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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7445034" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 173</p><p></p><p>The tour wasn’t even over yet, but Xeeta felt as though she’d walked to Severon and back. Darik was a competent enough guide, and seemed to know every detail about Underhold, but her legs were burning and her eyes were starting to feel like they had tiny weights attached to them.</p><p></p><p>She had to admit that the underground city was interesting. Darik had shown them his promised forges, which had interested Bredan, but then took them to workshops, living quarters, common spaces, the massive water pumps that lifted water from the lake to the upper part of the city, and even a couple of farms. She would have thought that it was impossible to grow crops inside a mountain, but the dwarves had rigged up a series of mirrors in shafts that allowed sunlight and fresh air to enter from outside. They’d even ridden in one of the odd lift cars they’d spotted from the entry. Ascending in one had been interesting, but that was nothing compared to the ride they’d taken <em>down</em> a few levels in one. Xeeta still wasn’t quite sure her stomach had returned to its usual place.</p><p></p><p>Ironcrest was a city with many wonders, but Li Syval was also such a place, and Xeeta knew first-hand that such places always concealed darker secrets. All “civilized” cities she had visited had them, a seedy underbelly where the darker elements that existed everywhere intelligent beings gathered came together. She didn’t know the dwarves well enough yet to spot what they were hiding from casual view, but she knew it was there.</p><p></p><p>She did know that the dwarves wanted something from them. During that hours-long initial meeting the dwarven elders had dodged any references to the key they had come here to get. But it was obvious that they understood that the outsiders wanted something from them, and that they fully intended to use the leverage that this gave them.</p><p></p><p>Bredan had been engaged during the initial stages of the tour, asking Darik questions about dwarven metalworking practices and their engineering, but as the tour stretched on he again became distracted and withdrawn. Xeeta understood his struggle a little better now, but also knew that they would need him to be one hundred percent with them in the coming days. One of the secrets the dwarves held close was why they had wanted Bredan here. Xeeta didn’t think that the dwarves wanted to harm them, but that was a long, long way from trusting them or their motives.</p><p></p><p>They were heading down another long corridor when Xeeta asked, “Are we almost done here? We’re tired, and it has been quite a long day.”</p><p></p><p>Darik stopped immediately and turned to face them. “There is only one more thing that I need to show you.”</p><p></p><p>Xeeta’s thoughts sharpened immediately at that, and she sensed Bredan straighten as well beside her. “This thing… this is what Dergan wanted you to show us?” he said.</p><p></p><p>“Yes.”</p><p></p><p>“What is it?” Xeeta asked.</p><p></p><p>“It is easier just to show you,” Darik said. “Please, it’s not far.”</p><p></p><p>Xeeta shot Bredan an evaluative look. “Fine,” he said.</p><p></p><p>The “not far” was relative, and involved another ride, this time in an enclosed lift that descended through a square shaft over several levels. An old dwarf clad in armor operated it using a large metal lever built into the frame of the lift. They descended all the way to the bottom, and when they came to a softly-jarring halt the operator announced, “Darkfall Gate.”</p><p></p><p>“Darkfall?” Bredan asked.</p><p></p><p>“We’re here,” Darik said.</p><p></p><p>When the heavy metal door on the outside of the lift swung open, Xeeta could see what he meant.</p><p></p><p>They were in yet another cavern, one that extended for several hundred feet ahead of them. The place was brightly lit, so bright that Xeeta had to blink until her eyes adjusted from the relative dimness that was pervasive through the rest of Underhold. The light came from over a dozen beacon lanterns that hung from chains throughout the cavern. They clearly illuminated a massive fortification that stretched across the cavern at its far end.</p><p></p><p>The Darkfall Gate made the defenses outside Hightown above seem feeble by contrast. It was as if someone had taken a whole castle and just slapped it down here in its entirety. The Darkfall Gate had battlements, turrets, and yes, a gate, another massive stone barrier that she could see clearly even from the far side of the cavern. The dwarves that clambered over the defenses seemed like ants.