By the way, Stip, I found a role for you in this story. Since you said in your character description that he served anyone to help him return to godhood, "currently Zezima", I figured you could be a battle mage for the Ardougne army marching on the Gnome Stronghold. Black_Cat, I also have an idea for you, but its in next book so thats a secret.

I'm continuing the story here.
***
Dwarf, Chess, and Dwarfkutter rose early in the morning and prepared to leave immediately. Today was the day they were going to arrive at the Tree Gnome Stronghold and see Footman again, as well as convene with King Narnode, the gnomes’ leader. They quickly packed camp and traveled the short distance to the road.
They turned north and traveled for a little while, shivering slightly in the cool of the morning. The sky overhead was a pale blue, as if a translucent layer of cloud lay between the sun and the earth. Eerie shadows covered the ground, adding to the depressed mood. However, the thought of a rest heartened the group as they made their way slowly north.
Dwarfkutter suddenly heard something from behind them. Something small was hurrying in their direction. He turned, but before he could warn the others it had reached them, drawing a spear. It was a gnome.
“Stop where you are. Put down all weapons you may possess.”
Dwarf and Chess turned around, surprised. Dwarfkutter immediately took out his pouch with his runite axe in it and laid it on the ground. Dwarf, however, remained motionless. The gnome looked at him and his demeanor changed from commanding to friendly.
“Dwarf Moria? Is that you?”
“Yes, it is me and why are you telling us to put our weapons down?”
“I thought you might be an Elite Guard. I couldn’t tell who you were.”
“You expect us to believe that?”
“To be honest, no. But I do expect you believe this.”
He pointed to the south. A small cloud of dust, barely visible against the now pale blue sky, was swirling in the distance toward Ardougne.
“Zezima’s army…” remarked Dwarfkutter simply.
“Correct,” answered the gnome. “I was told by Daero to look for Dwarf Moria and his friends. I found you. Now hurry, so we can warn the stronghold. I was sent to look for that army.”
Without delaying, the four turned north and ran at a steady pace. The sun climbed overhead, but the sky did not brighten much. Two hours after noon, they were in sight of the gates of the Gnome Stronghold. A yell went up from a guard behind the gate, and the wood slowly creaked open to allow the foursome entrance. Dwarf, Chess, and Dwarfkutter saw before them a huge, green field dotted with flax and trees. Here and there were little cute creatures, running around the expanse in a free bliss. Best of all though, Dwarf saw his friends, Dirtboy and Seinor, standing just a little way in. Dwarf ran up to them and shook their hands, happy to see them again. Chess followed him. Dwarfkutter observed them, smiling to himself ever so slightly.
The gnome scout, however, ran off to find his captain. Dwarfkutter saw him go and exchange a few words with Daero. The gnome returned to Dwarfkutter and told him, “King Narnode is coming to speak with you all, you, Dwarf Moria, Chessmaker, Dirtboy, Seinorfreezy, and Footman Wars, who has just recovered. He will tell us what to do to fight Zezima has his army.”
Dwarfkutter responded, “Very well.”
***
It was in the early morning when Rat had commanded Spirrus to awaken the troops for marching. Now, three hours after dawn, they had left Rellekka and reached the narrow bridge to the southwest. Although the sun was shining, the land was dark and eerie. Long shadows were created from the men as they marched toward battle. The bridge could only be crossed by five men at a time, so the march was delayed when it reached the small crossing. Rabid Yoda walked next to Spirrus, and in a small flash of sunshine he once again noticed the yellow stripes running down the mage’s robes.
“Spirrus,” he said tentatively. Yoda had never like mages much, with their slow ways and careful thinking.
“Yes?” he responded.
“Where did you get those robes? Are they like an artifact or something? They look expensive.”
The mage chuckled.
“Oh, yes, they’re so expensive,” he said with a drop of sarcasm. “People have offered me loads of money for these, but to be honest, all I did was get a paintbrush and some yellow paint and put them on myself. Now they look amazing.”
“Oh.”
It was Yoda’s and Spirrus’s turn to cross. They strode across the boards to the barren, black wasteland east of the abandoned lighthouse. The army angled southwest as the sun rose higher but the land got gradually darker.
