“Well these holes are certainly busier than we expected,” said Talon, passing Myra the cup of tea. “Dwarves and people and the Dragon knows what else. I should have a word with our guide… make sure the little wretch isn’t up to mischief.”

Myra took the cup gratefully and looked towards the strange creature, sitting at the edge of the firelight and gnawing on some dried meat. “I can’t say I’ve seen a stranger looking man.”

“Oh he’s not a man…” said Talon. “Well, not of our race at least. He’s a kind of creature known as an Orc.”

“An Orc?” said Myra in disbelief. She had heard such things existed, but they were only supposed to exist in far off lands. But then, she had seen stranger things that day. “I’ve heard stories about them. But I was told that they were monstrous warriors that the Paladins fought long ago. He reminds me more of stories about goblins…”

Talon laughed. “He is exactly that. But if you’re in a room alone with him, you should think twice about calling him that. Makes him touchy…” His companions laughed along, save for Bor, who seemed to be perpetually grim.

Talon, along with his companions Bor, Ulfang, and Mede, seemed to be the leaders of a warrior-band, twenty-eight strong in total. All of them seemed to bare scars, not a single greenhorn amongst them. When they had found her, she had been prepared for the worst, but their leader had taken her in. They were camped now in a dark cavern, huddled close to small fires.

“It seems my life is getting stranger and stranger,” said Myra. “Dwarves and goblins and…” but she could say no more.

“Exactly the kind of things you’d expect to find down here,” said Talon with a soft smile. He was not exactly a handsome man, but not unpleasant either. He was quick to laugh and had a boyish gleam in his eye. “But a lady on her own? Never. You wouldn’t happen to be a witch, would you?”

Myra shook her head.

“Talon, you’ve interrupted the story again,” rumbled Medu, who was both the oldest and the most imposing of the captains. “Now lass, you were telling us about the Dwarves?”

“Oh, yes,” said Myra. “But… there’s not much to tell of. We wandered down here for a long time, searching for our missing companion, when we were attacked,” she paused for a moment. “There was a bit of a fight. One of us stayed to hold them off. He was a ferocious fighter, but I’ve no doubt he died in back there. Then I got separated from our guide, and was simply lost until you… uh… gentlemen happened to find me.”

“Lucky we did, at that,” said Talon, blowing gently at the steam rising from his tea. “These tunnels go deeper and farther than any of us could imagine. I doubt even the Dwarves know. The gods must be looking out for you, for our paths to cross. You’ll be safe with us.”

“What were you doing in these parts in the first place then?” asked Bor, the youngest of the group, staring coldly at her.

“We are… or were, I suppose… relic hunters,” Myra felt it best not to tell the whole truth. She had gotten so used to lying of late. “I guess… we were all just in over our heads.”

“Dangerous business that…” grumbled Ulfang.

“What isn’t dangerous these days? Especially in these parts,” said Talon.

“I don’t suppose I can ask where you fellows are headed then? I thought nobody… well… normal even dared come down here.”

“We’re certainly not looking for treasure,” said Ulfang with a mocking sneer. “If you’re planning on undercutting us. Relic trading is a ruthless business, isn’t it?”

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“Don’t be rude, Ulfang,” said Talon. He turned back to Myra. “But I should take ‘normal’ as a compliment. We wouldn’t be down here ourselves, but we have business in the north and we’re running a bit behind schedule. Thankfully we have a guide with us,” he gestured towards the Orc.

“But what about the Dwarves?” asked Myra.

Ulfang chuckled. “They’d give us good sport, if they dared face us.”

“We’re in the mercenary trade,” continued Talon. “And we’ve found a new client looking for extra security. From what I hear the North is like of late, he’ll need it. The poor sods up there… The Thanes have their hands full, and you certainly can’t expect help from the Paladins. The Witch-Queen is stirring up trouble and the tribes are on the move.

“I’d feel ashamed if you got caught up in all that, Myra. But I can’t spare the time or the men to escort you elsewhere.”

