Frostborn: The Broken Mage by Jonathan Moeller Page B

our god told us the great power awakened.” 
    “Your god?” said Ridmark.
    “The Devourer,” said the First. “The Devourer rules in Khald Azalar. We provide the Devourer with sustenance, and it protects us.” 
    “It?” said Ridmark, surprised. He had always assumed that the deep orcs worshipped the old blood gods of the orcs, Mhor and Ulak and Qaza and the others. Yet the blood gods were either male or female like their mortal worshippers. “What manner of god is the Devourer?”
    “It is the Devourer, and we are its servants,” said the First.
    “That is why your kin tried to capture us at the Gate of the West, is it not?” said Ridmark. “Not to take us as slaves. To offer us as sacrifices to your Devourer.” 
    “Yes,” hissed the First. “The Devourer requires a tithe of blood. We can pay it from our own kin. Or we can pay it from fools who wander into the ruins. Many times have the orcs of Vhaluusk come to seek treasure in Khald Azalar…and we have offered many of them as sacrifices to the Devourer.”
    “The Devourer claimed a great power has awakened in the ruins?” said Ridmark.
    “There is a place of power far below,” said the First. “I know not what it is. Perhaps the Devourer knows, but it has not chosen to share that wisdom with us. The power within has been dormant, but it awakened a few fortnights past, and will call others to its side. The dvargir, most likely, came in answer to that power.” Ridmark felt the pressure of the eyeless orc’s attention. “And you, too, Gray Knight, have come to claim the power.”
    There was no point in lying. It sounded as if the First had already made up his mind.
    “We have,” said Ridmark. “Do you intend to oppose us?”
    Again the First let out his hissing, gargling laugh. “Can we oppose you? Our kin who survived their battle with you have spoken of your prowess. You have two shining Swordbearers, and who can stand against their might? You have command of powerful magic, spells to turn the stone against us, spells to unleash killing fire. Aye, we could fight you, but many more of the Silent Ones would perish. Better to let you go.” The First laughed again. “We shall not kill you.”
    “You’re going to let us go,” said Ridmark, “because you’re certain the Devourer is going to kill us.” 
    “You understand, human fool. The Devourer will kill you,” said the First. “It is best when we can bring our sacrifices to the Devourer with our own hands. But you are too strong for that…and the Devourer shall be pleased when he consumes your strength.”
    “Very well,” said Ridmark. “We shall march joyfully into the arms of the Devourer, then.” Jager snorted. “This place of power. Where is it?”
    “I do not know exactly,” said the First. “Somewhere in the lower levels of the city, near where the dwarven kings of old kept their throne. The Silent Ones rarely go there. We can move quietly enough through the Forge Quarter and the mines and entrances to the Deeps, but some of the old defenses are still active. Only the Devourer can penetrate the defenses of the dwarves, and the Devourer dwells near the throne of the dwarven kings.” The First pointed his spear at one of the gallery entrances beyond the murmuring waterfall. “Take the tunnel to the Forge Quarter. Beyond are galleries that shall take you to the seat of the dwarven kings, and thence to the place of power.”
    “Thank you, First,” said Ridmark. “We shall contemplate your counsel.”
    The First grinned. The combination of his tusks, his sallow skin, and his eyeless face made the expression ghastly. “You will not thank me, Gray Knight. You shall find our god, and the Devourer shall consume you. When it does, remember that the First sent you into its arms and curse my name.” 
    The First gestured, and the deep orcs faded away, vanishing back into the empty shells of the dwarven houses. 
    For a moment no one said anything. 
    “Well,” said