OUTLANDER

                                           Chapter Seven

                                              THE GIFT

As Dax and his men neared the gate, Dax and Ruthor noticed that a man was sent running down the parapet toward the ladder to the ground. Afterwards, they were greeted by the guard watch before they rode through the gate itself.

“We are being announced I think.” Ruthor commented to his Captain as he leaned slightly to his left in Dax’s direction, riding stride for stride beside him.

“I expected that, we have been gone awhile once again. We will ride directly to the palace and dismount there. We can both guess who it is will be waiting for us atop the steps.”

“No doubt.” Then Ruthor leaned back in his saddle and relayed the direction to ride directly to the palace steps.

By now many people in Marden paid less attention to the five men riding down the street together with Dire Wolves walking beside their horses. Even though no one strayed too near where they rode down the street.

As they came to a halt just before the first of the many steps and dismounted soldiers were there to take the reins of the five horses, but none took their eyes off the wolves as they did. Men and wolves started to ascend the steps toward the Mage Ceric and Lord Daka, the keeper of the gate.

“It is good to see all five of you made the journey back safely this time, Captain Dax of the Wolf Pack.” Lord Daka stated quite loudly for all to hear.

Before Dax could answer Ceric interrupted saying. “Yes it is good to see all of you, we were not sure how long this mission would take. Follow us into the Great Hall. Thane Eric is already there waiting for your full report.”

With this said, Ceric and Daka turned on their heels and started walking into the palace and down the hall with all five men and their wolves following behind, each wolf not leaving the side of his companion. Within just a few moments they were entering the Council Chamber. There Eric Throgmarden was seated behind his council table with Weban two seats to his right and a new man seated two seats to his left, Dax did not know this new councilor. As the entourage neared the table Ceric and Daka walked around each end and took their appropriate seats beside Thane Eric.

Only then did Eric Throgmarden speak. “Well now Captain Dax, I am most pleased to see you and your men return hale and hopefully in good fortune. The first order of business is to tell me just how your mission faired.”

Dax moved to place the scroll on the table in front of his Thane and then backed stepped to his position beside Ruthor and wait for Eric to read the scroll.

“I see that He agreed to stop any intrigues including against you within Marden. Which was the point of why I sent you there. What I do not see is him absolving you of any dispute he had otherwise.”

“That is because he does not, My Thane. This agreement only covers Marden, he will not send anyone here or hire anyone living here to work against you or any of your people here within your realm.”

Ruthor spoke before being recognized to speak before Dax or Thane Eric could speak. “My Thane, if I may, what Dax is not saying is that Damna the Great made decree verbally that Dax cannot enter any lands held by Pelia under penalty of death, he named him traitor to the Purple Throne. And said he would still allow a reward to be paid if he was caught or killed anywhere other than within your lands.”

“What Ruthor says is true Thane Eric, but we were not sent to have me absolved. Only to get an agreement for his stopping any acts against anyone inside or in any way opposed to your kingdom. That is what he agreed to only.”

“That I see, and he made no treaty, no alliance and no recompense for his transgression. I will think more on this. What else of your journey? Anything of consequence occur during your journey there or in returning back to us?’

“In a way, my Thane. On our way there I made the decision to approach Pelia as much by stealth as possible so we journeyed there from No Fall and across the Waste. It was not well known but I had survived crossing the Sea of Lost Souls, once years back. So we took a path across it this time in trying to avoid detection. From there we crossed the Walking Dunes and then snuck into Pelia at night. In doing so unfortunately we had been observed by Sand Walkers. This we found out during our return journey. We found this out when a Sand Walker Holy man approached us in Desham as we were on our journey here.”

“And what did this Sand Walker want?”

“That is the thing, Thane Eric, he only wanted to talk at first, asking mainly if we had crossed the Sea of Lost Souls as he had heard from caravans. Once he was sure the stories were true , is when he surprised even me.”

“Surprised you, how.”

“He gave all of us Sand Walker tokens of honor to have and then said all our names would be entered into the Sand Walkers Book of Souls.”

