Beyond the Dragon’s Teeth
Copyright© 2026 by Asa Strong
Chapter 4
The man, who appeared to be the leader, headed for the place where we had built our fire and immediately sat down on a nearby log.
He looked up at me and then said, “Come, now tell me this tale of your coming over the Eastern Mountains?”
As I walked towards him, I remembered that Gait was still in hiding.
“Well, actually, it was me and another that made the trip.”
He gave me a quizzical look, his bushy eyebrows arched.
“Aye, and where do you keep this other person you travel with?”
I turned back to where Gait was hiding and hollered, “Gait, come on out, and please, no weapons!”
A few seconds later, Gait made his appearance, making his way into the clearing through the dense brush.
There was an audible gasp from the small people. I was much taller than the men, at least three hands. To the small people, Gait must have appeared to be a giant.
The red-haired leader closed his gaping mouth and then asked, “Are all your people of this size?”
I laughed as I sat down on a log, across from the doused fire from the leader.
“No, Gait is larger than most.”
I turned to Gait and asked him to restart the fire, and then faced the red-haired man.
“Where I come from, we have no people like you. What do you call yourselves?”
He snapped his head up, gave me a severe look, and then spoke.
“We are dwarfs, not people!”
I paused for a moment and then said, “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. I have never met any others like you. I have no knowledge of your customs, so please be patient with my lack of knowledge.”
The man’s face softened and then in a softer tone said, “I am Tag’ar, Chief of the Carnath Clan, Son of Mo’tac, and a member of the council of the Giant Hills Conclave.”
I could see that status and precedent were important to him. I pondered for a moment if I should reveal my lineage and decided it would be to our benefit to do so.
I stood and gave a formal salute, my right clenched fist striking the left side of my chest, and then said, “I am Donta, Prince of the Realm, third in line for succession to the Throne of my Father.”
Tag’ar gave me a crooked grin and then answered, “A prince is it! Not that it makes any difference. Dwarfs do not recognize any allegiance outside of our own conclave.”
I nodded and sat down. Tag’ar and I talked while Gait re-started the fire, and the rest of the dwarfs removed the packs from the mules.
Once the fire was started, two dwarfs shouldered their way past Gait and took over preparations for our meal. Gait looked at me, and I shrugged my shoulders and then shook my head. There was no sense in starting an argument over the matter.
Tag’ar and I talked while our dinner was being prepared. I learned that there were not only dwarfs, but also several other races that lived in this country. Tag’ar described elves as being secretive and living mostly in the deep forest to the north. Men, like Gait and me, were found mostly in the middle of the country and tended to gather together in large towns.
He also described vile creatures called Orcs and Trolls who existed as scavengers—looting and killing at whim.
By the time our meal was ready, I had learned that Tag’ar was a trader. He bought and sold goods and traveled the length and breadth of this country. From his description, the area was a very large valley that was surrounded by high mountains.
The dwarf cooking our meal announced that dinner was ready. This ended my discussion with Tag’ar.
Our dinner consisted of meat from the deer that we had recently killed and vegetables that the dwarfs had brought. The meal was a stew and very good, although much more spicy than I was accustomed to.
After dinner, Tag’ar and I resumed our discussion. We had no more than settled down when he asked me, “As a prince, are you trained as a warrior?”
I thought for a moment and then answered, “In a manner, yes. I am more than capable with a sword and bow.”
I gestured towards Gait, who was sitting to my left, and continued.
“Although I have not been trained to the extent that Gait has, he has been trained as a true warrior.
“As the third son of my father, I was sent to the Druid Academy and trained as a keeper of the law and teacher.”
After much discussion on the duties and responsibilities of a Druid, Tag’ar announced, “We have no such thing as your Druids.”
We continued our discussion until the remnants of dinner had been cleared away.
We then found out that Dwarfs loved nothing more than a good song or tale. Gait and I sat spellbound while several of the dwarfs sang ballads of heroes and great tragedies.
Finally, with the moon high in the evening sky, we took to our beds to sleep.
The next morning, the dwarfs gave us some kind of cake made with honey for breakfast. They were quick to load the mules and were just about fully packed when Tag’ar approached me.
“Donta, I have given this much thought. I cannot allow you to remain free in our land. I must ask you to join us until we reach the Cavern, then the Council can determine your fate.”
Gait was standing not far from me, and he withdrew his sword and took a stance, facing the other dwarfs.
They immediately drew their weapons.
“Gait, put your sword away, now!”
He didn’t look happy with my command, but he did as I asked, and sheathed his sword.
When I turned back to face Tag’ar, I could see the relief in his face.
“We will accompany you, but we will retain our weapons.”
I could tell by his posture that he was about to deny my request.
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