The Fate of the Dwarves - By Markus Heitz Page 0,174

were raised so high they nearly touched his hairline, but he kept quiet.

“How do you know?” Tungdil asked.

“She told me so herself.” Mallenia put her hand on her sword. “I had to tell you.”

“Why didn’t she tell us herself?” Ireheart blurted out. “What use is it if we think she’s on an equal footing with Lot-Ionan only to find, the first time we meet him, that instead of an inferno we have a miserable little flicker emerging from her fingertips?”

“I don’t know. She had hoped to be able to renew her powers in a source in the Red Mountains, but that did not happen.” Mallenia’s expression was apologetic. “I would have wished to bring you better news than this.”

“Blessed hammers!” Ireheart went on cursing for a while, then growled angrily. “So what now?”

Tungdil rubbed his short brown beard. “We’ll have to make sure the maga doesn’t use up any of the energy she still has, whether to defend herself or us, until we’ve got her to Lot-Ionan. Then we’ll have to find a way to take her to the source so she can refresh her magic,” he said after some thought. He did not seem particularly concerned that their most important weapon was going to be far less effective than they had assumed. “We won’t tell the others. They should go on believing the maga is in full possession of her magic faculties. I’ll have a word with her when the opportunity arises.” He ordered the company to halt at the edge of the forest. “It shall remain our secret for now. Leave the others their illusion.”

“And how are you going to…” Ireheart could not go on, because Tungdil had turned his pony round and was sitting up tall in the saddle.

“Listen to me,” he called to the group. “We are now in the territory of Rân Ribastur, and some of you are aware of the possible dangers that may await us here.” He pointed to Coïra. “She will not use her magic here. The queen is accompanying us to Lot-Ionan and is not here to protect us against robbers or mythical beasts. We are dwarves and should be able to defend ourselves!” A muffled roar of approval was heard. “So, do not depend on the queen’s magic powers. She will not be employing them, not even if one of us is in mortal danger. On the contrary, we pledge our lives to protect her and get her safely to the Blue Mountains without her using any of her own spells. Be on your guard and report anything you hear.” He lifted Bloodthirster. “Our steel can cope with any danger!”

In renewed confirmation the dwarves and Zhadár banged their shields, then dismounted and made camp.

Ireheart grinned at his friend. His announcement covered everything nicely. Clever as ever.

Rodario, who now sported a neat beard and thin mustache, and was thus the spitting image of his ancestor, arranged his blanket under the canvas protection from sun or rain.

He had chosen a green lavender bush, stable enough to tie the canvas to. When he looked at Queen Coïra he saw she was having difficulties with putting up her tent. He crawled over. “Let me help you, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, there’s no need for that,” she said, smiling gratefully.

“I’d be happy to help.”

“I meant there’s no need to call me Your Majesty. I thought I’d told you that before. We’ve been through too much together and so I should like to grant you this privilege.”

Rodario returned the friendly gesture and smoothed out her blanket for her, rolling her extra clothing into a pillow. “There you are. Your royal bedstead now awaits.”

She laughed and lay down, sliding this way and that. “It’s not quite like home comforts but I’m sure I’ll sleep well in this fresh air. Though I shall miss the cries of the seagulls.”

“Ah, you’ll see. We’ll patch up the lakebed and fill the Bath again, as I used to call your people’s realm.” He winked. “Not far from our camp there is a little stream with a waterfall.” He slipped off his armor and outer clothing. “I don’t know how you’re feeling, but I’m longing for a swim… or at least to get rid of some of this dirt.” He stretched out his hand to her. “Would you like to come with me?”

She laughed. “Are you trying to seduce me?”

“Of course not. I’ll keep watch on the river bank while you bathe, and then you can do the same for me.”

Coïra’s laughter subsided and