"What you have seen on this day has been happening for some time. Inferns guarding a little used pass, goblins entering the valleys from all directions but in small parties, cahltofs traveling in packs and now talking-little of this makes sense. We know the valleys are experiencing turbulent times, but it seems the turmoil is now spreading into our range. This has our king and queen concerned."
"What is the status of Sterling?" Holli inquired.
"We remain secure, even thriving. The disorder has not reached our underground borders or those of our neighboring dwarf cities. Whatever is creating the havoc in the Great Valleys remains above ground. May I now ask what brings Ryson Acumen and the elf guard of Enin out of the western lands, across the central plains, and into these hills?"
Holli did not hesitate. She believed Ulet had been open and forthright in describing the circumstances of their region, and the elf felt honor bound to reciprocate.
"Many settlers have come to Connel, far more than we ever expected. Most have come not from the outposts throughout the plains, but further east, from the Great Valleys. Stories have come with them, stories as to why they have left these fertile lands. What we have heard has been… confusing and disturbing."
"And so you have come here to investigate for yourselves?"
"Enin made the request. He would have come here himself, but with so many new humans entering Connel, he could not risk leaving the city. Balancing the needs of all concerned is a delicate matter and his guidance is needed."
The dwarf warrior considered the new information as she rubbed her chin with the thick, powerful palm of her right hand.
"I see. We, too, have followed the migration of the humans to the west. For the most part, they are utilizing Pride Gap, which serves as the gateway to the central plains from the far eastern edge of the Great Valleys. That point is quite a distance north by northwest of here. As to the reason for the exodus, we cannot be sure. The dwarves keep watch over the borders between the valleys and the foothills, but we have no reason to interact with the human towns. They have completely inundated the valleys and we leave them to their own business."
"So you have no idea of what's going on within the human towns?"
"We try not to speculate," Ulet replied without taking insult. "We know many humans are leaving, but we also know the valleys are not emptying out completely. We have seen no indication of wars or even signs of skirmishes. What we have seen is the increased activity of dark creatures all around the borders of the Great Valleys, but they do not appear to be taking any hostile action. Most seem to be entering the valleys with an almost casual attitude. Others have staked out positions at the borders. It's almost as if they are simply keeping watch over who enters and who leaves the area."
"So the inferns further down the pass are simply monitoring activity?"
"It would seem so. They have not acted in any hostile manner, but then again, we have done our best to make sure they are left alone. A skirmish with inferns could lead to unnatural forest fires, and that is something we hope to avoid."
"I see."
In her mind, Holli reviewed all that had happened. Many mysteries remained, but the dwarf warrior did not appear to be withholding any information. She had but one last question that needed to be asked.
"Why did you remain in the pass when we returned?"
"Because I was hoping you both would return. Once we saw the sword and understood it was Ryson Acumen, I believed it best to show absolutely no sign of hostility or distrust. I wished to understand your purpose for being in these hills. We could not hope to catch an elf-let alone a delver- racing through the hillsides, but a delver's curiosity is renown. I believed you would come back with questions of your own, as you obviously have."
"And I thank you for answering all those questions," Holli noted.
"I have told you all I know, but we welcome you to Sterling. I am certain the king and queen would be happy to host you at the palace if you wish to stay here for the night."
"Thank you, but I would prefer to reach the valleys before nightfall."
Ulet frowned slightly. She seemed ready to argue the point, almost insist, but in the end, she deferred to the elf's wishes.
"Then I will not delay you any further, I only ask that you avoid any confrontation with the inferns. Their magical fire remains our concern. The trees of this forest are not as resistant to it as dwarves."
"A conflict would be in no one's interest. We still aim to enter the Great Valleys, but I understand your concerns and I will honor your request. We shall move to the southeast and remain in the trees. Ryson will ensure that we enter the valleys without incident."
The dwarf warrior offered a simple salute, acknowledging both the delver and the elf. She then offered her own warning.
"Take care entering the Great Valleys. There might not be signs of battle, but something is not right. I realize that's why you are here, but know that most dwarves are blessed with a certain gift for seeing their way through the dark. We have a sense for danger and a nose for trouble." She chuckled for a moment and then continued with brazen honesty. "We ourselves often dismiss such warnings and go headlong into battle with the unknown, but we are a stubborn race. To say an ill shadow covers the valleys would be much too melodramatic for my taste. Still, almost every dwarf in Sterling realizes that something is amiss with the humans. The valleys are changing."
Chapter 3
Pushing through the last heavily forested section of the Oachet Mountains, Ryson led Holli to the edge of the Great Valleys. He guided them down one of the steeper slopes where he made a path away from the eyes of the inferns. He also avoided contact with other dark creatures he detected guarding several smaller trails out of the hills.
The Great Valleys encompassed many large and small vales that spread far to the north and east. Numerous rivers, fed by abundant streams and tributaries, formed a series of byways for human travel and trade. While the valleys remained lush and green, vast stretches of land had been cleared for farming, and the entire area hosted hundreds of human towns and cities. It was not as densely populated as the eastern coastal regions, but it served as the true cradle for human expansion throughout the land of Uton.
Humans had long dominated the Great Valleys, and they employed the land for their growth and gain. They spread themselves across the region and filled the lowlands all the way to Pride Gap-the end point of the last western valley where the land opened up to the central plains. Protected by the rolling hills to the southwest and another majestic range of mountains to the east, the fertile lands provided everything the humans needed.
With farmlands, several towns, and even the Aranka River within sight, Ryson and Holli remained in the trees. They crouched in a sturdy ash that grew from the rich soil at the edge of the Oachet Mountains. Their path had brought them to the border of one of the southern valleys, and they both looked upon the amazing expanse with a mix of curiosity and awe.
The sun was setting to the west. The hills behind Ryson and Holli began to cast long shadows across the valley. Still, a deep orange glow lit up many of the taller tree tops in the distance, as the sun had not yet dropped fully below the horizon. The amber light filling the space above the shadowed ground offered a haze of warmth, as if the trees had been blessed with divine glory. Leaves reflected the orange and red aura of the sunset, and it almost appeared as if the harvest season had come early to the valley. Both the delver and elf watched the display with immense appreciation.
"This is my first entrance into any part of the Great Valleys," Holli noted, as she found a great sense of contentment in watching the natural display of beauty.