Free Dragon Stones (Book One in the Dragon Stone Saga) by Kristian Alva Page B

short while, they reached the cave.
Elias would have missed it if Thorin hadn’t pointed it out. It was
well hidden. The cave entrance was covered by shrubbery. “Here it
is,” said Thorin. “I camped here last night. It’s a wee
openin’—you’ll have to crawl in—but it’s larger inside. It’s a good
spot, and warm. We’re far from the path, and concealed from the
wind. We’ll sleep comfortably enough. You must get a good night’s
sleep because we’ll be up before dawn. I’m going to get Duster
settled, and I’ll be back.”
    Elias crouched down and crawled into the
opening. Once he got inside, he was pleased to see that the cave
was large enough for him to stand, and it was roomy enough for two
to sleep. Elias started to build a fire, laying the kindling in a
little pile by the cave entrance. “Incêndio!” he said quietly, and
the kindling caught fire. Thorin came back just in time to catch
Elias using the spell.
    “Using magic, eh?” said Thorin, as he poked
his head into the cave opening. “You should learn how to build a
fire properly, without magic. Magic is just a crutch.”
    “You surprised me. My grandmother used to
say that, too. She was a healer, but she rarely healed her own cuts
and bruises. She said it was good for the body to heal itself;
otherwise, it might forget how to do it.”
    “Your grandmother was a wise woman.”
    “Grandmother always told
me to keep my powers hidden. I do know how to build a fire without magic. I use
magic because it’s faster. Usually I hide it, but…. well… don’t
dwarves use magic, too?”
    “Aye. We have our own spellcasters, although
the mageborn gift is rare in our people. They are healers, mostly,
but we also have some metalsmiths that can forge magical weaponry.
Our enchanted blades are unmatched. Even more powerful than elvish
swords.” Thorin grabbed his pipe and stuffed it with smokeleaf.
    Elias remembered the dagger that his
grandmother had given him, and he pulled it out of his waistband.
“My grandmother gave me this. I’ve never seen another one like it.
Did the dwarves make it?”
    Thorin examined the little dagger carefully.
“Aye. This is a dwarvish blade. It’s enchanted, too. It’s a rare
thing to see a human with a blade like this. I know the story
behind it. Would you like to hear it?”
    “Yes! My grandmother hardly ever talked
about her past.”
    “Alright, but first, help me with dinner.
Then I’ll tell you all about it. I’ll find some branches to make a
spit for the rabbit.”
    “Okay, I’ll cut the mushrooms and dress the
rabbit for cooking.” Elias chopped the mushrooms, skewered them,
and placed them on hot coals to cook. He gutted and cleaned the
rabbit, burying the entrails outside, far away from the cave
entrance. He didn’t want to encourage any night time scavengers.
Thorin came back with some sturdy branches, and lashed together a
simple spit to cook the rabbit. A few minutes later, everything was
sizzling over the fire, and Elias settled down to listen.
    “Now, your grandmother was a fiery one! She
spent time in Mount Velik during the Orc Wars. That was many years
ago. She was one of the best healers we had—she saved many lives,
human and dwarves alike. During one battle, I took a crushing blow
to my left shoulder. Although my chainmail saved me, many bones
were broken underneath. Carina set the bones and healed me; I was
back in the fight the next day. She had a true gift, that one.”
    “My grandmother fought in the Orc Wars?”
asked Elias, incredulous.
    “Yes, and the Dragon Wars, too. She fought
the empire for most of her life.” Thorin sat back and puffed his
pipe wistfully. “What a woman! It’s a shame she’s gone, lad. I’m
truly sorry for your loss.”
    “Thank you,” said Elias. He was genuinely
surprised that Thorin knew so much about his grandmother. It seemed
as if Thorin was talking about a stranger. “What about the story of
the dagger?”
    “Ah, yes. Well, as I said, your