Emerald of the Elves Read Online Free

leave my person until our prophecy has been fulfilled. The Children of the Ancient Prophecy will have to wait.”
    “We know that three of the gems have already been restored to the Sword of Heavens,” interjected another council member. “This disturbance is probably the fourth. We should make plans to prevent the Children of the Ancient Prophecy from getting near you.”
    “We have already done so,” smiled the elven queen. “You reside in the finest glade in all the world, and yet you worry about these humans. It is not possible for them to find their way here. Let it trouble you no more.”
    “But things are moving so swiftly,” frowned a council member. “Valon has not yet been born, and yet time is running out for these humans. I fear they will resort to force and trickery to obtain that which is ours.”
    “Let them resort to what they must,” insisted the queen. “Nothing they can do will alter our people’s commitment to the Emerald of the Elves. First they must find us, and then they must destroy us all. I do not think there is any band of humans up to that challenge. Not even the Dark One’s minions have a clue as to where we hide. You fret too easily.”
    “But…,” protested a council member,
    “But nothing,” Queen Lyander declared sternly. “It is our task to safeguard the Emerald of the Elves. Perhaps a recitation of the Elven Prophecy is in order to remind my councilors of the only means that can force it from my neck.”
    The councilors nodded solemnly as they joined the queen in reciting the Elven Prophecy.
       
      The Emerald green - the Emerald bright
      The elven people shall not die
      Saves us all from eternal night
      Beneath the Dark One’s inky sky
       
    The vision winked out of existence, and the white smoke dissipated in the wind. The Rangers stood staring at the empty air over the campfire for several minutes before anyone spoke.
    “So they know we are coming,” sighed Alex. “This presents a new challenge for us.”
    “What a beautiful grove that was,” chirped Prince Midge. “I have not seen anything so green since before the Collapse. Do you think it is in one of the areas where we cleared away the Darkness?”
    “Not necessarily,” answered Jenneva. “I think it is a magical garden. It is obvious that the queen and her council are all magicians. Fairly adept ones at that, if they felt the disturbance of the Sword of Heavens.”
    Arik held the Sword of Heavens out before himself and turned slowly in a circle. He halted facing north.
    “It is a fair distance away,” Arik reported. “Perhaps twice the distance between here and Barouk.”
    “Around central Targa then,” posed Alex. “We have a long ride ahead of us. We should get some rest before we leave. Is there someplace that the dwarves can put us up for some sleep?”
    “You shall have fine accommodations,” grinned Prince Darok. “The dwarves will keep constant vigilance while you rest. That will give me time to find one of those foul beasts you ride on.”
    “Are you sure you wish to go with us?” asked Arik. “It really is not necessary.”
    “Bah,” scowled the dwarven prince. “Of course it is necessary. We will never let the Garala out of our sight now that we have found you. I should bring a hundred men with me to protect you.”
    “I think just yourself will be fine,” smiled Alex. “There may come a time that your Garala will require an army, but this is not it.”
    “I will rest with you,” announced Master Khatama. “When you leave I will check on Bin-lu and Wylan.”
    “Where will you go?” questioned Tanya.
    “I think we will head south to find Tedi,” answered Boris. “He has been lost for too long.”
    “How does your tracking spell work over such great distances?” asked Jenneva. “And how is it that nobody else can use it?”
    “You must know the key,” smiled Master Khatama. “It is fairly simple really. I associate something fairly common with each