Pug looked worse for wear during the next day of traveling. He kept shivering at odd moments and glancing behind him, as if something unseen followed. Had he caught a chill? I hoped not; with the close contact we'd shared, I'd have been exposed to whatever malady afflicted him. At least he wasn't coughing or sneezing.
He stopped abruptly. "Dolgan, Lord Borric!" Pug's voice rang out, raw with terror. "Something terrible is happening!"
Our dwarf guide stood stock-still, listening intently. I, too, caught the faint sound of a moan echoing down one of the tunnels.
Kulgan gasped. "I feel something also."
The moan returned, louder this time, reverberating through the tunnels and making it nearly impossible to pinpoint its source.
"By the gods!" the dwarf shouted. "'Tis a wraith! Hurry! Form a circle, or it'll be upon us, and we'll be lost!"
I gave Pug and Tomas a quick shove as the guards herded the mules to the center of the cavern. They drew their weapons, though I doubted they would be of much use. Kulgan's texts and the bestiary of exotic creatures had offered little detail, but I remembered enough. Wraiths did not interact with reality like flesh-and-blood creatures. Their touch could drain the life from the living. Spells could harm them, and they recoiled from the touch of inanimate objects, but that was the extent of what I knew.
I saw it approach. A figure that loomed out of the darkness, a shifting man-shape, darker blackness against the black, with two glowing, red-coal lights where eyes should be. My sling was out and loaded, though I was unsure if a rock would do anything to it.
Dolgan shouted, "Keep close, and guard your neighbor. You can't kill it, but they like not the feel of cold iron. Don't let it touch you, for it'll draw your life from your body. It is how they feed."
So much for my sling.
I sheathed the sling and drew my belt knife, keeping my eyes fixed on the creature as it advanced slowly. It paused, as if inspecting the defense arrayed before it. Then, the wraith released another low, lingering moan. The soldiers to my right and left were breathing hard, their limbs trembling with fear.
"Steady now. If it feels the need to try to frighten us, its strength must be finite," I said pragmatically.
Pug looked at me incredulously, while Tomas remained stiff as a board. As the wraith inched forward, a nearby guard lashed out with his blade. When the sword struck, cold blue fire danced along the edge for a moment, and the wraith let out a shrill moan. Tomas moved forward, breaking from the group, just as the wraith retaliated with sudden speed. An arm-like shadow extended from its body, and the guard shrieked as he crumpled to the ground.
Instantly, pandemonium erupted. The mules broke free, pulling up stakes, terrified by the wraith's presence. Guards were knocked to the ground, and the circle of steel shattered. I saw one guard kicked in the belly by a panicked mule as I quickly moved away from the chaos. I scrambled toward safety and saw Tomas continue to walk farther into the dark.
"Tomas!" I yelled at him, but he continued to move away.
Kulgan raised his voice over the din of screams, braying, and moans. "Stand close, all of you," the magician commanded.
I grabbed at Tomas who turned in surprise. "To Kulgan!"
The wraith had already struck down a mule and two soldiers. Kulgan's spell reached completion, and white smoke billowed around him and the group – though, unfortunately, it did not encompass everyone.
"We must leave the mules," said the magician. "The undead will not enter the smoke, but I cannot maintain it for long, nor can I walk far. We must escape now!"
Shit!
I told Tomas to run right while I went left, aiming for the safety of Kulgan's spell. We did so, but of course, the wraith decided to cut me off. I heard Pug calling my name, but the Duke's party pulled him along down the tunnel. The wraith drew closer, and I scrambled away, narrowly avoiding a semi-translucent arm. The light was dimming as most of the torches were now far behind. I took a chance and grabbed a fallen torch. With the wraith after me, Tomas made it back to the group.
I just need to get around it.
The wraith let out a shriek and pursued me, its movements growing sharper and faster. I quickly realized that trying to dodge past it had too low a chance of success. Instead, I raced down one of the side tunnels, hoping it would double back to the larger chamber. The dark horror descended upon me, but I narrowly outran it. Unfortunately, when I had to turn down a tunnel, my speed faltered, and unlike me, the creature seemed unaffected by the constraints of physical momentum.
In desperation, I threw my knife at it. The blade passed cleanly through the wraith, sparking blue fire, and it flinched, pausing for a moment, which gave me a brief chance to gain some distance. But it was soon hot on my heels again, and I ran for my life, cursing Being X the entire way!
***
Pug wept bitter tears. How could Tanya, of all people, be gone? It wasn't fair.
