Chapter 12: The Pretty Place

The Pretty Place that Maltop talked about was apparently reachable via the same path Razzda had used after fleeing Bullminth’s Armory. Elma found herself searching the mountainside for signs of her, but kept close to Yorm as they retraced their steps from earlier. It was at the path’s highest apex, the overlook they’d viewed the Trade Fair from, that Yorm changed direction.

He began climbing, carefully moving up the side of the mountain via small outcroppings of rock. Elma followed behind him, only to note the way the skies darkened again as those dark clouds blocked the sun again.

Despite the darkness, it took them little time to reach a sudden ledge. It was as if an entire chunk of the mountain had been roughly torn free. Elma could assume it was caused by wild weather or even damage from the wars in the Sixth Age, but the result was the same: A small cave in the mountain barely larger than the average shack.

Small mounds and boulders were scattered about it, one of which Yorm quickly pulled himself behind as the sound of Razzda’s voice became apparent deeper in the cave.

Elma was far less inclined to hide, pulling herself up into the cave and scrambling to look over one of the mounds.

Only to freeze at the sight of Razzda in a Dreamer’s arms.

Her lungs turned to lead, her chest practically filling with soot and ash. It was the hand on her wrist that snapped her back to reality, with her head whipping down to see Yorm holding on to her. Her hand had darted towards the hilt of her blade without her even knowing, and he was the only thing keeping her from drawing it.

Her eyes snapped to his, but he just shook his head before nodding ahead. Slowly, Elma looked over the rock again.

Razzda was right there, practically clinging to Maltop as tightly as possible. She didn’t even seem to care for the massive eye growing from his split head, which looked even bigger than it had on the auction stage. The Eye was almost bigger than his entire head, and had forcibly spread both halves further apart with its girth. But his grin matched her's, his arms wrapping around her as they nuzzled their heads together.

Her neck was right in front of his mouth, it’d take only a second for it all to be over. Yet he wasn’t biting.

For all intents and purposes, they were just hugging with the Blade of Bullminth lying on the ground beside them.

“Relax.” She heard Yorm whisper, and lowered herself behind a rock with him as he raised a finger to his lips.

“Maltop!” Razzda croaked out, “Hurt? Look like pain!”

Elma peaked past the rock again to see that Razzda had pulled back to look over his grievous head wound with more tears trailing down her cheeks. Maltop just shook his head as he reached up and rubbed her’s.

“Pain gone. Lady cut deep, but Dream take pain.” Maltop stepped back and put his hands on his hips “Much better, Maltop shiny again!”

“Not look shiny…” Razzda tilted her head as she stared at the Archon’s Eye.

It had been locked on her the entire time with its unblinking, green gaze. The Archon’s voice still wasn’t emanating from it at all. It just stared in total silence as Razzda looked it over.

She reached out with a hand and poked at it with her finger. Despite its resemblance to a regular eye, the sound that rang out as her nail came in contact with it was more akin to glass. It remained focused on her even as she pressed at it repeatedly, with Maltop snickering as he reached out and grabbed her hand.

“Archon see, not big ‘nuff for chatty though.” Maltop let go of her before pointing to Bullminth’s Blade “Wants Razzda’s help! Help learning with Fancy Sword.”

“What?” Razzda stepped back before shaking her head “No! Razzda messy, make mess with sharp one. Make things worse!”

Maltop grabbed hold of her shoulders, “Razzda have many talent! Maltop not see Nurl with better tasters! Better chompers! Shinier eyes! Show Archon her talents, not be enemy, yes?”

Razzda rubbed at her cheeks.

“Sweet words, Razzda knew Maltop was Maltop!” she sighed in delight before pulling him close.

Elma was practically grinding her teeth together, one hand practically clawing at the side of the rock. Razzda didn’t have Bullminth’s Blade, and she was still close enough for a single bite to end it all.

Lowering herself, she turned to Yorm.

“We’re stopping this, right?” she whispered, only for him to shake his head “Why not?”

“Quiet…” he sniffed the air “Someone else was here before them."

Ambushers the Archon sent ahead no doubt.

“Where?” she asked, only for him to shake his head again.

“They’re not here now.” He stated “Scent’s faded and….wrong, somehow. Couple Dreamers and something... bloody.”

