TITLE: LORDS OF MAGIC 5 - THE DWARVES AUTHOR: DONNILEE E-MAIL: DONNILEE@SNET.NET WEBSITE: http://donnilee.tripod.com RATING: NC-17 CATEGORY: MSR SPOILERS: NOT A ONE. SUMMARY: Mulder and Scully find themselves on a magical world no one ever knew existed. They must fight for their lives and the lives of others if they are to ever make it back home again. DISCLAIMER: All characters used from the show, The X-Files are the property of Chris Carter, Ten Thirteen Productions, and Fox Broadcasting. No copyright infringement intended. No money made here. DISCLAIMER 2: All references to elements of the game, The Lords of Magic, belong to the creators of the computer game, Sierra Games. No copyright infringement intended. I have not just stolen characters as I have in the X-Files. This time I've stolen an entire universe! Just showing that I'm an equal opportunity thief! THANKS: To my beta readers, Cratkinson, FatCat, and XochiLuvr, who keep me from making major boo-boos and looking stupid. I really appreciate it. Go team! Thanks so much. This one has been beta read to death! Any errors herein are mine alone. DEDICATION: I would like to dedicate this story to my late grandmother, Blanche Claire Wright Green Taylor, better known as 'Tot'. She was Mahopac, Native American, and was probably the first person to excite my imagination, as she was a storyteller to end all storytellers. She entertained my sister and me for hours by reciting epic poems and stories, filled with adventure and happy endings. She couldn't read well and she couldn't spell for shit, but she had what counted most; an unlimited supply of unconditional love and an imagination without limits. She died over a decade ago, in her own bed, at home, at the age of 84. I still miss her. So thanks to my Gramma Tot, for making me believe imagination can take you far. XXXXXXXXXX PART 1 (PG-13) SYMMET ORDER TERRITORY The green grass and rolling hills of Symmet quickly gave way to the barren rocks and hills that surrounded Skulldown as we headed southeast. This would be the most dangerous part of our trip. We would approach and then cross through a crossroads where Symmet, Skulldown and Stonehaven, the Dwarven territory, converged. At this crossroads was the Dwarven Village of Little Rock. Scully and I laughed out loud when we first heard the name. Later though, I wished we were in Arkansas. We weren't planning on stopping at the village. The plan was to pass the crossroads, go around the village and skirt the borders of Skulldown at the base of the mountain range. Supposedly, a day's ride past the village would take us to a mountain pass that led into Cyneraayt. It was not the same one that we had taken out of Skulldown when we were first rescued. XXXXXXXXXX LITTLE ROCK VILLAGE DWARVEN TERRITORY We heard the battle before we saw it. Loud thuds, clanging steel, and the whistles of missile weapons hit our ears, carried on the wind. We were approaching the village, but there was a rise ahead of us blocking our view before we would descend into the valley that would reveal the crossroads and the village of Little Rock. No sooner had the sounds reached us, when seven swiftly moving objects appeared to float across the barren sands on the hill ahead of us. Medini stopped our procession and waited, her eyes alert. The seven objects turned out to be one stealthy ranger and six stealthy crossbowmen. They slipped the big hoods off their heads as they drew near, making themselves much more visible. I realized they blended so well with the sandy color of the landscape here that we had hardly been able to see them. Aidan stopped in front of Medini's camelus and Scully, Ashante, and I loped to the front of the column to hear what was going on. He saw us coming and waited. When we gathered around, he said, "Just over the next rise, there's about a thousand yard slope into a basin that fronts the village. The basin is full of Drow and Skeletons. The Dwarven axmen and infantry and a few mounted troops are battling them, but they'll be overwhelmed shortly." "How long?" Medini asked. "I wouldn't give them more than a half hour and they're going to have to retreat to the village. It's fortified. The dwarves build sturdy stone barricades, but it won't hold forever and they are outnumbered badly; I'd guess four to one." "Shit," Medini cursed and I had the inane thought that some curses were valid in every galaxy. She turned to us. "I need your counsel. What should we do? Turn around and leave them to their fate? Or do we join the fray? Your protection is our primary purpose. I don't want to risk your lives unnecessarily. On the other hand, I have a hard time walking away from an uneven battle like that. Amazons have no great love for the Dwarves, but we are supposed to be uniting. I'll bow to your will." I looked and Scully and she at me. The answer was clear. "There's no question for me," I said, after receiving silent confirmation from Scully that she agreed. Ashante looked at us. Scully said, "We help them. Eventually, we need them in on this alliance too, right? Even if they won't come to this first summit?" Ashante said, "We didn't plan on inviting them to this one. We figured that if the four or five others races were signed on, it would be good leverage with the Dwarves to join or die. They are notoriously difficult to deal with." "Still no question for me," I said. Scully nodded. "Me either." Medini sighed. "All right then. Quickly, we need a plan. Aidan, what's the layout? XXXXXXXXXX Aidan quickly drew a picture in the sand, showing the basin and the village situated at the back of the depression. He suggested we hit them from three sides. He left the division of troops to the Amazons. Medini sat silently for no more than two minutes and then she turned her mount around to face the troops. Once this woman made a decision, she didn't fart around. "Listen up!" ffg Everyone drew as close as they could, the column becoming a jumble of mounts. "All cavalry and Knights, we line up the frontal assault. Lancemen and cavalry will charge the middle, eight Knights on one flank, eight on the other. You will attack heading due east, just where