The Delving: Chapter 12

Each pack shall contain:1

Dwarfish knife
Rope of the Dryads
Twelve small torches
Flint-stick and tinder
Light-wand
Cloak of invisibility
Water flask
Fish powder
Writing-stick and paper
Cover-sheet
Sleeping-pad
Cleansing-cloth
Mending-kit
Extra black socks2

-- from the Code of Felia

Chapter 12: Armed and Dangerous3

Ithamar Memnon woke with a start. He had been having a nightmare about chasing a mouse--about to catch it, a fraction of an inch from its tail... suddenly it had entered a mousehole... he tried to pull back from banging his head on the baseboard... too late... he had gone right into the hole... there were giant mice inside, laughing and coming toward him with a huge spatula, to scoop him up and plunk him into the frying pan... then he woke up! He stretched, and remembered--he was still a cat. Neuna had said that only Serun could undo the spell. Well, Ithamar thought that he could undo it himself, if only he had hands instead of paws, and could speak the words....4

He looked over at Ithuriel--no, he couldn't look over--it was dark in here--completely dark, like it had been in the passage through which the canal flowed, and the lightless lake.... He inched over to the edge of the bed and tentatively reached out a paw--nothing. Pushing his body forward a little bit at a time, he sort of oozed over the edge of the bed, both paws outstretched. Ah! Carpet! Ugh! He was beginning to think like a cat... he was a cat... no, he wasn't a cat.... Maybe he could find a light switch over there somewhere. He got all four feet down on the carpet and began to explore. What time was it, anyway? He bumped his head on the wall--which wall? He didn't like this at all.5

Then, all at once, there was light! It was just a crack under the door, to be sure, but now he could see the whole room....6

Ithamar's thoughts were interrupted as the door opened and Neuna entered the room, admitting a flood of illumination from the hallway. From the fixtures came a soft, guttural hiss, which had not been noticeable in last night's excitement.7

Neuna gave a merry laugh. "I see we have an early riser here!"8

Ithamar blinked at her and sat down on his haunches, but she laughed again and scooped him up in her arms. "I do love black cats," she said, "but it is so nice to see a gray one!"9

The cat purred, but then his stomach reminded him of something, and he meowed rather sharply.10

Neuna laughed a third time, and then deposited him on the bed as she reached for the light-valve. "If we can get your sleepy sister here to wake up, I think there is something to eat in the refectory!"11

Neuna spoke truly, for now that the door was open, the aroma of roast pig was wafting into the room. Ithuriel's eyes flew open, and she gave a little gasp. "Oh, I was having the loveliest dream," she said. "There were six dwarf girls dancing around me in the forest, throwing flowers into the air!"12

"Well, hopefully you will meet them some day. But now we must eat, and there are serious matters to discuss. You have slept past your bedtime, but under the circumstances, that does not matter. As soon as we have eaten, we must hold council in the War Room. After that, you may wish to take a shower-bath--that is, you, Ithuriel, may wish to take a shower. Unless you are a very unusual cat, Ithamar, I doubt that you will want one." And she grinned a rakish grin. Ithamar glared at her, as best a cat can glare, but she just laughed again.13

"I know I am hungry!" Ithuriel had no doubts about her preference.14

"Then let us eat!"15

Ithuriel sprang from her bed, and with Ithamar followed Neuna back to the undercroft of the main house, walking through the War Room to the refectory, which was carved out of the rock behind and below. A short flight of steps led down to a low-ceilinged room which contained two long, low tables. On the left were the kitchen facilities, and the Memnons could see hams and other items hanging from the ceiling, extending back into deepening shadows.16

The tables had chairs of various sizes, including some clearly intended for cats. Neuna indicated the closer one with her hand, and, donning enormous white insulated gloves, reached for the door of a capacious oven. A cloud of steam emerged as she withdrew a succulent small roast pig, complete with apple in its mouth.17

