R.A. Salvatore

Streams of Silver

We’ve dug our holes and hallowed cavesPut goblin foes in shallow gravesThis day our work is just begunIn the mines where silver rivers runBeneath the stone the metal gleamsTorches shine on silver streamsBeyond the eyes of the spying sunIn the mines where silver rivers runThe hammers chime on Mithril pureAs dwarven mines in days of yoreA craftsman’s work is never doneIn the mines where silver rivers runTo dwarven gods we sing our praisePut another orc in a shallow graveWe know our work has just begunIn the land where silver rivers run

As with everything I do,

To my wife, Diane

And to the most important people

in our lives

Bryan, Geno, and Caitlin

Prelude

On a dark throne in a dark place perched the dragon of shadow: Not a very large worm, but foulest of the foul, its mere presence, blackness; its talons, swords worn from a thousand thousand kills; its maw ever warm with the blood of victims; its black breath, despair.

A raven’s coat was its tested scales, so rich in their blackness that they shimmered in colors, a scintillating facade of beauty for a soulless monster. Its minions named it Shimmergloom and paid it all honor.

Gathering its strength over the course of centuries, as dragons do, Shimmergloom kept its wings folded back and moved not at all, except to swallow a sacrifice or to punish an insolent underling. It had done its part to secure this place, routing the bulk of the dwarven army that stood to face its allies.

How well the dragon had eaten that day! The hides of dwarves were tough and muscled, but a razor-toothed maw was well suited to such a meal.

And now the dragon’s many slaves did all the work, bringing it food and heeding to its every desire. The day would come when they would need the power of the dragon again, and Shimmergloom would be ready. The huge mound of plundered treasures beneath it fueled the dragon’s strength, and in this respect, Shimmergloom was surpassed by none of its kind, possessing a hoard beyond the imagination of the richest kings.



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