The Survivors

CHAPTER 23

Something touched Bradok’s face, and he started awake to find a hand pressed down over his mouth.

“Don’t make a sound,” Rose whispered in his ear.

When he nodded his understanding, she gently removed her hand. He sat up more quickly than he should have, confused by being awakened in such a manner. Pain lanced through his side, and he crumpled back to the ground, biting his tongue to stifle a groan.

Rose’s hands grabbed him gently under his shoulders, and she helped him up slowly. Behind Rose, Bradok could see Much waking Kellik in a similar manner. Bradok looked at Rose questioningly.

Putting her finger to her lips, she pointed past Bradok, out toward the curtain of water that separated them from the cavern outside. Through the waterfall, Bradok could see the glow given off by the Reorx’s torch mushrooms. Suddenly, a dark, humanoid shape passed in front of one of the lights. As Bradok watched, he saw other forms moving around the cavern, drifting in and out of the pools of light.

Then a figure loomed out of the darkness, passing by the pool just beyond the waterfall.

There was no mistaking its form. Four segmented back legs held up a humanoid torso with long, backward-facing swordlike arms; transparent body armor; and a glowing blue organ where its eyes should be. Apparently it hadn’t taken the Disir long to realize their scouting party had gone missing.

“How many?” Bradok mouthed at Rose.

Rose shook her head and shrugged, then held up ten fingers twice.

Even if it was just a guess, twenty Disir were far too many for Bradok’s battered and wounded band. He reached for his sword belt and gingerly began to strap it around his waist.

“What now?” Bradok asked Rose, leaning close so she could hear his barely audible whisper.

“We’re waking everyone,” she explained. “Much thinks the waterfall is confusing the Disir with all its noise and echoes, so as long as we’re quiet, they won’t know we’re here.”

“They’ll find this cave eventually,” Bradok said.

Rose shrugged. “Maybe not. There aren’t any obvious cracks or openings. Remember, we had to walk through the water to get in.”

Corin approached, treading slowly and quietly. “I need your help,” he whispered, leaning down so Bradok could hear him. “I need to wake Omer up, and someone has to help me keep him calm. The last time we fought these things, he cowered in the tunnel. They terrify him.”

“Why me?” Bradok asked.

“Remember Teal?” Corin said. “You’re the only one he’d give her body to. He trusts you for some reason.”

Bradok nodded and stood. He picked his way slowly among the dwarves to where Omer lay. Much and Kellik had managed to wake most of the others, and all eyes were turned toward the waterfall and the certain death that lay just beyond its fragile curtain.

Corin shook Omer gently. The lad opened his pale blue eyes. Bradok was amazed at how innocent he looked. His body showed the first signs of manhood, and his beard was beginning to come in, yet his eyes and face reflected a childlike mind.

“Hi, Corin,” Omer said before Bradok could shush him.

“You have to whisper, Omer,” Corin said. “It’s very important.”

“Why?” he asked.

Omer’s voice couldn’t have been very loud, but it seemed to Bradok as if the boy were shouting. Reflexively, he turned his head and stared at the Disir pacing just beyond the waterfall. He thought he saw the creature pause for a moment, then go back to its searching, but at that distance, he couldn’t be sure.

“The bad creatures are looking for us,” Bradok explained. “If they hear us, they’ll try to hurt Teal. You don’t want that, do you?”

Omer clutched the rag doll to his chest protectively and shook his head anxiously. He cast his eyes toward the waterfall and shut them tight against the horror he’d glimpsed.

“Don’t worry,” Bradok said, patting Omer on the shoulder. “They won’t bother us if they don’t hear us, so just be as quiet as a mouse.”

Omer didn’t open his eyes again; he only nodded.

Corin motioned Jeni over and told her to keep an eye on him. Jeni sat and held Omer’s head in her lap, stroking his hair gently. Her kindly manner almost made Bradok forget that she was the woman who had been imprisoned for murdering her own children.

Corin gave Bradok a nod to indicate Omer would be all right then stood. Bradok got up and followed Corin back to where Rose waited anxiously.

“Look,” Rose said as they arrived, pointing.

The Disir that had been patrolling the bank by the waterfall had been joined by a second, and the two seemed to be conversing in a strange language made up of clicks and groans. After a short talk, they both began to probe the depths of the waterfall with their long arms.

“Can those things swim?” Rose asked.

“I hope not,” Bradok said. “Their bodies are pretty heavy, and they really don’t have anything to paddle with.”