It was Ceric who interrupted and spoke. First to Eric Throgmarden and then to Dax. “Lord, this is astounding news. No man has ever been known to be given a Sand Walker honor disk, much less had his name written in their Book of Souls in almost four hundred years. Not since the first Damna conquered all of the Waste. It has been said that he almost wiped out the Sand Walker in that war, not even he was given these honors. Dax, may I see one of these disks?” Dax stepped forward at the request and placed his on the table in front of the Mage. Afterwards Ceric spoke again. “My Thane, I have seen one of these before, in the possession of a Sand Walker trader. What Dax says must be truth, there is no other way he and his men could have them.”

“So, why do you and your men have them Captain and what does this supposed honor mean exactly.”

It was Ceric who spoke before Dax could speak. “It means that these five men have done something the Sand Walkers consider beyond brave. And that they have now been, in effect, adopted as part of the Sand Walker community, or let us say accepted as equals. Any Sand Walker will now have an allegiance with and to them if ever needed. This could be to our great advantage at some time in the future if we needed it.”

“I can see what you are implying, Ceric. But if they were almost wiped out four hundred years ago, how many of them are there?”

It was Dax who spoke this time. “I did ask that question my Thane, but his answer was cryptic. He said, they were more than the trees of the desert, but less than its grains of sand. Later as I talked with another older man I know, he said that was the Holy Man’s way of saying that there are many of them, more than Pelia knows of. He was also very forthright in letting us know that the Sand Walkers have no true like for Damna the Great or any in power in Pelia.”

“So Ceric could be right, if we ever have needs be. And did anything else occur worth discussing?”

“Only that I got word from a man known to both myself and my late father that there is an old friend of my father’s, who has something personal to give me that once belonged to him. Once I have told and or discussed all that yourself, Lord Ceric and Lord Daka would like, I would ask that I be allowed to visit that man, if you are agreeable.”

“I see no issue with that, Captain Dax, as long as Lord Daka and Mage Ceric are agreed. You and your men could surely do with some period of rest after such a long journey. I think we have said all that needs to be said today. You should all return to your homes. Lord Daka or Ceric will send for you if and when they need.”

With such a welcome dismissal all five men bowed toward the table of councilors and Thane before turning to leave the council chamber. Once outside Dax told his men to go ahead and head for their dwellings, Ofid would be on his way back to his farm and family. Ruthor told him that he would send for him when he needed to return. Vlad said he was going to find a certain tavern server he knew and might not be sober for a few days, everyone laughed saying that was not anything new.

Off and on over the next two days Dax, and occasionally Ruthor, met with Ceric and/or Lord Daka to discuss what all had occurred in much greater detail, even to the point of adding new details to the large map Ceric had.

Then on the evening of the second day Ceric had Dax come to his home for dinner.  Once there Mejara served the three of them before sitting down at the table with her brother and Dax. After the meal Ceric and Dax went and sat in front of the fireplace to talk some more.

It was Ceric who spoke first. “Will you be going to seek out the old friend of your fathers tomorrow?”

“If that is agreeable, Grey Beard. I have no idea what it is he wants to give me. But I was told not to leave it for too long as he is not a young man. I knew him well when I was a child. My father and he worked together mining for a while, they were close friends then.”

“You do not speak of your father much, Dax.”

“I suppose not. He was an iron worker as I told you and we moved around quite a lot as he searched for the metal ore he wanted to find. Besides, his sadness at losing my mother so early, it was his greatest unfulfilled wish. He has been gone for quite a while now.”

“I know I sometimes pry where some wish I would not, but could I ask your father’s name?”

“I have wondered how long it would be before you asked that question, since you could not discern where I was from because you had not heard of my name before. My father’s name, Greybeard, was Feron, he and his brother, Iron Beard were the sons of Baldax the Nel. And before you ask my mother’s name was Ginger.”

“I hate being transparent. Was your mother named for the root that some people use in cooking?”

“No, her mother named her that for her scarlet hair. Which she inherited from her father.”

“I see then. Well at least she then must have come from the isles of Tripolia or maybe No Fall. But most people with red hair come from Tripolia.”

“Most do, I agree. But as far as I know she was not born there, although her mother may have, I never asked.”

“Is your Uncle also an iron worker then, seeing as both your grandfather and father were?”

“No, Iron Beard is quite happy being a miner of ores.”