Elma grimaced and looked around. She could see no signs of others among the rocks and mounds. She poked her head up to look past the rock, only to go wide eyed at the sight of an empty cave beyond.

No sign of Razzda, Maltop or Bullminth's Blade

Somehow in the brief time since she’d last looked, the two had just completely disappeared.

“Where-?” she began to ask, only for Yorm to raise a hand up to stop her.

He sniffed the air again before gesturing for her to follow and stepping out from behind the rock. She followed him to the rear of the cave, only then realizing that there were drag marks leading to the rear wall.

Only, it wasn’t a wall. Yorm dug his nails into a crease and managed to slide a notably thin chunk of rock from the rear of the cave.

The rough hole beyond it revealing the cave went far deeper than what they previously thought.

And of course, echoing up from the cave were Maltop and Razzda’s voices.

The hole was painfully small to Elma, though looked perfectly navigable for the Nurl. Yorm had to practically get on his knees just to get inside.

Glancing behind her for a moment, Elma followed him in.

Luckily, it opened up before they got too far. It wasn’t much but Elma could actually stand, albeit bent over with the roof of the cave just barely dragging along the top of her hood.

It led deeper into Mount Drypeak, opening up more and more until finally they entered a chamber. While the tunnel they’d been in had grown progressively darker, Elma was surprised to find the chamber was lit up.

Primarily by the glow of the Archon’s Eye.

The floor slanted down before them into a single path, with two wide ridges travelling away from it along both sides of the chamber. The path led down to a roughly circular mound of rock raised amidst a pool of water at the base of the chamber.

And dancing along the edge of that mound was Razzda, with Maltop standing in the center and clapping for each move she made. The greenish glow of the Archon’s eye was enough to overpower any other source of light, even the glow of the Dream emanating from Maltop’s sockets.

It turned everything a faint green, and caused the water to take on a blackish color.

There was no way the chamber was natural. Elma figured the tunnel and water were excusable, but the path that led to the mound and even the ridges had to have been carved by someone. An lost holy site? An extension of Bullminth's Armory? Even the cracks in the wall across from them looked too intentional to have been the result of natural wear.

Elma was positive that she could see sunlight through them, but it all paled in comparison to the Archon’s Eye.

“Bestest! Bestest!” Maltop cheered as Razzda gave a tired bow, “Maltop tell Archon, Razzda shiniest Nurl!”

It was then Elma was able to see Bullminth’s Blade lying on the other side of him. Yet again, Razzda had left herself completely defenseless.

Elma was able to stop herself from grabbing for her blade that time, instead turning to Yorm and sharing a glance before they both knelt down and shifted along one of the ridges. Though there was water between the ledge and the mound, it would lead them behind Maltop.

The ridge was thick enough for both of them to begin creeping along the edge of the chamber, keeping as low as possible just on the off chance that someone looked their way. Elma was still waiting for it, just waiting for the Archon’s Eye to give a cursory glance around the room.

But it was just as focused on Razzda than Maltop was.

After taking several breaths, Razzda clasped her hands together.

“Sorry sad!” she stated “Razzda sorry sad for Maltop. All trouble for Maltop. Maltop still protect Razzda.”

“It good, Shiny Eyes.” He pushed himself to his feet and pointed towards the Archon’s Eye “Maltop work better now! One with Dream.”

“Razz…” Razzda paused to wipe at her face “Razzda take back gift from clan. Sure Maltop gone. She try to run, try forgetting. But she miss hearing Maltop.”

“Always hear Maltop.” Maltop declared before patting his chest “Maltop forever one with Dream! Shiniest of Shinies!”

Razzda went wide eyed at that, blinking several times before tilting her head.

“Maltop… say Razzda’s eyes are shiniest.” She said, only for Maltop to shake his head.

“Pretty shiny eyes, yes yes!” he said before patting his chest again “But Dream much shinier, shinier than anything. New, better hoard!”

Elma paused and reached out to put a hand on Yorm’s shoulder to draw his attention to the center of the chamber again.

“Maltop’s hoard not shiny?” Razzda asked as she eyed him up and down “Maltop love shiny rocks!”