</p><p></p><p>“Follow me, but please don’t wander off here,” Darik said, starting across the cavern. It looked as if the place had been a natural feature at some point, but the dwarves had worked it until it was as flat and level as the smoothest street. Xeeta could see side-chambers that looked like storerooms or workshops; the clatter of metal being worked issued from some of them as they passed. The Darkfall Gate was almost like another small city within the city, with everything focused on the barrier that they were approaching.</p><p></p><p>As they got closer, Xeeta could see that the defensive features of the Gate faced away from them. Multiple sets of stairs and steeply sloping ramps led up to the battlements, which rose to roughly half the height of the cavern ceiling. From this side she could also see the huge mechanisms that operated the main gate, each of the gears several times the size of the dwarves that tended it. She wondered briefly at what provided the power to work those gears; it was doubtful that even the combined strength of every dwarf here could open the giant doors.</p><p></p><p>“What does this gate protect against?” Bredan asked.</p><p></p><p>“Few on the surface are aware of this, but there is a whole other world that exists under the one that you know,” Darik said. “There are entire civilizations down here that never see the light of the sun. And other things as well, monstrosities that rival anything you may have confronted above.”</p><p></p><p>“If they’re so dangerous, why don’t you just collapse all of these caverns?” Xeeta asked.</p><p></p><p>“If that alone would keep us safe, then we would do it,” Darik explained. “But masses of earth and stone alone are not a sufficient barrier against some of these dangers. By maintaining this outpost, we retain the ability to strike out against someone who is trying to assail us. And there have been many who have tried.”</p><p></p><p>“So, this is what you wanted us to see,” Bredan said.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, and one other thing, if you are willing,” Darik said. “It lies just beyond the Gate.”</p><p></p><p>“Beyond…” Xeeta said. “But if those dangers you mentioned are as you said…”</p><p></p><p>“There is risk,” Darik acknowledged. “But the place I would show you is not far, and we send frequent patrols into the closer tunnels. I cannot compel you, but the Council of Elders wished you to see what is in the Lakeshore Grotto.”</p><p></p><p>Again, Xeeta looked to Bredan, who from his face was clearly not trusting but at the same time was driven by the desire to know, to understand what had brought him here, how it was connected to the changes that were happening to him. She was not surprised when after a moment he nodded. “Show us, then.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7445034, member: 143"] Chapter 173 The tour wasn’t even over yet, but Xeeta felt as though she’d walked to Severon and back. Darik was a competent enough guide, and seemed to know every detail about Underhold, but her legs were burning and her eyes were starting to feel like they had tiny weights attached to them. She had to admit that the underground city was interesting. Darik had shown them his promised forges, which had interested Bredan, but then took them to workshops, living quarters, common spaces, the massive water pumps that lifted water from the lake to the upper part of the city, and even a couple of farms. She would have thought that it was impossible to grow crops inside a mountain, but the dwarves had rigged up a series of mirrors in shafts that allowed sunlight and fresh air to enter from outside. They’d even ridden in one of the odd lift cars they’d spotted from the entry. Ascending in one had been interesting, but that was nothing compared to the ride they’d taken [i]down[/i] a few levels in one. Xeeta still wasn’t quite sure her stomach had returned to its usual place. Ironcrest was a city with many wonders, but Li Syval was also such a place, and Xeeta knew first-hand that such places always concealed darker secrets. All “civilized” cities she had visited had them, a seedy underbelly where the darker elements that existed everywhere intelligent beings gathered came together. She didn’t know the dwarves well enough yet to spot what they were hiding from casual view, but she knew it was there. She did know that the dwarves wanted something from them. During that hours-long initial meeting the dwarven elders had dodged any references to the key they had come here to get. But it was obvious that they understood that the outsiders wanted something from them, and that they fully intended to use the leverage that this gave them. Bredan had been engaged during the initial stages of the tour, asking Darik questions about dwarven metalworking practices and their engineering, but as the tour stretched on he again became distracted and withdrawn. Xeeta understood his struggle a little better now, but also knew that they