"Hope for what?"

"Hope that your coming heralds the end to Shinzan's reign. Hope that my people can once again feel the sun on our faces and the wind in our hair."

"Are you saying that you used to live on the surface?"

"No. Well, a few did, though most of us have always dwelled in the mountains. But we also possessed vast stretches of rich farmland and bountiful orchards. Some dwarves would choose a life of farming to provide our people with the food we needed. And it was our pleasure to leave our mountain homes from time to time and spend our days in the sun and our nights gazing at the stars. We love the deep places of Lumnia. But we also love the freedom of being able to visit what lies beyond occasionally."

Ethan lowered his head. "How am I supposed to do this...to beat Shinzan, I mean?"

"We were given a prophecy just after our defeat," Birger replied. "Well, given isn't really the right word, I suppose. Taken is more like it. My people captured an elf trying to escape Imperial soldiers and...interrogated him."

"You mean you tortured him?" There was obvious disapproval in Ethan's voice.

"Do not judge us," Birger warned. "Elves have committed terrible crimes against my people. And at the time, we were still reeling from what Shinzan had done to us."

He sighed. "In any case, the elf told us that his people were given a prophecy from the very heart of Lumnia. It said that one day, the children of magic shall rise again to do battle with the stain that blackens the soul of the world. We will know that time is at hand when the dragons return to herald their arrival."

"Anything else?" asked Ethan.

"Sure, but I don't remember it anymore. Even though I knew it by heart as a child." Birger shrugged. "Anyway, that's basically what it says."

"And you believe it."

"Elves have an uncanny way of knowing things before they happen. They claim it comes from their connection to the planet. And who knows, it might be true. But if they take it seriously, it would be foolish to ignore it."

Ethan wasn't so sure. He found it difficult to imagine relying on mystical prophecies and things like that for hope. He well remembered the men in his unit just before D-Day. Chuck Marshall had nearly gone insane when he couldn't find his lucky rabbit's foot. He was convinced that he wouldn't survive the jump without it. As it turned out, Markus, who did not like Chuck one bit, had hidden it behind the barracks. He returned it an hour before they took off. Chuck was so happy that he forgot to be angry with Markus for taking it in the first place. Not that getting it back helped him very much. Chuck was killed even before arriving at the drop zone when an anti-aircraft sh.e.l.l tore through the plane he was in. So much for lucky charms.

Birger could see that Ethan was doubtful. "So, there is no magic on Earth at all?"

Ethan shook his head. "Not that I've ever seen. No need for it really. We have machines that do work for us. Cars and planes to take us where we want to go. And radios to listen to for news and music."

Birger rubbed his chin. "My father used to tell me stories about how our people once built incredible machines that could reach the very stars themselves. He said that long ago we could fly through the air like birds whenever it took our fancy. If your people can build such things, perhaps we could have done so as well."

Ethan smiled. "I don't know about going to the stars, but we can sure fly through the air easy enough." He began telling Birger about his time in the Airborne. A short while later, the door opened and a young dwarf woman in a red and green dress entered.

"Lord Dragonvein's room is ready," she said. "The king sends word that your friends will be brought here tomorrow."

Lord? Since when am I Lord?

They both stood and followed the woman along a series of hallways and up to the next floor. After walking for what seemed like miles, they arrived at Ethan's room.

"Your quarters are just across the hall," the woman told Birger. "Meals will be brought to you. Please stay in your room until the king tells you otherwise." Without waiting for a reply she sped away.

"Do you think my friends will be all right?" Ethan asked.

Birger opened the door to his own room. "As the king said their fate is in their own hands. Just hope that they choose to speak the truth."

After the dwarf disappeared, Ethan stood in the hall for a moment longer, his mind turning to Jonas. Even after everything that had happened, he was still certain that Jonas was holding back some secrets. Markus felt it too. What would happen to the old man when they placed the circlet on his head? He shook off the thought and entered his room.