we're headed." "Elven riders, head northeast about one quarter of a league, turn due south and hit the northern ridge of the basin. Natanni, you lead the charge. The rest of the Amazon captains, including myself, will take the crossbowman, Ashante, Scully, and Mulder and attack from the south flank. We'll head southeast first." "Can we coordinate the strikes?" I asked. She turned and looked at Ashante. She in turn looked up at the roiling clouds hovering in the distance over the valley. "I can try to part the clouds and bring down a sun beam. That could be a signal." "What if you can't?" she asked. Ashante shrugged. Scully said. "I'll try to draw lightening. If one doesn't work, the other might." "Okay, listen up!" Medini shouted. If you see either a sunbeam break those clouds or a lightening bolt, that's your signal to attack. If you see neither, watch for our descent into the basin from the south. As soon as you see us, charge in." "Sounds like a plan," I said. Medini snorted. "A ragged one." "The best we can do right now." "Right, let's go!" she shouted, twirling her fist in the air. The groups formed in their respective areas and headed out at a steady lope. Our group was small. I heard hoof beats and turned to find Joachim following us. He pulled alongside and said, "Dorian told me to come with you." Medini frowned, but then nodded. There was no time to argue. In about fifteen minutes we'd reached the south side of the basin and mounted the ridge. We looked down into chaos. Drow warriors riding those horrid lizard things, along with horsemen with halberds and javelin throwers were ringing a small band of Dwarves. There had to be thirty Drow and twenty skeletons. I recoiled at the sight of the animated skeletons, chopping at the Dwarves with rusted axes. "My God," Scully hissed. Medini swallowed and said, "The Dwarves bury their dead with their weapons. Something we have in common. Their own kin are attacking them." "Jesus," I whispered. They didn't know who Jesus was, but seemed to understand that I was cursing. Medini turned to Ashante. "Do your thing. It's now or never." She didn't stand in the saddle this time, but she assumed 'the pose', as I'd come to think of it; her arms spread wide, staff held up, head thrown back. She muttered incantations under her breath for about thirty seconds. Thunder rolled through the clouds and a small hole opened up. A streak of sun descended through the hole, lighting up the small band of fifteen Dwarves or so. Some were hurling boomerangs. Others were fighting with axes, and the few horsemen were swinging pikes. I heard the thunder of hooves and the ground shook from the vibration of fifteen Knights and sixteen cavalry charging down the hill, lances extended ahead of them. My eyes scanned the ridge opposite us and saw the small band of Elven riders and crossbowmen come over the ridge and head down the hill. Drow were turning in confusion and dancing back from the circle of light that now shown on the Dwarves who were fighting in a circle, back to back. Medini said to Ashante, "Stay here and keep doing that!" She didn't really need to tell her. "Rock and roll," I shouted, and kneed Jadian. He broke into a gallop, Scully, Medini and Joachim on their mounts not half a step behind. I drew my sword and dagger and plunged down the hill into the basin. The skeletons were apparently on autopilot and didn't even look around, but continued to take swings at the dwarves. They were starting to smoke from the rays of the sun. The Drow turned to face the new challenge only moments before the cavalry plowed into their midst, knocking them left and right. In a move that looked choreographed, they peeled away after the first pass and circled around for another run into the crowd. We reached the fray about the same time as the Elves and rangers. I swung repeatedly with my sword, holding my dagger ready to protect my left side. Jadian proved his valor by skewering Drow and flipping them into the air like rag dolls. I saw Brenneka doing the same. Since the sunbeam was working, Scully didn't try to draw other magic. She could use other spells, but seemed most comfortable with what they called Life magic, or the use of the sun. That made sense since Ashante was her teacher, and she was a doctor and healer by nature. To my relief she didn't plunge into the middle of things and leave herself wide open. Brenneka loped around the edges of the battle, running back and forth as Scully channeled light through her staff from the sunbeam pouring through the clouds, and directed it at the nearest Drow. Several Elven riders and cavalrywomen nodded their thanks, knowing she had saved their lives. I watched as one cavalrywoman cut to the side, preparing to line up for another run with her lance. Away from the main fight, she was suddenly surrounded by four Drow, one with a javelin, who was using it as a spear and two riding those nasty komodo dragon-like creatures and one regular horseman with a halberd. She drew the lightweight short sword that the cavalrywomen carried as a secondary weapon should they be caught in hand-to-hand combat, and one of her two daggers from her belt. She swung at the Drow, knocking one backward with a vicious cut across the chest. Blood sprayed everywhere. I kneed Jadian into action and galloped toward her. The javelin thrower hit her side and the sharp metal point went through her tough leather armor. I heard her scream as her warhorse dodged away and then reared, clobbering one Drow with his deadly hooves. There were still two more and I knew before I got there that I would be too late. I hollered, "Sccuullyy!" She wasn't far away but turned at my scream. She assessed the situation in an instant and sent one of her deadly bolts of sunlight toward one of the remaining Drow. He screamed and his skin began to smoke and turn gray. He collapsed in seconds. The last one hesitated, and it gave me the time to reach him, swinging wide as I cantered past him, and neatly shaving off his head. The cavalrywoman was slumped in her saddle, holding her side. She'd dropped her lance in the fray. Blood was pouring from her side. Scully took out a