Oerst

The military personnel at the docks were very efficient. Supplies were quickly loaded. The crew worked through the night loading food, weapons, and repair materials needed for their journey into the unknown. With the ships loaded, They stayed for one more day to allow the crew to rest. At dawn, on the second day, the order was given to set sail.

The wind favored them, coming from the West. The seas were calm, and the air warm. It was a beautiful day to be on deck. Aepida watched as Sutherland disappeared on the horizon. The sky reflecting from the water gave it a deep blue look. Even the rhythmic sound of the ship's wake seemed to energize her. She roamed around the deck, just glad to be outside on such a beautiful day. The deckhands greeted her as she passed them.

Whales gathered around the ship playfully, jumping, singing, and making other noises. Each time they surfaced. They would blow out air. Inhale, then dive, resurface, and do it all again. They carefully avoided the ships. It was as if they were putting on a show for her.

The whales left, and Aepida returned to her cabin. She did her exercise routine, just as she did on the Dyrr Valhalla. A knock on her door announced that lunch was ready. She was asked if she would prefer it served in their cabinet or on deck. She chose on deck. When she came out, she found her three companions were already on deck.

"It is just too nice a day not to eat outside, isn't it?" Said Aepida.

They all agreed. And they bid for her to join them, which she did. The table was loaded with fruits, vegetables, meats, and drinks. It seemed like a lot for just the four of them. Then some of the crew also joined them. Aepida preferred fruits and vegetables with water. Apollo followed Aepida's preference. The two majors added meat to their meals. It was hard to talk because the crew was boisterous and would break out in high-volume laughter at irregular intervals.

"I wonder what is so funny. I wish I could understand them," said Aepida.

"You don't really," said Mage Otto smiling slyly. "They are sailors, after all."

"Oh," said Aepida. "I guess I am better off not knowing, then."

Mage Otto spoke to the sailors, who now looked at her, embarrassed looks on their faces. They said something she could not understand, but Otto translated.

"They said that they were sorry. They had not noticed a lady at the table. They said that they will behave better from now on."

Mage Otto translated Aepida's reply.

"I appreciate your kindness. You are forgiven. I thank you for your better behavior."

She smiled at them. They gave a cheer. As they returned to their duties, she could see that they were letting others know there was a lady on board. All agreed to behave themselves.

The four companions wandered about the deck. They did not talk much. There were too many ears to discuss anything of their mission. There is only so much site seeing you can do on a ship, so they returned to their cabins.

It took only sixty days to reach Oerst. They were now approaching the port city of Prym. Standing on deck, Aepida was watching the city as it came closer. It looked so much different than any other place she had been. It was gloomy. Smoke filled the air. People crowded on the docks in tattered clothes.

Dozens of rowboats surrounded them, offering to tow them to the pier for money. The captain chose two and threw them a line. As soon. As the yacht was moored. People mobbed the ship, begging for money, food, and other things. They seem to lack almost everything.

Most of those that were so desperate were mountain dwarfs. Plains dwarfs in military uniforms were trying to keep the mob in check with some limited success. Plains dwarfs are about a head taller than mountain dwarfs and not as muscular. All have broad faces with bushy eyebrows and beards. Mountain dwarf's beards are long and flowing, often hanging below their knees. Their hair also has probably never been cut. Plains dwarfs keep both hair and beard neatly trimmed.

Apeda was aghast. She had never seen such poverty. In her naivete, she never even thought such conditions could exist. She was taking in the spectacle of wanton despair. When she heard shouting on the port side of the ship. A military dwarf was having an altercation with one of the mountain dwarfs. She could not understand what they were saying. The military dwarf suddenly hit the mountain dwarf with the staff of his spear, drawing blood instantly.

Before she even realized what she was doing. She was racing down the gangplank, drawing her sword, and standing between the soldier and the wounded man, shouting.

"Leave him alone."

Not a single person understood a word she said. Not even the wounded man when she reached down, pulled him to his feet, and led him onto the yacht. The crowd and military stood in stunned silence.

By the time she got back on the ship with her new companion. The entire crew, Apollo, and the two mages were applauding her. It only served to embarrass her, and she blushed. The two mages stepped forward to attend to the wounded man.

