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STAR CHILD
RETURN TO THRAE
CHAPTER ELEVEN
They call it 'the Lost Encampment', the gathering grounds for survivors of Prime's madness. In the shadow of Anon Mountain, tents dotted the flat barren ground. There was a constant flow of troops coming into the camp or patrolling the area. In the center of the encampment, at the largest tent, a caravan of small nude Ellers had arrived. Ochen of the Rose Konig Clan looked up at tall humans and forced a smile. He had been asked to attend a meeting with the humans to discuss the threat of the renegade autonoid. He motioned for his guards to remain outside the tent, there was a time that Ellers wouldn 't even speak with humans, after the Brood Wars ended, all the Ellers wanted was to forget that this arrogant race existed. The human soldiers opened the flap for the small Eller and gestured for him to enter. Ochen ignored the superior look the soldiers gave him; he had learned long ago that humans believed they were the chosen race. However, Ochen knew that within the human's conceit was a fear that they were truly only savages. In the center of the large tent was a heavy oval oak table.
"Welcome Grand Master Ochen, thank you for coming." Lady Friah said standing as the other humans around the table also stood at the Eller' s arrival.
"Thank you." Ochen said awkwardly. "I have come because of your request, though I do not know what it is you wish of me." Ochen looked around the table at the surviving Lady's and Lords of Salvane. Lord Quess of Wakabay, Lady Patnea of Cleas, Prince Lynn of Rostra, Sir Illion of Chechen and Lady Friah of Bain, all forced a brave face for Ochen's benefit. However, he wasn't fooled, the sense of desperation willed with room like thick smoke.
"We wish." Lord Quess said nervously stroking his long white beard. "As you know the beast from our past, has assaulted our kingdom. killing our noble King. We ask for your assistance in destroying this monstrosity."
Ochen opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Lady Friah.
"Grand Master, I know that our races do not have a dignifying past together. Five hundred years ago, humans used you as a weapon, as slaves. But I ask you now to put aside our differences and aid us in combating this evil." Lady Friah forced a gentle smile.
"Sweet Lady, we have long since put aside our anger for you and your kin." Ochen began. "But this is not our war. Prime has purposely gone out of his way to avoid conflict with my kind."
"Because you have been spared, doesn't not mean you are safe Grand Master." Sir Illion yelled, slamming his fist onto the oak table. "Strike with us now, before that devil turns his gaze upon you!"
"Illion calm yourself." Friah said calmly. "Grand Master Ochen, I know what we are asking from you, to involve yourself in a war that is not yours. But we are looking at the extinction of our race."
Ochen sighed heavily and averted his eyes from the group of humans. "I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do to help." Ochen stood and bowed to the gathered humans and walked out of the tent.
"Godless creature." Barked Lady Patnea. "We should slit his throat for speaking to us that way."
"Surely." Lady Friah laughed sarcastically. "And have the Ellers join the war against humans, as if Prime isn't enough." Friah turned her attention to Quess. "Have we heard from the Centaurs or the Meedran?"
"Our messengers have not returned yet. I have been informed that the Poleviks have declined our invitation and the giants refuse to even talk to us."
"Then." Lady Friah took a deep breath. "Then we are doomed."
"My Ladies and Lords, I have a peasant here who wishes to speak with you." The soldier said keenly.
"Send them in." Lady Friah said indifferently. The council stared as the thin woman staggered into the tent.
"Please forget my intrusion." She said falling to her knees.
"Stand woman, we don't have time for formality. Tell us your story and quickly." Lady Patnea spat.
"What is your name sweat woman?" Lady Friah interrupted.
"Ema, servant to Lord Aero." Ema said meekly.
"What information do you have for us Ema?" Lady Friah said looking cautiously to the rest of the members around the table.
"My Lord Aero has sided with the devil, taking him into his house." Ema said shamefully.
"Then the rumors are true, that dog is aiding the enemy." Lord Quess growled.
"Please continue." Lady Friah said to Ema, ignoring Quess's comment.
"I fear he has a hand in the destruction in the House of Soldaat." Ema looked warily around the room. "I. I overheard him talking with the autonoid about sending a mercenary to find Prince Asrais of Soldaat."
