Dark Thane

The Hylar thane had led the Council's opposition to Tarn's plan to aid the elves, and he had been advocating for years to seal the mountain. Those who followed Jungor were of the same mind-they hated and distrusted the outside world. But those who had been born after the Chaos War were particularly open to his arguments, because they could see all around them how stone had failed to protect them during that terrible conflict. Also, they had no memories of the glory of Thorbardin to cause them to long for its return. They looked to their own future, not the past of the grandfathers and so they supported Tarn.

"No!" Tarn shouted furiously. "I forbid this. The gate must remain open."

"No?" Jungor asked, stepping closer to Tarn and peering at him with his remaining eye. His gaze was almost hypnotic. "You forbid it?" Jungor asked. "These are strong words from one who just moments ago was ready to abdicate his throne."

Tarn tore his gaze from Jungor's strange eye. He looked at the crowd, his eyes almost pleading with them. He knew that most of the dwarves felt as Jungor did. They preferred isolation and distrusted the outside world. Yet he had fought for years to build alliances, often against the wishes of his own people, because he believed the dwarves could no longer ignore the world.

"Too often have we turned our backs on the outside world," Tarn declared. "True, we live in perilous times, but there are too few of us to defend our homes against the forces of evil now loose in the world. The dragonarmies of old pale in comparison to the might of dragons like Beryl and Malys. We must have allies if we are to survive."

"Not the elves!" Jungor shrieked. "You haven't invited the elves here, have you?"

"No, certainly not the elves," Tarn replied, to the relief of nearly everyone in attendance. Jungor sighed, but Tarn couldn't tell if the Hylar thane was pleased or disappointed.

"There are other dwarves in the world," Tarn continued. "With the destruction of our army and the growing threats in the world, we need every axe and hammer we can muster."

The Daewar thane, Rughar Delvestone, rose from his chair, his round face flushing red. "I pray you aren't suggesting we invite the hill dwarves into our mountain," he hissed, nearly spitting the words "hill dwarves."

Jungor nodded and took a step closer to Tarn. "Long have we tolerated your infatuation with that tribe of rebels," he said as he lifted his hand and pointed at the king accusingly. His gaze strayed beyond the king to the female dwarf sitting alone on the front row of the Hylar section. Seeing the direction of Jungor's gaze, Tarn knew that the Hylar thane was looking at his Neidar wife, Crystal Heathstone. He felt his blood boil. Would Jungor dare to insult the wife of the king before the assembled council?

"We will not open the gates of Thorbardin to more hill dwarves," Thane Rughar said, stamping his boot for emphasis. "I'd rather share my bed with an elf."

This was going too far. Tarn was on the verge of demanding they speak their minds truly, so that he could have the honor of calling them out. But Glint Ettinhammer, thane of the Klar and Tarn's most loyal ally on the council, pushed his bulk up out of his seat, and said, "I must agree with my fellow thanes. We cannot hold the mountain passes against a determined invasion, especially if it is led by Beryl or any of her brood." He shrugged his great shoulders apologetically to Tarn, then resumed his seat. Tarn turned and saw Mog staring at his clan's thane with a look of disbelief. Tarn then looked to Otaxx, sitting in the Daewar section, who nodded sadly.

"Ten gully dwarves could hold our gates against an army of dragons," Jungor persisted, seeing Tarn's determination begin to dissolve.

"Two gully dwarves!" Thane Delvestone added, rousing a laugh from the crowd. Even the gully dwarves chuckled. Brecha Quickspring added her voice, readily agreeing that the North Gate should be closed. Last of all, the Daergar thane Shahar Bellowsmoke cast his vote with the majority. No one bothered to ask Grumple Nagfar what she thought.

With almost the entire Council of Thanes against him, Tarn could not follow his best instincts-not again, not after what had happened in Qualinost. With a deep sigh, he ordered guards away to close the North Gate at once. Then, with the business of the Council completed, the assembly began to break up. Crystal rose from her seat and rushed to Tarn's side, slipping an arm around him to help the weary dwarf king stand. He leaned against her gratefully, feeling old, sad, and defeated even at home.

As they left the Council Hall, they passed Jungor Stonesinger surrounded by a mob of freshly admiring dwarves. "Now that my will has prevailed and the North Gate is closed, we'll be safe," Jungor pronounced.

"It didn't stop the armies of Chaos," Tarn muttered under his breath.

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