The Dwarf Kingdoms (Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

desire,” she said softly, her voice warm and persuasive once more.
    “After which you will no doubt take me prisoner,” thought Elerian dryly to himself. He kept his suspicions to himself, however, for he felt that there was no point in further antagonizing this fiery creature from another realm.
    “I cannot do that,” he replied politely.
    “Then I shall waste no more time on you,” said Laralerian angrily. “Take up the hunt again,” she suddenly commanded the Dwarf. “Let us leave this fool to his doom.”
    “There are Dwarves living in the country south of here,” said Elerian quietly to the huntsman. “I will trade the rider I overcame for your freedom if you wish.”
    “I am no Dwarf,” said the huntsman proudly. “I am a Kobold and I will stay in the service of my lady until death claims me. I would die away from her beauty.”
    “He is wiser than you,” said Laralerian arrogantly to Elerian before whirling her steed around with a firm pull on its reins.
    “What of Fiochmar?” asked one of the other riders as Laralerian rode off.
    “He can stay here with this fool for all that I care,” she replied callously. Followed by the rest of her small company, she rode after the kobold who, with his hounds, had begun to cast about deeper in the forest for the trail of the leopardi, unaware that the creature had taken to the trees.
    “Hopefully, their hunt will take them away from the Dwarf road,” thought Elerian to himself as he watched the Peregrin ride off toward the north. “Who knows what mischief they might cause if they discovered Ascilius’s company.”
    He looked down then at Fiochmar who still lay at his feet with Acris’s sharp point pressed against his throat. “Answer my questions and I will give you your freedom,” he said quietly.
    “I will say nothing though you torture me day and night,” replied the red haired stranger sullenly.
    “Join your company then,” said Elerian, disappointed once more in his quest for knowledge. “I have no further use for you.”
    When he withdrew his sword, the Peregrin rose lithely to his feet. After gathering up the pieces of his sword and the shining dart that lay on the ground nearby, he mounted his steed, which stood quietly. close at hand. As he rode away, he cast a dark look at Elerian over his left shoulder.
    “You are a fool to let an enemy walk away free,” he said mockingly. “Be assured that I will not make the same mistake if our positions are ever reversed.”
    Elerian made no response as the Peregrin rode off after his companions who had already disappeared into the forest.
    “A strange people,” he said softly to himself. “They are fair to look upon, but underneath they are hard as Goblins, looking upon mercy as a weakness.”
    Elerian started when a familiar voice said softly, “An act of kindness is neither weak nor foolish.” Turning swiftly to his right, Elerian’s heart lifted when he saw Anthea standing there.
    “You have come at last,” he said gladly, forgetting both his surroundings and his purpose in the forest at the sight of her. His first impulse was to seize her in his arms, but then his third eye opened, and he saw that her golden shade was veiled in an illusion spell. Extending out through the golden cloak of the illusion was a thin tendril of gold that ended at his right shoulder, carrying her thoughts to his mind. Unable to help feeling disappointed that she had come to him as a wraith again, leaving her body behind, Elerian closed his magical eye so that he might see the illusion she had cast over herself, preferring its beautiful form to her featureless shade.
    “I would have come sooner, but I seem to be unable to open the portal between our rings unless I am well rested and you are in danger,” explained Anthea, her fair face mirroring the frustration she felt at being unable to use her new powers fully.
    “I shall risk my life every day then, without fail, if that will bring you to my side,”