The group exploded in murmurs, arguments about the young prince being alive. Lady Friah raised her hand to silence everyone. "Please. Please everyone. Let's allow Ema to go on."
Finally, once the group had quieted down, Ema began talking again.
"I wish that was all the news I had for you my Lords and Ladys. but there is more." Ema swallowed hard and forced herself to continue. "Lord Aero and the autonoid have left the castle, aided by the horde of Darellers in search. in search for the Star Child."
"All the God's right hand! I will not allow those bastards to find that which is most sacred!" Screamed Quess.
Lady Patnea drew her sword and slammed it into the table. "That traitor Aero will die by my sword, so I swear."
"Yes." Lady Friah stood, her head lowered in exhaustion. "Aero will die. Tell me Ema, which path does Prime take and how many robots has he for protection?"
"To the west towards Pallatora, as for the number of robots, it is but a handful at best. His horde has been sent against another target, of which I know not."
"Then he is vulnerable." Smiled Friah. "Send out the word, we march tonight." Lady Friah turned her attention back to her fellow council. "Our destiny is at hand, soon it will be determined if man has a place left in this world."
"Come on you two, we've got things to talk about." Puck yelled irately from somewhere down the corridor.
"We're coming. we're coming." Ash yelled back. It had been very early in the morning he had woken up. Filled with an excellent sleep and expressed love, Ash was overflowing with energy. He and Otto had gone exploring and found a goldmine of dehydrated foods. Though Ash couldn' t read the descriptions, his mouth was already drooling over the possibilities of eating something other than dried beef and fruit.
"Backpack is stuffed full." Otto declared. "And I would say there enough food still here to last us for several years." Otto said looking down the endless rows of silver packs of food.
"I almost hate to leave this place." Ash admitted.
"Once this is all over with, I don't see why we couldn't return for a nice vacation." Otto suggested. "We better go."
"Yeah, before Puck's head explodes." Ash giggled. Otto and Ash headed back up to the second level. Ash instantly knew something was wrong, by the dark look in Puck's eyes.
"We need talk." Puck said harshly. "We've wasted too much time. too much time."
"What's wrong?" Ash rushed toward his friend.
"What's wrong?" Dango spat, shaking his head disgustingly.
"Please Dango, let me talk." Puck insisted. "I think we need to split up."
"What are you talking about?" Ash asked, looking back to Otto.
"I've thought about this all night long." Puck began.
"You're telling me." Barked Dango.
"This quest. this recovery of the Star Child is desperate for the survival of our world. Dango and I will travel to Sememman Sea, while you and Otto continue to the Maelstrom Mountains."
"I don't understand? Why this idea of splitting up all of a sudden?" Ash asked.
"Puck had a dream. he saw." Dango started.
"I saw Prime getting a hold of the sword. Ash you have to believe me on this one. Sometimes my dreams come true and this one. this one we can't afford to ignore."
Ash nodded weakly, feelings of abandonment lumped up in his throat.
"Are you sure about this Puck?" Otto asked, putting a comforting hand on Ash's shoulder. "We can be at Golden Mines by tonight; the Sememman Sea is perhaps four or five days away."
Puck shook his head. "I just don't think we can wait that long. something bad is going to happen, if we delay any longer."
"Right then, we'll divide the food and head to our chosen destinations." Otto said.
It was hard for Ash to see his friend leaving, heading south as he and Otto continued west. Puck wasn't even in the mood for a hug, so their farewells were quick and sterile.
Otto obviously believed in Puck's dreams, for he drove Ash hard over the rocky terrain, through path or no path, it didn't matter. By midday, when Ash expected to stop for lunch, Otto only gave him a slice of dried beef, saying there wasn't time to break.
Ash couldn't help but gaze southward, hoping he would spot Puck and Dango. There was something bothering Puck and it was more than what he had said, Ash saw the dark worry clouding Puck's eyes. The more Ash thought about his friend, the angrier he got at him. Ash had always shared his feelings with Puck, it never accord to him to hide anything from him.
"I'm sorry for rushing you." Otto said, stopping for the first time since morning. He looked worryingly at Ash, examining him with his mechanical eyes.
"I'm fine. it's fine." Ash looked up at Otto and sighed.
