Unwanted Elves
Chapter 9
I wish I could say that the waiting period was spent in quiet contemplation of the forthcoming ceremony, but if I did I’d be lying. I was used to waiting for alchemical processes to bear fruit, some potions particularly can take months to prepare, but even when Harmon’s apprentice I had some idea what was going on. At the moment I felt totally out of my depth, as I knew very little about dwarven magic and nothing about metal crafting so I had to leave everything to Thebroval, which did little for my anxious mental state. Meghimira had invited Chessina and Silavara to examine dwarven fabrics and I knew that I would be as much use there as a fifth wheel on a wagon. I was just about to start wearing a path through the carpet, when Alvarek knocked and entered the chamber accompanied by another dwarf of similar age to Alvarek, at least as far as I could tell dwarven ages.
“Towermaster, may I present Vesolmir son of Pyzalmir a fellow member of clan Prezemechek.” Alvarek said formally.
“Well met, Vesolmir son of Pyzalmir,” I replied equally formally, “may your hands never lose their skill.”
“And may your skills increase Towermaster.” Vesolmir completed the customary speech.
“Towermaster... Castamir,” Alvarek hesitated, “I... we need to ask you a favour.”
“Name it,” I said, instantly, “if it is in my power, it will be done.” I knew Alvarek well enough, that he wouldn’t be asking this diffidently if it wasn’t important. I also knew that he wouldn’t ask for something dishonourable.
“Vesolmir is due to fight a duel tomorrow, and we would like you to be referee.” Alvarek said in a rush.
“I am honoured, Alvarek, Vesolmir that you should ask me,” I replied, and it was an honour as dwarves took their duels seriously. “But I know nothing of axeplay, why do you ask me?”
“Because you as Towermaster, Castamir have the power to stop foul play by force if necessary.” Said Alvarek.
I said nothing for a moment as I was shocked, dwarves being renowned for their sense of honour.
“You expect problems then,” I said, “I will of course act as referee if you wish it, but could you please explain what is going on.” I gestured them to sit as I had a feeling this would take a long time.
“The duel is between myself and Babiarz of Clan Veshol.” said Vesolmir. “I don’t like the way he is paying attention to my wife Salvarusha, and she isn’t happy either. Babiarz offered marriage to her earlier, but she chose me, and that has always rankled with him. He continues to insinuate that she is too good for me and that he could give her things that a pauper like me could not.” His face flushed with embarrassment.
I understood a little of this. Harmon had told me that clan Prezemechek was quite poor having almost bankrupted themselves aiding the king in one of the interminable wars with the goblins. Not every clan had been so forthcoming. It was only recently that, thanks to the hard work and skill of people like Alvarek that the clan was regaining its former position.
“Babiarz made certain insinuations that I couldn’t stomach, there were harsh words, and so I challenged him to a duel.” Said Vesolmir. “I am sufficiently more skilled than Babiarz that I am confident of winning the duel, but he seemed smug and gloating over the challenge. I consulted Alvarek and we both consider it likely that he will cheat in some way. We would like you to act as referee to prevent Babiarz cheating.”
“Very well.” I said. “When is the duel to take place?”
“Tomorrow, at the sixth hour.” Replied Alvarek.
oOo
“Castamir, just look at these fabrics,” said Chessina, excitedly when she returned to our quarters, with what looked like several bolts of fabric, carried into the room by a sturdy young dwarf woman.
“They are magnificent.” I said, and meant it. The colours were vibrant, and the patterns were intricate and beautiful, with some picked out in metallic threads.
“You will look stunning in these, love,” I said, “and when we go to the royal court you will outshine every woman there, and the overbred, underbrained harridans will turn green with envy. Ah, please don’t actually turn them green, you would put the King and Queen off their meals.” I added, as I could see Chessina look suddenly thoughtful.
“Loom-mistress Perzamira wanted to gift all these fabrics to me, but I insisted on paying for one of the bolts.” Chessina said. “Perzamira said that showing off their latest cloth designs at court would lead to more sales so it paid to gift me in the long run; but the dwarves have done so much for us I wanted to pay for some. Apparently Perzamira suggested gifting Harmon some cloth for his sister, but he refused, saying that his sister’s vanity would become so large that her head would explode.”
“When all this business with the elves is over, I look forward to taking you to the capital so everyone can see how lovely you are.” I said. “I know I’m biased, but I think you look wonderful wearing anything. However, you are loveliest when you aren’t wearing anything but a smile.”
Chessina suddenly realised that there was something very important for us to do in the bedchamber.
Sometime later I said, “I have to get up early tomorrow love, I’ve agreed to officiate at a duel as Alvarek asked me on behalf of a fellow clan member. There is a suggestion of possible foul play.”
“I’ll come and help keep an eye on things.” Said Chessina.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” I replied, and continued quickly before Chessina could remonstrate, “females aren’t supposed to be present at male duels, nor are males supposed to attend female duels.”
