No one spoke immediately, but the presence of the open door invited immediate action! Cher winked at the cute elf standing in the doorway and stood beside him there. For the time being, she kept a sharp eye out for Drogs. She held her hammer up, ready to throw it at any guards making a presentable target. Rollvag whispered something inaudible to Tara, and then slinked carefully over to the fallen Drog. None of them could move very fast: in fact, Longsilver had barely enough time to let go of his cart, grab the black rock and beat it for the door. By the time he passed Rollvag, the Freeman had already finished frisking. Fast hands on that Rollvag.
Kuros picked up the grey rock and scrutinized it carefully while standing still. He knew that he'd have plenty of time to get through the door ahead of the two elves, who appeared to be quite capable soldiers. One by one, they all passed the two elves and their maiden door keeper, Cher. First Byc, then Tara, then Longsilver, then Kuros, and then Rollvag- Rollvag? Where was he? The Freeman had recovered his prizes, which included a money purse and a sword; but when he picked up the red rock, it began to glow brightly, and give off a sharp, if tolerable, heat! In fact, so bright was the glow, that even as Rollvag reached the elf door; the two guards came in to investigate:
"What's that?," said the first.
"Don't know...," said the second. "It's probably that blasted Drat fooling with the torches again!," he added.
"C'mon!," piped the first, "It's too quiet in there!" Rollvag entered the door and the elves closed and pinned it behind him when the shouting started:
"Fecals! They've gone!..." Cher, excited by the shouting, made a move toward the elf door, in order to try and open it to get at the guards in the cave. Before she could do that; however, the small elf touched her cheek.
First, she magically returned to her senses; and then when the full realization hit her, she collapsed in the small elf's arms. She whispered to him: "Want some air; fresh air; take me out of here..." Meanwhile, the lead elf (also the taller of the two) spread some strange smelling cream on the foot chains. They all broke loose. They were free!
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© Copyright 1999 by Abram Paradies.
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