Into the fire

Chapter 27

The angry roaring thundered out across the land, the enraged fury of lithic giants hammering throughout Darda Erynian and under the Rissanin River and into the Greatwood beyond, the earth juddering for miles uncounted-loam, soil, detritus, muck, glades, hills, vales, fens, streams, pools, meres, swards, bushes, trees, all shuddering in response. And on the very edge of the aggregate, Tip, Beau, Ry

Exactly how long the rage lasted, none on the ridge or beyond could say, yet of a sudden the bellowing ceased altogether, to be replaced by a low, anguished groaning. And in distant places throughout the forest and elsewhere in Mithgar, other aggregates of Eio Wa Suk took up the mournful cry.

On the valeside, as Pysks stroked foxes and soothed them, the animals wide-eyed and jittery, Tip struggled to his feet and helped Ry

And so, Tip and Ry

Moments later, up the back of the ridge came three Pysks riding, shadow gathered 'round. Coming after was Farly the Warrow as well as Linde and another Harlingar, the Vanadurin astride horses.

The gathered darkness about one of the Pysks vanished as she stopped before Ry

The Pysk nodded in understanding, and called out to the others, and Farly turned and spoke to the Vanadurin and then sat down beside Beau, Jordians and Pysks dismounting to wait as well.

As April stars wheeled through the dark velvet sky above, they sat and gazed into the valley where Groaning Stones mourned. How long they waited, none could strike a mark, yet after a lengthy while, again the Pysk stepped before Ry

Although the Fox Rider's voice seemed muted, Tip realized he could now discern the words.

Ry

"Then we should also go," said Tip. "You never know what might be lurking therein."

"You need not worry about the Pysks, love," replied Ry

"Should they face danger," said Linde, "Sten and I ride with them." She gestured toward the male Vanadurin who had ridden back with her.

"Nevertheless…" said Tip, rising to his feet and helping Ry

An unwilling look swept over Beau's features, but he stood, though reluctantly, and laded his sling with a nearby pebble and said, "If we must."

The Pysk spoke again to Ry

Linde nodded, then said, "It is dark down there and unlike Waldana and Pyska, Sten and I will need light to see by."

Beau took a small hooded lantern from his pack and lit it, raising the shield a crack. "Here," he said, and held it out to Linde. But Sten stepped forward and took the light.

Then Tip, Ry

And so, stepping lightly, down into the aggregate they went-six shadows, four Warrows, and two Jordians-while all about them arose a dolorous collective groan.

"Oh my," said Ry

And the vale was filled with a low moaning, grievous in tone and timbre.

No longer enshadowed, Pysks had dismounted to step to the Stone and touch it and lay their cheeks against it, and tears coursed down their faces. One looked at Ry

"Sheltered?" asked Beau.

"In its covering of vines," replied Ry

"Oh," said Beau.

" 'Round here!" called Farly above the lamenting of Stones, the buccan and Harlingar on the opposite side of the broken monolith.

To the near end and around went Tip, Ry

"Lor' but it's ugly," said Farly, peering down at the dead creature.

"Huah!" exclaimed Beau. "It looks just like the one Tip and Imongar slew back at Dendor."

Farly looked at Tip in wonder. "You slew a Gargon?"

Tip shook his head. "Imongar did. Shot it with a great ballista. Put a spear through its heart."

"She couldn't have done it without Tip, though," said Beau.

"And it looked like this one, you say?" asked Farly, peering back at the creature.

"Yes," said Tip, "ugly thing that it is."

"King Agron put its head on a pike and carried it into battle," added Beau. "It seemed to dishearten the Foul Folk to see such a powerful one of their own be reduced to nought but a pate on a pole."

Linde glanced at Ry

"Oh no," replied Ry

"Well then, if you have no use of it…" said Linde.

"Please…" responded Ry

Linde waved them back and with Sten holding the lantern nigh, she took her saber to the monster, with little effect. She looked at her blade and then back at the creature. "Hmm, this is like hacking a log."

"It took a Dwarven battle-axe to lop through the other one's neck," said Tip.

Linde turned to Sten and took the lantern and said, "Ride and tell the others what we have seen, that the Gar-gon is slain by this Stone. Tell them as well the Spawn have fled, though some did not live to escape this vale. When that is done, fetch Thurl. He yet has an axe. Though not Dwarven, mayhap 'twill do."