Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Alise wriggled her small frame through the undergrowth taking care not to entangle her long brown hair in the thorns or vines. As she emerged on the outcrop her pale blue eyes took in the surroundings. This was her favorite place the rolling hills and mountains of North Carolina spead before her. The air was crisp and fresh and even held a feint sweetness in it. From her perch atop the mountain on her families land she always felt like she could just reach out and grab the world. That's why she loved this place and would come here even though she was supposed to be in school. It was worth a scolding from papa and Princible Minsk to bask in the freedom nature offered her. They would tell her about education and such but they just didnt understand. She might only be eleven but Alise Annabelle Thorn knew what she wanted out of this world, more beautiful mountains to sit on. She just couldnt figure why in a country that preached freedom like Pastor John preached Jesus everyone was so hellbent on chaining themselves down. She took in her surroundings again....when they could have this.
After awhile Alise stood up and brushed off her blue jeans and decided it was a good time to make her way home. She hoped mama wasnt home, papa would give you a few with a belt then be back to laughing. Mama however she sure could smolder for awhile. As she made her way down the mountain she looked up at the sun, it was a good bit past the halfway point. She better take the shortcut home. Normally she avoided it because you had to go through the creepy spot, as Alise called it. The trees where cleared there making a perfect circle and despite being on a mountain side the land was flat except for a hill in the center. Papa said it was probably an Indian burial site but whatever it was it always reminded her of scary movies. Like a ghost or zombie was just icthing to pop out. As she approached the clearing she slowed down and stoped on its rim. Everything was flat and still like always. Yep still creepy. She closed her eyes and made a cross shape with her fingers. "Buried Indian people I come in peace and on behalf of my ancestors I apolgise.", she opened her eyes and froze.
On the mound in the center of the clearing stood a strange man. He was short not much taller than Alise herself but nearly as thick as he was tall. His clothes seemed to be made of brown and reddish leathers with a wide sturdy looking belt. The belt had many studded green gems in it from the left of his body to the right. he had long black hair that fell to his waist and an equally long beard. Holy beeswax it was a dwarf strait out of a movie, that was the only thought could come to mind. Before she could say anything or muster the courage to move the dwarfs gaze fell on her. He frowned then after a second held up his hands in a non-threating gesture and walked towards her. About ten feet away he stoped and said somthing, she had no idea what he said so she just stared back confused and unsure what she should do. Scratching his beard he frowned again then slapped a fist to his palm. He pointed at his eye and said ,"Hath, hath." oh I get it she thought this is kinda like that Tarzan cartoon, she pointed to her eye "Eye, eye." she responded. He smiled and they repeated the process listing off fingers, elbows, knees and so on untill he had covered about twenty or so parts. She almost started laughing, what in the world was this guy doing, then suddenly thier little game stopped and he spoke,"Ha..ard spee..ak manny rune." Her jaw almost hit the floor,"Holy cow, you just learned to speak english!" Frowning again he said,"Cow...not know...can speak...little few rune." She laughed,"Its word not rune, you must really be a dwarve and a lot smarter than dwarvs in the stories I have read." He shook his head,"No dwarve..short man...far land from..away." She laughed even harder and slapped her thigh,"If your trying to blend in dont learn a language in sixty seconds." He seemed to slump as if defeated by those words, then looked back up to her with determination in his eyes," Secret..dont speak..of me yes." Alise held out her hand to him in the gesture of a hand shake,"Im a little counfused about all the how,where and whens. But ive seen enough tv to know you dont turn down your own personal fantasy friend. Plus you will be living on my mountain how cool is that!" His brow furrowed a little then he held out his hand parralel to hers but not touching," Do not..know much you said..this your mountain?" She grabbed his hand and gave it a good shake,"Sure is, Im Alise by the way. What is your name?" Pulling his hand away nervously he responded,"Dalvin..my name." Her smile widened this was just too cool,"Hey we should find you a place to stay I know of a cave.....wait I shouldnt jump to conclusions. Do you like to live in caves?...that dont sound right either. How sho-" Dalvin held up a hand and cut her off,"Cave..good place...like" She grabbed his hand again and began walking,"Great follow me, I know a good spot not to far away" He resisted at first then conceeded to being pulled along, mumbling somthing in that strange language he had first used.
After awhile they reached the cave. It was about twelve feet wide and sixteen feet deep with a small stream running doen the center. Alise turned and faced Dalvin holding her arms wide,"Well what do you think pretty nice right?" Dalvin nodded,"Good cave..camp here..you live near...sun go down...soon." Reality came crashing down. Oh crap she needed to get home and fast."I need to get home fast, you will still be here tommorow right? There is soooo much i wana talk about." Dalvin was rummaging through the leather case he had and pulled out a small green stone wrapped in metal bands."First..oath..to no speak of me." Alise was confused,"What do you mean?" Dalvin pointed at the stone,"Hand here..make oath." Alise understood now she placed her hand on the stone,"ok what next?" He looked at her his face growing more stern,"No my name..race..speak to anyone." She nodded,"I swear not to speak of Dalvin the dwarve to anyone." The stone flashed and a jolt went through her body.Alise's eyes went wide,"Holy flippin cow, did you just bind me with magic. Oh my god there is no way im gonna sleep tonight." She was so excited a real spell, what did it do? Wait it was a promise not to talk so what if she tried to say his name,"Pffftttt." She tried a few more times each ending in failure.She giggled, so cool. A tap on her shoulder from Dalvin brought her back to her senses,"You need...to go home...yes? Be carefull...safe..talk tommorow..yes?" It was her turn to slump in defeat,"Yea I do. I will see you tommorow then." She turned and started to walk away then looked back,"Please dont leave me...please" Dalvin nodded reassuringly and with that Alise headed home.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone