Elvenshore: 03 - Elf's Bane Read Free Page A

Darnic asked.
    “In a day, two at the most,” replied Fritred.
    “We will only have three days once the mountain bestirs,” Darnic was wanting more urgency from his fellow elders.
    “The monsters will attack close to home first; they will attack the Elves on the mountain and that will give us a few days extra. Clan Regaulis and Clan Kartan have asked us not to completely abandon our village until they get this far. They should be about three days away, according to the latest news,” Greon reported. He was always up on the latest news.
    “Three days!” exploded Darnic. “It will be seven days before they reach the swamp. I was lucky to make it this far without the mountain awaking. I don’t think we will have seven more days.”
    “Only volunteers will stay, a half dozen at the most,” Greon said.
    “We need to be on the road tomorrow, the road must be clear for Clan Regaulis and Clan Kartan when they get here. We cannot delay them further .” Darnic was adamant.
    “We will be alright . We don’t want to upset the people. You have been too longs with the Elves; we do things a little slower here,” Fritred said as he reached for one of the cookies from the plate that Sali had just put on the table.
    “Yes , we do want to upset the people! I would rather have them upset today and still alive tomorrow,” Darnic was nearly shouting.
    Greon spoke up . “It is too late tonight and the people are not ready to go anyway. We will organize it tomorrow.”
    Darnic gave up in disgust, “I hope we will not be too late.”
    The two elders left and Aron excused himself too. When they were all gone Sali looked her husband in the eyes and said, “Don’t listen to those old fools. The women of Bon Tewl have been ready since the news broke. We can go as fast as the carts get packed.”
    Darnic was so relieved that he stood up and gave her a long embrace.
     
     

Warning Horns in the Night
     
    The ground shook so violently that Darnic thought he was going to fall out of bed. Dust from the rafters drifted down and coated everything in the room. After sneezing a few times, Darnic got up and grabbed his robe. The thing he feared most had now happened. He headed out into the street to sound the alarm, but he didn’t need to. As he came out of the door he heard warning horns in the distance. The horns got closer and closer until there was one of the horns blaring just a few houses down. He looked at the mountain in the distance; it still looked peaceful and quiet.
    Soon all the houses in town had lights on and people were gathering in the streets.
    “Pack your carts and wagons; we leave as soon as possible,” Darnic shouted.
    Most of those in the streets headed back into their houses and started packing. Fritred however, was not packing. He ran up to Darnic and yelled, “We have not discussed this and we must talk about it as elders first!”
    “The time for talking is over, it is time for action, and we do not have enough time for that,” Darnic shouted back.
    Fritred just hung his shoulders and made his way back home.
    The packing of the carts and wagons was complete by early afternoon. In Darnic ’s opinion it took too long, far too long. Fritred was still storming when they headed out.
    Darnic came up to Fritred, ”You will thank me someday, my friend.”
    Fritred replied frustrated, “Maybe, but it will not be today.”
    Aron got his wife and young son in the cart and sent them on their way with the rest of the group. When Darnic 's wagon reached the point where Aron stood Sali said, “What are you doing? Get in the wagon!”
    “I’m staying until Clan Regaulis and Clan Kartan come through. There are seven of us that volunteered.”
    Sali turned to Darnic he could see the concern in her eyes , “Tell him to get in the wagon, the others can stay, he does not need to.”
    Darnic just looked at Aron with a sad face. He understood the need to do something . “My old sword is still in the house, in the cabinet.