“Dwarven women fight duels?” Chessina exclaimed.
“Yes, but almost never to the death.” I continued, “that’s strongly discouraged as there are fewer women than men among the dwarves.”
“Why is that?” Chessina asked.
“Harmon never discovered that,” I replied, “the dwarves are rather reticent about certain subjects, even to an honourary dwarf.”
“I don’t like the idea of you going off without me if there is a suggestion of foul play.” Chessina said, “I have a bad feeling about this.”
“If you did come it would offend the dwarves mightily.” I replied.
“In that case I will tag along behind and use mage eye to check up on things.” Chessina announced.
I had to admit, that did make me feel better. We settled down to sleep... eventually.
oOo
At the appointed hour Alvarek and Vesolmir knocked at the door to our chambers dressed in a simple and sombre manner, with their axes slung in the axe carrier, the dwarven equivalent of the scabbarded sword of a human noble. After the greeting ritual we set off for the duelling arena. The corridors we traversed were almost deserted and there was an early morning feel to them even though, being lesser ways, they weren’t lit by sunlight passing through crystal ducts, but by magical lanterns. I had decided against taking my staff, as I wasn’t refereeing in an official capacity, but as a private individual as a favour to a clansman of my friend Alvarek.
“Vesolmir, as I am to referee this duel, perhaps you would give me some details about what led up to it.” I asked.
“It starts some years ago when I was courting my now wife Salvarusha,” Vesolmir began, “she is of great beauty and ancient bloodline and had many suitors including Babiarz. I was very fortunate to win her hand. Babiarz was extremely angry at being rejected and declared that she was too good for someone like me.”
“I should explain, Castamir, that the Veshol clan is very rich.” Said Alvarek. “Their holdings are some distance from here and they do not often visit the capital. They are not liked for several reasons, their support of the throne during the Goblin war being niggardly as well as tardy. They also have made no secret of their desire to see the throne pass to one of their clan. In addition, they tend to throw their weight around, and consider that their wealth makes them superior to all other clans.”
I had been going to describe them as ‘lovely people’, but I feared Vesolmir might not realise I was being sarcastic, so I settled for saying,
“They seem the type to give blood sucking lice a bad name.”
“Three days ago, Babiarz and some of his cronies turned up,” Vesolmir said, “and being rich layabouts with nothing better to do, started hanging around near the weaving rooms where Salvarusha works, and paying her over fulsome compliments when they saw her.”
I recalled that unlike many human women of high status, most dwarven women would revolt against sitting around doing very little other than appear decorative.
“Yesterday, Salvarusha told me about the attentions of Babiarz and his gang, and how they were upsetting her.” Said Vesolmir. “I went to Babiarz and told him to stay away from my wife, he belittled my lack of wealth, we exchanged words and a duel was arranged.”
“What gave you the idea that you suspect foul play?” I asked.
“There was something in the looks that were exchanged amongst them,” Alvarek replied, “It is just a hunch.”
oOo
We turned round a corner, and there were six dwarves blocking the corridor. They were all dressed sumptuously and held themselves with arrogant pride.
“Babiarz!” Vesolmir spat the word. “What are these others doing here spectators should be in the arena, there should be no-one but you and your second? And why are you here, not waiting in the arena as challenger?”
“You aren’t worthy of the arena, and the others are to make sure that you don’t run away from the duel, you coward. You will fight me here and now. And what is that... human doing here?” Babiarz must have practiced in front of a mirror to have that studied a sneer.
“As challenged party, it is my right to have the referee of my choice. He knows dwarven customs.” Replied Vesolmir.
“This is most irregular,” I said, “and will be reported to the king, but if you both agree I see no reason the duel should not take place here.”
As I mentioned the king, I saw glances between the cronies and wondered if this was to be a duel or we were to be murdered. I firmed up my connection to the tower and readied my spells.
“Back up you dwarves and give the duellists room.” I said, and the cronies, reluctantly, complied. Not outright murder then, but I must be alert for trickery.
“Very well, draw axes and begin.” I uttered the words I had heard before having watched a couple of dwarven duels. Babiarz pre-empted my words and began drawing his axe before I had finished speaking, but fortunately Vesolmir was fast and had his axe out before Babiarz could launch an attack.
Even though I had seen some dwarven duels, invariably fought with axes, the sheer speed with which they were wielded amazed me. Most humans think of axes as slow, clumsy weapons but dwarves show that this is not the case. The axes flashed towards the duellists and the blows were either dodged or caught haft against haft. This was the only sound bar the breathing of the combatants. As far as I could see, one of the tactics involved rapid changes of direction of the blows to come in at an unexpected direction. Mesmerising as the sight was, I was not really here to judge if a move was fair or not, not being versed in axe combat, but to watch for treachery. Accordingly I kept most of my attention on Babiarz’s cronies.
