Part 27 (1/2)
”Or a cave... or a dragon's lair,” said Riverwind.
Even as he spoke his doubts, he smiled ruefully at Elistan.
Nighthawk shook his head. ”According to Gilthanas, the hole is rectangular with squared-off edges. Nature did not form it, nor a dragon.”
”What kind of terrain lies between us and this gate, should it prove to be a gate?” Riverwind asked.
”Open to the wind and sky,” Nighthawk replied.
”And to the eyes of dragons,” said Riverwind, ”and the eyes of a draconian army.”
”Yes, Chieftain,” Nighthawk replied. ”The enemy is out there and on the move. We saw what looked to be draconian troops leaving the foothills and heading into the mountains.”
”They know we are here. The dragons have told them.”
”We can defend this pa.s.s,” suggested Nighthawk.
”We cannot stay here forever, though. We have supplies enough for a few days, and soon the snows will start. What is this ancient road like?”
”Well built. Two can walk side-by-side with room to spare, but there is no cover until we reach the tree line at the bottom, nor is there cover when we start back up the mountain. Not a tree or a bush in sight.”
Riverwind shook his head gloomily.
”Return and keep watch on the enemy and on that hole in the side of the mountain. Let me know if anyone comes out, or goes in. This might tell us if we have truly found the gate.
Riverwind turned back to Elistan.
”Now what do I do, Revered Son? It looks as though we may have found the Gate of Thorbardin, but we cannot reach it. The G.o.ds give us their blessing with one hand and smack us in the face with the other.”
Elistan was about to say something in response, when Goldmoon walked up.
”My turn,” she said. She looked angry clear through. Her lips were compressed, her blue eyes glinting Riverwind sighed. ”What new problem do you bring me, wife?”
”An old problem-Hederick. Why Mishakal didn't yank his feet out from under him while he was crossing that cliff face-” Goldmoon saw Elistan standing there, and she flushed. ”I'm sorry, Revered Son. I know such thoughts are wicked... ”
”Hederick is enough to try even a G.o.d's patience,” Elistan said dryly. ”I'm sure Mishakal must have been tempted to do just that. What mischief is he causing now?”
”He's going among the people saying that Riverwind has led us to our deaths. Riverwind caused the rockslide, and now we cannot return to the caves. We are trapped in this pa.s.s, where we will die of cold and hunger.”
”What else?” Riverwind asked, for Goldmoon had hesitated. ”Tell me the worst.”
”Hederick is advocating that we should surrender, give ourselves up to Verminaard.”
”Hederick was the one who led the dragons to us!” Riverwind said angrily. ”I was forced to start the rock slide because he put us in danger! I should have left him to his fate!”
”Are the people listening to him?” Elistan asked, his expression grave.
”I'm afraid so, Revered Son.” Goldmoon rested her hand on her husband's arm in sympathy. ”It is not your fault. The people know that, but they are cold, tired, and weighed down by the dragon-fear. They can't go back to the caves, and they are terrified of going forward.”
”They know what Verminaard will do to them! He'll send them back to the mines.”
”I very much doubt it,” said Elistan. ”He came to the caves with the intention of killing, not capturing.”
”The people won't believe that. A man lost and wandering in the wilderness sees even a prison cell as a refuge,” Goldmoon said. ”You must talk to them, husband. Rea.s.sure them. Nighthawk told me that the scouts may have found the gate-”
”For all the good it will do us,” Riverwind muttered. ”There is a draconian army between us and the gate, and we're not even sure this hole in the mountain is the gate. It might just be a hole in the mountain. If it is the gate, there may be a dwarven army ma.s.sed inside waiting to slaughter us!”
Riverwind sat down dejectedly on a boulder. His shoulders slumped. ”Tanis chose the wrong man. I do not know what to do.”
”At least you know what not not to do,” said Goldmoon spiritedly. ”Don't pay attention to Hederick!” to do,” said Goldmoon spiritedly. ”Don't pay attention to Hederick!”
Riverwind smiled at this and even gave a low chuckle, though his laughter faded away. He put his arm around Goldmoon and drew her close.
”What do you advise me to do, wife?”
”Tell the people the truth.” She put her hands on his face, looked lovingly into his eyes. ”Be honest with them. That's all they ask. We will give our prayers to the G.o.ds, ask them to help us through the long night. The dawn brings a new day and fresh hope.”
Riverwind kissed her. ”You are my joy and my salvation. The G.o.ds know what I would do without you.”
”And there is a small blessing,” said Goldmoon, nestling in her husband's arms. ”The dragons know we are here. There is no longer any need to hide from them. We can light fires for warmth.”
”Indeed, we can,” said Riverwind. ”We will light the fires not only for warmth but for defiance, and instead of begging the G.o.ds to save us, we will offer them our grateful thanks for our deliverance. We will not even think of surrendering!”
The refugees lit the fires in defiance of the dragons, and when the fires were burning brightly, bringing warmth and cheer, the people sent their prayers to the G.o.ds in thanksgiving. The dragonfear seemed to melt and spirits lifted. Everyone spoke hopefully of the dawn of a new tomorrow.
Hederick saw that he had lost his audience, and he ceased talking of surrender and gave his prayers of thanks piously with the rest. He had no faith at all in these new G.o.ds, though he pretended he did because it was politically expedient. He had unbounded faith in himself, however, and he truly believed that if they surrendered to Verminaard, as he advocated, he could worm his way into the Highlord's good graces. To give Hederick credit, he did not believe they had any chance at all of escape. He was convinced that Riverwind was an ignorant brute who would rather see them all perish than bow to his enemy.
Hederick was not dismayed. As a politician, he knew the ma.s.ses were fickle. All he had to do was bide his time, and they would come around to his point of view. He went to sleep that night thinking complacently of tomorrow when Riverwind, Elistan and their cohorts must finally admit defeat.
The next day dawned and brought change. Unfortunately the change was not for the good. The dragons flew nearer, the dragonfear was stronger, the air was colder, and the day bleaker.
Hederick walked up to Riverwind and spoke loudly, so that as many as possible could hear him.
”What will you do now, Chieftain? Our people are starting to sicken, and soon they will begin to die. You know as well as I do that we cannot stay here. Your G.o.ds have failed you. Admit that this venture was foolishly undertaken. Our only hope is to surrender to the Dragon Highlord-an unpleasant and dangerous task, but one I offer to undertake.”
”And you will receive Verminaard's reward for handing us over to him,” said Riverwind.
”Unlike you, I am thinking of the people's welfare,” said Hederick. ”You would see all us all perish rather than admit you were wrong!”
Riverwind could have cheerfully seen at least one of them perish, but he kept silent.
”Perhaps you are waiting for the G.o.ds to perform a miracle?” Hederick said, scoffing.
”Perhaps I am,” Riverwind muttered, and he turned on his heel and walked off.
”The people will no longer follow you!” Hederick warned. ”You will see.”