The Gnomes of Nome: The Gnomes of Nome, #1

By RK Wheeler

The Gnomes of Nome, by RK Wheeler

INTRODUCTION

The golden age of Camelot had ended.  King Arthur lay dying, surrounded by the bodies of his knights, on a field of strife.  His bastard son, Mordred, lay dead beside him in the blood and the gore.  Each had delivered mortal wounds to the other, but the king yet clung to life, fearing what might happen to his people should Excalibur fall into the wrong hands.  The buzzards began drawing nearer in their circular spiral overhead.  He thirst as the blood on his armor began to dry.

Not only the fate of the fabled sword weighed on his mind as he stared up at the blue sky, speckled by wispy, white, clouds, but his thoughts were also burdened over who would protect the Holy Grail now that The Knights of the Round Table were dead or lost.  And then there was the sacred ruby that sat atop the temple which housed the Grail. What of that?  It was only known as the Heart.  The angel Safriel had never explained the origins of the sacred stone all those years ago.  Its light radiated outward both day and night, a beacon of hope and a compass for those who were lost during the dark ages.

He gripped Excalibur tightly, summoning its power one last time.  Its runes glowed golden as it responded to his will.  His ice-blue eyes flashed amber as its power strengthened his body again.  Though it might prolong his life a little longer, his wound was beyond its power to heal.  The king's vision began to blur, the darkness began to close in.  That is when he heard a familiar voice...Lancelot.

Now hundreds of years later, Armageddon draws near.  The Archangel Gabriel descends to earth to find the Nephilim, or part angels, who yet walk among humans.  Gabriel seeks the last mortal children of his brother, Azazyel to aid him in the coming war. 

Angelica and Jonah are sent on a quest to find the Gnomes of Nome.  These small, legendary, creatures possess the mythical gem of King Arthur and the fabled staff of Moses.  Angelica and her brother must overcome their fears and doubts so that they may tap into their angelic powers if they are to succeed.  The forces of darkness are aware of them and seek to destroy them or turn them to their cause.  They must acquire allies amongst creatures of myth and legend as they journey within the earth to the Nine Realms.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RK Wheeler
• Release date: Jan 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984185082

RK Wheeler

I dream of traveling the world with a laptop and gleaning inspiration from frosty peaks, deep valleys and thick forests, but for now I write between patients or after hours. I enjoy beekeeping when I am not writing or working as a chiropractic physician.  The busy buzz of the female bees is a relaxing hum, well, until one gets into your bee suit.  Then there are moments of sheer terror, with the occasional lancing pain.  So I recently invested in a new dragon armor for bees, that thus far is immune from their little stingers. They don't seem to understand that I am there for more than robbing them of their honey, but to help keep out pests and to give them food or medicine when needed. I like to exercise almost daily.  During this time I listen to audiobooks, either my own or authors in my genre typically.   Of course I succumb to Facebook's allure, but it is not all laughs and politics, for I belong to perhaps 30 or more writing groups where I learn and share information about authorship. Family time is very important to me and now that my books are being converted to audio I am having more success in getting family to listen to what I have writen. My favorite spot to read is on the sunny deck of a cruise ship in the turquoise waters of the Caribean.  No cell phones or interuptions. I am excited to get the sequel to Scions of Azazyel to paper for my fans.  It is all in my brain, it is a matter of getting it all on the computer and then the editing begins. I love writing fantasy, as not even I know where the story might take us until it is complete.  It seems to have a life of its own as I read, ponder and dream. 

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

The golden age of Camelot had ended.  King Arthur lay dying, surrounded by the bodies of his knights, on a field of strife.  His bastard son, Mordred, lay dead beside him in the blood and the gore.  Each had delivered mortal wounds to the other, but the king yet clung to life, fearing what might happen to his people should Excalibur fall into the wrong hands.  The buzzards began drawing nearer in their circular spiral overhead.  He thirst as the blood on his armor began to dry.

