“Fifty goblins against the two of us?”
“I know. It seems unlikely that we could kill them all and save our friends at the same time.”
“It is a difficult problem,” Alex commented, seeing how troubled Sindar was. “First things first, however. We must find the goblins, and then we can decide how best to destroy them and rescue our friends.”
“You are correct. These tracks are only hours old. I think if we ride hard, we may catch the goblins tonight. Though I would prefer finding them while the sun is up if we can, since that is when they will be the weakest.”
“That would be best. If luck is with us, we may find the goblins tomorrow and free our friends by tomorrow night.”
“And if luck is against us, we will slay the goblins before the third day arrives,” Sindar said softly, his voice deadly cold.
All that day Alex and Sindar followed the goblins’ trail through the forest and open meadows. Alex was surprised that the goblins had traveled so far so quickly, and their speed made him worry.
As darkness was covering the land, Sindar halted once more. He looked at the ground and then at Alex.
“These tracks are fresh,” Sindar whispered. “We should rest here for a time. If the goblins discover that we are following them, they will move faster tonight, and our hopes of catching them tomorrow will be lost.”
“Will they be watching the road behind them?” Alex questioned, climbing off Shahree.
“Probably. They know that you were left behind and that you may follow. They do not know that there are two of us—or at least I don’t think they know. It would be to our advantage if they think you are alone.”
“Have you thought of a way to rescue our friends?” Alex asked hopefully.
“I have an idea, but it is not yet clear to me. Much will depend on where we find the goblins hiding tomorrow.”
Alex nodded his understanding and loosened Shahree’s saddle. They might need to ride fast at a moment’s notice, but he wanted to make her as comfortable as possible. Alex gently stroked Shahree’s neck, whispering softly that he was sorry for her burden. Shahree nuzzled his shoulder but made no sound, and Alex knew that she understood.
Sindar let Alex sleep until midnight and then woke him to continue the chase. Alex felt completely refreshed and was glad to be back in pursuit of his friends. He didn’t want to leave them in the goblins’ hands any longer than he absolutely had to. And with Sindar’s help and a little luck, they might be able to rescue them in less than a day now.
As dawn came once more, Sindar made Alex rest again. Alex was vexed by the delay, but he did as Sindar asked. Sindar, after all, knew a great deal more about goblins than he did. Alex slept for about an hour and then was up again, ready to carry on the chase.
Sindar looked troubled as they moved forward, however. This was the second full day of hunting, and soon the chase would be at an end, one way or another. Alex hoped that Sindar would find a way to rescue their friends, because he had no ideas at all.
Shortly after midday, Sindar stopped and motioned for Alex to remain where he was. Alex watched as Sindar jumped from his horse and moved into the trees without making a sound. Alex knew they must be close to the goblins, and he was starting to feel nervous. He had trusted to luck before, but he didn’t like doing it when his friends’ lives were on the line. When Sindar returned, he motioned for Alex to follow him back the way they had come. After about a mile, he spoke.
“The goblins are in a narrow gully,” said Sindar. “The back of the gully is steep and they aren’t watching it. That is where our friends are, with only a few guards watching them. There are three other men tied up as well. They appear to be soldiers, but I don’t recognize the design on their uniforms.”
“Three others?” Alex questioned, then shook his head. “Three or thirty, it doesn’t matter if we can’t get down the gully to them. If we had bows we might be able to kill the guards and then climb down to our friends and the others, but as we are . . .”
“We don’t need bows. The mouth of the gully opens into a wide meadow, and on the far side of the meadow the trees are thick.”
“How will that help us?” Alex questioned.
“My plan is this: Tonight, when the sun touches the tops of the trees, you start dozens of fires on the far side of the meadow. The goblins will think that a large number of men or some other enemy has camped there, and they will be worried. While they are distracted, I will climb down the back of the gully and free our friends.”
“They will see you,” Alex protested. “And even if you make it down, you’ll be trapped in the back of the gully.”
“Perhaps,” Sindar agreed. “However, I should be able to kill the guards and free our company. I doubt they will be in any shape to fight, at least at first. That won’t matter because once they are safe, I will attack the goblins from behind. Then you can ride forward and attack from the front.”
“A risky plan at best,” said Alex, shaking his head as he tried to think of a better way to rescue their friends. “There are fifty or more goblins, Sindar. I know they fear our swords, and I know Moon Slayer can help us kill them, but—fifty of them?”
“We have no choice,” Sindar insisted. “It is unlikely that we will catch them in a spot like this again. In another day or two they may reach their own caves, and all hope will be lost. The goblins are afraid, and the fires you conjure will add to their fear. Those who let fear govern them often make mistakes.”
“You’re right,” Alex agreed reluctantly. “We have no choice. We must do what we can and hope for the best. Perhaps I can find another way to add to their fear. I might be able to cast an illusion or two that will help us.”
“Rest now,” said Sindar. “There are still several hours before we need to move, and you have slept little in the past two days.”
“I’m fine. I will have time to rest when this is finished.”
“Try to rest your mind at least,” Sindar persisted. “You will need all your power and all your luck this night.”
Chapter Nine
Rescue
Alex managed to sleep for perhaps two hours before he was up and moving around once more. He was nervous and worried and even a little scared. The plan he and Sindar had agreed on was terribly risky and almost sure to fail. Unfortunately, it was the only plan they had, and Alex knew this might be the only chance they had to save their friends.
Alex knew Sindar was tense as well, but neither of them spoke about what was going to happen. They simply waited for the sun to set and hoped that their plan would work.
Alex tried to think of something he could do to scare the goblins even more. He had thought of using illusions to add to their fear, but for a long time he couldn’t think of anything that would make the goblins want to run instead of fight. When the answer finally came to him, Alex almost laughed out loud. It was an illusion he was sure he could create and one that was sure to make the goblins run away as fast as their legs could carry them.
“A dragon?” Sindar questioned when Alex presented his idea. “Indeed, there are few creatures that would not run away from a dragon, but can you do it?”
“I can create the illusion of a dragon,” Alex answered confidently. “I might even be able to make it breathe fire.”
“Then perhaps one large fire on the hillside,” said Sindar. “As if the dragon is just waking. Have your illusion fly out of the fire toward the gully. And if you can manage to ignite a few trees along the way, it would help.”
“I’ll do all that I can,” said Alex. The sun was already dropping into the west, and he walked to Shahree and tightened her saddle. “Let’s get moving. It’s time.”
“When the sun touches the trees and the meadow is covered with shadow,” Sindar reminded Alex.