“But we can’t just leave him!” cried Conn.

“But how would we go after him?” said Kregan the Thane. “We don’t even know if he’s alive down there.”

“We have to at least try!” protested Joren. “Erasmus is our captain, we have to do something!”

All through the late hours of the night, the company had tried in vain to break through the stone wall where the mysterious door had appeared. All of them had only just enough time to see Erasmus dragged off by his mysterious attackers before the door suddenly closed and seemingly disappeared. They had grabbed weapons and rushed over, but there was no sign of any opening. It was as if the mountain itself had just swallowed him whole.

“He’s right,” said Brune. “I’ll scour all these damn mountains before I leave Erasmus to die here!” The other Thanes roared their approval.

“You forget yourself Brune,” said Scale flatly. “Erasmus is our captain, but we are already on a quest. Remember?” The Thanes, and even the Bran and Conn, went silent. All eyes turned to Lady Erda, who only sat there in the circle, wringing her hands in worry.

“The truth is,” continued Scale, “that the war will not wait for us. He took the same oath we all did. If we don’t continue forward and allow the Rangers to be destroyed, we will have betrayed Erasmus as well as the Rangers.”

The others could not refute that. Yet their hearts were all heavy. Since the very beginning, the Paladin had been the very heart of the company, their banner to lead them into battle. It was as if all hope for the quest was snuffed out in an instant.

“If I could, I would have it otherwise,” said Erda. “Yet I fear to slow our journey by even one day. We have not received any word from the north, so we simply don’t know how long we have before the battle begins and our land is besieged. The only course we can take is to make all haste, for if we arrive to find the Haven already besieged, then I will only have led you all to certain death…”

There was silence. Then, Conn jumped to his feet. “My Lady! Give me permission, and I will go search for Lord Erasmus!”

Bran grabbed his cousin’s shoulder and forced him to sit back down. “Don’t be an idiot. You’d only get yourself lost.

“So you would rather just let him die, is that right?” Conn snapped.

“If we don’t hurry home, everyone will die!”

The two young Rangers grappled with each other. Ruadh, the veteran Ranger and the oldest member of the company, stared into the fire impassively. “He will have gone into the old Dwarf-tunnels… I’m certain of that at least.”

“Dwarf?” said Joren curiously.

“Aye… A curious race. Always they have dwelt within the earth, to bring them closer to their gods, or so Men have thought. In the old days they had a great kingdom within these mountains, great underground mansions connected to tunnels and many mines. Our order remembers them well, for they hosted us Rangers in their travels, and their tunnels were a great highway connecting the north and the south.

“That kingdom is gone now, and only the brave or the foolish would try and use their tunnels now…” At this, Wudu made a nervous glance toward the stone wall.

“Then…” said Myra, “those things that took Erasmus…”

“Were Dwarves,” replied Ruadh. “At least I believe so. They were always secretive about their crafts, and especially their magics. They are, or were, masters of illusions.”

“Bad magic…” said Wudu, spitting on the ground and tracing strange symbols in the air with her fingers.

Kregan leaned over. “But you just said that the Dwarf Kingdom is gone.”

“Aye, it is,” replied Ruadh. “But they do not easily give up the works of their ancestors. Many bands of them linger in such places, looking for relics or trying to reestablish their realms.”

“Fascinating history lesson father Ruadh,” said Joren with a sneer. “Though Erasmus is gone, it comforts me to know exactly what kind of monster our friend is at the mercy of.”

“Leave him alone Joren,” said Scale. “It’s better than moaning on about it.”

“Who fucking cares? If we’re throwing the captain to the wolves anyway, what does it matter?” Joren stomped over to Ruadh, who only sat there. Joren jabbed a finger into the old man’s chest. “If you knew so much about these, oh-so magical mountains, you should have bloody well said so before.”

“Master Joren, please sit back down…” said Erda.

