The Soul Sphere: Book 02 - The Final Shard by David Adams Page B

war as well. But I suppose you feel your people will not fight.”
    Her face grew hard. “My father will convince himself that what is happening is between men. He will wish us to stay safe behind our walls within our wood.”
    “Safe for a time maybe, but not forever. The Dark One’s gaze will eventually fall on the elves.”
    “I know that. And if my father will not listen…”
    “You can only do what you can. In time, if we fail, Solek will have your father’s full attention. For my part, I will go with you to your people, if you wish it. And if it is allowed.”
    “I would welcome your company. As far as it being allowed…” Tala laughed to herself. “That decision will be mine, and one I’m sure my father will disapprove of, as he has with many things. But better you than Solek or his armies.”
    “It is decided then. We will have the Sphere to show, to help convince him. I hope we are able to say a Delvish army marches as well.”
    The sun sank behind the mountains, which loomed now dark and forbidding. Beyond, Delving fell into shadow, barren and silent as an empty grave.
    *          *          *
    After a hard ride they reached the Salesh war camp. Rough tents were the only shelter, there being no time to dig burrows or caves in which the goblins preferred to dwell. Small groups of warriors cooked small meals over two dozen campfires. Around the camp, heads of fallen Omwee stood atop pikes. Lucien and Alexis now knew who won the battle whose remnants they had come across.
    The scouting party drew only casual glances as first, and then longer looks as Alexis and Lucien, because of the colors he wore, were noticed, but the goblins soon returned their attention to their own personal business. They had little interest in the two newcomers, who would likely either be off with the rising sun or have their heads join those of the Omwee as camp decorations.
    The group came to a stop, and Lucien and Alexis were told to dismount and sit on the ground. The large goblin who led the scouting party ordered that food and water be brought, and then loudly commanded in the common tongue that the prisoners be killed if they tried to escape. After giving them a knowing look, he marched off, stopped to talk with two goblins that stood outside a small tent, and then went inside.
    Lucien noted with some approval that Grosh’s tent was not the largest, nor was it central to the camp. “Largest tent easy target to find,” he said to Alexis in hushed tones, “but many choose it—for honor. If Grosh make decisions with mind and not ego, we have fair chance.”
    A small platter of food was dropped on the ground before them, some of its contents spilling into the dirt. Two mugs of water were handed to them. Lucien took some of the food that had left the plate, brushed it off and ate it. With the hand that held the mug he indicated the plate of food to Alexis and nodded. She followed Lucien’s lead and quickly learned it was meat of some sort, cooked and covered with a pungent gravy. She had had worse fare, although she had no interest in finding out what it was they were eating.
    They were summoned before they had finished. At the entrance to the tent they were told to leave their weapons, and then they were searched by one of the guards, who were nearly as large as Lucien. Once deemed clean, they were told with a grunt to go inside.
    The interior was just as simple as the exterior, only a group of rough-hewn wooden chairs for furniture, a small fire pit, and an old wooden chest that likely held Grosh’s personal belongings. Four goblins were in the room. The leader of the scouting party stood at attention behind three chairs, upon which three goblins sat. On the left was as large a goblin as Lucien had ever seen. His warblade, which rested upon his knees, was brown with dried blood. He wore a purple and green sash in addition to the uniform common in the camp, a sign of some honor or office. He gazed at the