Placing the platter on the closer table, she reached a large knife from a rack and slit the pig's stomach. Another cloud of steam arose, and a cataract of tender pineapple chunks emerged. Ithamar hopped up onto the table... "Ithamar! None of that! I thought you were a man!" Neuna spoke sharply. Ithamar sheepishly returned to the floor.18

"Here. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Neuna pulled out one of the cat-chairs and positioned it at the table. Withdrawing some plates from a cupboard, she sliced some ham onto them, and spooned out servings of pineapple. From a metal box, she took a large loaf of very dark rye bread, cut some slices and buttered them, cubing one slice for Ithamar. The cat seemed doubtful, but when Neuna patted the chair, he jumped up and sat down carefully, with his tail wrapped around his feet. Neuna then served Ithuriel and herself, and they sat down on either side of Ithamar. "But I've forgotten something to drink." The Eian arose and went to a small door high on the right side of the kitchen area, bringing back a laden pitcher. Taking two tumblers and a saucer from the counter, she placed all on the table and returned to her seat. She bowed her head, and her guests did likewise. "Our Creator, we thank You for our food. Amen."19

She had scarcely finished when three black cats filed in to sit at the second table, bearing weapons, which they placed at the far end. Ithamar looked curiously in their direction. Lying on the table were three small, black crossbows. The bolts, placed beside them, removed from the decks before the cats arrived, were made of some gleaming metal.20

"When we have eaten, these three guards will take you to the armory and issue you a crossbow. We'll see if the dwarfs in Na Alto can make you some black boots and a black mask. There are black cat cloaks and hats here already. Your color could be used to advantage, but not being seen is often better. So long as you are a cat, it is better for you to be trained for some purpose. It will also prevent any unfriendly parties from recognizing you."21

Ithamar emitted a low growl and gave Neuna a piercing glance, but he knew that what she said was true. Removing his thoughts from such things, he attacked the ham slices on his plate, and the other two followed suit, more delicately, with forks; Neuna first served the cats at the other table. From the pitcher she poured a very dark, cold liquid. "Fresh blackberry wine, not fermented," she explained, "but not from quite the sort of blackberries as are common along roadsides. These are cultivated in remote plots of land in the depths of the Hedge."22

"By the Hedgemen?" asked Ithuriel.23

"Yes, by the Hedgemen."24

"Then I am sure that it is good." She lifted her tumbler and took a sip, recoiling a bit as she tasted it. "It is very strong!"25

"Yes, it is. It strengthens us for the rigors of life underground."26

"Were you born here in the Delving?"27

"Well, no, and not exactly born. Each of the Eian is of mysterious origin."28

"Like Serun."29

"Yes, like Serun. But I can say that I do sometimes miss the world above, and look forward to visiting it from time to time. But we must eat in haste, and go to the War Room."30

The rest of the meal was taken in silence. Although Ithuriel and Ithamar tried to eat quickly, the three soldiers finished first, picked up their bows, and trooped out again.31

When at last they were seated in the War Room, Neuna unrolled a map. "Here is where we are located," she said, pointing to Low Lake. "This lake has filled in half of the bottom part of an old salt mine. This entire cavern was once filled with an immense salt dome. Over three-quarters of it has been mined out over the centuries. Halfway down the length of the cavern is a dam which contains the waters of the lake, preventing them from flooding the remaining salt deposit, which is still being mined. All of the salt for use in the Delving is mined here, and most of what is consumed above. Although there has been no interruption in the supply of salt for over a hundred years, there were wars in antiquity. The salt is mined here, and then shipped in boats, by a narrow canal, through the Twelve Locks, one of the wonders of the Delving, to the dwarfish city of Na Alto, also one of the wonders of the Delving, where it is processed and packaged for shipment elsewhere. Although the reports do not say, it is thought that the impending attack on Na Alto has something to do with the salt supply. Doubtless Scratch would find it convenient to control the supply of salt for Earthwithin."32

