Free The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2) by Daniel McHugh

just a ‘small band’. The Toxkri is home to our society. There are thousands of us.”
    The murmur in the room grew.
    “Secondly,” continued Chimbre. “What misinformed outsiders consider a ‘cesspool’, we consider our homeland. It is true that to those with an untrained eye, the Toxkri may be considered a dangerous place, but there is much beauty to be found in the secrets of the swamp.”
    “As evidenced by your companion.” said Eidyn stepping forward and bowing to the beautiful young woman.
    She returned his bow.
    “However, with milady the reverse is true. The beauty is self evident,” said Eidyn rubbing the small red cut on his neck where her blade had been. “It is the danger that you stumble upon.”
    Macin arched an eyebrow to Eidyn.
    “Perhaps you are not so uninformed of this situation as I assumed.” said the king.
    “Oh, I remain completely uninformed.” returned Eidyn and he turned to the woman. “But for now I will settle with your name.”
    “My sister’s name is...” began Chimbre.
    “... For her to give of her own accord.” the woman icily snapped to her brother.
    “You are quite correct.” nodded Chimbre. “My apologies.”
    “Accepted.” she smiled back.
    The woman turned to Eidyn and gave a light curtsy.
    “I am Lilywynn, eldest daughter of Jenpry, Lead council of Sprite’s people.” she stated. “I apologize for your minor injury, but I could not allow you to drive an arrow through my cousin Sprig’s heart.”
    “The fox.” whispered Kael to himself.
    “Apology accepted.” said Eidyn bowing.  “Is Master Kael correct in assuming that Sprig was the lead scout before our encounter with the warlock and his Keltaran raiding party?”
    “He was.” replied Lilywynn.
    “Warlock?” inquired Macin. “And what of this battle?”
    “We were set upon by a Hammer unit yesterday, father.” answered Manfir. “A warlock directed their movements.”
    Macin’s expression grew grave.
    “Those who commune with Chaos and Amird the Deceiver are a twisted lot.” stated Macin. “How came you so close to the mountains?”
    “We were not near the mountains, father. We were a day and a half ride South of the Capitol.” stated Manfir.
    “And you were set upon by a Hammer unit?!” exclaimed Macin. “We are vulnerable indeed.”
    “If not for the warning by Sprite’s people and their help on the battlefield, we may have been overrun.” added Manfir.
    “On the battlefield you say?” stated Macin turning to Chimbre and raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
    Chimbre laughed out loud.
    “A jest? Something is amusing, Master Chimbre?” asked Macin.
    “My grandfather is a wise old Elf, your majesty.” began Chimbre chuckling. “He instructed me to offer our service to the nations. Then he told me I would need to convince you to accept it.
    You look at beings of diminutive stature and you misjudge our usefulness. So it was when our forebears were excluded from participating in the first great conflict against the Ulrog. Sprite gathered important intelligence concerning the Horde and presented it to King Leinor. This information was used to drive the Horde back into the Scythtar, but Sprite and others in his family were forbidden from joining the ranks of the Elven army. King Leinor trusted grandfather’s ability to supply information, but not his ability to stand beside his countrymen in battle. This mistrust led Sprite to leave Luxlor centuries ago and set out with a small group of family and friends to found his own community. A community where all could be respected and admired for the special abilities given to them by their Creator.
    Over the past week we proved these abilities to the heirs of the world’s great kingdoms.  Today, we showed what we can accomplish under the very noses of the most diligent security. We live and thrive in a place others won’t set foot. It’s been centuries since my people held a place in your world. We return now to claim our part in