Chronicles Chapter Three: Mondarihm

By Dominique Smith

Continue on the journey of understanding alongside Tujex and his newest companions as they leave the trials of Kardan Nile and dive headfirst into more trouble within the dormant volcano of Mondarihm, home of the dwarven people. Their city is in crisis as a dragon has strewn into their mines and started causing quakes. With nowhere else to turn, and a sacrifice the few to save the many mentality, Tujex and friends dive down into the depths to find much more than the scaly fiend awaiting them, and Tujex and Tonidius find out that they have a bit more in common with another than they may have known. Join them as we tie up some loose ends in Chronicles Chapter 3: Mondarihm.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dominique Smith
• Release date: Oct 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370986569

Dominique Smith

Writer of the Chronicles series, and the mind that created the character of Tujex. Share my imagination with me, and enjoy the story,

Book preview

Chronicles

Chapter 3:

Mondarihm

By Dominique Smith

Copyright © 2017 by Dominique Smith

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Table of Contents

C: 3 A: 1 Mondarihm

C: 3 A: 2 Pilotwings

C: 3 A: 3 Dragonslayer

C: 3 A: 4 Humble

C: 3 A: 5 The Founders Decision

C: 3 A: 6 The Night of the Carnival

C: 3 A: 7 Dragon’s Talon

Chapter: 3 Act: 1

Mondarihm

The city of dwarves was nothing like anything the group had seen up to this point. Their entryways led beneath the earth, taking them through a labyrinth of tunnels and caverns. Of course their horses had to be left at the mountain base with an older dwarf who didn’t seem to do much aside from watch the rickety stable day in, day out. They weren’t sure how to take the hustle and bustle of the half-heighted men that crowded the caves until they met the large, thick doors that would lead them into the actual city. An underground fortress consisting of some of the most beautifully structured homes one would ever see; a masterwork of craftsmanship on all sides, lit by the warm glow of lanterns, lava, and forges. It would leave even the angel in awe before its beauty. They have come so far in the ages that I’ve been gone. As a race, they’ve managed to exceed some of the gods in with their work, he’d say with a gasp before a dwarf staggered by and nearly knocked him off of his feet.

The group turned to watch the man waddle into the distance, taking notice that the city was in some form of chaos below their noses. It was enough to send Lau and Tujex into a fit of laughter, simultaneously realizing their upward gaze had them completely unaware of the insanity that was happening at their navel. Tonidius didn’t think it to be as funny, looking to Armedeus who had set himself upright and began to turn his attention towards the left. He’d raise his hand to point towards a large home that was built into the very wall of the cavern itself. A bright red light shone through the windows and down the stairwell which led up to it. It’s been a lifetime since I’ve been here, but I’ll never forget that light, the angel said with a wide grin, catching the attention to the two laughing men. They wiped tears from their eyes as they calmed themselves, Tujex clasping onto the angel’s shoulder and gesturing him onward. You seem like you know this place a little better than any of us. After you.

The walk was like wading through quicksand, trudging through dwarves who shouted curses into the atmosphere at anything that dared halt their progression. They eventually made it to a staircase that had been carved into the same wall the house was built into, peering up towards a large wooden door with an ominous red glow peeping about its cracks. Armedeus would be the one to knock, glancing back to see the wide-eye’d trio lurking over his shoulder. Muffled shouts could be heard from beyond the door, followed by several hurried and heavy footsteps. The group all felt a slight pressure boil up in their chest as the thunderous steps came to a halt before the door. The rapid jingling, twisting, and sliding of locks filled their ears before the door was flung open and the soot-covered beard of a rather well-aged dwarf stared them right in their eyes. His wide and powerful hands were still gripping the handle of a red-hot cross peen hammer, pointing it in their face. He opened his mouth, chest building up to shout before he realized who he was looking at. He exhaled, lowering the hammer and allowing a slight smirk to be seen on what little of his lips one could see through the thick of his autumn orange beard.

You bastards don’t age a day! the man said, his voice exploding forth and shaking the very air. They were all taken back by the words, looking at each other with wide eyes as Armedeus let loose a faint chuckle. And you all age gracefully. It’s amazing what you all have formed out of stone and steel. The dwarf responded with a heavy laugh, his free hand wrapping about his pot belly. His squint brown eyes swept about those behind the angel, halting on the silver-haired elven boy in a manner he had come accustomed to. By th’ gods! Yer Esthereal’s boy!? the dwarf exclaimed, shoving Armedeus to the side and looking Tujex head to toe. Tujex chuckled, I assume that means you’re the Gaia Knuckle that I’ve heard so much about. You’re the entire reason I came to the city! This is great! The dwarf was still taken by the sight of the boy, unable to really formulate a sentence as he tried to process everything as it was happening. Ha, this must be a blessing from Heracles himself! he finally responded, flinging the superheated hammer across the room into a large vat of water to cool. "The name’s actually Durga, boy. Durga Gaiaknuckle, arguably th’ greatest smith this land ‘as ever seen. Me and yer