the front bracing the wooden beams were crushed under the huge stones that tumbled
down. Another second later a searing jet of flame erupted through the gate, incinerating
the entire front line of dwarves. Blackened armor clanked to the ground. Any dwarves
not caught directly in the flame stumbled about screaming, their entire bodies set ablaze.
gate. Dark green scales glittered in the firelight. The beast grinned widely and flicked out
his tongue, and a set of huge white teeth shined brighter than his scales. Its tail slowly
waved back and forth in anticipation.
the wind. Barȗk managed to keep the rows farther back in formation, and the archers let
loose a flurry of arrows. Each arrow clinked off the dragon’s scales without leaving a
scratch. A group of dwarves with spears ran forward to impale it in the chest. The
dragon drove his head sideways and smashed the dwarves against the wall, their bones
cracking and splintering like twigs.
massive wings. They lifted upwards engulfing the room in shadow like huge storm
clouds. All of the torches on the wall blew out. The room would have been pitch black if
not for the inferno of dragon fire that raged all around. Dwarves bobbed and weaved
through pillars, ducking into side rooms and hallways to escape the dragon. It reared up
and slammed its front feet down with a bone rattling crash, letting loose another jet of
flame.
broken gate in huge numbers. Any dwarves lingering were cut down. Barȗk knocked an
arrow in his bow and let it loose. It flew across the room and hit its mark, piercing a
goblin in the eye. The goblin squealed and fell down lifeless. He shot a few more arrows,
felling a goblin with each shot until there were too many to hold back.
gathered around him. They turned and ran down a large side passage and entered into
a big room filled with stone tables and chairs. The last dwarves to enter turned and
hefted huge iron shields to block the entrance. Screams echoed from the forge as the
dragon continued his killing spree.
other entrenched dwarves. They hollered and yelled, raising their weapons above their
heads as they ran. Like waves crashing upon rock, the first goblins slammed against the
shield wall. The dwarves heaved their spears forward, impaling the goblins and driving
them into the ground. Barȗk reached over with his sword and cleaved a goblins head in
two. He flicked the sword sideways to deflect an incoming blow and drove his weapon
downward, severing a goblins arm.
ceiling. They leaped over the shield wall and dropped into the group of dwarves behind
them. There was a flurry of metal as the dwarves and goblins clashed. Two dwarves fell
to the surprise attack and another was decapitated. More goblins dropped in and soon
the dwarves up front were impaled from behind. The wall broke and the goblins started
to flood in.
slashed through flesh and shattered bone. Despite his skill, the goblin’s numbers were
too great.
dwarves scattered in different directions darting down hallways. Barȗk darted around a
table and down a small side passage that sloped upwards. The hallway turned a sharp
right into a spiral staircase. Barȗk bolted ahead, skipping a stair with each step. He ran
out into another small hallway and took a quick left at a crossroads.
slowed his pace to a brisk jog and continued ahead. A moment of running and Barȗk
came to an iron door. He heaved it open and came out into a large library. Books and
scrolls cluttered the stone shelves that lined the walls. Many of them had fallen to the
ground in the chaos, papers littering the floor. He shut the door behind him and locked it,
then sat down in a small chair to catch his breath.
knew that the city was lost. There was no way for them to cover the multitude of twisting
hallways that snaked around the main part of the city. If only the gate had held. Though
he knew that was a foolish hope to have to begin with. Maybe he could still find his
father and escape in secret.
the library was cracking. Each bang cracked the stone further, and huge chunks started
falling to the ground. With one final crash the stone wall exploded and the dragon
stepped into the room.
glanced around the room until their eyes met. His huge black pupils narrowed into slits
and he grinned a wide toothy smile. Barȗk was crouched, ready to run.
set into his father’s ring. He held the ring up and gazed deep into the gemstone. That
was it. The dragon didn’t know. Barȗk grinned even wider than the lumbering beast
before him.
deep throaty chuckle.
mine alone. You would do well to remember who is superior here” the dragon roared,
teasing his head from side to side. Barȗk sheathed his sword and scoffed.
worm that crawls in the dirt.” The dragon’s pupils rapidly dilated and he let out a
thunderous roar. His belly rumbled for a moment, and he spewed forth a massive wall of
flame. Barȗk closed his eyes and raised his hands, as if inviting the fire towards him. A
smile crawled across his face for a moment, and then the fire engulfed him and the ring.
were teary and red. He lifted his hand and wiped the last few tears still trickling down his
face. Carefully, he took the ring and put it on his finger. It was slightly too small to fit on
his middle finger, so he slipped it onto his smallest finger and it fit perfectly. He twirled it
around and examined it with a smile. It seemed as if a weight had been lifted off of his
shoulders. Even though his son was probably dead and his city was crumbling,
something was still peaceful about the situation.
in. Rumbles and yells echoed down the hallway, getting louder each moment. Kharzȃl
stood up and brushed of his robes. He looked out over the treasure for a moment and
then turned around to leave.
