Elvenshore: 01 - The Dwarves of Elvenshore Read Online Free Page A

stairway, past more statues and then sat down into a parlor.  The benches were carved out of the stone but had many pillows on them.  On the parlor ’ s forward wall was a great oak door with iron hinges.  On ei ther side of the door were two d warf guards. Each of the guards had spears in their hands and axes in their belts. Both stood at the ready.
    The captain of the guard went up to them.  “Inform the king that they are here.”
    One of the guards bowed, then opened the door and went in. A minute later he returned and took up his position at the door, but did not close it as the King was the next one out. All the dwarves in the room including the guard held their hats or helmets to their chest and bowed deeply. The humans followed suit. The King looked directly at the Master of the Royal Scouts held his crown to his chest and said, “I am Therin , son of Kyle, King of the High Mountain.  You must be Sarchise.”
    Surprised at the King’s ability to spot a leader, Sarchise blurted out. “Why, yes I am, you are correct, most noble King.”
    The King smiled, “The twins have told me the tale of how you saved my son’s life.  That makes you his brother, and the brother of my son is also my son.”
    At this the dwarves in the room got a momentary look of surprise on their faces, even the guards, but only for an instant. They quickly regained their look of indifference. Sarchise shrugged it off.  He didn’t understand all this dwarf lore.  He understood that if you save a dwarf’s life that they owe you a favor.  He didn’t know how big a favor it was and what all of this brother thing was all about.  He did have the good graces to thank the King.
    The King turned to one of the guards.  “Send for the healer, I want to know how my son is.”
    Sarchise piped up.  “I could probably tell you more than they could, unless they have experience with spider bites. I spent the last two days carrying your son.”
    The King nodded.  “Go ahead.”
    “He was not deeply bitten.  He will sleep for days but then should awaken.  When his blood starts to circulate better, he will start to bleed from his abdomen wound.  It must be sewn up soon, before his blood stirs. This is true for the others too,” Sarchise explained.
    “And Glowin ?” Hemlot asked.
    “He was deeply bitten.  There is not much hope. If his blood does not stir within the week, he will die,” Sarchise said with a sad voice.
    “You have all fought hard. Get some rest and tonight there will be a feast in your honor.  A grand feast, the likes of which have not been seen for a generation, for my son was lost, but now he is found!” declared the King.
    One of the guards ran down the stairs to tell the cooks to tend their fires while the other one went to tell the butchers. The Captain of the Guard led the weary group of warriors to sleeping quarters.  Each bed was a carved stone platform with pillows tossed onto them, except for the dwarves.’ All they had was a single pillow for their heads.
    The Captain of the Guard looked at the humans and said “Sorry to treat brave warriors so softly but the King said that you would be more used to the soft ground than you would hard stone.”
    “This will work just fine, thank you, Captain, ”  Sarchise said.
    “Yes, my Prince,” The captain gave a deep bow.
    Sarchise shrugged it off and lay down on the pillowed stone bed.  His journey to the Tall Mountain had been long and sleep was soon in coming. All the travelers slept while the feast was being prepared. Cooks, butchers, and maidens all made ready.  Long tables were brought and positioned around the fire pit in the Great Hall. Plates and knives placed at each spot.  Bread was baked and goats were slaughtered.  Barrels of ale were rolled up from the cellar. Two large logs were brought in, then laid beside the fire pit.  All of the dwarves were talking about the happenings of the day. 
    Caspin came in from the gates.  He was hard to