Refuge: Kurt's Quest Read Online Free

spurred his horse
toward her, and Jackie had to respect his courage.  That didn’t keep her from
plunging both of her blades into his chest, searing one lung while freezing his
heart and the other lung.
    Jackie spun in place, looking for more
targets.  She saw the Mage go down under the lightning bolt, and the Shaman
ride toward him.  She started to run his way as the staff pointed at the young
man again.  Despite her speed she knew that she would not make it.
    *     *     *
    James grunted in pain as the bolt of lightning
took him in the chest.  His teeth clashed together and he bit off a small
portion of the tip of his tongue as he fell to the ground.  He knew that the
power of the bolt was enough to have killed him if not for his own power, which
gave him some resistance to all the elemental powers.  More to fire than the
others.  Fire could not hurt him, while the others could.
    He looked up to see the Shaman sitting his
horse, looking down at him with hate filled eyes, raising his staff to point at
the young Mage.  And this time he knew the power of the lightning would kill
him, despite his own resistance.
    The Shaman screamed and dropped his staff,
bringing both hands to his head.  Something covered in gray fur came flying out
of the night, hitting the Shaman and taking him from his horse.  The man hit
the ground with ninety kilos of wolf on top.  He had time for one more scream
before the animal took out his throat.
    James picked himself up off the ground, looking
around to see from where the next threat was coming.  The night was quiet, with
no more nomads moving about.  James sighed in relief as he saw all of his own
party coming out of the night.  We didn’t lose anyone , he thought,
thanking the Gods of this world for small favors.  Then the Elf walked up to
him and looked at him with angry eyes.
    “Now you know why it’s not a good idea to play
with the fire at night,” said the Elf, spitting out the words.  “None of this
was necessary.  When we tell you something, those of us who know what is going
on, it is best to listen.  We are very fortunate to have escaped without harm.”
    James bowed his head, knowing that the man was
correct.  Next he found himself looking at the Dwarf.
    “You are very powerful, young Master,” said the
Priest, nodding his head.  “You have a natural power, unlike most mages.  And
such power comes without the wisdom that is necessary to develop the scholarly
powers.  You must develop such wisdom through experience, or die from the
consequences of your own willfulness and arrogance.”
    “I understand,” said James, looking over at the
Shaman who had almost taken his life.  I needed that.  I need some humility
in my life before I get us all killed.
    “We need to leave this place, now,” said
Fenris, moving to his bedroll and starting to put together his pack.
    “Why?” asked Jackie, looking around.  “We
killed them all.”
    “Maybe we did,” said Fenris with a grimace.  “And
maybe we didn’t.  Either way, they will be missed at their encampment, and more
will come.  Maybe more than we can handle.”
    “They are correct, Fraulein,” said Kurt,
walking over to his own gear.  “I learned the hard way that it is not good to
be where an enemy can find you.”
    Minutes later they were mounted on the Elfin
horses and riding through the night.  The young Mage looked back at the
darkened campsite as he rode, happy to be away from the scene of so much death.

Chapter Two
     
     
    The forest country was a nice break from the
grasslands they had been riding for so many days.  Their horses had
outdistanced any possible pursuit, but they knew it was there.  As soon as they
entered the forest of the Nord Peninsula Fenris and Garios visibly relaxed.
    “The nomads do not like the presence of so many
trees around them,” said Fenris, his eyes constantly moving.  “Unfortunately,
there is good reason for that, as enemies can hide in the