Free Elf Lords: 02 - Last of the Elf Lords by Richard Saunders Page A

woman to join him. He looked up, and noticed the missing window and the opened bars in the skylight above his bed. That was the moment that the Supreme Commander first took note of the lantern in his room. His mind was so fixed on his lustful desires that he had failed to consider how the room had been lit when he first entered. Marlow sat up. He looked at the table in the corner: The red orb was gone.
    “Guards!”
    * * * * *
    Doogal cursed under his breath when he heard the voice crying out from the bedchambers below. “No time to untie the rope and sneak away.” He spat.
    Doogal tossed the rope back down the wall and quickly began repelling down the side of the building. He had to get away before the guards went into action. When he reached the ground, Doogal took off running across the yard. There was no need for secrecy now. He saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He looked back and saw a guard running his way. The man had just turned the corner when he saw Doogal fleeing. The alarm had not yet been sounded, but anyone running from the Keep was obviously up to no good.
    Doogal continued running. He knew that he could reach the trees before the guard caught up to him. He heard something wiz nearby. Looking back he saw the guard tumble to the ground with an arrow in his chest.
    “Come on!” Seth called out to him.
    Doogal saw Seth and Tessa waiting for him. Both holding bows. He wondered which one had shot the guard.
    “What are you still doing here?” He asked as he caught up to them.
    “Seebaul and Reldoor have taken the princess ahead. Tessa wanted to wait to make certain that you got off the roof okay.”
    Doogal looked for Shadow. When Tessa saw him searching, she said, “I sent her with Seebaul.”
    Horns sounded from the other side of the Keep.
    Doogal pointed ahead, “We have to run. They do not know where we are yet, but as soon as they find that dead guard, they will know which way we went.”
    * * * * *
    McRawl removed the black crystal orb from the black pouch he carried it in. He did not want to make this report to the Warlord, but knew that delaying it would only make matters worse. He rubbed the orb and thought about contacting the Warlord. McRawl did everything that Trian had taught him to do should he ever have the need to initiate communications through the ancient, magical device. Until tonight he had always been on the receiving end of the Warlord’s communications. He tried over and over, and was about ready to quit when Trian’s image appeared in the glass.
    “What is it?” Trian asked.
    “Warlord Trian,” McRawl began, “the princess has escaped.”
    Trian was outraged, “How did this happen?”
    “Someone broke into the Keep and rescued her. Whoever it was, also stole the Commander’s orb. They entered through his bed chambers. The princess’ escape went unnoticed because Marlow had the guards running after the person he believed to have stolen the orb. It was only when he sent for me that I considered it to be a ruse, and went down to the vault, where I found the guards had been killed.”
    “Alister is a fool!” Trian exclaimed, “Was he drunk again?”
    “Of course.” McRawl answered.
    Trian slammed his fist down on the table, “Seebaul is obviously behind this!”
    “My thoughts exactly,” McRawl agreed, “I have men after them now. With any luck we might be able to capture them before they reach the Tilsaw.”
    “How long ago was this?” Trian asked.
    “The alarm was sounded thirty minutes ago. We are not sure how much time may have passed before Commander Marlow made the initial discovery. We did find a dead guard behind the Keep. There was no disruption in the patrol, so it could not have been too long.”
    “I will come at once.” Trian informed the captain.
    “You are too far away.” McRawl objected.
    “Not if I fly.” Trian replied.
    McRawl remembered the dragon that the Warlord controlled. He had only seen it in the distance, and at night. The