Miras Last Read Online Free Page B

the
village?” Galena asked, horrified at the thought of all those dark
creatures overtaking the village Tark now called home.
    “That was all the further they got before
they ran into Rau’s forces. He instructed them to go at a fast pace
and because of the marks on their own foreheads; the dark creatures
had no choice, but to obey.”
    At this point, Mira began flickering so badly
Galena felt sick from watching her. “You must hurry my child.” Mira
flickered once more before she faded completely, leaving Galena
feeling disturbed at best. How much time did they have?
    * * * *
    Tark rolled the map out further, placing
small stones at each of the corners to examine it more closely.
Morak indicated the entire southern half of the valley was covered
in dark creatures with the earagos at the front. Morak’s small
party picked off several smaller groups within Rau’s army, but that
still left thousands of creatures to deal with. The sheer number of
torlics, narooks, and other creatures Tark hadn’t even laid eyes
on, let alone knew the names of, made Tark sweat profusely.
    Where are you, Galena, he asked
himself as he did every time he thought of what they were up
against. He was bending over to see where he could sneak in more
small units to do damage within the enemy’s camp, when Taura came
up behind him. He felt her concern and fear as she placed her hands
on his shoulders. She massaged the tired muscles of his neck and
shoulders, causing a sigh to escape his lips as he leaned his head
back. He closed his eyes and enjoyed his commitment partner’s
onslaught against the fatigue and stress that had taken up
residence in his body. Kissing the top of his head, she walked
around to the other side of the table he’d set up in their tent and
sat down with a flop. Sighing deeply, she propped her elbow on the
armrest and placed her head on her hand as she regarded Tark.
    “I take it your meeting did not go well?”
    “It went as well as could be expected, all
things considered. Morak says between him and his soldiers, they
have dispersed of a hundred or more torlics and narooks. Although
an earagos noticed them. They had to flee back to safety with the
giant brute hot on their heels. Morak said the giant didn’t even
try to chase them past the river, it just stood on its side of the
bank and laughed at them.” Tark pinched the bridge of his nose,
tiredness consuming him as he did so.
    “You need to rest or you will be worthless to
us,” Taura said gently.
    “How can I rest when I feel like I have led
all these elves to their death and with no sign of Galena yet? You
do realize they outnumber us ten to one.”
    Since arriving, Tark discovered the scouts’
original reports of being outnumbered two to one were grossly
inaccurate. He had an army of roughly five hundred. Rau’s army
numbered closer to five thousand. The scary part, in Tark’s mind,
was this was less than half of Rau’s total forces. The rest of his
men stayed behind at Blackwell should Tark accomplish the
impossible. Definitely, overkill, Tark thought dryly.
    “You still need rest,” Taura said
reasonably.
    Tark looked at Taura, feeling annoyed, but
realizing she was right.
    “Morgo can manage anything urgent while you
rest.”
    “Wake me...”
    “I’ll wake you if anything important comes up
or if anything changes. Now, get some sleep.” She stood, rolling up
the maps and tucked them up under her arm. Walking over to Tark and
tilting his face so she was looking directly into his eyes,
whispered, “I love you. Sleep well.” Taura kissed him softly and
walked out of the tent, closing the flap behind her.
    He stared for some time at the inside of the
tent, reminiscing how his life had been just a year ago. If anyone
had told him he would be leading a small army into a battle against
Rau, he would have laughed and sent them off to a healer. Now as it
was, he was unsure of himself and desperate for Galena’s
return.
    He awoke with a jarring crash