The Mithril Mines of Charlton and Stevens
First published Deori's Pleasure 192 - Frost Fall 199
Episodes written by Nobunaga, Colombard, Hayter and Bordelaise.
The mountains. A cold, icy blue against the dark, night sky. Rising tall, as if emerging straight from the barren plains and striving to reach the white circle of the moon hanging above them.
No sign of life up in the mountains. Not a sound, not a sight of the terrible deeds performed up there every night and every day. Is there even difference between night and day? For those within the mountains it is impossible to tell.
The wind is whipping up the sand, making it hard to see anything around you, anything but the peaks of the mountains all the way up there. To get here you would have had to walk for days without seeing any water. And to get up there...
Colombard looked up from the map handed to her by Rosita the wandering gypsy. Looked up at the mountains in front of her and compared what was drawn on it with what she saw. Slowly she started to speak: "Yes Nobunaga...this is the place."
Traversing the Mountain Path
The mountain path was narrowing, the incline was getting ever steeper. Traversing the path had been somewhat troublesome with the constant pounding of the wind, but it was now becoming an incredibly difficult and arduous crossing to the safety of the valley ahead. Hugging the mountain side, Nobunaga crept his way along, holding onto Colombard with one hand. She sat atop his shoulder, her arms wrapped around his wrist. The winds picked up their pace, and she squeezed ever tighter.
A rock slipped out from under Nobunaga's foot, and the wind helped to push him even further off balance. Reaching out, he managed to grasp onto a part of the mountain face and stay on the path...but the jolt was too much for Colombard.
Quickly, Nobunaga pushed off from the wall, diving backwards to fall after the little sprite. Looking down to her, he called out to her, "Try to fly, Colombard!" She began to flutter her wings as hard as she could..and while amid the winds it did not do much, it was enough that Nobunaga was able to catch up with her. Wasting no time, he grabbed her with both hands and held her tightly to his chest, then extended his wings and started to angle their descent.
Her fear diminishing, Colombard looked ahead and saw as they gradually pull up and away from their former path toward a gruesome death among the rocks and boulders below. Breathing a sigh of relief, Nobunaga continued to hold tightly to Colombard as he soared alongside the mountain, cutting through the fierce winds. perhaps taking to the skies will be best for now... he thought to himself. A short while later, he descended to the ground and landed, setting Colombard on his shoulder. There before them was the valley...and the town within it.
Kahludan
Looking ahead into the town, Nobunaga was surprised to see that it appeared...normal. Perhaps this was not the clandestine center of operations they had presumed it to be, but instead a traditional slave-owning community. Not that it disugusted him much less. Comfortable in the fact that even if they were a more sinister bunch they did not know who he was, he walked into town.
Nobunaga noticed instantly that the populace was predominantly human and dwarven, a clear mark of a miner's town. Many paused and stared at him as he walked past...but then, he knew that stare. It was one he still recieved at home in Moorgate at times...the look of someone different. Having grown callous to the stares of the public, he disregarded them and moved on, getting his bearings in the town. Down the road there was a path that branched off and headed towards the mountain. Looking in its direction he saw a mine shaft. There did not appear to be any activity going on there, however...
"'Scuse me there, sir, but what brings a traveler like yourself to this town?" Nobunaga turned to face the voice, and looked down to find a kindly looking dwarf. His beard was fading to a whiter color, his age revealed in his tired blue eyes. As they made eye contact he smiled...then he noticed Colombard. "Say---! That's a fine healthy looking sprat ya got there! You coming to town to try to sell her off, or maybe pick up a few more for yourself?"
Colombard began to fume at his words. Sprat? Some sort of derrogitory name, no doubt! And to assume I'm a slave? "Let me tell yo--" She was cut short by Nobunaga, who motioned for her to stop as he began to speak. "Actually, I have indeed been searching for a large group of sprites...so this must mean they are here. What are they doing here?"
