The homecoming stonecrus.., p.15
The Homecoming (Stonecrusher Legacy Book 3), page 15
Goblins climb over each other in their frenzy to jump on Waldorf and Maggie, grabbing and clawing his sword arm.
I continue to drain the goblins as fast as I can, but so many are trying to get to Waldorf. “They’re going to fry like bacon! What’re they thinking?”
The first wave of goblins climbs over Maggie and Waldorf like fleas infesting a dog, except fleas don’t carry short swords.
Maggie and Waldorf are quickly blocked from view by the mass of goblins climbing on them. They don’t fall off, though. As each one screams and dies, it tries to attach itself to the flaming duo, resulting in a safe cover for part of their lava.
“The goblins are sacrificing themselves!” Temp yells.
The smell of those bodies frying is so vile I almost puke instead of cast.
The goblins that follow the first attack climb over the frying bodies of their fallen comrades, using their corpses as a bridge.
Waldorf shakes his left arm to dislodge the goblins that have already grabbed hold. More goblins attach themselves to Waldorf’s left arm, slowly burning to death as they attempt to pry the sword from his lava-coated fingers.
“A little help, Mal!” Wal shouts.
Two fireballs streak toward Waldorf and Maggie. They explode upon impact and send goblin bodies careening off their brethren's corpses, creating a momentary safe area for Wal and Maggie.
Trugut shakes his head as he scrambles to get on his feet, but Ook’s tackle catches him by surprise, sending him to the ground again with the armored dwarf on his back.
The elemental moves through the explosion of the fireballs and continues toward Waldorf’s flank, unfazed by the heat.
Several goblins approach me, but my protectors' spectral heads and claws lash out and drop the intruders where they stand. Word quickly spreads that I’m not worth attacking because they leave me alone after the first few.
Ook wraps one arm around Trugut’s neck for leverage as he locks his legs around the troglodyte’s body. He runs the other around its shoulders and neck, feeling for the necklace.
Waldorf and Maggie back away from the stone elemental but don’t move far before a sea of goblins blocks their retreat.
The suicide assault begins again.
My tendrils reach out and touch eight goblins ready to climb Maggie and Waldorf. I quickly search for magic but find none, so I grab their vitality and pull, killing them where they stand.
“Thanks. Keep it going,” Wal shouts.
I do. I repeat the process again and again.
Waldorf’s swords swing and swipe while Maggie headbutts and spits her fire rocks at the goblins and stone elemental, trying to keep them all at bay. Our efforts barely slow the advancing goblins due to their overwhelming numbers.
“Got it!” Ook yells from the back of the troglodyte. Ook’s face and beard drip blood from receiving countless backward headbutts. Trugut squirms and smashes Ook with his head and arm while our mad dwarf raises the necklace in victory.
The elemental stops, then slowly turns toward Ook.
“Tell it to protect us!” Waldorf yells.
“Hey, stone guy! Protect us,” Ook calls to the elemental, but it continues to move toward Ook.
“Here, take it,” Ook shouts to Waldorf as he throws the magic necklace.
As Maggie's side absorbs the gem, the soft gold chain links quickly melt against Maggie’s lava and Waldorf’s thigh.
Even magic is no match for lava, I guess.
The stone elemental stops moving. Its boulder head ponderously rotates, finally stopping at Waldorf and Maggie. They lock gazes, although the elemental doesn’t have eyes, and Waldorf’s are behind lava.
I have exciting news to tell Nick after the battle. I’ve discovered a constant connection with Cutrara to keep her vitality topped up without stopping and switching while I drain the goblins.
I consider it an extraordinary discovery.
“Fall back to the tunnel,” Waldorf yells as another wave of goblins climbs him and Maggie like a tree. He swings his swords on both sides, cutting down goblins like tall grass, but as fast as they drop to the ground, more fill their places.
Cutrara moves forward while the rest of us fall back. Sheets of rolling fire spray from her hands and wash over the chief and Maggie, burning any hangers-on.
We fall back again, only twenty feet from the tunnel.
The goblins continue to come, wave after wave.
Then our luck changes.
