Year 3632, the Fifth Age, the thirty-third day of Summer

“This is a bad idea.”

Legin walked cautiously along the dark and dank tunnel. There were only a few clean burning torches spread intermittently along the tunnel and provided a little light. Although Legin was bent low so as to not hit his head on the ceiling he was not concerned with tripping over an uneven floor. For the ground was smooth and with each step a soft glow lit up the darkness. Kōrrin and dwarfs had dug this path so far down from the surface that it ran across the magickal barrier which prevented any from tunneling out of the prison.

“This is a bad idea,” Legin said again, “A very bad idea.”

“Ah qit ye wynin,” the old dwarf Scooten laughed and slapped Legin on the back, “Tees toonals ar dwarfin’ meed. Ne’er a saffer pleece.”

“What?” Legin asked in confusion, “Kōrrin how can you understand this dwarf?”

“Use your ears dimwhit,” the black haired dwarf snapped as he continue to stomp along the tunnel. “An he said that we dwarfs dug this tunnel, so there’s no safer place.”

“But it is going under the Southern River,” Legin replied and glance worriedly to the water dripping ceiling.

“Doona woori boio,” Scooten chuckled.

“Exactly, nothin’ to worry about,” Kōrrin agreed, “Dwarves in the Gaia Vale have dozens of tunnels under the Arbeth River even.”

“But they are thousands of feet deep,” Legin shuddered at the thought, “Are you sure you were able to dig deep enough to go under the river safely?”

“Sure I am,” Kōrrin shrugged.

Legin let out a tense sigh and continued to glance to the rock above his head. As they passed another torch which burned without smoke the thick rope around Legin’s waist became tight. It was a simple knot made from course hairs and joined Legin together with both Kōrrin and Scooten before disappearing down the tunnel behind them.

“Get us some more rope Scooten,” Kōrrin commanded and the old dwarf gave a single hard tug on the rope.

“If this tunnel is so safe, Kōrrin, why do you have Ynald and Blarrid ready to drag us to safety?” Legin asked with concern.

“It is safe,” the black bearded dwarf snapped, “But bad things happen to everyone. Safety first, me friend.”

Legin let out another tense sigh and continue to follow Kōrrin cautiously. He hated being underground, everything about it set his nerves on edge. The air was thick and stale, the weight of the stone above his head forced pressure on his mind and body, and this constant dripping of water was a constant reminder that there was a large body of water above him. The thought of drowning was bad enough, but the thought of drowning in this tunnel made Legin very anxious.

“Why is there so much water?” Legin asked with concern as Kōrrin continue to plod along.

“Cause we are under a river dimwhit,” Kōrrin laughed and Scooten joined in.

“But all these puddles,” Legin remarked as he foot splashed down in some water which was seeping through the magickal barrier and into the stone.

“Qit yer wynin,” Scooten sighed loudly.

“I tells ya, these tunnels are safe,” Kōrrin said with exasperation and to accentuate his point cracked his axe into the rock above their heads.

The dwarf’s blow was heavy and several large stones tumbled to the floor, making Legin wince in fear.

“See, no problems,” Kōrrin laughed loudly, as did Scooten.

A trickle of water began to flow from the ceiling onto Kōrrin’s shoulder and a sudden rumble shook the ground around them.

“That’s normal, right?” Legin asked seriously as the rumbles died down.

Kōrrin glanced around the tunnel and smiled disarmingly, “’Corse it is. Just and bit ‘o…”

The dwarf’s words were cut short as another violent shudder echoed in the earth. A sudden gush of water shot down from the ceiling and Legin heard the sound of a waterfall sounding down the tunnel ahead of them.

“Scooten,” Kōrrin said as he glanced over his shoulder towards the sound of rapids, “By Dhror’s beard get us out of here.”

The old dwarf was already tugging fiercely on the rope. The sound of water increased and the earth continued to shake as Legin looked in fear down the dark tunnel to distant torches as they suddenly vanished. Then Legin was flying backwards and sliding along the thankfully smooth floor as the rope went tight and dragged him and the two dwarfs through the tunnel. Legin tensed his stomach muscles and managed to grab a hand hold on the rope to lessen the strain around his gut. It was remarkable at the speed at which they were being pulled from the tunnel, but the rush of water still caught up to them. Legin closed his eyes and the water and mud thundered into him, drenching him and pushing him along at greater speeds. Shutting his eyes and taking a deep breath Legin clung desperately to the rope and prayed to whatever Gods that might be listening to not let him die like this. The rapids surrounded him and he felt himself floating and bouncing off the stone. One heavy impact almost blasted all the air from his lunges, but he held on and continued pray.

Suddenly the deafening sound of rushing water desisted and he seemed to be moving gently in the wind. Slowly Legin opened his eyes to realise that he was no longer in the water, or the tunnel. The magnificent light of Inüer shone beautifully in the blue skies as he and the two dwarfs dangled from a rope which was suspended above a pool of water.

“See, nothin’ to worry about,” Kōrrin laughed as he hung on the rope above Legin.

