The Brotherhood of Dwarves Omnibus- The Complete Series by D A Adams

Author:D A Adams [Adams, D A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Third Axe Media
Published: 2019-11-22T07:00:00+00:00

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Vishghu led her buffalo through the gate onto Kwarck’s land. Once the war with the Kiredurks was settled, her mother had asked her to check on Evil Blade. Though Vishghu had assured her he was serving out his exile, the matriarch had insisted her daughter make sure. Part of Vishghu was upset her mother didn’t trust her. She was certain that Crushaw had kept his word, and in her mind, that should have been enough. Another part, however, was glad to be returning to the serenity of Kwarck’s. After seeing the carnage of the front, she needed time to recover, and she knew the old hermit’s farm could soothe her.

As she rode to the barn, she waved at Kwarck and Crushaw watering plants in the middle of a field. They returned the greeting but continued to work, so she tethered her buffalo near the water trough and crossed the field to speak with them. In the heat, sweat poured from her body, but it wasn’t as crushing as on the savannah or among the Marshwoggs, so she breathed deeply and walked swiftly. As she neared, Crushaw extended his arm to her. She clasped her hand around his forearm, and he laid his palm against hers. They embraced for a couple of heartbeats, neither speaking, and then released.

“Glad you’re safe,” Crushaw said.

“Likewise. You look strong.”

“I’m a frail old man.”

“Hello, Vishghu,” Kwarck said, opening his arms. “He should be ashamed of lying to his friends.”

“You would think,” she returned, wrapping her arms around the hermit’s shoulders. He felt like a doll against her.

“So you’ve formed an alliance against me,” Crushaw said, feigning injured pride. “We’ll see about this.”

“Come,” Kwarck said, starting for the house. “You’ve had a long ride. Let’s get you food and water.”

“Are any of my kind still living in your orchard?” Vishghu asked, following him.

“A few,” Kwarck returned. “They don’t come to the house often on account of Crushaw, but they can stay here as long as they remain peaceful and do their part.”

“I will tell them the war is over. They may want to return home.”

“Once you’ve gotten refreshed, you can tell us what happened.”

The three walked across the field in the afternoon sun. For the first time in weeks, Vishghu was at ease. While nothing could replace her clan’s village and the comforts of the cold, the farm was as much a home to her as any place, and after a year of nearly constant travel across the land, she was glad to know for at least a little while she could relax and feel safe. The irony that she found comfort in the presence of the most despised person known to her kind made her smile. A year before, when she and Roskin first arrived at the hermit’s home with Crushaw scratching himself raw and calling out in pain from alcohol withdrawal, she couldn’t have imagined this moment. Life certainly was a strange, meandering stream.

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