Albrek's Tomb

“I think,” Thrang began, not looking at Alex, “well, I think we are all a little worried about what might happen . . .”

“If the evil is stronger,” Alex finished for him.

“It is a possibility,” Thrang said softly.

“Yes, it is,” agreed Alex. “I have told Kat and Arco

“Let us hope it does not come to that,” said Thrang, trying for a hopeful tone.

Alex knew his friends were more concerned about him and his ability to face evil than they were concerned about the rest of the adventure, and he was grateful for their care. Of course, they all knew about the time he’d faced the dragon Slathbog, but necromancers were not dragons, and Alex knew better than any of his friends that their power was something to fear.

As the others rolled themselves into their blankets, Alex remained by the fire with Arco

For a long time the page remained blank because he could not find the words to explain things to Whalen. He reviewed the events again and again in his mind, finally forcing himself to put it all on paper.

In the end, the letter was long, but Alex had somehow managed to express all of his doubts and fears, as well as his sorrow. It seemed that pouring his sadness into the letter had removed some of the weight from his mind and heart. He was glad that he had forced himself to write everything he had been feeling.

He summoned a geeb to take his message to Whalen and put away his writing things. To his surprise, the entire night had almost slipped away.

“You should get some rest,” Arco

“I have no need of sleep,” said Alex. “The others will need it more than I. Let them enjoy what rest they can.”

Arco

When the eastern sky showed signs of the coming morning, Arco

“You should have woken us in turn for the watch,” said Thrang as he walked toward the campfire. “Though I suppose you know what you’re doing.”

“Why would you suppose that?” Alex asked with a half smile. He was surprised to realize that he felt much better than he had the day before.

Thrang answered with a grunting laugh as he brushed frost off a log and sat down for breakfast.

They marched all that morning, and as midday approached, Thrang suddenly shouted in excitement and rushed toward a pile of fallen stones. The rest of them hurried to follow, uncertain about the reason for Thrang’s shout.

“A boundary marker,” said Thrang, kneeling beside the fallen stones. “It has been pushed over, and some of the inscription has been chiseled away.”

“And the part that remains? What does it say?” Nellus asked as he looked at the surrounding countryside.

“The city of Neplee lies ahead,” said Thrang, tilting his head to one side as he read the fallen marker. “The instructions for reaching the city and requesting entry have been removed, but not too long ago, I would guess.”

“Who would destroy the marker?” Thrain asked, a worried look on his face.

“Hard to say,” said Thrang as he got back to his feet. “Enemies of the dwarfs, perhaps.”

“Or the dwarfs themselves,” said Kat.

“Why would dwarfs destroy their own marker?” Thrang questioned, a hint of worry in his voice.

“Perhaps they do not wish to be visited,” Alex said. “It is possible this is a warning to outsiders.”

“I have heard of such things,” said Arco

“I would think any dwarf city in trouble would send for help,” Thrang said. “There are many dwarfs in Thraxon, and it would be a simple matter for another city to send assistance.”

“Then this may be a call for help,” said Alex. “Though I think we can all guess the reason for Neplee’s troubles.”

“You don’t think the necromancer is in the city, do you?” Thrang asked nervously.

“No, he would not remain in a city of the living,” said Alex. “Though he may be forcing the people of the city to do his bidding.”

“Perhaps we should avoid this city and move on,” Barnabus suggested.

“They are in need and are unable to send for help,” Kat said in a pained voice.

They all looked at Kat, who was standing a short distance behind them. She seemed to be looking at something that no one else could see, and her face had gone pale.

“Do not dwell on it,” said Alex, realizing that Kat was feeling the pain and troubles of the entire dwarf city. “Turn your mind from the darkness ahead of us, or it may overcome you.”

“It is difficult to close it out,” said Kat, turning to face Alex.

For a moment Alex didn’t realize what he was seeing, but when he did, he was quick to act.

“Depart from her,” Alex commanded, moving his hand in front of Kat’s eyes. “Leave her, and do not return.”

“What is this?” Thrang questioned, looking from Alex to Kat and back again.

Kat was still for a moment, staring at Alex without speaking. Suddenly she dropped to the ground as if someone had struck her from behind. The others rushed forward to see what was wrong.

“She will recover,” said Alex, watching as Nellus and Barnabus helped Kat to her feet. “Darkness clouded her mind for a moment, and our enemy seized his chance to get a good look at us all.”

“The necromancer used her?” Thrang questioned, his voice shaking slightly.

“Yes, but he will not be able to do so again,” said Alex. “I have blocked the darkness from her mind so he ca

“And the rest of us?” Arco

“Kat is the only one he could use from a distance,” said Alex. “He would have to make eye contact with the rest of us to gain power over us.”

“I . . . What happened?” Kat questioned, her voice weak and confused.

“A moment of darkness,” said Alex. “It will not return.”

“I don’t remember,” said Kat.

“I have blocked it from your mind. When you are ready, and when the danger has passed, I will remove the blinders,” Alex explained.

“We should move on,” Arco

“Yes, yes, we should,” agreed Thrang, and he started marching down the road once more.

Alex felt certain they would find the city of Neplee before dark, but he didn’t know what kind of welcome they would find when they arrived. He didn’t have to wait long before the answer to that question appeared. A few hours later, the air rang with a sudden whistle and the soft thud of an arrow striking the ground. Thrang stopped in his tracks.

“Not as friendly as I’d hoped for,” Thrang said in a soft voice.

“Who are you, and why do you come here?” a voice called.

“Thrang Silversmith and company,” answered Thrang as he looked around for the source of the voice. “We are adventurers, and have come here by chance.”

“Go back the way you came, Master Silversmith,” the voice called out. “There is nothing here for you but sorrow and woe. This place is cursed. You must leave before the curse falls upon your party as well.”

“I will end the curse,” Alex called out as he stepped forward to stand at Thrang’s side. “I will end the suffering of Neplee.”

“Others have tried before and failed,” the voice said, though it was not quite as commanding as it had been.

“I must try, even if you will not willingly assist me in the attempt,” said Alex.

There was a long pause, as if the person who had called out to them was considering Alex’s words.

“What are you doing?” Thrang questioned Alex in a whisper.