Barron’s unease grew with each step as they ventured deeper into the dwarven tunnels. Despite the fear they had initially faced entering the tunnels, their exploration so far had been for the most part uneventful. Veryyn, Perthran, and Kotia were huddled together near a small cooking fire while Barron paced nervously down the long roughly chiseled corridor through the next doorway. Veryyn had seen dwarven tunnels far in the north and in the distant past, but the Dragonsback tunnels seemed strange to him. The corridors seemed somehow unpolished and hasty, even compared to the old burrow he had shared with Evie. It gave the impression that they were delving into a deep cave system, and not Dwarven tunnels.
Entering the tunnels had been the hardest part of their journey. The air was heavy with rank air, and it was stinging to the nose. Veryyn did not know if it had faded away, or if they had just grown used to it. They had walked for what felt like an entire day, but he didn’t know of any way to track the time in the tunnels. Perthran carried with him a bronze trinket with small needles spinning around slowly. With his time-keeper, he measured out the passing of the day outside. Veryyn did not put his faith in such human trinkets, but he had grown to trust these foreigners. They did not have the authoritative air of the local city folk. In fact, they did not remind him of any humans he had ever known.
Upon the ground in front of the three, they had laid out the map of the Dragonsback tunnels. The red spider-web lines on the panels flashed in the dull light of a crude torch, fashioned by Perthran when they had entered the tunnels. “We should be right about here.” Perthran said, as he knelt and pointed to a spot on the map. “We have a long trek back towards your little burrow Veryyn. The way these tunnels wind about, it may be longer through here than over the mountains.” He said. “We have to find her. It’s not right that we were separated.” Veryyn responded.” He stood alert, and spoke just loud enough to be heard by his companions.
Veryyn felt grateful for the presence of the foreigners. Indeed, even Barron had come around. He occasionally allowed himself to be within an arms reach of Kotia. However, he had remained wary of the much larger Perthran. He pondered over their motivations. They had left their ship of goods off the rocky coast and came in search of the dwarves. Their intentions, he had guessed, were of the simplest kind. Greed drove them together, so that the merchants might find the dwarves and make their deals. Could companions only motivated by gold be trusted? The thought swirled through his mind, before he dismissed it. He had grown fond of the foreigners, and to some extent, he had grown to trust them.
Standing and scooping up the map, Perthran signaled for them to follow. The route took them down a fresh and rough hewn passage. The way ahead was incomplete, and became so low in spots that Veryyn nearly had to crawl to squeeze through. The air choked them, somewhat, and the burning torch let off a slight smoke that slowly filled their tiny passageway. After several minutes, their eyes grew wide as they passed through an unfinished archway. Before them, it opened up into an expansive cavern. There was a large walking path intricately carved below their feet. Looking to the left and right, Veryyn realized that he was standing in the center of a large dwarven thoroughfare.
The street below their feet bore signs of age, however the perfectly crafted paving stones were fitted and polished perfectly, in the way that can only be found in dwarven work. It was a beautiful, stony large street that led downward to the right, following the natural curve of the existing cavern. It was eerily quiet, and the street was lined in ornate metal lamps filled full of dull glowstone. A cool breeze blew and brought welcome fresh air for the first time since they had entered the tunnels. Veryyn had fully expected to see the tunnels crawling with Daemor, but he had been pleasantly surprised. Only the stench of the creatures had remained.
To the left, the road ended abruptly, with the passage blocked by fallen boulders and debris. Veryyn wondered about the age of these streets. Are these remnants from the ancient dwarves of old? They followed the winding road downward. “It’s strange in here. This place seems to be stuck in time.” Kotia spoke as she scanned the road ahead. “I believe these tunnels are from the dwarves before.” Veryyn added. After walking and getting a better look at the tunnels, Veryyn had noticed the age of the place. Dirt drifted up and over the street in places. Amazingly, the quiet caves were not entirely lifeless. A strange, tall fungus grew here and there in the dim light. Warm brown, and the length of a man’s arm, the mushrooms reached into the air, seeming to gather food from the air with sickly looking black pods. High in the cavern, Veryyn could make out the faint blue glow of cave mushrooms growing from the roof downward.
For some time they continued down the wide street. In the distance, the vast cavern had opened up, much wider now. It was so large that the walls fell far away, and they had to rely upon the dim lamps and damaged road to guide the way. Here and there, they dodged large rock falls that had came down upon the road. Above them,
Veryyn felt as though the ceiling had grown extremely tall, although he had not been able to see it for some time. In the distance, there loomed a large gate. From their position, it appeared as a shining white point. As they approached, it appeared to grow brighter. There was a buzz in the air, like a faint humming. Veryyn had seen nothing like it.
Ricky Hurlich Shorts 