The dwarf barely got a single word out before Elarien blurred forward. Her blade flashed once, far too fast for the eye to follow, and the dwarf collapsed in a heap before he even understood he'd been struck.
The other dwarf stumbled back, panic turning his face pale. He raised a pickaxe with a shaking hand, ready to swing even though he had no real chance. Elarien didn't give him the time to try. Her sword carved through the air in a smooth arc and severed his arm. His scream tore through the cavern, raw and full of terror, but the walls swallowed it almost immediately.
Elarien lifted her sword again, prepared to finish the job, but Edward darted forward and grabbed her wrist.
"Wait," he said, his voice low and sharp.
Her head snapped toward him. Her eyes were winter ice, cold and merciless, but Edward didn't back down. He turned slightly toward the wounded dwarf, keeping his grip tight.
"Why are you digging tunnels toward Valendell?" he asked.