javelin thrower who was now retreating. I turned and headed back to the battle. A skeleton appeared and hacked at the Amazon. In one of most amazing feats of strength and sheer will I think I've seen, she bellowed a war cry, swung her sword, while guiding her warhorse in a tight circle. She stood in her stirrups and kicked his axe from his grip, her left arm still holding her bloody ribs. Her second swing took his head off. Her strength was spent and she slumped into the saddle again, swaying dangerously. Scully was beside her in a moment. Instead of speaking to her, she spoke to Brenneka. "Tell her mount to take her to Ashante!" The unicorn bobbed her head, pawed the ground with one foot, then the other and whinnied long and loud. The warhorse's ears shot up and it immediately trotted toward the ridge of the basin back towards Ashante. I glanced up and she was still sitting majestically in her saddle atop Zalika and maintaining the break in the clouds. She looked like an angel. Scully and I both headed back toward the main fighting to find that only a few Drow were left. They began to retreat, trying to escape around the walls of the village. Several Elven riders cut off their retreat and they were dead in seconds. A weary bunch gathered in the center of the basin, assessing the damage. Dead Drow laid everywhere, along with dead Dwarves, a couple more dead Elves and one Knight, and three cavalry. The clouds began rolling back and the sky was suddenly bright again everywhere, not just in the small circle broken by Ashante. I glanced up at the hill and saw her on her knees, leaning over the Amazon, no doubt trying to heal her. I plodded up to Scully and we sat side by side, looking around in the sudden stillness. "Damn," I said. "We were bound to lose some," Scully said quietly. I nodded. "Doesn't make it any easier though, does it?" "No, it doesn't." Medini was suddenly at our sides, dismounted. "Should I take charge here?" I glanced up at Ashante. "Yes, please. Ashante is busy treating one of your cavalry." She glanced up the hill and nodded solemnly. She turned at shouted, "All right people, lets start sorting out the dead. She pointed at a group of cavalry. "Amazons, start making a pile of Drow at the far west side of the basin." She pointed at various groups as she strode through clusters of panting and tired soldiers. "Elves, gather your dead to the north side. You three, gather our dead to the south." We followed her at a respectful distance, making our way toward the small band of ten Dwarves that stood, still in a circle to the east, surveying the ground around them with dismay. When we were close, they looked up. Scully and I dismounted and approached them with Medini. They simply stared at us. One Dwarf with a red beard and receding hairline stepped forward wearily. He cleared his throat. "We be grateful for your help, strangers." Medini nodded and looked at Scully. She stepped forward. "We came upon you accidentally." "Who are you?" he asked. "Riding unicorns, as well, the two o' ya, and I don't know what you are, but you ain't no Elves, for sure," he commented. "I'm Scully, and this my partner, Mulder. We are humans." She gestured to Medini. "This is General Medini of the Amazons." "What the blast be a Human?" he asked in a gruff voice. "That like those Knights up yonder?" Scully smiled wearily. "Similar." He nodded, apparently too tired to ask any more questions. "I be Skovar, cap'n of this village. Pardon me for asking, but what the blazes is this? Elves, Knights, and Amazons all riding together? I ne'er seen such a thing." I stepped forward and said, "We are an envoy on a mission. We were headed for Fire Giant territory." "Aye. Cyneraayt be that way. What's the mission?" "We are trying to call a summit to unite the races against Skulldown," I replied simply, figuring now was not the time to get into details. He grunted. "We lost a lot of men here. This attack came out of nowhere. Those blasted night-skinned demons have usually ignored us as long as we don't bother 'em. I've no idea what got 'em riled up like this." "Well, we'd like to talk to you about that. Right now though, first things first. We are collecting our dead. We three will help you with yours. Where would like us to take them?" "You be helpin' us with that?" he asked, clearly surprised. "Of course. Only decent thing to do," I said. The Dwarf snorted in amusement. "Yee are a puzzle, Human, but we'll take the help. What do ya want in return?" "How about some food and an introduction to your king?" I asked impulsively. Both his eyebrows went up and I heard several snorts and grunts from his cohorts behind him. "I can do the food. We got plenty stored in the village. I can't promise the second thing. I can try, though." Ashante rode up with the injured cavalrywoman beside her. She looked whole and hearty except for the blood on her armor and tunic. Skovar looked up at her and bowed. "Ah, the Lady Ashante. I didn't know youse was with this band o' misfits," he said gruffly. She smiled wide. "Well, when you speak to King Fongel, you tell him Ashante wants to meet with him." "Aye, I'll be doin' that," he said immediately. XXXXXXXXXX PART 2 (PG-13) LITTLE ROCK VILLAGE DWARVEN TERRITORY We spent the better part of the afternoon burning Drow, and burying the dead Dwarves in a nearby cemetery. Skeletons were also replaced in their graves from whence they came. The Dwarves were able to tell who they had been by their weapons. Apparently, it was the custom of the Dwarves to carve their names somewhere on their weapons. Upon death, they were buried with their armor and weapons. It was considered very bad form to use another Dwarf's weapon without express permission. Near as I could figure out, permission was never given. Three more cavalry were sent back to deliver the dead to Symmet, Astarte and Crestfall. Our party seemed to grow and dwindle with every encounter with another race. I just hoped Scully and I would make it to the end of the journey. The Dwarves had plenty of red meat and vegetables. I couldn't say a lot for their eating habits. They all seemed to chew with their mouths open and drink