Chapter VIII ~ The Dwarven Pact

Upon when the women fled to the trees, after having their transformation be seen by the Hunchback, Queen Grimhilde turned to face those witnessing behind her, in her own court. The eyeless face of the obedient, enchanted mirror swirled back into existence in a single swift move as she faced her guest with poise and grace.

"The bargain is left unchanged, however, I prefer them to be kept in line. Nevertheless, your Grace, the eye upon them has never changed course. Even with the Star among them, there will be nowhere else for them to go in due time." spoke a voice that growled deeper than the Queen's. Her shadow graced the stone walls of the court, showing off the vicious dark horns from her cowl. A fellow queen was she? Or was she something other?

Queen Grimhilde respectfully allowed her leave to pace about her golden peacock throne, as a graceful hand stroked along the arm of it. "My will shall be honored, whether or not our friends would go astray, with hope or without it. However should our maidens go further, we may have to have some of my other friends take part. The Dwarven miners may believe they have the upperhand on this front, but they will not believe it for very long."

"The Diamond Swan, whose soul was taken through the looking glass, is fated to forget herself in soon time." the Evil Queen mentioned. "Beneath your curse, it would only worsen."

"Good. There are subtle little ways this can still work, my dear. Had you not failed of keeping their imprisonment I would have come later. My Curse can remain eternal until this domain falls beneath my thumb. This young man, however… I should punish him should he interfere. Among he and the one he calls father have proven an ulcer for me; this is a mere salt on the wound. With this shard in her eye, I shall lay in wait while the Lich shall spread his disease through out the land ~ the men surrounding her, leave them to me, and the both of you shall be rewarded in a manner of time. From this moment on, there will be no more room for failure."

"As promised there will not be." Queen Grimhilde replied as she approached her Magic Mirror, affectionate stroking its golden frame. "Should my mirror be shattered, my youth and life shall forfeit. It had taken me a grand deal to possess the life I earned, after enduring the assault done by those beastly men. That princess was my right. She was fated to die by my hand, and now such has worsened for those who defy us furthermore. Any woman fair will suffer, and all those who oppose shall know our power."

If what he had seen was simply part of some trick or dream, then perhaps he had been enchanted himself one way or another. Quasimodo's heart was instantly overcome with concern when this mysterious maiden had fled into the wood with another at her side. Before he could even try, sheathing his dagger back onto his belt, he thought he saw something swirl oddly in the reflective pool, which set an air of edge in his mind… Something or someone held a presence here and he felt compelled to find these maidens or if they were truly real or not. One thought occured to him that they may have been dryads or some kind of river spirit.

Careful and with gentle hand, the bold Woodsman ventured further deep into the woods, leaving his satchel behind for the moment. However as soon he found the desire path once more, someone bombarded him with a near swipe of a pickaxe that almost claimed his wrist. Defensively, he had to yank himself back as he sheathed out his dagger once more before he was faced with no other than a spirited, protective mountain dwarf.

The two men stayed in a stare off for a good solid minute, granting Quasimodo a heartbeat to study this other one. They wore a crimson tunic, brown belt and a hung brown cap and a beard and eyes that spelt his age out as clear as black ink. Seemed frankly familiar to him, no doubt. Not having it in his heart to give in right away into hostile anger, he sensed this one was no enemy. Quasimodo immediately rose both hands in the air after stowing the dagger aside.

"Come now, at ease~ I did not enter this place to cause any trouble…" he began, in silent prayer.

"Causin' er nay', y'cur!" this Dwarf had spoken out of spite for a deed that could have been played out. "Don't think I didn't see that there crossbow o'yers back there~" he sharply winked at him, inching steps closer as Quasimodo inched backwards.

As this went on, Quasimodo could not help but notice others were beginning to appear out from the brush. Six other Dwarfs were closing in, wary of him, and each held a weapon~ from hammers to a shovel.

"Mark my words, I am merely a-a traveler~" Quasimodo bravely spoke again. To ease it further, he went down on one knee and let off his belt of all he had that could serve as a weapon before them. He only had one dagger, a quiver of arrows and the one fire arrow he had over his shoulder "… a woodsman coming through, learning his trade — and an entrusted scout for the Parisians."

Another who wore spectacles over his eyes was not unnerved at Quasimodo's appearance, which was surprising. Happy was beyond wary, but even he recongnized him as well.

"Partians— Parisians?"

"Y-you-you speak of the fallen c-city…" Bashful pointed out, much to Grumpy's own annoyance.

"Just like what Jiminy said…" Sneezy uttered among them. Quasimodo was able to pick up on that.