Chapter 14
“To my fellow gnomes and friends, I now speak to you concerning the imminent battle with the forces of Zezima. They will be here by nightfall, but when they come we will light up the darkness with fiery darts and missiles of flame. We will repulse any attack made upon this blessed and sacred land of ours. No Elite Guard shall sit upon the throne of the kings, nor will any enemy defile our land with his barbaric ways. We will fight, and if we are defeated we will fight to the death, not run away like mice from a cat. We will prevail!”
King Narnode’s speech was answered with roars from the army of gnomes now standing or sitting on the grassy field. Everywhere little heads shouted big support for their leader, their king, Narnode. The gnome king raised his scepter to restore order to the crowd. Silence fell almost immediately.
“This is going to be a tough fight, but I have devised a plan which should thwart the enemy. Four units of gnomes are going to be stationed outside the gate, an archer and spear unit on each side, to ambush the enemy. Just behind the gate, two more units of spears are going to be stationed on either side of the entrance, while just behind it, our finest battle mages will stand behind and throw fireballs into the enemy ranks. From there, units of spears and archers will be stationed all around the field, just in case the first defense fails. Captains, you will decide where to place your troops. Death to Zezima!”
Another roar rose up from the crowd.
“Death to Zezima! Death to the tyrant!”
A gnome runner came up to Dwarf, who was with all his friends.
“The King wishes to speak to you in the Grand Tree.”
“Will you take us to him?”
“Follow me.”
The gnome led them through masses of gnome troops heading here or there across the field. They walked for a couple of miles before they reached the hill that led to the Grand Tree. They climbed to the top, which took thirty minutes by itself. The gnome opened the secret doors in the tree, and Dwarf, Dwarfkutter, Chess, Seinor, Footman, and Dirtboy stepped in. The king turned and began to speak immediately.
“We haven’t much time. Dwarf Moria, I want you and Dirtboy to stay in front of the gate and ambush Zezima’s soldiers. Footman, I want you behind the gate. Dwarfkutter, I want you to stay with me. Seinor, I want you and Chess to stay on the crest of the hill that this tree rests on. If the enemy breaks through, the remaining troops will charge down the hill and take the enemy head-on. Does everyone understand?”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Now go, and good luck.”
Dwarf, Dirtboy, Chess, and Seinor left the tree, leaving Dwarfkutter behind.
***
As the sun began to fall from its summit in the sky, Rat’s army was taking a small break from the long march. They were in sight of the lighthouse; another hour and they would reach the second bridge, and from there it was mere miles to the cliff where the Grand Tree sat, undefended as the gnomes rushed to their front gate. Spirrus had told Commander Yoda that the mage from the Ardougne army had informed him that the attack would begin on time. Spirrus also commented on the wizard’s youth, saying that he looked no older than sixteen but had greater magical skill than any other wizard.
Captain Sauliuss and Sergeant Bowei sat next to each other, predicting the scale of the conflict to come.
“I think it’ll be a massacre,” remarked Sauliuss. “Our men our more than prepared to fight such weak foes. The gnomes will flee in terror as soon as enough are slain.”
“I’m not so sure,” responded Bowei. “We were pretty much destroyed at Camelot…”
“That’s because we were unprepared and in a bad location. That fool Arthur built the castle in the worst spot imaginable.”
“Whatever you say, captain.”
“Okay, everyone, back on your feet!”
Rat had assumed his position in front of the force, and within minutes they were on the move again. Left, right, left, right. On and on and on they marched, but before long, the second bridge came into sight. This crossing was wider, wide enough for half a rank to cross at once. Crossing took about thirty minutes. Eventually the army reformed and continued on their way.
Commander Yoda strode next to Rat and Spirrus. In the distance, he saw the huge jutting cliff that they were going to climb. Spirrus guessed it was about three miles away. Rat ushered them on, and an hour later they sat beneath the shadow of the rock, their march at an end.
“Rest now, while you can, faithful soldiers. We have come a long way in a short time. Here we will wait until the signal is sent. Spirrus, inform me at once when the attack has begun.”
