Read Online The Fall of Dorkhun by D. A. Adams - Free Book Online Page A

almost fell from his branch. The moonlight shone through the trees, illuminating more than he expected, and the shadows around him danced from a light breeze. He reached for his daggers, but they weren’t where he had left them. Then, he grabbed for his pike, but it was missing, too. He looked down and saw all three weapons on the forest floor, reflecting moonlight. His heart skipped a beat, and his breath caught in his throat. If he dropped from the branch, he might be able to grab them before the predator got him, but the drop was far and the slope was steep. There was no telling if he might twist his ankle or worse.
    “Why do you look so scared?” a soft voice asked from the darkness.
    Suvene held as still as he could. Whatever this creature was, it knew the civilized tongue, and though the voice seemed gentle, he knew from the marshes that predators often lured prey with such ruses.
    “You’re far from home, aren’t you?”
    This time, Suvene located the voice came, and it was in a branch above him. He scanned the ground for a soft place to land and readied himself to roll off the branch.
    “Do I scare you?”
    The creature sounded as if its feelings were hurt, and something about the tone stopped him.
    “Yes,” he said, taken aback by his honesty.
    “Why?”
    “I want to finish my mission.”
    “What’s your mission?”
    “I’m tracking a villain,” he said, still focusing on the ground, but he was no longer contemplating going for his weapons.
    “You look hungry,” the voice said maternally.
    Suvene clutched the branch and turned himself over. Above him, in the branch where he had tied his pike, a female elf sat just out of his reach. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen her before. In his life, he had never thought of an elf as pretty, but there was no denying this one was beautiful. Her black hair was streaked with silver, and her features were both delicate and sharp. In the moonlight, her eyes danced with playful mischief.
    “I am,” he managed, peering into her eyes.

She reached into a small pouch and produced a handful of nuts. Gently, she extended her hand, and cautiously, Suvene held up his hand to receive them. Their fingertips brushed against each other. Electricity shot through his arm at her touch, and he had never known any feeling like it. He lowered his eyes and mumbled thanks.
    “You’ve not slowed down much to find food,” she said.
    “Why have you been tracking me?” he asked before tossing several nuts into his mouth. They tasted more rich and hearty than the finest piece of meat he had ever eaten.
    “You’re on my mountain,” she said, giggling as if his question were absurd.
    “I’m sorry,” he said between bites.
    She shrugged and returned, “I just wanted to make sure you were safe.”
    Suvene stared at her, puzzled.
    “We don’t get many orcs in these mountains,” she continued. “And there are dangerous creatures you don’t want to meet alone.”
    “What sort of creatures?”
    “Too terrible to talk about,” she whispered, leaning closer. “But I’ve been watching. There aren’t any close.”
    Suvene glanced around the forest. In the moonlight, he imagined all sorts of strange beasts lurking in the shadows.
    “My home is close. Would you like a warm meal?”
    “Yes,” he said, wanting out of the darkness.
    “Follow me,” she said, standing on her branch. “My father is expecting us.”
    Effortlessly, she stepped from the branch and caught the one on which Suvene sat and then dropped. She landed without a noise and looked up. Suvene gripped the branch and rolled until his body was dangling. Then, he let go and fell. He landed with a thud and rolled backwards, sliding a short distance down the incline. The elf laughed as he got to his feet.
    “You’re funny,” she said.
    “I’m okay,” he snapped. “Thanks for asking.”
    “Come. This way.”
    Suvene grabbed his weapons and hurried after her. She moved silently, gliding through the