It was by far the most luxurious place he had ever stayed. To his left was an expertly crafted wardrobe of richly stained and polished wood. Beside it, a matching dresser and vanity. The bed opposite was wide enough to easily accommodate three grown men, and, Ethan gratefully noticed, long enough to allow him to stretch out comfortably. There was also a small table surrounded by four chairs, and a splendid bookcase filled with leather bound tomes.

On the far wall were two doors, both slightly ajar. The left hand door led to a formal dining room, while a peek to the right revealed a bathroom complete with sink, toilet, and shower.

He pressed down on the mattress and sighed with relief. Soft...but not too soft. Spreading his arms wide, he allowed himself to fall back onto it, bouncing several times before letting out a satisfied moan.

He lay there for a short while, trying to clear his thoughts. Just as he felt himself beginning to drift off, there was a light rap at the door. Before he could move to answer, Kat stepped inside.

She looked at him, smiling. "Did you miss me?"

Ethan struggled up into a sitting position. "Are you all right?"

She ran over and jumped onto the bed. "Of course I'm all right. Why wouldn't I be? Don't tell me that you were worried."

He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Of course I was worried. We all were."

"There was no need to be. The dwarf women took good care of me. Not that they spoke very much."

"How did you get here?"

"They brought me just now. They said you were staying here, and being that I wasn't under suspicion, I could stay here too."

Ethan c.o.c.ked his head. "Not in this room?"

"Down the hall," she replied. Her smile became an impish grin. "Unless you want me to, of course."

Ethan groaned and pushed himself to his feet.

"I was only joking," she said, giggling. "I just wanted you to know I was here." She hopped off the bed and danced playfully to the door. "I'm three doors down if you need me."

Ethan nodded. "I think I'm going to get some rest. And you should be careful. They said that we should stay in our rooms until the king tells us otherwise."

She opened the door and looked over her shoulder. "You worry too much. We made it. We're here. What more do you want?"

After the door closed behind her, Ethan checked it for a lock but wasn't able to find one.

What more do I want?

He answered himself aloud. "A hot shower and a good night's sleep."

Just then his stomach growled. "And maybe something to eat."

Chapter Seventeen.

The following morning, the first thing Ethan saw when opening his eyes was Kat sitting at the table, legs crossed, nibbling daintily on a piece of bread.

"It's about time you woke up," she said. "I've been sitting here for almost an hour with no one to talk to."

He yawned and stretched. "You should really knock before you come in here."

"I did knock. You didn't answer."

Groaning, he sat up. "Have you heard anything about Markus and Jonas?"

"No. But Birger was here earlier. He said he'd be back in a few hours."

Ethan wiped the sleep from his eyes. There was a plate of fruits and berries placed on the table in front of an empty chair.

"No meat here at all," complained Kat. "I asked the woman who brought our food if they had any bacon and she looked at me like I'd asked for horse dung."

He chuckled and sat down. "Bacon would be nice. Unfortunately, I doubt we'll be seeing any for a while." The mention of bacon made the breakfast seem far less appetizing than it had a moment before. He closed his eyes, imagining the smell of Sunday breakfast back home in New York. He recalled how their apartment held the scent of bacon and coffee all day long.

After eating, Kat asked him to tell her more about Earth. And with little else to keep them occupied, he was happy to oblige. He'd just got to explaining how a subway operated when Birger entered. His face was grim.

"What's wrong?" asked Ethan.

"Your friend...Jonas. Things did not go well during his questioning."

Both Ethan and Kat sprang to their feet.

"Is he all right?" asked Kat, anxiously.

"It's hard to say," Birger replied. "The circlet...well, it seems that with humans, refusing to answer a question is the same as a lie."

"What do you mean?" pressed Ethan, his concern deepening.

"When the council questioned him on personal matters, he refused to answer."

"What kind of personal matters?"

"I don't know. I wasn't there. All I know is that he's unconscious."

Ethan stepped toward the door, but Birger barred his way.

"There's nothing you can do," he said. "Our physicians are treating him as we speak. You should also know that before he was injured he confirmed your ident.i.ty to the king and the council. However, this has caused even more debate."

