Sentenced to troll 2, p.22
Sentenced to Troll 2, page 22
“I should be asking you the same thing.” He flashes me a smile. “I took your advice. We’ve brought the Underground Circus on the road.” He walks closer to Taryn, examining the moulhaug. His eyes follow it from its horn all the way down its massive body. “Now, this is a fascinating creature. You don’t happen to be in need of employment, do you, Mr. Dwarf?”
“I’m afraid not. We’re just passing through.” Taryn removes his hood, and his dreadlocks fall beside his face.
I take a moment to introduce the two. “And you haven’t formally met Limery.” I point to the imp, still asleep on my shoulder.
“You travel in rare company, Mr. Troll.” He flips a golden coin with his thumb. It’s similar to the one he gave me the first day we met.
“How has it been on the road?”
“Life outside the capital has been absolutely marvelous. Most of the townsfolk have never seen our brand of entertainment. And the dwarves, they love us. They view us as performers, not just freaks.” He beams. “If things hold up, we may never return to Vanaria again.”
“Wow, that good?” I look over at the wagons. They are loaded to the brim with crates and bags. How is it possible that they left after me but still managed to make it to Sandholde ahead of us? “How did you manage to get your caravan through the mountain in one piece?” Most of the wagons look like they could topple over at any moment.
He looks at me with confusion. “What do you mean?”
“It took us five days to cross the mountains. I can’t imagine navigating some of those passes with all that cargo.”
“You didn’t take the Mythroad through the mountain?” He cocks his head in bewilderment.
“No, why?” No one gave us a road-map with directions.
“It’s the safest route. There’s a tunnel that goes straight through the mountain, carved by magic long ago. You have to pass through dwarven customs. They are very particular about what they let into their country, but the time it saves makes up for the hassle. The only ones who travel through the mountains are adventurers, criminals, or those with something to hide.”
No wonder Smalltown is so small. Keaton and his sons are smuggling items from one kingdom to the other.
And what about Glenn and Jude? Does that mean they had to cross through the mountains to avoid being detected?
“Hawkin, we’re through!” someone yells from the front of the caravan, and they begin filtering in through the gate.
“I must take my leave now, but we will be having a show tomorrow. I hope to see you there.” He leaves to rejoin his people.
When Hawkin is out of earshot, I turn to Taryn. “Why didn’t you tell me the Mythroad went straight through the mountain?” It would have been some nice information to have. That way, we would have at least had the option.
“I didn’t know. I flew through the mountains to save time.” He shrugs nonchalantly. “Who would have thought that sweet, old couple from Smalltown were part of a smuggling ring?”
“Tell me about it. They seemed so nice.”
Limery stirs on my shoulder as we approach the gate, grunting and looking around in confusion.
Several dwarven guards block our entry as soon as the circus passes through. They range from level fifteen to twenty, and stand side by side, holding obsidian spears tipped with gold. They each wear silk loincloths and sandals, with a golden sash wrapped around their waists. The white fabric stands out prominently against their dark skin. Golden necklaces shimmer as they hang across their bare chests. Each dwarf has a thick, black beard similar to Taryns, but they all wear their hair fairly short.
Taking them all in, they look more for show than actual battle. With no armor, all their weak points are exposed. Kind of like me, I guess. Maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to rush to judgment.
“What is your business in Sandholde?” one of them asks in a deep baritone voice. He wears his hair in a mohawk and has a brilliant sapphire ring on one hand.
“We’re just passing through.” Taryn steps forward. “I wanted to show Chod here one of the greatest cities in the world on our way to the capital.”
The dwarves stand a little taller at the compliment, puffing out their chests.
“Keep a wary eye,” says the dwarf to his right. “Several dwarves have been reported missing. If it keeps up, I expect our gates will be closed to outsiders soon.”
Taryn and I exchange glances. Missing people? This has Glenn and Jude written all over it. If he’s started gathering another army…
The guards step aside, allowing us entry into the city.
