The Collapsing Tunnel - Chapter 24

 

24 – Ana / Shaatka / Ashke / Mosek – Returning Home

“Ya’ should’ve had my Pa make sure ya’ know how t’ harness ‘em up again.” Tobbar checks the harnesses of the rams on the already-packed cart.

“Probably,” Mosek says as the young Hill dwarf checks the connections.

Shaatka checks her inventory of arrows, then strings her bow. “Ana’s already gone ahead,” she says to Ashke.

He nods, then looks at Mosek. “Are we ready to go?”

“Almost,” Mosek replies as he grips his walking staff.

A young River goblin comes up. “Protector. I noticed you don’t have any tools.”

Ashke nods to her. She hands him a wooden staff. “Would you accept this? We use them in our boats. This one has a metal core.”

Ashke accepts it, steps back, and goes through a series of staff defense motions. He then smiles at the goblin. “It is well-balanced and beautifully made. I will use it on the road.”

Tobbar looks at it. “I like a crook better, but it’ll work.”

Master Elowen shakes Mosek’s hand. “I hope you make it back safely.” She then looks to Tobbar. “After you return the rams to your father, come back to your studies.”

“Yeah, Master. Will do.” He then gently motions for the lead ram to start, and the cart trundles down the road.

Shaatka hears tapping on the stone wall. “Road Clear. Keep Going”

She responds to Ana with “On our way.”

 

As the road winds up the mountain, Ana keeps gently tapping every so often. “Road Clear. Keep Going.”

“She’s a shado’ a’right.” Tobbar comments. “My pa’s land’s over yonder,” he points across the hills.

Ashke nods, “That’s near where we saw him. Do you want to take the rams now or when we get to the tunnel?”

“I’d go t’ th’ school if ya’ want. I never seen Two Forges.” The young dwarf admits.

Ashke smiles, “I understand, but we told Master Elowen we’d release you at the tunnel. Maybe when the Grand Market reopens, you can visit?”

Tobbar nods but looks disappointed.

The stone fences end, replaced by brush and hedges. Shaatka frowns, “No more wall tapping.” She whispers to Ashke. “We’ll have to watch for hand signals.”

“Of course.” He replies and taps his staff on the road.

 

From the dark shadows caused by the early evening Sun, Ana sees where the Merchant’s road enters the Mountain. She’s not surprised to see guards, but the number has increased. There are now five guards, one with the braided iron rings, two armed with truncheons and hammers, and two armed with crossbows.

She moves back down until she encounters the others. “We need to pull off and wait until dark.”

“Why?” Tobbar asks.

Ana helps to lead them behind a thick, tall bunch of berry bushes. She has them all stay quiet, and she draws in the dirt how things look at the tunnel mouth. “If we take out the two archers first, we can then go for the others.”

Ashke nods, “And this time I can help more.”

“Mosek, stay with Tobbar until we tell you things are clear. Any questions?” Ana asks.

The sun moves behind the mountains. Ana, Shaatka, and Ashke get into position. They wait until the sky goes dark and the stars become visible. The Legion of Stone members light lanterns, illuminating the area. Ana and Shaatka keep their eye shades in place, and Ashke looks away from the light into the darkness.

Ana taps against a rock, and Shaatka does likewise. Blunt arrows target the lamps, smashing the globes and sending them to the ground.

Pulling off the shades, they both aim for the archers. Helmets first, and then their hands.

Ana’s shot clangs off the helmet of her target. The other archer turns just as Shaatka releases hers. It glances off, causing him to turn towards her. Her second shot hit his trigger hand, as Ana’s second shot hits one of the ones armed with a hammer.

“Fresh Lamps! Pull Back!” the senior dwarf yells.

Ana moves quickly. She knows the ones who are down might recover soon. She aims for the other one with a hammer, getting him with a glancing blow.

Ashke runs up with his staff in hand, smacking the crossbow from the hand of the wounded one. “Hit him!” the senior dwarf yells. Shaatka hits the moving hammer wielder in the chest, knocking him down. Ana secures her targets' wrists. Shaatka aims for the yelling man. A blunt arrow hit him solidly in the chest, taking him down. Ashke secures the wounded archer as Ana binds the others' hands. Shaatka kicks dirt on the burning oil, putting it out. They then move the barricade and tie and gag the guards together. Ashke yells, “It’s all clear.”

 

Mosek pushes the cart up by himself. “I sent Tobbar back with the rams.” He grunts.

Ashke, Ana, and Shaatka rush down to help him get it up the road and into the tunnel.

In a muffled tone, they hear, “You’ll wish you killed us. You’ll pay. You’ll all burn.”

Ana stops. She withdraws a section of line from her pouch, stretching it between her hands, then she snaps it tight.

Shaatka places a hand on her shoulder. “No. Don’t. Left alive, they are an embarrassment. Ignore his threats.”

“I’m tired of it,” Ana whispers. “I should leave bodies as a warning. Maybe that will end this.”

Ashke moves closer. “Red Shadow. This isn’t you. Let them be. Let their people know that three took on five and let them all live. That is our way.”

She grits her teeth, but wraps the piece of line, putting it away. “You are strong and wise, Ashke.”

He gives her a sad smile. “I just don’t want to tell Waad that you lost control when I could have stopped you.” Ana smiles at hearing her mentor’s name.

Shaatka whispers to Mosek, “She was trained by Waad?”  He nods as they both push the cart a little faster.