“No, look, they can’t. Thank Reorx for small favors,” Corin said.

The Disir had finished their probing of the water, apparently finding it too deep for their liking. They had another short discussion; then the second one went away.

“What do you suppose that means?” Rose hissed.

“No idea,” Corin said. “One thing’s for sure, we’re not going anywhere soon with that thing hanging around out there.” He nodded at the Disir who had resumed his patrol along the water’s edge.

“Maybe we could kill it real quiet like,” Thurl said.

Everyone jumped. Bradok stifled a curse. The Daergar assassin had crept up on them so silently.

“That won’t help. There’s more of them out there,” Rose said.

“But if I could kill that one,” Thurl said, “and then maybe we could sneak out of here somehow.”

Rose shook her head.

The crunch of gravel announced another arrival. Bradok turned to see Xurces kneeling down beside them.

“We’ve got trouble,” he said in a ragged whisper.

“We know that, Xur,” Corin said, nodding at the patrolling Disir.

“No,” Xurces said, “another kind of trouble.” He pointed over his shoulder toward the back of the cave. “That kind.”

Behind Xurces, Bradok could see Lyra, lying back on her blanket. Her daughter, Jade, was holding her hand. Lyra’s breathing seemed to be coming in great gasps.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Corin said, glancing nervously back at the Disir. “Couldn’t be worse timing.”

Bradok stifled another curse. “Rose, go find Tal,” he said quickly. “Then get over there and help. For Reorx’s sake, keep her quiet.”

“If it’s all right, I’d like to go too,” Xurces said. “I promised her I’d hold her hand through the delivery.”

Bradok exchanged glances with Corin before jerking his thumb in Lyra’s direction. “Go,” he said.

As Rose and Xurces made their way back to Lyra, Much, Chisul, and Kellik joined the other dwarves warily watching the Disir poking around on the other side of the waterfall.

“Lyra’s tough,” Bradok whispered to the newcomers. “She’ll stay quiet.”

“I hate to burst your bubble, lad,” Much said in a low voice, “but I’ve seen babies birthed before, and they don’t come quiet.”

“He’s right,” Kellik said.

“And when that baby cries,” Chisul said, “the Disir will know right where we are.”

“I guess we’d better do something fast, then,” Tal said, joining the group, “because that baby will be crying soon.”

“Shouldn’t you be helping Lyra?” Kellik demanded.

“I’m more needed here,” he said. “I’m a doctor, not a midwife. Rose can handle what’s happening with Lyra.”

“There’s too many to fight,” Chisul hissed. “It’s hard to count them all, but I figure there are at least fifteen, maybe more.”

“We can’t just sit here debating,” Thurl said impatiently. “Somebody’s got to do something.”

“Look,” Chisul gasped, pointing through the waterfall.

The rippling water made it difficult to distinguish anything clearly, but Bradok could see a line of shadows moving past one of the pools of mushroom light-moving past and away.

“They’re leaving?” Chisul said, feeling a surge of hope.

“It sure looks that way,” Much said, nodding enthusiastically.

“Then why is that one still standing around out there?” Corin said, pointing at the Disir who stubbornly stayed outside the waterfall.

“They must be leaving him behind, like a guard or something,” Kellik whispered.

“One guard shouldn’t be too hard to deal with,” Tal said.

“That’s what I’ve been saying,” Thurl said.

“There may be others, out there beyond the light. We need to get out there and take a look,” Much said irritably.

Bradok silenced them with a gesture. After checking to make sure the Disir hadn’t heard them, he spoke quietly. “We need to give the others time to get far away from here,” he said. “Then we’ll kill this guard nice and quiet and dump his body in the pool.”

“And if there are others?” Corin said.

“We’ll have to deal with them too,” Bradok said.

“What about Lyra?” Tal said.

“We can carry her as far away from here as we can. We will stop long enough for her to give birth, then pick her and the baby up and keep going. With any luck, she’ll have the baby quietly,” Bradok said, adding, “and fast.”

“That’s a lot of luck you’re counting on,” Corin said, his whispered voice still managing some sarcasm. “We haven’t been very lucky so far.”

“At least it’s a plan,” Thurl said. “I can see us doing it.”

“Yes, it’s a plan that gives some hope,” Chisul admitted.

“So how long before we act?” Corin asked.

Bradok turned to Tal. “Go ask your sister how long Lyra’s going to be,” he said.

“You can never tell with these things,” Tal cautioned. “But I’ll ask.”

