Free The Wrathful Mountains by Lana Axe Page A

creature
was, and what it wanted from these people.”
    “How can you
protect us if you aren’t here?” Tashi asked. “I implore you to stay.”
    “I cannot,” Kaiya
said. “Whatever sent that thing is a threat to us all, not only your tribe. A
vision has sent me higher into the mountains, to the very summit perhaps. But
first I must get to the mines, and we’ve already gone off-course.”
    Slowly nodding, the
priestess said, “I understand. There is a passage through these mountains that
will take you to the mines by nightfall. There is no need for you to return to
the path where we found you.”
    “If you can give us
directions, I’d be most grateful,” Kaiya replied.
    “It is a difficult trail,”
Tashi said. “I will come with you as your guide.”
    Raad looked the priestess
over, making note of her slender build and bare feet. “There are avalanches and
other dangers up there,” he said. “I don’t think it’s safe for you.”
    “I can look out for
myself,” she replied, a fire in her eyes.
    “I don’t doubt
that,” the dwarf responded.
    “Will you allow me
to travel with you?” she asked Kaiya.
    “You may,” the
sorceress replied. “We’re grateful for your help.” Time was of the essence, and
the priestess could save them a lot of it.
    “Aren’t you needed
here?” Galen asked, thinking of the baby. “Your niece?”
    “The doula knows
more of infant care than I do,” she replied. “Without my sister, there is no
one here who needs me.” A pain shot through Tashi’s heart at the thought of
Annin. The hole left by her absence would never heal. “I would also like
answers,” she added. “This beast has attacked my people, and I would bring
justice to its master.”
    “As would I,” Kaiya
said, admiring the priestess’s strong convictions.
    “Please don’t go,
Tashi,” the doula said, her dark eyes pleading.
    “I must,” she
replied. “I would make this a better world for this child.” She took the infant
in her arms and held her close to her heart. “Know always that I love you, and
that your mother loved you more than life itself.” With tears in her eyes, she
handed the girl back to the doula. “Be well,” she said. Taking her position in
front of the others, she led them northward. Pausing only a moment, she looked
back toward the village. They are safe now.

Chapter 8
     
    S tepping with
ease over the stony terrain, Tashi led the group northward. Kaiya walked at the
priestess’s side, with Galen and Raad close behind. Obstacles hidden in the snow
proved no problem for Tashi, who moved as lightly as a bird. The dwarves,
however, tripped frequently, Raad cursing with each bruise to his toes. Being
an elf, Galen struggled little. A heightened sense of balance and nimble feet
gave him an edge over his dwarf companions.
    Tashi pointed forward.
“The path is just ahead,” she said. “It is uneven with many jagged rocks.”
    “So watch our steps
or we might twist an ankle,” Raad finished for her.
    “Yes,” Tashi said.
“Dwarves walk too heavily upon the land.”
    “A heavy step means
your foot is in a solid hold,” the miner countered.
    “But here you will
not be able to see what is beneath the piled snow,” she replied. “It’s best to
step lightly to avoid injury.”
    “Take her advice,”
Kaiya said, reaching for the wind. Magic could lighten her step, and perhaps
she could provide assistance to Raad too. As long as the air around her
continued to move, she would not lack for power. Still, she would use very
little. It was best to be at full strength should another stone monster appear.
    As they reached the
intended path, the group saw no change in the terrain. It was strewn with snow,
the tops of gray rocks jutting upward, whispering a warning to the travelers.
    “We don’t come this
way often,” Tashi said. “Once we traveled great distances, but now these paths
are rarely used.”
    Raad stared at the
priestess with uncertainty. “You sure