Free Emerald Sceptre by Thomas M. Reid

“Other than a brief nap when we were imprisoned in that cave, I don’t think I’ve slept since we were on board Lady’s Favor.”
    “That sounds about right,” Adyan agreed. “I’ll tell you one thing,” he added with a chuckle, “I’ve had about enough of traipsing through dripping forests in the dark of night. I’m soaked.”
    Edilus, the druid leading the expedition, appeared out of the darkness beside the two sergeants. “Shhh!” he hissed, motioning with his hand for the two mercenaries to be silent. “Stop speaking, or you will bring the enemy down on us!” he snapped in a whisper. “And can’t you walk more quietly?” he asked before turning back. “You move like a herd of rothé,” he called over his shoulder.
    Horial opened his mouth to retort, then thought better of the idea and instead covered his mouth with his hand, fighting yet another yawn. Edilus disappeared once more, drifting off under the cover of night without a sound, presumably to scout ahead.
    “I thought we were the enemy,” Adyan remarked with just enough volume that Horial was certain the druid had heard.
    Horial grunted at his companion’s humor. Behind the pair, the other three members of the Order of the Sapphire Crescent followed along, making considerably more noise as they crashed and stumbled through the undergrowth. The racket made the druid’s scathing remarks seem more apt than the sergeant wanted to admit. The dwarf Grolo, in particular, stomped along, cursing every so often as vines and saplings slapped at him.
    I guess he’s got a point, Horial thought in grudging appreciation. We sound just like a herd of rothé.
    It was not easy to acknowledge the druid’s skills. Edilus had taken every opportunity to express his dislike, both in word and manner, since the Crescents’ capture and subsequent release by the Emerald Enclave nearly a full day earlier. Whether he used a sour look or a cross word, the man was determined to make clear just how much he disliked having to cooperate with soldiers from beyond the borders of his forest. Horial had no doubts that Edilus would just as soon run them through as help them.
    The feeling is mutual, Horial thought. Thank Waukeen that Shinthala is the one making decisions.
    “It’s sure a good thing Vambran has a way with the ladies,” Adyan drawled in a near-whisper. “Otherwise, Shinthala probably would have already let that fellow work off his frustrations on us.”
    Horial chuckled at how Adyan was echoing his own thoughts. “He might still do it,” he replied with a grin, though he knew his friend could not see the expression in the dimness. “Shinthala isn’t here to rein him in.”
    Adyan grunted but did not reply otherwise, for at that moment, the signal came from up ahead for the procession to halt.
    Horial slowed to a stop and gave a soft “hold,” over his shoulder to the other soldiers coming up behind him. He crouched down and peered ahead, trying to see the reason for their pause. Adyan dropped low beside him. In the darkness, it was difficult to tell what was beyond, but it appeared that a clearing lay not much farther along the path. Moments later, Edilus appeared next to the two sergeants
    once again.
    “We are almost there,” the druid said as he dropped down beside them. “But we must be cautious now, for we leave the safety of the forest and will be out in the open and more easily seen. Ahead of us, the road from the city passes. On the far side, among some ruins, is the magical way.”
    “What’s your plan, then?” Horial asked.
    “I have scouts ahead,” Edilus replied, “making sure the road is clear. Once we are certain we are alone, I will take you to the portal. It won’t be long, and I can be rid of you once and for all,” he finished.
    Horial rolled his eyes, knowing that in the dark, the other man could not see his expression. “We’re just as ready,” he replied.
    “You have the key I gave you?” Edilus asked, ignoring the