“Still love, but not shiny like Dream!” he nodded, only for Razzda to lunge forth and grab hold of his coat.

“Wrong! Something wrong!” she yelled before tilting her head “Maltop is… Maltop, yes?”

“He just see different, runt.” a new voice cackled

Elma’s eyes darted over to the rear of the chamber, where the water beside the path shifted. Slipping from the other side of the path was a head, a small figure swam towards the circle and clasped at the edge as Razzda stumbled back from it.

Elma wanted to go for her sword the moment she realized Razzda was outnumbered, but a quick glance to Yorm and a shake of his head was enough to stay her hand

Gritting her teeth, Elma lowered herself as another Nurl pulled herself from the water.

She was wrapped in a tattered, water-logged cloth and numerous pieces of old jewelry. Necklaces, bracelets, and several sets of earrings all with their gems and jewels removed. The hollow jewelry clanked together with every move she made.

And she looked far too much like Razzda.

Same jagged-toothed smile, red hair tied up in a horrible bun with more gem-less jewelry, and skin that would’ve been the same beige-like orange if it wasn’t so horribly pale. Elma couldn’t tell if she had the same yellow eyes, as the only thing in her sockets was the blaring glow of the Dream.

“Razzda… see right?” Razzda rubbed at her eyes “Nagsda?”

“Archon find in Dream.” Maltop said “Bring for help if Maltop get... problem.”

“Right right, Runt!” Nagsda pointed to her, only for her head to immediately start listing to the side thanks to her clearly shattered neck “Nagsda try steal! No Runts build hoard for her! Archon capture, snap thief Nagsda's neck!”

She reached for her neck, grabbing at the twisted flesh and giving it a shake for emphasis. She gave a pleased giggle as her head lolled about in her grasp.

Razzda was as still as a statue, watching with wide eyes as Nagsda apparently grew tired of her display and let go of her own neck. Gripping the top of her head, she pulled it right side up before eyeing Razzda again.

“No runts for Razzda, hm?” she said before snickering “Nagsda fail you, Runt! Have none of her teachings! Teach you now, yes! Archon give much gold for hoard. Razzda not pass up, yes?!?”

But Razzda was still staring at Nagsda, tilting her head several times before mumbling.

“Loud speak, Runt!” Nagsda demanded, causing Razzda to flinch before she raised a finger.

“Bearer Nurl Nagsda, not mad?” Razzda pointed to her “Razzda leave, like others. Thought-”

“Furious!” Nagsda spat as her smile disappeared and slapped a hand against her stomach “Bear seven Runts, can’t get shiny gem. Runts ungrateful, not work for bearer. Betray, abandon!”

Razzda shriveled up as Nagsda walked closer, with Maltop backing out of the way as Nagsda began poking at Razzda’s chest.

“No thanks for bearer, for good runt raising!” Nagsda snarled “Nagsda not get shinies, too weak! Too old! Twenty-eight years and no runts helping! Archon find and-!”

She stopped suddenly before her smile returned. Her free hand went from Razzda’s chest to her shoulder.

“Then Dream, best shiny!” she declared gleefully, only for Razzda to push her away.

“Nagsda too?!?” she was incredulous “What about best gems?!? Bearer Nurl love gem more than runts!”

“Dream better than both!” Nagsda declared.

Elma had seen enough.

Razzda was just yelling at both Maltop and Nagsda about their sudden change in priorities. The sword was still on the ground beside Maltop and the Archon seemed content to just let his Dreamers try talking her into servitude.

Elma had grown hesitant the moment Nagsda entered the picture, as that meant there could be any number of them lurking under the water just waiting to jump in.

She nudged Yorm.

Raising an eyebrow at him, she nodded towards the water below before pointing towards her nose.

He shook his head, immediately killing any hopes that he was able to tell if there more down there.

But then he raised a finger, only to look upwards.

Elma’s eyes snapped towards the roof of the chamber, only to find that the glow of the Archon’s eye wasn’t able to reach high enough to illuminate the very top of it. She found it hard to believe that a Dreamer was able to hide up there, but she refused to doubt Yorm’s nose at that point.