Ethan tried to calm himself. "How so?"

"Now that there is no question of your ident.i.ty, the king fears that when the Emperor learns of it, he'll send his armies."

"But didn't Ethan's father make a deal with your people?" asked Kat. "They have no choice but to help him. Right?"

Birger lowered his eyes. "It's not that simple. Praxis Dragonvein did indeed make a pact with my people. But King Halvar fears for our very existence. He argues that, seeing as how I saved you from the Rakasa, the oath has been fulfilled and we have no further obligation."

"So he's going to make us leave?" asked Ethan.

"I don't know," Birger admitted. "The king doesn't have unlimited power. The council must be with him on this. And right now, they're divided."

Ethan thought for a moment. If there was a possibility that his presence could destroy these people, perhaps he should leave. "And how do you feel about it?" he asked.

"I'm not sure how to feel," Birger replied solemnly. "I share some of King Halvar's fears. We cannot stand against the power of Shinzan. Not alone. I have family...friends...a life here. Most of us were killed the last time we defied the Emperor. If we try again, there may be no one left to tell our story."

He looked up at Ethan. Now though, rather than sadness and fear, there was unremitting determination in his eyes. "Then I look around at how we are forced to live. The way we cower like frightened children at the mention of Shinzan's name. Forced to bow to the very demon who slaughtered us without pity. How long can this go on? How long before our spirits wither and die completely? How long before there is nothing left of us but our empty, broken bodies? No...I think I would prefer death. But I have no right to choose that fate for everyone else."

"Do you really think I can help you?" Ethan asked. It was one thing to look to the dwarves for a place of refuge. But now, here was someone looking to him for salvation. He suddenly felt very small and inadequate.

"I don't know for sure," Birger said. "Yet it was no accident that I came upon you and your friends. Before that, I'd never put much faith in the elves' belief in a greater power. However, something that day compelled me to go to the cave where I found you. I've never gone there before. But that day I did, and without even knowing why. I arrived the same day...the very minute in fact, that you needed me."

Ethan had never been religious though more than once during the heat of battle he had prayed for G.o.d to keep him alive. To think that some 'greater power', as Birger put it, was guiding him, was more than he could accept. Even so, the conviction in the dwarf's eyes was enough to make him wonder.

"When can we see Jonas?" asked Kat.

"He's at the other house. The king will not permit him to stay at the manor for now. I'll look in on him later and let you know if there's any change."

"What about Markus?" asked Ethan.

"He's with the council now. If all goes well you'll see him in a few hours. Now I must leave. I have errands to run. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Once Birger had left, Kat and Ethan sat at the table silently for several minutes. Ethan's mind was reeling from the sheer magnitude of the events that were transpiring. Even trying to imagine what the future might bring was taking him to the brink of panic.

Kat moved her chair close to Ethan and rested her head on his shoulder. "Do you think Jonas will be all right?"

He gave her a rea.s.suring smile. "Jonas is a tough old man. I'm sure he'll be just fine."

"You know, he's not as mean as he pretends to be."

"I know."

Just as Birger had told them, a few hours later Markus arrived. His eyes were distant and his hands were trembling. Ethan and Kat rushed to his side.

"Before you ask, I'm okay," he said. "I'm just a bit shaken. Some of their questions were pretty d.a.m.n uncomfortable for me."

"I'm just glad you answered them," said Ethan. "Any word on Jonas?"

"None. But I have a feeling the old man isn't done yet. I was right though. Even his secrets have secrets. Makes me wonder what the dwarves asked him about."

"I don't care what they asked," said Kat, frowning. "Everyone is allowed to have secrets. I'd bet you have a few."

"Not anymore," Markus said bitterly. "At least, none that the dwarves don't know about." He forced a smile at Ethan. "There's never a priest around when you need one."

Ethan returned his smile and offered him a seat, but Markus refused.

"I'm tired," he said. "I think I'll go to my room and get some rest." He made his way to the door, halting just long enough to add: "But not before I enjoy another one of those hot showers."