“But… my friend Erasmus… I don’t even know if he’s alive, but I promised I would find him…”

Talon shook his head. “I would like to help you there. With our guide, we probably could scour this place. But that would take a long time, and we’d have no idea where to look first. My hands are simply tied…”

Myra looked at her dim reflection in the tea cup. “Even so… I can’t just abandon him.”

Talon shrugged. “You may do as you wish. But unless you know you’re way around… well those just aren’t chances worth betting on. But if you wish to come with us, I can assure your protection as a guest.”

Myra bit her lip. She knew he was right. She would just get herself killed if she continued on alone. Even if the impossible happened and she really did find Erasmus, what would she do then? Run up and embrace him, so that at least they would have each-other as they wandered the dark tunnels until hunger took them. It didn’t seem like such a bad prospect.

She felt a hand touch hers. She looked up, saw the red firelight dancing in Talon’s grey eyes. “It isn’t easy to abandon a companion. But just consider… what your friend would wish of you… to die here, or escape and live free?”

Myra fought back the tears. She wanted desperately to go with Talon. But the thought of turning her back on Erasmus? To live while the man she loved was gone? Well… she had done it once before.

A long time passed. Myra followed the warrior-band as they followed the scrawny Orc through the winding tunnels. She hardly noticed the distance or the time passed, walking in a half daze. To think, she would have to feel that same painful loss again, but this time she did not have the vengeful anger to drive her on. Even then, she thought of Pike… falling into the abyss. She had tried to defend him, but then abandoned him anyway. She felt sure that she was responsible for his death. Few would argue that he didn’t deserve that, but still, Myra could not help but feel guilty…

Talon’s hand on her shoulder brought her out of her grim thoughts. “Did you hear that Myra? Creeper says that we’re almost through.”

“Thank the stars…” muttered Medu. “I didn’t know much I’d miss the wind and the open sky.”

“Hope the sun’s not out,” said Ulfang. “After all this dark, we’ll be blinded for sure!”

“Hold your tongues men,” commanded Talon. “The guide has returned.”

Sure enough, the Orc came lurching back, a look of fear on his bestial face.

“Well?” said Talon. “What’s wrong?”

“Dwarves,” panted Creeper. “With armour and weapons. They’re blocking the door!”

Talon chuckled. “Oh, now they want to fight, huh? Come on lads. Let’s go see if the horrid creatures are up for diplomacy eh?”

The warriors moved on. Myra could not help but notice the grim excitement that ran through the men. It was as if a bar had just opened its doors to a group of thirsty sailors. They came into a wide hallway, a large gate on the far side, with sunlight pouring in. Sure enough, there were about two-score Dwarves, arrayed for battle and blocking the gate with a wall of shields and blades. The two opposing bands eyed each-other. Talon gave Ulfang a nod, and the wolfish man swaggered forward, hand on sword-hilt.

“Ho there friends! We are the band under Captain Talon, and we have come a long way. We ask that you let us pass, so that we may be on our way.”

One of the dwarves left the ranks and drew a gleaming sword, much finer than anything the others Dwarves had. “We will not! Trespassers! For too long have foul things used the halls of our forebears to speed their evil ways. No more! Surrender yourselves, and we will judge if you are friend or foe!”

Ulfang let loose a fierce cackle. “Very well! Don’t say we didn’t try to be friendly.” He walked back to the others.

Myra turned to Medu. “If we’re going to fight, I ask to be lent a sword. I’ll not stand in the back and watch.” But the big man only laughed. One of the junior warriors put a hand on her shoulder.

“No need for that missy. The captains have this one…”

Myra looked to Talon confused. He smiled at her and drew his sword. “If you’re squeamish, I’d suggest you look away. Bor, Ulfang, Medu, let’s give these pups a show then, eh?”

“About time…” growled Bor.

The four of them drew their weapons and strode boldly towards the line of Dwarves. The air seemed to become heavier… and a cold sweat broke upon Myra's brow.