The Daughters Daring (The Daughters Daring & The Enchanted Forest Book 1) by Steven J. Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

gnomes went after each other with the tools at hand: spoons, bowls, axes, table legs, and rocks. The gnomes had brought weaponry and the element of surprise, but the goblins had an ogre.
         The ogre king burst into the open cave roaring and throwing little people out of his way. His roar was like thunder echoing through the caverns. His long arms swept both gnomes and goblins aside without care. Several gnomes tried forming a ladder, standing on top of each other’s shoulders, to challenge him, but a swift kick sent them all flying.    
    “Gunners!” Randolph yelled to his men. “Fire on the ogre!”
         The gnomes had set up two of their mechanical rock shooters on the upper walkway beyond where Randolph stood. They were strategically placed where they could fire on the whole area, below. Anyone wanting to attack them would also have to make their way up the narrow path, and past Emily.
         “Firing!” The gunners yelled.
         The gunners delivered a hail of rocks with amazing precision, hitting the ogre, over and over, in the head, body, and arms. It was an impressive onslaught and the ogre roared in pain. Trying to advance on them, he was tripped up by ropes crisscrossing the cave floor. The ogre king hit the floor hard as more rocks rained down on him. Not even stunned, he stood up, cursed at them. “You haven’t stopped me,” he bellowed, and lumbered from the main cave.
         A group of goblins tried to climb up to the gnome gunners, only to run into Emily. She could easily defend the narrow path, as they couldn't surround her. With her height, strength, and staff, she kicked, pushed, and threw them off the ledge. Randolph grinned his approval. The battle was clearly going their way.
         Just then, a loud shriek echoed through the cave. Goblins cowered in fear and even the gnomes stopped at the sound. From above, a woman in black lowered herself down on what looked like a thick strand of silk cord. Her skin was pale, and as white as the cord she held onto.
    “The witch!” Randolph yelled. “Gunners!”
         The witch heard him, and turned her attention on the gnome firing machines. Dark energy flew from her fingers, blasting both of the machines to pieces. Wood, rocks, and gnomes flew in every direction. Emily ducked for cover behind some large rocks.
         More gnomes tried to rush the witch, but she pushed them back with a dark power emanating all around her, knocking them off their feet. From a shadow at the back of the cave, a small, hooded figure ran past the witch. Like lightning, the witch’s hand grasped the figure’s goblin cloak. The cloak slipped free, revealing Elizabeth. She kicked and tried to wiggle free, but the witch had her ensnared with more dark magic.
         With great delight, the witch said, “Gnomes! Cease your attack! I claim this human girl as my prisoner!”
         Emily wasn’t about to abandon her sister to an evil witch. She readied her biggest stone and sailed it toward the witch’s head. The stone flew straight and fast, but was deflected by the invisible barrier.
         Furious, the witch launched a bolt of energy at the rocks, mere feet from Emily’s location, scattering rubble around her.
         “Gnomes!” The witch repeated. “Have you no leader? I demand your surrender at once, unless you wish to see this one killed.”
         Emily would have rushed forward, had not Randolph’s hand held her back. He touched his finger to his lips, urging her to remain quiet.
         “I am here, witch!” Randolph said, while stepping out from the rocks. “Do not harm the girl. I surrender.”
         “Tell me, what do you care for a meddlesome human child?” the witch asked, mockingly.
         “This girl is under my protection.” Randolph said, walking closer. “We gnomes are not seekers of violence. We do not wish harm on any creature.”
         “Why then, little one, have you and your gnomes