“But how in the world can we kill the Disir silently?” Chisul asked. “Last time they took a fair amount of effort.”

Thurl held out his scarred hand to Bradok. “Give me that fancy sword of yours,” he said.

Not wanting to go through the pain of drawing his sword, Bradok turned so Thurl himself could pull it from his scabbard.

Thurl nodded at the heft of it. “One of you needs to attract his attention,” Thurl said. “Throw some rocks through the waterfall and into the pool. While he’s distracted,” Thurl said. “I’ll rush in and cut off his head with this.” He held up Bradok’s sword, his eyes gleaming. “Quick and silent.”

“Bad news,” Tal said, hurrying back. “Urlish says the baby’s coming right now. It’ll be here in minutes.”

“Then I go now,” Thurl declared.

“Wait,” Bradok said, putting out a hand to stop him. “It’s too soon. If there are other guards, they will call the warriors back.”

“If that baby cries, all hell is going to break loose,” Much said, nodding at Thurl.

“We have to try it now,” Corin said. “We have no choice.”

Still, Bradok hesitated. “All right,” he said finally, praying it was the right decision. “Chisul,” he said, “you and Kellik gather some small rocks then meet me at the water’s edge.” He turned to Thurl, clapping him on the shoulder. “Get yourself in position then give me a sign. We’ll do our part. Good luck to you.”

Thurl grinned, showing his pointed teeth, as he stole over to the edge of the water. He moved so stealthily, Bradok could have sworn the scarred dwarf was gliding above the ground.

Thurl waited until the Disir had turned back toward the far end of the pool before slipping slowly through the curtain of water. He raised his hand then dropped it, giving the signal. Simultaneously, Chisul and Corin hurled fist-sized rocks through the waterfall and into the pool near where the monster stood.

The Disir snapped to attention, raising its bladed arms and looking around the pond for the source of the splash. At that very instant, Thurl darted forward from a different angle. The Disir was significantly taller than Thurl, so the assassin had to swing Bradok’s enchanted blade high over his head, then down in a glittering arc, landing right on the joint where the upper and lower body joined.

With a crack that echoed through the chamber outside, the Disir snapped in half. Its lower body staggered for a moment then seemed to just plop down on its four stubby legs. The upper body hit the ground with a loud thud. The Disir opened its mouth, perhaps attempting to cry for aid with its last breath. Thurl didn’t give it the chance; he stepped forward and kicked the upper body into the pool, where the stricken creature sank like a stone.

“Chisul, Kellik, Corin,” Bradok commanded. “Get out there and see if there are any others about.” As they went, Bradok heard a slap and the sound of a baby crying. He turned to the survivors.

“All right, everyone,” he announced loudly. “We’re leaving right now. Pick up your gear and our new mother and move fast.”

The cave erupted with activity, everyone bustling at once, gathering their gear or helping to move Lyra, who was nursing her newborn, onto the stretcher. The fresh sounds of combat pulled Bradok back around. Corin and the others had left the cave and joined Thurl, who was attempting to fend off two more Disir. One of the enormous creatures was slashing down at the assassin with its bladelike arms. Thurl screamed and fell back to the edge of the pool.

“We’re ready,” Rose said, coming up beside him.

Reluctantly, Bradok tore his eyes away from the fight as Corin, Kellik and Chisul stepped between Thurl and the Disir. The survivors stood silently. Their gear had been packed and stowed, and four volunteers carried the stretcher on their shoulders.

Bradok reached into his pocket and pulled out the compass. The Seer pointed to an opening in the near side of the outer cavern. He handed the compass to Rose, closing her hand over it.

“Get going,” he said. “Don’t stop. Don’t stop for anything.”

“What if there are turns or side passages?” she asked. “How will you find us?”

Bradok unslung his pack and dug around in it hurriedly, coming up with a stick of chalk.

“Mark your path,” he told her.

“But the Disir-” she started to say.

“They are blind,” Bradok reminded her. “Now go and make sure someone holds a cloak over Lyra so she doesn’t get wet and sick.”

Bradok turned, scooping up his battered pack. A ragged cry came from outside. His comrades needed help.

“Tal, you’re with me,” he said and walked as quickly as he could through the curtain of water, Tal at his side.

Outside, Chisul, Kellik, and Corin were busily chopping the last Disir into bits. Each had bloody wounds, though none seemed too serious. Strewn on the ground around them were the bodies of two more Disir. Thurl lay, pressing his cloak to a wound on his leg, and Much knelt by the lake, apparently clutching his stomach.

