Night Calls the Raven (Book 2 of The Master of the Tane) Read Online Free Page B

answers before they became extremely quiet and somber. The dwarf’s behavior was beginning to slightly alarm him. They had seemed so affable before.
    He looked up again at Tchee and wondered if he shouldn’t just forget Segford’s offer and go elsewhere for his appeasing gift. Although, meeting Helgar was something he had ached for since the first time his mother had told him her story. He probably would not ever get another chance like this one. He glanced up again at Tchee. The dwarfs wouldn’t dare try to hurt him with her around. But why would they want to hurt him at all? By what his mother had told him, dwarfs were a rough lot to begin with but they were not evil. Why would these three be any different? He was being silly. They’re dwarfs . How else do you expect them to act ? He laughed to himself shrugging off his apprehensions. Everything was going to be just fine. He looked up again at Tchee.
    The sun was beginning to descend quickly below the mountain peaks when the small group dropped down next to a tiny stream that inched its way towards a massive rock wall that was cracked right down the middle. It was as if the mountain had split itself in two just to let the tiny stream continue on unobstructed. As they approached the opening, Teek could see that it was just wide enough for a dwarf to walk into if he turned himself to the side. He would be able to make it going straight in. Without a word, Hilden led the group forward into the stream and towards the crack. Tchee suddenly screeched from above and dropped down into the water in front of them blocking the narrow opening and bringing the group to a halt.
    “What’s going on?” Segford grunted moving up next to Hilden.
    “She doesn’t want me to go in there,” Teek guessed, “because the opening is too small for her to fit.”
    “Well, tell her ta move,” Segford growled. “That’s the way we got to be goin’.”
    Hilden put a hand on Segford’s arm and squeezed it. “No need to git yerself all upset Segford,” Hilden hissed. “I’m sure that Teek here will handle it. Won’t ye, lad.”
    Teek stared at the two dwarfs, Segford holding a scowl and Hilden smiling. He jumped when Jancar’s hand touched his shoulder. “No need ta fear, lad,” Jancar said. “This be the way to our home. We almost be to the door.”
    Teek watched the dwarfs for a long moment unable to decide when Segford suddenly broke loose of Hilden’s grasp and started towards Tchee. “’Tain’t no matter to me what ye do, lad. Stay or come, it all be the same to me, but be so kind as ta move yer friend here so that I might be gettin’ home ‘fore dark.”
    Tchee let out a deafening roar as Segford approached bringing the dwarf up short. Turning back to Teek he threw up his hands. “Well, lad. What’s it gonna be?”
    Teek let out a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Of course, I’m coming but how do I get her to move?” he asked pointing at Tchee who seemed ready to perch there forever.
    Segford looked at the Roc and then back at Teek and shrugged his shoulders.
    “I’ve got an idea,” Hilden said moving over towards Segford. “Ye stay here, Teek, while the rest o’ us go through and then ye follow. Let her know it be all right and that ye’ll be back tomorrow. If she let’s ye past, then we’ll be at supper together within the hour. If she don’t, then we part ways here an’ we’ll give Helgar yer best.”
    Without another word, the three dwarfs moved toward Tchee and then walked their way around her to the right, watching her the whole time as they did so. Tchee made no move to stop them, keeping her eyes locked on Teek the whole time. When he could no longer see the dwarfs, he started towards her, his arms outstretched.
    “It’s all right, Tchee. I’m just going to go with them for tonight. Tomorrow I’ll come out the same way and we can leave.”
    Tchee gurgled low in her throat as if in rebuttal but made no sign of moving. Teek stopped in front of her