Emerald of the Elves Read Online Free Page B

times. I cannot think of any other way for him to have survived.”
    “But the shield did not go up until the second set of fireballs was already streaming towards them,” protested Hagik.
    “That shield covered the entire campsite,” explained Calastano. “That does not preclude a smaller shield being constantly maintained around Arik. Whatever the reason for our failure, I tend to agree with Klarg. The next attempt on Arik’s life should be a physical assault. A magical shield will not save him then.”
    “Then we should regroup and attack while we know where they are,” decided Hagik.
    “You want to initiate an attack while he is surrounded by thousands of dwarves?” questioned Klarg. “We were very fortunate to get away with so few losses tonight. Losing all of our men will not get us closer to succeeding in our quest.”
    “I agree,” frowned Calastano. “The dwarves will not be leaving with Arik when he goes. The hard part will be making sure that he does not escape entirely.”
    “If he escapes this time,” warned Hagik, “Sarac’s patience will be wearing thin. Are you really prepared to suffer that?”
    “Given the choice between Sarac’s anger and certain death,” responded Calastano, “I will suffer the Dark One’s wrath for a short time. In the end, all that matters is our eventual success, and I feel confident that we will be successful.”
    * * *
    Konic Clava paced the floor of the Council Chamber in the Royal Palace of Tagaret. He stopped once more in front of the large wall map and frowned in frustration.
    “You are going to wear the floor out with your pacing, Konic,” admonished Oscar Dalek.
    “I can’t help it,” shrugged Konic. “It seems like everything is happening at once. We cannot continue to fortify Tagaret and still aid Mya and Tor at the same time. We just don’t have that number of men at our disposal.”
    “Then it is a matter of priorities,” suggested General Gregor. “Obviously, Tagaret has to be our first priority, but aiding Mya and Tor may actually help save Tagaret. I agree that we cannot do both at the same time.”
    “How are our preparations proceeding here in Tagaret?” asked Queen Marta.
    “They are progressing as well as can be expected,” answered Oscar. “That is assuming that we have time to complete them before one of the attacking armies arrives on our doorstep. Do we have any idea if Azmet’s or Sarac’s armies will get here first?”
    “I suspect that Azmet will be first,” responded General Gregor, “although I have no specific intelligence that says so. Our latest reports indicate that Azmet has solidified his command in Klandon. He could dally there for months or he could decide to leave for Mya in the morning.”
    “What of Sarac’s army at Tor?” asked Alan Markel.
    “There has been no further attacks at Tor,” answered General Gregor. “What bothers me is the movement of Dark Riders from Toresh. They have abandoned Sordoa and appear to be moving towards Tor. They do not appear to be in any hurry, though.”
    “Do you think Azmet is working with Sarac?” questioned Konic.
    “I have nothing that would indicate that,” declared General Gregor. “There can be little doubt that Sarac knows of Azmet’s movements, though. He manages to keep well informed about such things.”
    “Then I think you are correct about the order of things,” nodded Konic. “He will let Azmet’s army take the brunt of the losses and only attack if Azmet fails. Sarac does not care to occupy Tagaret, after all. He only seeks to prevent Arik from assuming the throne.”
    “That is how I read it,” nodded General Gregor.
    “So we should offer assistance to Mya then?” asked Queen Marta.
    “Mya is not a city that is easily defended,” frowned General Gregor. “It sits on both sides of the Boulder River and only has a single wall. The keep will only shield a small force of men, and if Azmet decides to disease the city, it will all be over