The dwarf looked towards the mineshaft in the distance for a moment, and gave a little smirk. "Doin' my work and keepin' me from my wages, is what they're doin'..." Nobunaga frowned...but in his mind, an idea struck. There is certainly more to this, something that is affecting the populace of the town as well...perhaps this man would be willing to help me. "Could you tell me more, kind dwarf? I would like to know all there is to tell." The dwarf's kindly smile returned. "Of course, son! And you can call me Kahludan. Come on with me, I had supper stewin' at home and I'm sure you're famished!" A smile came across Nobunaga's face. "That is very kind of you. My name is Oda Nobunaga." "Alright then, Oda, off we go!"
Kahludan led the way down the road, at a fairly quick pace for a dwarf. Perhaps he is simply happy to have a visitor, It is likely not too many pass through here... Nobunaga thought to himself. His thoughts were cut off, however, by Colombard's voice hissing in his ear. "He thinks I'm your slave and you're not telling him otherwise? I am never to be anyone's slave, you...you...you..."
"Calm yourself, dear Colombard. We should not let on much of who we are or why we are here until we know he is one we can trust. Otherwise, we will not be able to get information on the sprites. And that would make things much more complicated...and dangerous."
Colombard clenched her teeth. "oooh.....fine then..but do not think I like this plan. It had better work now!"
Nobunaga nodded, then quickened his pace to keep up with the old dwarf, who was approaching the door of a small house, key in hand.
Mining
Deep within the mountain. Sun never reached this place, and for someone from a land where there is always sun it is hard getting used to. Sleeping in the darkness, eating in the darkness, working...in the darkness. And working is what she is doing. Working alongside thousands of others of her kind. Working, not for love of the work, nor for rewards, or for believing in the goodness of the fruit of their labour. No. Working to survive. Working harder and harder each day. Flying carefully back and forth to avoid touching the fragile structures supporting the mines that have been dug inside the mountain. Scared to death that the next rock will kill her, like others have killed her friends before. And equally scared that next time she returns with her aching arms full of ore, one of them will stand in front of her. One of their guards. With his whip ready and her being chosen as the next target to use it on.
Bordelaise no longer knew time. How long had she been down here? How many had died, and how many more were to die? A few of her sisters were down there as well, but the guards kept them from ever getting near each other. If anyone was heard talking not even the boldest gambler would put half a gold piece on their life. And the ore never seemed to run out. She was going to die down here. She was sure of it. She was going to die and the slavers would just throw her away like a tool that has gone dull and replace her with a new one.
Dinner with Kahludan
Nobunaga sat opposite Kahludan at a small wooden table, one of the few pieces of furniture in the old home. Over the fireplace, a small pot of stew continued to simmer. Kahludan eagerly hovered over the bowl he had served himself, fitting words between his chewing and slurping. "I'm sorry I don't have a bowl or anythin' for your little sprat there. Wouldn't want such an investment to go to waste with her gettin' sick and all I'm sure, and my stew is just what you need if you came by that mountain pass! That's sure a tough way to get here." Trying to steer conversation away from Colombard, who sat by the fire, Nobunaga said "indeed, it was quite difficult. Is there a safer way to travel?"
Kahludan clamped his mouth shut for a moment, swallowing the bit of stew in his mouth. Taking a deep breath through his nose and looking upwards, he said "mmmm...I'm not sure actually. Well, there was a good sturdy one for sure, Nobernaguh. Thing is though, it was a tunnel through the mountain. Hard to find the entrance, but it's there, on the other side of town. With all the mining the sprites have done though, I heard they felt a little rumble last time a caravan passed through there...might not be long until that collapses. Aww, darn that Charlton an Stevens!"
Nobunaga paused for a moment, thinking through all Kahludan said. "Why are the sprites working the mines now? They certainly do not seem to be of proper stature for that sort of work..."
"Aye, yer quite right there, but this here is a special case. The structure of the mines are weak, some have even collapsed. But they still want to drain that mountain of all the ore they can. The sprats be small, and they can fly, so even though it's slower, they can go into the mines without havin' the whole blasted thing come down on em."
