The Dwarves Read Free

abandoning the parapet just in time. They took up position in the barbican above the gates.
    Glandallin listened as a large section of wall crashed and shattered on the ground below. The earth quaked and the invading
     army howled in triumph.
    Good luck to them,
thought Glandallin, endeavoring to stay calm.
I hope they dash their brains out on the doors.
The gateway was built to withstand more than a few paltry grappling irons.
    He peered cautiously over the steel-plated wall. More reinforcements were on their way. Horsemen mounted on jet-black steeds
     galloped to the head of the army of ogres and orcs. Glandallin instantly recognized the pointed ears of the tall, slim creatures.
    A red glow shone from the horses’ eyes and their hooves struck the ground in a shower of white sparks. Two riders thundered
     to the gateway and gave orders to the troops. The orcs and ogres set about clearing the pathway of fallen masonry so the assault
     could start afresh.
    Wheeling round on their horses, the riders found safe quarter from which to watch. One of the two creatures unshouldered a
     mighty bow and nocked an arrow against the woven bowstring. The marksman’s gloved fingers held the weapon loosely as he bided
     his time.
    Hastily, the fifthlings pushed boulders over the parapet and onto the beasts below. The enemy flinched, jostling to evade
     the projectiles, and three of the orcs turned to flee. The archer raised his bow. Before the deserters could take flight,
     the first arrow, too fast for Glandallin to follow, sang through the air and an orc fell to its knees.
    Already a second missile, uncommonly long for an arrow, sped from the archer’s bow. The second beast perished, shrieking,
     followed a moment later by the third. The remaining minions took heed of the warning and resumed their work on the pathway.
     The orcs did not venture a protest at the murder of their kinsmen.
    B y the coming of dawn, the path had been cleared.
    The fifthlings marveled at the scene unfolding before their eyes. The sky had brightened in the east, heralding the rising
     of the sun, yet a thick bank of fog loomed in the north. Its luminous center, a maelstrom of black, red, and silver, flickered
     with coursing light.
    In defiance of the wind, it rolled toward the gateway, sweeping over the beasts below. The raucous orcs fell silent, huddling
     nervously together and shrinking away from the fog. Stooping, the ogres allowed it to pass. As if hailing their leader, the
     riders bowed their heads and saluted the vaporous mass. The shimmering mist lowered itself gently to the ground and hovered
     in front of the horses.
    Then the unthinkable happened. With a shudder, the first of five bolts on the doors shot from its cylinder. The gateway quaked.
     Someone had spoken the incantation, delivering Girdlegard into the clutches of the invading hordes.
    “No!” bellowed Glandallin, turning his back to the enemy and leaning over the inner wall to seek the culprit below. “No dwarf
     would ever…”
    Glamdolin Strongarm.
Alone, the dwarf was standing by the doors, lips moving, hands raised in supplication.
    “Silence!” Glandallin bellowed. “Can’t you see what you’re doing?”
    His shouts fell on deaf ears. The second lock glowed brightly, illuminated by the runes. The bolt creaked back.
    “He’s been bewitched,” muttered Glandallin. “The fog has infected his mind.”
    The third bolt left its ferrule and shot free.
    At last the custodians of the gateway stirred. Springing to their feet, they darted down the staircase, racing to put a stop
     to the treacherous magic before it was too late. The fourth bolt drew back. With one bolt remaining, Glamdolin was still standing
     unchallenged on the pathway.
    Time is against us
, Glandallin thought grimly. “Forgive me, Vraccas, but I have no choice.” He gripped his ax and hurled it with all his might
     and fury at his comrade-in-arms.
    The blade sliced through the air, spinning, then plunged sharply