DW02 Dragon War by Mark Acres Page B

that has come to his mind.”

    George was surprised to find himself the leader of a group that consisted of two females and himself, and more surprised to realize they were on a fool’s errand while Bagsby slipped farther and farther away with the treasure.
    Shulana was the first to notice him missing. She arose from her time of communion, a time when her spirit touched the spirits of all things green and living and she immediately knew. She had actually known while he was leaving, for the grass sprouts that bore his footsteps carried the burden of their passing to the flowers nearby, and the flowers in turn transmitted it to a small, sapling oak, which passed the impression on to a larger oak with roots extended deep into the meadow where Shulana lay entranced. From the shoots of grass beneath her head she felt his step as he slinked away—felt the lightness of his step, his gladness to be free, and the heaviness of his step, the guilt and confusion he carried with him. When Shulana emerged from her communion, these impressions were formed into conscious thoughts in her mind. He’s gone, she thought, a rare elven tear forming in one eye, and he’s taken the treasure with him. He’s taken my affection as well, she thought—then quickly drove self-pity from her heart.
    She pondered before waking George and Marta with the news. She, traveling alone, could easily overtake him—but to what end? She knew full well that her own feelings for the little thief would prevent her from killing him and reclaiming the treasure, and she knew his burning curiosity and stubbornness would prevent him from coming with her to the rescue of Elrond. Thus, there was no point in going after him. It would be better, she reasoned, to go at once to Elrond. If she could free Elrond from the clutches of Ruprecht, the older elf would know what to do next.
    Bagsby’s note confirmed her decision. He knew as well as she that freeing Elrond would now be her first priority.
    But for that mission she would need George and Marta. She woke Marta first, calling the woman’s name softly from a distance. She knew from experience that it was unwise to be too near when Marta first awakened.
    “Hunh—what?” Marta startled awake, leaping to her feet, casting about on the ground for her weapons, a look of terror on her face.
    “Marta, all is well, Marta. It is safe,” Shulana called in a soft, gentle voice. “I only awakened you so we could talk.”
    Marta’s furrowed brows slowly uncreased, and her eyes gradually lost their squinted appearance. The huge woman took a short, deep breath, snorted, and began rolling up her bed gear. “Then talk,” she said shortly, her face slightly pink with embarrassment.
    “Before we wake George, I wanted you to know that Bagsby is gone,” Shulana said. The elf cocked her head slightly and studied the big woman’s reaction.
    Marta didn’t even break stride. Stooped over, tramping around the campsite and gathering the multiple pieces of discarded junk that constituted her gear, she replied, “Gone, huh? Can’t say I’m surprised. He’s a thief and a knight, you know. Those types can’t resist gold.”
    Shulana walked closer to Marta, put out one thin, pale hand, and touched the older woman on the shoulder. Marta lifted her head, the trace of disappointment and anger visible on her face, but fading already.
    “You aren’t... emotional about this?” Shulana asked. The elf was genuinely puzzled. She had expected anger from Marta, although not as much as she expected from George. But the woman looked more as though she had been betrayed than robbed; what traces of emotion showed in her face were more grief than anger.
    “What good would it do?” Marta replied. “I joined on with Bagsby to strike against the murderers of my husband, not to get rich. There’ll be time enough for that after Heilesheim is beat down into the dust.”
    Shulana nodded. She understood. “Would you be willing to work with me and