too much ale. It was their main commodity and apparently, they sold more ale to other races than even the Amazons. They also sold the jewels they mined from the mountain range to the south of their territory. That mountain divided them from the Barbarians' territory. Accommodations were tight, but no one wanted to travel at night, not this close to Skulldown. Therefore, we accepted the invitation of beds for the night. Most of us slept on our bedrolls as the cots were too small for us. It beat sleeping on the ground outside though. At least we were warm. In the morning, they fed us again. Breakfast was our first encounter with a Gnome, the smaller cousin of the Dwarf. She was a tiny thing, maybe three feet tall, wizened and pruned to a nut brown with wispy white hair sticking up in a mad array around her scalp. She entered the room where we were eating and hopped up to the bench and sat herself to the right of Skovar. "Ho there, mixed bunch!" she greeted us. I smiled at her. She looked like a doll. She looked right back at me. "I'm a Gnome, you silly Human," she proclaimed as if she'd read my mind. "I be Ellyjowocket, the resident magician of this 'ere God-forsaken wee, podunk village." I grinned harder and Scully coughed behind her hand. She regained her composure and said, "I'm Scully and this is my partner, Mulder. You've met Humans before?" "No, not in my lifetime, but I ha' heard of yee. Moreover, lately, the visions have been fast and furious, no doubt. The name o' yee race came to me that way, it did." Ashante asked, "What type of visions?" She turned her attention to Ashante. "I'd wager they're sim'lar to the ones you ha' had." I suppressed a chuckle as I watched her swing her legs back and forth as she sat perched on the edge of the bench that lined the table. Her feet were easily a foot off the floor. "Have you seen visions of the Age of Darkness?" Ashante asked politely. "Aye, ya' know I have." She turned back to look at us and said, "I see the Savior sittin' afore me very eyes. Never thought that wo'od happen. Didn't see that one a' comin', I didn't." "The Savior?" Ashante asked innocently. The tiny Gnome scowled at her. "Whaat's dis? You testin' me, you overgrown Elf? O' course, the two of 'em be the Savior o' the prophecy o' da' Age o' Darkness. You know'd it as well as I do. Two that act as one, sittin' right here in Little Rock Village. Who'd a imagined, eh?" Ashante smiled. "I should have known better than to try and fool a Gnome." "Well, one would be thinkin' so, wouldn't yee?" she chirped. We all chuckled. Ashante said, "I am confirming with all the magic users that their visions have been like mine. So far, no one has differed." "I'll tell yee now, no one will be. Our head magician, Duvanab, he been seein' the same tings. You be sure to talk wi' him when yee go ta Stonehaven." "You have the sight?" Ashante asked casually. The brow ridges on her face rose up. "Well, o' course I do. Wouldn't be much o' a Gnome iffin' I didn't." She nodded sagely and curtly. "Now, Skovar, you be tellin' that stub'n king o' ours he best meet wi' the mixed bunch, iffn' he knows what's good for 'em." Skovar grunted. "I'll take that as a yeah," she said sarcastically. "Bloody ale swillers got no manners, it seems, even in front o' guests." He snorted at her, glaring, and I couldn't help myself anymore. I broke out into a belly laugh. Ashante and Scully were soon joining me. Medini, more reserved, chuckled quietly,but I could tell she was also amused. Paladin Edgar and Amandine didn't look one bit amused. The little Gnome turned serious. "I tried ta help, throwin' up earth hell spikes n' such." She was talking about the battle of the previous day. "Nuthin' worked. 'Specially on those Skeletons. Gods grant I ne'er see a sight like that'un again. Hard to be killin' somethin' that's already dead." She swallowed hard. "I fell back to da' village, figurin' someone wo'od need ta be inside iffin' they broke through, or maybe I cudda taken what wa' left o' us and run." Skovar said, "Ahhh, Ellyjo, you did wa' ya could." He looked up. "My company's been fightin' their whole lives and we was losing ground, no doubt." Ashante said softly, "You fought bravely, Skovar, all of your men did." He nodded gravely. "Lots o' them died bravely too." Ashante nodded solemnly. "They did, indeed. No dishonor to die in battle." "No, it ain't. Still I feel like I failed. If it waddunt for ya comin' pon us and decidin' ta do sumthin' 'at's ne'er been done afore ... we'd all be dead," he said finality. He cleared his throat. "Not like a fighter ta have ta say thank 'ee." He paused briefly. "But, thank 'ee." We all smiled sadly at him. Ashante said, "We were glad to help. That's what we're here for, to form an alliance of all the races. We plan a summit in two moons. We're hoping your King Fongel will join us." "I'll do me best," he said in gravelly voice. She nodded and silence fell for a few minutes while we all finished our meals. Some were mourning their dead, others were contemplating the future, and some feared it. "How far is Stonehaven from here?" Aiden the ranger asked Ellyjowocket, trying to break the ice. She looked at him, raising only one brow ridge this time. Other than a few ungainly hairs that sprouted about 3 inches out from her brow ridge looking like antennas, she had no eyebrow hair to speak of. "Why ya' askin' me, Ranga'? Ya' pro'lly know better 'an me. You be an odd lot, for sure. Why do ya silly big people ask questions ya' awwready know da' answers ta?" Aiden looked down at his plate, trying to suppress a smile. "I guess I wanted to see if the rumors were true," he admitted, a definite tease in his voice. "Rumors? What rumors ya talkin' 'bout now?" she asked, the corner of her mouth twitching up and down. "The ones that say no one can show a fool his colors faster than a Gnome, Ellyjowocket." She held her smile down, but her blue eyes twinkled with mirth. "And yee best not be forgittin' it, Ranga' Knight. Now, I've tings to do. Skovar, see iffin' yee can make a small attempt at bein' civil, wo'od ya?" "Yea, Ellyjo," he grunted, using a derivative of her name. She hopped down, winked