Dragonvein - Book Three by Brian D. Anderson Read Free Book Online Page A

could have prepared me for a conversation such as this.”
    Lotheri stifled a laugh. “No. I suppose not.”
    When they were a few yards away from the first line of trolls, Halvar halted and gave a low sweeping bow. The trolls remained still, but their eyes moved away from him and settled on Lotheri. A particularly broad troll stepped forward. Its flat features were creased and distorted, and its eyes bore the deep lines of age. An elder, Halvar supposed. After a short pause it let out a series of deep grunts and gurgles, all of which ended in a low hum.
    Lotheri turned to Halvar. “He wants to convey his displeasure regarding your treatment of their home.”
    “Tell him that I deeply regret any harm we have caused,” Halvar responded. “We only did so out of ignorance. We did not understand the pain our mining was causing their young.”
    Lotheri nodded, then approached the troll. The creature held out its massive, grime-covered hand and allowed the elf to place his palm at the tips of its fingers. Contact made, Lotheri began to hum softly in a series of rising and falling tones which, to Halvar’s ears, were completely random, almost to the point of sounding unpleasant. After this stopped, the troll replied with a guttural growl and began shaking his head slowly from side to side. This continued for more than a minute. At the conclusion, it took a long stride backwards and suddenly let out an ear-piercing howl.
    Startled, Halvar instinctively reached to his side where a dwarf rod was carefully tucked away. His guards had already begun drawing their weapons and were racing toward their king.
    Lotheri spun around with arms spread wide. “Stop! There is nothing to fear.”
    Halvar motioned for the guards to back off. “What the hell did he say?” he demanded.
    The trolls were showing no sign of aggression, though all of their eyes were now fixed on the guards who had been rushing toward them.
    Lotheri lowered his arms. “He said that the reason they have come to help you defend your home is because one of your people and a young human showed them kindness not so long ago.” He frowned. “Do you have any idea what he is referring to?”
    Halvar thought for a moment. Then it hit him. “Yes, I remember now. Birger and Ethan Dragonvein gave aid to a near fully grown troll they found who had been badly injured. Lord Dragonvein told me about the encounter before he left.”
    “Then their kindness has gained you a powerful ally,” stated Lotheri. “The trolls will not allow anyone who serves the Emperor to enter the mountain. Only Shinzan himself could possibly overcome them.”
    “This is indeed good news,” said Halvar. “But I find it hard to accept that a single act of kindness would make them forget the harm done to their young.”
    “They have not forgotten. And their aid comes at a price.”
    “What price?”
    “You are to cease mining the mountain immediately. And though they invite you to remain once Shinzan is defeated, you must never resume such work again.”
    Halvar heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry, but we still need rajni stones to craft our weapons. And now that King Ganix has abandoned his city, there is nowhere else for us to get them. I vow to stop once the war is over. But there is no way I can do so now.”
    Lotheri frowned. “You cannot refuse this offer. Your people will need to venture out from the safety of Elyfoss to meet the enemy in battle, leaving those who remain behind undefended. Surely you have enough weapons already crafted.”
    “Most of those we made went to the Emperor,” Halvar told him. “You must realize that rajni stones are difficult to find. And when we do locate them it is unusual to find more than small amounts – enough to make only a handful of weapons. If we are to face the Emperor’s armies, we must have more.”
    Lotheri's face tightened. “Are you certain this is what you want me to tell them?”
    “Though I deeply regret it, the answer must be no.”
    After