Chapter 9: Words of Advice

At times, people are allowed to cry. The death of a loved one deserves to be mourned. Our tears prove to them that we indeed cared about their presence in our lives. Such is exceptionally true for Nyr.

''He was my ubaba.'' I glance up at Magnus. ''I mean, he was more compassionate than my own blood.''

Vidar approaches with a handkerchief. I wipe the tears and snot from my face. While folding the cloth, a thought keeps crossing my mind. 'I don't have the heart for honesty.'

''I felt such was the case,'' Magnus says after a moment of silence. ''Family knows when there's a problem. We know it here.''

The dwarf pounds above his heart. His brow creases with worried lines. The excitable presence from before has diminished into a somber state. I glance over at Vidar. He remains silent while kneeling on the ground.

"How did he pass?" the brother asks with wet eyes.

''He was…'' The truth is difficult to bear. ''Murdered by a madman.''

The shock is evident. Both dwarves shake their heads in disbelief.

"I'm sorry Magnus,'' I apologize while placing a hand on his shoulder. "I was but a child and could not help him."

"My lad," the dwarf clasps my shoulder in return. "You are not to blame."

"Nyr needs to be honored," Vidar adds. "We must pay homage to ease his passage into the afterlife."

"I agree," my voice comments. "How do the Sindre honor the dead?"

For the next few days, I reside with Magnus. A funeral pyre is set in Uppruni's religious sector. Nyr’s personal belongings are brought into a fire pit made of white stone. There are tables laid out with meat and fruit. As the dwarves come to pay their respects to the great bard, they place a piece of fruit in the pit. A cleric appears on the third day to sing a prayer. The words are beyond my understanding, yet their weight lays heavy on my heart.

"May your gods protect you,'' I remark while placing an offering in the fire. ''Thank you for all that you've taught us.''

"He would talk often of you and your brother." I hear Magnus approach from behind. ''When he returned to visit, he would speak of you two as his own.''

I wipe away the salty tears.

"Thank you." I pat his back. "Your words are appreciated."

The dwarf smiles and clears his foggy spectacles with cloth.

After the funeral rites, Magnus shares tales of Nyr and his childhood. The two were avid learners. Although both had their own means of pursuing knowledge. Magnus prefers books; however, his brother took to roads.

I begin to inquire about the various lore and myths that the dwarf studies. Magnus has a couple of rooms dedicated to documents and books of Krystallia's past. He leads me to the second-floor library. I mind my step. It is as though a wind blew papers across the floor. With my gaze to the ground, I fail to note where the dwarf goes.

For a moment, he disappears. Then, I can hear him grunting in exertion. I step forward.

''Do you need help, Magnus?'' My question is nullified.

''I've brought this old thing out before,'' the dwarf answers with a deep sigh.

Within moments, Magnus returns to view. His hands are tightly gripped on a large iron handle. The trunk he drags across the floor looks as though it were twice his weight! Once he is satisfied with the location of his haul, Magnus collapses to the floor.

"Phew!" He wipes a brow. ''All you seek is kept within.''

"Is that some sort of riddle?'' I ask with a curious gleam.

''Oh no," Magnus chuckles. ''The documents that you need are locked inside."

'Locked inside?' I wonder why information would require such security measures. 'Does he believe that a thief would rob paper?' Currently, I do not understand his concerns. I watch as he pulls out a key from a necklace. The key enters and soon we hear that satisfying sound...'click.'

"Come," he waves for me to come closer.

He heaves the heavy lid over. While I approach, I can see many scrolls piled neatly in the container. The parchments release a strong aroma of old paper. I select one of the scrolls held with black twine. Magnus takes one bound by red thread.

"Aye, this one is the beginning," He trades parchments with me. "The one you were drawn to cannot be understood without reading more history."

"May I read them?" I begin to unwind the band. "Then again... what is this language?''

The dwarf slaps his stomach and laughs heartily. 'Hmmm this journey will be more complicated than I assumed.' My head turns away as I feel my cheeks turn red. When one is typically confident, then being proven incorrect creates discomfort. Yet, in order to learn, comfort needs to be broken.

"My apologies," the dwarf pounds his chest. "It is good to see the youth eager for study. Don't be discouraged, every quest for knowledge begins with a single question."

He indicates the statement with a finger poised. I peer over the runes on the scroll in hand. 'Take care, for frustration will mar progress.' I realize, the best lessons are taken with tea.

"Perhaps we should set a pot for a brew." My suggestion brings a spark to his eye.

"That's a great idea!" Magnus pats me on the back.

The dwarf shuffles through the library and exits with a jolly gait. I locate a table to peer over the mysterious scroll. Once seated, I scratch my head. 'Every new language is like a puzzle.' I exhale my frustration. I tap the table and wait for my new instructor.

"Here's some Stone Grey," Magnus beams as he sets two cups on the table. "Now, let me read to you about the truth of the Sumerki Elves."