That is why a whole city was razed and its people captured, because of the foolish greed of a few men? I did not think I could be disgusted by this much more...but this... "So..tell me, who are 'they'? This...Charlton and Stevens?"
Kahludan looked down, thinking hard while he chewed laboriously on a large spoonful of stew. "Well, itha long shtory...oh, scushe me." He swallowed his mouthful of stew with an audible gulp. "Well, it's a long story, so I'll just tell ye the important parts. These two men, Charlton and Stevens, make their money doin' a good number of things, with merchants, inns, taverns, crafting guilds, things like that. They don't know how to do those things well, mind ye, they just buy them and make money off of them to do it again...So they come to our town, buy out the mining company that was here. Everything goes to hell...they don't know the first thing about mining, but they give us these orders to do things their way, ways they think will get the ore out of the mines faster...
"'Course, all they did by that was make the mine unstable. We all knew it was only a matter of time 'fore it just collapsed...and then one day, part of it did. Some good friends of mine died that day...the next day after things settled, they sent more men in to try to restabilize the shaft." Kahludan sighed, his eyes closed tight, his hands balling up into fists..."We all heard the rumblin'...not a single one o' those men made it out. So what do they do? No, they don't admit they know nothin' about my life's work, they go out and get some sprats to do MY work! I was gettin' by before, now I don't know how much longer I'll have stew in the pot, ya know? It's only a matter of time the way things are...curse them!" He slammed one of his fists to the table. Nobunaga frowned, and thought carefully about the situation. Not even the town wants this company here...perhaps putting them out of business would kill two birds with one stone...
"Kahludan, if the company picked up and left now, would there be anything to salvage for work?"
"Oh, aye, plenty of ore in these mountains, and even the smallest bit is of great value. It's the finest stuff, ye see, as you can make mithril with it. I know how to get to it, i used to be in charge o' things in the mines before they came through."
"Well...by the time I leave this town, I'll see that you are in charge again."
Kahludan looked up at Nobunaga in total disbelief. "How ye think ye'll manage that, lad? Don't dare get an old dwarf's hopes up if you can't do what ye say!" Nobunaga smiled. "It shall be done, you need not worry. Trust me."
Kahludan returned the smile. "Well then, the whole town'll be behind ye, lad."
"Thank you for that...I may have to call on you all."
"I'll be sure they're ready, Nobernaguh."
"Wonderful. Now...could you tell me where Charlton and Stevens run their post here?"
Kahludan jumped up from the table. "Sure! Sure! It's just down this road ye came on out here, take a left by that house over there...an' it's the big one at the end." Nobunaga stood up. "Thank you very much for your hospitality Kahludan." The old dwarf chuckled. "If you do what you say you will, ye'll be payin' me back a thousand fold, lad! Don't worry about it!"
Nobunaga motioned for Colombard to come along, and she fluttered up to his shoulder. Bidding a final farewell, the two of them headed off down the road, to the offices of Charlton & Stevens.
Feigning Servitude
"I'm starting to think you LIKE treating me as if I'm your slave!"
"Patience, Colombard, in due time all these efforts will come to fruition. We must choose our actions carefully, else we will have a serious situation on our hands."
Nobunaga was moving at a steady pace towards the offices of Charlton & Stevens, Colombard still perched on his shoulder. However, she was not intent on sitting quietly while Nobunaga alone came up with the plan of action.
"Well, if WE are to choose our actions carefully, then you best give me a chance to make a choice at least once...!"
Nobunaga chuckled. "Well, I'll let you have the option, but to be honest, any other way will put both us and all the other sprites at risk."
"Just tell me what you have in mind before we go do it, and I'll tell you if I agree." She replied with a huff.
"I need you to get a message to the sprites for me. We can have these people play right into our hands and time our escape if the sprites are aware of the plan as well."
