Unicorns' Opal

They were tracking them northeast all day and figured that they would be heading for the northern pass, so Zorn and his people will be meeting up with Calastano."

"How did Dalgar manage to get his men out of Kantor before ours?" questioned Sarac.

"I can only assume that he sent his own people out as soon as he notified us," Lattimer guessed. "By the time we got word back to Kantor, Dalgar's people would have had a healthy start. It would appear that unless they continue northward, we have them surrounded. It should just be a matter of waiting."

"I hate waiting!" yelled the Dark One. "I have waited in this damn castle for seventeen years for these Children to be found. I don't wish to wait any longer. Another month in this prison and my skin will start to sprout mold."

Lattimer waited patiently for Sarac's temper to ease. He knew better than to talk when Sarac was like this. Other people had died for not remembering that particular lesson.

"Can they get out of this trap, Lattimer?" Sarac asked calmly. "Is there any chance that our plan will fail?"

"There is always a chance that any plan will fail," explained Lattimer. "I think Garth and Kalina Shado are still with the Children. He killed thirty Dark Riders and a Black Devil in two separate attacks down near Lorgo a couple of months ago. I don't think it will happen again, but it is certainly possible."

"What do we know about this Garth Shado?" Sarac inquired. "It seems that I have heard his name before."

"We don't know an awful lot about him," Lattimer answered. "Other than the two recent attacks involving the Children, I think his name may have come up once or twice. Those episodes were more of the typical type of encounters. I think I remember that he killed two of our men last year. We didn't pursue it because the men were trying to force themselves on a woman and it didn't have anything to do with our affairs. The men were assigned to a city garrison at the time and were off duty. I think he was thought to be a bandit at that time."

"So, he's basically a nobody," summarized Sarac. "Then why does he choose to get involved with the Children now? Maybe we can pay him to turn on the Children and give them up?"

"Perhaps he would accept such an offer," agreed Lattimer, "but for our people to be able to present it, they would be close enough to kill him. I think we can save our money and just eliminate him."

"Send a message to Majork," Sarac ordered. "Tell him I want his goblins to be ready in case the Children get across the mountains. Have it done diplomatically, Lattimer. The goblin king must think he is offering to help, not being ordered to."

"I am familiar with the goblin's personality traits," smiled Lattimer. "He will be begging for a chance to get his people involved."

The Dark One waved his aide off and returned to pacing the floor of his study. Lattimer was correct, there was not much news to be heard.

***

Kaz quietly set down on a clear area of the mountain peak near the northern pass through the West Mountains and Alex swiftly dismounted. It was dangerous for Kaz to fly in amongst the mountains at night, but Alex was disturbed by the tracks found near the knoll on which the Rangers slept.