Free A Crown Of War (Book 4) by Michael Ploof Page A

complied and banked left to the edge of the scattered group. Dirk leapt from the gliding dragon and landed in a roll.
    “ Come, Chief, battle awaits,” said Dirk.
    Swirling smoke drifted out of the figurine along with a howl. The nearest Draggard rushed them and soon wished it had disobeyed its master. Chief slammed into it, and, together, they rolled away in a tangle of thrashing claws and snarling maws. Dirk came in faster than the next Draggard’s striking tail. A dart to the eye sent the beast reeling back in agony, and when its hands instinctively flew to its face, Dirk sliced open its belly with his enchanted sword. He sped along to the next, leaving the Draggard’s steaming entrails spilling into its clawed hands.
    They ambushed the group on an open road surrounded by nothing but rolling fields of wheat and corn. The fields had long been harvested and were now brown with the coming of winter. Chief moved through the dried and brittle husks like smoke and solidified upon the back of the Draggard in front of Dirk. He sliced the back of the Draggard’s knees as he passed, and Chief rode it to the ground tearing at its neck. Across the road, flames erupted in the wheat field, and Dirk knew Fyrfrost had rejoined the fray.
    Chief was at his side once more as Dirk kept low through the field of husks. He could have used his hood to locate the Draggard, but instead, he trusted Chief to guide him true. They moved north, and Chief gave a low growl. His quarry came into view not far off through the gaps in the corn: three Draggard. Dirk threw an exploding dart up into the air that arched in its flight and came down in the midst of the small band. The explosion was followed by many shrieks.
    “ Finish them off!” said Dirk.
    Chief charged toward the rising smoke, and Dirk continued north and east. Another explosion rang out among the tumult. He came out of the corn field and scanned the road to the south. Fyrfrost bathed it in flames from on high. Between him and the dragon-hawk, Krentz battled a dark elf handler and his minions. She moved with liquid grace and deadly precision, dancing around her opponents and turning to smoke before their blades landed. The dark elf knew his danger and kept his beasts after her as she advanced.
    Dirk started toward them, and Chief came crashing through the field to join him. They ran down the road at the dark elf’s back as he hurled spells frantically at Krentz. The wheat field to the left was littered with scorched bodies; none lived to attack from the side of the road. To the right was the cornfield they had just circled from. If any Draggard remained, they did not advance.
    “ Distract him, Chief!” Dirk called.
    Chief took spirit form and shot toward the dark elf with a snarl. Dirk went wide of the elf as Chief took form and slammed into him. Beneath Chief, the elf vanished, leaving only a cloak to be pawed at curiously by the confused wolf. Dirk ran the outskirts of the group Krentz had engaged and, with his enchanted blade, cut two of the beasts’ tails off. When they turned in a rage, Dirk went to work with sword and dagger. A spear came at him and was deflected wide, followed by a spiked ball and chain. Dirk spun away from the heavy ball and turned quickly as it hit the ground hard. The Draggard yanked back on the handle, and Dirk severed the chain and sent the beast flying backward. His dagger came up to catch a long spear blade as he engaged two others. He moved in a blur of motion, leaving the Draggard weaponless and bloody, even as their heads slid from bleeding necks and shock covered their hideous faces. He cut through another to find Krentz standing before him, holding her bloody curved blade.
    “ It’s about time,” she teased, and he wiped his blades with a smile.
    Chief whined and pawed cautiously at the dark elf’s cloak. Krentz knelt and felt the ground beneath her. She closed her eyes in concentration, and, after a time, stood, shaking her head.
    “ He is gone