“Will you get to visit your Uncle during your trip to your father’s old friend?”

“Sadly no, they do not live in the same villages.”

“Well, I have pried into your life enough for one night, Dax. I thank you for your forthright answers.”

“I am as sure as you will someday ask more as I am that they gave you no more sense of my beginnings than you had before.”

“If that is your intent, so far you have succeeded. I sense though that you are being wholly honest, but enjoying the fact that I have as yet not answered the questions in my mind. I also believe you have your reasons for continuing to be rather mysterious about your early youth. It is your right to have some privacy.”

“Thank you, Ceric. What I keep private, has no bearing on how I will act or honor my promises.”

“That I do believe. However, I should tell you that Lord Daka still has some reservations. When he agreed to your trip away, he did still utter some possibility that you might not return. Even though you have completed all tasks so far without a hint of treachery. He keeps his full acceptance still quite close to his chest. Now go and get sleep, you start your journey in the morning and I will see you on your return.”

Dax stood, smiled at the old mage, then turned and left his house. He walked straight to his own dwelling and was on his bed and full asleep within moments.

Before first light the next morning he had been to the stable, saddled his horse and with Darma at his side left through the city gates riding up the Arn River road. They would travel all the way to Eigle along the Arn River then turn up the higher pass to the north side of the north Fire mountains. Once there Dax would travel the mountain paths until he was above the headwaters of the Fire River. Here was where he would find the Fire River Cave Village of the dwarves and where Bulb Nose lived it would take him at least six nights travel to be there.

On the seventh morning after leaving Marden he stopped on a rise where he could see the cracked vein in the rock face that was the entrance to the Cave village. No one other than a dwarf would have noticed it, few normal men would even be in this vicinity to not see it, though. Dax slowly descended down the undulating mountain path veering in and around various more steep and rigid escarpments as the descent came closer to the cave. In the distance he heard the seemingly distant cry of an Eagle, even though one could not be seen in the sky above, he smiled to himself. Then as he rounded another curve in the path he saw a few people come into view near the cave, mostly men and all armed with pick axes, shovels and axes. Finally as he got close enough for recognition he heard one man yell to others. “That is no intruder, its Dax, son of Feron come to visit Old Bulb Nose.” Tools and picks started to be lowered to let their heads rest on the rocks. And by the time Dax was dismounting his horse near the cave entrance, Old Bulb Nose stepped out to greet him.

“I see you got my message young one. I have not seen you in many a winter.” The old man stepped up to Dax and gave him a strong manly hug of welcome. “Will you stay with us a few days at least?”

“I will Bulb Nose, gladly so.” Dax said with pure joy crossing his face. He missed this old one, he knew it had been too long.

“My dogs nose boy, where did you get the Dire Wolf and why is she here with you?”

“We are a team old friend, family even you might say.”

“Well, if she is family to you then she is welcome. Just don’t feed her any of our mountain sheep. I want their mutton for my stew.” He said laughing. “And that giant horse, just where I am going to put her.” Then he slapped Dax full force on the shoulder and laughed once again, this time everyone standing close by laughed as well.

Following Bulb Nose through the crack was a little more difficult for Dax and his horse as he was taller and the horse had four legs making him broader. His horse and Darma were at first skittish at walking through the seam into the side of the mountain. As you entered you had to immediately turn slightly to the left as that was how the seam had ran. But within a few steps the crack widened, it was plenty tall, being at least twenty feet above ground level. Within two horse length the vertical rock face verged back from the seam horizontally and vertically, revealing an enormous cave. Not only did the crack allow light but you could see where the dwarves, over time, had bored holes into the ceiling above at several locations allowing more light to penetrate the interior from its ceiling, which at some points was at least 70 to 100 feet tall. These cores had been placed such that below them on the cave floor large rock cisterns had been constructed to catch the water that either seeped in or showered down when it rained. These cisterns allowed fresh water to be stored inside the cave for everyone’s use, much like a well would be dug in other towns or villages.

Dax knew from other visits here during his youth that the cave went at least a half a league back into the mountain and had more than one chamber of substantial size. Houses and dwellings had been built inside the cave over several generations, some of these were more than one dwelling tall, one being built on top of the lower ones. Every chamber had its system of cisterns as well. The borings also allowed smoke to escape the cave complex and allowed sufficient fresh air flow, year round.

