Chapter 29
The dwarves rode them fast that day. At first, it was tough going as the horses were spooked by the wolves and the dwarves. The horses had never seen the dwarves before, but they knew of wolves, and it took the better part of a day before the horses were to the point where you did not have to be mindful of them.
Sara spent the day in thought. In a single day, she had gone from the discovery that the dwarves were real to being the prisoner if that was what she was. It was odd to her as the dwarves never once pulled out their weapons since they started riding but she got the impression that should anyone try anything, it would end in a quick death. She had once seen an elven picture of a creature. It was short, but there was some debate if it was a dwarf. Now she knew for sure it was. She was trying to remember as much as she could about dwarves as it might be helpful in dealing with them. She was glad to hear that some spoke common. It would mean she could talk directly to them without having to depend on the Woodsman.
Despite their current situation, it was the Woodsman that bothered her the most. Was he someone she could trust? She could not think of how he could benefit from turning them over to the dwarves. They were not at war with the dwarves, and yet here they were. Did he have a plan? And what of that short sword. It was the same style as the ones the dwarves were carrying, but this one was much nicer and from what she could see had a giant ruby in the hilt. Why did it change the attitude of the dwarf commander? What could its meaning be? The man she was trying to figure out was now more of a mystery than ever before. She worried that maybe she had misplaced her trust. Finally, she decided that it was too late, and she had no choice but to follow the Woodsman.
They rode, without stopping for until the sun set. Then the dwarf commander ordered everyone to stop.
"We stay here tonight. Dismount and prepare food for yourselves. We will be watching you over the night so do not try anything."
After looking at the Woodsman to make sure he was understood, the commander and the other dwarves rode off into the darkness, leaving them alone.
The Woodsman immediately dismounted his horse and started setting up his bivouac. After a moment, Topher did likewise. This led the rest of the squad to begin setting up camp.
"This is odd. Are they going to post a guard onus?" Topher asked the Woodsman.
The Woodsman looked up and said, "Why, where are you going to go? You do not know your way around their kingdom, and besides, they will be watching us from a distance so should anyone be dumb enough to try something, their response will be quick."
This madesense, so everyone went about preparing an evening meal of rations. The only exception was General Allison, who setup apart from everyone else.
Sara made her way over to the Woodsman. "So how do you know their language?" she asked.
Topher, who was standing near said, "I suspect the same way you got that long dagger. You lived among them and the 'rich merchant' that gave you the dagger was the king himself, wasn't it?"
The Woodsman paused for a minute before answering, "Yes, I lived among them for two years."
Sara asked, "So why did the king give you the dagger?"
"I saved his son from a craig bear."
"And the dagger was the King's debt marker, was it not? That is why they agreed to take us to their king." Topher said.
"Yes."
Sara now had a new respect for this Woodsman and what he was doing for them. He had given up a King's debt for them and their mission. She was honored but also wondered why he would give up such a prize for total strangers.
"So how much farther before we reach the king?" Topher asked.
"We should be there by late tomorrow afternoon."
"And who rules the kingdom of the dwarves?" Sara asked.
"King Rolland and his wife, Queen Nerla." The Woodsman gave out a chuckle at a fond memory. He then added, "Although I think King Rolland rules Hathorn and Queen Nerla rules King Rolland."
This produced a smile on Sara's face.
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