The whole plan depended on them being able to cut down the Host and any Dreamers it could try jumping to. With two of them and hopefully Razzda working together, Elma could believe they could take on a dozen or so Dreamers if they utilized the odd shape of the chamber to funnel them onto the bridge.

But she had no idea how many he had under that water.

Then there was the host. They needed to slay Maltop first or else it wouldn’t matter how many they cut down.

“Runt Hesitate?!?” Nagsda reached up to shake her head from side to side “No love Gold Shinies? She betray Bearer Nurl for gold shiny! Not want?!?”

“Razzda wants!” Razzda stated before pushing past her towards Bullminth’s Blade “Sharp One not nice like other shinies. Trouble for Razzda… but… she”

“She fix with Archon’s help.” Maltop pointed to the sword “Happy Hoard is Happy Nurl!”

“But Razzda… not want make mistake.” She said “She miss Maltop… want believe Maltop. But something… bad?”

“Bad?” Maltop raised his arms to his sides “What bad? Archon bring Dream, bring shiny for all.”

Elma nudged Yorm again before pulling him close. Cupping a hand beside her mouth just in case, she whispered into his ear.

“If I charge in, could you get the Host?” she asked, with Yorm narrowing his gaze in thought.

Maltop was wringing his hands together, backing away from Nagsda and Razzda until he was near the edge of the circular mound.

Nagsda reached out and resumed poking Razzda in the side of the head, her gem-less jewelry clinking with each poke. Razzda kept her eyes on Bullminth’s Blade, mumbling to herself for a moment before glancing towards Nagsda. The poking halted as Nagsda met her gaze, the two staring until Razzda reached out to her. She pulled at one of Nagsda’s necklaces, rubbing at it before grunting.

“Gems not shiny to Nagsda…” she murmured, “Nagsda like Maltop… Dream, really that shiny?”

“Shiniest!” Maltop declared, bringing his hands up to rub at the Archon’s eye fondly “Glimmer best, feel best! Bestest! BESTEST!”

Yorm finally drew Elma’s attention back to him by grabbing her shoulder. He nodded towards the wall behind them, and she pushed away from the edge with him until he gave a sigh.

“I’ll need a distraction.” He stated, nodding upwards “No way that Dreamer could stop me if I leap from here right to him, but if any of them down there react he might have enough time to move. I need all their gazes drawn away.”

Elma turned her eyes back to the trio momentarily before looking to Yorm and drawing his attention to her sword. She gave a brief nod towards the path leading to the mound, and watched him consider for a moment before Razzda's groan of frustration brought her attention back below.

“Razzda… not good thinker sometime.” Razzda pulled away from her mother “She try… try really hard. But Razzda confused. Wanted Maltop back, he here! She like seeing Bearer-Nurl Nagsda, even if not good for Razzda.”

“Ungrateful Runt.” Nagsda bit, only for her lips to snap shut.

Razzda didn’t even notice, she was too busy charging Maltop and pulling him close. Wrapping her arms around him until both halves of his head were being squeezed against the Archon’s Eye.

“She want! Want to trust Maltop.” her shoulders began shaking as she lifted him off the ground “Want believe in Big Hoard! But Dream make weird. Make everything weird!”

Then she began lifting him from the ground, shaking him back and forth as she clutched at his shoulders.

“Want to know! Understand!” she declared “Maybe Bad think Razzda not getting it! Want to-!”

Razzda froze up suddenly, eyes widening as she stared at Maltop. Elma's gaze narrowed at the sight below, as Razzda had let go of Maltop.

But he didn’t fall back to the ground.

He was hovering, his grin widening as his hands began to tremble. They shot towards both sides of his head, digging his fingers into his scalp and pulling as the Archon’s Eye pulsated.

Maltop moaned as the Archon’s Eye began to grow. He pried open his head further, spilling rivulets of his blue blood all over the rock mound below.

“Maltop?!?” Razzda reached out for him, only to hesitate and go for Bullminth’s Blade instead.

She picked it off the ground, turning back with it clutched in her arms.

“Stop.”

It wasn’t Maltop, he was still giggling as he pawed at the Archon’s Eye.

It was him, practically draining the heat from the chamber with the deep drone of his voice.

“It would seem you are lost, Nurl.” The Archon stated “Allow me to simplify this for you.”