Black wizards - Douglas Niles [16]
And a challenge from another source, upon the large island of Alaron, had gradually removed that land from her. She did not know what had happened to the druids of Alaron – only that their lives had been snuffed out, one by one, as if some ravaging cancer had spread across the land.
Her islands of Snowdown and Moray, small and lightly populated, still held to the tenets of her ancient faith. Their druids were devout but simple people, the demands of their lands slight and easily met.
Only upon Gwynneth were her druids still truly strong. She sensed, in some godlike way, that she would need all of that strength if she was going to survive.
III
Black Wizard
The vast underground passage reverberated with soft echoes, as hundreds of dark, small bodies moved stealthily through the cavern. No light broke the inky blackness, but the figures moved quickly and easily, avoiding each upthrusting stalagmite, and carefully bypassing each sheer precipice that led to depths of the earth thousands of feet, even many miles, below them.
"Are your troops in position? My time is precious," remarked Cyndre smoothly. The black wizard was concealed as usual beneath his robe, but his posture and tone conveyed boredom.
"You will receive your payment!" barked one of the little figures, standing irritably beside the mage. He came only to the man's waist. His dark and swarthy face scowled at the passing file of similar creatures. "If your magic is as mighty as you claim…"
Dai-Dak, king of the dark dwarves – the duergar – glared a challenge at the mage. He was not used to hearing complaints. Cyndre waved a figure, whispering a soft word.
Dai-Dak, the cave salamander, froze in panic. His reptilian eyes bulged up at the wizard. Cyndre gestured again, and the dark dwarf stood once again beside him, looking considerably chastened.
"See that you do not question my magic again," said the sorcerer very softly.
Dai-Dak nodded quickly. "As we agreed, my army will guard the underworld approaches to Caer Callidyrr. We will let nothing in or out. And when you call us, we will be there to serve you!"
"Very good." The wizard smiled from the depths of his robe. "Now let us see to this attack."
"My troops are almost in position," pleaded the dwarf. "A few moments more, please!"
Cyndre looked with disinterest at the short, stocky column of fighters. Each was dark-skinned and bristled with hair and beard. Their bowed legs carried them roughly but steadily. Finely crafted armor of metal or leather protected their chests, and their arms were banded in steel.
The deep gnomes – svirfneblin – were the blood enemies of the duergar. The vast, underground community below them contained valuable gold and iron deposits, prime fungus-growing caverns, and good water supplies. It would be a fine addition to the duergar holdings. And too, the slaying of the svirfneblin would be grand sport for the malicious, merciless duergar.
Cyndre enjoyed the prospect of the coming fight, for his magic would insure the victory – and the duergar would then join the forces waiting to move on the sorcerer's command. The Scarlet Guard, and the duergar, had potent armies – and one more force, now waiting quietly under the sea, would soon join those legions.
"We are ready," said Dai-Dak. "Follow me."
The dark dwarf king led Cyndre through a narrow cave mouth onto a high promontory, still underground. They looked over a vast network of caverns – the realm of the svirfneblin. Huge stone pillars connected the floor to the ceiling, some five hundred feet overhead. Many gems studded these pillars, casting a soft, yellow light over the scene.
Below them, the round-roofed stone huts of the deep gnomes clustered against the cavern walls. The gnomes bustled about their community, busy as always. Potters, jewelers, bakers, farmers, smiths, all plied their trades-bartering