Colombard began to nod, then a look of utter terror came over her face. "You want me to go there?!? I could die! We are trying to get them out, not give these...these...nasty people, some more slaves for their work!"
Nobunaga brought his hand up, resting it around Colombard's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. "It would not be longer than a day, and even then, you would only have to do enough to let them assume things are as normal."
"You...you...you....oh....fine! I'll do it. But how will you get me in there? And what will YOU be doing?"
Nobunaga quickly motioned for her to be quiet as they finally came upon a large building with a wooden sign hung in front of it. It had carved in it the initials C & S. "Do absolutely nothing, say absolutely nothing, unless you are told to by me or whoever is in charge in here. Alright?"
Colombard took a deep breath. "Alright."
Testing the door knob, Nobunaga found the building was locked. He gave a few good knocks on the door, and a few moments later a fairly large man with a sword at his side threw open the door. "What business do you have here?"
With a sly smile, Nobunaga replied, "I am looking for a job."
Applying for a job
Nobunaga and Colombard were shown into a large office. Behind a desk, a young man with a rather pale complexion was going through some papers. "Boss, you have someone to see you." Said the gruff man who had shown them in. The wiry man took off his glasses and glanced up with a cold, stern gaze. "What do you want..traveler?" Nobunaga gave a slight smile. "I came across this town and am running low on gold and supplies. I was wondering if I could get a job here." The young man smirked, saying "Do you know what we do here? And why should I hire you anyways?"
Nobunaga looked down slightly, and took a breath. "Well, I heard around town that you have sprites working the mines. I figured, with my sort of skills, I would do just fine up there guarding them and keeping them at their work." The man arched an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "Skills? Perhaps you'd like to elaborate."
Nobunaga looked up, and said "Well, I could very easily show you right now, if you wish." He reached up and roughly grabbed Colombard by the collar. Knowing if she yelled much in protest the man would be onto them, she did her best to silence herself, the fear of what this 'demonstration' would be making her shiver. This sprite here I found during my travels not too far to the east of here. I figured I could sell her for something. As an incentive for hiring me, I'll let you have her for next to nothing, 50 gold pie--"
Colombard, be ready. when i throw you, cry out, then go limp. As soon as you feel something after that, claw at your throat as if you are being choked and hold your breath as long as you can.
'The voice was Nobunaga's, but clearly he was speaking with the man. How was he doing that..?' Colombard wondered. Suddenly snapping back to the conversation at hand, he heard Nobunaga say "Alright then. I'll show you a few little tricks, and if you hire me I will drop her off at the mines during my first shift?" The man nodded. "If your 'skills' are of any merit at all...go ahead." Nobunaga gave a sly smile. "Now, you say you do not want them touching the mine floor. Well, with my skill, they need not, and still be punished for not getting the job done. Let's say this one here was causing me a bit of trouble..." With that, Nobunaga tossed Colombard lightly into the air.
It was then that Colombard felt an unusual sensation along her back that quickly pushed her forward. Remembering what she was to do, she let out a shriek and let her arms and legs go completely limp.
To anyone looking on at what was happening, it was as if Colombard had been punched from behind, but there was no attacker to be seen. She flew forward, as if to collide right with the man behind the desk. Then, she suddenly came to a stop. For a moment, she seemed to dangle there, right in the man's face. She could not help it, a look of terror came upon her face. Ironically, the more she put forth that image which was coming quite naturally, the safer both her and Nobunaga would be. She heard Nobunaga behind her, saying "And if I truly wanted to show the poor little thing I meant business, I could do something like...this!"
Take a deep breath now.
With that she was jerked upright, and felt a very slight pressure along the front of her neck. She held her breath and began to grasp at her neck, as if fighting for air. Her eyes were locked with the man's, who was showing first intrigue, then delight at the display right before him. "Wonderful! What sort of magic is this that you wield, traveler?"
