An Ancient Truth
Copyright© 2026 by Asa Strong
Chapter 17
The next few days were spent letting Kavin’s people recover. Wagons were repaired; livestock rested, people fed, and tired bodies mended.
On the third day, that changed. A young boy on a horse came galloping into camp.
“Donta, sire, come quickly! There is an army of dwarfs coming!”
I turned and faced the young boy, who was sitting on a horse much too large for him. “Aye, and where are they coming from?” I asked.
“From the north and east, sire.”
I glanced at Torg, who was grinning ear-to-ear, and said, “I guess we ought to go meet our guests.”
He nodded, and together we let the young boy lead us to the far edge of the camp. From the top of the hill, I could see a large group of dwarfs marching in the distance. By the banners they flew, I knew it was Tag’ar. But why he was here; I had no idea.
“Why would Tag’ar be here?” I said, more to myself than anyone else.
“I’m sure he will be more than happy to tell us once he gets here,” Torg said, all the time keeping a grin on his face.
I nodded and stood waiting for Tag’ar and his company to arrive.
Tag’ar must have seen me atop the hill, as he spurred his horse and moved towards where Torg and I stood. In a few moments, he was close enough to hail us.
“Donta, I have much to speak with you about.” He said as he dismounted.
From what I could tell, it looked like Tag’ar had his entire house with him. Dwarfs have large families; relationships are carried to an extreme. Fourth and fifth cousins are usually members of the same house. Tag’ar had a large number of dwarfs with him. But what really concerned me was that there were women and children as well. This did not bode well.
I nodded, “Come, let’s find somewhere quiet to talk.”
Tag’ar handed the reins for his horse to another dwarf, and we walked down the hill towards the small river in the valley.
We walked in silence, neither of us saying a word. Once near the river, I turned and asked, “Tag’ar, something terrible must have occurred for you to bring your entire clan with you.”
Tag’ar removed the helm from his head, wiped his hand through the thick mop of red hair, and then turned and said, “Yes, several on the council have made serious mistakes.”
He paused for a second, looking out over the river, and then turned and continued. “Donta, they don’t have much food. The supplies that were supposed to be kept for emergencies have been long ago used. I removed my clan in anger. Those on the council who were responsible for this refused to take the responsibility for their actions. With what they have left and what they can gather, there may be enough food for those that remain to last a year. Certainly no longer than that, though.”
“This must have been what Alma was alluding to,” I said to myself. I shook my head and then asked, “What now, Tag’ar?”
I could tell that what he was about to say was hard for him. The struggle on his face was evident. With a strain in his voice, Tag’ar spoke. “Donta, I would ask that my clan join with your group. Maybe together we can be safe.”
“Tag’ar, you and your clan are welcome. Never would I think of denying you and yours after all that you have done for Gait and me.”
Tag’ar shook his head, “No, Donta, you don’t understand. I have taken my clan from the Cavern. There is no return. If we stay with you, it will be as part of your group. There can be no other way.”
Finally, it dawned on me what he was saying. He was asking to join with us permanently. He was also making it clear that he expected me to be in charge. This would take some thinking.
I paused for a second, trying to absorb Tag’ar’s words. Finally, I managed to speak. “Tag’ar, you ask much of me. I don’t know that I am the person to lead this group.”
Tag’ar didn’t say a word, but Torg, who had followed us down from the hillside, said, “Donta, there is no other.”
He caught me by surprise because I didn’t know he had followed us. I turned around to find him close behind me. “Torg, I am not a leader. I don’t know what to do.”
Tag’ar spoke up, “Donta, that is not true. You are the only one who has the confidence of all. My dwarfs will accept you. The elves have already done so. I am sure that the humans here will do so as well.”
Tag’ar reached in his vest pocket and withdrew his pipe and bag of tobacco. With practiced ease, he loaded the pipe and lit it. Only when it was spewing forth smoke did he speak. “Donta, there is no other choice. It must be you.”
I turned towards Torg and he nodded his head.
I looked at both of them, and could see in their faces the truth of the situation. I think that was also what Alma was trying to tell me as well. I didn’t have any choice; by default I was the only one that was in a position to lead.
I nodded my head, “I see. Well, then, let’s get at it.”
With that said, I started back up the hill.
The next few days were busy, but productive. First, I called together Kavin representing the humans, Tagar for the dwarfs, and Ceneal for the elves. Also present were Torg, Saraid, and Dan’ar. It was time to formalize just who and what we were to be.
“I have called all of us together for an important purpose,” I began. “I don’t need to stress that we are in dire straits at the moment. We have no place to live and many of our kin to take care of. We also have a limited amount of food. This, along with the coming winter, presents a real challenge.”