“You all right?” Bradok said, putting his hand on Much’s shoulder.

The dwarf straightened up and opened his cloak, revealing a bloody stump where his right hand should have been. “Not so good,” he said.

“Tal, get over here,” Bradok yelled.

“I’m sorry, lad,” Much said as pain crossed his face. “I tried to do my best.” He grimaced again. “I guess I’m just too old.”

“Don’t kid yourself,” Corin said, panting heavily. “If you hadn’t distracted that Disir when you did, it would have been my head he took off. I owe you.”

Tal knelt by Much, examining his wound.

“There isn’t much I can do right now about an injury like this,” he said, pressing a bundle of rags into Bradok’s hands. “Make sure the wound is clean and wrap it tightly while I help Thurl.”

Bradok did as he was told, peeling Much’s shirt away from the bloody stump and packing the wound with rags. He wound a long strip around the wound and up the arm, keeping it tight. Last, Bradok tied the remaining strips of cloth into a sling. All the while, Much grimaced and quietly groaned with pain.

Thurl’s wound was also serious. The Disir had made a deep slash in his calf muscle, and Tal had to stitch it up before he wrapped it.

“He’ll be all right to walk a little,” Tal explained. “Though it’d be better if he had a walking stick or cane.”

Corin picked up Bradok’s sword and used it to chop one of the Disir’s swordlike arms free. He cut a piece off the bottom of his cloak and tied it around the severed end to serve as a pad.

“How’s this?” he asked, carefully passing the makeshift cane to Thurl.

“Practical,” the ex-assassin said as Tal helped him to his feet. He gripped the wrapped top of the cane and stabbed the point against the ground, testing his weight. He took a step then whipped the cane over his head. “Very practical.”

“We ought to get going,” Chisul said. “They’re going to send someone back to check on these guys sooner or later.”

“All right, but let’s push their bodies into the water,” Bradok said. “Maybe they won’t find the bodies right away and that’ll buy us some extra time.”

As Corin, Chisul, and Kellik shoved the pieces of the dead Disir into the pool, Bradok realized the black ichor that made up the Disir’s blood was all over the floor of the cavern. There was no way to hide that, but Bradok hoped the absence of bodies would confuse any returning Disir. They couldn’t see the blood, of course, but no doubt they could smell it.

“All right,” he told everyone once the bodies were gone. “Let’s go. We need to move as fast as possible, but don’t push it.” That last was directed at Thurl.

At a brisk walk, they followed after the main group, leaving the lit cavern and passing into a dark passageway that angled slightly upward. Bradok told them about Rose and the chalk, which sent Corin scrambling back down the path. The Daergar returned with a glowing mushroom. “It’ll be hard to see the chalk marks in the dark,” he said with a grin, holding up the light.

Bradok hadn’t thought of that. Their darkvision worked well enough, but dwarves saw things in the dark mainly in a fuzzy black-and-white. A chalk mark would elude them.

They pressed on, following Rose’s occasional marks. There seemed to be many more side passages than before, and Bradok was glad she had Reorx’s compass showing her the way.

“I think we should pick up our pace,” said Thurl. “I hear noises behind us.”

Everyone stopped, each straining to hear. There, so faint as to be on the edge of hearing, they could hear echoes of the clicking and chirping language of the Disir.

“There’s no way we can outrun them,” Chisul said.

“They don’t know which passage we took,” Corin said. “They’ll have to send scouts down all of them. That’ll delay them.”

“Leave me behind,” Thurl volunteered. “I’ll go down one of the other side passages. Once they find me, they’ll think I’m just a straggler from the main group. I’ll fight them, and no matter what happens to me, they’ll follow the wrong path a while.”

“No one’s leaving anyone,” Bradok said, suddenly remembering that wasn’t true; they had left Serl, his body wrapped in his cloak, still lying behind the waterfall.

“We can carry you, Thurl,” Kellik said, motioning for Chisul to join him. Each of them grabbed one of Thurl’s legs and carefully lifted him into a sitting position. Thurl put his arm around each of them, linking them together as one.

“You up for this, old man?” Chisul asked Kellik.

“No barrelmaker’s son will best a blacksmith, you young puppy,” Kellik replied good-humoredly.

They started up the passage at a quick walk, sharing Thurl’s weight.

Bradok, Corin, Tal, and Much followed.

“Will they ever stop following us?” Tal wondered.

“No,” Corin said. “We have to keep going. If we stop, we die.”