News travels fast under the circumstances. Within an hour, an important-looking dwarf appeared at the gangplank and was granted permission to come aboard. He spoke to the crew in Alvin. He, then, was escorted to Aepida's door. She opened the door. When he knocked, he introduced himself in Westine as Hagar of Toons. Council to the king. She invited him in and offered him a seat.

"You have made quite an impression on the multitude, miss. What is your business in our country? Why do you threaten our soldiers who are only doing their job of maintaining order?"

He spoke in a monotone, showing no emotion of any kind. He gave the impression that he was only seeking information, not accusing anyone. Aepida explained what she saw. And how she reacted. Hagar merely nodded his head. When she had finished. Hagar began to speak. He was visibly upset.

"Most of the people you see are refugees; from farms, towns, and cities that the Dragon has conquered. Even our capital is being threatened. We have no defense. Their dragon has stopped short of taking our capital city for reasons we don't understand. All of us are in the same dire situation. We don't have enough food or water to house them all, and more come pouring in daily. So what is your business here?"

"We came here to offer hope. We have heard of the dragon. Westine and Suderland have offers of an alliance in your struggle against the dragon. We hope to ass Norland as well. You have our letters of introduction from our mages?"

"Indeed I have," said Hagor pulling them from inside his cloak. "But, what does a young girl like you have to do with matters such as these."

"I am afraid that I cannot reveal all as yet. I am not sure about some of the details. I wish I could go home and let others handle these matters. I and my escorts must speak with someone in authority at the highest level. Things will become clearer then. The sooner, the better. So we can get aid to you and your people."

Hagor rose. "I will see myself out. I will try to arrange your request as soon as possible. It may take several days. I will do my best to expedite things."

"I can ask for nothing more," said Aepida.

With that, he left. Aepida sighed as if she'd been holding her breath for hours. She wasn't sure what she was doing or supposed to do if or when the meeting was arranged. She walked out onto the deck for some fresh air. Apollo met her there. They did not speak. They just stood there at the gunwale, looking at the desperation on the pier. Apeda broke the silence.

"Isn't there anything we can do for them?" She asked. Apollo did not have an answer. The captain of the yacht did.

"Excuse me, miss. There is something we can do. Our ships carry fishing Nets so we can forage for food at sea. Two of our Ships are out to see if we can bring back some food for these poor souls. We can't catch enough to feed everybody ourselves. But if we teach some of them to fish. Together, we can ease their plight."

"Thank you, captain. I am glad that we are doing something. Anything would be better than nothing," she said.

Aepida shook her head in frustration that more could not be done. Every day was the same scene on the docks. More people were looking for work than there was work. Even if they found some, they would have to find food they could buy. There was very little of that. Apollo went ashore often. The conditions he saw were heartbreaking. Aepida insisted he tells her all.

Six days had passed since the official had sat in her cabin and talked to her about having an audience with the officials of Oerst. Now an entourage of high dwarfs came aboard the ship seeking Aepida. They politely asked for her to go with them. That she had her meeting with the king. Aepida agreed. But insisted that Apollo and the two majors accompany her. They whispered among themselves. But quickly agreed.

They left the ship, the entourage surrounding Aeoida and her companions. They wove their way through the city. The conditions that Aepida witnessed were as bad as the docks, if not worse.

They were brought to an unassuming building of stone bricks. Aepida and her companions had to duck slightly to get through the door. They went up three flights of stairs, also carved of stone. At the top, they were led to a plain wooden door with a stone knocker with a dwarf face carved on it. The leader of the group raised and knocked twice.

The room they entered was small and plain, with nothing ornate anywhere. It was barely big enough for all of them to fit into it, standing shoulder to shoulder. At the back of the room sat a dwarf, a mountain dwarf by his stature. He sat on an equally plain chair. On his head was a stone, inornate crown. The leader of the group spoke to the man in their language. None of Aepida's companions spoke dwarf. The leader turned to the entourage and dismissed them. He then spoke.

"This is king Orf. He will listen to what you have to say. He is very wise and will decide after he has heard you. I will interpret it for you. The female will speak for your group. The rest of you should remain silent unless the king addresses you personally. Is that understood?"

All in the group agreed.

"Aepida, the King wants to know. Why have you come, and for what purpose."

