Meantime, Baldric called for Florin, who had been tending the wounded. He called the dwarf Mando to him as well. Mando was the dwarf who had translated for the two gnomes and the goblin.

“Florin,” said Baldric, “see to their injuries. And Mando, see that they are fed and released without harm. We cannot keep them as prisoners, as I can’t guarantee they will come to no harm when the fighting gets more intense.”

Mando was a tough, grizzled old dwarf who had spent many years travelling and scouting the north countries of the enemy. “Come, lads,” he said to the two. “Let’s go have a bite, shall we?” He nodded to Baldric as they left.

Florin sighed tiredly. “Morlock’s army is full of such misery,” he said mordantly. “Some of the dead were younger than Chuka. I’d like to cut Morlock’s heart out myself, assuming he has one.”

“He does not,” said Baldric. “I wonder how Belloc fares? Would that he manages to destroy the evil wizard and end this. I could slay a demon with a clear conscience, but never again such as these.”




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