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As they watched it, transfixed, the light became stronger and stronger, spread a hot orange glow through the trees. And with
every brighter surge of the glow, the Forest increased its silent cry of horror, outrage.
"Fire!" Lord Shetra gritted fiercely. "By the seven! A fire has been set. In Grimmerdhore!" - Call the Ranyhyn, Korik commanded. Strike camp. Take formation. We must shun this peril. Gasping, "Melenkurion abatha!" Lord Hyrim ran toward his mount. An instinctive energy possessed him, and he struggled without help onto the back of the Ranyhyn. Clutching his staff, knotting his other hand in the mane of the horse, he turned toward the fire. Lord Shetra followed him in an instant. She vaulted onto her Ranyhyn, sprang forward, plunged through the underbrush after Hyrim. -Halt them! Korik shouted. I will have no more Kevins. The mission must not fail! He leaped astride Brabha and galloped after the Lords. But he saw through the firelit woods that he would not catch them in time. Shetra rode well; and the Ranyhyn bearing Hyrim displayed fine skill by keeping him in his seat. Korik shouted after them, commanding them to stop with all the metal of his personal strength. Lord Hyrim made no response. He crashed through the woods as if he were oblivious to caution. But Lord Shetra wheeled her Ranyhyn once. Immediately, Korik reached her side. Sill and Runnik flashed past in pursuit of Hyrim. "The mission is in our hands," Korik snapped to Shetra. "We must flee this peril." "And let Grimmerdhore burn?" she almost shrieked. "We would cease to be Lords!" |
| -- Gilden Fire |
