignx.

Qaim looked at his protector and shook his head from side to side,
indicating a negative response.  Startled, Kieren decided to discover
another motive for his apprehension.  After some consideration, the youth
surmised that Qaim was either frightened about Thorley and its former
inhabitants or he was alarmed by the thought of not being able to rely on
his hearing in an unfamiliar setting.  Whatever the reason, the prince
thought he understood.  Gently, he placed his arm around Qaim's shoulder
and tried to soothe the creature's feelings of uneasiness.

"Come on, Qaim, and I'll help you put the plugs in your ears when Beraut
has finished preparing them for you."

Qaim responded verbally, but Kieren's earplugs prevented him from
understanding what the Aignx was trying to say.  He could see his newfound
friend's nervousness and he could only guess what his protestations were.
Kieren knelt down in front of Qaim, took hold of one of the creature's
hands and looked him straight in the eye.

"It is for your own good that we do this.  None of us are thrilled about
going through this haunted place or about not being able to hear, but we
must all trust Beraut's judgment.  He has much more experience with these
matters and he knows far more than we could ever hope to.  Just try to
remain calm and let me help you prepare for this journey.  If you'd like,
you can travel beside me until we are out of the valley."

The Aignx seemed to relax after the prince's last suggestion and he gave up
on his mild protests about the next phase of this journey.  The furry
little creature allowed Kieren to get the earplugs from Beraut and he
waited patiently as the young man tried to place them properly in his ears.
Qaim being such a strange little creature, Kieren was having a difficult
time even locating his ear, let alone installing the appropriate plug.  Not
wishing to take any chances of doing this incorrectly and harming Qaim for
life, Kieren turned to summon Beraut's help.  As he spun to locate their
mentor, he found that the mage had been watching him all along.

"Beraut, I need your help.  Qaim's ears are different from our own and I'm
having trouble figuring out how these earplugs are to fit into place."

Beraut smiled and reached out his hand for one of the devices.  Then he
moved a handful of fur and carefully placed it into the Aignx's ear, making
sure that Kieren could watch his every movement.  Qaim's ears more closely
resembled those of other mammals, like the canine or feline varieties, than
those of humans, dwarfs, or elves.  All of that had to be taken into
consideration when the devices were being implanted.  When he had finished
seating the first device, Beruat signaled to Kieren to put the other in
himself.

"Only if you watch me do it and make sure that I don't make any mistakes,"
the prince responded as he moved to Qaim's other side.  The wizard nodded
and moved beside Kieren to watch his efforts, as he went about his task.
When the prince had finished, Beraut gave him a thumbs-up signal, to
indicate that he had done the job correctly.  When each member was ready
and the magician had checked their handiwork, they formed before the
archway and prepared to leave the home of the dwarfs.

King Brolin walked forward and stood before the solid granite door.  Kieren
believed that the dwarf was chanting some sort of spell, possibly to
neutralize a sealing-spell that had been put on it years before by Beraut.
All of these spells and ritualized hand movements, which the King had used
to open the burial crypts and the rear door, were obviously taught by one
generation to the next to protect their ancient treasures and to protect
their race as a whole.  Kieren watched the monarch, admiring his memory and
his dedication to his task, when the symbols that surrounded the passageway
began to glow in the dim light.  Kieren had not noticed any markings there
previously and he concluded that they must only appear when summoned.  The
King now went about touching them in their proper sequence, deftly moving
his hands and arms as he had done several times earlier.  When he had
completed this ritual, the hinged boulder swung outward and allowed the
rays of the early morning sun to filter into the tunnel.  This momentarily
blinded the company, whose time below ground had made them unaccustomed to
the brightness, and they waited for their eyes to adjust to this new
brilliance.  When they were all able to focus once more, they moved out
through the opening and into the land beyond.

                  *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at
http://members.tripod.de/wolfslair, in the 'Other Stories' section.
E-mails may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.