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Dwarven Judgment

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(Part 57 of Eternity’s Eclipse)
(Book 5 of the Fantasian Series)

“Where’s yer proof?” Durir demanded. Her story finished, Autumn powerlessly extended her hands.

She hadn’t falsified any information – though she had left out several rather unceremonious details. The fact that she had betrayed and even attacked her people was omitted, and instead she’d simply “accompanied them from her homeland for security measures.” Similarly the fact that Tyus had dragon blood was left untouched, in the event that the powers were needed. And they certainly weren’t carrying the “heart of the world’s most dangerous hunter” – they just had an “item of symbolic importance” that needed to be returned to Tak.

The quest itself, unexpectedly, had earned a great deal of respect among the gathering. Autumn had been given the full story – of how, failing an assassination attempt, Twi’zari had been banished until able to prove her worth. But, again not lying, the elf mentioned only that her companion had been unable to go through with the act; and for once the looks of approval angled the drow’s way weren’t just because she was in her undergarments.

“Even if she’s telling the truth,” the outspoken councilman – who had eventually been identified as Klor – reasoned “she’s still heading to Tak. And even if it wasn’t their original purpose, there’s nothing stopping her friends from giving out our secrets.”

“The elf has a very unusual case.” Durir remarked, addressing the monarchy. “But she also has a very convenient one. These aren’t diplomats, and they aren’t expected by the drow. They could… disappear?”

Misguided during her capture, the dwarves had left Autumn her sword. Subtly slipping her hand to her belt the elf gently pressed her palm against the pommel, prepared to draw the weapon if necessary.

But for all his heartlessness, Durir didn’t seem to convince his leaders – or possibly even himself. While they tried to remain inscrutable, the general consensus – both spoken and unspoken – was that the notion was abhorrent.

“Prepare them cells.” Dimas suggested, asserting his authority over the commander for the first time. “We’ll hold them until further notice; then, when the time is right, they will be returned to the surface and set loose in a remote location.”

“With all due respect,” Tyus interjected “we can’t really wait that long.”

During Autumn’s recounting, sympathetically (or because they were simply too tired), the prisoners’ carries had returned them to their feet. It had been a rather prudent move; but, finally stepping to the forefront, it quickly became clear that all of them were remarkably out of place. It was absurd enough that a drow stood before the Dwarven Lords – and it didn’t help he was in his underwear.

“We are carrying something… precious.” He explained. “But it is also organic, and is starting to fall apart.”

One of the dwarves curiously turned to the elves’ belongings, ruffling through them. He eventually came across Tyus’s Bag of Holding and with a smirk – despite Twi’zari’s warning – he eagerly drew back the strings and peered inside. His peek didn’t last long; and, rather green, he shut the bag – tightly.

“We can’t wait here forever.” Tyus continued as the unfortunate soldier replaced the pouch in their pile of pilfered belongings. “You have my word, on my honor, that we won’t lead our people here – but we have to leave.”

“Drow don’t have any honor.” Durir spat. “Ye’ll be shoutin’ directions down the tunnel the moment we let ye past the gates.”

“If you don’t trust them, will you trust me?” Autumn asked, doing her best to drop her growing hostility.

“I do trust ye.” The commander promised. “But I wouldn’t trust any o’ then until we cut out their tongues and lobbed off their hands.”

“Enough, Durir.” Dimas growled. He waved towards the rest of the commander’s men – who, signaling Autumn and her shackled companions do the same, filed out of the Council’s hall. With only a brief, pleading backward glance the elf followed; and, when the doors closed behind her, she received the horrible inclination they were also shutting on her chances of escape.

* * * * *

There wasn’t much to say during the hour or so the Twelve Beards remained in council. But the moment the doors opened the silence was broken – first by the doors themselves, then by Durir’s gruff but suddenly welcome voice.

“Ye will remain in the city for the period o’ one week.” He barked, gruff and clearly unhappy. “During this time ye will not be exposed to the populace, nor will ye be given access to weapons or information about the city or our government. Ye will all be watched carefully by my men but will not be brought back before the Council for judgment… unless ye give us reason to.”