Not only the fate of the fabled sword weighed on his mind as he stared up at the blue sky, speckled by wispy, white, clouds, but his thoughts were also burdened over who would protect the Holy Grail now that The Knights of the Round Table were dead or lost.  And then there was the sacred ruby that sat atop the temple which housed the Grail. What of that?  It was only known as the Heart.  The angel Safriel had never explained the origins of the sacred stone all those years ago.  Its light radiated outward both day and night, a beacon of hope and a compass for those who were lost during the dark ages.

He gripped Excalibur tightly, summoning its power one last time.  Its runes glowed golden as it responded to his will.  His ice-blue eyes flashed amber as its power strengthened his body again.  Though it might prolong his life a little longer, his wound was beyond its power to heal.  The king’s vision began to blur, the darkness began to close in.  That is when he heard a familiar voice...Lancelot.

Now hundreds of years later, Armageddon draws near.  The Archangel Gabriel descends to earth to find the Nephilim, or part angels, who yet walk among humans.  Gabriel seeks the last mortal children of his brother, Azazyel to aid him in the coming war. 

Angelica and Jonah are sent on a quest to find the Gnomes of Nome.  These small, legendary, creatures possess the mythical gem of King Arthur and the fabled staff of Moses.  Angelica and her brother must overcome their fears and doubts so that they may tap into their angelic powers if they are to succeed.  The forces of darkness are aware of them and seek to destroy them or turn them to their cause.  They must acquire allies amongst creatures of myth and legend as they journey within the earth to the Nine Realms.

THE NINE REALMS

Avalon – Yggdrasil/Tree of Life/World Tree/Garden of Eden – Although the enchanted isle of Avalon once rested upon the surface of Midgard it was removed before the flood and preserved deep within the earth where it floats apart from the Nine Realms.

Also not considered as one of the Nine Realms is the lost city of Atlantis which is ruled over by Poseidon who afore time was known as Jophiel, one of the 12 Sons of the Morning, the Archangels of Heaven.

ASGARD – Aesir – Odin/Freyja - Thor

ALFHEIM – Light Elves-Freyr /Freyja

MIDGARD – Middle Earth-Outer earth

VANAHEIMR – Vanyir-Olympians

SVARTALFHEIM – Dwarves/Gnomes

SVARALFAHEIMR – Dark Elves

JOTUNHEIM – Frost Giants

NIFLHEIM – Hel ruled by Hel and Satan (Hell)

MUSPELHEIM – Fire Giants

PROLOGUE

Twenty years of peace had ended.

"Hadgrim! Hadgrim wake up!"

The young dwarven prince was enjoying his dreams that night and resented being pulled away from young Lucinda, his bride-to-be.  She called to him from the small boat that drifted lazily in the underground lake.  The soft glow of the iridescent mosses along the shores bathed her pretty face in a pale blue radiance as they were pulled apart.  She reached for his hand as blackness set in.

Hadgrim’s eyes snapped open but he quickly shielded them with one hand from the blinding, red light which emanated from the Dwarf King’s Heart held by his father.  The King’s face was intense and worried.  His thick grey beard was woven into patterns that hung across his breastplate.  The locks of both his beard and long hair were tied in places by rings of gold, beset with wondrous gemstones.

Father, what’s the matter? Why are you wearing your armor?

The sounds of war horns and battle drums echoed through the city.  Cries could be heard from the people outside as deep booming thundered from far off in the direction of the temple. 

Hurry son, get up and put on your armor.  Bring your helm and shield.  I want you to take Valdangrer.  Do you understand?  No weapon will serve you better against the giants this day.

Hadgrim tried to shake off the disorientation that comes with waking up from a vivid dream unexpectedly as he accepted the giant war mace from his father in awe.  Sharp spikes protruded in all directions from the last three feet of the two-handed war club.  Filigree golden runes were etched upon its red surface.  The characters were not dwarven.  When he was a boy his father had told him tales about the enchanted mace.  Tales say that Dveorger, the first of their race, had received the magical weapon as a gift from Poseidon himself, but that is a tale for another time.

The giants are here in Svartalfheim?

