Dwarven Ruby by Richard S. Tuttle Read Free Book Online

to erect the barrier.
    “There are a handful of magicians,” announced Hagik. “Towards the front.”
    “I see them,” nodded Calastano as he launched a fireball at the small knot of men.
    That first fireball set off the battle. Within seconds, fireballs and arrows rained down into the gorge. The Lanoirians were in full panic. The forward group charged through the gorge and slammed into the shield barrier. Those at the rear tried to reverse course and exit the gorge, only to find their exit blocked by an invisible barrier. Some of the Lanoirian soldiers tried to scale the sides of the gorge. Others tried to find cover, but with attacks from both rims, there was no cover to be had. Within ten minutes it was all over.
    “I knew the plan would work,” Hagik declared jubilantly. “Let’s make sure that they are all dead. We do not want any notice given of who attacked them. Better if it looks like the Rangers did it.”
    Klarg rolled his eyes and stormed off to order his men into the gorge to check for survivors. Klarg uncharacteristically led his men into the gorge to check the bodies. He hoped he would find at least one survivor to take his anger out on.
    * * *
    “Stop!” Jenneva called softly.
    “I felt it, too,” offered Tanya.
    “What is it?” Alex asked.
    “Magic,” answered Jenneva. “Battle magic. Low level spells for sure, but battle magic nonetheless. It can’t be far off, either.”
    Alex moved to the front of the small column and pulled out his telescope, a gift from the elven magician Galdan. He continued to the top of the rise and halted. He brought the scope up and scanned the hill in front on him. Alex was panning back and forth with the telescope when Arik halted alongside of him.
    “Do you see anything?” Arik asked softly.
    “Not yet,” Alex whispered. “Wait. Yes, there are men along the rim of a gorge. Black-clothed men. Fireballs going into the gorge. I suspect we may have found Sarac’s Ravens. How is Prince Midge doing? Is he still sleeping?”
    “He hasn’t woken up yet from his flight from the Island of Storms. I am beginning to get worried about him.”
    “That flight almost killed him,” responded Alex. “Still, he should be recuperated by now. See if you can wake him. I would like him to identify the attackers and the victims if he can. Nothing more.”
    Arik reached into his pocket and gently took Prince Midge out. He ran a finger over the fairy’s belly, and Midge giggled and woke up.
    “You interrupted a very nice dream,” complained Prince Midge as he looked around. “Where are we?”
    “We are north of Barouk,” smiled Arik. “We need you to do some spying. Are you well?”
    “I feel wonderful,” replied Prince Midge. “You should have awoken me earlier. I didn’t miss anything, did I?”
    “No,” laughed Arik. “Nothing important at least. There is a battle going on at that next hill,” pointed Arik. “We need to know who is attacking and who is dying. Can you do that?”
    “I can do anything for the Bringer,” saluted Prince Midge.
    “Do nothing more,” warned Alex. “You must not be detected. Also, we will not be here when you return. Look for us further east.”
    “You cannot hide from a fairy,” chirped Prince Midge as he leaped into the air. “I will find you.”
    Alex watched the fairy prince fly until he could no longer follow his progress. He turned and headed back to the Rangers with Arik right behind him.
    “There is a battle going on at the next hill over,” explained Alex. “We are going to slip around them while they are fighting. We will all be going further east from here, but not in one group. Jenneva, I want you to pair up with Arik. Wylan will go with Tanya. I do not want a trail left for them to see and if they see a trail, I want it to be only two horses, so spread out. Just keep heading east until I catch up with you.”
    “Where are you going?” asked Tanya.
    “I am going to backtrack to erase what I can of our