Chapter 8

 

 

The cool touch of a damp cloth over her forehead woke Nyssa. She opened her eyes and found herself lying amidst some trees shrouded in a thin mist. It was still light, though she couldn’t tell what time of the day it was. She sat up and looked around. To her relief she saw Lore and Rena lying nearby, both still asleep it seemed. Eldor’s staff too lay on the ground beside her.

 

She was a little dazed and confused, her mind not working properly yet. What had happened to her? She remembered the sandstorm and being picked up by the wind and tossed away. Then hands helping her up and a face… the face of an elven girl. Who was she Nyssa wondered?

 

As if that thought prompted her appearance, the girl slipped out of the mist and approached her. Nyssa stared in wonder, able to see her more clearly this time. She was definitely an elf, slim and with pointed ears. But she was dressed quite differently, wearing clothes that were a pale yellow. Nyssa could see how they would blend very well into the desert.

 

‘It’s good that you’re awake,’ the girl said with a smile, dropping a small pack on the ground and seating herself. ‘How do you feel?’

 

‘Pretty awful,’ Nyssa replied. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever felt so tired.’

 

‘I’m not surprised,’ the elf said. ‘You all look like you haven’t eaten or drank much in some days.’

 

Nyssa nodded.

 

‘We lost our food some days ago and have been only drinking what water we could find,’ Nyssa replied. ‘But… who are? You’re obviously an elf like me.’

 

The girl nodded.

 

‘I’m a desert elf and my name’s Berrin.’ she said and extended a hand.

 

Nyssa took it and they shook hands.

 

‘I’m, Nyssa. I never imagined there could be other elves.’

 

‘I too am surprised, but think it’s a nice one.’ Berrin agreed. ‘Do you live beyond the Scorched Mountains?’

 

‘We call them the Bleak Mountains and my folk live in a large forest far to their north,’ Nyssa replied. ‘Lore and Rena are dwarves and live in mountains even further away. Do you actually live here in the desert?’

 

‘In the cooler months we do,’ Berrin replied. ‘When the desert is at it’s hottest in summer we come here where it is cooler. Otherwise we live in oasis that are scattered throughout the desert.’

 

‘Oasis?’ Nyssa frowned, not having heard the word before.

 

‘They are isolated places where there are pools of water surrounded by trees,’ Berrin replied.

 

‘It sounds like an interesting way to live,’ Nyssa said.

 

‘I think so,’ Berrin smiled. ‘Now, are you hungry?’

 

‘I’m famished!’ Nyssa admitted.

 

Berrin opened the pack and laid a white cloth on the ground. She put out some flat bread, cheese, tomatoes and green pickles on it. She quickly made a type of rolled up sandwich and Nyssa began to eat hungrily. There was also a bottle of sweet berry juice and small, sweet fruits a dark brown in colour.

 

‘Is this a fruit?’ Nyssa asked. ‘They’re delicious.’

 

‘They’re called dates,’ Berrin replied.

 

Nyssa glanced over at Lore and Rena who were still asleep. Lore didn’t look too worse for wear, except for some sunburn on his face and arms. Rena however was very pale and didn’t look well at all.

 

Berrin appeared to read her thoughts.

 

‘The older dwarf is not too well,’ she said. ‘She wouldn’t have survived for much longer if we hadn’t found you. The other will recover as you have.’

 

‘I don’t know how we can ever repay you, Berrin,’ Nyssa said in gratitude.

 

‘No need. We know why you are here.’

 

‘You do?’ Nyssa said, startled at her admission.

 

Berrin nodded.

 

‘Our Queen Kerin was sent a dream by Ashmon, the Desert Lord. In it he said that he was trapped by an ice spell and couldn’t free himself from his cave. This was grave news as he shapes the desert with his winds and gives it life, even though it can be a harsh place to live in. But without him it would become much harsher.

 

‘He said that some folk were coming from the north to help him escape and that we were to look out for them. Queen Kerin sent many elves out to watch the mountains and I and some friends of mine have been the lucky ones to find you.’

