The dwarven train rocked and swayed as it thundered through the mountain passages. Metal wheels rattled against iron rails, making the entire passenger car vibrate. Seraphina sat beside me. At the same time, Kara remained standing, her hand gripping a leather strap hanging from the ceiling, slightly bent over since the train was built for dwarves. Her eyes roved between us and the windows on either side of the cab.
"How fast are we going?" I asked Brunhild, raising my voice over the rhythmic clicking of wheels on track joints.
"Eh. We're at a right good clip," Brunhild called back from her position at the controls. "We'll go faster once we hit the main thoroughfares."
The tunnel opened into a vast cavern, revealing a network of railway tracks that stretched between multiple levels. Huge stone pillars supported the various tiers, and each was carved with dwarven runes that softly glowed.
Another train roared past us on parallel tracks. Steam billowed from its stack, briefly obscuring our view before it disappeared in the opposite direction.
"This is incredible," Seraphina said, pressing her face closer to the window.
More trains appeared—some carrying passengers in ornate carriages decorated with bronze latticework. Others hauled piles of ore in sturdy iron cars. They moved in all directions, weaving through the three-dimensional maze of tracks that did nothing but confuse me. Who in the world could keep track of this madness?
"How do you coordinate all this traffic?" Seraphina asked Brunhild.
"Complex system of magical signals and switches," Brunhild replied, pulling a lever that sent us down a different track. "We transport thousands of pounds of ore daily from the mines to the smelters. Some of our larger furnaces never stop burning."
"The engineering required for this is amazing," I said as we passed a massive loading station, where wooden and rope cranes transferred chunks of raw ore between cars.
"Took generations to build," Brunhild said with pride in her voice. "But worth every minute. We can move more material in a day than a hundred wagons could in a month."
The train began a steady descent, the tracks spiraling downward into the mountain's depths. My stomach lurched as we again picked up speed.
"Where exactly are we heading?" I asked, gripping my seat as we picked up speed.
"To meet the king, of course," Brunhild replied. "He's in the dungeon."
"What?" I exclaimed.
"He is waiting for us there. He is not an occupant," Kara assured me.
Brunhild laughed and said, "Aye. He's keeping one of the residents company."
"That's a relief." I sighed.
The train gradually slowed; the rhythmic thump of wheels against rails eased into a softer cadence. We no longer bumped up and down in our seats. Ahead, a massive iron door loomed. The surface was etched with intricate dwarven patterns. Brunhild pulled a lever, and the train hissed to a stop a few yards from the massive barrier.
"Why are we stopping here?" I asked.
Brunhild winked. "Watch this."
She grabbed a hefty mallet that hung beside her seat and struck a bar mounted above the controls. The deep tone reverberated through the tunnel, and echoed off the stone walls. Moments later, a series of chimes sounded in response from within the iron door.
Gears groaned to life, and chains rattled and strained as the door began to lift and slide into the rock above. Metal scraped against guides. The passage beyond shone in the dim light, and Brunhild eased the throttle forward.
"Signal gongs," she said over her shoulder. "Every door has its own tone. One of the ways we keep the passages secure."
"Impressive system," Seraphina remarked, her attention fixed on the door's mechanics.
We moved forward and the train rolled onto a side track near a short stone walkway. The iron door clanged shut behind us, sending a mild tremor through the ground.
Seraphina drew a sharp breath. Her hands gripped the edge of the seat.
"Are you alright?" I asked her.
She touched the gemstones adorning her wrist. "I can hardly sense my power. The gems aren't responding."
Kara glanced back. "We're in an area infused with nullstone. The dwarves forge it to dampen magic."
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
"I didn't realize it would have such a strong effect," I said. A chill suddenly crept up my spine. My fingers brushed against the pendant hidden beneath my shirt. Was this about to fail me?
Seraphina met my eyes. "I can still feel the energy within the gems, but I can't channel it."
I tried not to show it, but I was acutely aware that I was in the worst place possible if the Heart of Shadows failed me. I'd never get out of this prison alive. Panic gnawed at my gut, but I was already here, trapped. What else could I do? It would look strange if I demanded to be taken out of here.
I glanced down and blanched. The skin around my wrist had taken on a gray hue, so I shoved my sleeve down, hoping it wouldn't be noticed. It was then a struggle not to touch my face or ears. Were they elongating?
We stepped off the train onto the solid stone platform a moment later. I tried to stoop a little because things didn't feel right with my body.
"Thanks for the ride," I told Brunhild.
She gave a nod. "Anytime."
"If we don't see you again, safe travels," Seraphina added with a gentle smile.
"You, as well," Brunhild replied, adjusting her cap.
Kara motioned for us to follow. Two dwarven guards stood at attention nearby, clad in heavy armor with hammers crossed over their backs. Their gazes were steady, faces framed by thick beards braided with metal rings.
