The Wrathful Mountains by Lana Axe

way to the king. Only his refusal to
allow the building of new mines would put a stop to the incursion.
    Her tone softening, Tashi said, “It is good of you
to do this. I hope you will succeed.” Glancing over at Raad, she said, “I do
not blame you personally. You did not build the mines, and you did not steal Ulihi
lands.”
    “Err, thanks,” the miner replied.
    “But you work for
them, and you take from the land what should be left undisturbed. I wonder what
your gods think of that.”
    “My gods are made
of stone,” he jibed. “What I do honors them.”
    “Is this true?” the
priestess asked.
    “It’s true that
some dwarves worship the stone,” Kaiya explained. “I’m a little skeptical about
Raad. I think he only worships the cask.”
    The miner laughed
heartily. “You got me there.”
    “As for myself, I
put my faith in the magic around me,” Kaiya went on. “The element that fuels my
power and gives me strength is all I need.”
    “My people believe
that the gods inhabit all things,” Tashi said. “We have many of them, too many
perhaps. Some have been long forgotten.” She didn’t know why, but the thought
filled her with sorrow. It was possible her people had chosen poorly when it
came to the gods. Could the forgotten ones have healed the children? She would
never know.
    “Fairy tales,” Raad grumbled.
    “How do you mean?” Galen asked.
    “A god of this and a god of that,” he said. “All
fairy stories. Just like my old Gran when she told me about the mountain
sprites.” He smirked, looking over at Tashi. “She used to make up stories of
little people who ran around naked in the snow.”
    “Seems that fairy tale was true,” Galen pointed
out.
    “I suppose so,” the miner replied.
    “We don’t walk naked,” Tashi stated, “but we don’t
need the heavy clothing you wear. We have lived among the snow-covered peaks
for millennia and are well-suited to it.”
    The group circled
around a narrow ledge, slowly making their way around an unmovable boulder.
Time and wind had smoothed it, the snow refusing to cling to its polished
surface. Tashi rubbed her hand along its cold exterior.
    “These smooth
stones bring good luck,” she said. “Touch it as you pass.”
    Kaiya did as the
priestess bid, as did Galen. Seeing that the other two were participating, Raad
reluctantly reached out his hand. It was likely nonsense, but miners could be
superstitious as well. Rubbing one’s hands with dirt was essential before
digging commenced. There was no reason for it, but everyone did it just the
same. This act was no different.
    “Tell me about
yourself, Tashi,” Galen said. “I’ve read of your people, but what’s written in
old tomes isn’t necessarily the real story. I’d love to hear what life is like
for you.”
    Giving the elf a
sideways glance, Tashi tried to decide whether he was sincere. Making note of
the slight smile on his lips, and his curious eyes, she concluded that his
desire to learn was genuine.
    “I am a high
priestess,” she began. “I have many duties among my people. Most important is
to speak to the gods on behalf of the tribe, and to administer blessings.”
    “Do you use magic?”
the elf asked.
    She considered the
question a moment. “Not in the way that Kaiya does,” she finally said. “I
perform rituals as taught to me by my mother.” She looked down at her feet.
    Noticing her pained
expression, Galen asked, “What happened to her?”
    “She died giving
life to my dear sister, Annin,” Tashi replied, tears spilling from her eyes.
“And now Annin is also gone, her life given for her child as well.”
    “I’m sorry,” Galen
said.
    “I was powerless to
prevent it,” she went on. “And more will surely die. It is my failing.”
    “You couldn’t
possibly be responsible,” the elf replied.
    “I am the one who
implores the blessing of the gods,” she said. “But the gods have abandoned me
and all my people.” Her sorrow turned to anger, her