13 Day War Read Free

as if I was making a joke. When I assured him that I was serious, he explained to me that not a single dwarf had died during the Great War.”
    “A hundred to one?” gasped one of the corporals. “Ten dwarves could take on a whole company? A hundred dwarves could defeat an entire army? I cannot imagine a creature so invincible.”
    The sergeant remained silent, his grim face giving credence to the warning. He could see the fear rising across the table from him, and he knew that it was time to move on. He waited patiently for the question that he knew would eventually be asked.
    “I hope we don’t run into any of them,” the other corporal said, his voice quaking with fear. “Which lands over there are dwarven?”
    “The dwarves are usually found in Sordoa,” answered the sergeant, “just south of Trekum.”
    The corporals swallowed hard and stared at each other in alarm.
    “That is where we are going!” exclaimed one of the corporals.
    Zackary Nolan nodded sympathetically and stood to take his leave. His message was meant explicitly for the men of the 21st Corps, and he smiled inwardly having delivered it properly. He leaned down and whispered once more before turning and leaving.
    “Beware the dwarves!”
    The sergeant left the tavern and headed for another to continue sowing fear of the dwarves, dwarves that he knew would one day soon be pitted against the men of the 21 st Corps. The sergeant had only walked two blocks before a young corporal from the 15 th Corps fell in alongside him. The young corporal was one of Zack’s Zaran confederates, and he was also spreading fear about the dwarves.
    “How did it go?” the sergeant asked the corporal.
    “It went well,” grinned Bork. “By morning the whole garrison will be talking furtively about the possibility of going up against the dwarves.”
    “As long as the tales do not make their way to the ears of the officers,” cautioned Zack. “You did warn them that their officers would punish them?”
    “I did,” Bork assured the Alcean spymaster.
    “Excellent,” smiled the sergeant. “Be off with you to another tavern.”
    “There is something else that requires your attention this night,” stated Bork without breaking away from the sergeant’s side. “Cobb thinks he has found that special someone that you have been looking for.”
    “Oh?” Zack halted and turned to face the corporal. “Tell me about it.”
    Bork looked around to see if anyone was within hearing before speaking softly.
    “The man is a sergeant in the 16 th Corps under General Vladin. He makes numerous trips into the Royal Palace as part of his duties.”
    “That works for the plan,” stated Zack. “What is the hook?”
    “He has a gambling problem,” answered Bork, “a big gambling problem. He has been borrowing gold out of the paymaster’s funds when no one is looking. He has always managed to replace the stolen funds before the soldiers returned from the field, but things have gotten out of hand. He lost big today, and tonight he learned that the soldiers will be returning tomorrow, several days ahead of schedule. He does not have the gold to replace what he stole.”
    The Alcean spymaster frowned as he stared at the ground. Bork knew Zachary well enough not to interrupt. He waited patiently for Zack to contemplate the next move.
    “He must have been drunk to share that information with Cobb,” Zachary eventually said. “Stealing from the paymaster earns a very public hanging in the Federation.”
    “He is very drunk,” admitted Bork, “and very scared, but you taught Cobb and me well. The man holds a slim hope that Cobb can come up with a plan to save his neck.”
    “How much does he need?” asked Zack.
    “Five thousand.”
    Zack whistled softly. “Our thief has expensive habits. That is actually a plus. It shows that he has been living on the edge for some time without getting caught. He must be fairly good at hiding his emotions. Take me to him.”
    Bork nodded