Read Online Hidden Spark (Dark Magic Enforcer Book 6) by Al K. Line - Free Book Online
Authors: Al K. Line
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high-pitched retort, as if the dwarf was an adolescent and its voice hadn't quite broken and reached the deep rumble they usually have.
I kept silent, studying the ambling lump of rudeness. Its beard was rather short, just below its neck, the hair was brown—as always—but again, rather short for a dwarf. Haha. Sorry, that's insensitive. It was the same stature as all others I'd encountered, but it didn't have the proper swarthiness and density you see on them, almost like... It was, I just knew it.
Turning to the princess and her cronies, ignoring Urrad Pebbleminer—bet the poor creature got some stick for a name like that—I said, "Don't tell me you're saddling me with a child? I thought this was business of the utmost importance?"
The princess looked genuinely confused. "It is, otherwise we would never call on a human for assistance. But this is a delicate matter, and we know how young all you humans are. You are a mere hundred or so years, are you not?"
"Yes, that's old for a human."
"And Urrad here is twice your age. We thought you would feel more comfortable with a young one, like yourself."
"Actually, no. I'm an adult in my world."
"Ha!" she scoffed. "No humans are adults, or not many. Maybe a few old wizards, but most of you are still babes in arms."
This was getting me nowhere. "Okay, what's the job? Is there really a dragon?" I asked, unable to contain my excitement. Damn but these dwarves were slow to get to the point.
"Not a dragon. The dragon. There is only one."
"Is there?"
Princess pouty stared at me for the longest time then said, "Yes." Guess that told me. "You are to take its magic. We heard you can take it away, we want you to do that so we can get our gold."
"I take magic from humans, not dragons. I can't take away what is an inherent part of a true Hidden creature. If there really is a dragon then magic is what defines it. I cannot return what hasn't been stolen." This wasn't exactly true. I'd tried, and had managed to take some magic from a truly Hidden creature, but it didn't end well and the result was that I was killed. Sure, it brought me back, but I wouldn't recommend it.
"Then you have failed, so you must die."
It's one thing fighting a single dwarf, another to contend with thousands, which I was sure there were, lurking in the shadows ready to pounce. "Let's not be too hasty. I'll give it a shot. Just lead the way." Let nobody call me anything but an optimist when the alternative is death by stupidly named weapon.
"Good. Be quick, Black Spark, our kith and kin are not happy. Deal with the dragon and have your reward. Fail and—"
"Yeah, I know. Death by Woodwhittler, or Dangle Bitbiter, or something. Lead the way, Pebbledasher," I said turning to my reluctant companion.
"It's Pebbleminer," the grumpy fellow mumbled.
"Let's just go." With that, the princess and her consorts left, leaving us alone with Urrad Pebbleminer. To say it felt awkward is to say Urrad was ready for a party, with balloons and everything. We stood there, not speaking, until finally, exasperated, I said, "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Well, let's do this thing. Lead the way."
"Fine, but don't expect me to like it."
"Heaven forbid." What was with this dwarf?
Treachery Afoot
Nothing sat right with me about this. I was supposed to be taking it all on trust, which meant I trusted none of it, or them. How did I know the princess was who she said she was? How did I know there really was a dragon? How did I know this wasn't a trap, or something else entirely? I didn't, and I don't like being kept in the dark—which was kind of awkward as we were deep in dwarf territory and they aren't big on light bulbs.
Everything felt wrong and I cursed Dancer, and myself, for getting involved in this. Why couldn't my first job back be something simple like hunting down and dealing with a rogue wizard or an evil sorceress? I knew where I stood with humans and their ability to deceive, but had no clue about how
I kept silent, studying the ambling lump of rudeness. Its beard was rather short, just below its neck, the hair was brown—as always—but again, rather short for a dwarf. Haha. Sorry, that's insensitive. It was the same stature as all others I'd encountered, but it didn't have the proper swarthiness and density you see on them, almost like... It was, I just knew it.
Turning to the princess and her cronies, ignoring Urrad Pebbleminer—bet the poor creature got some stick for a name like that—I said, "Don't tell me you're saddling me with a child? I thought this was business of the utmost importance?"
The princess looked genuinely confused. "It is, otherwise we would never call on a human for assistance. But this is a delicate matter, and we know how young all you humans are. You are a mere hundred or so years, are you not?"
"Yes, that's old for a human."
"And Urrad here is twice your age. We thought you would feel more comfortable with a young one, like yourself."
"Actually, no. I'm an adult in my world."
"Ha!" she scoffed. "No humans are adults, or not many. Maybe a few old wizards, but most of you are still babes in arms."
This was getting me nowhere. "Okay, what's the job? Is there really a dragon?" I asked, unable to contain my excitement. Damn but these dwarves were slow to get to the point.
"Not a dragon. The dragon. There is only one."
"Is there?"
Princess pouty stared at me for the longest time then said, "Yes." Guess that told me. "You are to take its magic. We heard you can take it away, we want you to do that so we can get our gold."
"I take magic from humans, not dragons. I can't take away what is an inherent part of a true Hidden creature. If there really is a dragon then magic is what defines it. I cannot return what hasn't been stolen." This wasn't exactly true. I'd tried, and had managed to take some magic from a truly Hidden creature, but it didn't end well and the result was that I was killed. Sure, it brought me back, but I wouldn't recommend it.
"Then you have failed, so you must die."
It's one thing fighting a single dwarf, another to contend with thousands, which I was sure there were, lurking in the shadows ready to pounce. "Let's not be too hasty. I'll give it a shot. Just lead the way." Let nobody call me anything but an optimist when the alternative is death by stupidly named weapon.
"Good. Be quick, Black Spark, our kith and kin are not happy. Deal with the dragon and have your reward. Fail and—"
"Yeah, I know. Death by Woodwhittler, or Dangle Bitbiter, or something. Lead the way, Pebbledasher," I said turning to my reluctant companion.
"It's Pebbleminer," the grumpy fellow mumbled.
"Let's just go." With that, the princess and her consorts left, leaving us alone with Urrad Pebbleminer. To say it felt awkward is to say Urrad was ready for a party, with balloons and everything. We stood there, not speaking, until finally, exasperated, I said, "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Well, let's do this thing. Lead the way."
"Fine, but don't expect me to like it."
"Heaven forbid." What was with this dwarf?
Treachery Afoot
Nothing sat right with me about this. I was supposed to be taking it all on trust, which meant I trusted none of it, or them. How did I know the princess was who she said she was? How did I know there really was a dragon? How did I know this wasn't a trap, or something else entirely? I didn't, and I don't like being kept in the dark—which was kind of awkward as we were deep in dwarf territory and they aren't big on light bulbs.
Everything felt wrong and I cursed Dancer, and myself, for getting involved in this. Why couldn't my first job back be something simple like hunting down and dealing with a rogue wizard or an evil sorceress? I knew where I stood with humans and their ability to deceive, but had no clue about how
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