With its free will restored, the elemental whirls like a top and moves through the army of attackers. Its arms windmill dangerously, connecting with the heads and torsos of unsuspecting goblins and sending them flying.
Panic sets into the ranks of the goblin army.
Another massive wave of goblins climbs onto Waldorf, dragging him sideways. Luckily, Maggie’s lava still grips his legs, so they can’t drag him to the ground.
A barrage of smaller fireballs collides with our fearless leader and his mount, their explosions sending goblin corpses careening everywhere and burning us as well.
“Get him in the tunnel, Maggie!” Cutrara yells as more waves of fire shoot forth.
Ook rips through the back ranks of the goblins attacking Waldorf, his hammers swooshing in huge arcs as they connect over and over. The few goblins that turn to challenge him are no match for the battle-tested dwarf.
Maggie runs toward the tunnel, pivots, and bucks Waldorf off. He rolls head over heels into the tunnel’s mouth.
The stone elemental is still furiously spinning in one position. Trugut swings his longsword, attempting to damage the elemental he dominated only moments ago, but to no avail. Unless his sword is magic, running is his only course of action.
We continue to fall back until only Maggie and I are outside. Nerak and Arrubella stand inside the tunnel and start sealing it up.
“Get in!” Nerak shouts.
I dismiss my spectral protectors before running in with Ook behind me. We push forward to give Maggie enough space to enter as Nerak and Arrubella continue to close off the entrance.
“Hit the walls,” Cutrara yells, and everybody flattens. A ball of fire no bigger than a walnut whizzes by and through the quickly closing tunnel mouth.
An explosion rocks the cavern beyond as the fireball blowback leaks through the tunnel opening.
The liquid rock continues to gather, and the tunnel seals in seconds.
“We’ve got to hurry.” Waldorf pants. “They’ll try to cut us off in Forgefire Passage. Let’s move.”
We sprint up the tunnel with Temp and Mongolesku leading the way. Waldorf is running with Maggie right behind, then Ook and the rest of us.
Ook laughs as he breathes heavily. “Three decades in this cavern, nothing like this has ever happened. You people are trouble magnets! You attract it like metal filings.”
“Sorry about that,” I apologize.
Ook slaps my shoulder hard. “Don’t be! I’m sticking to you like sap. You guys bring the fun.”
The meeting cavern is empty, resembling a ransacked warehouse more than the main living area of eleven dwarves. Every crate, sack of grain, and the arms and armor are gone.
Waldorf mounts while we pass. “This is a good sign. It means they’ve loaded everything they can onto the wagons. At least, I hope that’s what it means.”
He and Maggie lead the way with Tempress and the rest of us close behind.
We reach the empty wagon room and exit into the Forgefire Passage. The dim lavender light from several spells gives the corridor a soft glow, which is enhanced even more by the welcome smiles of our friends and family.
Waldorf stands in his stirrups as he enters the passage. “Well met, one and all. Story time will have to wait until we make camp, but suffice it to say there are a ton of goblins milling around. We need to get a move on to avoid any ambushes.”
The wagons are at the end of the column with a dwarven warrior and several clan casters on each. Tied to the wagons are the rams of each clan member and the two belonging to Nerak and Arrubella.
Waldorf turns to face our group. “Mom, you and Arrubella grab your rams. Ride forward and close off any tunnels you find. I’ll get you an escort while you mount up. I need a runner to locate Akaryia and the tunnel scout team.”
Ook runs forward, presumably to find Akaryia. Waldorf holds up his hand. “Not you, Ook. Stay with Temp and keep her safe.”
Ook nods and jogs to the right of Tempress. She leans over and murmurs, “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
The chief’s protector looks at her and shrugs. “Chief’s orders. You’re stuck with me.”
Akaryia, Inchel, and Yassine jog from the front of our caravan. They make it look so effortless.
“Chief,” Akaryia calls. She’s breathless and needs a second to continue her report. “We found one of their tunnels. If we can get Nerak and Arrubella there, we can seal it before more of them come through.”
“You only found one?” Wal asks.
