The Death and Ressurection (Part II)

My head felt like it was going to explode as this Dwarf screamed into the sky as it died. I felt angry that I lost my connection to these creatures. I soon realized I had nothing to worry about as I saw about ten of the little creatures coming towards me. What the Dwarf had done was signal his allies that he needed help and here they were. I saw five of them carry axes much like my own, two had hammers, two had bows and one was standing back muttering protective spells to aid the warriors. I quickly realized that I was in trouble. Norweiul had been teaching me some magic but I was nowhere near ready to take this battle.

I gave a quick thought to retreat but before I could finish an arrow hit me in the leg. I lost all reason and sane thought. I charged blindly into the fray. I was able to vanquish two of the axe man using a little move I had learned and swung in a wide circle removing their heads. I was getting ready to swing at a third when all of a sudden my skin started to boil and split. I screamed in terror. What was happening to me? I noticed the little Dwarf that had been casting spells was focused on me now, "this must be some kind of spell" I thought to myself. I resolved that I was going to kill that spell caster and hoisted my axe ignoring the pain and the splitting skin. I had raised the axe into the air and then to my dismay I dropped it. I dodged another arrow and bent to pick up my axe but I had no strength left. I was in deep trouble. I had been doing my best at dodging attacks as the ax men were laughing at me now and letting the bowmen take pot-shots at me. One arrow hit me in the chest, another in the arm and then a third cut my hamstring and I collapsed.

The Dwarves moved in and looked down on me. The one that had been using magic came up to me and said to me in a language I could understand "These are our mountains, Humans are not welcome here! These belong to the Stone Summit Dwarves and to make sure people know we shall hang you corpse from the trees at the foot of the mountain!" I was about to become even more nervous, if that was possible, when an axe blade was buried in my chest. As I looked at the axe my vision started to fade and the last thing I heard was their sinister laughter.

Time went by. How much? I do not know. I opened my eyes and saw my God Balthalazar above me. I was very frightened and ashamed. I threw myself to his mercy "Please spare me, I had only meant well." The ancient warrior looked and spoke "Fear not Hondo Willcrusher for I am not angry or saddened by you, and you saved a small child. I am proud of you, the time for your eternal rest is not at hand yet! You must go back." I was bewildered."How can I go back? I have been slain?"

My God told to look into his eyes. I stared into those ancient and wise eyes and saw my self being hung from a tree. I had been hung as a warning. But then suddenly, before they could finish hanging me I saw Norweiul off in the distance with her pet lynx. One, two three and then a whole wall of arrows came flying to wards the Dwarves. They had to drop me to protect themselves. I saw the spell caster go down when an arrow buried itself up to its feathers in its head. The other Dwarves saw this and fled. Norweiul started to gather her energy and I saw a white aura gather around her. Bathalazar told me that I was to go back now and rejoin Norweuil as we had great things to accomplish. I watched as Norweiul finished the chant and then felt myself pulled away and back to the mortal realm.

I opened my eyes and looked up, I felt really sore. "Glad to have you back dunderhead" she said and I smiled weakly at Norweiul. She used another spell and brought my health back up to where it should be. "How did you find me?" I asked. Norweiul told me that the little girl had been in the cottage waiting for her and revealed all. Norweiul had rushed out to get me but it was too late and she had to track me down. We walked back to our cottage together while Norweiul laughed at me and also gave a pretty good scolding. "What did you learn?" she asked me. "Well. Next time I need a bigger axe!" I did learn something though, I learned that until I controlled my rage I was continually going to be putting myself and those I cared for in danger. I learned that death was not permanent at all times, and most importantly I learned that I would need to work together with Norweiul to complete our quest.

We walked home in the fading sunlight in silence thinking about what the future will hold. I knew that things were just starting to get interesting and I really wanted to go and meet more of the Stone Summit Folks. My axe and I had an appointment with them that would one day be kept.

To be continued...