The group had made it to the surface, though some of the soldiers had to physically carry Kulgan, who had collapsed from expending so much energy on his spell.
If only I could use magic properly! Tanya would be alive.
Tomas was also inconsolable, telling everyone it was his fault. That in his terror he couldn't think and had moved away from the group. Even being free of the dark confines of the oppressive tunnels seemed to provide no relief.
"I… it was my fault. She came after me. I'm only alive because of her. Why? I'm supposed to be the soldier, damn it! I'm apprenticed to Swordmaster Fannon! I'm the one who should face danger, not her."
Prince Arutha knelt beside them and placed his hand on Tomas' shoulder.
"That creature unmanned many of us, and you are still young. There is no shame, and the blame does not lie with you. She was… special." Arutha's eyes grew distant, vulnerable for a moment. "My father and I share your pain. I will ensure your Tanya is honored when we make it back to Crydee."
Dolgan walked over. "I, too, lads. She was quick-witted and brave. We all share your loss…" He trailed off, then walked toward the Duke.
Pug shivered, unable to keep his mind from wondering what it was like to perish in such a wretched way. Men had cried out at the touch of the wraith and fallen. It was probably dreadfully painful, but only for a moment. He took some small comfort in the thought that she hadn't suffered long.
"No," the Duke said firmly, "I thank you for your bravery, Dolgan, but I can't allow it."
Pug moved closer, curious, and wanting to take his mind off his spiraling thoughts.
Dolgan puffed on his pipe, a friendly smile splitting his beard. "And how do ye intend to stop me, Your Grace? Surely not by force?"
Borric was not Dolgan's Duke, nor were the dwarves vassal to the Kingdom, regardless of what the maps said.
Borric shook his head, and talk continued. Finally, Dolgan stated plainly, "I know it's only a slim hope, but if the girl has eluded the foul spirit, she'll be wandering lost and alone. She's a quick one and stood as solid as any dwarf against the wraith's presence. There are tunnels down there that have never known the tread of a dwarf's foot, let alone a human girl. She'll have no way to find her way back here, but I'll have no such issue. If I can find her trail, and she lives, I'll bring her home. On this, you have the word of Dolgan Tagarson, chief of village Caldara."
Pug felt renewed hope blossom in his chest. Tanya always landed on her feet; every step she had ever taken was filled with confidence. There was no way she would die in the dark like that. It wasn't possible. It couldn't happen. It couldn't.
Gardan gave a grim chuckle. "Master dwarf, you might end up surprised. She's got a nose for direction like I've never seen. I wouldn't give even odds that you'll find her halfway back to where we sit, but they won't be long ones."
Dolgan looked at Pug and Tomas. "Lads, I cannot give you much hope, for it is unlikely she eluded the wraith. I would do you a disservice if I said otherwise, but if there is a way, I shall find it."
"Take me with you!" Tomas burst out. "It was my fault. Let me make amends."
The dwarf shook his head. "Nay, you'll only slow me down and make her rescue even less likely."
Tomas looked down, grief and worry etched on his face.
They said their farewells to the dwarf, who gave final directions on where to travel. Now that they were out of the mine, the surface offered clear landmarks, and the sun, distant and cold as it was, would also help them orient themselves.
"If you lose your way, head due east. You'll find your way to the road to Bordon. From there it is a matter of three days' walk. May the gods protect you."
Pug said a prayer to Dala, asking her to protect Dolgan and Tanya, then turned to follow the rest of the now further diminished Duke's party.
***
My flight from the wraith was harrowing. The twisting, narrowing passages led to a few scrapes, and it seemed like the creature would never cease its pursuit. In desperation, I threw myself down one of the descending, near-vertical tunnels and hurled my torch in another direction. With it running low anyway, I had little concern for keeping it.
Huh, it worked. Better keep moving.
I didn't quite understand the nature of the wraith's senses. It didn't have physical properties, so sight, hearing, smell, and all of that likely didn't function the way they did for regular creatures. However, it could obviously detect prey—did it do so with some sort of heat sense? Did it have sight, just in a way I couldn't comprehend? Either way, I had landed painfully, breaking my fall with a roll. Even so, I was battered and bruised, and now in complete darkness. I trailed my hand along the wall and attempted to gain further distance. I focused on my hearing, straining to catch the sound of the wraith's moans or anything else.
