“What—?” said the dwarf.
Tomas touched the helm, then the shield “You said they were special.”
“Aye, lad. But I didn’t think they were that special.”
“Should I take them off?” asked the worried boy.
“No, no.” Leaving the lantern upon the floor, Dolgan said, “We can move more quickly if I don’t have to worry about what you can and can’t see.” He forced a note of cheenness into his voice. “And despite there being no two finer warriors in the land, it’s best if we don’t announce our presence with that light. The dragon’s telling of the moredhel being down in our mines gives me no comfort. If one band was brave enough to risk my people’s wrath, there may be others. Yon wraith may be terrified of your golden sword and my ancient hammer, but twenty or so moredhel might not be so easily impressed.”
Tomas could find nothing to say, so they started moving off into the darkness.
Three times they stopped and hid while hurrying groups of goblins and Dark Brothers passed near by. From their dark vantage point they could see that many of those who passed harbored wounds or were aided by their kinsmen as they limped along. After the last group was gone, Dolgan turned to Tomas and said, “Never in history have the goblins and moredhel dared to enter our mines in such numbers. Too much do they fear my people to risk it.”
Tomas said, “They look pretty beat up, Dolgan, and they have females and young with them, and carry great bundles, too. They are fleeing something.”
The dwarf nodded. “They are all moving from the direction of the northern valley in the Grey Towers, heading toward the Green Heart. Something still drives them south.”
“The Tsurani?”
Dolgan nodded. “My thought also. Come. We had best return to Caldara as quickly as we can.” They set off and soon were in tunnels Dolgan knew well, taking them to the surface and home.
They were both exhausted when they reached Caldara five days later. The snows in the mountains were heavy, and the going was slow. As they approached the village, they were sighted by guards, and soon the entire village turned out to greet them.
They were taken to the village long hall, and Tomas was given a room. He was so tired that he fell asleep at once, and even the stout dwarf was fatigued. The dwarves agreed to call the village elders together the next day in council and discuss the latest news to reach the valley.
Tomas awoke feeling ravenous. He stretched as he stood up and was surprised to find no stiffness. He had fallen asleep in the golden mail and should have wakened to protesting joints and muscles. Instead he felt rested and well. He opened the door and stepped into a hall. He saw no one until he came to the central room of the long hall. There were several dwarves seated along the great table, with Dolgan at the head. Tomas saw one was Weylin, Dolgan’s son. Dolgan motioned the boy to a chair and introduced him to the company.
The dwarves all greeted Tomas, who made polite responses. Mostly he stared at the great feast of food on the table.
Dolgan laughed and said, “Help yourself, laddie; there is little cause for you to be hungry with the board full.” Tomas heaped a plate with beef, cheese, and bread and took a flagon of ale, though he had little head for it and it was early in the day. He quickly consumed what was on the platter and helped himself to another portion, looking to see if anyone disapproved. Most of the dwarves were involved in a complicated discussion of an unknown nature to Tomas, having to do with the allocation of winter stores to various villages in the area.
Dolgan called a halt to the discussion and said, “Now that Tomas is with us, I think we had best speak of these Tsurani.”
Tomas’s ears pricked up at that, and he turned his attention fully to what was being said Dolgan continued, “Since I left on patrol, we have had runners from Elvandar and Stone Mountain. There have been many sightings of these aliens near the North Pass. They have made camp in the hills south of Stone Mountain.”
One of the dwarves said, “That is Stone Mountain’s business, unless they call us to arms.”
Dolgan said, “True, Orwin, but there is also the news they have been seen moving in and out of the valley just south of the pass. They have intruded on lands traditionally ours, and that is the business of the Grey Towers.”
The dwarf addressed as Orwin nodded “Indeed it is, but there is naught we can do until spring.”
Dolgan put his feet up on the table, lighting a pipe. “And that is true also. But we can be thankful the Tsurani can do naught until spring, as well.”
Tomas put down a joint of beef he was holding. “Has the blizzard struck?”
Dolgan looked at him. “Aye, laddie, the passes are all solid with snow, for the first winter blizzard came upon us last night. There will be nothing that can move out there, least of all an army.”