Source Of The River by Lana Axe Page A

magical
illness,” Kaiya replied. “If we can convince the spirit to leave, or at least reverse
the spell she has cast, then the illness will cease to spread.”
    “That’s going to be
River’s area of expertise,” Galen said. “I’m only here for a change of
scenery.”
    Kaiya eyed him
suspiciously. “I think you’ve come seeking something else,” she said.
    Galen shrugged and
stared off into the distance.
    “I have been told
this illness has to do with the water,” River said. “In that case, I should be
able to help.” His words sounded confident. Being sent by the Spirit, River felt
certain he would succeed in the task before him.
    “Who told you
that?” Kaiya asked.
    Smiling, he
replied, “The water that has its source in the mountains creates the river that
runs through the Vale. It has a voice, as does the wind.”
    Kaiya understood
what he meant. “If the water speaks to you, perhaps it can tell you how to be
rid of this presence. I don’t think I have the strength to banish her.”
    “I do not know what
it will require, but once I’ve spoken with her, perhaps an answer will reveal
itself.”
    As they moved to
the center of the village, all activity ceased. Every pair of eyes in the town
looked upon the three elves and Kaiya. Such a spectacle had not been seen among
their kind in recent memory. Kaiya steeled herself against an attack. She felt
her magic pulsing through her veins, ready to defend her new friends.
    A group of dwarves
circled around to have a better look at the visitors. Many of them pointed and
whispered to each other. Kaiya stood with her hands on her hips, waiting for
someone to begin an argument. She wouldn’t have to wait long. Rudi pushed his
way to the front of the crowd.
    “Look what we have
here. It’s the witch and some pointy-eared forest dwellers,” Rudi said
mockingly.
    “They’ve come here
to help you,” Kaiya spat back. “You should show them a little courtesy, but I
see you’re incapable.”
    River stepped
forward, hoping to stop the argument from escalating. “Please,” he began, “we
wish only to help.” He laid a hand on Lenora’s arm. “This is Lenora, a skilled
healer. She will help tend to your men. I will help you rid yourselves of the
evil presence in the cave.”
    Rudi was unmoved by
River’s words. “Tell that witch to take the curse off, elf man, and we’ll be
fine.”
    Kaiya held back her
temper, not wanting to make the situation worse. She was relieved to see Ortin
coming forward to help. He was followed by Trin, the town’s rune carver. Both
men clutched hammers in their hands.
    “All right, that’s
enough out of you,” Ortin said. “They’ve come all this way to help, so let them
help.”
    “Stay out of this,
blacksmith,” Rudi said, clenching his fists.
    “That’ll be quite
enough, Rudi,” Trin said, tapping his hammer against his hand.
    “You better watch
it, old man,” Rudi replied, the blood rising to his face.
    “Clear out, all of
you!” Trin demanded.
    The crowd dispersed
at his request. Trin was highly respected among the townsfolk, and they were
content to obey him. Rudi, however, did not budge.
    “You don’t frighten
me, rune carver,” he said. “Just because you dabble in magic charms doesn’t
make you a wizard.”
    “You’re right,” he
replied. “I don’t use magic, but I’ll carve my name into your face if you don’t
get out of here.” He took an aggressive step forward, and Rudi backed away.
    “This isn’t over,”
Rudi said as he walked away. He did not go far before turning to observe the
elves again. If they were going into his mine, he would be there to watch.
    Kaiya introduced
the elves to the two dwarf men. “The elves are here to help us,” she declared.
    “It’s a pleasure,”
Ortin said, extending a hand to each of them. “Name’s Ortin, and this here is
Trin.”
    “I never thought I’d
see an elf,” Trin said. A stout man with a long silver beard, Trin was not
usually one