Jake and the Opals

Growing weary of their petty arguments, the powerful mage threatened them all with plague and storms of fire if they did not put aside their differences and work together. None were sure if the mage, even as reknowned as his powers were, could really enact his threats, but none were daring enough to find out.

The old black orc, Kulzag, proved to be a surprisingly willing and able strategist and not a few of the human generals had to reappraise their opinion of the intelligence of orcs after conversing with him. For his own part, Kulzag was surprised to discover that all humans were not simpering, weak fools. The beginnings of respect had begun between the two races. The elves and the dwarves for their part were less willing to discuss strategy with the orc, but even they had to grudgingly confess that the orc's information was proving helpful.

The first thing Kulzag confirmed was that the orcs were also greatly concerned about the growing shadow. He also had extensive knowledge of the area in question and was able to add many details to their rough maps. The humans were quite surprised to discover that Kulzag was familiar with maps. Peering over them with his single good eye, Kulzag was quite deft at correcting small errors and identifying distinctive features that could be used by the assembling army to move more safely and quickly.

Kulzag assured the gathered generals that the orcs would aid them and that they were being kept informed of their plans. This bit of news drew great interest from the mages and sorcerers, and they kept much closer eye on the orcish general from that point.

The greatest problem remained before them -- how to stop the growing shadow. They all agreed that force of arms would not be the solution. Finally one general, little known in the sovereign kingdoms, stepped forward with a plan. He spoke of five stones of power that were known to the druids, stones that held the powers of the elements of life. What better tool to use in combat of death the general argued? The room broke into a furor. Many of the mages insisted that the five stones were mythical, an argument the druids denied hotly, insisting the stones existed. The generals seemed at a loss and argued what effect could five magic stones have against the shadow. The dwarves chimed in saying they too had heard rumors of these stones and greed was evident in their eyes at the thought of laying their hands upon the stones.

The elves remained strangely silent, a quiet that did not escape the attention of the mage of the south. The venerable mage called out to them and asked whyfor they remained so quiet. The leader of the elves, a tall silver-haired warrior called Swiftbow, glared at the general who had brought up the stones before he answered.

The mage saw the look and snapped in muted anger for the elf to speak. Swiftbow's gaze scoured the room before his voice rose in answer. He revealed that the elves too knew of the stones and more he revealed that the lords of the silver wood held the five stones.

Immediately the room broke into angry shouts once more. The dwarves called out that the treacherous elves were holding out, though their own greed was evident. The humans insisted that the stones be brought forth with great haste. The elves argued that the stones were too powerful and that bringing them would serve no purpose. The mage of the south roared and commanded them all to silence.

When the room settled, the mage of the south proclaimed that the elves would summon the holders of the five stones of power to join the great council. When the elves protested that the stones were too powerful and that in the hands of the untrained they would present more of a danger than the shadow. The dwarves openly scoffed and accused the elves of hoarding their treasures when they were needed. The elves counter-accused that the dwarves only wished to claim the stones for themselves. The leader of the dwarves answered that, indeed, the stones should be in the hands of the sturdy dwarves, for where else had the stones come from than from the earth itself, and who was closer to the earth than the dwarves? The elves refuted this, claiming that the stones were better kept by the near-immortal elves who had the ages-old wisdom to properly protect and control their power.

The general who had revealed their presence spoke up then, bellowing that the stones were needed in order to defeat what was a menace to them all and that petty bickering between the elves and dwarves would achieve nothing.

The elves and dwarves were ready to continue their debate, but the mage of the south once more stepped in and called upon the elves to summon the lords who bore the stones to their council. He also instructed that until their arrival the elves should enlighten the council upon these dangers of which they spoke so that safeguards could be taken. The mage then instructed that the druids, who also claimed knowledge of the stones, add their wisdom to the council and that by the time the stones were brought surely the collected wisdom of the council could arrive at a plan.

The elves were unable to refute this argument and sullenly agreed that the bearers of the five stones would be summoned.

As they broke for a short repast of the sorceress's oddly nourishing herbal water, the sorceress mused with growing understanding. "I believe I am beginning to fathom the meaning of the inscriptions in the stones."

The orc, wishing his cup of water was instead a mug of his black ale, looked querously at her. "Eh? How so?"

The sorceress smiled at him. "The languages are jumbled together, making it hard to follow as the structure of the languages are missing, but it would seem the symbols and glyphs tell the same story that you have been recounting to me."

The orc still looked perplexed so she continued. "I do not understand why it was written in such a mix of the four languages, but by using the ideograms from the three languages, elf, dwarf and that of man, I can pick out references to the great council and to the five stones. At first, I did not realize the meaning of the symbols as I was not combining them correctly, but I believe now that I can recognize them. As we journey further toward the center of this place, I can see the story being related."

The orc still looked doubtful. "But why? Why inscribe the story on the stones?"

The sorceress shrugged slightly. "That, I cannot answer. Yet. Perhaps the story is recounted as a warning to others who should enter this land. And related in all four of the languages hoping that enough of the meaning will be conveyed so that the race of the reader is no impediment."

Jake shook his head. "Seems like a lot of trouble to go to."

Morgan nodded, "mayhap...but I suspect there are yet mysteries to be revealed." She stroked her cheek thoughtfully with slender fingers. After a moment she rose and gestured to the orc. "Come, let us go, we have rested enough for now."

The orc gazed into the empty mug with a final sigh and then arose as well. "Aye. The faster we get there, the faster we can leave." He tied the mug back to his belt and took up the elven blade, resting it once more on his shoulder as they resumed their sojourn.