would need him to be one hundred percent with them in the coming days. One of the secrets the dwarves held close was why they had wanted Bredan here. Xeeta didn’t think that the dwarves wanted to harm them, but that was a long, long way from trusting them or their motives. They were heading down another long corridor when Xeeta asked, “Are we almost done here? We’re tired, and it has been quite a long day.” Darik stopped immediately and turned to face them. “There is only one more thing that I need to show you.” Xeeta’s thoughts sharpened immediately at that, and she sensed Bredan straighten as well beside her. “This thing… this is what Dergan wanted you to show us?” he said. “Yes.” “What is it?” Xeeta asked. “It is easier just to show you,” Darik said. “Please, it’s not far.” Xeeta shot Bredan an evaluative look. “Fine,” he said. The “not far” was relative, and involved another ride, this time in an enclosed lift that descended through a square shaft over several levels. An old dwarf clad in armor operated it using a large metal lever built into the frame of the lift. They descended all the way to the bottom, and when they came to a softly-jarring halt the operator announced, “Darkfall Gate.” “Darkfall?” Bredan asked. “We’re here,” Darik said. When the heavy metal door on the outside of the lift swung open, Xeeta could see what he meant. They were in yet another cavern, one that extended for several hundred feet ahead of them. The place was brightly lit, so bright that Xeeta had to blink until her eyes adjusted from the relative dimness that was pervasive through the rest of Underhold. The light came from over a dozen beacon lanterns that hung from chains throughout the cavern. They clearly illuminated a massive fortification that stretched across the cavern at its far end. The Darkfall Gate made the defenses outside Hightown above seem feeble by contrast. It was as if someone had taken a whole castle and just slapped it down here in its entirety. The Darkfall Gate had battlements, turrets, and yes, a gate, another massive stone barrier that she could see clearly even from the far side of the cavern. The dwarves that clambered over the defenses seemed like ants. “Follow me, but please don’t wander off here,” Darik said, starting across the cavern. It looked as if the place had been a natural feature at some point, but the dwarves had worked it until it was as flat and level as the smoothest street. Xeeta could see side-chambers that looked like storerooms or workshops; the clatter of metal being worked issued from some of them as they passed. The Darkfall Gate was almost like another small city within the city, with everything focused on the barrier that they were approaching. As they got closer, Xeeta could see that the defensive features of the Gate faced away from them. Multiple sets of stairs and steeply sloping ramps led up to the battlements, which rose to roughly half the height of the cavern ceiling. From this side she could also see the huge mechanisms that operated the main gate, each of the gears several times the size of the dwarves that tended it. She wondered briefly at what provided the power to work those gears; it was doubtful that even the combined strength of every dwarf here could open the giant doors. “What does this gate protect against?” Bredan asked. “Few on the surface are aware of this, but there is a whole other world that exists under the one that you know,” Darik said. “There are entire civilizations down here that never see the light of the sun. And other things as well, monstrosities that rival anything you may have confronted above.” “If they’re so dangerous, why don’t you just collapse all of these caverns?” Xeeta asked. “If that alone would keep us safe, then we would do it,” Darik explained. “But masses of earth and stone alone are not a sufficient barrier against some of these dangers. By maintaining this outpost, we retain the ability to strike out against someone who is trying to assail us. And there have been many who have tried.” “So, this is what you wanted us to see,” Bredan said. “Yes, and one other thing, if you are willing,” Darik said. “It lies just beyond the Gate.” “Beyond…” Xeeta said. “But if those dangers you mentioned are as you said…” “There is risk,” Darik acknowledged. “But the place I would show you is not far, and we send frequent patrols into the closer tunnels. I cannot compel you, but the Council of Elders wished you to see what is in the Lakeshore Grotto.” Again, Xeeta looked to Bredan, who from his face was clearly not trusting but at the same time was driven by the desire to know, to understand what had brought him here, how it was connected to the changes that were happening to him. She was not surprised when after a moment he nodded. “Show us, then.” [/QUOTE]
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