Page 23 of Ruins of Magic
As he pointed to each kind, the zanzar confirmed whether it was safe or not. Only a few remaining did he deem okay. Arion split the small pile in two and gave them to Garron and Valaria.
“You have to eat too. You’re going to need your strength in Keptra,” Valaria said.
“Keptra?” the zanzar asked with open curiosity.
“Yes, the druids have sent me on a journey or three trials into Keptra. We are only stopping here for the night before proceeding,” Arion said.
In a flash the zanzar disappeared.
“Where did it go?” Garron asked noting that statue was also gone.
“They are really fast and move faster than the human eye can track,” Valaria said. “What? I read it in a book.”
“Is he coming back?” Garron asked.
“How am I supposed to know? He didn’t say a word to me either way,” Arion admitted.
They all settled around the fire on the cold hard ground as close to the fire for warmth as they dared.
Arion laid on his back staring up at the ceiling. “I wish we had blankets,” he confessed.
“I wish we had more food,” Garron complained.
“I wish. . .” Valaria’s wish was cut short by a noise coming from one of the tunnels within the cave. “What was that?”
“I don’t know. It’s coming from over there,” Arion said pointing in the direction of the noise.
“Whatever it is, it does not sound good,” Garron added.
Minutes later the zanzar reappeared. “Come on,” he insisted to someone in the tunnel.
“It’s the zanzar. He’s talking to someone,” Arion whispered.
“I don’t want to. You take it,” a low rumbling voice said. “The humans can see us,” the voice continued.
“They are harmless. The prince needs your help. I told you, the druids are sending him to fulfill the prophecy,” the zanzar said.
“Wait,” Arion said loudly. “What do you know of the prophecy?”
“That is not important right now,” the zanzar said. Arion could see he was tugging hard on something and at last, a short, hairy, portly creature emerged.
Valaria screamed and jumped behind Arion.
“What is that?” Garron asked as the creature started to turn and run back into the tunnel to hide.
“Wait. Please. We mean you no harm,” Arion promised.
The creature turned back slowly.
“Your majesty,” he said in his deep voice before dropping to one knee and bowing his head. Three more similar beasts exited the tunnel and followed his lead. “I am Ragar, son of Sanek, leader of the dwarves. We come bearing gifts.”
Keeping his head down, one of the dwarves shuffled forward and dropped a stack of blankets at Arion’s feet. Another came forth with a large piece of smoked meat. The third delivered a stack of weapons.
“Those swords and knives were forged from my father’s finest reserves and sealed in magic. They will help you battle whatever trials you face. If there is ever anything more the dwarves can assist you with, all you need to do is turn this ring three times and we will come,” Ragar said, stepping forward to place a ring on Arion’s ring finger.
Before he turned back to leave, Ragar look at Garron and Valaria. “Forget everything you have seen and heard hear,” he said then blew a fine magical dust over them both.
“What was that for?” Arion asked.
