Hammer of the Gods

Chapter 16

“Don’t the dwarves have another way out of these caves,” Angelica asked.

“We believe they will eventually mine their way back to the surface, but for now, we have the only exit to Midgard under our control. It was rumored through Queen Brezna, Poseidon rest her soul, that an entire world exists below the dwarf kingdom. If the tales be true, then the dwarves control the only known entrance to those hidden realms. King Grumblemace grows old, and he fears there may be troubles once again if his heir, Prince Axebringer, is challenged for the throne by Aternerk Sangliak, who shares royal blood with the prince. Oh, and one more thing. The chief’s sword is enchanted. Our legends say it was given to Zwerg, the first gnome, as a gift by Poseidon himself. It carries great power and it is said that even demons and angels fear it. It is called ‘Crimsonfell,’” Atungitok said.

The gnome chief stared at the outlanders a moment longer. He took a deep puff on his great pipe before blowing out several rings of smoke and then waved the guards to enter. The soldiers bowed to him then took up positions on the sides of the chamber joining other guards who were already there.

Aternerk Sangliak spoke in English so that all could understand.

“Atungitok, why have you brought outsiders into my kingdom?”

Their guide sheepishly stepped forward and stumbled as he attempted a nervous bow, his beaver cap falling off his head.

“Well, your greatness, I found Chief Awarumtok, brother of Chief Konosak of the human village of Nome at the foot of the mountain.”

He motioned to Uncle Tok, who bowed low to the chief.

“With him are Chief Konosak’s children, Nanuk his son, and Alornerk, his daughter. They came to help the ‘taniks’, Jonah and Angelica. They were sent to you at the request of Gabriel, one of the ‘anernerk’ who originally gave Konosak and Awarumtok the staff of power to bring to your father for safe keeping,” Atungitok stated as he tripped over his words.

“I sense at least two of them are Christians! You know to bring the taniks here is forbidden as well as Christians whether Inupiaq or tanik,” The chief bellowed.

“Y…Yes, your greatness, if you will just hear them out,” Atungitok begged the Gnome Chief as he twisted his fur cap in his hands resisting the urge to disappear.

“You, boy, step into the light where I can see you clearly,” The chief pointed one thick finger at Jonah.

The professor hesitantly came forward and made an awkward bow.

“Why are you here boy?”

“The Archangel Gabriel sent my sister and me to find you and to bring back the Rod of God.”

The half-gnome leader said nothing for a time, thinking.

“When first I held the rod, I intended to leave it in the vaults where my father instructed me to place it. However, when he died, I decided to do what he dared not, I used the staff.

My father, at the behest of my mother, never attempted to use it against the dwarves, her people, but she died in grief shortly after her husband. Through the power of the staff we now have peace. By its power, we have grown wealthy beyond the kingdoms of our kin throughout the world. It is from fear of the rod and what it can do that peace is maintained. No, I will not release it, even if one of the ‘anernerk’ stood before me now asking for its return. Take them away, all except you Atungitok. You will be my kigbak (servant) for punishment while I decide their fate,” Aternerk Sangliak stated coldly as he waved one thick hand in a dismissive gesture at the small party.

Nanuk kicked some of the gnome guards, sending them sliding across the floor when they first laid hands on him. The small soldiers responded with spears pointed at him. He grabbed the closest weapon and slung the guard into the others. As their cries rang out with the clash of polished metal on stone floors, more armed soldiers rushed in from outside.

Aternerk Sangliak stood upon his throne. With his right hand, he reached for his sword, Crimsonfell. At his touch, the pommel and blade began to glow red and the light radiated into his forearm. The half-gnome, half-dwarf chief’s eyes took on the same luminescence as his weapon as he lifted it before him threateningly.

Uncle Tok realized the danger they were in and grasped Nanuk by the forearm of his raised hand before he could strike another gnome.

“Nanuk stop! We cannot win trust by fighting. We are outnumbered and unarmed.”

“But Uncle, to me they are like children playing with knives. I will not let these living dolls push me around!”

“Nanuk, I am your elder and you will do as I say. I am the only one who has been here before. You have only seen a small part of their realm and their peoples. They are much stronger than they appear if pushed. Listen to me nephew.”

Nanuk unclenched his fists, if not his jaw, as he not too happily followed the lead guard to the dungeons.

Aternerk Sangliak released his grip upon his sword and the red glow faded from his eyes and weapon. Now seated once more, he rubbed his chin with one hand, as if deep in thought.

