Two more arrows left Gannon’s bow.  One flew over the fallen goblin but the other hit his companion square in the chest.  Two more fireballs left Silversteine’s palm and both hit their targets, transforming them into living torches.  Starsunwind finally succeeded in dodging the chieftain’s spear and jumped at him, her teeth ripping his throat out.  She tossed her head, spitting and loped off after the fleeing goblins, their yelps of terror guiding her way.  Gannon followed in Starsunwind’s footsteps.

Silversteine raced for the prone form of the fallen dwarf.  She had seen the Village Elder do this kind of healing after a bar-room brawl once and thought she might be able to repeat it.  Just as she had seen the Elder do it, she placed her hands on the dwarf’s head and recited the prayer to the goddess of Healing and Luck.  She felt energy enter her and flow through her hands into the still body beneath her hands.

A soft, blue glow enveloped the dwarf.  The arrows that were so deeply embedded in his chest but a moment ago fell away, as if pushed out by some unseen force.  His ragged breathing grew regular and his eyes fluttered open.  Ancient deep brown eyes looked deeply into Silversteine’s green ones for many a long moment, not even blinking when the short stocky dwarven lady, still clutching her club in one hand and her son in the other clambered down from the wagon.

Finally, the dwarf sat up.  “Silversmith, I am called,” he said, “and my people have not seen your kind for five generations and more.”

The rest of this story is at:

Part One: Be Careful What You Wish For

Part Two: The Journey Begins

Part Three: A Friend of the Forest