“And after one week?” Autumn asked anxiously.

“All four o’ ye will be blindfolded and led back to where we found ye.” Durir said – though he seemed somewhat unsettled by the fact. “Then ye will be free to go where you wish.”

“That sounds great.” Twi’zari interjected. But her voice didn’t make it sound great: her eyes were narrowed, her tone short, her gaze prying. She wasn’t happy – she was suspicious.

“So, then,” she asked “what’s the catch?”

The dwarven commander stepped forward, fishing a key out of his belt. Reaching up he fitted it into the dark elf’s manacles; and, with a click, her hands were free. He followed suit with the shackles on her ankles before moving to her brother and finally her other bound companion. The gestures and movements seemed themselves an unspoken language, written and mastered by those charged with guarding the kingdom.

But that language did not answer or even acknowledge Twi’zari’s question.

With a dwarf on each arm – and a third trailing Kerugarn for safety – the quartet was led away, back down the spiral staircase and to their temporary lodging. Just before they disappeared from view Twi’zari cast a final glance Durir’s way, trying to gauge just what he was keeping from her.

From the dark look in his eyes, it wasn’t overly friendly. There was coldness there, sternness in his glare that circumvented morality in exchange for the greater good.

The dwarves, it seemed, had battled the drow for years. Undoubtedly several soldiers – potentially Durir’s own ranks – had been killed in the conflict. He should have no sympathy for the dark elves – or the dragon, being the public menace that he was.

And that, perhaps, made the fleeting sympathy – the hint or remorse – in the dwarf’s eyes most frightening of all. It was not there for Tyus, his sister, or Kerugarn. It was there for her.

And that meant she would share their fate.

Artwork done by the renowned :iconamatae:

I’m at a loss for words. Ash has done some incredible artwork over the years – and some of the pieces can be included amongst my favorite works of all time. But to see my characters in her unique and vibrant style? It is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I can’t thank her enough for making it a reality.

Link to the original: (amatae.deviantart.com/art/Emby… )

This premise of this book was written with input from :iconphantom131:. He served as an excellent source off of which I could bounce ideas, for which I am continually grateful.

Even if you enjoyed this story, I will admit I have many flaws as a writer. Firstly, I do not do a good job of reading over my own work, and as such I need your help to be my editors – so please, if you find a spelling or grammatical error, let me know. Furthermore (as is the case with most writers) I cannot improve my work without knowing what I’m doing wrong: as far as content is concerned, give me feedback on each chapter on what you liked, what you didn’t, and how I can do something better in the future.

Oh... and, of course, don't steal this! This is copyrighted, and art theft is punishable by law. You can read more information about the rights of the original owner here www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq…

This story is a continuation of the story of Embyr and Sterling Blade. Their first trilogy begins with The Trial, followed by Shadowdale, and finishes with The Final Stand. The second trilogy begins with Twilight’s Edge and continues with Eternity’s Eclipse (this story). The links to each of the ‘novels’ are here:

The Trial: bowtothedrow.deviantart.com/ga…

Shadowdale: bowtothedrow.deviantart.com/ga…

The Final Stand: bowtothedrow.deviantart.com/ga…

Twilight’s Edge: bowtothedrow.deviantart.com/ga…

Eternity’s Eclipse (this book):  bowtothedrow.deviantart.com/ga…1

*Important Note: If you found this story by searching a tag you did not find in this chapter, keep reading. It will appear before the ‘novel’ is concluded.

Despite what Durir said, you will be getting to see some of dwarven society before this section of the book ends - including where details are given about dwarven magic! In the meantime, though, you can just worry about what the Council of the Twelve Beards has decreed concerning the aptly mentioned "catch" to their release.
© 2014 - 2024 Bowtothedrow
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cm97878's avatar
When you're told you can soon (maybe) go free, while being given looks of sympathy, that's never good. :fear: