Rollvag bowed his head as if in deep thought. His silence disturbed Neetah.
"General?..."
The words came forth from out of his chest resignedly and uttered from his lips in what was almost a low growl. "Agreed. Tell Cher and Kip to start the evacuation. Kip must lead his people to the Dwarven Ruins and the Sheriffs must guard them. "
Rollvag slowly raised his head and turned to look at Elkin. Then, as solemnness retreated from his mind, his face beamed with gratitude.
"I'll bet that Myriel did his usual talented work..."
The Eastern side of Mount Arbor is completely the opposite in terrain from the Western side. The Eastern side has tall brushy pines that give plenty of cover for game. Its, slope is gentle -- so much so that if you climbed Mount Arbor on this side you would barely have time to realize that you are at the top when you arrived there. Here and there a stream sprung out of the cover and rolled gently down the side of the mountain. You could also find stands of poplar and other trees on this side.
The Western side has wind and rocks and acclivity all over it. The trees are a twisted mess -- short, knotted and lumpy pines; that can barely protect themselves, much less provide any cover. One thing; however, was unusual.. At the base of the mountain lay a cliff, that by some blessing of the creator, slowly tapered down to the south until it met Mount Stark and their goal: the west door of the Dwarven Ruins.
As such, if the Kanokai stayed together no more than three abreast, they should have no trouble getting down. Finally, the trees at the base of Mount Arbor formed an Upper Pine Forest Which would slow pursuit and hide the refugees.
They made a start with Cher and Kip -in the lead. The Kanokai and their guardians walked briskly -- three across -- down the path at the edge of Mount Arbor. Rollvag.had ordered everyone to lead their effereet and pegasi.
"All I need is to have one of our beasts fly up and give away our position," thought Rollvag sternly. "At least they can rest this way...
The extra effereet carried the younger children and some rations. Most of the children chewed on...a piece of jerky for strength. Rollvag promised them that they'd soon be at Mount Stark and be able to stop and rest ...
As they hoped, nothing accosted them. They saw no winged scouts or Yuccah bowmen. It would soon be a cloudless, beautiful day...
After the Evacuation Group had gone about three miles, they crossed to the edge of the Lipper pine forest. There Rollvag called a halt to the Ghosts. The people hugged their loved ones and then Cher and Kip led them on. They got the word.
"Myriel is in front!" whispered the Kanokai. Sure enough, he stood against the brown trunk of a pine tree.
"Halloh Myriel!" said Cher happily. "I am glad to see you!"
He retorted back: "Me too, Cher!"
"We still have the maps you made!" she stated politely.
"Good, because I have another that is going to get us to the ruins!"
"You mean you are coming with me?" asked Cher in a brassy tone of voice.
He retorted again: "That's right, good lookin', and I'm going to make sure that you don't get lost!"
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© Copyright 2001 by Abram Paradies.
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