“Yes, sir.”
The army pitched tents but did not light fires, for fear the floating smoke would be seen. An anxiety swiftly surrounded the men as they waited for the call to battle.
Rat turned to Yoda and ordered, “Go ready yourself and your two officers. I want you to be the first ones up.”
Yoda left to carry out the directions.
***
Stip Disyent marched up the road with Colonel Dizzie on their way to the Gnome Stronghold. The sun was low in the sky, and the land was almost dark. Scouts had reported that the gnome gate lay less than two hours ahead, so the commander was intent on reaching the stronghold and beginning the attack at nightfall. Stip was a hired servant of Zezima, who had promised him a large sum of money in return for his services. Stip took the offer, not because of the money, but because of a more personal reason, which he kept to himself. If he revealed his true identity the world could become very chaotic with the very gods fighting over the land.
The army moved north at a fast pace, quickly covering ground. They saw on their right a wall that enclosed a huge grove of trees. Stip assumed it to be Lathas’s old forest. Now it was dying. The weeds were overgrown, the leaves were scattered and brown, and the very air had a bad scent. Before long they passed the wood, and Stip knew the battle was near.
The army marched for another hour, and finally, after their long march from Ardougne, the gates were in sight. The road lay straight ahead with trees and bushes on either side. The army marched right up to the gate. The commander yelled, “The army of his majesty Zezima demands that you lay down your weapons and surrender. Do this, and no one will lose their lives. Deny out generous offer, and you will be killed. What is your choice?”
The commanding voice of Daero answered the man, “We fight, and we fight to the death.”
“Then you will all be slaughtered.”
The man withdrew from the gate. Moments later, fiery arrows flew from the bushes and spear-carrying spears charged from the trees. The battle had begun.
Chapter 15
The area in front of the gate exploded into a frenzy of motion and screaming as men fell beneath the charge of the ambushers. The men in the front ranks were temporarily confused as the gnomes appeared out of bushes and trees. However, it did not take long until the enemy commander had rallied his forces and retaliated. Archers shot from behind ranks of soldiers wielding tall shields. The gnomes were pushed back away from the road, and then the men charged in all directions. Everywhere the forces of Zezima ran, to the gate, off the road, after a fleeing gnome. The ambush had failed. The units had disintegrated and separated, leaving the forces outside the gate vulnerable. Already the doors were taking blows from swords and a battering ram being carried by especially strong men. Already the battle was in the enemy’s favor, and it had lasted about five minutes. Behind the wall, archer fired over the palisade into the mass of enemy troops. Their ranks seemed to extend forever down the road, as if troops in Ardougne were waiting until enough people died to make it to the conflict.
Dwarf and Dirtboy fought side by side as the archer unit they were with was attacked. Dirtboy brought his whip down on a man’s mithril armor. The metal did nothing to prevent the sting of the whip, and the man keeled over. Dwarf cleaved a man’s head with his dragon scimitar. More men came, better armed and equipped. The archers behind Dwarf fired a flaming volley into the oncoming tide, and the surviving soldiers retreated into the mass of the army. Dwarf quickly thanked the gnomes and ran off to pick off some soldiers trying to sneak through the trees. Dirtboy, however, ran off in the opposite direction to protect the archers’ flank. Neither of them noticed, however, the young boy with a crystal staff approach the archers. When the archers fired, he simply raised his hand and the arrows were deflected. He uttered a few inaudible words, and the archers were blasted off their feet. Dwarf turned to see gnome bodies flying through the air, but when he turned to see what had caused it, he simply saw thin, purplish smoke.
***
Footman Wars was back on his feet, ready for battle. He stood behind the gate with the spearmen, waiting for the moment when the enemy broke through. After the mages threw their fireballs, they would charge out the front and push the enemy back. It was dark now, so the only light came from the small torches that were put in stands near the gate. The woods was being pushed inward, and before the doors would break and the stronghold will have been breached. Footman was determined to prevent the advance of Zezima’s forces. He had been injured once, and now his thirst for revenge was burning. He almost wanted the gates to burst so he could be the first to the enemy, swinging his sword and bringing it upon his foes.
