by F. P. Spirit
Elladan clasped Martan on the shoulder. “It’s a long story, maybe one best told over a keg of ale.”
Martan’s hand went to the back of his neck. “That does sound good. For some reason, I am incredibly dry.”
“Count us in!” Decon and Daer both chimed in.
Martan gazed at the two brothers with obvious disbelief. “Seriously?”
Decon gave his fellow archer a wry smile. “Let’s just say you’re not the goblin licker we originally thought ya were.”
“Gee, thanks,” Martan responded with more than a touch of irony in his tone.
The foursome strolled off together out of the stone circle, toward the path that led back to Bendenwood. Meanwhile, Alana addressed the remaining company. “Now that things are set right, I must head back to the Wind Tower.”
Donnie’s face fell at her announcement. “Really? Now?”
Mixed emotions played across Alana’s face in the silvery moonlight. “Well, probably not until first light.”
“Then we still have tonight!” Donnie declared, flashing the lady knight a bright smile.
“Yes, we do,” Alana agreed, her mouth curving into a smile.
Donnie wove his arm through Alana’s and the duo strode off together out of the circle. As the pair disappeared, Kalyn sheepishly strode past them back into the henge. The lady archer approached the remaining company and said, “So what are you guys going to do now?”
It was a good question. Glo hadn’t really thought that far ahead.
Lloyd obviously had, though. “We need to return to Ravenford, of course—to report to the Baron.”
Seth snickered. “Sure, the Baron. What you really mean is to see Andrella.”
“Maybe,” Lloyd responded, his face obviously flushed even in the pale light of the moon.
Lysandra suddenly spoke up. “Did you say Ravenford?”
The High Druid reached into a pocket in her robes and pulled out a parchment. “I found this letter on my desk when I returned to my office this afternoon. It’s addressed to the Heroes of Ravenford.”
Lysandra held it out to Aksel. The little cleric took the parchment and gingerly opened it as the others gathered around.
“What does it say?” Lloyd asked eagerly, hanging over the gnome’s shoulder.
Aksel’s eyes drifted over the parchment as he read through its contents. “It’s from the Lady Gracelynn. She says that something dreadful has happened to the Baron. She requests that we return to Ravenford at once.”
Lloyd grabbed the letter from Aksel’s hands, his tone frantic. “Does it say anything about Andrella?”
Aksel gazed up at the young man with sympathy. “That’s all it says. There’s nothing about Andrella.”
Lloyd briefly looked over the parchment himself, then swept his eyes around the group. “We have to go at once!”
Lysandra placed a restraining hand on the young man’s arm. “You’ve all been though a lot. Rest here in Bendenwood this night. We will provide you with all you need to set out first thing in the morning.”
Before Lloyd could respond, the High Druid peered at Raina. “Gather whatever they will need—horses, supplies, et cetera. Have them ready at first light.”
Raina responded with a swift bow. “At once, your eminence.”
The spritely druid spun on her bare heels, and hustled off from the stone circle at a fast pace.
“Thank you, Lady Lysandra. That’s more than kind of you,” Aksel responded for the companions.
Lysandra gave the little cleric a brief smile. “It’s the least we can do.”
“Yes, thank you,” Lloyd added sheepishly, obviously embarrassed by his sudden outburst.
“Don’t worry, Lloyd. I’m sure she’s alright,” Kalyn said reassuringly. The young woman then glanced down and dug her toe into the dirt. “If you want, I could go with you guys and lend a hand.”
Glo exchanged glances with Aksel, Lloyd, and Seth. The little cleric peered at each of them in turn. “Lloyd?”
The young man nodded. “She’s been mighty handy to have around in battle.”
“Seth?”
The halfling smirked. “Eh, she’s alright. Annoying, but alright.”
Kalyn cast a dark glare at Seth, then abruptly winked at him, a hint of a smirk on her lips.
“Glo?”
The elven wizard nodded as well. “She’s proven herself these last few days. I think she’d be a fine ally.”
Aksel turned back to Kalyn. “Then it’s settled. Welcome to the crew.”
Kalyn’s reaction was delayed as Aksel’s words sank in. “Wait, really? You really mean it?”
She jumped in the air and practically did a jig in the center of the stone circle. “Wa-hoo! I get to hang with the Heroes of Ravenford! I can barely stand how excited I am!”
Seth snorted. “That makes two of us.”
Kalyn ignored the halfling and danced around for a few moments more until Lloyd finally put a damper on her enthusiasm. “Alright, people. We still have packing to do. Let’s get a move on.”
The young warrior headed off toward the path that led back to Bendenwood, Kalyn dancing off after him and the others close behind.
Glo started to follow as well, but he felt a soft hand on his arm. He turned to see Lysandra staring at him, a strange look in the druid’s eyes. “How about a drink before you go?”
Glo arched an eyebrow at the elven woman. She continued to stare at him, a thin smile gracing her lips.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen or spoken with a Galinthral elf.”
Glo let out a short, closemouthed laugh. For a moment there, he had totally misread her intent. “Sure, why not?”
Lysandra held out her arm and Glo took it, leading the lady druid down the forest trail back toward town. They talked of many things as they went, but Glo’s mind kept drifting back to Ravenford.
It had been barely more than a week since they’d been there, but it felt like a lifetime, between their search for the monolith, the discovery of the Colossus, the battle with the green dragon, their encounter with the Princess, rescuing Ves, and then finally dismantling the Serpent Cult. What could possibly have happened to the Baron in that short time? Glo silently prayed that the little town they had come to call home, and everyone in it, was alright.
Here ends Book Four of
the Heroes of Ravenford
the story continues in Book Five
The Baron’s Heart
Also by F.P. Spirit
The Heroes of Ravenford
Book 1 | Ruins on Stone Hill
Book 2 | Serpent Cult
Book 3 | Dark Monolith
Book 4 | Princess of Lanfor
Also by K.J. Fogleman
Tales of the Wovlen
Book 1 | The Dragon's Son
Book 2 | The Dragon's Due
About F.P. Spirit
F.P. Spirit has always loved fantasy. From the moment he received his very first copy of Lord of the Rings back in high school, he was hooked. Today, somewhere between work and family, F. P. manages to write sword and sorcery fantasy fiction.
His novels, Ruins on Stone Hill, Serpent Cult and Dark Monolith, are the first three books in the series Heroes of Ravenford. The series chronicles the adventures of a band of young heroes in the dangerous world of Thac.
You can learn more about F.P. Spirit by visiting his website.
Connect with and follow F.P. Spirit on Facebook and Twitter
About K.J. Fogleman
Keeper of dragons and lover of coffee, Kathryn always has some devious plot brewing in her cauldron and any number of bad ideas hidden under her pointy wizard hat.
Be sure to catch her online and f
ollow her crazy antics!
You can learn more about Kathryn by visiting her website.
Connect with and follow Kathryn on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter