The Mountain Roads

“There’s no way those came through a tunnel. There’s just no way!” Elian wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince Kaia or himself. “They’re just too big to fit.”

“So they made bigger tunnels?”

“No. They’re never bigger than this.” He held his hands out to show. “I’ve closed dozens, have seen even more. They’re always too small for an adult human to go through.” It was impossible. He wouldn’t fit through even the largest tunnels, not now. And these bugs were bigger than he was.

“So they’re using stronger magic to make bigger tunnels?”

“Only humans have magic.” The words came automatically. They’d been repeated to him several times during his practice. The bugs had strange biological abilities, but humans had magic. And magic was stronger. That was beyond question. 

“That’s not true,” Kaia said flatly, giving him a strange look. “The elves might not put theirs on display, but they have it. Old magic.”

“You think? No, they’re just scholars. Keeping track of old stories and maps while acting all mysterious.” He tried to remember what he’d been taught about the elven race, then suddenly grinned. “And taking care of their ships. Sailing the seas. I’ve always wanted to go on a boat…" His smile grew wider as he pictured it. "But I’ve never seen the ocean. It sounds amazing though.”

“You’re more excited about boats than magic?” Her sharp canines flashed in a quick smile, and her tail wagged. Then she tilted her head, serious. “Elven magic is real. It’s a well-known fact, even if they’re secretive. As for the bugs… I saw those tunnels at the farm closing by themselves. It must’ve been magic.”

“It can’t be.” 

No, it couldn’t be. It was impossible. Elf magic? He wasn’t convinced, but it was at least plausible. But bug magic? Impossible. An image of the shimmering barriers came to his mind. Barriers that somehow separated this world from theirs, where the air smelled different on the other side. The barriers that magic couldn’t pass through. Not even magic fire running along a fuse.

“One more question we need answered,” Kaia said, sounding much too reasonable. “But first of all, I want to know what killed them. Other bugs? Territorial fight?”

“Then why didn’t they eat them like everything else?” Elian leaned over the round bug, squinting to see in the weak light of the moons. “The head is crushed…”

“Several legs have been torn off this one, and there’s a deep gash at the belly. It would be enough to kill any beast I know of.” Kaia observed, walking around the cricket.

“The bears? Perhaps they got some good hits in before they were overwhelmed. They’re incredibly strong after all.”

“They have been known to crush humans and dwarfs in full armor,” she mused, pursing her lips.

“That must be it then.” He shuddered. “Do you think it’s safe to stay here?” A big part of him wished she’d say ‘no’, but she nodded.

“Yes. It seems scavengers are avoiding these carcasses, so at least we don't have to worry about predators tonight,” she said, taking off her backpack. “Then, at first light, we head to the nearest trees.”

“Going through the forest will be slower.” He joined her, sitting cross-legged on the ground, making sure not to touch the bugs. They made his skin crawl. “But slower is a lot better than getting caught in the open by a swarm of these.”

“Definitely.”

Neither slept much. Every rustle had them reaching for their weapons, so in the end, they gave up, simply sitting close together, wrapped in their bedding, eyes staring into the darkness. Before the sky turned golden, they were on their way again.

The forest turned out to be less dense than they’d feared, and they were making good time. Kaia naturally moved like a silent shadow among the trees, making Elian painfully aware of every noise his feet made.

“It’s getting steeper,” Kaia said, shifting her bow to the other shoulder. “What do you think? Should we continue upward like this until we’re level with the mine entrances, or head east until we hit one of the roads?”

Elian made a face. Neither was very appealing.

“We should probably find a road. Even if they’re not marked on the map, there must be several trader and trapper stations. Inns.” He’d heard stories about the temporary but lively camps and markets that popped up along the most well-used trading routes. “There might still be people left who can tell us more about what’s going on.”

Kaia nodded thoughtfully, a finger tapping her cheek as she looked up the mountainside.

“You’re right. It’s also possible we’ll miss the entrances if we continue in the wild. And there might be cliffs or gorges that’ll stop us, forcing us to lose time backtracking.”

“That makes sense.”

Kaia raised her head a little, sniffing the air. “No dwarves or humans close by. Actually, I can’t smell any animals either.”

Elian couldn’t decide whether that was a good or bad thing.

It took them most of the day to reach one of the roads. A strip of bare dirt, flattened by multiple pairs of wheels, the hooves of horses and goats as well as sturdy boots, wide enough to allow two carts to meet. It hugged the mountainside, leading upward in a soft serpentine.