“Don’t you at least even care?!” Joren rounded on her. He took a step towards her angrily, but a heavy hand suddenly fell on his shoulder and halted him. Pike’s voice was as cold and grim as the grave. “Sit… down…”

Joren returned to his seat gloomily. Wudu then turned to Erda. “My people don’t go under the mountains. But my father can send out searchers, he has lots of friends who might help. I can go back and…”

“I’m afraid that won’t do, young lady,” Ruadh shook his head. “Your the best guide we have for these mountains. We’d only lose time.”

“Then that’s it then… we just turn our backs and leave…” said Joren, unable to hide his grief.

“I did not say that. Before my… ‘history lesson’ was so rudely interrupted, I was going to reveal why I know so much about these tunnels. It’s because I’ve been in them. Gone in one end and out the other.”

Erda looked at the old ranger in surprise. “You’ve been in them? I never knew this.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Ruadh ran his hand through his thinning hair shyly. “Oh, I don’t like to brag is all. It was on business for the old king. I’ll spare the details, but the point is I’ve been down there and remember some of it at least. Lady Erda, if you will give me leave, I shall go find another entrance into the tunnels and go look for our friend. If he is still a prisoner, I would do whatever was in my power to free him and return him to safety.”

“But Ruadh, what about the danger?” said Nim, Erda’s handmaiden who doesn’t speak much, but she’s been there the whole time, trust me guys. “Even if those dwarves don’t kill you on sight, who knows what else is down there!”

Ruadh shrugged. “I know. Having made the journey once already, I was eager to never have to do so again. It is an evil place. Sooner Erasmus is brought out again the better. Besides… I may not look it, but my old age is catching up to me. I don’t know what good I will do in the battle to come, I might only get in the way. If my song is to end down there in service of a friend, then I should be glad…”

Pike laughed as he swaggered towards the old Ranger. “Brave words. But not very smart ones. You didn’t answer the forgettable ranger girl’s question. What are you going to do if you find the Paladin down there and those mole-rats don’t want to give him up?”

Ruadh stammered. “We Rangers are known throughout the land as healers and counsellors. If I explain the situation…”

“And if that fails, what then?”

“Damnit Pike, something needs to be done!” barked Ruadh angrily. “If there’s even a slight chance I can rescue him, the threat will…”

Pike shook his head. “Don’t mistake me, old man. I don’t care if you throw your life away. But if you do get yourself killed down there, then the company will be down two members with nothing to show for it. My point is, if you go down there, you might as well make sure you bring enough strength to bring the Paladin back again.”

Pike paused, but all the company just stared at him in dumb silence. He sighed. “Do I have to spell it out? I’ll go too. If it’s all that dangerous down there, it’ll be a good chance to loosen up my sword-arm.”

Joren protested. “You? But what about the war? The oath-?”

“I never made any oath like the rest of you. I’m only here to return a favour…” Pike turned to Erda. “I would say this counts. These Thanes are like headless chickens without the Paladin. If I get him back, we should be at least half-even. But that’s up to you… L-lady Erda. Shall I go with the old man?”

Ruadh, standing behind Pike, shook his head in a panic. Erda looked deep into Pike’s eyes, as though reading something there, then she smiled softly.

“Yes Pike, it would comfort me to know that you went along.”

“Shit…” mumbled Ruadh.

“Alright then, when do we leave?” asked Pike

Erda raised up a hand. “But I have one condition for you. I want you to allow Myra to join you, if she wishes.”

“What!?” Pike and Myra said in unison.

Myra looked up, startled. “Me? Go with them? But… what can I do?”

“I don’t know,” said Erda. “But you are not compelled to follow us Rangers to our battles. The choice is laid before you.”

Myra was silent. Pike only stared at her anxiously.

“Then I have decided. I’d be in some slave market right now if not for Erasmus. I will not let such a great man die alone in darkness. I will go!”

“Shit…” mumbled Pike.

"Don't think you can just leave me out this!" yelled Conn.

"Don't spout nonsense boy," said Ruadh. "You won't shirk on your duties to the order just like that. You and Bran are Erda's bodyguards and that's that. Don't think we oldtimers can't take care of things by ourselves."

