Free Emerald of the Elves by Richard S. Tuttle

the way they had come from. Zemo turned and led the party deeper into the mines. Some of the tunnels ran straight for long distances, while others were constantly twisting and turning. Eventually they came to an intersection, which forked the path they were on. The left fork climbed steeply, while the right fork ran level. Zemo took the left path. The dwarf’s sturdy legs carried him swiftly up the steep incline, and Zemo stopped and waited each time the path turned.
    Eventually, the tunnel exited onto a wide ledge where a pair of dwarves stood in the shadows gazing over the forest below. The dwarves turned and watched as Zemo led the humans onto the ledge. When they stopped, Boris noticed that Elandros was still with them. Boris cast his tracking spell and faced the direction Tedi was coming from. He could see nothing except the trees. Elandros walked up alongside Boris and followed his gaze.
    “There has been nobody about today,” offered one of the dwarf sentries.
    Zemo nodded and eased back into the shadows because the bright sunlight hurt his eyes.
    “This doesn’t look like an easy path down,” commented Wylan as he looked over the edge of the cliff.
    “That is not the way down,” chuckled Zemo. “We came here first so that we can see when this Tedi is coming. The lower tunnel provides the exit into the forest.”
    “How large of an army does Tedi have?” asked Elandros.
    “I do not know,” shrugged Boris. “I suspect that he will be alone. Why do you ask?”
    “Because I see an army approaching,” replied the elf as he pointed towards the distant forest.
    The dwarves immediately became alert and shuffled out onto the ledge. Their eyes scanned the forest for any signs of movement, but they could see nothing. The humans also were unable to see anything.
    “Describe what you see,” said Boris.
    “I see hundreds of wagons,” Elandros began. “Many, many riders also, and thousands of horses. Can you not see them?”
    Boris strained his old eyes, but he could not see what the elf was describing.
    “How far away is this army?” asked Zemo.
    “At their rate of travel,” the elf said as he stroked his hairless chin, “two hours at the most. Probably closer to one hour.”
    “That must be Tedi then,” frowned Boris, “but who is he traveling with?”
    “And is he traveling with them of his own free will?” added Fredrik. “He could be their captive.”
    “Alert our people,” Zemo said to one of the sentries. “We shall take no chances with our homeland.”
    The dwarf sentry nodded and ran into the tunnel. Zemo and the other dwarf moved back into the shadows. Everyone else continued to stare out over the forest below them.
    “I think I see them,” Wylan said excitedly fifteen minutes later.
    “You are not the only one who has taken notice of them,” frowned Elandros as he pointed slightly to the right. “A small band of goblins has just noticed them.”
    “I would think that an army will not be deterred by a small band of goblins,” offered Fredrik.
    “You do not understand goblins very well,” sighed Elandros. “The small band of goblins that I see are scouts. They will not engage the travelers, but a host of goblins will before they reach these mines. Those horses alone will feed the goblins for months. It is something they will not be able to resist attacking.”
    Boris was finally able to spot the approaching army, and he studied them carefully.
    “That is not an army,” stated Master Khatama. “Those are gypsies. Certainly a larger grouping of gypsies than I have ever seen, but they are gypsies nonetheless. They must be warned about the goblins.”
    “I shall go,” offered Elandros. “I can move through the forest undetected.”
    “No,” Boris shook his head. “We do not know if the gypsies are familiar with elves. Or dwarves for that matter. Besides, we should send someone who knows Tedi. Is there a horse available?”
    “We can get you a horse,” Zemo nodded to the