Quasimodo was honestly confused at their supposed knowledge of current events, so-called. Along with the fact that neither of them shuddered at him. Even when Doc had tried to calm Grumpy, he was waved off all of a sudden.

"If yer a'travelin', I'd say yer sit'tion isn't as dire. Don't ya try any tricks! I know y'saw them." Grumpy pointed out, instantly. "I will have final say." he stated, reminding the rest of them before he would even be countered. At that, Quasimodo drew out a defeated breath, knowing full well of what Grumpy meant. The rest of the seven all seemed to gasp and utter among themselves in worry. However, the one who appeared to be stronger than the rest wearing the pair of spectacles was bold enough to approach him and his protective brother.

"Is this true?" he slowly asked this stranger, who remained respectful.

"If I have committed a sin against you, I vow to make amends." Quasimodo promised them. "O-On my life~ I have witnessed a miraculous vision at those banks…"

"There is no sin against us, sir." spoke the most jovial one, who wore his heart out freely on his sleeves, no doubt.

Those words alone seemed to calm the forest a mite. To the Seven, this man was still truly young, yet physically built that those hands have been calloused and worked by the art of woodwork. He resembled the same twisted man they had seen within the enchanted prisms, which led to the dream their dear maiden had recieved. Judging by those bright eyes, this man had already been through an ordeal, by how quick he was on his feet, and his wariness of this new world he stepped into.

"Heh- you may see it as a miracle… but it's a wicked curse for them." Grumpy grew more solemn, yet he began to ease his pick down. Quasimodo furrowed at him with concern however he began to let his guard down.

"Them?" he found himself asking. "A girl stood there, in place of the swan… I thought my journey was taking its toll on my mind."

"We failed them at the Seventh Fall~ I am not standin' fer it again by the likes of a strange'n like you." Grumpy warned him, remaining on edge even yet. Bashful was carefully stepping closer out of curiosity, especially alongside Dopey whose blue eyes were overcome with tears.

It felt as though he had taken a strike to the chest upon hearing that, after having been thrown into a bewilderment of his own years past where trust was a fickle thing for him to tackle during the aftermath of his father's sudden tyrrany over Paris entirely, other than the matter of Esmeralda's own existance fell into play. His knowing her was something of an anomaly to the man; who somehow assumed the belief that Quasimodo was under some cruel spell. Either the toll of his role and guilt among had anything to do with the downfall, however there was one thing that he understood. Trust was often the one obstacle that seemed near impossible to overcome, as time was hardly in its favor to do so. The mystery of this forest coinciding with the unnatural war outside of its boundaries seemed beyond just mere coincidence to him. Drawing in a deep soul cleansing breath, Quasimodo decided to do whatever it may be to provide assistance, for these men who have made a specific vow of protection by the looks of it for these swan maidens…

If he figured he was well read since Torch, legends among the mires of this world were endless among the flora and fauna he often would carve in his works. His own experiences whilst battling forgiveness over resentment for a time had proven that anything is possible ~ Evil held its sway however there was a hidden power beneath it, that governed all of their destinies in its time. No matter the heartache, the pain one would have to go through, that power inspired despite how heinous life itself would be. The Lord Himself was a mystery alone however the signs he had seen were as bright as the sun at times. Quasimodo's heart had been through ordeals, and learned along the way enough for him to choose the next path to take, in this moment.

"If you believe that — Failing them — It might not mean it as all for naught right now, for you - all of you - are still here, with them. That definitely counts for something, sir." Quasimodo began, looking right at Grumpy, firstly. His voice not ever having a lick of tension or fear. It held a calmness, soft and warm enough for the tension to leave their shoulders, gradually. "You are right. I don't know the context of this situation just y-yet but I am aware of how dire it is. These ladies are certainly in a thick as we all are, and my only wish is to understand… I am not here to harm or interfere without your blessing. Please, if you would have me… I want to understand of h-how you came to know about the Fallen City? I-I will go from here if you wish it. I will - I will. I was only scouting for a safe haven for my father's army… I only wish to understand."

Grumpy's expression was among the rarest he would ever share, yet he still held his pick strongly.

During this encounter to earn their trust, the unfortunate Ida and Casey had fled after that tense surprise of being witnessed during their first transformation after the last moon. The girls, with their voice and guide, came and hid beside an old oak to try and catch their breaths. Jiminy lost his balance and had managed to land on the bow safely enough before catching his own breath.

