4.61 - The Underworld

4.61 - The Underworld

Theo tapped his foot, glaring at the many people gathered in the town halls meeting room. There were too many people here for a decision he had already made. Aarok headed the table, a frustrated look hanging on his face. Gwyn, Gael, and Alise looked sheepishly off to the side, joined by their gaggle of administrative aides. It was only by the good graces of Drogramath himself that they had only wasted a few hours of the day debating something that was already decided.

Im not here to scold you like school children, Theo said, looking at each of his head administrators. Each turned their gaze away. Make your case briefly, or Ill dismiss it.

Alise stood, gritting her teeth. It didnt pass Theos notice that she glared at Gwyn for a moment too long. Our concerns are for the towns safety.

Then do something about the dungeons, Theo said, already having the retort on standby. Or the Zagmoni assassins. Or the damned undead banging on our front door. Alise, sit down. Gwyn, please stand and state your concerns.

Alise sat down, deflating in her chair. Gwynestarea Whisperstream rose, standing tall and proud like her Elven cousins. She was a Half-Elf from Veosta. An intensely intelligent woman who only ever made the town better. Theo waited for his Wisdom of the Soul messages to roll in as she spoke.

The deep places of the world are better left where they are, Gwyn started. There was no lack of confidence in her voice. She spoke with genuine conviction. I didnt expect the archduke to view a brief conversation as a roadblock. Im voicing my concerns and nothing more.

Youll have to be more specific for me, Gwyn, Theo said. When I want to dig a hole, I want it dug that day. I assume you read my proposal.

I have read it, Gwyn said, looking at him with defiant countenance.

Theo liked that. Gwyn was going to overtake Alise as the lead administrator soon. He was excited that someone in his employ had the fortitude to stand up to him like this. The Wisdom of the Soul message that followed was enlightening. She was hiding something about her ancestors homeland. The Tarantham Elves knew something about the underground areas of the world, and she was holding back.

Fenian has offered his services, Theo said. Ill remind you he was selected by two different gods as their champion. What is it you know about the underground caverns?

Gael stood, his face pale. Theo shot him a glare, but he didnt relent. If youll allow me, archduke.

Lets hear it.

House Wavecrest has no experience with the underworld. But weve all heard the tales.

Think about it logically, Gwyn said. What monsters lurk in the darkness? Monsters that havent been disturbed for how long, exactly?

Theo was just happy that they were bringing up good points. His first impression of their waylay was one of obstinate administrators. Instead, they brought some good points. The hard edge of his anger faded into pride. Aarok, what do you think?

Aarok shrugged his massive shoulders. I would have shut them down if they didnt have good points.

Luras?

Theyre skittish, Luras said, chuckling. But Im happy to give caution when its due.

Theo clapped his hands together. Im surprised and excited by the caution. Our administrators stepped up to take control of a situation they perceived as dangerous.

So, what? Aarok asked. Were not digging?

Oh, were digging, Theo said, gesturing for everyone to rise. He had a good feeling about this idea. Drogramath felt close at hand today. It was as though he had something to say. Off to the temple.

Theo dragged a procession of administrators and adventurers behind him, marching them directly to the temple. The moment he set foot in there, he felt that familiar presence. When he approached the dais this time, he knew it would work. Who better to judge our decision than one of our patron gods?

Arent you one of our patron gods? Aarok muttered.

But this one is impartial, Theo said, holding his arms out to his sides, palms up. He closed his eyes, whispering in Drogramathi. Drogramath.

What little light filtered through the open windows in the temple dimmed. Flicking purple fire sprung up around the raised platform, then the ghostly image of Drogramath appeared. Theo looked up with a smile on his face, his eyes lingering on the gods broken horn.

How dull, Drogramath said, letting out a sigh that stirred the flames. Youve dragged me out of important experimentation for what? Permission to dig a hole? Dig as many holes as you want, champion.

Did Tworgnoth place the artifice containing my familiar in that spot specifically? Theo asked. Did he want me to find the cavern?

One of Drogramaths brows raised. No shit.

What will we find down below? Danger?

Drogramath sighed again. I see what youre doing, champion. Fine. To appease the minds of your people, Ill say it. Tworgnoth placed the artifice where he did so that you would dig below. The caverns are connected throughout the world and contain many dangers. And many treasures. The area directly under Tworgnoths artifice is occupied by a race of creatures friendly to all Dronon. Now, may I please go?

Thanks, Drogramath, Theo said.

Drogramath only glared back, then waved his hand. The spectral image of the god vanished. The alchemist turned on the spot, shrugging. Does that satisfy your concerns?

Gwyn smiled, shaking her head. Yeah. That works for me.

Me too, Gael said.

Cant get clearer than that, Alise chuckled.

Like someone chewed up Toruauns language and spat it out, Tresk said with a chuckle.