"If the king will allow me, us, we have brought letters of introduction from the President of Suderland that will explain our purpose. If it pleases the King, my companions and I would like to present them to you."

Upon hearing the translation, the King did not speak but motioned with his hands for them to bring him the letters. They did. He read each one carefully and even seemed to be studying them.

"You come highly recommended, young lady. I had known President Tai Kim even before he was president. He says you come with a message from the gods, and you are to give us the knowledge you gave them."

"Not the same knowledge, King Orf. But the knowledge of how the dwarfs can add the knowledge you already have with that of all the other races and defeat the terror you are already facing."

"How soon can this combining of the races occur?"

"I am not sure, Sire, a year, maybe more. I have not been to Norse. I don't know the status of my homeland, Westine."

"Westine is on board. A young woman about your age was here over a month ago. She foretold your coming. Her name was Kayla. Do you know her?"

"I know a Kayla from Algoroth."

"She is the same one, then. She said that Westine knew of our plight and that aid was coming. When all the races have gathered, a Maiden will lead us to victory by showing us how to combine the magics into one. Then the shadow darkness will be driven from our land."

Again, Aepida bowed her head at hearing the prophecy repeated. All she wanted was to go home. That seemed a long way off. She kept her thoughts to herself.

"That is the prophecy," was all she said.

"Are you the maiden?" asked the King.

Aepida paused a long while before she answered.

"I pray with all my heart that I am not. But I have been on a long journey. I have been trained in skills to do battle with the sword or my hands. My name is Aepida, The Westine word for hope. What does the prophecy say?"

King Orf paused before he answered.

"In your darkest hour. When the whole world trembles in fear. Hope will come as a maiden. Then the people will unite under one banner. And peace shall once again be across the lands."

King Orf bowed his head in empathy for the girl before him. He spoke kindly, softly to Aepida.

"It appears, child, that you are that maiden of prophecy. I wish I could relieve your burden, but nobody can do that. You are far too young for such a heavy responsibility. We will have to trust in the gods. Will you teach us what you know? Accommodations have been prepared for you."

Aepida agreed if her companions were allowed to stay as well. The King agreed. The remaining man and leader of the group that brought them here graciously asked Aepida and her companions to follow him. Each was given private quarters for their stay. Then they were led to a room called "The Great Hall." It was unimpressive, Maybe twice the size of the King's throne room, and just as plain.

"This is where you will instruct us," said the man. "Who should we gather together for you?"

"The King, of course. Those of his most loyal advisors, military leaders, and especially the mages, wizards, witches, conjurers, and the wise women and men, for they will shield the rest.

The man acknowledged her and then escorted them back to their quarters. Meals had been delivered to their rooms. The four of them gathered in Otto's room to dine. None had much to say. It was the company that was important. The food was like everything else Dwarfin, plain. It was nourishing and thus welcomed after such a long day.

The night passed all too quickly. Breakfast was brought to their rooms. After which, they were escorted to the "Great Hall." The room was packed shoulder to shoulder. Aepida and her companions had to squeeze through the crowd to the back of the room. King Orf was there looking directly at Aepida. He invited her to begin.

There were no charts, nothing to draw on. She had to give a lecture, nothing else. She stammered at first but soon was able to speak normally. All the time, her knees shook nervously. There were short breaks for drinks and food. Otherwise, the lecture was from breakfast to dinner. Thus it went on for five days straight, then a break for two days so Aepida could rest. Then another five days. Another day was reserved for questions and clarification, which also took the whole day.

The day after that, as they prepared to depart. They were summoned to the King's throne room. This time the man who brought them there did not stay. The four companions stood before the King with no others in attendance. He looked directly at Aepida and said.

"You brought us hope. In our dire circumstances, we will fight on. Your mission to bring the world to our aid is a noble one. Especially: considering your humble beginnings. You have no reason to be concerned by our plight. Yet, you have put aside your own wants and desires for us. I and all Swarfs thank you. Whether you succeed or fail, you are of noble heart."

"I have prepared letters of introduction to include with those of Suderland. I hope they will assist you in your cause."

With that, the King rose from his throne and knelt before Aepida. And presented her with the letters he spoke of. Aepida was speechless. The King understood.

"Now speed on your way, and may the gods be with you."

The four companions returned to the yacht.