Elvenshore: 01 - The Dwarves of Elvenshore Read Online Free PDF Page B

have my princes fighting. I thought that you knew our ways.  You now have the best the dwarves have to offer. Good food, great bonfires and fine maidens.’
    “Sarchise nodded, “Thank you, Your Grace.”
    “Now down to business.” The King paused to have his mug filled again. “Tell me, how goes the world of men?”
    Sarchise sighed and then said, “Not well. When the elves left, we didn’t have the manpower to take possession of all of their old cities. We went to burn them all but the minotaur had taken many before we got there.  We could not drive them out of fortified elfin cities so we bypassed those and burned all of the rest.  That was the last time that we have been in the deeps of the Westwood. 
    “We only have enough scouts to patrol the outskirts of Westwood. There is talk of abandoning the forest to evil, except for the east border where the King’s road goes from Middle Kingdom to South Fort.  There was a proposal to abandon South Fort too, but it is the only city-state outside the Four Kingdoms.  All four of the old Kingdoms are under the King of Ril , all of the other Kings were killed in the last war. The Kingdom of Zor is only sparsely populated.  No merchants will go near there because the King’s road runs between the Westwood and the Mountains of Iron.  No caravan can make it th rough without being attacked.  Th e only contact we have with them is through the Royal Scouts.”
    “Hmmm,” the King mused “ It is worst than I thought.”
    “I must take my Scouts back towards South Fort in the morning. We have to report in three days, and it is a six day march from here,” Sarchise explained.
    “Very well, I will have your army at the ready. Hemlot will be your second.” The King said looking at Hemlot. Hemlot nodded.
    “Army?” questioned Sarchise.
    “Yes, no prince leaves the Kingdom without at least part of his army.  They take the whole army if they are not sneaking out in the middle of the night.” Explained the King.
    “How big is an army?” Sarchise asked.
    “500 warriors,” said the King.
    Sarc hise was going to say that he didn’t want to be a prince, but Hemlot must have read his mind. He was glaring at him and shaking his head no.  “Very well, Your Grace.” He said with a nod.  The King got up and left.
    Sarchise took another gulp of ale.  Looking over at him, Hemlot asked. “You are used to commanding, are you going to be all right at being second in command to a human?”
    Hemlot smiled.  “A commander can get no higher than second in command to a prince. We are to protect the prince and lead his army. It is a great honor that I have just been given.”
    “So you give the orders to the army and not me?” Sarchise asked.
    “The easiest way to explain it is, you tell us where to go, I decide how we get there,” Hemlot explained.
    “Well enough.” He said with a yawn.  “Can I go to bed yet?”
    Caspin overheard that one. “Go to bed? Of course.” He whistled and motioned for Ammlee.  She came up and grabbed Sarchise’s arm with both of hers. “She will show you the way.” He said with a big smile.
    Ermort saw them going by and lifted his mug, “Good night, my prince.”
    Sarchise scowled at him.
    Ermort, Will, and Tom were sitting with Ferdin.  Fordin was down with the healers sitting by his father.  The twins had taken turns; there was always one of his sons sitting by the father’s side as he lay on his deathbed.
    The music changed to a deep slow tune.  The singer sung of the coming of the humans, the batt le with the spiders, the saving of the prince and the fall of Glowin .  He then sang about Glowin’s life, the fight where he received his scar and how he fought with honor. 
    Ferdin smiled through his tears and said, “He would be proud to know that there were songs about his bravery.”
    Ermort put his hand on the lad’s back.  No words would come.
     

 
The Awakening of the Prince
     
    Prince Cazz tossed and turned before