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

what he thought was the ledge he had been standing on. He held the mirror up and moved it back and forth until it shined in the direction he wanted.
    “How do you know about the goblins?” Adan asked impatiently.
    “We saw their scouts from a ledge high on the mountainside,” replied Wylan. “Let’s keep moving, and I will explain what I know. It is not safe to dally here.”
    Adan signaled for the gypsies to continue forward. “Talk quickly, lad,” he urged. “I am responsible for the safety of my people.”
    “Master Khatama knew you were coming this way,” Wylan said to Tedi. “We left the elf village early this morning and went through the mountain to a ledge where the dwarves said we could look for you.”
    “Wait a minute,” scowled Adan. “Elves? Dwarves? Is this some type of story that you are spinning? Tedi, is this Wylan reliable?”
    “He is, Adan,” nodded Tedi. “Let him finish.”
    “I am telling the truth,” promised Wylan. “The elves and the dwarves are friendly. In fact, this is a dwarf horse. They lent it to me so that I could warn you about the goblins. The dwarves are readying their army to help you battle the goblins. We should hurry as fast as your wagons can go.”
    Adan looked behind him until he spied Mandal. He waved to the gypsy to come forward, and Mandal immediately complied.
    “Mandal,” commanded the king of the gypsies, “I want you to ride hard along this trail until you reach the base of the mountain. See if there are any dwarves there and determine if they are friendly. Go swiftly my brother.”
    “Wait,” Wylan said hurriedly. “You will not find the mine entrance without me. I will lead you.”
    Mandal looked to Adan for direction, and the king of the gypsies nodded. Wylan and Mandal took off at a gallop.
    “How sure are you of this Wylan?” Adan asked Tedi.
    “Very sure,” declared Tedi. “I believe what he says. Plus if you look closely at the mountainside, you will see people up there watching us. The one in the center is Master Khatama. I think we should get these wagons rumbling along this trail because we are going to be attacked by goblins.”
    Just as Adan was staring at the figures up on the mountainside, one of them raised his arms, and a streak of lightning flashed to the ground some distance to his left. He heard guttural screams in the distance and looked up at the ledge on the mountainside again.
    “Is this Master Khatama a mage?” asked Adan.
    “Yes,” answered Tedi. “He is the one who gave me the staff that I carry.”
    “Riders to the sides,” shouted Adan. “Let the wagons through, and be quick about it. Move as if your lives depended upon your speed.”
    Adan, Tedi and Natia moved to the side of the trail with the rest of the riders. The wagons started rolling past, and Adan waved them on furiously, shouting and yelling for them to move faster. Wylan and Mandal returned while the wagons were still flowing past.
    “There are dwarves up ahead ready for battle,” confirmed Mandal. “It is not us that they seek to harm. They have opened their mine to our wagons and herd. We can pass straight through the heart of the mountains to the other side and make camp there.”
    “Take Hortice with you, and lead the wagons through the mine,” commanded Adan. “Set up defenses for the camp on the other side. We cannot be sure if the goblins will come over the mountains after us. Be swift, brother.”
    Mandal nodded and whistled for Hortice. The two gypsies wheeled and galloped alongside the wagons.
    “He said the wagons and the herd,” commented Natia as more bolts of lightning split the air. “He said nothing about our riders.”
    “The dwarves do not know you,” responded Wylan. “For their own safety they want your innocents to go through first.”
    “So that they have captives if we decide to attack them inside their mine,” frowned Adan. “Fair enough. I would do likewise in their position. If they allow our families to get to