Dwarvish Dirty Dozen Complete Series Boxed Set by Anderle Michael & Schneider Aaron D

Author:Anderle, Michael & Schneider, Aaron D.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2023-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

“Not to be rude, but is there any way you can go faster?”

The answer to Utyrvaul’s question came in a spittle-flecked growl from both wolf-shaped creatures clawing their way up the cliff. They were closing on the crest of the rock face, but so too was a contingent of non-living warriors whose verdigris-spotted scale mail provided a clinking counterpoint to their tromping march. Corroded ovoid shields strapped to one bony arm and the other carrying a crescent-bladed battleaxe, they were an unliving engine on a crash course with the cliff-scalers’ destination.

“I don’t think they’ve spotted us yet,” Tomza called, then grunted as the shock of another rocking impact against the cliff wall shot up her extended legs.

“That’s not going to last much longer,” Ober shouted back over the clamor of the advancing enemy. “Once we’re over that lip of rock, we’ll be in their way. Even if we can get into the passage into Grayshelf without being overrun, they’ll be at our heels the whole way, giving us no time to rally the defenders.”

“What do you propose we do?” Utyrvaul asked, looking as battered and disheveled as the rest. “Go back the way we came? Or shall we sell our lives dearly in one last heroic stand upon the precipice before we are overwhelmed and hewn to bits?”

The svartalf grimaced at another jouncing blow from the unyielding cliff wall. Then his eyes settled on the child who still clung doggedly to Ober’s waist.

“Or perhaps while others make their fateful stand in the breach, one brave, swift-footed soul should bear our most precious cargo to safety within the fortress while trying to rouse the guard as his compatriots nobly sacrifice themselves.”

The myrkling spared a hand from gripping the hide to reach out to the girl. Predictably, the child cringed away, squirming to put Ober between her and the elf’s grasp.

“I suppose it was worth a try.” Utyrvaul groaned. “Anyone else going to volunteer?”

The stitched pouch heaved and bucked, coming dangerously close to spilling its contents back down the cliff face for a second. Then, with claws scrabbling and rumbles of exertion coming from pelt-swaddled chests, the wolves dragged the oversized wallet over the lip and deposited their burden on the clifftop.

Scrambling out of the folds of rock-scoured hide, trying not to notice how thin it had worn in places, the dwarf siblings and Utyrvaul climbed to their feet. Ober shuffled the child in his arms. Where they’d emerged, they’d lost sight of the armored clackers advancing up the ridge toward them, but they could hear them tromping, so it was a matter of moments.

“All right, where’s this passage, then?” Tomza demanded, facing the north slope despite her mounting need to look over her shoulder for the oncoming enemy. “I don’t see anything but rock.”

The wosealfs had emerged from their wolf forms to lie gasping and heaving, but at the dwarfess’ urging, Hukka stiffly climbed to his feet and offered a hand to his sister. Once she was upright, the two elves, exhausted beyond reason, staggered past Tomza toward the seemingly solid crag.

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