I heard nothing. For hours, there was absolute silence, until I finally caught the faint sound of running water. I could survive without food for weeks, but only days without water, and I had no idea how far I was from the main passages Dolgan had been leading us through. Resolved to at least address one basic necessity, I carefully groped around in the darkness and made my way toward the faint trickling sound.
Hunger gnawed at me, but I was accustomed to hardship, so I pressed on gamely. An odd sensation crept over me, almost as if I were being watched. I froze, steadying my breath and straining my senses to discern what it could be. Suddenly, my senses were overwhelmed. My stomach twisted unnaturally, my ears popped, and tears sprang to my eyes as a sudden burst of light tore through my darkness-adjusted vision.
It took a moment, even for my highly trained mind, to orient myself. I was no longer in the tunnels hunting for water but in a vast chamber. I gave only a brief glance to the mounds of gold, silver, portraits, and tapestries. My attention was fixed instead on the massive golden dragon before me. The creature was far larger than the texts in Kulgan's library claimed dragons could grow!
In an instant, I reached for my sling, loaded a stone, and sent it careening toward one of the dragon's dull red eyes. The stone stopped mid-air, hovering a foot away, and I felt my body being enveloped in an embrace of solidified air.
The dragon rumbled – a laugh, I thought. "My apologies for startling thee, but the hour grows late."
I looked at him and felt as helpless as I had been when Being X spoke at me in the subway. And yet, I curiously didn't feel any outrage or fear. After a moment's thought, I realized the dragon had somehow summoned me here. Completely aside from its yellowed teeth the size of broadswords and its terrifying bulk, the magic required to teleport someone from one place to another meant this creature could kill me on a whim, but hadn't.
I felt the air around me return to its normal density and I lowered my head.
"I apologize for my reaction. This was very unexpected."
"I had not anticipated the need to summon thee so swiftly. I am… concerned that as my doom approaches, my memory and comprehension begin to fade. I do not feel different, and yet… no matter. These things should not trouble you."
I looked around and took in more of the creature's astonishing lair. Massive timbers served as a base for giant hanging crystal chandeliers. The faded tapestries along the walls depicted images that seemed to both draw the eye and evoke a sense of tension and wariness whenever I gazed upon them.
Magical?
There was a long feast table with chairs pulled up to it. A coating of dust covered everything, save for two chairs and one section of the table, where I caught the scent of smoked fish.
"My name is Tanya, and I am very curious as to why you have summoned me."
The dragon stirred slightly. "Had I not summoned thee, it is most like you would have found thyself lost forever. Or perhaps that echo of the nether realms would have encountered thee again, or perhaps the goblins that worm around these passages. Tanya… hmm, the name is strange to my ears. Did thy sire name you thus?"
"I never knew my parents; I was given up as a child."
The dragon rumbled, and it felt as though it had withdrawn into itself to ponder some matter or another. I didn't want to be rude and risk its wrath, but I was also deeply curious. Could I learn dragon magic? The dragon had mentioned his doom approaching, along with his mind fading. It would be just like Being X to taunt me with a way to finally learn some arcane arts, only for a would-be mentor to drop dead before they could help.
Finally, the dragon stirred again. "Be welcome then, Tanya. I am Rhuagh, one of the last of the golden dragons. Come, I am sure thou art famished. The kobolds who worship me gift me fish, and it will satiate thee, for I would have company on my death-watch."
"Death-watch?" I asked.
"It is given to the dragons to know the hour of their death, Tanya, and mine is close. I am old, even by the measure of my people."
"Ah, some sort of biological clock that lets you know when your body will cease to function? I can see the benefit, though I imagine it must update if you change your diet or suffer injury."
"Nay, once we reach our maturity it is known. A dragon cannot escape its fate."
"Bullshit." I probably shouldn't have challenged it, but that sounded far too much like deterministic nonsense. I knew that was hogwash for a variety of reasons, but mostly because Being X, the lying fraud that he was, did have power. More power than even this dragon before me, which meant that if he couldn't see the future and recognize my defiance of his wretched desire to be worshipped, there was no way a dragon would have perfect clarity over their life to know when they would die.
The dragon rumbled in amusement. "So certain art thou, little one?"
"Yes. Your own choices would change the hour of your demise. Sudden violence or disease – assuming disease affects your kind – would have to alter it."
"I have lived for countless ages. I cannot prove it to thee in the short time I have remaining, but know that it is so," Rhuagh replied patiently.
I shrugged, it wasn't worth the argument, especially since this might be a potential ticket out of here.
"I apologize if I have offended, Rhuagh. I would be honored to be at your side during the death-watch. What would it entail? What would you have me do?"