"It is not truly magic, but a telekinetic power of sorts I have gained in my training and studies. It comes in handy at times..." The slight pressure around Colombard's neck dissappeared, and she stopped holding her breath. Panting heavily, she felt herself being drawn back towards Nobunaga, until he was once again holding her by the collar. Setting Colombard on his shoulder, Nobunaga asked "So. What do you think?"
"I think you will do just fine as a part of Charlton and Stevens, traveler." The man said with a sly smile. "I want you to work the night shift tonight. Get there before the sun sets to let the other guard off duty. He'll show you how things are done up there."
"Wonderful. Thank you, Mister..."
"Stevens. Douglas Stevens."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Stevens." Nobunaga said, with a smile and a bow. Stevens nodded to the guard behind them, who showed them out.
Oda Ken?
Colombard sat quietly on Nobunaga’s shoulder as they headed towards the mine, thinking as hard as a little sprite could. How did he do those things I wonder? I suppose they have to do with that…whatever he trains himself in...back when he came with us to the Land where the Sun always Shines he showed us lots of amazing tricks…’parlor tricks’ he called them. What a silly, strange giant…
“What is on your mind, Colombard?”
She sighed. “Why not read it for me, dragon man. Really, if you have all these ‘tricks’ you can do, why not just dispatch of all these…these…bad people?”
Nobunaga chuckled. “It is more complicated than you think, dear Colombard. My powers come through my own art, Oda Ken. Its techniques and concepts are very deeply embedded in the metaphysical…that is where much of the power of it is drawn from. Suffice to say, trying to control such high energy forces is very dangerous. Should I fail in controlling it, my very soul would be destroyed. I would no longer exist, on any plane.”
Colombard’s face grew wide. “Really? That sounds scary…” Nobunaga nodded. “I can use it for such small things as my tricks with ease. To greatly increase my strength and speed…that is more difficult. I would not want to risk being so adventurous. I never like using it to that extent.”
Colombard slowly nodded. “I can see why…well…I suppose your plan worked though. So now, what will we do?”
“I will get you into the mines. Let Bordelaise and the rest know that they need to be ready to escape tomorrow night. I will stir things up about town, and lead you all out when the time is right…”
Nobunaga stopped walking for a moment, reached into a small pouch at his side, and produced from it a small heart pendant. Placing it in the little sprite’s hand, he added “And please, give this to her for me.” Colombard gazed at it for a moment, then placed it around her own neck and nodded, hiding it underneath her shirt.
When they arrived at the entrance to the mine, the guard on duty looked Nobunaga over from head to toe, then nodded to him. “New guy, alright. Just throw her in there, she’ll figure out what to do by watchin’ the others. If they give you trouble, or if you get bored…” He motioned to the whip resting on a chair just inside the entrance, a low chuckle escaping his lips. “Have fun!” He yelled over his shoulder as he began to hustle down the path. Colombard fluttered down from his shoulder to the ground, first gazing at the entrance to the mine, then looking back up at the draconian. “Nobunaga…”
He smiled. “Thank you for being so brave, Colombard.”
“And thank you, dragon man. I am glad we have one like you in our family.”
“The pleasure will forever be mine. Now, take care of yourself down there, stay close to your sister.”
Colombard nodded, took a deep breath, and slowly fluttered down the mineshaft. Nobunaga took the whip up from the chair and took a seat, dropping the whip beside him.
One more day, and it would be time.
Falling Stones and Rising Hearts
Bordelaise was working. Deep inside the mine, endlessly retrieveing the precious ore. Her hands were no longer hurting. She couldn't feel them at all. Her arms were full of the metal, as much as she could carry, and she was just turning around to carefully make her way back to the entrance. Carefully, because she had seen them rocks collapse, burying her friends underneath them. She knew these parts of the mines were about to collapse any day...
...just not that it would be THIS day. The little sprite heard the grinding noice behind her. The sound of rock on rock. She turned her head, looked over her shoulder and saw it...it was coming down, and it was about to come down on her. Bordelaise took off, flew as fast as she could with the dust rising around her, the dust forming when the part of the mines she was currently in was being closed down. She could see the main tunnel approaching, but she could also see how the entrance to it was getting smaller as the rocks kept falling around her.