Akaryia nods, already regaining her breath. “So far. Instead of scouting solo, we stuck together. We had a few run-ins and felt it was safer.”
“Good plan. Valley Group—we ride forward to close tunnels. That includes Cutrara and Themdaemora.”
Waldorf and Maggie ride forward at a brisk pace, and the Valley Group, as he called us, follow.
“Arbane and Hrothgar! Where are you?” Waldorf shouts.
Both are near the front of the column and step out from the masses so Waldorf can see them.
“You’re with us. Folks, Nicodaemus is in charge of the caravan. Shout if the troglodytes attack from the rear. Everyone—stay safe.” Waldorf urges Maggie to a canter.
I hear several conversations about troglodytes as I jog.
With people on goats and others jogging, a gap quickly forms between our two groups. I’m amazed at Ook’s ability to run in full plate and still be closer to the riding group than the running group.
I’m at the back of the runners—the last person.
A commotion breaks out ahead of me, but my focus is not coughing up a lung before I get there. The sounds of battle aren’t far. I make out shapes as I close the distance, plus Waldorf and Maggie, the brightest torches of all.
When I arrive, there are ten goblins strewn about the floor.
Wal gestures at the bodies. “Check them, Mal. See if anyone is faking.”
Still panting for air, I nod and probe the bodies. “Not faking, per se, but not completely alive. Should I help them commit to the afterlife?”
“Please do. Once Mom and Arrubella close their tunnels here, we’re moving again. We’ll scout ahead. Can you stay with them in case they run into trouble?”
“Of course.” My tendrils reach out to the bodies on the ground and send them to the goblin afterlife. I keep their vitality for myself to help me recuperate from the grueling run. “That was enough vitality to keep me standing after that run. I’ll support Nerak and Arrubella because I could use the rest, anyway.”
“I see that. You need to work on your physical skills, not only your casting,” Wal taunts with a grin.
“I will if you will,” I challenge.
“Done. We start tomorrow.”
Dammit.
The riding team moves from the tunnel to allow the rock shapers access.
“Nerak, let me do a quick search to ensure there are no goblins on the other side waiting to ambush you.”
“We appreciate that, Mallick. Thanks.” They step back so I can get close to the opening.
“I will activate my protective spirits, so you might want to step back. It’s not like Waldorf’s armor that can see friend versus foe. Mine chomps everyone.”
Nerak grins. “Noted. We’ll stand farther back.”
I summon my armor and walk up to the end of the dwarf-made tunnel, first the left side with my side against the wall, then the right. I also probe as I move to make sure. Finally, I need to check their entry hole.
The goblin-made hole is about two feet around, and I sense no goblins. I peer into their tunnel, which goes on for about ten feet before it opens into blackness. My tendrils find nothing when I shoot them down the tunnel as far as they extend.
“All clear, ladies. I checked down their tunnel into the opening on their end and felt nothing.” I dismiss my armor to allow them to approach.
In five minutes, they’ve completely sealed the goblin entry point on our end.
We return to the passage to find the caravan approaching. Nerak’s and Arrubella’s rams wait patiently down the tunnel, sniffing the air.
“We can catch up, but are you going to be okay, Mal?”
“I’ll be fine,” I reply weakly. I hope Nerak and Arrubella believe it.
They trot toward the advance group while I steel myself for another unwanted jog.
A sultry female voice intrudes on my thoughts. I can help, cutie.
Who’s this? I ask as I start my dreaded jog, although I’m pretty sure I know.
Silly boy. It’s your friend Mellefleure, she purrs.
I find it concerning that you can read my mind.
I was checking in on you, as friends do occasionally.
Are we friends? Nick told me not to trust you.
Nicodaemus is a worry wart. He’s wound too tightly for his own good.
Are we talking about the same Nick? Mine likes to get naked.
He's the same guy, curly chest hair and all. We can talk about that later. For now, the spell you want is Flugha eron da ukaad. I’m surprised your illustrious grand mage never taught you this.
We never covered excessive jogging in necromancy training.
She giggles. Funny boy. Now, cast that spell. You can thank me later.
What does it do? I’m thankful I don’t have to speak these words.