"You seem upset." Otto said quietly.
"I guess I am, I'm mad at Puck and it makes me feel stupid." Ash spat out, it was too tired to explain what was the matter. "We shouldn't have split up."
"I agree, though I have great faith in Puck's dreams, I would have been more comfortable for us to remain together." Otto said seriously.
Ash sighed again, his shoulders going slump. "This really sucks."
"Well I do have good news for you." Otto said grinning.
"What?" Ash said indifferently.
Otto stood next to Ash and pointed ahead of them. "See that mountain range? That is the Maelstrom Mountains."
Ash gasped, he had been so busy pouting he hadn't noticed the huge black mountains looming on the horizon. If mountains could express emotions, then the Maelstrom was anger. Vicious black peaks pierced high into the sky; from top to bottom, this black rock was a jagged mess. Ash forgot all about being angry with Puck, the sight of the monstrous mountain exhausted him.
"How are we going to climb that?" He dared to ask.
"My understanding is, the Dwarves have carved out a pathway to their entrance. It won't be as difficult as it looks."
"Is sure hope so, I'm not sure I can walk much further." Ash said, though he was feeling new energy flowing through him at the thought of seeing his first Dwarf.
Onward they traveled, with a purpose in their steps. The sun was hidden behind the grand mountains as they began their climb upwards. There was indeed a path up, though just as difficult as climbing. The trail was narrow, with so many twists and turns, Ash thought maybe a blind man had built the path.
Night was in full bloom before they finally arrived to the huge stone doors of the Golden Mines. All Ash wanted to do was sit, his feet hurt, his legs ached and his back was killing him, he wasn't sure he could take another step.
"What do we do now?" Ash said slowly, looking up at the large doors.
"I believe we should knock." Otto banged on the doors as if made from wood. A resounding boom echoed from his knocking.
Ash waited, looking up occasionally to Otto, the doors did not move. Otto knocked again. This time, the doors slowly screeched open. Ash's first glimpse of a Dwarf was having a spear shoved at his face. At least thirty Dwarves had rushed out of the doors, all bearing spears. Ash was too interested in seeing the Dwarves to be frightened. They were shorter than Ash, with bubble round faces and bouncing bulbous bodies. Their eyes were huge almost owl-like, but not as large as their outsized noses. Unlike the Ellers, the Dwarves were clothing, layers upon layers of clothing, as if bare skin was sinful.
"Who bangs upon our grand entrance?" Barked a Dwarf wearing a heavy winged helmet and unlike the others wore a long blonde beard. "Speakth now, who dares bang?"
"I. I banged on your door." Otto confessed. "We seek help from the Dwarves."
"Help?" The bearded Dwarf said laughing. "A strapping brute of obvious prowess, asks us Dwarves for help? Tis help for ye young lass?"
It took Ash a few seconds to realize the Dwarf had called him a girl. He looked down at his bare chest and then to Otto and back to the Dwarf.
"I'm a boy." Ash corrected, but no one seemed to hear him or care what he had to say. The Dwarves were more concerned with Otto.
"I am Otto, in service to PRINCE Asrais." Otto emphasized the word 'Prince' and gave Ash a wink. "We have traveled from Palla. from afar with word of extreme importance and would speak with your Chieftain." Otto had almost said Pallatora, but decided not to test the Dwarves tolerance on Ellers just yet. The Dwarves gathered into a tight circle and began mumbling; occasionally glancing back apprehensively at the towering Otto.
"He thought I was a girl?" Ash whispered to Otto, trying not to giggle too loudly.
"We shall grant thee thy request." The bearded Dwarf said." Though I cannot speak for our Sovereign and as such, cannot guarantee thee will have words with him." The Dwarf pushed his way through the others and motioned for Otto and Ash to follow him. There wasn't much light within the Dwarven home, from what Ash could see, it was enormous. The entire mountain had been hollowed out. The street they walked on winded down like a monstrous corkscrew, with buildings and houses carved straight out of the walls of the cave. Ash dared to looked over the edge and gasped; there was no way of telling how deep this hole was, he could only see about thirty levels deep, but darkness enveloped what might have been past that. As they followed the bearded dwarf, Ash realized that the busy streets would part, stop their activities and stare as they passed. He was beginning to understand the Dwarves confusion in gender, it was impossible for Ash to tell the women from the men.