A sprawling road leads down the center of the city for several hundred yards to a giant pyramid that rises high into the sky. The center road is pristine with thousands of neatly-laid bricks. The mortar between each brick is visible, without a grain of sand caught between. Numerous fountains gurgle along the side of the road, with lush gardens surrounding them. Brightly-colored tropical flowers blossom in the moonlight.
Taryn was right, this place is an oasis. You’d never know it from the outside, but I haven’t seen this much life since the meadow at the base of the mountains. This feels like paradise.
Farther out from the road, there are lines of beautiful buildings made from sandstone. Eclectic patterns are carved into them, almost like Egyptian hieroglyphics, except the images are all dwarves and monsters.
“You might want to lift your jaw up off the ground or you’re going to trip over it.” Taryn gives me a smug grin.
“This place is beautiful.” It’s almost too much to take in. I can’t imagine what it will look like in the daylight. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this.”
“We can explore tomorrow. I think we’re all pretty beat. Let’s find us an inn.” He hops down from Stompy and leads us down a side street.
Taryn scratches Berry behind the ears and the bear nuzzles against his arm, glad to finally have some attention.
The manicured streets are eerily quiet at this hour. That’s until we turn a corner and hear drunken revelry on the steps in front of a sandstone building.
White columns surround a porch filled with dwarves. Above the entrance, there’s an engraving of several enormous mugs of ale.
As we approach, the raucous noise becomes more distinguishable. Many of the dwarves are singing a song about a maiden in the mountains. They clink their tankards together, and their drinks splosh on the ground.
Candlelight flickers from inside the open door.
Taryn instructs Berry and Stompy to wait outside while we make arrangements for the night. Many of the dwarves shout “Welcome, brother!” to Taryn as we pass. They’re all clad in similar forms of canvas robes or silken loincloths. Many of them wear gaudy rings, gold bracelets, or necklaces. I notice that a few of the dwarves don’t have beards, and I can’t help but wonder if they are the females. If that’s the case, there is very little to distinguish them. They stumble along merrily. Some eye me cautiously as we pass, but I don’t hear any of the rude comments I heard in the southern towns.
A beardless dwarf stands behind a marble counter as we enter. The dwarf wears a long silken robe, with a gold sash tied around the waist. “Welcome to The Sand Dune Inn.” The voice has a softer tone than Taryn’s or the other male dwarves I’ve met, so I assume my hypothesis is correct. Still, I don’t trust it enough to test it and allow Taryn to do the talking.
“I’d like two rooms for me and my friends. And a place for my pets in the oasis.” He slides a gold coin across the counter.
The hostess rings a bell, and a dwarf appears from a back room. She whispers something in his ear, and he hurries past us.
“Right this way, please.” She motions towards an immaculate staircase. It’s engraved and set with jewels along the balusters. A hammer is carved into the knob at the end of the handrail.
Limery’s eyes linger on the jewels as we pass.
“Don’t even think about it,” I warn, and he blows out of his nostrils.
Taryn falls in step beside me. “So, what do you think? Pretty nice, huh?”
“This place is amazing. You didn’t have to spring for something so fancy.” Honestly, we’re just sleeping here. All we need is a bath and some food.
“I didn’t. This is actually on the cheaper side.” He laughs. “Believe it or not, there’s not a lot to do in the desert, and dwarves are master craftsmen. Mix boredom and sandstone and you get inns that look like royalty stays here.”
The hostess shows us to our rooms. “Food is available downstairs, and the hot spring is located in the rear.” She smiles, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. “Enjoy your stay.”
“Did she say hot spring?” I toss my bags on the bed and race downstairs.
In the courtyard outdoors, a stone-walled tub steams in the moonlight. There are several torches burning nearby, and a shirtless dwarf sits in the pool, drinking a frothy liquid and relaxing.
“Hop on in,” says Taryn. “I’ll grab us some drinks.”