As we approached a thick oaken door bound with iron, it creaked open on its own. The scent of oil and stone filled the air. Beyond, another pair of guards marched along a corridor, their footsteps echoing softly.
I leaned over and whispered, "Do I seem taller?"
Seraphina looked up at me and shook her head. Then her eyes narrowed, and she whispered back, "Maybe a little."
This was so not good.
"Your face looks the same. Just play it cool. The Heart of Shadows is ancient. Its power might be dampening, but it's still holding out."
"Yeah, but for how long?"
The hallway was immaculate. Walls lined with metal doors gleamed under the glow of hanging lanterns. Dwarves had presumably built this place, but the roof was at least twenty feet high and rounded. The cool air carried the faint smell of wet metal, a mix of forge and earth.
Doors lined the passageway, each engraved with runes that pulsed faintly.
"How deep are we going?" I whispered to Seraphina.
She shook her head slightly. "Feels like we're miles underground."
We wound through corridor after corridor, each turn mirroring the last. The uniformity was disorienting. Kara never hesitated and kept us moving.
Finally, she stopped at a door identical to the countless others we'd passed.
"In here," she said.
"How can you tell? Everything looks the same."
She tapped her head. "It's easy for me and those like me. The design is meant to disorient, making potential escapes impossible."
The door creaked and then groaned open. On the other side stood a figure dressed in a flowing dark blue cloak with a hood covering his face. The man lowered the hood, and King Alister, his pale features softened by a warm smile, greeted us.
"Welcome," he said, extending his hand. "I'm glad you've arrived safely."
I stepped into the room and offered my hand. "It's good to see you again, Your Majesty."
King Alister grasped it firmly. "The pleasure is mine, Varix. Seraphina." He nodded to her with a genuine smile.
I paid close attention to the king's eyes, but they didn't focus on my face at all, nor did he seem to notice anything amiss with my appearance. I prayed the pendant's power held up long enough for me to get out of this prison with my head still attached to my body.
Seraphina returned the gesture. "You're looking well."
"Thank you, my friends. How are you both?"
Kara closed the door behind us, the soft click echoing in the quiet room. The atmosphere felt both familiar and heavy with unspoken concerns.
"It's been some time since we last met," I said. "Everspring has kept us busy."
"I've heard as much," the king replied. "Ancient cities, dragons, and a long-lost race of dwarf-like creatures? You have been busy."
"All of that was accidental," I said, giving him a brief rundown of our deep underground adventures. He nodded along and said he couldn't wait to meet Triolux and the dragon.
Once we had caught up, Seraphina glanced at me before speaking. "Tell us about your guest."
King Alister took a measured breath. "Yes. Thalindra."
"Last we saw her," Seraphina said quietly, "she was bound and silenced. I'd heard rumors that... that she'd had her tongue removed."
The king shook his head. "No, we hadn't gone that far, yet. We hoped she might provide insights into Morthisal's forces—any remnants that might still pose a threat."
"She was ever loyal to him," I added. "Did she reveal anything?"
He sighed. "Despite our efforts, she became unresponsive. For over a week, she wouldn't speak or acknowledge anyone. Nothing we did reached her."
"Then what happened?" I asked.
King Alister hesitated. "A report reached me about her, and I took an interest and asked to see her. This was just a few days ago."
"Oh?" I asked.
"Well, it's easier if I show you. Please, follow me."
He led us to the far end of the chamber. As we approached, the stone wall shimmered. A circular door emerged, sinking inward and rolling aside with a low grind.
As the stone portal opened, it revealed a chamber softly illuminated by flickering stones set in the ceiling. While clearly intended to serve as a prison cell, efforts had been made to provide a modicum of comfort to its occupant. A simple bed was positioned against one of the walls, accompanied by a wooden chair beside a modest writing table. Atop the desk was a small stack of parchment alongside several charcoal sticks for sketching or scribbling notes.
Chains rattled softly against the floor. Thalindra, looking disheveled and dressed in little more than rags, sat against the wall, an iron shackle around her ankle. Upon seeing us, she pressed herself back.
"Thalindra," I whispered.
She looked up, her voice barely above a whisper. "Help me, please. I don't know how I got here! Wait, it's you! How did you get here?"
She was talking to me.
"Pardon?"
"Vince? Is that you?"
My eyes darted first to King Alister and then to Kara. He gave me a small nod. "It's alright," he said gently. "She's the only one I've confided in. She knows who I truly am. I have explained the phenomenon of how we came to be here to Kara."
I turned back to Thalindra—or whoever she was. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice wavering. "How do you know that name?"
She leaned forward, chains clinking softly. "It's me, Vince. Penny! Your neighbor. I run Mystic Wonders. Don't you recognize me?"
I'd had indeed once had a neighbor named Penny, but this made no sense. How could she possibly be in Thalindra's body?
Unless…
Unless!
"No…" I said under my breath, then exclaimed. "Are you fucking kidding me right now?"