Neuna's finger traced a semicircle on the map. "The Great Canal, which is for much larger boats, extends from Firefly Landing into the heart of the Delving. It heads away from Na Alto, although there is a passage leading from the city to the canal; salt is shipped out by wagon. In recent years, there has been no traffic beyond that dock; the guard outpost now occupied by Scratch and his Nequam had been long unoccupied. There are dwellings cut into the wall at the junction to provide overnight lodging for boat crews."33

Neuna continued. "My cats are bearing messages above, to Serun and to Arkh...."34

"What about Tam...."35

Neuna's face was stern. "Please wait until I am finished."36

"I'm sorry."37

"You are forgiven. Now, Serun and Arkh will be informed of your presence here. I do hope that Tam Lin may also hear this news." Neuna looked sorrowful. "I, too, have endured such pain."38

Ithuriel decided not to question the Eian about the matter.39

"Ithuriel, you and I will journey today to Na Alto. I need to confer with the Dwarf-king there, to make plans for the defense of the city. Although you would be well-protected here, I prefer to keep you under my direct care. While no intruder has ever left Felia alive, there is a first time for everything. I also wish for you to have some familiarity with the path for leaving Felia at the end by the salt mine, should the need arise. When we have finished our business today, we will return here, where you may stay until Scratch has been vanquished."40

Ithuriel flushed with emotion, and stood up, voice rising. "I appreciate your concern, but I do not wish to be warehoused here while Earthwithin is in danger! I am more greatly moved than anyone else, I am sure, to see Scratch and his henchmen perish!"41

"But, like it or not, this is a time of war. You have not, I believe, any skill in weapons."42

"I can do some useful spells. Give me a dagger! Let me use one of the crossbows of your cats! Anything but sitting here and rotting while others carry out the task of saving Earthwithin!"43

A small smile crossed Neuna's face. Although she feared for Ithuriel's safety, she admired her spirit, and this young woman was clearly one of courage and resourcefulness. "Very well, then. You may choose a dagger from the armory before we depart, and when we return, I will teach you how to use one of my larger crossbows."44

The odd trio rose then from the table, heading toward the armory, which was just past the dormitory on the lower level. Pausing before the door, Neuna's face assumed a strange expression as she let out a wild and piercing meow. Ithuriel was a bit shocked, having heard nothing but human speech from the Eian, except for some soft purrings and cluckings, but Ithamar's eyes closed halfway in an expression of superior knowledge. Within seconds, the three warrior-cats who had eaten with them came bounding down the stairs and trotted over to Ithamar, each touching his nose in turn. Neuna spoke to them in low cat-syllables, and the four felines then padded silently through the door of the weapons-room. The two humans followed, and the Eian gestured toward the left wall, where a selection of daggers was arrayed.45

Ithuriel blanched at the display of armament, but after only a few moments, she walked over and took one of the longer daggers--straight, with a plain metal handle--in her hand. Gripping it firmly, and making a few practice lunges, she decided that it was just right.46

"You have chosen well. That blade was forged by the Dwarf-king himself. He told me that he loathed to part with it." Neuna walked over to a large cupboard. "Here is a belt with scabbard, and you should also have a pack." Removing the items, she turned and handed them to Ithuriel. "The pack contains such things as are often needed in the Delving. You should never let it out of your sight, even in the dark."47

It seemed like strange advice, but Ithuriel nodded.48

"Have you any questions?"49

"No. Thank you very much for your generosity, and for your trust in me."50

"We understand each other well. I have been wishing to meet you ever since I first heard that you and your brother were Serun's apprentices. The magister does not choose his pupils lightly."51

Ithuriel flushed slightly, but said nothing.52

"Go, then. Dryl will show you to the shower-baths. Fresh clothing, all in black, will be waiting for you on your bed. We will depart for Na Alto in an hour."53

Without any signal that was apparent, a huge black tom, larger than Rex, came trotting in and meowed softly. Ithuriel followed him out of the room.