Read Online Kathir's Redemption (Book 6) by Kristian Alva - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kristian Alva
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we must seek refuge with the Vardmiters. The clans are homeless — and we ’ ve got nowhere else to go. ”
5. Fleeing the Mountain
It took Skemtun and his men hours of walking to reach the small, concealed exit leading out of Mount Velik. The ragged band of survivors crawled out of the tiny opening and emerged on the south side of the mountain, about two leagues away from the main road. It was dawn when they finally reached the outside.
The exit was so small that Kathir had to disrobe and squeeze through like a caterpillar in order to fit. But they all made it out alive.
Sela saw them exiting the mountain while she was patrolling. She and Brinsop landed nearby and covered them with a concealment spell so they could escape to the tree line unseen. Luckily, most of the orcs were stationed on the other side of the mountain, near the front gate, so they were able to make it into the forest relatively easily.
“ Sela, do you have any news for us? ” asked Skemtun.
Sela nodded. “ Most of the women and children were able to escape, but the orcs are tracking them. I believe that Nar is planning to send out raiding parties. Elias and Nydeired are trying to help as much as they can, but there ’ s only so much they can do. Elias is already tending dozens of wounded in a ravine nearby. He has his hands full as it is. Nydeired has scared off several roving bands of orcs, but there ’ s so many of them — we can ’ t possibly root them all out. Eventually, your people are going to be attacked. ”
“ And what of our men? ” asked Skemtun “ How many of our soldiers survived? ”
“ It ’ s difficult to say, ” said Sela. “ An accurate count would be impossible now. Your general, Baltas, is dead, along with his entire contingent. ”
“ None of his men survived? ” asked Skemtun.
“ No, ” said Sela. “ None of them surrendered. None of them turned back. Baltas held the main passage for two days, which was a feat in itself. He died bravely with his men beside him. All of your spellcasters are probably dead, too. I haven ’ t been able to get a telepathic message from anyone inside since yesterday, and the last message I received was frantic and very troubling. Then everything went silent. ”
Skemtun shook his head sadly. “ This is terrible news for us to hear. Hundreds of men, all dead. All the dwarf spellcasters — gone. My people …” He put his face in his hands and wept softly.
Sela placed her hand on his shoulder. “ I ’ m sorry, Skemtun. I know this is difficult for you. What ’ s worse, the road to Highport will be rough, and there are almost no soldiers to cover your escape. The survivors are on their own. ”
“ Thank ye, for all ye ’ ve done for us, ” said Skemtun, wiping his nose on his sleeve. “ We ’ d best get moving. ”
Skemtun asked if Sela and Elias could remain at the mountain for at least a few more days, just in case there were other survivors who needed their help to escape. Sela nodded and mounted her dragon saddle. “ I ’ ll cover you until you get a little deeper inside the forest, and then I ’ ll go back to the mountain. Elias has a few ponies in the ravine nearby; you can take them and catch up with the rest of your group. ”
As soon as Skemtun and his men were safely in the trees, Sela raced back to the mountain to resume her patrols.
Everyone was tired, but they couldn ’ t stop and rest. They had to catch up to the rest of the survivors.
Kathir and Skemtun retrieved two ponies from Elias so they could ride ahead. Moving at a swift pace, they caught up to the straggling dwarf refugees in a matter of hours.
“ By the gods, look at all these people! ” Kathir said shaking his head.
A long line of people snaked through the mountain trails — mostly women, children, the elderly, and the wounded. Some carried small bundles or packs, but most had nothing but the clothes on their backs. The dwarves trudged along in scattered groups; their
5. Fleeing the Mountain
It took Skemtun and his men hours of walking to reach the small, concealed exit leading out of Mount Velik. The ragged band of survivors crawled out of the tiny opening and emerged on the south side of the mountain, about two leagues away from the main road. It was dawn when they finally reached the outside.
The exit was so small that Kathir had to disrobe and squeeze through like a caterpillar in order to fit. But they all made it out alive.
Sela saw them exiting the mountain while she was patrolling. She and Brinsop landed nearby and covered them with a concealment spell so they could escape to the tree line unseen. Luckily, most of the orcs were stationed on the other side of the mountain, near the front gate, so they were able to make it into the forest relatively easily.
“ Sela, do you have any news for us? ” asked Skemtun.
Sela nodded. “ Most of the women and children were able to escape, but the orcs are tracking them. I believe that Nar is planning to send out raiding parties. Elias and Nydeired are trying to help as much as they can, but there ’ s only so much they can do. Elias is already tending dozens of wounded in a ravine nearby. He has his hands full as it is. Nydeired has scared off several roving bands of orcs, but there ’ s so many of them — we can ’ t possibly root them all out. Eventually, your people are going to be attacked. ”
“ And what of our men? ” asked Skemtun “ How many of our soldiers survived? ”
“ It ’ s difficult to say, ” said Sela. “ An accurate count would be impossible now. Your general, Baltas, is dead, along with his entire contingent. ”
“ None of his men survived? ” asked Skemtun.
“ No, ” said Sela. “ None of them surrendered. None of them turned back. Baltas held the main passage for two days, which was a feat in itself. He died bravely with his men beside him. All of your spellcasters are probably dead, too. I haven ’ t been able to get a telepathic message from anyone inside since yesterday, and the last message I received was frantic and very troubling. Then everything went silent. ”
Skemtun shook his head sadly. “ This is terrible news for us to hear. Hundreds of men, all dead. All the dwarf spellcasters — gone. My people …” He put his face in his hands and wept softly.
Sela placed her hand on his shoulder. “ I ’ m sorry, Skemtun. I know this is difficult for you. What ’ s worse, the road to Highport will be rough, and there are almost no soldiers to cover your escape. The survivors are on their own. ”
“ Thank ye, for all ye ’ ve done for us, ” said Skemtun, wiping his nose on his sleeve. “ We ’ d best get moving. ”
Skemtun asked if Sela and Elias could remain at the mountain for at least a few more days, just in case there were other survivors who needed their help to escape. Sela nodded and mounted her dragon saddle. “ I ’ ll cover you until you get a little deeper inside the forest, and then I ’ ll go back to the mountain. Elias has a few ponies in the ravine nearby; you can take them and catch up with the rest of your group. ”
As soon as Skemtun and his men were safely in the trees, Sela raced back to the mountain to resume her patrols.
Everyone was tired, but they couldn ’ t stop and rest. They had to catch up to the rest of the survivors.
Kathir and Skemtun retrieved two ponies from Elias so they could ride ahead. Moving at a swift pace, they caught up to the straggling dwarf refugees in a matter of hours.
“ By the gods, look at all these people! ” Kathir said shaking his head.
A long line of people snaked through the mountain trails — mostly women, children, the elderly, and the wounded. Some carried small bundles or packs, but most had nothing but the clothes on their backs. The dwarves trudged along in scattered groups; their
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