Free Emerald of the Elves by Richard S. Tuttle Page A

other sentry. “Who is to go and warn them?”
    “I will go,” offered Wylan. “I may not be able to move undetected, but they will never catch me.”
    “Be careful,” advised Elandros. “Goblins can be very quick to react if they hear you coming.”
    “We need to know if Tedi is being held captive,” declared Boris. “You will find something shiny and signal us up here if Tedi is coming of his own free will. If we do not see your signal, we will assume that both you and Tedi are captives. Do you understand?”
    “Perfectly,” Wylan said as a shiver coursed down his spine. He had not even thought of the possibility of being captured by the gypsies.
    “If Tedi is safe,” continued Boris, “make sure the gypsies know that the dwarves and elves are friendly. We do not want friends attacking friends.”
    “I understand,” nodded Wylan.
    The dwarf sentry nodded to Wylan, and they ran into the tunnel together.
    “What do we do with the gypsies when they arrive here?” asked Fredrik. “We do not want them boxed in alongside the mountain.”
    “The northern side of the mountains is a bit safer from the goblins,” offered Zemo. “If we are sure that they are friendly, we can route them through the mine and out the other side. We must be sure of their intentions beforehand though. We will not allow an enemy into our homeland.”
    “I think it would be safe to let the wagons and horses through,” suggested Boris. “The armed riders will be kept outside until your fears are resolved.”
    “That sounds reasonable,” nodded Zemo. “They would be hesitant to attack us if their wagons and horses were already at our mercy.”
    “There goes Wylan,” pointed Niki. “He is riding fast.”
    “And our army assembles as well,” commented Zemo as he pointed off to the right.
    Elandros looked to the right and saw scores of dwarves filing onto a ledge below them. Farther off in the distance he saw the gathering goblin horde.
    “The goblins are gathering as well,” he said dryly as he pointed. “As I suspected, there are many of them. This will be close.”
    “And bloody,” scowled Zemo. “Dwarves do not care much for warfare in the open.”
    “Especially in daylight,” nodded Elandros. “I sympathize with you. Dwarf eyes were not meant for the brightness of the day. I wish there was time to alert my own people. Elven archers on that ledge would wield great destruction on the goblins.”
    “Can’t you send for them?” asked Niki.
    “There is no time for that,” Elandros shook his head.
    “We are not without tricks of our own,” smiled Boris. “Fredrik and I will do what we can to discourage the goblins.”
    Elandros smiled knowingly. He gazed back at the approaching gypsies and saw that Wylan was almost upon them. The lead gypsies also saw Wylan approaching and signaled to the rest of the gypsy riders. The wagons slowed to a halt, and the riders reached for their swords. Wylan called out a greeting and slowed to meet the lead gypsy riders.
    “Wylan!” shouted Tedi. “What are you doing out here? Is Arik with you?”
    “You know this lad?” asked Adan.
    “Yes,” Tedi nodded excitedly. “He is one Arik’s people. Hold your weapons.”
    Adan gave a signal to his men as Wylan rode up and stopped in front of Tedi, Adan, and Natia.
    “Are you safe, Tedi?” Wylan asked as he stared into Tedi’s eyes.
    “Safe?” chuckled Tedi. “How much safer could I get with a thousand gypsy warriors around me? I am glad that I am in time to catch up to you and Arik.”
    “Actually you aren’t in time,” Wylan replied. “Arik left already, but you are in trouble.”
    “What kind of trouble?” asked Adan.
    “Goblins,” answered Wylan. “They are planning to attack you. I need something shiny to signal to Master Khatama that you are safe.”
    Natia frowned, but she handed Wylan a mirror from her pouch. Wylan looked up at the sun and then towards the mountains. He scanned the mountainside until he saw