As the duel continued Babiarz’s breathing became laboured. I doubted that he did manual labour, or even much axe practice. A quick glimpse of the duel showed me that Vesolmir seemed to be getting the upper hand. I caught a frantic glance from Babiarz towards the most extravagantly dressed of the cronies, one who bore some resemblance to him. The dwarf reached into his pocket and brought out a round smooth stone. Before he could throw it, I used the adhere spell to attach the stone to his fingers.
I thought that the plan was to throw the stone under Vesolmir’s feet, causing him to fall or at least lose his balance, and then he might be killed in a ‘dreadful accident’.
The dwarf holding the stone went to flick it towards Vesolmir and it remained stuck to his fingers. The look of surprise on his face gave way to panic when he found he couldn’t throw it at all and that it refused to leave his fingers no matter how often or how hard he tried. These frantic movements caught the attention of many, including Alvarek. Babiarz, slowing now, caught sight of the failed throw, and distracted, dropped his guard sufficiently for Vesolmir to hit his opponent squarely on the right thigh. With a cry of pain, Babiarz fell to the ground, bleeding copiously from his wound.
“Kill them, kill them all!” Shouted the prone man. His followers drew their axes, with the exception of the one who was still trying to remove the stone from his right hand, desperately trying to pry it from his fingers with main strength. I could have told him he was wasting his time, unless I told the spell to release, the only way to get the stone off would be to cut the flesh from his finger bones, and for some reason most people are loath to do that. Beside me Alvarek drew his axe doubtless preparing to sell his life dearly.
I cast still person on all the cronies, meaning they couldn’t move any voluntary muscles. Had I been holding my staff the crystal on it would have glowed white due to the simultaneous casting of spells.
“Alvarek, can you bind up that cur’s wound,” I said turning towards him, “I don’t want him dying of blood loss before he faces the King’s justice.”
I heard movement behind me, but before I could turn to face its source, I heard the sound of something hard being struck followed by something falling to the floor. Upon turning, I discovered that one of the cronies was lying crumpled on the floor with blood oozing from a wound on the back of his head, caused I thought by the rock lying next to him.
“I thought I needed to follow you,” came Chessina’s whispered voice.
“Thank you, my love,” I replied, “I always need you.”
“I am going to release the conscious among you from my magic to take you before the authorities for justice.” I growled being really annoyed at the treachery of these people. “And if any of you make any problems I will curse you into beardlessness.” I heard a sharp intake of breath from those dwarves able to do so, Alvarek and Vesolmir. To lose their beard was pretty much the worst thing that could be done to a dwarf.
“I didn’t know you knew how to do that Castamir,” Whispered Chessina.
“I don’t.” I whispered back. “I’m going to research how to do so, though. Not so much to threaten dwarves, but so I don’t have to shave.”
“You’re just lazy, Castamir.”
“Not in all things, love.”
“Right,” I said to the dwarves after cancelling the spell, “You with the stone, which won’t come off until I tell it to, and you there, help Babiarz to walk, and you other two, pick up the unconscious one. Alvarek can you lead us to the nearest guard post, while Vesolmir and I will watch these... persons.”
“I’ll keep a mage eye on them too.” Chessina’s whispered voice declared.
Our shambling procession had not been travelling long, when I sighted two dwarven guards, distinctive in their black clothing and black lacquered cuirass and helmet, walking with cat like tread in their boots of silence.
“Guards, help!” Babiarz shouted, “This human and his confederates attacked us and are trying to kidnap me!” On hearing this, the two guards drew their axes and advanced towards us.
While I had to give the cur Babiarz kudos for quick thinking, I had to put a stop to this.
“Guards, I am Towermaster Castamir, guest of his majesty.” I said, using a touch of voice magic to lend weight to my words. “Bring us before the King so we may have justice.”
“First put down your weapons.” Said one guard.
With great reluctance, Alvarek and Vesolmir did so. No dwarf likes having to relinquish their axes.
We were taken to the nearest guard post and placed in protective custody, while a messenger was sent to inform the king. In other words we were thrown in gaol. While Babiarz was being given better medical attention than the rough and ready first aid of Alvarek, Babiarz yelled out,
“This is the wound I received when those renegades viciously attacked me.”
“You mean the wound I gave you when your attempt to cheat during a duel failed.” Growled Vesolmir in response.
“Quiet!” Shouted the older of the guards. “You will have opportunity to speak later.”
To while away the time, I mused on how I would escape using the least amount of magic.
Shortly thereafter a large group of royal guards arrived, resplendent in polished steel helmets and enamelled cuirasses depicting the clan heraldry of the wearer, it being a signal honour to the clan as well as the individual, to be appointed one of the king’s bodyguard.
After various documents had been produced and signed, we were released from our cells and marched off surrounded by the royal guard, with four of their number carrying the wounded on stretchers, the one that Chessina had ‘rocked’ having regained what few wits he originally possessed.
The whole cavalcade, followed discreetly by Chessina, wended its way, accompanied by the intrigued glances of the early risers, to the royal apartments.