The dragon explained that I did not need to do more than listen to him speak and witness his end.
"A dwarf seeks you, and should I not summon him, he will not find this place. How very curious…"
They sent Dolgan back for me? I'm grateful, but the odds of my survival were quite long.
"Can you summon him here like you did me?"
"I can, but let me gather my energies, while you enjoy your meal. I had not anticipated the use of such magic before my end."
Not seeing a reason to worry about the food being tainted, I dug in. The fish lacked flavor, but as they say, hunger is the best spice. The dragon remained silent while I ate, and given that there was little time left in his lifespan, my opportunity seemed fleeting.
"Rhuagh, you have potent magic. I apprenticed for a time under a human magician, but was unable to manifest any arcane talent. Is there a way I could learn what sort of spellcraft you wield?"
"Nay, I think not, little one. If you cannot achieve the arts of your kind, it will not be possible. Only the most powerful of magicians can adapt in the way you speak of. Even among dragons, it is a rare talent," he answered. "But… do not despair. I sense the potential for greatness in thee, though not in the path that is familiar."
Disappointed, I moved on to the next order of important matters.
"I see much wealth here, what will happen to it whence you have passed?"
The dragon rumbled, bits of smoke expelling from his yellowed teeth. "It is my burial tomb. There is an instinctual urge among my kind to hoard trinkets and treasures. I have a gift for thee and the dwarf, but the remainder will carry a compulsion that will prevent all but the mightiest from taking my burial honors."
Drat.
"After we have stood watch, and before your death, can you summon your magic to transport us elsewhere?" I asked hopefully.
"Nay, that I cannot do, for you are to witness my end. With the dwarf's help, ye will find your way to the surface."
We lapsed into a silence and I asked him about rifts linking to other worlds.
"Dragons have little for knowledge such as this," Rhuagh replied and then he stirred, stretching his neck. I could see bits of scale flake off his hide.
"I will now summon thy friend."
The dragon spoke a word in a tongue I did not know.
I suppose I won't have time to learn the dragon tongue.
Instantly Dolgan appeared, as disoriented as I was.
"Dolgan, do not be alarmed, it is a friendly dragon."
Dolgan needed some calming down, but eventually, he took a seat next to me. Rhuagh was not very talkative, so I explained what had happened when I was separated by the wraith.
"Age robs me of my vitality and my sense of time. Forgive me, but the hour is upon me sooner than I expected."
I raised an eyebrow. "Almost as if it was always just an approximation, and the use of unanticipated magical energy has hastened the hour of your departure. Almost as if…"
Rhuagh snorted a bit of hot steam.
"Your tongue will get thee in trouble one day. Do not mock those far beyond your ken; a humble demeanor is rarely harmful."
I immediately grew suspicious, but then relaxed a bit. Being X was not that subtle; this was just advice that happened to prick a bad memory.
"My end approaches swiftly. I will tell you a brief story," the dragon's voice was beginning to lose its energy. "Once, a man came to this place, a magician of mighty arts. He could not be turned from this place by my magic, nor could I slay him. For three days we battled, his arts against mine, and when done, he had bested me. I thought he would slay me and carry off my riches, but instead, he stayed, for his only thought was to learn my magic, so that it would not be lost when I passed."
I eyed the dragon with some suspicion. Three days of constant spell casting? That… seemed unlikely.
"For three years he stayed with me. He learned all I could teach, for I could deny him not. But he taught as well, and his wisdom gave me great comfort."
"Who was this magician?" I asked, thinking maybe he would know how I could use magic.
"He was called Macros."
Dolgan stirred. "I've heard his name, a magician of most puissant arts. He is nearly a myth, having lived somewhere in the east."
"A myth he's not, Dolgan," said Rhuagh, thickly. "Still, it may be that he is dead, for he dwelt with me ages ago." The dragon seemed unsteady; more scales were falling to the floor. "My time is now close, so I must finish. I would ask a boon of thee, dwarf." He moved his head slightly and said, "In yon box is a gift from the mage, to be used at this time. It is a rod fashioned of magic. Macros left it so that when I die, no bones will be left for scavengers to pick over. Wilt thou bring it here?"
The dragon's rasps were more like wheezes now. It seemed desperate to get out its last words.
"In a moment, touch the rod to me, Dolgan, for then will I end."
Dolgan nodded reluctantly.
"Before that, I have one last thing to tell. In a box next to the other is a gift for thee, dwarf."