"I don't believe the Dwarves get many visitors here." Otto whispered, as he noticed the wide-eyed reaction from all the Dwarves.
"This place is amazing; it must have taken them centuries to dig it out."
"Five centuries, young lady. Five centuries of continuous digging and bailing and chipping and carving." The bearded Dwarf said without turning around. Ash frowned at the mention of 'young lady'. "How did he hear us?" Ash said barely audible.
"We have been truly blessed with excellent hearing." The dwarf replied, still not bothering to look at them. "We possess a superb nose as well."
"And must be able to see in the dark." Ash grumbled as he stumbled over something, in the road.
"We have arrived." The dwarf said stopping in front of a wide oak door. It was odd seeing wooden doors here, Ash found it almost surreal, with all this stone and rock.
Otto had to duck down to enter through the oak doors, but thankfully, the great room was oversized with vaulted ceilings. A long table rested in the center of the room where a single Dwarf sat, stuffing his face with food.
"Stone Master Abim, what is this ye have brought before me?" the Dwarf said spitting food across the table. Ash noticed that this Dwarf's beard was so long it dragged the floor; apparently, it was a symbol of one's power.
"Sovereign Abto, this be Otto in service of Prince Asrais. He asks for words with thee of dire importance." The Dwarf called Stone Master Abim said with a low bow.
"Dire importance." Sovereign Abto laughed. "Of what dire importance could these ragamuffin pair have for me?"
"I have news of war." Otto said calmly.
"War with humans or Dwarves, for if it be humans, I fear that I can't even mock concern."
"If you could just please hear me out." Otto said stepping closer to the table. Ash scurried forward too, feeling the need to be close to Otto in this strange place. Dwarves weren't exactly had he had imagined them to be. Now that he was with them, it was like walking a nightmare, realizing that things of dreams really existed.
"I will leave thee with thy guest my Sovereign." Stone Master Abim said with a graceful bow.
"Yes, wise Stone Master. And we shall discuss ye admittance procedures upon a later date." Abto said gruffly.
"If you would allow me to explain." Otto said quickly.
Abto frowned, cocked his head to the side and finally pushed his plates to the side.
"Yes, do enlighten." Abto said relaxing back into his chair, stroking his long beard lovingly.
Ash stood quietly as Otto lowered his head collecting all the information he needed to explain their situation to the Sovereign of the Dwarves.
"I know of the differences your kind has had with humans throughout the ages, but a dreadful circumstance has happened. A villain from the past has returned and ." Otto looked sadly towards Ash. "This villain has murdered the King of Salvane."
"King Jerico?" Abto said quickly. "Jerico has been slain?"
Otto smiled faintly. "No Sovereign Abto, King Jerico died almost three hundred years ago, it was King Verloren." Otto rested his hand on Ash' s shoulder. "Prince Asrais is now the last of the House of Soldaat."
"Dreadful news indeed." Abto moaned. "Jerico was our fair friend, it has been so long since a human has visited us, I have forgotten of their wistful short lives."
Sovereign Abto sighed and stood, almost disappearing behind the large table. "We do not seek news from the outside world, Otto in service to Prince Asrais. In addition, as such, have become ignorant in things not Dwarvish. But that does not mean we will not listen." Abto clapped his stubby hands together, instantly two smaller, beardless Dwarves entered from a side door. "Please Otto in service of Prince Asrais and fair lady have a seat, I will have food and drink brought to you." Abto nodded towards the two Dwarves and they bowed low in the understanding and left the room as quickly as they had appeared.
Ash followed Otto to the table and took a seat next to him.
"Is there any way." Ash whispered. "Any way to let these guys know I'm not a girl?"
"I'll try, but it's probably been about three hundred years since they 've seen a human." Otto explained trying not to smile. "Don't take it personal."
"All right. I'll try." Ash said huffily. "But if they suggest I wear I dress.I'm going to kick someone's butt."
Sovereign Abto sat back into is chair and guzzled down his drink, spilling most down his long beard. "Please Otto in service of Prince Asrais, continue ye tale."