The men and women were separated into different cells that were side by side by side preventing them from being able to see one another. A table and chairs along with two sets of bunk beds were in each room as well as a wash bowl and an outhouse type of closet. Surprisingly the gnomes had tapped into the underground river which they diverted through culverts and channels to create a crude form of indoor plumbing even in the dungeons. The ceilings were low for the humans so they could not stand upright. Like many of the buildings they had passed, the cells were carved from solid stone, diminishing the chance of finding a way out.

“We should wait awhile before making any attempt at escape. Perhaps the chief will release us once he determines that we are no danger to him, or he might even change his mind and give us the staff.” Tok said.

Jonah appeared bored without his notebook and finally said, “Could you tell us more stories about the gnomes, Uncle Tok?”

The wiry haired Inupiaq chief pulled his fur lined clothing tight across his chest and sat on a pile of hay in one corner as he said, “Very well, what else do we have to do? Others call them by different names, but we say Enukin near Nome. In Pilot Station, they are said to be fond of coffee and sugar.

“Some stories say there are two groups of gnomes in Alaska, one group are nice, and can be helpful, but there are others that are mischievous.

“They have trouble turning invisible as long as you hold eye contact with them. Try to give them food or drink as a peace offering and do not take anything from them lest you anger them.

“Some hunters have received help from the Eunkin, but more often they will steal our game after we shoot them. They are very strong and can carry a bull caribou on their shoulders or over their head and travel at great speeds. They can run on top of the snow without leaving prints.

“Point Hope legends say the gnomes used to live in their village until one of their children was killed by a dog. The little-people moved out of town and went underground after that. They are fond of fish eyes and have been seen stealing the gelatinous orbs from our fish as we dry them or smoke them if the heads are left on. Families near the village of Shinnek, say they will leave sugar and bread for the little people near their fish camp and watch as they come to eat.”

For a moment all was quiet, except a quiet trickle of water, which could be heard flowing gently through channels in the walls.

The high-pitched voice of Atungitok broke the silence. “Are you giants just going to sit in there all night,” he asked.

They heard his voice as if coming from thin air before their cells.

“Where are you Atungitok?” Uncle Tok said.

“I’m right in front of you, dummy! You act like I’m inv…, oh silly me,” Atungitok said, as he appeared before their cells, standing far enough back where they could all see him. “If I agree to help you, you have to take me with you. I have been mistreated by many of my own people my whole life. Even worse, is since the death of his father, Aternerk Sangliak has been particularly ugly towards me. I am afraid there is too much dwarf in him. I will not spend my remaining years as his kigbak. If we can figure out how to get you out of your cells, I can show you where the vault is.”

“I can get out of this cell, but I do not know how to free the rest of you,” Tok said.

Nanuk looked at his uncle and said, “Are you sure you want to do that, they are tanik, and the Timi Gguk, is nalunaktuk?”

“What other choice do we have?”

Jonah looked questioningly at Tok and simultaneously, Angelica, in the next cell, looked at Lorne, for an explanation. The native girl looked down at the floor and did not say anything. This was obviously common knowledge in the family, but something that was not spoken of, at least not amongst non-natives. It would be her uncle’s decision whether to discuss this with Jonah and Angelica.

“Angelica, can you hear me over there?” Tok asked.

“Yes, loud and clear.”

“What I am going to tell you is normally not shared amongst outsiders. Understand that my family does not hold ill will towards you personally, but there are ancient ways, and secrets that we natives have kept hidden from outsiders. When the white-man came to Alaska, the old ways were strong and were known by all the native peoples. Now only the town shaman or chief’s families remember them. There are still some elders in families who talk of the old ways in secret, but many of the younger generation are not interested in learning their heritage. Even our language is dying out.

“One of the most secretly guarded powers of the Inupiaq people is what you would call shape-shifting, or body-changing. Many native peoples of the Americas have traditions of the ability to transform into animals. Members of my family have been the chiefs of Nome for hundreds of years for a reason. When our children are born, they sometimes bear a birthmark. The mark will change its appearance near puberty.”

Tok paused and pulled up the sleeve on his right forearm, revealing a discolored area that looked like the talon of a bird-of-prey.

“The birthmark becomes the paw or foot print of an animal. That boy or girl will have the ability to shape-shift into that animal. At first it may only be under great duress, but in time, they can control when they transform,” Uncle Tok said.

He continued, “My mark is an eagle talon, more specifically that of the bald eagle. So, when I say I can get out of this cell it would be by shape-shifting. Do you understand?”

Jonah sat there with his mouth hanging open for a minute, while Nanuk started laughing.

“You’re joking right?”