saucily at him and skipped out of the room. I chuckled again along with Scully. Ashante was smiling widely. "Well, what did you think of your first encounter with a Gnome magician?" she asked sagely. Scully grinned. "She's direct," she blurted out. "Guess we know who's really in charge." Ashante threw back her head and laughed. Skovar grunted and mumbled under his breath, "Stinkin', meddlin', little pipsqueak." We all laughed again. XXXXXXXXXXX STONEHAVEN DWARF TERRITORY Rather than proceed to Cyneraayt, a unanimous decision was made to reverse our course and head southwest towards Stonehaven, the capital of the Dwarven Territory. The 'Stub'n King o' Ours' turned out to be King Fongel. He was large for a Dwarf, standing about four feet, five inches tall. The average Dwarf it seemed was about four feet tall. He had a long, blonde beard, and one eye that squinted with a nervous tick. His voice boomed and it always sounded like he was shouting. After our first meal with him, we found out an important part of Dwarven diplomacy. Burping after a meal was considered a compliment. I had no trouble complying. High Magician Duvanab and his first adept, Merriwinkle, were included in the historical meeting around the dinner table. The dinner table was apparently where all the important meetings took place in Stonehaven. The entrance to Stonehaven had looked like a gigantic sand dune with a hole in the front of it. Not exactly the Taj Mahal. Once inside however, the accommodations were quite sumptuous and decadent. Rooms were carved directly into the stone of the mountain. The walls were sanded to a fine, smooth finish that gave the impression of slightly textured marble. My main concern was whether we would be able to stand up inside. Those fears were unfounded. The ceilings soared to around nine or ten feet, depending on the room. Most likely, they'd been built with the expectation of having larger-sized guests. The women were an average of three and a half to four feet tall, stout and sturdy. They had beards as well, but they were kept shorter, a couple of inches long, and they never grew mustaches. This was the best way to tell them apart from the men. Our procession down several long corridors upon entering the underground city was met with gawking stares from the residents. "Why are they all staring?" I asked. "Because we're Human?" Ashante said, "Partially. Most folks here have never seen a Human or an other-worlder. Our journey is historical in every way. Never before have races fought side by side or come to the aid of another race other than in the rare circumstances of close alliance, as we have with the Amazons. Never before has an envoy of three or more races traveled together. It's simply never been done. We meet with other races periodically to try and cement trade agreements. Other than that, it's rare to see this many races in one room." Duvanab and Merriwinkle were male Gnomes. In contrast to Ellyjowocket, they had beards like the Dwarves. The difference was they kept them trimmed short and neat. Duvanab wore odd-looking wire framed spectacles that perched on the end of his generous nose with only a bridge between the lenses, and no bows for his ears. It was almost as if they'd been glued on. His chatter was rapid-fire like Ellyjowocket's but his wisdom was evident. It was also evident that King Fongel respected his opinion and used him as a top advisor. Word had reached the king of our coming and of our interference in the battle with the Drow. He was duly impressed, if a bit confused, as to why we would help the Dwarves. XXXXXXXXXX King Fongel stared at the assembled party and shook his head slightly. He turned to Ashante. "So what yer tellin' me be that those damnable Drow be runnin' 'round diggin' up graves n' animatin' skeletons to form some sort o' army?" "That's exactly what I'm saying," she replied. Duvanab said, "This be grave if the Age o' Darkness be upon us." The King asked, "And is it?" Duvanab answered, "I be believin' it is, Sire. An' believe it or not, I be agreein' wi' da' Elf. We need us some allies. We won' be fightin' this war on our own fer long." The King swallowed and nodded in contemplation. "Duvanab, the prophecy says we should help the Saviors?" "Indeed, Sire." "How should we help?" I broke in. "Don't worry about that for now. If you agree to attend the summit, I'll be happy man. That would be a tremendous help." He looked at Medini and Natanni and his lip curled in distaste. We had also learned that the Amazons and Dwarves were burdened with a contempt for one another from way back, each struggling to be the premiere warriors of the times. Medini gamely raised her head and met his gaze. "King Fongel, long have our people not held high regard for one another but this problem is universal. It's time for us lay down our hatred, or at least put it aside and fight together. Who knows? We might even learn something from one another," she suggested. He grunted. "Who else will be bein' there?" he asked. Ashante said, "We expect the Amazons, the Knights and the Storm Giants so far. We intend to invite the Fire Giants and the Barbarians, but we haven't gotten that far yet." "So I heard. Made a lit'le pitstop, did ya? An' ta save me people as well. Somethin' fer me to ponder. I don' like owin' a bunch o' Amazon girlies," he said. Ashante said, "Medini is right. Time to lay our civil hatreds aside, Fongel. We need the Dwarves in the coming war. You are fine warriors, but no matter how fine, no one race is going to stand alone. If you choose that way, you're signing a death warrant for all your people. Do you understand that?" she asked with fervor. He stared at her and wiped his greasy mouth on a cloth napkin. "Cent'ries ha' gone by an' the Dwarves ha' ne'er needed ta call fer help. I don' see why we be needin' ta now." Medini lost her composure. "You're PEOPLE would have all been DEAD yesterday without our help!" she nearly shouted. "Medini," Ashante said in a soothing tone, trying to calm her down, but the Amazon warrior could not be soothed. She stood up and stepped over the bench at the table, strode up to the king, who was sitting at