They are at our very doors my son, but it is worse than that.  The gnomes are either taking advantage of our misfortune or they have allied with the Jotun scum, for we are now besieged on all sides.  They come for the sacred gem. As long as I hold it the gnome army will be unlikely to withdraw.  They will remain focused on me at the front wall.  I cannot lead in two places at once Hadgrim.  You must take the reserves and defend the Sealed Gate against the Jotun.  If you can drive them back further into the tunnels then you must seek aid amongst the fairies or elves, but if that path is blocked take the narrower road to Asgard.  The giants will not be able to follow you through those smaller passageways, though it is the longer and more dangerous road.  Remember what I taught you about the giants.  They are somewhat slow especially the two-headed ones.  Go for the legs.  I know that sounds obvious considering their height, but they typically wear less armor on the legs and feet. 

Hadgrim stood up before embracing his father for a moment. 

You are stronger than you know my son.  Now go, earn your title, keep your honor and save our people.

I will make you proud father. Fare thee well.

Prince Hadgrim was thirty-five years old by the reckoning of mortal men upon the surface world, but amongst the dwarves, he was still but a youth for their peoples are long-lived.  It was not uncommon for a dwarf to reach over four hundred years of age and it was said that Dveorger the first dwarf lived five hundred years before he died in Alaska.

The young prince stared at his father and the glowing ruby until the King turned and left the room.  General Taluk Long-Spear awaited the prince just beyond the doorway.  Hadgrim hurriedly donned his thick armor.  The metal plates were coated in copper so that Hadgrim stood apart from the common soldiers.  His helm bore great metal horns and sharp spikes.  His belt was wide and its large buckle was engraved with a trident that was surmounted by an image of the magical ruby of his people that shown rays of light in all directions.  Similarly, his breastplate and inverted triangular shield also bore the emblem of the royal house. 

He strapped his shield across his back and then slid his one-handed war hammer into a loop made of metal wire that was attached to his belt.  He then retrieved Valdangrer, his father’s war mace from the table.  When it was stood on end it was taller than the prince.  A mortal would not be able to wield such a weapon due to its weight.  If it were much larger than it might have been more appropriate for one of the giants, but dwarves are strong.

Hadgrim easily hefted the metal weapon and swung it through the air.  As he did so a deep hum emanated from the mace.  The runes glowed blue as light radiated up the shaft into the young dwarves hands.  Hadgrim’s eyes took on a similar, illuminated, blue appearance as he felt a strength and power that he had never known.

The prince’s head was covered in thick black hair.  His beard was cropped short, as was the custom in those days until a man had reached the age of fifty.  His eyebrows were thick and bushy; his eyes were hazel, his jaw wide and his shoulders broad.  His nose guard covered the bridge of his long nose.  Hadgrim took a deep breath before exiting his room.  General Taluk saluted him as he stepped through the doorway.

The General advised him on the situation as they walked.  The reserves were lined up in rows in the courtyard of the palace adorned with fell helms, stout shields and long spears in the front ranks.  Those in the middle carried a mix of axes, swords and war hammers.  The back row were archers.  The Kings Men stood at the fore and the Queen’s Guard at the rear.  The female soldiers carrying their lozenge shaped shields were not to be underestimated.  Their prowess had been proven in the last war when the sacred ruby of their people was taken back by the gnomes.

Is this all that could be summoned, General Taluk?

No my Lord, the rest are already assembled near the Sealed Gate and the temple.  There we will make our stand against the Jotun swine.

Then let us waste no time in spilling the dark blood of giants shall we? 

Aye my Lord!  The general saluted with a grin as he signaled his squire to blow a horn.

Hadgrim and the General set off at a swift pace, followed by their soldiers towards the rear of the dwarf kingdom.  Most of the buildings were built of stone as there were few trees that would grow under the mountains of in the half-light.  The sound of metal boots thundered in the streets as the reserves passed children and the elderly who were making their way to the Temple of Poseidon.  In the rearward part of the realm, there was but a single wall that surrounded the great worship center.  It was not meant to be a fortress, but it would serve better than any other structure for defense unless that failed and then the palace would be the place to make a final stand should the need arise. 

The dwarves had built a series of three massive walls, each taller than the first at the front of the city which faced their ancient enemy, the gnomes, but never had his people been waylaid by any force which might come through the tunnels.  In ages past that path had seemed secure, guarded by their allies in Alfheim, Asgard and the Fairy King’s realm.  Though protected by gates strong and thick, the temple would be more difficult to defend due to the shorter walls and lack of catapults.