Like all dwarf dwellings though, they were built to the standards of dwarves. As Dax had grown to his full size, this architecture had become somewhat challenging. He expected to at least sleep outside of Bulb Nose’s for more comfort, especially since inside the cave itself the temperature varied little during all times of the year.

The village had grown since his last visit here with more dwellings, houses, shops, storage buildings, workshops, the village was near the same as any anywhere in the rest of the world, only at a slightly smaller size of construction. Some amazingly decorated and ornate. There were streets, alleys, he even noticed a park for the young where a boring shed light at its location on the cave floor and as before with a smaller in height but wider breadth to it. As they passed he could see children playing in this cistern, which made Dax smile again, he did not remember this one from previous visits.

“Bulb Nose, how many people live here now? If you do not mind my asking?”

“Not at all. Within the village itself, we are 1252 now. And there are another 231 total living in three different mineburgs within our providence.”

“So many and are there still ten villages of dwarves within the Fire Mountains?”

“Yes, and that is not counting the town and villages of the Eigle. Most villages vary from some being smaller than here to two being somewhat larger. Each one having between two to four burgs within their separate area.”

“So then I suppose that would be around twenty thousand, plus Eigle now?”

“More like over thirty thousand, not counting Eigle and her villages. We think the total accredited population is near forty thousand, as of the last winter’s tally. If the too tall knew this, they would shudder in dismay.”

“Without a doubt. They must never know.”

“On this we agree. At least not until it becomes absolutely necessary.”

“Let us hope that day never comes.”

“Well, here we are.” Bulb Nose said as he neared his door and then shouted to the interior. ”Daitha, we have company.”

Within two heartbeats Blub Nose’s wife, Daitha opened the door. “Oh my, is that you Dax?”

“It is Daitha. I am so happy to see you.” Dax said as the diminutive woman ran and jumped into his arms, slavering him with kisses as he held her off the ground.

Then she wriggled and turned to her husband saying. “Dear man of my heart, you bring me the best gifts.” Then she kissed Dax about his cheeks again. When she was done, she leaned back and said, her face all abeam. “You can put me down gently you too tall oaf.” And kissed him once again before he did.

“Is Melody not here?’ Dax then asked Daitha.

“You have been away for many winters now Dax. She lives in Eigle and works for the Triad. Like you all who are taller, she went there at her time, she visited us a couple of moons back. But the song of my heart does not live with us anymore, as sadly as that is, even though as necessary as it is also.”

“I am sorry, I had not thought about how long it has been since I was last here. Yes, that would be where she is now. I wish I had thought of that some time back when I was in Eigle, for a very short time. She must be married by now?”

“No, not yet as it is. I think she waits for someone special to ask her. Someone not in Eigle.”

“Well, whoever it be, he better be especially good to her. She deserves the very best of men.”

“Yes she does. I am sure it will happen. If you go back by way of there when you leave, you should look for her. She would be most pleased to see you again.”

“I was not going that way, but I will. I would truly like to see her again.”

“Good. You two sit out here and I will bring us food for a meal. Before you men start talking about men things.”

After their meal, Dax and Bulb Nose walked around the village. Dax enjoyed their walk since he got to become reacquainted with other villagers he had not seen in many years. Especially some who were now adults that he had played with as a child on those times he and his father had been there.

Once back at Bulb Nose and Daitha’s house, the three chatted into the evening until it was time for sleep. Then couple went inside as Dax and Darma made their bed outside the house on a pallet of quilts provided them.

The next day, Dax and Bulb Nose visited many places within the village and a couple of the mineburgs. Once they had returned home the two men sat outside and Bulb Nose retrieved a leather pouch from the house. As he brought it out Daitha came with him. After the two sat down, Bulb Nose handed the pouch to Dax.

“Your Father gave me this to give to you. He said not to give it to you until I was sure you had found your path in life. He had hoped you would continue being a worker of iron, he said you had a greater talent than he did. But he did not want its contents to sway you in your choice of vocation. I have decided it is that time, I agree with him that you had a special talent that many do not. I also believe you have chosen your path. So now, it is right you have this.