the head of the table. Gasps were heard as she drew herself up to her full height of seven feet and then bent at the waist, grabbing his chair and jerking it away from the table to face her. She slammed her hands down on the arms of the chair. "Ya' be gittin' outta my face, now, missy!" he shouted. "No!" she shouted. "You stubborn, little rock troll!" she hurled at him. "We could have stood on that ridge and watched you all DIE! There would have been no village left. You would have all been slaughtered This isn't about you and your precious pride!" "BACK OFF, YEE OV'RGROWN WATER SNAKE!" he hollered, trying to stand. "Medini, please!" Ashante stood, but looked afraid to approach the enraged Amazon. She rocked the chair, hitting the back of his knees and causing him to fall heavily back into the chair with a thud. "I swallowed my pride yesterday, and my hatred, and I ordered MY warriors to attack those Drow. One of my captains took a near fatal wound yesterday to defend your MIGHTY WARRIORS. Three more of my people are DEAD!" she screeched in his face. I saw big, fat tears pool in her eyes. She didn't even try to stop them from falling. "They became warriors because they were willing to give their lives for the AMAZONS. I led them to their deaths for YOU! If I have my way, an Amazon will never again die for a Dwarf. Try not being such a pig-headed fool for once and do what everyone else on this PLANET is going to do. Because if you don't, the blood of all your people will be on YOUR HANDS." She shoved herself upright, nearly shoving his chair over backwards. He grabbed the edge of the table and righted himself. Medini scanned the assembled party in silence. Then she turned on her heel and left. The deafening ring of silence descended on the room. I cleared my throat gently after a minute or so. Everyone turned to me. "I apologize for her temper. Please try to understand that she's lost many friends in the last couple of weeks, most recently in the battle defending your village." His mouth was curled with suppressed anger and disgust. He glared at Natanni. She met his gaze unflinchingly but didn't say a word, thank goodness. She stood and the king tensed. Softly, she said, "I'll go check on her." "Where did she go?" Ashante asked. Natanni gave her a sad smile. "I know where she went." With that, she left. With the Amazons gone from the room, the tension seemed to evaporate. "That be uncalled fer," the king growled. "No one ha' e'er had the gall ta speak ta me that way." "King Fongel, I'm not going to excuse her behavior, but she is right about one thing," I said gently. "Which ting wo'od that be?" he asked quietly. "We need each other. All the races need each other. I know there's no love lost between you and the Amazons." He snorted. "Tha' lit'le display did nuthin' to help relations along." Ashante conceded, "No, it didn't. She didn't lie though." "Whaa ya mean?" he asked. Ashante held his gaze. "When we voted to help your people, she didn't hesitate, Fongel. She's the leader of this envoy, charged with protecting the Saviors. She could have overruled us saying it was too dangerous to risk but she didn't. The Amazons have the most warriors riding with us. If she'd said no, there would have been nothing we could do." "But she didn't, eh?" he asked, his voice rough and almost a whisper. "No, she didn't. In ten minutes she'd split our envoy into three pieces so we could attack from three sides at once. She lined up her captains and her cavalry and sent them down into the basin. The Amazons, your age-old enemies, led the charge, Fongel. There were only about ten of your kinsmen left fighting. They were outnumbered about four to one." She trailed off. The gruff king looked around the table at the rest of the party to find most of us looking at our plates. We had all lost friends today. Even though I'd known these people for such a short time, I felt the loss. I couldn't imagine what their kinsmen were feeling. "Why?" he asked finally. "Don't be misunderstandin' me. I'm grateful that me people were saved. Honestly tho', I don' get it. Why wo'od a group o' Amazons fight for a troop for a Dwarves?" I looked at him. "Because we all have a bigger enemy, a common enemy that could change the face of Urak." I paused. "You all need to realize that you're not just fighting for your own people. You are fighting for the survival of this planet. If they win and you survive, life as you know it will not exist anymore." Scully said, "This is bigger than any one race King Fongel. Medini understands that. She's putting the needs of the many above the needs of the few." "Aye, an' yee be hopin' I be understandin' it as well," he stated. Ashante said, "The Elves, Amazons, Storm Giants, and the Knights have all agreed to at least consider an alliance. We would like to see the Dwarves represented at the table. We can't force you to do anything but please consider it." With that, she stood and said, "Thank you for your hospitality. We'll be going now." She turned and circled the table. One by one, everyone in the party followed her lead. As we walked across the large expanse of the room toward the doorway, the king hollered, "Wait!" We all turned and looked at him. He had stood in front of his chair. "Don' leave. I'll na' have it be said that trav'lers found no shelter in Stonehaven. Please. Stay on till daybreak." Ashante nodded. "Very well." XXXXXXXXXX PART 3 (NC-17) STONEHAVEN EARTH TERRITORY Dwarf beds were small, maxing out at about five feet long. We were led to the Dwarven temple, which appeared to be a gigantic mushroom as big as the White House. Toadstools sprouted from the floor haphazardly and were used as stools for the Temple services. Our party laid out our bedrolls on the floor wherever we could find a place and fell into a deep sleep. In the morning, we met before leaving the temple and decided to head back to Astarte. We would send an envoy to Cyneraayt, but not until we had reported back to Anzwen and gotten some rest. The Amazons and the Knights wished to return home before the summit as well. Going home would be a six to seven day ride and that was if we ran into no trouble. When