Legin let out a deep breath and almost died from relief.

“Ynald, Blarrid, good work boys,” Kōrrin called to the two young dwarves at the edge of the water, both of which were looking exhausted, “Reel us in would ya.”

As Legin’s feet touched the ground and Ynald cut the rope around his waist, he collapsed to his knees and rolled onto his backside.

“I am never going in a dwarven tunnel again,” Legin declared and shook his head.

“Not in this place anyways,” Kōrrin nodded, “All tunnels are flooded now.”

“Not just here,” Legin was quick to say, “No dwarf mine anywhere, never.”

“Bit harsh,” Blarrid snickered.

“I almost died,” Legin exclaimed and jumped to his feet.

“But ye didn’t,” Ynald was quick to reply.

Legin growled a sigh and rubbed his hands over his face and through his black hair. Taking a deep breath he looked out across the East Quarter just as the many other mine shafts filled up with water, sometimes sending a burst of spray in the air.

“Well there go all the mines,” Legin remarked, “Along with that idea of tunneling into the South Quarter. Now what?”

“I got a few more ideas,” Kōrrin winked at Legin, “Lets meet up with Aurora first. By the way yer arms bleeding again.”

Legin looked at the back of his arm and for the first time felt the pain as a stream of blood ran down his arm, staining his white cotton forearm guards which were more brown these days. His wounds across his back and arm had almost healed, but it seemed that the bumpy ride through the tunnel had opened the wound again. Legin shrugged and he fell in behind Kōrrin as they headed for the main camp on the south-eastern wall, the wound was not bad and would scab over again in no time.

It was not far to the encamped inmates, which was nothing more than a bunch of people sitting with boredom around many camp fires in front of the four foot stone wall which divided the prison Quarters. A few of the convicts were walking along the line of the wall from the Convicts Crucible at the center of the compound and to the high prison barricades.

Usually by this time of the month the Summer tournament would have begun in the Crucible where inmates would fight it out for a prize laid down by the Faction Leaders. The battles were never fatal but they provided some much needed entertainment for the prisoners in the compound.

Legin looked absently towards the Convicts Crucible as he thought of the last tournament, he had never bothered to participate in the fights but he did enjoy watching them. Taking his eyes from the Crucible in the distance Legin followed Kōrrin through the encampment and to a single tent amid the many campsites.

“It did not work I see,” Aurora remarked dryly as Legin and Kōrrin entered the tent. “Why am I not surprised?”

“Don’t ye worry, I gots an even better plan,” Kōrrin ignored the Yineth’s sarcasm.

“Well that is one more than I have,” Aurora sighed, “This battle is making no progress in any direction. After you secured the West Quarter, Legin, and killed Borris, Saiross has made no attacks. It is as if he is happy to wait for us to make the first move. But it does seem that your failed attempt to tunnel under the river has given some benefit. The South Quarter is now not the only place in the prison where one can access clean water.”

“No need for thanks,” Kōrrin laughed.

“What is the word from Arratoss, Perry and Ellinet, in the West Quarter?” Legin asked curiously.

“Unchanged,” Aurora replied with a shrug, “Both sides stare at each other from their side of the dividing wall.”

“Who cares about that,” Kōrrin cut in, “I was about to tell ya my next brilliant idea.”    

“Go on,” the Yineth prompted with a sigh.

Kōrrin chuckled and rubbed his thick hands together, “Well this one came about when we were plottin’ to escape the prison. Ye were no doubt wonderin’ how we built them trebichets and ballista so quick ay? And why we don’t have and ammunition for ‘em?”

“I was actually,” Legin nodded curiously and the dwarf chuckled again.

“We were goin’ to use ‘em to go over the wall,” Kōrrin declared with a grin, “Never got ‘round to it though. But now we can use ‘em to launch Legin here into the South Quarter.”

“What?” Legin balked, “Are you out of your mind? There is no way in the Abyss I am doing that.”

“Keep your pants on, boi,” Kōrrin replied, “We devised a parachute system so you’ll land safely.”

“No,” Legin said emphatically.

“We’ll aim for the lake if it makes your feel better,” Kōrrin tried to persuade Legin.

“No way am I agreeing to this,” Legin said firmly.

“Come on, it’s as safe a dwarven tunnel,” Kōrrin replied with a smile.

“You do it then,” Legin snapped back.

Kōrrin snorted, “By Dhror’s hairy arse I ain’t doing that.”

“Exactly, it’s not happening,” Legin shook his head and Kōrrin sighed and scratched his hairy chin.

“Well I’m out of ideas then,” the dwarf threw up his hands and shook his head.

Legin absently scratched at the dried blood on his arms as he and the other two pondered their options.

“I know,” Kōrrin said suddenly, “A full out assault. We’ll take ‘em down or die tryin’.”

“I would rather not die, dwarf,” Aurora replied calmly, “So an all-out assault would not be the wisest course of action.”

Kōrrin fell silent and grumbled in his black and braided beard. 

“A truce?” Legin softly voice his thoughts and the other two looked to him curiously.

“We cannot give in now,” Aurora shook her head.