"Ladies ~ ladies, I b-beg your pardon. Oh! Oh, Cassandra, Ida!" his voice was laced with the same worry that tortured their spirits. Casey had covered her mouth to stifle her gasps as it all began to cave in over her. For some reason, seeing him there, watching the entire moment was more frightening than anything she had been through before, and she did not know why. Or perhaps it was the fact that she saw that moment play out exactly in that dream of hers.

"Jiminy~ he saw us. I did not think he'd~ oh god!"

"Hon, now-now just calm yourself~" Jiminy attempted to calm the two even as Casey's eyes were locked on him before there was an air of realization inside them.

"It was exactly what it was like in my dream. Exactly —"

"'Ette, you're face has become white as snow~" Ida whispered, who took her hand but Casey pulled it back.

"Everyone calls me that, and it only confuses me more…" she countered that, frazzled ever more after that flight. Ida obeyed her wish but held her hands over her mouth sharing the same emotion.

"C-Cassandra, m-mind yourself — you almost came close to swiping me," Jiminy told her, firmer and louder for them, and he had keep his distance due to his own size in this situation.

"I'm sorry~ forgive me, Jiminy! Oh~ what do we do?"

"We will do what you may feel that is best, but I advise you to hold onto reason… I am not just your translater during the day, you know."

"I-I… yes, I know that, sir. Please forgive me~"

He sighed, feeling overwhelmed as well, but he swiped his brow nonetheless. "… It's not your fault, hon. Let us try to breathe, because you're making me breathe hard, heh… On a count of three~ "

Casey nodded to him, rueful and apologetically took Ida's hand again and they all drew in healthy, deep breaths. As soon as they were entirely sound, Jiminy beckoned on.

"I was there with the Seven at the prism. Granted, we all saw him appear in it as clear as day. Repeat to me what the Blue Lady told you?"

"Of his beauty~ as you will see ~shines within his eyes and voice, and from the work of his hands…" Casey repeated those words as though they were writte squarely on her heart. She straightened herself from leaning on the tree as all of her thoughts began to focus down on those single words, spoken as a straight-forward promise. It could become more straightforward than this. "… right. As it so happens to be."

"Speaking with him might be the only option here." The cricket reasoned with her. "If it is even foretold, this could be your one and only chance…"

"That- I- all right. Okay… I-I'll go to him. I'll go, but I know already that this might not end well…"

"What makes you say that?" Ida asked which led to a second of feeling that jolt down in her stomach.

Casey mentally kicked herself after saying that out loud, along with Jiminy's silent dismay at this outburst of hers. She had to shake herself away from that kind of talk, despite how cynical she felt about the entire notion. Yet her heart still leaned on hope and what these visions meant long after this Curse had taken firm hold on the fateful sunrise whilst at the base of Germania's capital; Queen Grimhilde's supposed castle. This meant the entire well-being of her flock; those who had been wronged who had to teach her to live in this world after being an alien to them. Eleonor's own cynicism was beginning to rub off on her, yet this all led to the one plan to seek a way out. Was she truly going to be the one to ruin all of it due to this one trigger of hers?

"You are truly right, sir, I was being stupid," Casey spoke out of defeat as she seemed to shake herself awake. "Yes, w-we have to speak with him. I'm only just~ amazed." she admitted. "Once the opportunity has come I've… I am petrified. So much had gone on or has been for two years yet we have been floating along for that long, just … staying the same." Casey finally sighed before rubbing her hands over her face to rid of her coming tears.

Jiminy was staggering slightly in his own patience only a second ago, despite understanding the latter. Yet, he was trusted with this mission. It was a season for all of them to be gentle with each other. Arguments would only hinder. Due to being seen it only led to a fight or flight spur of the moment, while not knowing the full context as to why the Hunchback was there in a land that seemed so distant from everywhere else.

"Cassandra," Jiminy pressed as soon as he got a minute. "… please, tell us what ails you. Be blunt, be honest, please… We all are under sway one way or another, so there cannot be room for this. Not now…"

"I know that. I keep forgetting that we need a means to leave, and this fear I'm feeling right now almost makes no sense to me. It is just the notion of it; I looked into his eyes. Those gentle eyes…"

Both Ida and Jiminy both picked up on the sound of softness in her voice which diminished the sourness of the situation, by a tiny fraction. Casey was surrounded by good people in a world she did not understand, and how raged she was when she thought that Evil Queen had done something horrible to the Seven prior, that part of her was even stronger than ever. So, just thinking and remembering that face hidden in the trees when the dawn came, instilled more than she thought. Her flight out of surprise may have been just the swan itself reacting on instinct at the time. Now she had her thoughts back in order. Yes." she said, whilst taking the heart of her diamond into her hand, she finally agreed, with a hopeful smile taking over her face. Just as she was told, her heart knew that this was the right path.