The dragon's head moved slightly toward me. "Tanya, thanks to thee, for spending my last moments with me. In a box with the dwarf's gift is one for you." He drew a deep breath and I could hear it rattle in his throat.
"Now, Dolgan."
Dolgan extended the rod and touched the dragon with it. A moment passed, and I wondered if the magic had left the device, or perhaps it had been meant to be used by one who could cast magic. Another moment passed, and Rhuagh whispered words that even my keen ears couldn't decipher.
Suddenly, a soft golden light began to form around the dragon. A faint humming could be heard, as if the walls of the hall reverberated with fey music. The sound grew louder as the light brightened and began to pulse with energy. I watched as Rhuagh's scales sparkled with shimmering power. The film over the dragon's eyes was swept away, and the great dragon's head rose. His wings lifted, and his yellowed teeth once more shone in brilliant white.
The dragon breathed pure fire up into the ceiling. Even completely angled away from me, I could feel its heat. His draconic voice roared as he spoke, "I thank thee, Macros. It is a princely gift indeed!"
The dragon raised its wings and launched itself… into oblivion. The great mass of the dragon had turned into a quickly dissipating set of golden motes of light. The room felt empty. I am not one to be awed by pretty colors and impressive sights, but even I felt moved by the thoughtful final gift.
We went to the box that Rhuagh had gifted to us. It was strange, I held no desire for the other items in the hoard. Which was bullshit because I absolutely wanted wealth. The only reason I wasn't more annoyed was because he had explained it earlier and it was clearly omnidirectional, as Dolgan too wanted nothing but what we had been gifted.
Dolgan opened the box and pulled out a dwarven hammer. The head was made from a silver metal that shone in the lantern light with bluish highlights. Across the side were carved dwarven symbols. The haft was carved oak, with scrollwork running the length.
"'Tis the Hammer of Tholin. Long removed from my people. Its return will cause rejoicing in every dwarven long hall throughout the West. It is a symbol of our last king, lost ages ago."
I reached past Dolgan for my own gift and spotted a large bundle of white cloth. I unrolled it and found that the cloth was a tabard of white, with a golden dragon emblazoned on the front. Inside were a shield bearing the same design and a golden helm. Something stirred in my chest as I found a golden sword within the bundle as well. Its scabbard was fashioned from a smooth white material, like ivory, but stronger, like metal. Beneath the bundle lay a coat of golden chainmail.
As I touched the mail, I felt a surge of heat inside me. My eyes widened in shock and joy. I felt it – my magical circuits. They had activated. I was breathing heavily. How? What was this suit of armor? I wanted to know, but more than anything, I wanted to test my magic now. I used the simplest of cantrips and summoned flame at the tip of my finger. I knew the theory behind it and had seen Kulgan light his damnable pipe dozens of times. I felt energy drain from me, but it worked. Flame!
Dolgan's jaw dropped. "Lass?"
"Dolgan! I did it. I cast magic! This armor, this wonderful and clearly magical armor has reawakened… ah I mean awakened in me the ability to use magic. I have tried for years and now I can use magic." I felt warm trickles of wetness on my cheeks. "I can use magic!"
"Aye, 'tis a marvel. Tholin's hammer is a weapon of power, forged in the ancient hearths of the Mac Cadman Alair, the oldest mine in these mountains. In it rests magic unsurpassed in the history of dwarves." Dolgan laughed, "You won't find me conjuring flame, just by hefting this hammer, but we dwarves have always had a different kind 'o magic than you tall ones."
Part of me continued to be dismayed at the idea that the most powerful and greatest of magical objects were created in the past. Did the people in this world not progress forward? Humanity has always marched forward, creating new and better means of reducing scarcity. Why should an ancient hammer ever be more effective than a modern one? It made little sense to me.
Putting that thought aside, I quickly donned the armor. It was too large for me, but the coat did not drag on the ground, and it felt far lighter than its mass would suggest. I decided to strap on the shield – it just felt appropriate. The sword sheathed at my side, and I'm sure I looked like a bad cosplay.
"Well, we best be off. There's no telling what else is down here in the darkness. A wraith and a great golden dragon – my folk may nae believe me when I tell them the tale!" Dolgan hefted the hammer. "Ah, but then I have this, and they'll have to."
I followed Dolgan, hopeful that Kulgan, Tomas, and Pug were well. I mentally added Dolgan to the list of people I cared for in this world. He had come back for me, was tough, and now wielded a magical hammer. That sort of meat shield was rare.