Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #15 June 2015 | Page 32

yourself, I will see that justice is served, one way or
another.” The threat hung in the air, like thunder on
a humid summer day. “Come, let us leave these dark
halls and breathe fresh air and feel sunlight on our
faces again.”

“If you are a true friend of the dwarves speak the
name of our god, pass in peace, and return safe and
sound,” Manfred translated again.
“So it is conditional,” Gamying stated. “The door will
only open for true friends of the dwarves. I am well
known here as a dwarf friend. Manfred’s credentials
go without saying. I would wager my life that the
magic would recognise Aglaral as a true dwarf friend,
despite the fact that he has only ever met one dwarf in
his life. That leaves you Kris.” He stared at the bard
and his eyes were daggers cutting into his soul. “Are
you a true dwarf friend?” He drew his sword.
Kris dropped his eyes. He couldn’t meet Gamying’s
gaze. He said nothing. The silence was only momentary but it seemed to drag on forever. The only sounds
were the beating of four hearts and the water noise
coming through the sealed door.
Eventually Manfred spoke. “Act not in anger, Gamying. There is something going on with Master Kris.
I had hoped to resolve it in Tamarlan after we were
well rested. If you have nothing to say, then I shall be
forced to read your mind. I warn you that if you resist
me, it may cause permanent damage.”
Kris spoke hurriedly. “That won’t be necessary, Manfred. I admit to my crime. It is one of greed, driven
only by the want to have a secure and peaceful life.”
He began to remove the gold nuggets from his pockets
and stacked them by the wall of the alcove. “It appears
that I have suffered the bruises of carrying these treasures for nothing. I shall live with the regret of what
might have been for the rest of my miserable life.” As
the last nugget left his pocket, the door began to swing
open with a groan. They were momentarily blinded
by the sunlight and closed their eyes in response. Kris
moved to sneak the last nugget back into his pocket,
but hesitated and placed it with the rest.
“Hah!” Gamying snorted. “So it is theft is it? Don’t
think that this lets you off. Your behaviour with the
wargs is fresh in my memory.” He sheathed his sword.
“Manfred will have that conversation with you in
Tamarlan and if you cannot adequately vouch for

As their eyes adjusted to the light, they realised that
the door exited onto a rock platform that was completely hidden by a cascading waterfall directly in
front of them. The stream was generated from the
melting ice and snow in the mountains above so it was
particularly strong. The cold spray struck their faces
with a refreshing vigour. The noise from the falls was
now so strong that they could not speak to each other.
The door slammed shut behind them. It was indistinguishable on this side from the grey rock of the cliff
face. Without prior knowledge, there was no way of
knowing there was a door there. Gamying tapped them
on their shoulders to attract their attention and led
them off along the ledge parallel to the falls. At the
edge of the ledge, there was a hole cut into the rock
face. They stepped through the hole, pushing aside
thick branches on the other side and stepped out onto
a mountain track. Gamying carefully replaced the flora
to disguise the entrance and then led them down the
track. A steep descent took them quickly to the base of
the falls, where they stopped to catch their breaths and
take bearings.
In front of them, the jagged teeth of the Devil Mountains bit into the clear blue sky. The sun was almost
directly overhead. The falls dropped in a single cascade of well over one thousand feet, through a rainbow-fringed cloud of spray into a large, clear pool.
They had descended a small, steep path to the left of
the falls. On their right was a larger, well-worn path
that zigged and zagged as far as the eye could see. It
led to the infamous Suicide Pass. Behind them, a path,
wide enough for a horse and cart to pass another with
comfort, gently descended to the plains below. The
plains were alive with new grass and wild flowers, a
lush carpet of green, white, mauve and gold. In the
distance, the spire of Tamarlan was visible in the haze.
Gamying laughed. “Spring has finally arrived, north
of the mountains, and it is a welcome sight to a homesick man. We call this waterfall Life Falls, because

32