The 'Wizard's Rage' Project

Chapter 2

Calden grinned as Dahf passed. The feisty dwarf always managed to find his way to a tavern, get drunk, get in a fight, get thrown in jail, and then find himself standing before the Duke's court the next morning. After paying his fine and anything owed the tavern owner for damaged property he would carry himself, bruises and all, back to the cave.

There were only three similarities between Dahf and the locals, as far a Calden could see. His family crest elegantly sewn on a small towel hung over the front of his belt, his love for taverns and his love for fighting.

The stout dwarf nodded as he passed Sarlin and the Duke, then disappeared into the darkness of the next cavern, horse and wagon in tow.

Calden admired Dahf's work ethic. The dwarf would spend most of his time during the day collecting supplies to be carried back to the mountain city of Daliduin, while his evenings were spent working in the caves. If he wasn't in a tavern or jail he was carving in the stone walls Sarlin's cave.

It was a full minute after Dahf disappeared into the darkness before the noise level was low enough in the echoing cavern for Calden and Sarlin to continue talking.

Just as Duke Calden was about to speak, three men entered through a narrow tunnel on the south side of the cavern. Harlin, the master at arms of Caldair, led two healers wearing blindfolds. The look of curiosity on Calden's face was hard to miss. He silently motioned to the priests.

Harlin was as tall as Calden but not quite as broad at the shoulder. He wore the standard red tunic, black pants and boots of an officer of the King's army. The design of a golden eagle on the left side of his collar signified his rank as Master at Arms and the small, colorful crest sewn into the upper part of his left sleeve symbolized the crest of Caldair. A black beret bearing the crest of Caldair was also part of the uniform but he seldom wore it. And his black cloak was specially designed to cover his symbols of rank. He felt such displays were the things of courting roosters and peacocks. He shrugged his shoulders and pointed at the priest to his left.

Calden grinned, took a large puff off his pipe then nodded.

The priests were both wearing soft, dark blue robes with overly large hoods and sleeves, tied at the waist with golden belts. Golden runic symbols lined the hoods, cuffs, and ran down the seams in the front. Calden couldn't read the symbols but he knew they each denoted individual achievements within their order. They also represented their rank as healers for Milari, the Goddess of Light. He hadn't seen one of the priests wearing the hood up for some time and at first it struck him as odd.

Harlin pulled back the first healer's hood and untied his blindfold. Father Tinel was an older, extremely thin man with gray hair and gray eyes to match. He had a wise yet comedic look about him and always looked as if he could break into laughter at any moment. Calden knew him well and grinned broadly at the awed expression on the old healers face. The sight of Sarlin always amazed Tinel.

After taking in the view around him, Tinel quickly stopped Harlin from removing the younger healers blindfold. He looked to where Sarlin and Calden stood and with a quick motion of his hand he signaled that all should remain silent. His broad smile turned into a wry grin as he half jogged to the feet of the dragon, his silken robes sweeping along as he moved.

Sarlin lowered his massive head down to the floor where Tinel began whispering into his large leathery ear.

The other healer was a young man in his early twenties. His thin blond hair was combed straight back and hung down to his shoulders. Calden wasn't sure but it looked as if the young priest was trying to grow a mustache and beard. The light color of his hair, mixed with the dull light cast by the lamps made his effort hard to see. He looked quite nervous at all the secrecy, constantly fiddling with the end of his belt. He was built a little bigger than the older healer but he was still quite thin compared to most men. In a nervous voice just above a whisper he called out, "Father Tinel? Are you here Father Tinel?"