The doors began to shake more violently. The hinges were shaking with the force upon the door. Daero told the mages to prepare their spells. Suddenly, the wood shattered and a horde of men came pouring through, along with the light with the small inferno that was now raging outside.
“Fire!” howled Daero.
The mages let loose their fireballs, and the front ranks were beaten back. The gnomes charged with their spears raised, and Footman ran with them, traveling faster than any of them. Man met gnome in a clash of metal and shouts, and combat commenced.
***
“Ready your crossbows.”
The imperious voice of Rat King rang at the foot of the cliff as he, Commander Yoda, Sergeant Bowei, Captain Sauliuss, and a few other Elites readied their crossbows with grappling hooks. The entire army would then climb up the ropes after the officers. The scaling into the stronghold had to be swift. Otherwise the gnomes would kill everyone as they came up, and that would put the entire attack in jeopardy.
“Aim”
The officers pointed their weapons to the top of the rock wall before them, aiming carefully.
“Fire.”
The air hummed as eight grapples shot high into the air and landed at the top of the cliff. Every last one of them lodged in the ground and became ready to support a climbing man.
“Climb.”
Rat began his ascension, and Yoda came in a close second. Trailing behind them were Sauliuss and Bowei, each struggling to keep up with their commanding officers.
The climb was hard and long. It took about three minutes to climb all the way up to the top. For Rat and Yoda, it was no problem, but for the lesser men, the climb was a challenge. At least, it was a challenge for everyone but Spirrus, who simply used magic to levitate up.
Rat could hear the noise of combat in the distance, but he all he could see was the massive trunk of the Grand Tree of the gnomes. He was glad he had the element of surprise, for the tree was a great fortress that could withstand attack for a long time. He began to grow impatient as the time used for soldiers to climb got longer and longer. Soon, a fourth of the army was on the cliff, with more and more still coming. After an hour, Rat lost his patience and gave the order to attack.
***
“I never knew war was so loud,” Chess said to Seinor. “The gates are a long way away, and I can still hear the yells and the fighting.”
From the hill they could see the entire conflict on the stronghold’s side of the gate. Zezima’s army had charged through but met a giant fiery missile composed of many smaller magical blazes. After those subsided the gnome spearmen had charged into both sides of the force, squashing them between blades, whiled a third unit closed in the front. It was very effective. The enemy was getting nowhere. At least, not at the moment.
Seinor remarked, “Footman Wars is down there somewhere.”
“Let’s hope he’s still alive,” replied Chess gravely.
“He’ll be fine. He’s a White Knight.”
“Whatever you say.”
There was a silence as the two of them watched the battle before them, mesmerized by the flow of fiery lights and the sounds of battle. It was a great surprise to them when they heard a much louder and closer scream come from behind them. Chess and Seinor turned to their left. A gnome was lying dead on the ground, an arrow through his neck. Running toward them and their gnomish friends was an army of conscripts and Elite Guards, armed with the a huge array of weapons. Chess immediately recognized Commander Yoda, but what scared him the most was that the commander was not at the front of the army, but another, exquisitely attired man. He had on a bright yellow cape and wore black armor, and in his hands was a scarlet two-handed sword.
The gnomes attempted to rally to block the oncoming tide, but it was no use. One swing of this new monster’s sword sent bodies flying, and then, to the further dismay of Chess and Seinor, a ball of blue lighting engulfed another gnome and killed him instantly. There was a mage with the army!
Chess looked at Seinor. Their eyes met, and they both knew what they had to do. Chess ran down the hill, yelling at the top of his lungs to the units of gnomes stationed around the stronghold’s field. Seinor entered the Grand Tree itself and came face to face with King Narnode and Dwarfkutter.
“You majesty,” he panted, “Somehow they’ve gotten around the gate. They are coming to the tree now! The entire defense has been destroyed!”
At this, the gnome king snapped his fingers. Four mages immediately dropped down the ladder in the center of the room. Narnode pulled out a rapier. He was donned in green armor and a black cape. He had no helmet or shield, but his small size helped to defend him.
