Dwarven Ruby by Richard S. Tuttle Read Free Book Online Page B

and his eyes popped open. The predawn sky was tinged with pink and orange. His ears filtered out the chirping birds and the light breeze rustling the leaves as he tried to focus on the noise he had heard. He reached subconsciously for the sword by his side.
    “Your hearing is still very sensitive,” Boris said softly as he slid out from under the wagon. “I did not mean to wake you. I thought an early breakfast would allow us more time in the city.”
    “You know about my hearing?” inquired Tedi as he rose cautiously and looked around the campsite.
    “I know much about you, Tedi Markel,” smiled Master Khatama. “You need not fear any attackers here. Make a small fire. It will not draw attention this time of day.”
    Tedi nodded and sheathed his sword and started preparing a small fire.
    “You need to get used to reaching for your staff instead of your sword,” commented Boris as he prepared a pot of coffee. “You will have little use for your sword from now on. In fact, Bin-lu will have need of your sword today. He will also be using your horse. You will ride on the wagon with Niki and me.”
    “Why are you secretive about our plans for today, Master Khatama?” asked Tedi. “You hint at what we will be doing, but you have not actually said what the plan is. Do you fear that one of us will tell someone?”
    Boris smiled at Tedi as he retrieved a basket of fresh bread from the back of the wagon. Tedi stared at the bread, which smelled like it had just been removed from the oven. He wondered how the old mage managed to constantly get fresh food out of the wagon. Tedi had peeked in the wagon when they had stopped last night, and he saw no food at all.
    “Hardly,” Boris finally answered. “All four of us will risk our lives today to free your mother, Lara. There are portions of the plan that have not been written yet.”
    “You mean the plan is not complete?” questioned Tedi. “Shouldn’t we finish the plan before try to free my mother? Alex always taught us to have a solid plan and a backup plan before going into battle.”
    “Alex?” echoed Boris. “Do you mean Alexander Tork?”
    “Of course I mean Alexander Tork,” frowned Tedi. “Who did you think I meant?”
    “I was not sure if he still lived,” replied Master Khatama. “What of Jenneva? Have you seen or heard of her?”
    “Master Khatama,” frowned Tedi, “we left them in Barouk yesterday. They were traveling as Garth and Kalina Shado. Surely you knew?”
    Boris set the basket of bread near Tedi and sat on a rock near the fire ring. His head slumped to his chest and he stared into the flames. For a long time, the old merchant sat silently.
    “I understand the reasons for your anxiety,” Boris finally said. “I thought they looked familiar, but I could not place their faces. They must think of me as an old tottering fool. Perhaps I am. When you rejoin them, you must offer my apologies.”
    “What is happening to you, Master Khatama?” inquired Tedi. “I know that everyone in the Rangers has the greatest respect for you. They all idolize you, especially Tanya, but you do not seem to remember any of them. Then yesterday you talked about Tanya’s early years with you. It does not make any sense to me.”
    “Nor to me,” admitted Boris as Bin-lu and Niki joined the group. “Perhaps I have lived too long. Maybe there are too many memories for my mind to hold them all. Whatever the problem, it seems to be getting worse.”
    “You remembered Fredrik yesterday,” interjected Niki. “I think you are getting better. Besides, why should you remember everybody you ever met? It clearly is not important.”
    “You mentioned Tanya’s early years yesterday too,” added Tedi. “Maybe your memory is getting better. How far back can you remember Tanya?”
    “Remembering Tanya is not important,” quipped Niki. “Pass me some of that bread.”
    “No,” Boris said suddenly. “Tanya is very important. I cannot remember why, but she is