Chapter 10: Stories ------------------- "I felt like a liar as I spoke. But what could I do? All I knew was what the world was like before the cataclysm. I didn't know what had been done by it. I couldn't know exactly if anything I was saying was true. I thought that I made it clear to him. But... I never did explain my story to him until later, and I don't think he realized the importance of it when applied to my knowledge of the world. But then, I also wondered if it mattered. The dwarves wouldn't follow me to the surface. They had their own world to deal with. "But I couldn't shake the feeling..." * * * * * * * * * * Kindar's voice took over. "For many months after the dwarves left, it seemed that the war would never end. Battles continually raged, destroying towns, ravaging castles." The man stopped a moment and looked up. "Even Baron was taken." His gaze returned to the dwarf opposite him. "I'm not terribly clear on the details of the war. I don't think that most people truly are. It's, for the most part, facts that the historians keep track of. But I do know this: the tide of the war finally turned when the espers left." Gimet looked surprised. "The espers left?" "Indeed," replied Kindar. "Left and never returned. Many were hiding somewhere, focusing their power, and creating. Creating a new world. Finally, they gathered together and departed for this world, sealed the entrance with giant iron doors, and locked themselves away for eternity. "And when they left, so did the magic." Gimet nodded. "That explains it. There were few among us who knew the art of sorcery, but there were some. Or so it is said. After so many years, it is difficult to tell. So much has been passed into legend. The concept of magic can hardly be reconciled with science proving so many questions about the world. Tamar speaks of it sometimes, but most consider him merely senile. Still, his words so often touch a place in the hearts of the dwarves that though magic disappeared from the world, it never left our spirits." Kindar said, "After the espers departed, the Mages were confused for a time, not knowing what to do without a constant source of magic to infuse their creations with. Though the population was decimated, they joined together to kill them. No Mages survived. Mankind wouldn't let them. Not with the risk of everything again." "And what has happened since then on the sun-lit lands?" Gimet asked. "Technology has grown. Water and steam create power for machines, replacing the magic that was lost. We have learned much about how our world works." Kindar looked down a moment and thought of the Veldt. "Sometimes, though, I wonder if we have forgotten that nature has much to offer as well." "How many towns remain above? Does Agart still survive?" Kindar shook his head. "Unfortunately not. Dozens of people were lost when the storms came. Waves crashed against the island and engulfed the town. Only a cliff remains of the mountains now. Dry land is sparse. It stands alone in the ocean, merely a solitary island. "I doubt that you would recognize any of the towns that survive today. I hail from the Castle Doma. Nikeah is not too distant from there, perhaps a few weeks travel. The town on the Veldt, never did find the name, is quite close as well. An Island far south holds a few towns, Albrook, Maranda..." His voice trailed. "I don't remember others. Further west, there's Figaro and South Figaro. Across the mountains, Kohlingen and Jidoor. There's also a town up north, Narshe. As cold as this place is warm." Kindar stopped and thought. "There's probably others hiding here and there, but that's all that I know of... or knew of. Perhaps the quakes have changed things. It's so difficult to tell. How does one know? "In any event, what has happened here?" Gimet said, "We seem to have advanced technologically fairly similarly, though we use different fuels for our machines. Mainly coal. As for our town and castle, when the world began to split apart, the land bridge again broke apart, and we of Tomra are separated from the majority of our brothers. But we have lived before alone. We will survive again alone." The door was flung open and a very energetic dwarf skipped in. "Well, friend Kindar, how are... Get that thing off my bed!" Puzzled, the man turned. Laughing a bit, he chirped through his teeth and called out, "Kebah. Come down, little one." The larvae chittered and dropped to the floor. It scurried over to Kindar and caresses his legs as usual. "Sorry, Tamar. Gimet and I were talking and didn't notice. I'll keep him down." "Never thought I'd see the day when I'd let a rock larva into my inn," said Tamar, shaking his head. "But no matter. Is there anything I can get for you before you sleep?" "It is night then? I can't tell. The light never dims." "No, there is no sun here as there is on your surface-world. We cannot tell physically when night comes. There is no difference, really. We dwarves have just found it easier to agree on times to sleep, and it is coming nigh." Kindar said, "Well, then, could you perhaps get me some tea?" "Mushroom tea right away!" Kindar winced. "Stop!... Please... Never mind..." Gimet rose. "Well, Kindar, sleep this evening, and we shall greet the people in the morning. You may stay as long as you like..." "As long as that bug stays off my bed!" called a voice from below. Gimet smiled. "With some small qualifications." "Thank you, Gimet. It will be pleasant to stay among civilization again." "It has been a time then?" Kindar nodded. "Quite a time, friend. I shall tell you in the morning." "Good night, man." "Good night, dwarf." Kindar removed his clothing and set it out on the dresser. Boots were placed carefully by the bedside. Rinjai hung from the post. He sat and thought a moment while Kebah shuffled beneath the bed. Then, with a smile, he extinguished the lamp and settled to sleep, lulled by the chittering of a friend.