“Do we chance it?” A flat road was tempting, but being out in the open would also make them more vulnerable. On the other hand, as the mountain grew steeper, they were running out of forest. And soon, unless they stayed on the road, they’d be forced to climb. That was something he’d rather avoid.

“Yes, I think we should.” Kaia’s ears turned attentively as she looked around. “There are no fresh scents in the air here. No beast, no human, no dwarf.”

“So, no easy answers then.”

“No. But I see structures up ahead.”

He squared his shoulders. “Alright. Let’s go investigate then.”

*

The structures turned out to be a couple of small wooden huts, now partly demolished. A sign above the door to the largest one stated ‘Best Mountain Meals & Mead’. Wooden boards lay scattered around, the remains of tables and benches that had been torn apart. A single axe lay in the dirt, trampled into the ground, only visible from the way the sun reflected in the polished steel.

“You think the buggers did this?” Elian asked, studying the ground. It was too dry to make out any tracks.

“Probably. A few of the large ones we saw could easily tear buildings down.” She sniffed the air again, then shook her head. Nothing. “But so could the ones we fought at the farm… or a panicking herd of deer or mountain yaks.”

“True.” He sighed, looking up at the dwindling road. “I just hope everyone here got away before whatever did this…” He waved a hand at the former campsite. “... did this.”

“I think so. There’s no blood on the ground, not even a lingering scent.”

“You’re right.” The thought made him feel a little better, and he shook off the image of humans and dwarves running full-speed down the mountain, hunted by a squadron of buggers.

They continued their increasingly steep walk, following the road as it led them closer to the mines. More flattened tents and stands lined the sides, abandoned and covered by dust, but there were no signs of life. Even the birds had grown silent once they left the forest behind.

Finally, they reached a large flat area that seemed to be part natural, part expanded by chipping away tons and tons of stone. Stone that had been turned into dozens of sturdy houses.

This was the first time he'd seen a dwarven settlement, and it was much… neater and more organized than he’d expected. The houses were perfectly square, each one with a small fenced garden in front. It must have been vibrant with colors, but now every leaf, flower, and fruit was gone, the grass dry and yellowing.

“So this is where they live?” Elian looked around. “Somehow I imagined them living underground.”

“I think some of them do. Or they take turns?” Kaia barely gave the rows of houses a glance, focusing on the large opening into the mountain.

“Yeah, I’ve heard some mines are so deep it takes days to reach them.” Elian reluctantly moved his focus to the entrance they’d found. It was easily twice his height and almost as wide, supported by massive wooden beams. Large runes he didn't know how to read were carved into them.

Small carts lay broken and scattered around the entrance as well as inside, together with shovels and pickaxes. Metal rings were inserted in the walls, the stone over them dark and sooty. Torch holders. Swallowing hard, he looked further in, but the sunlight didn’t reach far, soon overtaken by massive darkness. He’d never thought he’d enter another tunnel in his life, and just thinking about it made his skin crawl and his heart race.

Stupid. This was natural. Solid. Dwarf made. Nothing like the buggers' tunnels. 

So why were they all he could think about?

“It’s getting late. I don’t really like the idea of exploring the mines in the dark.” He pointed to the buildings. “Why don’t we spend the night inside, and set off fresh in the morning?”

“Good idea. There’s definitely something uneasy about this place.” She eyed the opening with distaste. “It’s awfully dark in there.”

“There should be torches around.” He made a face, shifting his backpack. “If not, this will be a very short investigation.”

She snorted at that, but it was true nonetheless. He glanced up at the sky. They should get going if they wanted to make use of the last light.

“Come, let’s start with this one.” He started toward the closest house, ducking through the door. A moment later Kaia joined him.

“How can they live in cramped spaces like this?” she muttered. “There’s no air. Nowhere to move.”

“Well, it was built for people smaller than us.” They could both stand upright, but not with a large margin. “I guess both humans and dwarves feel safe surrounded by strong walls.”

“Safe? More like a trap.” Her ears twitched nervously, and her tail swished irritably. She took a deep breath, looking around.

The place bore signs of a hasty departure. Half-filled chests and cupboards with lids still open. A large bag sat empty on one of the beds, blankets and clothes in a messy pile beside it. Abandoned.

Whatever had scared the dwarves off, Elian hoped it was long gone as well. And not lurking in that oversized tunnel, waiting for them.