Free D'Mok Revival 1: Awakening by Michael J. Zummo

not necessary—”
    “I insist. Please.”
    With a gracious nod, she took the offering and wrapped it around her waist. It easily covered the hole. “Thank you.”
    He smiled weakly and looked back at his empty sack.
    “What’s wrong?” she asked.
    “The others are trying to take care of it. We’re just tired and have to rest. But we’ll be back . . .”
    She looked from Ewin to the other harvester. “Ewin . . . Coel . . . What’s going on?”
    They hesitated for a futile moment under her gaze before Coel said, “Creatures.”
    Ewin gave a reluctant nod. “In the crystal caverns.”
    Lady Weun glanced quickly at Mencari, then back at the two miners. “There too?”
    Coel shook his head. “Sounds crazy, I know, but . . . they look like they’re made out of crystal.”
    He gave Lady Weun a beseeching look. “Maybe you could help? I mean, with your blessings and all.”
    She nodded slowly. “We’re on our way there anyway. We— I’ll see what I can do.”
    “They’re terrible beasts,” Ewin warned. “I know you’re powerful, but . . . please be careful, my lady.”
    She smiled and nodded. “I will be. Now go home and rest.”
    They turned to leave, but she called out, “Before you go . . .”
    She placed her hands on the faded charms around their necks. Instantly, the amber stones burned with brilliance. “This will restore your valor.”
    They looked down at their charms in disbelief, then Ewin said, “Thank you, Lady Weun!”
    “We have nothing to—” the second miner protested.
    She held up her hand. “For your perseverance and generosity. Rest well, my friends.”
    The two men bowed and continued past them, walking more briskly now toward Trader Town. She smiled after them, but as they disappeared into the distance, her smile faded and her youthful face wrinkled in concern.
    “Strange creatures there, too, in the halls of the mountain? What’s going on ?”
    “Those caves,” Mencari said. “Is that where you have found fire marbles?”
    She nodded, still lost in thought. “This is serious.” The words came out as a sigh. After a moment, she turned back to him. “Will you help me?”
    “You saved my life back there,” he said. “Of course.”
    Smiling, she shook her head, and they continued around the bend, passing a crude wooden sign dubbing the mine, “The Ingot’s Tomb.” Crystal-filled bins and a scattering of tools along with a type of crushing-machine were arranged outside the large mouth of a cave.
    Just inside the opening, a man braced himself against the cave wall, large mining pick at his feet, half exposed to the sun’s dimming light. They approached and saw his haggard spirit reflected in his face.
    “My lady,” he said surprised.
    “Are you alright?” she asked in concern.
    “I… I just need a rest,” he said panting.
    She gasped and drew a green crystal. “Hold out your arm,” she said sternly. As the fellow obeyed, Mencari noticed the red slowly dripping from a gash. The man winced as her healing power closed the wound.
    “What’s your name?” she asked.
    “I’m Ine, my lady,” he replied.
    “How did you get that injury?” she asked.
    “Creatures, inside the mine. We were attacked. All I heard was screaming as I ran for the surface.” His face contorted with guilt. “I have to go back, see if I can help the others.”
    “Do you know when the creatures appeared? Where they came from?” Mencari asked.
    The weary man nodded. “A few days ago, we were drilling into a new area of the mine when these things showed up. Well, not just showed up. Didn’t know there was another cavern. Broke into it as we drilled down the main tunnel.”
    A ghastly howl shrilled from the depths. Mencari looked to Lady Weun, who nodded.
    “Let’s go see what we can do,” Lady Weun said.

    * * * * *
    “I’ve never seen nothing like them before,” Ine grunted, leading them forward carefully, deeper and deeper into the hole in the