Darkwell - Douglas Niles [93]
"How'd you like some real g-good wine?"
"You gots wine?" The troll was all ears.
The sprite nodded solemnly. "A whole bottle, and I'll g-give it to you – to you, for a small f-favor!"
"What favor?" The troll's eyes squinted even smaller. "Maybe I just take wine!"
The sprite felt a flash of panic." Y-You can't! You're a guardian troll – you told me – told me! And you're sworn to help and p-protect those who come through your g-gate!" He hoped the troll had some sort of respect for the laws of Faerie.
"Hmph!" But the troll made no move toward him. "What favor?"
"W-Well, you must know where the gates are here in Faerie. Lot's of 'em go to the vale – the vale! Can you take me to the others and help me find my f-friends?"
The troll considered the offer, and soon his black tongue extended, licking his lips. "Okay. First wine, then gates!"
The sprite's elation caused his hands to tremble as he reached into his pouch and pulled forth the bottle. He felt very proud of himself.
"First w-wine, then g-gates!" Yazilliclick repeated. "I don't m-mind if I have a little drink m-myself – myself!"
* * * * *
Koll pushed on the great bronze door, half afraid he would find it locked. The other half of him feared what he would find inside. He still carried Gwen, who lay motionless in his arms, her eyes closed.
But the massive portal swung silently open, revealing a huge hall lined with gleaming granite columns. Every surface was wet and gleaming. An array of windows circled the hall near the ceiling, their colorful panes of glass filtering the gray light of the outside world into a rainbow assortment of cheery hues.
"By all the gods!" he whispered. "It's a miracle!" He didn't try to hide the sense of awe and wonder that held him rooted to the spot.
"Hmmm?" Gwen's eyelids fluttered open. "What is this place?" She twisted to see, and he set her down, supporting her with one of his arms as she stood weakly and looked around.
"It could be that we've died," Koll said.
She shook her head with sudden vehemence. "No. We're alive. And like you told me before, this place is real!"
"Look… through that hall. You see the glow?"
She followed his pointing finger and saw a rosy light flickering down one of the hallways leading from this vast chamber. "Let's see what it is!"
"No! Wait, there might be danger!" Koll's heart pounded and sweat soaked his palms. He loathed the fear within him, but he could not banish it.
"Nonsense! It seems perfectly cheery to me!" Gwen smiled, nodding at the warm light. "Let's see what it is – please?"
The woman led the way now, taking Koll's hand and starting down the corridor. The passage was short and opened into a small room. They saw several bearskin rugs on the floor and assorted furniture – a couch, several wooden chairs, and a gleaming table – none of which appeared to have been disturbed by the presence of seawater in the room.
But the most amazing feature of the chamber was the cheery blaze that greeted them from a huge fireplace. Several massive logs, carefully arranged, burned smoothly and evenly, showing no trace of the steam that should have hissed from wet wood.
They sat on one of the rugs, soaking in the welcome warmth of the blaze. Already their clothes had begun to dry, and lifegiving heat once again seeped into their flesh and bones.
"I give up trying to explain it," muttered Koll. "Maybe this whole place will vanish in two minutes and plop us back into the ocean."
"No," said Gwen firmly.
"I hope you're right. Even if you aren't, I want you to know that, well, I'm sorry I've gotten you into this."
"You saved my life. You have nothing to be sorry about."
"If we are about to die, at least I have the comfort of spending my last moments with you."
Gwen smiled and leaned over to kiss him affectionately. Then the young woman shook her head. "I'm sure we have been saved for a reason – and not just to dunk us back into the sea! I don't know who saved us or why, but I suspect we'll find out soon."
And then they both froze