The sprite gathered all her strength to increase her speed even more, and with one final leap she rolled out of the side tunnel in a cloud of gravel and sand, just as the entrance was forever closed by a rock so big not even Arndorr would be able to lift it.
Bordelaise's rolling slowed down, and when she finally came to a stop she noticed she was still holding all the ore in her arms. That's when she heard the voice, and even though she knew that voice as well as she knew the branches in her favourite tree back in the land where the sun always shines, she could have sworn that it was the voice of a goddess:
"Hello sis"
A Second Meeting with Kahludan
Nobunaga made a few quick knocks on Kahludan's door. Morning had just broken a few moments ago, and he was relieved by another guard. He needed to waste no time in preparing, to be sure everything went well the coming night...
"Ah! lookit who it is on me doorstep again! Whatcha doin' this early, lad?"
Nobunaga smiled. "I just finished my shift at the mines, friend. And by the end of tomorrow's shift, things will be as I told you, if you can get the rest of town to aid us."
The old dwarf's old eyes grew wide. "You are a quick one, lad! Already workin' for them, I see? Killing the beast from the inside? hohoho, yer just what this town has been needin'! So what do you need of me?"
"I need the most able bodied townsfolk to take up arms and head to the Charlton & Stevens building tonight, as soon as you hear commotion from the mines."
"Commotion? What ye be talkin'---oh, my...I'd contest your plan if I didn't already think those shafts were lost, lad. But what of the guards?"
Nobunaga chuckled. "They will be busy at the mines. Resistance at their offices will be very small. That will be your chance to take control."
The old dwarf seemed to be thinking hard, playing with the end of his beard. "Ye can't be causin' too much pain with them guards...sure, I'd say they need to be shown their place...but they are just townsfolk who felt better to run with the demons than be crushed by 'em." Nobunaga nodded. "Of course, friend. Be sure to have all those who can help ready by sunset."
"That I will lad! Take care now!"
Nobunaga beamed one last smile at Kahludan. "You too."
Preparations
She could not speak much with her sister, the eyes and ears of the guards were everywhere, but not much needed to be spoken. She had doubted the day would ever come, but now her husband was there, in the mines...with her. Through one word here, and two there, Colombard told Bordelaise of the plan. At least as much as she had gotten to know of it. And like a raging fire in a field of dry grass the word spread from one to another, making sure every single sprite held captive in the mines were prepared for what was to happen come sunset.
They kept working as they had for many months now, for many years it seemed, who could keep track of time? But they worked with a lighter heart on this day. And they mined much more of the ore than they had on any day before, for motivation will never come from the whip.
If night was falling or not Bordelaise couldn't tell, but she could tell the time had come as she turned around the bend carrying her heavy load. There, standing just inside the entrance with his scales gleaming in the flickers from the torches that provided the only light in this place, was her beloved husband. Nobunaga had arrived...
Sweet Reunion
The sun was beginning to set below the mountain peaks, the sky a golden hue. A fitting backdrop for the end of this forced exodus of the sprites.. Nobunaga mused to himself. Time to go.
He approached the guard, the same one he had relieved of duty the previous day. "Ho there, lizard man. My shift up already?" Nobunaga chuckled. "Indeed. Say, what is your name?"
"Thomas. Yours?"
Nobunaga's grin grew ever wider, almost appearing as if he were baring his teeth. "Oda Nobunaga. You look tired, Thomas, perhaps you should lie down, take a nap."
Thomas started to say something, but his words were replaced with the sound of a hoarse gasping noise as he felt the impact of Nobunaga's blow to the solar plexus. Crumpling to the ground, Nobunaga set his body just outside of the mine's entrance, and walked a ways into the mines.