we exited the temple, we were met by the king, Duvanab, Merriwinkle, five boomerang throwers, and about ten axe throwers. We were a subdued group. Stonehaven represented our first failure to bring someone to the summit table. None of us felt good about it. Duvanab stepped forward. Merriwinkle stepped up behind him. "I've a gift fer da' Humans," Duvanab said in his high-pitched squeaky voice. Ashante nodded and he approached us. He extended two leather tubes, with small keys attached by leather thongs hanging from one end. "In da' rear o' our temple, dare be a locked room. Da' keys on dese scroll tubes open dat room." "What's in the room?" I asked. "A teleporter." My eyes widened. "You've got to be kidding." "No, I ne'er kid. No non-Dwarf ha' ever used it, but dez scrolls, if read o' loud, will activate da teleporter." "Where would it take us?" Scully asked. "It depends. There are seven disks on the floor, one for each race. Dependin' on da one yee step on, you be taken ta dat race's terr'tory ta a port'l stone 'bout a mile or so 'way from dare Temple. Ashante looked flabbergasted. "You've got a portal stone in Astarte?" she asked with disbelief. Merriwinkle grinned at her surprise. "You Elves always unner- estimate da Gnome. It be well-hidden." Ashante shook her head in disbelief. "It must be for us not to detect its magical energy." "It be spelled ta be undetec'd." "What happens if we step onto the portal stone?" I asked. "It bring yee back here." "How many can use it at once?" Scully asked. "Theory say no limit. As long as da scroll reader in touch wi' others, day go too." "I would have to be touching everyone that came with me?" "Nay, but linked. Say, yee 'old Mul-dar hand, he 'old Ashante hand, she 'old Medini hand. Yee all go." He pulled another tube from his robes and held it out to Scully. "Dis one a map. Show yee location of udder stones." I said, "A handsome and generous gift, Duvanab. We thank you." We both tied them securely to our belts. He bowed and stepped back. The king cleared his throat. "The Dwarves be at the summit." Ashante smiled. "Really? Thank you. You won't regret it, Fongel. I promise." He pursed his lips as if not so sure. He turned and looked at Medini who simply stared at him, her face a blank mask. "I ne'er like the Amazons. I may ne'er find it in me heart ta be likin' ya." She showed no reaction. "Howe'er, I can be respectin' any warrior that dies in battle wi' their weapon raised. The Dwarves did na' ask fer yer help, but we be grateful just the same. May yer fallen Warriors sleep in peace wi' their weapons." Medini nodded her understanding. It was his apology. He took a deep breath and stuck out his arm toward her. She looked at it and swallowed hard. Then she took a step forward, bent down, and grabbed his elbow with her hand. He in turn, grasped her forearm as his hand didn't reach her elbow. They shook once up and down. Merriwinkle came forward and held out a staff made of twisted emerald. Embedded in the top was a glass sphere filled with what appeared to be dirt. "Dis be anudder gift fer da Savior. I stay up all night fashion'in it." "It's beautiful," Scully declared, her voice reverent. She peered curiously at the dirt in the sphere. He smiled, showing crooked teeth. "Dis be a staff o' Hell Spikes." Scully swallowed. "What does it do?" "It call on da' Mother Earth to rise up for you beneef da feet o' yer foe. Do much damage ta group o' foes." Scully swallowed and handed me her regular staff, which was made from the wood of the temple tree. Its giant crystal on the top flickered, reflecting the rays of the sun. I held it carefully. She reverently took the staff from Merriwinkle and slid her hands over it. "I'm very touched. This is a gift like no other. Thank you." He nodded vigorously and grinned like an excited imp. Apparently she'd said the right thing. She smiled one of her mega-watt smiles at him and he actually blushed. Hey, I knew Scully was extraordinary but I'd bet none of her friends could say they had ever made a Gnome blush. Later, Ashante would explain that a Dwarven warrior that died in battle for his people was buried with his weapons. We knew this from burying their dead. She further explained the significance. To be buried with your weapon meant that you fought bravely and died honorably. If you ran from battle and were killed, you would not be buried with your weapon. This was considered a shame on your family. The odd handshake we'd witnessed had been the Dwarven sign of respect to a superior officer who had lost troops in battle. Medini had recognized it for what it was. Despite her loss of temper the day before, she had once again let go of her stubbornly held beliefs that there was no common ground between the two races and accepted his apology. Had she refused to return his gesture of respect, it would have been a grave insult. She had put the needs of the many ahead of the needs of the few once again. If I hadn't admired her before, I did now. The Amazons were amazing people, not just spectacular warriors. XXXXXXXXXX "Shall we go back the way we came?" Ashante asked, once we had retrieved our mounts from the stables above ground. Medini said, "It would be safer. The Amazons have even less regard for the Fire Giants than we do for the Dwarves. Frankly, I'm not really up for a trip to Cyneraayt right now." Ashante nodded. "No, we all need to rest and recoup. Let's go back the way we came. We can drop the Knights in Symmet, your people in Crestfall and then move on to Astarte. We will send for Crestfall when we are ready to reassemble the envoy." Medini nodded and leaped with grace that belied her size up onto the back of her camelus. We lined up in our usual marching pattern of two columns. She rode to the front of the procession, waved her arm in the air and thrust her hand forward. "Let's ride!" she shouted. I glanced at Joachim and saw him staring at her with undisguised admiration. He swallowed hard, then caught me watching him. He shrugged sheepishly. "Damn you," he muttered. I chuckled as he rode into place beside Dorian. So we were off. I asked Ashante why we didn't all use the portals. She