We should be resting, but how can I pass this up? It may be hot, but clean skin is worth the price.
I stand on the ledge, wondering if I should leave my loincloth on or let my trollberries swim in all their glory when the dwarf looks up at me.
“I promise not to bite if you don’t.” He chuckles and takes another swig of his beverage.
I climb down into the hot spring. It’s definitely dwarf-sized, because when I sit my butt flat against the bottom, the water barely comes past my stomach. Still, it feels amazing and I’m beyond grateful for a chance to wash away the dirt and sand.
“You’re a big lad.” The dwarf looks on with amusement.
“That’s what they keep telling me.” Dirt cakes off my skin as I rub at my forearms.
Limery dips his toes in the water, then scrunches his face. “Limmy goes to bed. Goodnights, Chods.”
“Good night, buddy. I’ll see you in a few.” I splash water against my face and taste the saltiness as it washes away days worth of sweat.
Taryn returns with two mugs, passing Limery as he leaves. “Who knew you were actually blue under all that dust?” He laughs as he hands me my mug. The liquid inside is creamy and white.
“What is this?” I take a sip and it’s a mixture of sweet and bitter.
“Fermented goat milk. It’s an ebony dwarf specialty.” He sets his mug on the edge and climbs in.
“Cheers to that!” says the other dwarf. “Name’s Krenshaw Glassbreaker. What brings a troll to the finest city in all of the dwarven kingdom?”
“We’re visiting the capital,” answers Taryn. For being such a quiet and shy person around new people, he seems awfully chatty with the dwarves. “But I didn’t think a visit to the north would be complete without a stop at Sandholde.”
“Aye, I’m actually on the way to the capital myself.” He drains the rest of his mug. “They say the king is planning a great announcement in the coming days. I’m hoping for a tournament myself. It’s been a good while since we’ve had a dwarven tournament. There’s word that a hero has finally been blessed to the dwarves. It’d be a sight to behold if he showed up.”
Taryn and I exchange glances.
“We may just have to check it out.” The edge of Taryn’s mustache twitches. I guess the dwarves really do love their heroes.
*****
I wake up the next morning ready to explore the city. My first dwarven city! If it’s anything like what I saw on the way to the inn, I’m in for a real treat. After relaxing in the hot spring last night with Taryn and Krenshaw, I feel as rejuvenated as ever. Maybe it was something in the fermented goat’s milk.
Limery sits on the end of the bed, watching me. I don’t know how long he’s been up, but he looks like he’s been expecting me. His bulbous yellow eyes stare intently. He grins, showcasing his both frightening and endearing smile. “Good mornings!”
When I open the door to the hallway, a dwarven guard waits outside. “You have been summoned by Lady Brollen to the great pyramid.” He is dressed in the same garb as the dwarves from the entrance, but instead of a spear, he carries a shortsword that hangs by his side.
“Is Taryn awake yet?” I ask. We’re not under arrest, so I can only assume that this is a cordial visit. She must have somehow found out that two heroes were in her city.
To answer my question, the door across the hall opens, and Taryn looks out in surprise.
“We’ve been summoned,” I say.
He raises his eyebrows. “Do we at least get breakfast first?”
“Food will be provided,” says the dwarf. His fingers rap against the hilt of his sword. “If you’ll follow me.” He takes off down the stairs.
We hurry to follow him, leaving our belongings in the room for later. He’s surprisingly swift for such a stocky fellow. Taryn’s stubby legs practically run to keep up.
Downstairs, the inn is crowded with dwarves, and the smell of roasting coffee wafts across the room. I try to take a gander at some of the platters, but the dwarven soldier is out of the door in a flash, forcing us to catch up.
Bright light blinds me for a moment as we step into the street. In a matter of seconds, I’m already sweating. Forest trolls were not made for this type of environment.