 

‘The spell was cast by a wicked sorceress called Mogrom and Orcon, the Ice Lord of the North,’ Nyssa said.

 

‘Those names mean nothing to me,’ Berrin said with a frown. ‘But they sound evil.’

 

Nyssa quickly described who Mogrom and Orcon were. She told her about Eldor and how he been captured. How he had sent Lore a dream telling him how Ashmon could be freed. Then of their harrowing flight south, fleeing Orcon’s wintry might.

 

‘It sounds like you’ve been through quite an ordeal,’ Berrin said at the end. ‘And this strange staff can free Ashmon?’

 

Nyssa nodded.

 

‘Eldor said that if it touches the enchantment over Ashmon’s cave, it will be destroyed.’

 

‘These woods are in a small valley in Ashmon’s Mountains. His cave lies not too far away, but dark clouds have now massed over it during the night.’

 

Nyssa was suddenly worried.

 

‘If Orcon’s clouds are over the mountains he must be close to sealing Ashmon in his cave for good. We must reach it somehow.’

 

At that Lore suddenly stirred and sat up with a groan.

 

‘Where… where am I?’ he muttered.

 

‘With friends, Lore,’ Nyssa said.

 

He rubbed his eyes and then gaped at Berrin in astonishment.

 

‘Good dwarves! You’re an elf!’

 

Berrin laughed.

 

‘Yes… I’m an elf.’

 

‘Berrin’s a desert elf, Lore,’ Nyssa said and quickly filled him in on what had happened since the sandstorm.

 

As much as Lore was surprised at meeting Berrin, he was more concerned about Orcon’s arrival.

 

‘We don’t have much time, Nyssa,’ he said gravely. ‘We must get Eldor’s staff to Ashmon’s cave.’

 

‘And we shall help,’ Berrin said quickly.

 

* * *

 

Lore was offered something to eat, which he accepted greatly. As he ate another desert elf joined them, appearing out of the misty trees and he was introduced as Nye. Berrin had a quick conversation with him and it seemed he had some bad news.

 

‘Nye says that a blizzard now blocks the canyon leading to Ashmon’s cave and any passage through it is impossible.’

 

‘This is terrible!’ Nyssa said. ‘Is there another way we can get to the cave?’

 

Berrin nodded.

 

‘The Broken Way,’ she said in a tone that was not reassuring.

 

‘You make it sound dangerous,’ Nyssa said.

 

‘It can be,’ she replied. ‘It is a very steep climb up the mountains. It winds through the mountain’s stone in parts and along very narrow ledges. It finally climbs to a rock ledge that overlooks Ashmon’s cave.’

 

‘Well, being a dwarf I’m used to dangerous climbs in mountains,’ Lore said.

 

‘As am I,’ Rena voice agreed and all turned to see Lore’s aunt sitting up. ‘You won’t be going anywhere without me.’

 

‘Aunt Rena!’ Lore exclaimed and jumped over to give her a big hug.

 

He and Nyssa were glad to see her awake, but could see she was still far from recovered. She was introduced to Berrin and Nye and she was equally surprised to meet them. She made to get to her feet, but was suddenly overcome with a fit of coughing.

 

‘I don’t think you can come with us this time, Aunt Rena,’ Lore said. ‘You haven’t recovered yet.’

 

‘Nonsense!’ she said, trying to rise again, but then sagged with terrible weakness.

 

‘You wouldn’t make it, Rena,’ Nyssa said. ‘You have to rest.’

 

‘Maybe… maybe you’re right,’ Rena said wearily as she lay down again. ‘I think our journey has finally caught up with this old dwarf. No more adventuring for me I think.’

 

‘Don’t’ be silly, Aunt Rena!’ Lore scolded. ‘You just need some rest, that’s all.’

 

‘Nye will stay here with you, Rena,’ Berrin said. ‘There were others with my group, but I sent them back to inform Queen Kerin of your arrival. I shall lead Nyssa and Lore up the Broken Way.’

 

Nyssa picked up Eldor’s staff.

 

‘Then let’s make a start,’ she urged. ‘Time is running out for all of us.’