explained that those scrolls to activate were gifts to us and not a gift the dwarves would easily share with just anyone. Also, there was a deep mistrust of magic from other races. In some cases, like the Elves and Amazons, they had come to admire and respect each others magic. Therefore, the fear had evaporated. In most cases though, there was a deep misgiving and fear about the magic of another race. Even if the offer had been extended, most probably would have declined, not willing to trust the dwarves. It was sad that there was so much distrust between the races and I realized now why this summit was to be so momentous. XXXXXXXXXX SAHANNA VILLAGE ELVEN TERRITORY The rest of the trip was uneventful. Everyone was glad. No one wanted a repeat of this trip on the way back. The Knights and Amazons were successfully delivered home. Our band of Elves, including Dorian, Joachim and the remaining four Elven riders made our way to Sahanna Village. I knew without asking that a bigger party representing the Elves would be sent next time. This was to be our final stop before returning to Astarte. We'd stayed in the village on the way out and the familiarity was comforting. It also meant that our traveling was coming to an end soon and I couldn't wait. There we spent the night in beds for the first time in days. We were in the same house we'd been in before. I crawled naked into the bed and slid up over the top of Scully's nude body, enjoying the feel of her naked skin against mine, rubbing my chest up and down gently over her pebbled nipples. "Do you realize it has been six days since we made love?" I asked cheekily. She smiled. "Really? I didn't notice," she deadpanned, but there was a twinkle in her eye. "What do you say I remedy that right now?" I asked. "If you can handle it, G-Man," she commented. "Hey, that's Elven, unicorn-ridin' G-man to you, lady." She chuckled and pulled my head down for a passionate kiss. XXXXXXXXXX NC-17 PORTION XXXXXXXXXX My body responded instantly and I felt myself grow hard. I broke the kiss and rolled her onto her stomach, covering her petite body with mine. I now knew that she loved to feel my weight on her. I kissed her neck, shoulders, and arms while I lifted my torso on one forearm. My free hand ran up and down her sides, finally snaking underneath her body to palm her breast. She moaned when I found her nipple and pinched it lightly, rolling the hardened nub between my thumb and forefinger. I shifted, pressing my cock into the crevice between her ass cheeks. Her ass was so tight and muscular now that her cheeks pressed snugly against one other. The feeling of her flesh surrounding my cock was exquisite. I thrust back and forth, teasing her and kissing her until she was squirming. Then I levered up and back onto my knees, grasping the side of her ass and running my hands over them. She said, "Are you gonna fuck me, or just handle the merchandise all night?" "Oh, I'll handle the merchandise, all right," I warned her. I stuck my hand between her legs and spread her foamy wetness around her lips, finding her clitoris and teasing it with my fingertips. She moaned and lifted her hips, giving me better access. I spread her legs wider and slid up behind her ass, still kneeling. I guided my throbbing cock between her cheeks and rested it at her entrance, using my thumbs to spread her labia wide. She bucked back against me just as I thrust forward, and I slid deep into her belly, feeling her exquisite warmth surround me. I groaned, "Oh, Scully." "Mmm, you feel so good, Mulder," she muttered. I leaned down, hunching over her back, holding her hips still and kissed her spine. I began to thrust slowly and we soon found a steady rhythm. I whispered, "This is my favorite place in the world to be, Scully." She made an odd sound like a hiccup and pressed herself back against me. "Harder," she requested. I grunted and began slamming into her, straightening my back again for more power and leverage. I slid my hands under her hipbones and tipped her ass up further. This changed the angle so that I was stroking down into her. I must have been hitting the right spot because she began to thrash under me, hissing, spitting and bucking like a wildcat. I loved that I could make her go crazy like this. I also didn't give a damn who heard us. She hollered, "Ohhhhhhhhhh, yyyyeeeessss! Right there! I'm gonna come! Oh, God, yyyeeesss! Make me come!" I felt her walls collapse around me tightly. I roared, feeling my balls spasm and draw up tight. "Just like that, give it to me, Scully!" She wailed once more and I couldn't hold back. "Oh damn, here it comes!" I yelled. I continued ramming into her and my climax flew through me. I came so hard it was like a steady stream rather than a series of ejaculations. It almost felt like the top of my dick was going to blow off. The hot burning sensation of my violent climax was exquisite. XXXXXXXXXX END OF NC-17 XXXXXXXXXX I leaned my torso down onto her back, staying inside her as I spiraled down from my post-coital high. Lassitude spread over me like a shroud. "Don't make me wait six days again, would you?" I quipped. She laughed, her breath hitching. "I'll try not to." I straightened out my legs and slid onto my side next to her, my body still half-draped over her. She hummed and snuggled against me. I threw my leg over hers, grasped her breast in my palm and squeezed gently, keeping it there. We fell asleep just like that and found ourselves in exactly the same position when we woke up. XXXXXXXXXX We rose and ate a hearty breakfast. No one wanted to delay. We were all eager to get home and sleep in our own beds. It gave me pause that for a second, I'd actually thought of Astarte as my home. I shook myself and mounted Jadian, now my faithful companion. I patted his neck and he nickered softly. "Take us home, boy," I whispered. He bobbed his head in agreement and set off following the others out of the gates of Sahanna Village. A while later I smiled seeing the sloping plains below us. Scully and I broke into an easy lope, enjoying the breeze and the sunshine. At least for the next few days, we hoped to have some peace. THE END.