“Let them come.”
The gnomish king walked out, followed Seinor and Dwarfkutter. Awaiting them was a huge conflict. Chess’s head was visible over the gnomes that had come to save their king and tree. Now the yells of the gate’s conflict were not audible; the cries emanating from this battle were too loud. Narnode weaved his way to the front of the conflict, and there he began to fight with surprising skill and agility. Commander Yoda saw the king, and slowly but surely he fought his way closer to the gnomish leader. Seinor charged into the combat, braving the front line of enemy men and Elites. His rune scimitar slashed through flesh and armor, and men fell before him as he was caught up in the rhythm of the battle. However, the man monster continued send gnomes flying left and right, and the mage seemed to bolster the strength of the men around him. The battle line was a strange combination of curves and dips, with surges occurring here and there. Chess struggled his way through the mass of bodies awaiting combat and began to exchange blows with an Elite Guard. Zezima’s trap had been sprung. There was nowhere to run now.
Chapter 16
Dwarf and Dirtboy were now on the inside of the stronghold. After Zezima’s army had broken through the gate, all the outside forces retreated to the gnomes on the inside. Now the conflict was an all out contest of strength and numbers; Zezima’s army was surrounded on three sides by gnomes, but there was an unending stream of men backed up out of the gate.
Dwarf was tired. The fighting kept going on and on without a reprieve, and without time to rest and recuperate he would soon fall victim to an Elite’s blow. And then there was the elusive mage. He worried Dwarf the most.
Dirtboy, on the other hand, was not as tired as Dwarf was. His whip cracked in the air as his targets fell to the ground, some missing limbs. Their screams were lost in the turmoil round about. He and Dwarf were now fighting side by side, concentrating completely on the battle and what they had to do to survive. The fight lasted and grew more intense as the night wore on.
Locked in combat with an Elite Guard armed with a dragon longsword, Dwarf felt as the last of his strength began to leave him. He stumbled from the impact of one of the guard’s blows. Dwarf knew he was going to die. He closed his eyes, waiting for the fatal blow.
It never came. Dwarf looked up and saw the man, his arm raised, his face mad, but his eyes lifeless. A dark whip uncoiled from the man’s neck. Dwarf looked to his right. Dirtboy was not even looking at him, for now another man had advanced upon him. Dwarf silently thanked the man and continued to go on. Suddenly, he thought he saw someone familiar in the mass of bodies ahead of him. The mage!
***
Stip Disyent saw the one called Dwarf Moria in front of him. The man was weak and tired, and he was determined to put an end to his puny life. Zezima’s men swarmed around him, giving him a good cover for spells against his enemy. He continued to watch as Zezima’s forces pushed farther and farther into the stronghold. The gnomish line was thinning. Stip raised his crystal staff and muttered a few magical words. The entire gnomish right flank was knocked to the ground. This gave the soldiers enough time to slaughter most of them and to completely destroy the gnomes’ tactics. The trap had been broken, and now the gnomes were fighting for their lives.
It was at this moment that Stip noticed the big war tortoises behind the remaining gnomes. On the backs of these giants were mages and archers, coming to lend aid to the weak line. Stip moved to kill each tortoise one by one, but stopped when he noticed another thing.
A man, a White Knight, was charging toward him. Stip laughed to himself.
“That man is brave and yet stupid. There are twenty men between him and me.”
Stip watched as the White Knight stabbed people left and right, amazed at the man’s strength and ferocity. Before long there was no one alive between Stip and the knight.
“You fool,” Stip said aloud, knowing full well that his insult was inaudible above the chaos around him. Once again he raised his crystal staff, muttered a spell. The White Knight fell to the ground, motionless. Stip smiled.
Suddenly, pain erupted everywhere on his body. He fell to the ground as something uncoiled from around his legs. His staff hit the ground and shattered. He let out a yell of anguish as his life left him, and then his head hit the ground. Stip Disyent was dead. Beside him lay Footman Wars, sprawled on the grass like some grotesque creature. And above them stood Dirtboy, his face bloody, his black dragon hide torn, and his whip curled, ready to lash out at the next enemy that dared get in his way.
