The Wrathful Mountains by Lana Axe Page B

it?”
Galen asked.
    Tashi looked away,
her fingers trembling as she crossed her arms and squeezed them to her body.
She couldn’t tell them the truth. What would they do if they knew she had awakened
this evil?
    “If it gets angrier
and the tremors get worse, then all dwarven lands might be in danger,” Galen
pointed out. “It could even reach the Vale.” Nestled at the base of the
Wrathful Mountains, the home of his people could be the next victim of
rockslides, should this being decide to intensify its attacks.
    “It’s the miners’
fault,” Tashi spat, attempting to assuage her guilt. “They dug too deep and
angered the mountain’s heart.” It was as good an explanation as any. With no
magic of her own, how could she have summoned this evil? I don’t have that
power , she tried to convince herself. Though she wanted to believe that,
she could not. She had seen the shadows and felt the dark presence. She was to
blame.
    “Now hold on
there,” Raad said, waving his finger. “You can’t blame us for this.”
    “It isn’t the
mountain that’s angry,” Kaiya said. Her tone softened as she observed the
priestess’s discomfort. “It’s something else, maybe something that’s a part of
the mountain itself.” She couldn’t be sure at this point. For one brief
instant, she sensed the presence again, but it disappeared too quickly for any
spell to take effect. Whatever it was, it was nearer now than before.
    Rubbing her eyes, Kaiya
tried to shake off her fatigue. “I guess it’s time we get some sleep,” she
said, her mind too clouded to concentrate.
    “Time for some
ale,” Raad replied. “You up for a trip to the tavern, Mr. Elf?”
    “Sounds great,”
Galen replied.
    “I’ll come as
well,” Kaiya said, to the surprise of her male companions. “I’ll never get to
sleep without a drink.”
    “I thought you were against drinking,” Raad said.
    “I’m not against it,” she corrected him. “What I’m
against is drinking to the point of acting like an idiot, and I don’t think one
should drink at every opportunity. I just need enough to help me get a little
sleep tonight.” Without it, she feared her mind would never stop pondering over
the magic in the rubble. She needed rest if she was going to function the next
day.
    “Come along then,” the miner said cheerfully. “You
too?” he asked Tashi.
    “No,” she replied. “I’d like to sleep now.”
    “Suit yourself,” he
said.
    Her head held low,
Tashi made her way down the path to the barracks Raad had pointed out. No one
was inside, only silence. Choosing a bed near the wall, she climbed into it and
drew the blankets up to her chin.
    Since the death of
her sister, she had not slept through a night. Her sleep was constantly
disrupted by visions and strange noises, and the memory of death. A wave of
pain traveled through her body, every muscle screaming with fatigue. She wished
she’d thought to bring a sleep tonic. This strange place would offer little
rest.
    Nearly drifting off
to sleep, the sound of an infant crying startled her back awake. Looking around
the unfamiliar room, she reminded herself that her niece was not here. She was in
the care of the doula, and she was safe. Tashi had to believe the girl was all
right. But she had left her behind, so how could she be sure? The thought
weighed heavily on her mind.
    Closing her eyes,
she lay back and steadied her breathing. H er sister’s face gazed down at
her from somewhere high above. Tashi could see the outline of a scowl on the
young woman’s lips. “Are you angry with me?” she whispered to the darkness.
    The vision said nothing.
    “You are ashamed of me for running away,” Tashi
said, sobbing. “I could not stay. It was too dangerous for our people.”
    Her sister remained silent.
    “I might do some good here,” Tashi said, hoping to
convince her. “Maybe this sorceress can find a way to save our children and
ensure our future.”
    Annin’s visage faded away,