“A form of truce then,” Legin replied, his thought beginning to form, “A one on one battle in the Crucible to decide the victorious side.”

“Saiross would be daft to go for that,” Kōrrin replied and nodded, “Let’s do it.”

“If it does come to battle many will die,” Legin turned to Aurora, “Saiross doesn’t want that as much as we don’t. He is bound to agree.”

The yineth sighed, “There is no harm in trying, I suppose.”

They all nodded in agreement and Aurora immediately begun work on writing a letter to the Southern Faction Leader. Kōrrin left the tent and gathered his dwarfs together as Legin headed off to find some food.

Moving through the camp Legin spotted Pip and Lilly sitting together on some rocks beside a small fire.

“Pip, Lilly, how are things?” Legin asked pleasantly as he sat down and pulled an apple from a nearby satchel.

“Couldn’t be better bro,” Pip smiled wide, “What about you? I heard you nearly drowned.”

“Don’t even mention that ever again,” Legin shook his head, “The only thing worse than drowning is drowning in a small tunnel.”

“I told you it was a bad idea,” Pip snickered.

“Not as bad as Kōrrin’s other idea,” Legin was quick to say, “He wanted to catapult me into the Southern Lake.”

“What?” Lilly balked.

“That dwarf is crazy,” Pip shook his head.

“All Dwarves are crazy,” Lilly added and they both laughed.

“So, you two then,” Legin smiled at his two friends as he munched on his apple.

“What do you mean?” the wood elf asked back in surprise.

“Don’t play coy with me,” Legin laughed, “I can see how the two of you look at each other.”

Pip and Lilly looked to each other and blushed.

“So, when is the wedding?” Legin asked and Pip looked at him in horror.

“Don’t absurd,” Pip exclaimed, “You can’t have a wedding in a prison.”

“So does that mean you are not ruling it out?” Legin was quick to ask.

Pip stumbled over a few words as he realised he had been caught in a trap and both Legin and Lilly laughed.

“Valenthōr, and the other Elves don’t have weddings as such anyway,” Lilly remarked, “It’s a union of mind, body and soul, called a Hamyeth. Always to be done in the Spring.”

“So all Elven couples have their Hamyeth in the Spring?” Legin asked curiously as he tossed away the apple core.

Lilly nodded, “It’s a big celebration.”

“Sounds nice,” Pip remarked and Lilly smiled.

“Hey, Lilly,” Legin asked, “How did you end up in this prison?”

“Well…” Lilly began, but she was interrupted.

“Legin,” Ynald called out loudly across the encampment, “Get yer monkey tail over ‘ere. We’ve heard back from Saiross ‘bout the one ‘o one duel to decide.”

Ynald yelled no more and headed for the command tent as Legin jumped to his feet.

“That was quick,” Legin remarked and stretched his back.

“You know they’re going to ask you to champion us for this one on one duel,” Pip said dryly and Legin regarded his friend with surprise.

“Surely not,” Legin dismissed the comment, “There are plenty other good fighters.”

“If you say so bro,” Pip shrugged, “Talk to you later.”

Legin waved farewell to both Pip and Lilly before skipping through the camp to the tent where Kōrrin and Aurora were waiting.

“He’s agreed,” Kōrrin exclaimed as Legin entered, “The idiot has agreed to the challenge.”

“Really?” Legin smiled, “Who’s to be his champion?”

“Tarris, of course,” Aurora replied, referring to a well-known bare fist fighter in the prison, “The man has won the Crucible for the past eight tournaments, so of course Saiross would choose him.”

“Good fighter,” Legin nodded understandingly, “You could take him though Kōrrin.”

“Me?” the dwarf bust out laughing, “Nah, I won’t be the one to fight ‘im.”

“Who then?” Legin asked curiously, but from the way both Aurora and Kōrrin were looking at him he knew the answer. “Why did you have to be right, Pip?”

“What?” Kōrrin asked curiously.

“Fine, I’ll do it,” Legin sighed heavily.

“Thank you, Legin, you are the best we have,” Aurora smiled.

“Yeah, how come you never fought in the tourneys?” Kōrrin asked curiously.

“They are just a place for bravado and showmanship,” Legin shrugged, “All those silly rules as well. If you are in a real fight it is your life or theirs on the line, so you had better do everything in your power to win. That’s how I train myself and that’s why I don’t waste time with tournaments.”

“Fair enough,” Kōrrin nodded, “But this challenge ain’t to the death neither. But there ain’t any rules neither. So expect Tarris to fight dirty.”

Legin shook his head, “Tarris is good and he always fights fairly. But he hates to lose. If anyone is going to be playing dirty, its Saiross. Make sure you guys keep an eye on him, things could get ugly.”

“I doubt they will,” Aurora shook her head seriously, “But come let us all prepare for you will be fighting in two hours Legin.”

“What?” exclaimed Legin, “So soon to prepare?”

“What’s yer problem,” Kōrrin laughed, “Ye got nothin’ to worry ‘bout.”

Legin sighed to himself, “This is a bad idea.”