Free Tinkermage (Book 2) by Kenny Soward Page A

creatures running amok throughout the realm. Not orcs, not treeboars or trolls. Not even those bloody amorphs. Other things. Things like what the amorphs abandoned at Ribbon’s place. Creatures from some other world.”
    “The ultraworlds.”
    “That’s what Elwray said. One of our scouting parties in the Southern Reaches gave chase to a great red stag. Thing was huge. Could run like the damn wind.”
    “Strange. But still, an animal.”
    “It led them into a narrow gully where a half dozen came at them from the front and rear. I lost two precisors before the rest could fight free.”
    “A trap?”
    “Yes. Organized scouting parties. We’re being watched. Tested. That’s why I need you.”
    Nikselpik understood, even though a small part of him felt like gathering up his things and fleeing once and for all. Ah, but after all these years, Hightower had finally grown on him. More like in you. Like a damn thorn! Strange, after beating Raulnock and solidifying a potential position on the High Council (as First Wizard, no less!), Nikselpik never felt more unsure of himself. He desperately wanted to speak to Nika for some reason.
    “I’ve sent a half-dozen aerostats—anything that would fly—to the far corners of Sullenor. Their mission is to seek help from the humans, dwarves, Pelorians… anyone who will listen. Even the swamp elves.”
    “That serious?”
    “Why take any chances? All the evidence points to heightened hostilities. I just don’t know how or when.”
    “Where did you find that many aerostat captains?”
    The precisor general chuckled. “Pulled captains and crew right off the decks of their ships and re-assigned them to the skies. I’ve got one of my best on her way to pay a visit to the swamp elves.”
    “You’ll be lucky to get her back then. Who is it?”
    “Stena Wavebreaker.”
    Nikselpik couldn’t keep the grin off his face. Stena Wavebreaker. One of the nastiest, most impressive sailors he’d ever met who could down a tankard and smash you in the face with it a second later. “Stubborn and disciplined, that one. I’ve had an ale or three with that gal. She can drink me under the table twice over. Wouldn’t call us friends, but we sure ain’t enemies. Tough lady, right there. If anyone can wring some help out of those filthy bastards, it’s Stena.”
    “That’s what I thought. When I first asked her—” Dale was interrupted by another commotion at the door. This time, the shouts ended as abruptly as they began. The door swung open, and Roweiga was pushed through.
    “Sir…”
    “Roweiga, what now?”
    “I’ve been… I’ve been disarmed, sir.” Nikselpik expected her to look put off. Hardly so. She looked puzzled.
    “By who?”
    A tall, thin girl entered the room, hardly needing to duck to fit under the door frame—luckily, old gnomish architecture was on the side of big , perfectly comfortable for humans or elves. “By me,” the girl said, and tossed Roweiga’s sword across the room.
    “Jancy!” Nikselpik hadn’t seen much of her since he’d gone off to the Southland Farms with Dale, and he could hardly contain his emotions. She looked beautiful. Vengeful, even, with those shining green eyes that could split stone with their glare. And those blades at her side never failed to give him chills (a hard thing to do). His sister was on Jancy’s heels, her face red with aggravation.
    “Sorry, Nik.” Jancy shrugged, her colorless hair brushing over the tight leather jerkin she wore. “This one wouldn’t let us in. And the way your kin have treated you… I assumed you were in some kind of trouble.”
    Dale nodded, leaning forward slightly in his chair. “Understandable. Jancy, is it? Rest assured, I’m only here as a friend. Nik and I fought together at Swicki Forest. Please, forgive my first officer.”
    Jancy gave a slight nod in return.
    “Sister! You’re a delightful sight for these world-weary eyes. Come closer.”
    Instead Nika fixed him with an