The Rescue

By Adam Francis Smith

Berilean Corr has been thrown in jail and left to rot. His brother Crowenn and best friend, Delbane the dwarf, have decided that "Bear" needs to be rescued. Crowenn, or Crow to his friends, must convince a group of smuggling brothers to allow them to use the only known access to the underground labyrinth known as the Tunnels, which lead to a secret entrance to the jail. Crow does what Crow does best, and soon he's paying the smugglers with their own gold! Adventure ensues as Dwarf and Thief come up against monstrous half-orcs, a giant oaf, jail guards and a tribe of trolls, all in the name of rescue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adam Francis Smith
• Release date: Aug 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310624179

Adam Francis Smith

Adam Francis Smith was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and has been writing fiction and poetry for over 30 years. He writes in all genres but loves writing horror and fantasy tales that have supremely human characters placed in the most unusual of predicaments. Most of his stories would be right at home in The Twilight Zone, and will appeal to anyone who loves a good twist and a bit of humor. His poetry is almost literal to the point that readers will rarely have trouble knowing what a poem written by Adam Francis Smith is all about. His poetry touches on what it means to be human and showcases the variety of life on Planet Earth, from the spiritual to the corporeal. Nature and man's relationship with nature is also a common theme, but is not so much about man's abuse of the planet, as it is about the planet's abuse of man.

Book preview

The Rescue

by Adam Francis Smith

Published by Adam Francis Smith at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Adam Francis Smith

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Chapter One – Old Friends

Two miles from the city in which his brother was being held captive, Crowen Corr leaned against a massive oak, concealed in shadow.

It's no use Crow, I can see you! came a voice from somewhere before him.

Hah! Delbane, I am not hiding, friend. Show yourself, responded the leather-clad man.

It's those studs of yours that catch the light, thief. Haven't I told you to stain them?

Countless times, yes. Now where are you?

If you had looked hard enough, you might have seen me, said the stubby dwarf who appeared before Crow, turning with a flourish to show off the new Elvish cloak he was wearing.

Now where in all of Bodar did you find such a thing? asked Crow, and where can I get one, he thought.

Gnomes! If you can believe it. All it cost me was a cask of fine Gebbian ale. The cloak doesn't make one invisible, but it fools the eye quite well.

So I've noticed, friend. Very nice.

The little man removed the cloak and folded it into his pack. He retrieved a piece of wood about the length of his forearm before closing his pack and slinging it over his shoulder.

I've never quite thanked you for this, Crow, he said as he snapped his wrist. The item telescoped to five times its length, becoming a short staff.

Well, you'll have a chance to thank me for that stick soon enough, old friend. I need your help.

Hmmmm. You never call me `old friend' unless it's serious. What's the problem, Crow?

Berilean has gotten himself into trouble again. This time right here in Danderry. You know how he likes to show off when he's drinking.

Delbane snorted, Bear is always drinking, Crow! So what has he done?

He's been accused of assaulting a squad of town guardsmen-

What! interrupted the little man, a squad!

As well as a pair of merchants and their body guards.

Sounds like he is in real trouble this time, Crow.

And two Capes.

Oh, no! King's Guards, too? Why doesn't he just kill himself and save everyone a lot of trouble?

You know Bear, Delbane, he's just a child.

Just a four hundred pound child who loves to drink and fight! Why, I remember the time he tore up that Ogre in Lockwood. The trainer had us all run out of town!

We were going to be leaving anyway, said Crow.

Perhaps, nodded Delbane calmly. He suddenly raised and spread his hands and shouted up at Crow, But not without our possessions!

Crow sighed and looked down upon his friend, He is getting better, Delbane.

The dwarf cleared his throat, Well, he had better be. What do you know about where they have him?

The pair walked into the woods together, the thief speaking quietly of the town and prison, while the dwarf walked alongside using his staff to clear the tangled underbrush.

Well, I think we may need a little help to handle this, Crow. When do you want to go in and get him? asked Delbane.

Soon. Tonight, if possible. I'm sure that Berilean is not comfortable in that stinking jail cell, and he's probably quite lonely as well.

Okay, then, I know of an inn on the east side of town called the Home of the Five Hands. It is owned and operated by three brothers-

One of which has only one hand? asked Crow.

No, idiot! They won the inn during a game of Hands. Jerald, the youngest, cast five hands on his first throw of the dice. It was quite an event. Many say that he was cheating, and that might be true, but none have dared to accuse him to his face, not even the previous owner who dwells there still. Rumor has it that the brothers have access to the Tunnels from the inn, and that they smuggle Bane into the city. I have heard that the Tunnels run very near the jail, perhaps even into it at some point.

Well then, they are just the sort of folks who can help us.

Their help won't come cheap. Have you any gold?

Some. Enough, I hope. I'll gather what I have and meet you at the inn this evening. said Crow.

Yes. I'll be there at sundown. You come anytime after, and be ready for anything. Now I must attend to a few things of my own. Farewell, friend.

Farewell, Delbane. Until this evening! Crow waved and turned toward the city.

Chapter Two –