AMBUSH

There are at least three large mountains on the highland of Ouros. The rest are steep and rocky mountains. Ouros Kingdom was on the highest mountain, but it was easy enough for the dwarves to go back and forth between the plains. The soles of their feet are thick and their toes are big. So it is very easy for the foot to rest on the edge of the rock when descending or climbing.

After the highland, slightly leading to the west, a heterogeneous forest appears. This is where the dwarves usually supply furniture. Their felled wood is always neat and precise. Maybe because the axe used came from mining iron under Mount Ouros which is famous for being sturdy.

If they walked any further—about a kilometer or two—they would emerge from the forest and be greeted by a large valley. The cliffs aren't too steep, but if you're not careful, you'll have the potential to roll over.

If it has rolled over, it will most likely be directly carried away by the confluence of two rivers that cross the bottom of the valley. The two rivers are the cold water of the Nyx river, with a calm current, and the Gallophon river, which has warm water, with swift current.

Not many dwarves want to go there. Apart from not being part of Ouros' territory, the valley was also dangerous. Often those who go there never come home. The swift water of the Gallophon river once took their toll. Not just one, but dozens. Perhaps the only ones who were happy when they heard the name "The Valley of the two rivers" were Yugo and Theryl (all members of Mavrick army, too). The two dwarves are very enthusiastic about visiting the place.

"Yugo, you run like a mountain goat!" shouted Theryl. He lags far behind.

"No!" Yugo laughed. "You're just as slow as a snail!"

Theryl smiled. Not because of Yugo's ridicule, but he saw an old log lying on the mountainside. He quickly took the object and used it as a slide. Although rocky, the mountains of Ouros are full of slippery moss. The log that Theryl was riding on could go fast, jumping from one rock to another. He crossed the rock shaped incline, flew like a bird, then landed right beside Yugo.

"Good luck, My friend!" Theryl winked before his slide accelerated.

"Re-size: Reduce!" Yugo cast a spell. Theryl's surfboard suddenly got small, and he fell bouncing.

"Cheater!" he cursed.

"You cheated too!" Yugo passed in front of Theryl.

The dwarves wouldn't be hurt that easily. Their bones are as strong as iron and their skin is as thick as wool. Theryl immediately got up, trying to catch up to Yugo who was running very fast.

In the embrace of the drifting mist, Yugo slowly disappeared in front of him. Only then did the dwarf remember his purpose in doing this. He enjoyed competing with Yugo so much that he forgot that this wasn't just a friend's race. There is a sinister plan behind it.

Theryl's enthusiastic smile faded instantly. He stopped screaming with joy. Quieter, cooler. The dwarf continued to walk down the mountain. A flock of condors stopped near Theryl. He stared at them for a moment. He can see them fighting over the carcass of a goat behind a rock.

Theryl doesn't know why his prejudice is so bad now. Seeing the carcass reminded Theryl of death. Is it true that Yugo will only be kidnapped, he thought. The speculation about being kidnapped actually only came from Theryl's imagination. Never had his father or mother stated that Yugo would actually be kidnapped. He was only given the task of bringing the dwarf to the valley of two rivers.

What if it turned out to be worse than being kidnapped, he thought again. Theryl did intend to get Yugo out of Ouros, but that didn't mean he would rejoice over his death. It was very clear on the dwarf's face a look of worry. He wanted Yugo to go, but didn't want to be apart forever.

Yugo was special to him. Like gold among mountain rocks. Theryl plans to see him again (if truly exiled) after he marries Clovy, or when he has children. That long period of time would probably reconcile the two of them.

Worry is still a worry. Theryl had to make a firm decision. Suddenly Mr. Bombil's threat to him flashed through his head. How could he marry Clovy if the gold and silver didn't exist. If you get kicked out of the house, Theryl will fall into poverty. As a result, he prefers to expel Yugo from the kingdom rather than being expelled from his home.

A third of an hour apart, Theryl finally reached the bottom of the slope. He broke through the fog, and on a large oak tree Yugo was seen leaning. The dwarf raised his eyebrows, a sign of victory. While Theryl cleared his throat, then smiled fake.

"This is your worst record, Mr. Theryl," said Yugo.

"Who?" Theryl patted his friend's shoulder. "We haven't reached the finish line yet!" He immediately ran away from Yugo.

"Hey, wait!"

They raced again through the forest that bordered the mountains of Ouros with the valley of two rivers. The darkness is so obvious. Only the moonlight guides them to the end of this forest. Squirrels and owls witnessed the rivalry between the two dwarves. Theryl ran ahead. His feet hit the muddy ground. The forest air is humid. No wonder the thick clothes are so stuffy.