Kharzȃl stumbled backwards and fell in surprise as a towering green dragon stepped
into the room. His face contorted in horror as he crawled backwards in a panic. The
dragon looked down and saw the ring on Kharzȃl’s finger. It stooped into a crouched
position and waited.
fire. It didn’t make any sudden movements or say a word. It didn’t even blink. They sat
there staring at one another, neither daring to make a move. Kharzȃl was confused,
wondering why the beast hadn’t killed him yet.
wasn’t the dragon’s voice. This voice was soft, but not quiet. It was smooth like honey.
The sound of it was so sweet that anyone who heard it couldn’t help but listen to it.
Despite this, Kharzȃl’s face flooded with terror and went white as snow. His entire body
froze up like ice.
man stepped out from behind the dragon. He was garbed in white garments that flowed
along with his thin frame. His face was remarkably fair, fairer than any man or elf could
hope to be. Long white hair poured down his shoulders. He had high cheekbones and a
strong jawline, with a pair of deep grey eyes. One might mistake him for an elf of
exceptional beauty, but his cold, lifeless stare gave a hint to the true form behind his
guise.
at the ring on his finger then back up to Annatar, clutching it tightly to his chest.
gracefully from his lips, appearing to beckon Kharzȃl into a trance of obedience. Kharzȃl
got up and started to walk towards him. Annatar put out his hand to receive the ring, but
Kharzȃl quickly shook his head and covered the ring up again.
smiled once again and lowered his hand to his side.
shall I say, resilient than I previously thought. I have grown tired of your prosperity. It
pains me to know that I had to come here myself to take back what is mine” he said as
anger flashed briefly across his face. “However now that I am here, it is oddly satisfying.”
Kharzȃl froze, his eyes now wide with terror. Annatar began to laugh. It was a terribly
chilling laugh that vibrated through the bones and shook one’s soul to the very core.
want.” Kharzȃl’s eyes darted back and forth, thoughts shifting rapidly through his mind.
He fought desperately to maintain his composure. Just as tears began to well up in his
eyes, Kharzȃl snapped his gaze to Annatar and gave him a menacing grin that put even
him to shame. Slight confusion crept onto Annatar’s face.
laughed.
Annatar held up his hand again. “I will ask again, give me the ring.”
His hand flicked out with lightning speed and caught the ring. He smiled and held it up to
the light. The smile was only there for a moment. His eyes started to widen. Enraged, he
snapped his head back towards Kharzȃl and started walking towards him.
the air, tumbling into the darkness. A distant clattering echoed softly as the ring scattered
into the treasure below. Now Kharzȃl was laughing uncontrollably. Annatar grasped his
robe and brought his face within inches of Kharzȃl.
your precious treasures.” Kharzȃl coughed and choked as he tried to quell his laughter.
In one sweeping motion, Annatar brought his hand across Kharzȃl’s face and sent him
tumbling over the edge of the platform. He hit the pile of treasure with a loud crash,
sending coins and gems scattering everywhere. Blood flowed down his face and his leg
was twisted at an awkward angle. Slowly Kharzȃl opened his eyes and tried to heave
himself up. The fall had severely injured him and he slumped back down, unable to
muster the strength to get back up. Annatar peered over the edge.
clever!” Kharzȃl’s eyes fluttered as he tried to stay awake. “I will ravage this entire city. I
will find every single dwarf, woman and child and send them into the abyss! Your kind
will rue the day they refused the will of Annatar, Lord of Gifts!”
Kharzȃl wiped the blood from his eyes and looked across the vast expanse of treasure.
There sitting among the gold, glinting in the firelight, was the ring. He reached out,
grasping the pile of gold underneath his bloody fingers and began pulling himself
forward. The treasure clinked and shifted as he heaved himself towards the little silver
ring.
A low rumble started to sound in his stomach. Finally, Kharzȃl reached the ring and
grasped it in his hand. He slipped it gently onto his finger again and smiled.
Kharzȃl. And thus the fourth ring was no more.