"I will go to him."

She felt as though she were a different person before the spell. Any idea of how else things would fall through fell out of her head but all she had to do was let go. She either feared judgement or any sort of negative reaction from others which stemmed from something back home, she was sure of it. Home did not hold the same feeling in her heart as it used to. One man's face and certain memories were becoming more distant as days wore on after each change, from fowl to woman. Ida took her by the hand, while Jiminy rode on her shoulder, and began to walk through the dark. The moon was a mere sharp crescent at this moment, and so darkness lingered easier as it was simple to hide. There was quite some time before dawn would ever come near, yet an hour felt like a minute passing sometimes, so she better remain decisive.

Courage was something she knew they all possessed, so meeting this man after fleeing before him felt more embarrassing than anything. It was the flight response she was dwelling for a moment, so hopefully that could be forgiven~ She was only just meeting this one man who may or not have gone away, and all around again, she ruined it. All blame would be thrust onto her, regardless. As though they couldn't have gone far anyway because it was all part of the spell that they remain close to water… It was like a chain latched to them, they could never go far from the water yet they were able to fly anywhere they wished as swans. Yet even in their human form, they did not act properly — Being so jumpy, emotional, mesmerized by the moon and sun. Primitive. Yes, despite all that, there had to be a way out. This was no way to live…

"Forgive me for my lack of gentle hand back there, ladies." Jiminy whispered.

"It's all right, rest yourself. It is all so confounding for all of us." Ida comforted, her best given.

"Not that I was much help there. I don't know what came over me~" Casey admitted. "… this is the reason to try."

"That's the spirit we all need!" Jiminy cheered as they came close to the waters. Even now, they were still easily hidden by a few of the ferns and flowers.

From where they were, they were able to see the flame of a campfire and whisper and breath of speech, among them was a new voice. One that made her heart want to leap and a lump settle deep down in her throat and stomach. He had a refreshing tone that was a far cry from his supposed appearance which went in line with the Fairy's words specifically stating, Seeking the Diamond in the Rough. She, Ida and their Voice remained quiet and listened~

"Just listen, please~ put the picks down and listen to me." they heard the Woodsman implore. "I'm s-sorry but you've got to listen to my whole story or neither me or you are going to get to anywhere useful. Useful to you, or me, or anyone else, a-and all this bickering is going to blunder it all. All right?" he stated outright to numb out the Dwarf's unease, which needed a bit of sharpness to end it. He sounded confident, strong, and not resigned or timid.

"Grumpy, shirt-spurt, ah! Surely, we've got to~" Doc reasoned with the fiery one among them.

"I don't even know why I am apologizing~" Quasimodo sighed as he sat back down onto the log, rushing some of his red hair out of his face. "… I have a habit of that." he glanced at Grumpy for a second before he stoked at the fire himself. "… thank you." he softened up then, calming himself. "As I was saying, there is no mark of this land on my map, which confounds our enemy still beyond the mountain side. So I happened here on accident ~ I already know there are works at play here, over the two swans I merely thought were just swans. They niether acted like ones dancing under the crescent's light like that. Birds I know that are simple, never act so purposely. They held a beauty yet… my heart wished to break for them. Behold there, it was right… Nevertheless, they were maidens who ran off to the Eastern side."

"For these poor maidens, w-we took them away from Germania, along the lakes and creaks, until w-we-we came to a lake called Mondfall." Bashful explained, rather solemnly.

Quasimodo rose his eyes up to him, then to all of them when he was told so. "What…? Germania? That far?"

"That's our homeland… or it was." Doc responded.

"It seems it has spread farther than it did Paris…" Quasimodo slowly spoke again as he realized.

"It? What is It?" Grumpy questioned, honestly beginning to sound more worried than he was angry.

"People vanishing, and forests and settlements are being overcome by a fierce army~" Quasimodo explained further, yet his voice stuck after a moment. "This isn't just any army, mark what I say." his aquamarine eyes held a sharp glint of warning towards the Seven.

"What have you seen out there?" Happy asked, holding onto more worry than before. Quasimodo began to grow even more rueful as he had to reach back into his satchel, from where he took out a rusted horned helmet with a piece of wilted and melted coat of mail. At first sight, it did not seem to make much sense, but the worst came to them when the young man had taken a specific blade from the satchel. "Behold how ancient these resemble to you."

"Buried rubbish!"