Dax opened the pouch and placed its contents in his lap, placing the pouch to the side. Looking in his lap, he saw an odd assortment of objects; a strange looking piece of metal ore (the likes of which he had never seen), a small vial containing a deep red liquid, a small carving of what appeared to be a bellows (but of a type he did not remember), a long tooth tiger’s fang and a dried frond of a plant unknown to him. As he was looking at the objects Bulb Nose spoke again.

“Your father said, that once you knew what to do with these, you should turn the pouch inside out and unlaced. There is a message burned on the inside.”

Dax turned the pouch inside out and found he could read the message without unlacing it. Then he returned the contents to the inside and pulled the draw string closed, tying the cord into a knot. Then he looked up at Bulb Nose and spoke.

“Thank you very much old friend, this is an immense gift. I will cherish it and I will do as he would have had me, when I can. My gratitude is beyond measure to you and Daitha.”

“You are a part of our family. You always have been and you always will be so. I think you know that.”

“As you are mine. Tomorrow I will take my leave of your wonderful hospitality. I had planned on another day, but I now think I will use that day to stop by Eigle, if that is agreeable with you both.”

It was Daitha who spoke first. “I think that is a fine plan. I would enjoy more of you, but I like your idea better on this day.” She was smiling broadly at him. “Now let me get us a meal of Mutton and Mead.”

The three ate their meal then Daitha cleaned the dishes and utensils before returning outside to enjoy the evening chat before all three went to their beds for sleep. Before the first pink rays of the dawn started creeping into the cavern through the bores for light in its ceiling Dax had been to the stable, retrieved his horse, saddled for the journey and walked through the crevice entry into the early morning mountain air. He had left Bulb Nose and Daitha a note of apology at his early departure saying he would see them again as soon as he could.

Dax rode his horse the same way he come until the path joined with the road over the pass that went to either Eigle to the south or out of the Fire Mountains and toward Capet at Lake Crystal in the Crystal Hills. Here he turned south to Eigle. At day’s end he dismounted at the stable where he had purchased his horse several moons ago. After talking to the stable owner he walked into Eigle itself, Darma at his side. He walked directly to the town meeting hall and went inside. He asked the man sitting at a table in the foyer about Melody, saying he was an old friend and the man told him where her dwelling was located. A few moments later he and Darma were standing outside her entry door, it was a modest but finely apportioned house with an entry door painted in the hue of what he remembered as her blue eyes. After knocking on the door and stepping back a pace he waited until he heard the knob turn and saw it being opened.

Melody immediately recognized her visitor and smiled broadly. “Is that really you, Dax? I have not seen you for many winters. How did you find me?”

“I was visiting your parents and they told me you lived in Eigle. So I went to the town meeting hall and a man there told me where you lived. So here I am. I hope that I have not come at a bad time?” Dax was thinking how beautiful his younger, one time playmate, had become. She was slender and tall for a woman, even in the customary loose clothing of the Eigle, he could tell she was fit and had a strength about her. Her hair was raven colored, long and tied back at her neck. And she still had those bright blue eyes.

“I do not think it would ever be a bad time to see you. You have a Dire Wolf with you.”

“Yes, Darma this is Melody, she is pack.” Dax had turned to look into Darma’s eyes as he spoke. Then returned his eyes onto Melody. “I have thought of you often, but life had, until now, not rendered me an opportunity to seek you out. Had I known you lived in Eigle though, I could have a couple of times since the last winter.”

Recognition seemed to surface in her eyes as she spoke. “It was you not long ago who was with others from Marden here in Eigle, all of you with wolves. I heard of that and the story was they were soldiers who met a Sand Walker trader here.” She had the look of a question, but added. “But please both of you come in so we can get reacquainted properly.” As she stepped to one side and motioned for Dax to come into her house.

“Thank you.”

Once inside they sat at her table across from one another, with Darma sitting beside Dax.

“And yes it was me and my men you heard about. But the meeting with the Sand Walker was unplanned. He came to our table where we were eating a meal and asked to talk, so we did.”

“You say, your men. And then you say you spoke with the Trader. I thought Sand Walkers only spoke the common language for trade and that they only spoke Sand Walker the rest of the time, some kind on custom or law?”