However, at that moment, Zezima's forces surged, and the gnomish line broke completely. Troops were running for their lives to the Grand Tree, unaware that they were running to more combat and loss. Dwarf and Dirtboy followed, leaving the dead body of their friend and ally lying prostrate on the battlefield to be trampled under the feet of the forces of Zezima.
* * *
Meanwhile, Seinor, Chess, King Narnode, and Dwarfkutter were engaged in a bloody struggle outside the Grand Tree. The man with the scarlet two-hand sword destroyed any who stood in front of him, and beside him fought Commander Yoda, Sergeant Bowei, and Captain Sauliuss. Very few Elite Guards and men lay dead on the ground compared to the vast numbers of gnomes who had died to save their home.
Chess and Seinor battled side by side, helping to hold a small part of the front battle line. There were few Elites where they were; they were located on the right side of the line, closest to the ramp that led down into the giant field. Every once in a while Chess would glimpse down to see how the battle at the gate was going. Every time he looked, the gnomes were getting pushed closer and closer to the Grand Tree.
The battle wore on, and the gnomes lost ever more ground and troops. Everyone was tired except Dwarfkutter, who was hurling axes at the enemy with the same power as when the conflict had started. Chess was hardly able to lift his scimitar to fight with the unending number of men. Seinor almost toppled from exhaustion, his scimitar having taken numerous powerful blows.
* * *
Rat King smiled as he quickly fought his way close to the Grand Tree, his officers behind him. The battle was going perfectly; it would not be long before the battle was won. The tiny warriors were no match for any of his men; even the conscripts were holding their own. The entire army had now ascended the cliff, and the grappling ropes hung there, swaying in the slight breeze that blew upon the rocks.
A huge noise startled Rat King. He looked and saw coming up the huge ramp the backs of ragged ranks of gnomes as they fought for their lives. An even broader smile revealed itself on the man’s face. The hour of victory was at hand.
* * *
Sauliuss Lt rested near the back of the army after deciding to take a break from close combat and to enjoy picking off targets with his bow. There were very few soldiers behind him, and from his location it was possible to shoot gnomes on the grass ramp. He notched an arrow, aimed, and released the string. The arrow flew straight and true into the shoulder of a gnome. The warrior fell dead on the ground.
Sauliuss did this for a while, taking steps forward when the army shifted closer to the Grand Tree. The two gnomish forces had merged into one confused, ragged mob, fighting for their lives with everything they had. They were minutes from breaking the nerve of the overwhelmed forces.
A man screamed next to Sauliuss. The captain turned, and to his utter astonishment, saw a legion of dwarven Black Guards assembled behind the army, with more climbing up the grappling hooks every minute. Sauliuss never recovered himself from the shock of being surrounded. The dwarf who had announced his presence with his kill turned toward the captain, bellowed, and swung his warhammer into Sauliuss Lt’s head, killing him instantly.
The dwarves charged, trapping the army of Zezima in a deadly trap. Men fell before the supreme warriors of the dwarves and the Black Guard, and the invincible force of the tyrant was crippled permanently.
Thirty minutes the battle was over.
Epilogue
The arrival of the Black Guard resulted from information given to them by a survivor of the White Wolf Mountain Massacre who had run all the way to the Black Guard Headquarters. The resulting force sent to aid the gnomes overturned Zezima’s army and drove them into retreat. Of the officers in Zezima’s army, Rat King, Commander Yoda, Spirrus and Colonel Dizzie escaped, Sauliuss Lt and Stip Disyent were killed during the battle.
On the defending side, the White Knight Footman Wars was killed shortly after the gate was breached by Stip. Also, Daero was badly wounded from arrows and sword slashes. Everyone else tired, bloody, but safe. They never found Footman’s body, but they held a memorial for him and all those that died that day. The Black Guard told about the one dwarf who had run all the way to inform them of the massacre.
Now the heroes have returned home, glad that they have ended, at least temporarily, Zezima’s reign of tyranny over the world.
End.Statistics: Posted by Dwarf_Moria — November 24th, 2007, 9:51 am
]]>