***

In Krystallia, there is an abundance of life. Among the magical persons are the elves. In their beginning, the elvish people were more accepting of other races. Yet, once the war against dragons ensued, the unification of the elves disintegrates as many align with the beasts. Time passes and the war comes to an end. As the dragons are exiled to a far distant land, their supporters take to the underground.

***

''Why would the elves turn away from the surface?'' My amusement in the scroll's narrative ignites my curiosity.

''The Sumerki felt as though they could not align with the rest of Krystallia,'' Magnus explains after a sip of tea. ''Even the dragons left them behind. The sense of betrayal left them embittered."

Imagine hating people to the extent of self-exile? The concept suggests that the elves in discussion would be prone to discriminate against others—even Ukhuni Elves such as myself. 'Finding their city will be risky.' Despite the passing pessimism, my desire to see the Sumerki in life grows. After all, just imagine what treasure they may hide?

''Are there accounts of...'' I pause and decide to rephrase my inquiry. "Adventurers entering the Sumerki underground territory?"

Magnus rises from his seat. He scuttles towards the trunk. After a moment of rummaging through the scrolls, he removes one with burnt edges. 'What is the story of that piece?' The disfigured parchment piques my interest.

"The document in my hand will answer your question," the dwarf sits down and unravels the next piece. "Ahem, hear the tale of Matisse..."

***

While crossing through the Fjall Mountains, I find myself in a predicament. The ground shakes and prompts a landslide. As rocks tumble towards my direction, I take chase. Unfortunately, I find myself falling. Down and down, I fall into a dark chamber. Once I land on my feet, a noise catches my attention.

''Who goes there?'' My words shake from shock.

A figure approaches with a strong presence. Upon closer inspection, I can see what seems to be an elf, except their skin is as dark as stone. They point above to the entrance of my demise. There is a boulder lodged in the opening.

''Vam nuzhna pomoshch?'' a female's voice chimes.

Although I do not speak her tongue, my mind is able to comprehend her speech. Truly, the cause is due to magic.

"I need to return to the surface,'' I say with a gulp. ''There was a rockslide and I fell down here."

The underground elf smiles. With a wave of her hand, a purple shade of magical energy releases from her palms. To my amazement, she blasts the boulder into smithereens! Tiny purple flames fall to the ground. My bag begins to burn in places.

''Mon dieu!'' I cry out in alarm.

I take my bag and bash it into the dirt. Fortunately, the fire dissipates. As I wipe sweat from my brow, I return the pack to my back.

"Merci!" I beam towards the lady elf.

Yet, to my dismay, she is gone.

As my journey through the Fjall Mountains ends, I reach a small village. There I seek answers from a tavern. While asking an inhabitant about my encounter, the cup in their hand falls. I learn that I have received a rare and pleasant experience with a Sumerki Elf. The Twilight Elves, as some relate them as, are known for their vicious disposition. Let's say, I'm one of the fortunate ones to cross their path.

***

"What a tale!" I rise from my seat in enthusiasm. "I would hope to be as fortunate as Matisse!"

Magnus can see my excitement. I can note the dwarf's approval of my eagerness to learn. Yet, there's an underlying expression of worry. 'I have to know how to reach them.' The thought pulses through my mind like a crackling fire.

"Well," the old dwarf sighs. "The stars will be in the right location for such a journey."

"The stars?" An astrological charm adds to the beauty of this quest.

"In another document." Magnus removes his spectacles to clean them. The motion seems to be more of a nervous habit than mindful. "The Sumerki Gate is located north of Uppruni. Yet, one cannot find the gate unless there's a black moon. Only those the gate accepts will be able to enter.''

"So, the gatekeeper is the actual gate?" My excitement turns into confusion.

'Can a door behave with a level of sentience?' I look towards Magnus for a response.

"Indeed, that seems to be the case." He props his spectacles back onto his nose. "Though, if you really want to explore the truth of myth, then I will give you aid."

Again, the dwarf rises to return to the scrolls. The entirety of his arm reaches into the trunk. He removes a small pouch. Magnus hands me the bag. I place my hand inside to investigate its contents. 'A map!' My excitement returns. 'What's this charm?' I pull out a golden amulet. In the center rests a stone with an intricate symbol carved on the surface.

"Aye, that's a Hephaestus rune for protection." The instructor points to the amulet. "Since you are now like family, then I believe that my god will help you on your journey."

'I doubt that.' My inner thought remains my own. Otherwise, I can upset him. 'To trust a deity is to forsake yourself.' Instead of expressing such negative feelings, I decide to smile.

"Thank you for everything,'' I grab the dwarf’s hands. "I appreciate your guidance."

"Kemst tho hiygt fari.'' Magnus wipes away a sentimental tear. "You will reach your destination even though you travel slowly."

Although the phrase seems archaic, I understand the old dwarf’s meaning. Impatience will ruin the thrill of adventure. Therefore, I vow to enjoy every moment along the way. Then again...

''I think I'm ready,'' I say with a smile. "I promise to return and describe how the Sumerki City looks."

"I'll take your word.'' Magnus pats my shoulder.

Good fathers worry when their children leave.