Theo leaned over the edge again, listening more intently this time. The rock creature below continued speaking rapidly, never even taking a breath between words. As it spoke, the alchemist understood more of the language. It wasnt his mind unraveling the complexities of a Dronon tongue, though. The rock was speaking a heavily accented Dronon tongue. This wasnt the language of Toruaun.

Do you speak Drogramathi? Theo shouted back. Or Bantari, Taranthian English? Russian?

The language of the sand! the rock-thing shouted back in horrible Russian.

Theo leaned back, looking at his friends with a flat expression. Another one of Khahars jokes. He poked his head back over the hole, continuing on in Russian. I hope youre friendly.

Yeah, were super friendly, the rock said. The cat told me to stand in this tunnel, so I stood in this tunnel.

Theo sighed. How long have you been standing in the tunnel?

The rock-man counted on his fingers, then shrugged. I dunno!

My name is Theo. Im the archduke of the alliance on the surface.

Igor! A pleasure to meet you, horned one.

Theo backed away from the hole again. Alright, Khahar brainwashed the rock people so they would be friendly to me. Someone fetch me Zankir and Zansal. And a ladder.

Several adventurers ran off, heading up through the tunnels. Theo poked his head back over the hole. Tresk tightened her grip on his clothes. Are there more of your people down there?

Oh, yeah. We have an entire city. Thousands of people like me, Igor said. We had a war going the last time I was home.

Zankir and Zansal arrived, carrying a ladder between them. Theo updated them on the situation, then requested that they escort him into the hole. They shared a confused look, then agreed. Igor seemed incredibly friendly. The alchemists Wisdom of the Soul popped up a few times, agreeing that the rock dude had no ill intentions. The adventurers placed the ladder in the hole.

Im coming down, Theo shouted into the hole. Could you make some room?

Absolutely! Igor said. When he moved, the cave was filled with scraping sounds. Like rock on rock.

It only made sense to send Fenian first. He didnt speak Russian, but there were few things down in the hole that could best him in combat. Zankir and Zansal went next, followed by Theo, Tresk, Rowan, and Sarisa. When the alchemists feet touched the ground of the cavern below, he cast his eyes around the area. Light filtered through the circular hole above, providing a halo of light where they stood. He got a better look at Igor, who seemed to be little more than a vaguely humanoid shaped pile of stones.

Denizens of the sands! Ignore exclaimed.

He speaks the holy language, Zansal sneered.

Come! Follow me! Well see my people together. Down this tunnel. Igor gestured vaguely and the group followed.

Fenian led the way, but he had placed his weapons back into his inventory. Tresk melted into the shadows, then ranged ahead. But it didnt take the group long to find the exit of the tunnel. They came out into a darkened world that sprawled on forever. The cavern they exited into was lined in places with glowing fungus. Flying creatures could be heard overhead, somewhere in the distance. Flickering on the horizon, miles away, was an arrangement of lights that defied nature. The alchemist narrowed his eyes, focusing to see the edge of walls. A city under his town.

Thats a sight, Fenian said, staring into the distance. I retract my remark about there not being a dragon.

What? Theo asked, giving the Elf a concerned look.

Fenian pulled Theo down, pressing their cheeks together. In the citys center, there is a dragon. His voice had an edge like a sharpened dagger. One of the metallic kind.

Abort mission? Rowan asked.

You guys freaking out about our dragon? Igor asked with a rocky chuckle. Shes been protecting the Stonehome for thousands of years. Only wakes up when theres danger.

Theo got the impression that the dragon had been there for longer than that. He didnt know exactly when Khahar had enacted his plan, but it was at least ten-thousand years ago. Likely more. The alchemist had been led here by Khahar, which meant it was a good thing. At least, he hoped it was a good thing. Before proceeding forward, they paused near the tunnels exit and sent their people forward to scout. That gave him some time to ask Igor about his people.

The rock-people didnt have a name for themselves, but they had adopted the culture seeded by Yuri. But the dragon had interested Theo the most. It didnt pass his notice that Fenian had locked his eyes on the beast from the start, glaring at it as though it owed him money for one of his trade deals. The alchemist pulled the Elf aside while his people scouted.

Explain dragons to me, Theo said.

They arent real, Fenian said. His eyes never left the dragon. Theyre stories the Elves tell their children. Something to be afraid of if you misbehave.

Theo gestured to the vague form of the dragon in the distance. Yet, there is a dragon.

It is a concerning fact that was concealed from me. Which makes it dangerous and important.

From what Igor said, the dragon was a protector of the stone people. She acted as their leader and protector. Underground, there were caverns like this that stretched throughout the entire world. Civilizations that never saw the light of day called the deep places home. Deep versions of all the surface-dwelling races made their lives down here. Wisdom of the Soul offered a few suggestions, but nothing solid. Just guesses, like echoes in the vast caves.

Can we meet the dragon? Theo asked, turning to Igor.

Of course! Shell be happy to see you.