Elvenshore: 01 - The Dwarves of Elvenshore by Clark Graham Read Free Book Online Page A

too.” He handed over Sarchise’s letter. Tom and the runner left in opposite directions.
    Two hours later, Tom, Sarchise and Ermort showed up at Ives command post.
    “Welcome, my friends, come in.” Ives said,
    “That is a lot better welcome than I received the first time,” Tom complained.
    Ives let out a laugh. “Last time I was sure that you had stirred up trouble with the dwarves and they were chasing you to South Fort.  I was going to turn you back over to them rather than fight four hundred angry dwarf warriors.”
    Sarchise broke in, “Five hundred actually.”
    “Oh,” Ives said; “Even better. So what are you going to do with your little army, Prince Sarchise?”
    Ermort made a motion towards Ives, “We don’t call him that.” Rubbing his scalp he said, “Not a good idea.”
    “Oh.” Ives got the signal.
    “I will have to go back to the High Mountain to return the army, but I will report to the governor first.” Sarchise explained.
    The humans slept in comfort that night and in the morning started the final trek into South Fort. They traveled fast into the city not having to wait for a whole army to follow them.  They arrived outside the governor’s mansion around suppertime.
    Governor Welch welcomed them. “Sarchise, you do have some interesting adventures. Won’t you join me I was about to sit down to my supper.”
    “Be most happy to,” Sarchise said.
    With a salad of green lettuce and honey barbecued ham, the wanderers ate well, but it was time to answer some questions.
    “So what are you going to do with your army?” Asked the governor.
    “I will return them to High Mountain, but I think that the King will let us place an outpost there.  It will save a five-day march to and from the southern part of Westwood every time we end a patrol. We can send runners back and forth in only a few days from High Mountain to South Fort.”
    “A good plan,” The governor agreed. “But I don’t know if we will have the manpower for it. The Kingdom of Ril has asked for men.  There is a growing threat coming from the Mountains of Iron.”
    “Are they being attacked?” asked Ermort.
    “No not yet,” said the governor, “But bands of gremlins roam the foot hills in open daylight. They are amassing an army, and the Kingdom feels threatened.”
    “Governor,” Sarchise cut in, “I think my plan will work for both sides.  The dwarves want the Mountains of Iron back. If I can put an outpost at High Mountain and help the dwarves cross the Westwood then instead of sending a thousand men away to the Kingdom of Ril , we can attack the Mountains of Iron from the south with thousands of dwarves.”
    “I cannot afford to send an army to the Kingdom of Ril . I have not told them that yet.  The enemy has a habit of attacking where we least expect it. I need my army here. They would not reach there anyway.  The King’s road goes too close to the mountains.  I would lose my army to a series of ambushes on the way to the kingdom. Man is too weak to go it alone.  This is the work of the Minotaur I feel.  They are up to their old tricks.” The governor shook his head. “I will approve of your plan for now, Sarchise.  We will station fifty men at High Mountain and I will tell the King of Ril that we can go one better. We can try to take back the mountains.”
    “Thank you,” Sarchise said.
    “There is one condition,” the governor said.  “I will expect you to lead this expedition since you are a friend to the dwarves.”
    “Yes Sir, thank you Sir.”
    They ended the meal with fresh fruits and wine. 
    “I want you to head back tonight.  I know they are friendly, but an army of dwarves that close to my city makes me nervous.” The governor said, “Before the second message arrived from Ives I was gathering my army. Caused quite a stir in the streets, the war gong hasn’t been sounded in years. Men were running to man the gates.” He laughed. “Anyway, wait for the fifty men and then