"Bitch you calling me old," said Pike. "I'm only… wait…" Pike trailed off, lost in thought.

"But anyway, we've talked enough," said Ruadh. "The morning is getting on and every moment counts. Pike, Myra, if you two are coming then get your gear ready and we'll be off at once. I know of a door that we could reach before afternoon."

"Convenient," said Pike. "But what about an exit? You better be able to lead us out the place once we find the Paladin."

Ruadh nodded. "If all goes well, we can leave by a gate in the northern foothills and be well clear of the mountains. After that, if we don't regroup with Lady Erda and the others, we'll head straight for Rangerhome, and to the fate that awaits us…"

And so, the matter settled, the company prepared to resume the journey. Myra, Ruadh and Pike had to pack lightly, so Erda made sure that they each had Ranger cloaks, which were lighter than most, but were said to be tougher and more resistant to cold and wet. She also gave them all the Waybread and Nightwine the company had, which were ideal for sustaining Rangers on long journeys.

When they were ready to depart. The rest of the company bid the small rescue party farewell. Joren the Thane awkwardly approached Pike with his helm in his hands. "I… um… know we haven't gotten along very well… but… me and the boys know how tough you are. If anyone can pull the captain out of this mess…"

"You can lick my boots when the job is done," said Pike. "You're better off praying that you're captain can keep himself alive until I find him."

"Yes… of course. Well then," Joren placed his helm on his head. "Even if the worst is to happen. I hope at least you will return to us. It will be good to have you fighting beside us. You are still a warrior amongst warriors."

Pike turned around suddenly. "I- I know that," Pike said, blushing a little. He found that Erda was approaching him, with that strange expression she had that seemed both sad and hopeful.

"Erda… uh… see you later," he was unsure of what to say.

"Pike… this is a strange turn of fate, is it not? Sir Erasmus was always the first to fight for others."

"Uh… yeah," Pike stammered. "Surprising he's lived enough to need rescuing himself."

"We still have a war to fight," she said suddenly. "Yet I am allowing the strongest warrior amongst us to search for one person. I have always believed that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few… yet I cannot allow myself for this one man to be abandoned. He is willing to die for others, but now I allow others to risk their lives for his. Do you think that is unwise?"

Pike shrugged. "I don't know. I never think about those things. But the Paladin would pull some poetic nonsense out of his arse to give some pretty answer. So I guess there's no point in asking that question until he's back. Right?"

Erda smiled. "I don't think I could have said it better myself. Good luck Pike. No matter what perils we find in the north, I will think of your quest every day, and offer a song for the safety of all of you."

"Don't bother worrying," said Pike, turning as if to leave. "I have a feeling in my gut that the Paladin is still alive. He will be fine."

"Pike… you have been with us that day since we found you in the forest. It seems so long ago…"

"What do you mean?"

He turned back to Erda, and suddenly she cupped his head in her hands and rose up on her toes to kiss his cheek. Pike thought his head would explode.

"Don't think there is no song for you, Pike. You are not alone in this world, not anymore. Please… stay safe."

So at last, both groups went their seperate ways, Pike, Myra and Ruadh shouldering their packs and descending the mountain on foot. Myra noted Pike's strange mood.

"Well Pike, how does it feel?"

Pike turned to her as if now just realising her presence. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"It's pretty different from what you are used to?"

"Oh. Rescuing somebody? I guess it's not that different from a normal hunt."

"No. I'm talking about physical contact with a woman," Myra said, making kissy faces. "Not bad isn't it?"

Pike rounded on her. "You saw that?!"

"Now now, I'm not teasing. I'm happy for you. You took it well. I figured you would have had to change into fresh trousers afterwards."

"Bitch! I can still claim that ten silver you know!"

"Will you both shut up already?" called Ruadh over his shoulder. "Honestly, the sooner you two stop fighting and make love the better. The obvious tension is killing me."

"What the hell did you just say?!" shouted Myra. "I would rather die!"

"Don't even joke about something like that, old man," shouted Pike.

Ruadh shook his head and chuckled to himself. "I should have brought Bran and Conn…"