"Yes. Exactly!" Quasimodo answered Grumpy's outburst as if with some unhinged enthusiasm. "At first glance, they are… but I won these artifacts." he continued on as he set those aside. "… not in some game of cat and mouse, mind you. If it were not for my strength, it would have claimed me long before I was ever able to enter this land on my own. They are impossible to kill, yet they can be hindered. One can take one, but by their hundreds, it will have to take a blessed miracle. With this it took immense power, a flame was wielded to, at least, hinder it for a time, hence the charred ashes."

"This could be why there is a prism wall around the lake!" Happy perked up with alarm. "It's protecting all of us, and the flock…"

"And my stance!" Grumpy swung an arm up in defiance, silencing them again. "I demand you show us where you saw this, Woodsman. How you came in is not coincidence. Our vow has stuck this long… Doc, Dopey y'and two of ya stay with the women. We're gettin' to the bottom of this wile~"

The matter of the Maidens could have had some specific link to all the world's chaos. Curses of this magnitude hardly would happen at random. Grumpy's own dismay was proof further that someone was deeply at play with all of it. In Quasimodo's heart, he had intention of trying to find that one ~ the one who wore that estranged diamond broach… The one who looked so startled at seeing him notice her. The other was simply smaller than she, The birds they took form as seemed entranced by the moon's light upon the shimmering waters… Waters that he was strangely drawn to himself ~ it was as though another enchantment was cast over him just the same as them. She however wore a handmade gown, embroadered with pink and white, with shoulder lengthed and beautiful brown hair over her natural fairness that trumped against cruel facade. Her eyes were that of a doe's, full of fear of him. How monstrous he was compared to any maiden for that matter; it was of no shock to him, tragically.

Even through the aftermath of battle, there came the realization that he may have been compelled to travel along the desire paths through the forest. Faer may have been the first to have been called to this place… Fate, itself perhaps? As of this moment, he had to bring out what he promised ~ showing the protective mountain Dwarf of the place where he had his last battle with an enemy. There was a stony path hidden close to one of the many waterfalls, which took a good hour and a half to find it. Rather, it led high to a mount that bridged over the mysterious beauties of prisms walling the woods. Outside the Woodsman led with great agility to boast beside his stocky appearance. Grumpy partnered him as he led, over rock and mire to oversee this one glen down below them. The Dwarf seemed to possess the same stamina more than the common man himself. With Sneezy and Sleepy waiting behind, Quasimodo came to the peak first before Grumpy took his side.

A dull silence surrounded them as the cynical mountain Dwarf took in the bone masses and ash that covered the burnt ground. Quasimodo gravely sighed after observing the Dwarf absorb everything… "Th-this isn't all of it. F-follow me." he told him before he was first to leap down. Grumpy sharpened at him and followed with his axe in hand.

"N'all of it, y'say?" he seemed to whisper to the Hunchback, who came close to this one tree in search for something else. "I've got no room for filthy tricks, mate."

"If I had any intentions of tricking you, I would have done so by now." Quasimodo boldly stated, turning to glance at Grumpy as he was uncovering this ruined crate. Something shoved inside it and it threw itself out with unmatched strength. A disembodied skeletal arm had seemed to launch itself at the paranoid Dwarf, who leaped back in shock.

"AGH!" Grumpy was quickly witted enough to strike at the bony hand, pinning it tight to the ground. Quasimodo looked disdainfully solemn as he merely watched the struggle for a few moments before he went himself to grab it back to lock it up again. Even he had to struggle to tame it, however, with one fair slam, Quasimodo was able to contain the monstrosity back into the crate. Both men stood in silence for a moment to catch their breaths.

"As s-said~ I am not here to harm anyone…" Quasimodo reassured. "I am here to help you. These terrible creatures are trying to get inside. As I was sent to find a safer place for m-my father and my people, they try to follow. I happened over this prism~ and lo, here we are… witnessing another curse just on the other side…"

"Then they might not have anywhere else to go." Grumpy slowly spoke, with anger leaking into each word.

"Yet, they might… The more these creatures spread, more likely that this land won't be able to stifle them much longer. I've shown you because I can see~ I-I can see how much you care… I ask of you, for your permission."

Grumpy gave a hissing sigh, yanking his pick right out of the dirt. "Agh, aye~ y'proved it well enough, yeh~ as much as I am agin it — yet she~ she's gonna wanna see ya. She saw y'too. In a dream. I ain't comin' close to hurtin' her that way. I am just bein' what I am. Y'best do good for her. Y'hear?"

"That, I promise you…"

Next Chapter ~>