In the daylight, the city is even more resplendent than I imagined. To our left, a pyramid towers over the rest of the city. I don’t know how I didn’t notice it last night. We pass fountains of dwarves that spout water out of hammers, axes, horns, and shields. The beautiful engravings almost pop off the buildings. Tropical birds flutter through the city streets, flying from one fruit tree to another.
One fountain is drained, and a group of dwarves unload a cube of marble from a wagon. Another dwarf looks on, holding a hammer and chisel.
Several dwarves sweep the city streets. That explains why everything looks so clean.
“Why do you think they want to see us?” I ask Taryn. “Did they ask to see you last time you were here?”
Taryn runs beside me. Without his mount, he forced to keep up on his own. He shakes his head. “I have no idea. I didn’t tell anyone we were heroes, so I don’t know what they could possibly want.”
Two guards wait outside the entrance to the pyramid, guarding a gleaming golden door that depicts a fight between a dwarf and a sandworm. Our guide says something to them, and they move aside.
Inside, we’re hit with a rush of cool air. The cold air jolts my sweat-covered body, sending chills down my spine. Limery shivers on my shoulder for a moment before his feet grow warm.
There’s a low ceiling and a path that meanders between several pools of water covered with flowering lily pads. Brightly colored fish swim just beneath the surface. The pools themselves are cubical, and the entire room looks like a giant game of Minesweeper with the way the path leads through the pools.
A dozen different doors surround the perimeter of the room. They must lead into the rest of the pyramid. At the far end of the room, a dark-skinned, beardless dwarf with long, curly, black hair, and wearing a silken white robe, sits on a throne of glass. The throne has glass spikes that stick up from the back of it, and they shimmer with the light of the surrounding torches. Several guards stand off to each side.
I focus on the dwarf on the throne and her stats appear.
Lady Brollen. Level: ???
Of course, she has her stats concealed. I wonder how powerful she truly is.
“It’s not every day that we have the great honor of housing two heroes in our fine city.” When she smiles, her face lights up. I’ll never get over how beautiful ebony dwarf teeth look against their dark complexion.
“How do you know we are heroes?” asks Taryn.
“No one can hide their identity from city officials.” She looks at me and winks. “But you have no need to worry. It is a great honor to host you. Please, come and join me for breakfast.” She rises from the throne. “We shall dine in my chambers.”
Limery licks his lips at the prospect of food, and I have the strong urge to toss him in the fish pond.
When Lady Brollen stands, her robe clings to her body. She’s built very differently from the female dwarves I saw at the inn. Less stocky, more curvy. There is no confusion that she is a female.
Taryn stares on in wonder.
She leads us through a door at the rear of the room and up several flights of stairs. Inside of her room, the slanted walls are lined with floor-to-ceiling windows. They must be painted or enchanted on the outside, because I don’t recall being able to see into the pyramid from the street.
We must be near the top of the pyramid, because the windows offer a complete three-hundred-and sixty-degree view of the city. The center street is visible, along with the homes and inns in one corner of the city. In another, I spot a lake as blue as sapphire surrounded by trees and vegetation. There are fields full of crops and from this high up, dwarves move among them like tiny ants.
Two dwarven soldiers take their post by the entrance.
“Please, have a seat.” She gestures to two sofas surrounding a golden table loaded with grapes, figs, bread, roasted fowl, and fish.
Limery reaches for a piece of fish before we even sit down.
“Thank you.” I take a seat, admiring the rest of the room. Marble floors with a swirled pattern of tan and aqua blue feel cool against my feet. Several miniature sculptures adorn a desk littered with papers, scrolls, and heavy tomes.
“What do you think of our fair city, Chod?” Lady Brollen asks.
“It’s lovely. How do you manage to keep it so lush in the middle of the desert? And how is the pyramid so cool?” Air conditioning is a luxury of my past, yet, here we are.
She picks up a grape, grasping it between her fingers. Tiny veins of ice spread out from where she touches it, covering the grape until it has a layer of frost surrounding it. She places the grape on the table and it clinks against the gold.
An ice mage!