“Both are true . I am now a captain in Thane Throgmarden’s guard and he calls us his Wolf Pack, it is a long story. The other is true as well, I speak some Sand Walker, I learned it during my time in Pelia and the Waste. I hear you work for the Triad.”

“I do, but I do not think my life has been near as interesting as yours seems to have been. I would like to say I am sorry for the loss of your father. I was there, but came a little late. By the time I got there you had already left. My father said you left right after the ceremony, as if you had some place you had to be. He thought you actually just needed to grieve alone. I had hoped to see you there.”

“Bulb Nose was right I did need solitude for a while. Then afterwards life just moved forward. Some good, some not so good. But all is fine now. My men have become dear companions as well as trusted allies when needs be, Darma and I are always together and she gives me unconditional love. For now I have a purpose and life is fine. How about you? I would think you get to see your parents often. Your father is still the chosen of the Fire River village I expect, so you would see him each half-moon for the high council meetings here with the Triad?”

“No, he must have not told you. He is still on the Triad of the village but asked that another be the chosen a couple of winters ago. But I visit as often as I can.”

“No, we did not talk politics while I was there, I just assumed he was. He had sent me a message through Iron Beard that he had something to give me from my father. So I took time away from my duties to visit them. Your mother spoke of someone special to you, that she hope you would wed and then she could have grandchildren though.”

“My mother sometimes talks too much. There is one I care for, but he does not know of it and I am not sure he will figure it out for himself. What of you, did you find a love and wed?”

“No, not even close. I think I may not be a man a woman can love in that way. Do not get me wrong there are two women I cherish their friendship. But both are older, one lives in Tripolia and was a dear friend of my father’s and the other is a widow in Pelia who has always been kind to me. Any others I have known have been both fleeting and ended sourly.”

“It sounds to me that you have known the wrong women then.”

“Maybe so. I do hope the one you have feelings for figures it out. You deserve to have the man you want, if he is a man worth your love?”

“He is, if he ever settles down and comes to his senses. How long are you staying in Eigle then?”

“Just tonight, I will leave in the morning for Marden. Would you have the evening meal with me, somewhere of your choice?”

 “Of course. Could I join you on your journey, I have Triad business there and I could be ready before midday. I prefer not to travel that far alone and think I would enjoy the extended time, where we could get better reacquainted after so many winters.”

“I would enjoy that myself, then it is a plan.”

At midday the next day Dax with Darma and Melody set of for the journey to Marden. Over the following several days and nights on the road they talked of many things. They recounted the many memories from their youth during those times when their fathers had been exploring and mining together. Although Dax was four winters older than Melody he had always been kind to her and not dismissed her as a little child. They had explored the Fire River Cave and its surrounding mountains together. They had grown and enjoyed each other’s company until Dax’s father had taken Dax with him as they trekked many places while his father searched for the missing ore he so fervently sought.

They talked of Dax’s many journeys after that and the wandering life he had lived. Melody told him of her move to Eigle when that had been the time. Then of her getting appointed to work for the Triad, and the times she had traveled on Triad business occasionally with all or one of the Triad members, and then lately a few times alone on some business they had in other Realms.

It had been the most enjoyable trip Dax could remember and he almost hated it when the day came that they saw the Marden gate come into view. As they were nearing the gate Dax saw the officer of the watch head down from his station on the parapet wall. As they entered the gate the Sergeant-at-arms walked up to Dax and spoke.

“Captain Dax, Lord Daka sent orders that when you were seen returning, to tell you he needed you to come immediately to his office, he also said to send a man to High Councilor Ceric so he would know to join the two of you there.”

“Thank you Sergeant. Have one of your men escort this lady to The Emissary of Eigle’s office and introduce her as Maid Melody of Eigle.” Then Dax turned in his saddle and spoke to Melody. “I am sorry but I have been summoned to the office of the Keeper of the Gate, he is a high councilor here to Thane Eric. This man will escort you to the Emissary of Eigle. I will come find you when my business is done.”

“Thank you, I hope to see you soon.”

“I promise you will.”

With that the soldier walked beside Melody on her horse down one of the streets as Dax on his horse with Darma at his side headed in another direction.