As he was just making his way into the mine, he heard the soft fluttering of a sprite's wings coming from ahead of him. As the little sprite came closer, tears nearly came to Nobunaga's eyes. At first she seemed somewhat preoccupied with the load she carried, but as she looked up, the ore fell from her hands, her arms trembling. He gave a soft smile, saying "My dear little sprite...do not worry. I will take care of you now."
As quickly as her weary wings could carry her, Bordelaise flew into Nobunaga's arms, shedding tears of joy. Amid her crying and sniffling, and eventually some giggling, she managed to murmur "Don't call me little, dragon." and planted a kiss on his lips.
After gazing into her eyes for what seemed like hours, Nobunaga said softly "Now, I will bring your people to safety. Guide them with Colombard until I meet with you once more, and head for the tunnel that leads out of this valley. Move out as soon as I draw the guards away. Do not worry...I will take care of everything." She smiled sweetly, the once lost sparkle in her eyes now returned. "I understand, love."
Giving her one last kiss, he took a deep breath and called into the mines "Guards! Guards! Come quicky, the slaves attempt to escape! Some have already made it outside of the mine!" He looked back at Bordelaise. "Hurry now, love. Find a hiding spot and stay there, then lead them out quick as you can." She nodded, and flew out from his hands, further into the mines. Nobunaga made his way back out, hid the still unconscious Thomas, then turned and rushed back to the quickly approaching guards.
Thousands Assemble
Bordelaise gave an almost undetectable sign to her sister and suddenly the entire mines started moving around, or at least so it seemed. Those so assigned removed enough torches to make sure the cave was covered in shadows, dark enough so that no light would reach the ceiling. For what better place to hide for a sprite than high up in the air?
Hundreds of sprites, no thousands, filled up from deep within the mines. All of them flying as high as they could, packed shoulder to shoulder right underneath the ceiling just beside the very entrance. And as hard as it is for a sprite to keep silent for more than seconds at the time a grand achievement took place on this day, for there were one thousand sprites in the same location, one touching the other, who did not utter one single sound as the guards charged in with their pikes and swords and cutlasses ready to feast in the blood of their captives.
Nobunaga, the newest slaver in the mines, stood there in the silent and seemingly empty cave as the guards gathered. Stood there with his back straight and his head held high, and if even one of the guards would have cared to look, they might, just might, have detected what must have been the start of a smile forming on his lips...
Destruction of a Nightmare
"Thomas is already tracking down the few that retreated back in the mines, to teach them a lesson. Come with me, and we will take down those that dared to seek freedom!"
The guards laughed and gave a few primitave grunts in agreement, and they all headed out with Nobunaga. Once they were outside, he turned to them, and said "They headed towards the mountain pass. The winds are calmer today I hear, so it is not too dangerous to cross. I am sure our employers would not want us to have them get away...now, who is ranked highest among you?"
One man with a longsword clenched in his hand and a whip on his belt stepped forward and nodded to him. "I'll take care of it, lizard man. Those little sprats will beg for death before I throw them back in those mines." he said, with a laugh. The man picked out about a few other guards to accompany him, and set out for the pass. Looking to see that the they were no longer within earshot of the group, Nobunaga turned to the other guards. "Now, as for all of you...I have a message for you all. By the next sunrise, power in this community will have shifted, and Charlton and Stevens will no longer hold business here. You are all hired workers and villagers here, so I give you the chance to drop your weapons now, and no harm will come to you. Do not be foolish, for this town will be more prosperous without this second party stealing away the resources from this town."
All the men looked at him in disbelief...some eyed Nobunaga's blades, at his side...some eyed their own. One man looked at Nobunaga with clenched teeth, then gave out a yell, rushing towards him with his sword raised high. Nobunaga extended his fingers, extending his claws. Before the man had a chance to swing his sword, Nobunaga stepped in and raked first across the man's chest, then spun and slashed again across his back. The man dropped his sword and crumpled to the ground, wailing in pain. "Do not resist me, or you will find yourself in a great deal of pain. Drop your weapons, now."
