“They should be dead to the world within a couple of hours,” said Petra as she unpacked the little donkey. “If you take one of the good horses you can be there in plenty of time to sneak past them and into the mountain.”
Dol nodded his head and smiled, “You’ve done a good job, Petra. I’m glad I listened to you rather than just wading in. How many of them were there? Soldiers?”
“Just farmers mainly,” said Petra. “The soldiers are off with the baron somewhere so it probably wouldn’t have been that hard to get past them. They’re a little skeptical anyone would attack their god to begin with.”
“Let them be skeptical,” said Dol and tapped the end of the great hammer, which never seemed out of his hand lately, against his palm. “I’ll destoy Gazadum and that will be that.”
“Yes,” said Petra. “That will be that.”
“You meant to say both of the good horses,” said Milli with her hands on her hips and glaring at Petra. “I’m going with Dol until the end. I made that clear.”
“It’s your decision,” said Petra, “but what possible help can you be to Dol once he’s inside the volcano? The heat in there will prevent you from going against Gazadum. You might as well just wait it out with me.”
“I’m not leaving Dol’s side until I absolutely have to,” said Milli and stomped her foot. Her long hair was tied back in a heavy braid and she wore a thick leather jerkin that made her look more like a young boy than a pretty halfling girl. “I’m with him until the end.”
Dol looked at her for a moment and his eyes seemed to lose their reddish glow for a moment, “Maybe…,”
“Don’t you start,” said Milli with a steady look in return. “You’ve been nothing but glory, death, and fire for the last few weeks and you’re not going to go soft on me now. I’m coming with you to face Gazadum and afterwards, whatever happens is what happens.”
Dol’s eyes seemed to ignite with fire again and he smiled broadly, “It is good that you want to be along for the glory. Nothing will happen to her,” he said turning to Petra. “I promise you I’ll keep her safe.”
Petra pursed her lips and said nothing.
“Come along then,” said Dol and walked over to the horse that stood at the ready. Milli followed him and within a few seconds the sounds of hoof beats was all that remained of the two as Petra stood and watched them go.
The woman looked around the little camp and began to gather her things, although a little tear appeared in the corner of her eye.