I thought you were an adventure seeker. Live a little!
I like adventure. Also, I'm not too fond of jogging.
“Flugha eron da ukaad.” I huff the words out as I jog.
I hope panting doesn’t change the casting.
My legs keep pumping, but my feet no longer pound against the granite floor. That’s a win. My forward movement accelerates faster than my usual snail-like jog speed—another success.
Did it make me a better runner?
No, silly. You’re flying!
Can I fly? Like a bird?
Sort of. You think about where you want to go, and you move. Simple as that.
A glance over my shoulder reveals nothing but a dark tunnel. Do I have wings?
It’s not that kind of fly spell. I have to go, but enjoy your new ability!
Wait—but I sense that she left.
Oh well. This is fantastic. In no time, I catch up to Nerak and Arrubella and zoom past them, laughing. Their rams buck and jump, acting crazy.
They’ve probably never seen a flying dwarf before.
The wind whips by as I concentrate on accelerating. Waldorf’s going to scream when he sees me flying.
The glow of his armor and Maggie are up ahead. He’s going to be so bloody jealous!
“Hey Wal! I can fly!” I shout as I approach.
Two fireballs screech through the air at me, but I twist out of the way, and they explode in the passage behind.
What the heck? I look back down the tunnel. Nope, no troglodytes in pursuit.
Cutrara and Themdaemora prepare more spells as Raxothe and Hrothgar turn and sprint away.
Waldorf and Maggie charge at me, his fire swords raised for a double chop. Ook is right behind him with his hammers whirling.
I stop dead. “Waldorf, it’s Mal.”
They keep charging.
I back up. “Stop it, man. This isn’t funny.”
Maybe the fly spell makes me blurry.
I drop the spell and land as Wal is about to take my head off. He checks his swing, and they skid to a halt.
I chuckle nervously. “Stones and bones, brother. It’s not like we don’t know each other. What has gotten into you?”
Wal’s expression moves from focused anger to annoyance and finally relief. “Mal! Alghar’s beard, you had everyone terrified.”
“Ha! You’re afraid of a flying dwarf?” I grin.
Waldorf’s eyebrows raise as he speaks. “You weren’t a dwarf. You were a creature straight out of the Basin of the Soulless.”
I raise my palms innocently. “Really? I felt like me.”
Wal extends his hand to his girlfriend. “Temp, can you cast that mirror spell for Mal?”
“Of course.” Temp casts, creating an oval mirror.
Wal and Tempress back up. “Cast that spell again, Mal, and see for yourself.”
I cast. “Alghar’s beard!” I shout, which makes people recoil.
The creature in the mirror isn’t a dwarf. It is a translucent, smoky gray incorporeal body with red holes for eyes and a gaping mouth. It moves as I move, but the similarity ends here. The creature in the mirror is straight out of Zulgouq Khaud, the Basin of the Soulless. I dismiss my fly spell.
Waldorf rides beside me. “Buddy, you need to stop howling while you’re flying. The soul-crushing screech is terrifying. I felt the terror squeezing my soul, but I fought it off. Others weren’t so lucky.”
“What screech? I was saying hello.”
“I had to send Eryndor to find Raxothe and Hrothgar. They sprinted out of here when you ‘said hello.’ Rest up because we hold here until they return.”
Nerak and Arrubella ride at full gallop behind us.
Nerak’s eyes are wide. “Did you see it? Alghar’s beard, there are things in this tunnel I hope never to see again! I thought my heart would stop when it wailed.”
Arrubella’s expression is close to panic.
I look at the floor. “I’m sorry, but that was me. In my defense, I didn’t know that my new spell changed me into that thing. I thought I was flying.”
Nerak’s expression alternates from relief to anger, then to annoyance. “Avoid that, going forward,” she instructs in a motherly tone, then turns her goat and rides ten feet away.
“I’m sorry,” I yell to Nerak’s back, “I didn’t know.”
Wal sits beside me on Maggie. “It’s all good, brother, but we’ll speak to Nicodaemus about giving you better spells in the future. As handy as that spell is for movement, it’s not the best for communication.”
