A muscular arm grasped me around the waist and the other under my legs lifting me into the air. My head fell back as I looked into dark eyes, my consciousness fading to the sound of his voice.
“I got you. Ol’ Molneer’s got you.”
I awoke, warm, covered in furs, and surrounded by the scent of clove and burning wood. The crackle of a fire and the soft clatter of dishes told me I was in someone’s home. Sitting up, I took stock of the rounded stone walls, the soft braided rugs that covered most of the floor, and the dwarf leaning over the fire. A log shifted in the hearth, and it sent an array of sparks up the stone chimney that disappeared into the ceiling where stalactites clung. We were underground. There were no windows, just large cave openings and a round door.
The dwarf noticed my perusal and watched me from across the room. His narrow eyes disappeared behind dark bushy eyebrows, and his smile was hidden behind his long, braided beard which he scratched as he watched me. I sensed no malice from him, only curiosity.
Molneer gave a little poke with the stick. Black beady eyes appeared within the flames and a hint of a tongue flicked out as Molneer spoke. “Tell Freya she’s awake.”
The eyes blinked once slowly, before turning in a circle and disappearing into a ball of flame.
A fire salamander. I had heard of them but had never seen one in person. My sister Eden had made friends with one. Of course, I shouldn’t have been surprised at their existence so close to the volcano. There were many creatures here that didn’t exist in the town of Nihill. I couldn’t wait to explore the kingdom and find out more about the differences.
“That was quite the protective spell you cast. Knocked you out for two days straight. Wasn’t sure if you were going to wake up or not.” He stood, pulling a wooden box from the mantle and retrieved a bone pipe from inside. He preceded to fill the pipe with tinderweed and tamped it down.
“Two days. I’ve been asleep for two whole days?”
What had transpired during the two days since I’d been gone? Did Kash realize I was missing? Would he even look for me? Two whole days without a word. Would he even care? What about Marco and Velora?
“Almost did you in, though. Didn’t think it through all the way, did you? If I hadn’t been alerted to your spell, I might not have found you.” Molneer gestured with his elbow to the white ward crystal on the fireplace, similar to the ones we had guarding our house against attacks. His seemed warded for magic. But why would a dwarf need a ward against magic?
“We don’t get many like you up here. Once before, long ago, but she hasn’t been back in years . . .” he trailed off.
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I wondered if he was referring to my mother.
“Thank you. I didn’t know what else to do. I’ve never dealt with an avalanche before.”
The dwarf lit his pipe and took a long draw, releasing puffs of smoke into the air. A sweet smell of cinnamon and herbs filtered across the room toward me. “Won’t be your last one either. The mountain has a temper.” The dwarf rose and moved to my cot. “But what, may I ask, is your business on this mountain?”
“I’m Rheanon, and I’m a friend of Grimkeep.”
“Ah, that’s my cousin!” He slapped his knee in excitement.
He extended his hand toward me. “I’m Molneer of the Drikard clan.”
Reaching across the white fur blanket, we shook. His hand was smaller, but thick, and could easily crush mine.
Molneer’s grasp tightened, and he turned my wrist, reading the calluses on my fingers and the scars on my skin.
“I recognize those burn marks.” He dropped my hand, the beard rising to reveal two middle teeth that overlapped slightly in a grin. “You work the forge, do you?”
“I’ve forged a few charms and weapons. Grimkeep said he would come to meet me in three days, but that was a week ago.” My voice filled with worry.
“He hasn’t returned yet from within the mountain. Could be gone for days, weeks even.”
“Can we go after him?”
Molneer shook his head. “Nay, too dangerous for you. Only he has thick enough skin to withstand the heat and the pressure of the mountain. He should return shortly. But that isn’t your concern now.” He rubbed the back of his head and looked around his small home, obviously not set up for company. Least of all company of the female kind that may be here for days or weeks on end. “You used a lot of magic on the mountain. It caused quite a stir. Many people noticed.”
My cheeks flushed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean too.”
“Don’t feel bad. You did what you needed to do. But the problem now is my hands are tied.” Molneer leaned back in his chair and puffed on his pipe. Smoke circled high into the air as he drew on his pipe, his eyes closed in thought. “The king knows you're here,” he muttered. “You made that quite obvious with your burst of magic. The entire world felt that. The blades are already searching for you, and they will eventually find you. But I’ve got a plan, and a good one too. I’m gonna hide you right under the king’s nose.” He drew on his pipe some more and I had to wave the smoke away. It seemed the more clouded the room became with smoke, the easier it was for him to think.
His eyes opened, and he grinned. “So I’ve already figured out the perfect disguise. You need freedom to go where you please but be easily overlooked. Hide in plain sight per se, and I think Grimkeep would be proud of me for thinking of this. I can’t hide you in my home forever.”
Molneer moved to a cooking pot over the fireplace and drew me a portion of soup. “Here.” He handed me a bowl and spoon.
Not realizing how hungry I was, I took a huge spoonful. It was thick, meaty, and seasoned with vegetables that were foreign to me. The flavor was not lacking although it was the spiciest thing I had ever tasted.
“Good hmm?” he nodded, sipping from his own bowl.
My eyes watered. “It’s good.” I tried to clear my throat before taking a smaller sip.
“It’s my mother’s recipe. Guaranteed to put hair on your chest.”
An unladylike sputtering noise came from my lips as I coughed. “I should hope not.” I pounded my chest to keep from choking.
Molneer grinned, his brown eyes twinkling with mischief. “Hairy chests are a prized attribute amongst the dwarves. Even our women have been known to have them.”
I couldn’t deal with his teasing. I was laughing so hard, I almost spilled the soup.
“Now you know that’s a lie if I ever heard one,” a harsh reply came from the doorway, interrupting our commune.
Turning, I saw a tall woman, her lips turned downward in a frown, her arched eyebrow displaying how unassuming she thought the comment was. “Unless you’re referring to your hairy backside.”
Molneer quickly quieted down, her stern chastisement enough to bring him in line.
The woman’s faded blonde hair, peaked out from under a white lace cap. A white apron covered her deep red servant’s dress.
“Ah Freya, my love. You got my message.”
Freya sniffed and shifted her weight, giving Molneer her back. “I’m neither your love nor a dog that you can summon.”
“But you came, that counts for something.” Molneer moved into her view and wiggled his bushy eyebrows at her. His obvious attempts to woo Freya were falling on deaf ears.