The Captain of the rear guard saluted Prince Hadgrim and General Taluk as the ground shuttered once more.  Small rocks fell from around the thick hinges which bound the gates to the stone as the giants beat upon the steel barrier.

It was then that the Prince caught sight of his love, Lucinda.

When the fighting starts I do not want you to engage.  I want you to take your shield maidens and defend the temple gates should we fail here you must protect our people.

No Hadgrim, my place is with you!  It has always been with you.

There is no time to argue, the gates will not hold much longer!  I love you more than you could know.  We will be married, you have my word, Lucinda.  Prince Hadgrim embraced his bride to be and kissed her passionately.  Now go, I cannot think clearly if I am worried about your safety.

Lucinda’s light brown hair was the last thing he touched as he reluctantly pulled away from her.  Her eyes teared up, but she followed his orders and a small group of twenty young shield maidens trailed orderly behind her as they made their way towards the temple.

The gate bent inward with a thunderous boom, the crossbar shattered as the first of the giants burst forth into the chamber.  The armored monstrosity was bald with tattoos laced across his face and head.  He had six fingers on each hand and his double rows of teeth were filed into sharp points.  He carried a huge, black, stone, hammer.  His armor was of bone, not metal, which would serve the dwarves well this day as it was more easily pierced than their own armor, which was the finest known in Svartalfheim.

General Taluk Long-Spear dodged the swing of the Jotun and thrust his weapon deep into the abdomen of the creature.  The giant roared in pain as it pushed itself forward upon the shaft until it could reach his adversary.  He batted the general across the chamber with his war hammer.  The General’s armor was left dented and marred.  He lay unmoving, as his eyes stared up towards the cavern roof.

Hadgrim led a charge as his men cried out their war chant as they ran at his sides and behind.  Valdangrer came to light and the prince’s eyes glowed blue.  He shattered the leg bones of the giant who then fell hard to the earth.  The defenders impaled the creature again and again until it went still.  The Jotun stood as much as three times the height of a dwarf who were themselves short compared to mortals in Midgard.

The terrible deep shouts of the blue and white warriors were met by the fury of the dwarves.  A two-headed giant was next to face the enchanted mace.  Unlike his cohort who had fallen, he bore a pair of great axes.  Valdangrer moaned excitedly as it shattered the first axe midair, but the mace failed to catch the second weapon before it struck its master.

The sharp blade caught the young prince on the left side of his face, creating a deep gash into his forehead which ran in a line down through his eye and into his cheek.  Only Hadgrim’s helm saved his life in that terrible moment.  Hadgrim stumbled back into his men as the pain shot through his face and into his brain.  The battle moved past him except his personal guard, who waited for him to regain his senses.  He tied a scarf around his head before putting his helm back on.  He was now blind in his left eye.  Although the eyeball was still intact, it was damaged beyond repair. 

The clash of weapons and armor was muffled only by the cries of the fallen and dying.  Hadgrim shrugged off his pain as he charged forward once more.  Valdangrer bit thorough one of the skulls of the white giant as it leaned forward to grasp a dwarven soldier so that it might eat him.  Although the Jotun yet lived with one head, the arm, and leg upon the right side of its body would not respond to the surviving brain and so the hideous creature was quickly felled by a flurry of arrows and spears.

The dwarves succeeded in driving the Jotun beyond the broken gate into the large chamber beyond.  However, once inside Hadgrim’s forces were split.  The Prince and the King’s Men that remained with him were slowly driven off to one side of the cavern.  Many had fallen.  He could no longer see the gate.  Though the giants were wary of the enchanted mace, they came on none the less. 

Only one guard now remained to stand with the prince.  They fought bravely, back-to-back, surrounded by a sea of foes.  Giants stepped upon their fallen comrades in their desire to capture the prince. Hadgrim was hard pressed as he felt his strength begin to ebb.  He realized they would have to flee or die for so great were the forces that stood against them that even Poseidon’s fabled mace would not be enough to save them.  They retreated through the narrow archway into the tunnel which led to Asgard.  The opening was too small for a giant; but a massive, blue, hand nearly caught