Yugo hastily chased his opponent in front. They laughed, first to each other. Until finally Theryl pretended to lose. His pace slowed, leaving Yugo far ahead. His breathing is heavy now. Running so many tens of meters was not easy for the dwarves. However, they finally arrived.

Yugo first descended the cliff of the valley. Arganor's nephew was so good at choosing a solid road that his feet didn't slip at all. Theryl followed later. Although not as smart as Yugo, they were only five minutes apart. The winner has been determined. Yugo son of Erganor officially defeated Theryl son of Bombil with a narrow victory.

"You're the best runner in Ouros," Theryl flattered. His breath is ragged.

"And you're second best." Yugo twitched his waist, no less tired.

"Want to take a leisurely stroll?" Theryl offers. Even though his intention was to lure the dwarf into the middle of the valley.

"Of course." Yugo agreed. "What could be more pleasant than a leisurely stroll in the middle of the night?"

The wind in the valley of two rivers is calmer tonight. The air was cold, but not bone-chilling. The ripples of the river could be heard so clearly, echoed by the croaking of frogs, as if they were attracting rain from far away. Yugo walked while occasionally looking at the sky. Stepping beside him, Theryl, looking even more agitated, looked here and there.

"Do you think my uncle met my father up there?" Yugo asked.

"Ehm ... I don't know. They say every dwarves who die will pour beer in heaven. Good dwarves, of course. If it's bad, maybe—" Theryl immediately choked. What did he just talk about? Discussing bad dwarves, even though he himself would also be one of them.

"What's the matter, Theryl?" Yugo stopped.

"Ah, it's nothing! I just thought of something unimportant," he scoffed. "By the way, Yugo, what do you think about Clovy?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, do you think she's cute? Or pretty? Or pleasing to the eye? It's up to you. I just wanted to know." Theryl explained.

They walked again. "In my opinion, Clovy is a strong, tough, independent, brave girl. One more thing! She really cares about us," said Yugo.

"What about pretty? Do you think she's pretty?" Theryl wasn't satisfied.

"All female dwarves are pretty in my opinion. What determines who is the best among them is their heart."

Theryl was silent for a moment. He seemed less than impressed by Yugo's answer. It wasn't about the female dwarf's heart that he was trying to hear, but the heart of dwarf that was next to him now.

"If Clovy likes you, what would you do?" His questions came like lightning in the dark.

Yugo then looked at him in surprise. It was strange to hear that Clovy liked him. In addition, the question came out of Theryl's mouth, who he knew never cared about matters of love. Therefore, he took Theryl's question as a breeze, with a light laugh and a pat on the back. However, Theryl repeated the same question.

"What would you do?" he added later.

"I'm not going to do anything except tell he that all the dwarves in Mavrick army are brothers. Our brotherhood is more noble than love. Besides, why are you asking all of a sudden?" Yugo replied with a question.

"I told you I was just curious, didn't I?" Theryl patted his thick shirt, pretending not to care. "But your answer is very simple, Yugo. Halmdir and Galmdir will probably applaud in admiration, because they're stupid. Eoryl and Fowy also just followed them. Clovy fell in love with you, that's why she's blind. But I'm not like them. I realized that joining Mavrick army is a waste of time. You may be a good runner. But you don't deserve to lead anyone."

Yugo was really surprised to hear the words just now. His heart repeatedly made sure that those sharp words really came out of his friend's mouth. He was sure that the dwarf in front of him was Theryl son of Bombil.

The dwarves who had accompanied him in Mavrick army. The dwarf who has always been the mainstay of his friends. A kind and sincere dwarf. There's no way a sharp knife would come out of his mouth, Yugo thought.

Just as he was about to reply, Yugo's ears sensed something was wrong. Dwarf ears are slightly larger than human's. Although not as good as the elves' hearing, they were still able to sense sounds from a distance quite well. Just in time, the two of them were in the middle of the valley, which was full of trees and shrubs. Shadows of darkness are on every side of the forest, holding a hunk of mystery that will surprise anyone.

Theryl just smiled at Yugo's suspicion. He thought that soon an army of royal dwarves would appear and immediately apprehend his friend. However, it wasn't the dwarves that appeared, but dozens of orcs carrying spears and daggers.

The valley of the two rivers has been flooded by the Kauros army of Nepheel. The orcs emerged from behind the trees, complete with grunts of their blade-toothed mouths.

Yugo grabbed Theryl's arm who was still shaking. They wanted to find a way out, but what stood in their way were jaguar-riding orcs. There is no escape anymore. Yugo and Theryl are trapped.

Gavius's cunning plan had the bell ringing. Abominable arrows began to be fired from the bow, shooting steadily towards their target. Theryl who originally had a bad desire to harm Yugo, now hides behind him. He didn't carry any weapons, which meant the eyes of death were glaring at him. Can they survive?

(To be continued)