The men looked down at their comrade, still crying loudly, and shakily dropped their blades. A smile crept across Nobunaga's face. "A wise choice...now, all of you, on the ground, away from the weapons..."
Nobunaga tied the men up, and left them huddled by the still unconscious Thomas. Then, making his way into the mines, he found a few key supports for the front area of the mine. This place seems somewhat stable...if I could get it to collapse, it would no doubt cause enough force through these caverns to bring the rest of it down. Rearing his head back, he breathed a gout of flame onto the pillars, which instantly were set ablaze. He repeated this on every wooden support he could get to, until he heard slight groaning and creaking noises. Executing a fierce kick on the support he was closest to, the wood snapped, and the support began to crumble. Nobunaga beat his wings mightily and sped out of the caverns as quickly as possible. As he came to the entrance, a loud rumbling noise echoed behind him, getting louder and louder, until it was almost deafening...
Finally exiting the mines, Nobunaga was knocked forward by a rush of dust, dirt and small rocks as the mine entrance collapsed behind him. Pausing to compose himself and catch his breath, he looked back at the collapsed mine. That could have happened any day on its own...thank Kali we found them in time... Nobunaga then set out as quickly as his wings could bear him, to the Charlton and Stevens offices.
Flight
Bordelaise slowed the speed down a bit as the rumbling behind her grew in intensity. Almost stopped, turned around, and saw the cloud of dust and rocks rising up from what had been her prison for years.
The tiny sprite smiled, then hastily caught up with the endless line of sprites flying through the streets of the mining town, lead by her sister Colombard. Their destination....the tunnel. The tunnel leading out.
Making Good on a Promise
The same large man opened the door to the offices, looking sternly at Nobunaga, who had worked himself up to appear out of breath. "I must see Mr. Stevens immediately! There is an emergency at the mines!" The man appeared nodded, and allowed Nobunaga in. Rushing to Stevens' office, he startled the wiry man by nearly yelling "The mines are collapsing! We need all on hand here to help rescue the last carts of ore and tend to some guards who are wounded!"
"I had heard that rumbling a moment ago...is it true? And what of our laborers?"
"Nearly all accounted for outside the mines, sir. Thomas and a few others have them under control."
Stevens shook his head, and rubbed his eyes under his glasses. "Alright. Rally the men and take charge. The ore is our highest priority...retrieve that first." Nobunaga nodded, and soon was on his way down the streets of the town heading back toward the mines.
As they went, Nobunaga passed by Kahludan and a number of other townspeople, milling around idly as if waiting for an order. As Kahludan and Nobunaga's eyes met, they nodded to eachother, a large grin coming over the dwarf's face.
As soon as they neared the mine, Nobunaga suddenly jumped up, soaring away from the group. Looking back to the town, he saw smoke rising from the Charlton & Stevens offices. Kahludan and the others had made swift work of the undefended offices...the future of this town would undoubtedly be much brighter.
Beaming a soft smile and taking one last look at the town, he turned and glided toward the Tunnel entrance.
Sunrise
The sun was coming up. Slowly its first rays reached up over the horizon far out on the ocean, starting to spread its warmth over the cold winterlands. Spring would be in the lands soon, but in the hearts of a thousand sprites and one half dragon it was spring already. Just like nature is reborn in spring, a thousand sprites streamed out of the tunnel leading down from the mining town high up in the mountains, and rose into the air. A thousand sprites released from years of captivity...meeting the sun as if they had been waiting for each other...returning to life...
Bordelaise stopped in mid air high above the ocean, her face turned toward the sun, drinking from it like a wanderer finding a waterhole after endless days in the desert. For a long time she hung there, her mind clear of all thoughts, but her body so much the richer with emotions. The sun had come up entirely when she finally opened her eyes and looked at her husband who patiently waited by her side. Bordelaise smiled a radiant smile and softly whispered...
"Time to go home"