Free Wand of the Witch by Daniel Arenson Page A

leaves off his clothes. "Spells are a dangerous matter, and so's jumping out from the trees on people." He stared into her eyes. "Ellywyn, I saw grunters. Three of them, less than a mile back."
    She laughed... then saw that he was serious. She frowned and finally gasped.
    "Grunters!" she whispered. She drew her dagger with a hiss. She spun from side to side, eyes narrowed, as if seeking grunters in every tree.
    Rowyn nodded and told her about encountering the three beasts, and how he killed two.
    "The third went to get help," he finished. "Madrila will send more into our woods, I'd wager."
    Ellywyn breathed out in frustration. Her knuckles were white around Sunfire's hilt. "But why, Rowyn? Madrila has never sent her monsters this deep into our forest before, never told them to eat elflings." She shuddered. "This means war, Rowyn. It's time we march to her house and kill her."
    Rowyn too shuddered. His wand trembled in his hand. "Many humans have tried to defeat her—tall knights in armor, armed with swords and hammers of steel. We're only elflings, Ellywyn. We're short. We don't have as many weapons or spells as the humans. How are we to fight her?"
    Dry leaves glided onto Ellywyn's head, as red as her hair. She stared at him, her eyes green like the moss covering the trees. "We might have to fight, like it or not. Protecting our borders is one thing. If she's invading our lands now, we'll have no choice but to declare war against her."
    War? In Glaswood Forest? It seemed impossible to Rowyn. The big people fought wars. Humans marched on their crusades. Armies of high elves warred against ogres. Even spiderlings—relatives of elves—fought wars sometimes, clashing against goblin hordes. But elflings were peaceful folk—smaller than the high elves, fewer than the humans, weaker than the spiderlings. We live for meditation, for music, for beauty... not for war.
    "Let's go see Grandpa Snagglefoot," he finally said. "He'll know what to do. He always does."
    Ellywyn nodded and took his hand. "We'll walk straight to the clan. And I pray we see no more grunters on the way."
    A cold wind blew, rustling the trees. The two elflings walked through the forest, weapons raised and hearts heavy.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Jamie and Romy crouched behind a fallen log, spying on Madrila's house. It stood ahead between the trees, crumbling and mossy. The trees around it were naked and frost covered them, glimmering in the moonlight. Winter had come early to this place. Fifty grunters surrounded the house, guarding it.
    "Are you ready, Romy?" Jamie whispered.
    Romy wore her cloak and hood, concealing her flaming hair.
    "I'm read—" she began happily, but Jamie elbowed her stomach.
    "Hush!"
    Heart hammering, Jamie peered forward. Had the grunters heard? They were grunting, looking around, and two began stomping toward the trees where Jamie and Romy hid.
    "Oh bloody hell, Romy," Jamie said. "You couldn't whisper? Damn it! Grab me and fly , now!"
    "Oh, all right, Jamie, sheesh. No need to yell."
    Romy flapped her wings, grabbed Jamie, and flew. They crashed through branches and soared toward the house. The grunters below howled and pointed.
    "There, through the top window!" Jamie said. A crooked window gaped in the second floor. Candles burned behind the shutters. Madrila better be in there.
    Romy flew toward the window. Jamie kicked, breaking the shutters, and leaped inside. She drew her sword and swung it. Candles flew. Romy tumbled in behind her, fangs bared and claws slashing.
    A fireball flew toward them.
    Jamie leaped aside, and the fireball shot by her, singing her clothes. It hit Romy in the chest. The fireproof demon tossed it aside, then leaped forward, thrusting her pitchfork. Jamie swung her sword.
    A bolt of lightning flew.
    Jamie parried with her sword. The bolt hit the blade, and her fingers blazed. Ignoring the pain, she swung her sword. The spellcaster stood in shadow; Jamie could not see the enemy. Her blade slammed into a force