"Of course Sovereign. " Otto said nodding to the Dwarf. "We have been searching for the hidden Star Child and believe that Jerico has placed within your care part of this sacred item. If Prime, the monster who killed King Verloren, recovered the sword first, his power will be unstoppable."
Abto said nothing; the small Dwarf leaned back in his chair and waited for the servants to lay out the banquet of food for Ash and Otto. Once they had finished Abto gestured for one of the servants. With a quick whisper to the servant, Sovereign Abto turned his attention about to his guest. "You are on a fool's errand, Otto in service of Prince Asrais. There is neither piece nor splinter of the Star Child here."
"I don't understand." Ash interrupted. "You knew Jerico and that song.the song directed us here."
"You have been deceived. Though I confess in knowing King Jerico, we are not concealing the Star Child." Abto stood again. "I hate to be an imperfect host, but I believe it is time for ye to depart."
Ash stood up looking defeated; he was half way to the door before he realized Otto wasn't behind him. "Otto." Ash whispered loudly. "Otto we're leaving."
"I don't think so." Otto said remaining seated. "Sovereign Abto, I understand your reluctance in talking with us. but I assure you Prince Asrais is of the House of Soldaat. By family name, he holds true rights to the Star Child."
"You dare call me a liar?" Abto screamed. "I am Sovereign of the Golden Mines, leader of 2 million strong."
"And I am Otto, X3-A133-455-7175 created at the time of the Auto War." Otto raised his voice and stood, towering over the short Dwarf. "I am over 1000 years old and do not like being lied to."
"Otto." Ash said cautiously. He wasn't sure if he was ready to take on the entire race of Dwarves even with the autonoid by his side, Ash didn't think it possible for them to win. "Otto what are you doing? If Sovereign Abto says he doesn't have." Ash didn't finish his sentence, suddenly a stabbing pain struck him between the eyes. It was like standing in front of a huge speaker, blasting Kid Rock. However, Ash didn't hear anything, he felt it deep inside his mind. Then the blast softened into a single angelic voice. 'Save me', it begged.
"Ash are you all right?" Otto asked at the awkward silence.
"Someone needs help." Ash said weakly. "I hear someone asking for help."
Otto rushed over to Ash's side, helping him stand on legs that suddenly seemed too weak.
"Who needs help?" Otto asked.
"Not. not sure. I hear them in my head. saying 'save me'. What's going on Otto?" Ash's strength returned as the voice vanished, replaced with a gentle singing. He couldn't make out the words to the song, but it was the loveliest song he had ever heard. Otto clinched his fists and turned to face Sovereign Abto. "What the hell are you doing to the boy Abto?"
Sovereign Abto grinned, his face wet with tears. "Truly we be all blessed."
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Otto yelled. "Whatever you are doing to Ash, it better stop now!"
Abto scrambled off his chair and rushed towards the pair. "I am doing nothing. it is the Star Child. do you hear singing child?"
Ash nodded that he did.
"Sweet songs of heaven. Tis proof that this girl. um boy." Abto corrected himself and cautiously put his hand on Ash's arm. "This boy is the successor of Jerico. We built the Golden Mines as a vault, for one purpose only." Sovereign Abto clapped his hands once again. The servant he had whispered to, reappeared, this time carrying a box inlaid with gold and gems.
"I wish ye to know." Sovereign Abto said, pausing a moment to open the elegant box. "We swore to protect the hilt, to the last Dwarf, we would have fought to the death, so that no evil could harm it."
Ash looked into the box and gasped, sitting on a cushion of red silk was the hilt, looking almost naked without its blade. It was made from a metal Ash had never seen, as if it was created from solid light.
"The last hand to touch this was King Jerico." Abto said solemnly. "Take it Prince Asrais, claim your birthright."
Ash wearily reached into the box, let his fingers slip around the long grip. The pommel on the hilt was sculpted to look like a flaming star, once Ash's hand made contact; he swore that it sparkled from his touch. Carefully, as if the hilt was made from delicate glass, Ash lifted the hilt into the air. Ash closed his eyes as the warmth flooded over him, like gentle hands over his body, caressing him, loving him. He didn't see the room illuminated in pure white light, he didn't hear Otto call his name. Ash only heard and felt the beautiful song, sung only to him.