You’re the one I was looking for!”
Kaj nodded, smiling.
“Clarice is at my place.” He motioned for him to proceed. Before Kaj could even open the door for him, the dwarf was already by Clarice’s side.
“Oloice! That was quick!” said Clarice in amazement (and a touch of humor).
“Ha! You left me with a nice big drove of the beasties! I had to crack a surplus of the damn things’ heads! I see you’ve recovered. I’m glad.”
The elf nodded and turned to Kaj: “I have Oloice to thank for being here. Fortunately, he decided to accompany me…”
“Then you ought to keep an eye on her often, Master Oloice,” said Kaj, winking.
“Easier said than done!” he exclaimed.
The dwarf’s voice was very coarse and deep, reflecting his squat and heavyset figure. His leather armor was battered by time and battles. The metal plaques on his shoulders, arms, knees, and shins were beat up, and the woolen clothes that were visible were dirty and old. He wore a cloak with frayed hems, proof of some bad brushes with branches in the forest. He didn’t hesitate to let the cloak fall to the floor the second he entered the house.
“I have a feeling you won’t turn your nose up at some good elven booze,” said Kaj, knowing how he’d answer.
“By Tetir’s beard! A dwarf never turns down a drink!”
Oloice and Clarice took advantage of Kaj’s momentary absence to whisper something, stopping the moment Kaj returned. As the pair drank, the man regarded Oloice’s face. His ruddy beard caught Kaj’s eyes, as it was clearly tinged with turnip juice, bushy and scruffy, with a very well-fashioned braid at the center. He had many wrinkles and a few scars. His eyebrows were as thick and messy as his hair, and the same shade of light brown.
After a brief sniff, he downed his glass in one go. “Of course, a nice mug would’ve been better!” said the dwarf, slightly grouchy.
“Take it easy, Oloice; this stuff can put even a dwarf to bed!” said Clarice, amused.
“Alcohol’s the one thing that can best a dwarf! I’m sure you know that by now!” he replied proudly.
“Kaj, take a seat. Oloice and I have a lot to tell you.”
He did so, taking a stool and sitting at the foot of the bed. “Consider me all ears.”
“I’ll start telling you what Oloice told me yesterday,” began Clarice. “To make a long story short—after two years, the forced coexistence of the Clans in Tetirstad is becoming unsustainable, because of the other dwarven cities under the mountains still invaded by ‘narguts,’ as they’re called by dwarves. The internal struggles and reprisals have already begun. Moreover, it’s impossible to reach Vetmark; the mountain passes are blocked by snow, so we can’t contact the dwarves of the Summits until spring. They can’t help us. If we want to form an army, it remains of the essence to come to an agreement with Tetirstad.”
“Makes sense,” said Kaj. “Care to explain what a nargut is?”
“Narguts are creatures that pop up in many a dwarven legend,” said Oloice, happy to explain. “They’re said to have been feeble little things, originally. They had soft white skin that could burn up in the sunlight, and pupil-less yellow eyes that glowed in the dark. They inhabited the darkest depths of the dwarves’ lost word, the mythical Tesgaran, and were taken on the great divine chariot that transported the dwarves to Elantion after Tesgaran’s destruction. As was their nature, they crept ever deeper, and the elven magic of Elantion transformed them. Their skin became stone-like, and tough as leather, while their bodies turned crooked and their backs hunched. Once peaceful and timid, they became aggressive and devious.”
“Oloice’s brother is conducting excavations in the Rainvale to bring to light the entrance to one of the abandoned cities, which was buried under a large landslide. I met Oloice and some other dwarves at the entrance of an old tunnel used by miners that leads into the vale, so as to obtain information on the excavations and whatever else is happening in Tetirstad. Not only did I run into some anurians on the way there, I got attacked by lalks on the way back… and you know the rest.”
“I see,” said Kaj, nodding.
“I left in a hurry,” Clarice continued, “because I had to let Oloice know about encountering you, as I hope it’ll help us solve some of our problems.”
“Wait a sec, what do I have to do with anything?”
“I don’t know yet; I’m searching for the answer to that myself. What do you know about your family? Your parents?” asked Clarice.
“I was raised by the blacksmith of Lochbis. He adopted me when I was little more than a baby—”
“That explains a lot,” Clarice interrupted.
“It does?”
“It does,” said Clarice.
“Wait, does the medallion you left me have anything to do with it?” he asked, showing it to the two.
“By the gods!” she exclaimed in amazement, upon seeing the medallion’s faint glow.
“What?” said Kaj.
Oloice jumped onto his chair. “Then you really did find it!” he marveled at Clarice.
“Yes…” she said, incredulous.
“Anyone want to fill me in?” asked Kaj, annoyed.
“That medallion tells us I’m right. That the intel was correct,” replied the nalnir excitedly, pointing. “Your true family lineage has its origins elsewhere, but I don’t know much more…”
Kaj looked at the shining medallion at his neck, and then eyed her incredulously. “What are you talking about? You mean to say you might know my real family?”
“I can’t tell you what I don’t know!” she replied. “You need to keep it hidden until we’re someplace else. You’ll have to come with me to Nidath. Period.”
“Why should I? I could just take it off and toss it away!” said Kaj, confused.
“Because if you really want to know about your family, you have to trust me!” said Clarice.
Oloice got his words in: “Kaj, we’re both here for you at this point. I understand why you’d be confused—”
“And angry…!” said Kaj.
“And angry,” said the dwarf.
Kaj turned to Clarice: “What about your leg? How can it already be almost healed? Not to mention the people at the sanctuary. I’m sure it was you.”
“I have healing abilities, but I can’t use them on myself, as they have no effect on me. I treated them because I wanted to… happy?”
Kaj nodded. He needed some fresh air, so he headed for the door. “Give me some time. I need to think.”
IV
Two
