Greyrawk (Book 2) (14 page)

"To conquer the Men and rule with an iron fist again?"

"How did you know?"

"It was always their way. They were never the peaceful farmers they claimed to be. The Celaeri were always warriors. Where is your companion?"

"She's under that tree. She took a blow to the head."

Loric dismounted and walked to her. Brandalay did not put his sword down. Loric looked at her as her eyes began to open. She blinked and looked around.

"I did not remember how beautiful you are," said Loric.

"Loric! It is you!" She kissed him and hugged him tight. Brandalay looked at Dvorak Annis who said nothing and back to Loric.

"Your friend, Brandalay, brought you here. We're just arrived."

"Obviously, you know each other very well," said Brandalay.

"Of course," said Alarie Skye. "Loric is my brother."

"Brother?" said Dvorak Annis. "Loric you are even more closed mouth than Blackthorne. How do you do? My name is Dvorak Annis. I am a wizard in the Talos Company."

"Why are you here?" asked Alarie Skye.

"I felt the blood call," said Loric. "We came because of the threat the Celaeri would be to the free peoples of Amloth. And we found out one of my descendants is in danger."

"Yes, Ian Greyrawk. Ioane has her grip tight on him. Jerue Adan will use Ian's blood to activate the Mother Stone. They may have reached Adan's Hill by now."

"Well, I don't know what we can do here," said Loric. "We cannot fight their numbers. We will have to hope they are foiled somehow to use the power of the Mother Stone. The rest of our company has gone on to Gornst to see Belderag. We should join them and relate what we have discovered at this point."

"Belderag is not to be trusted," said Brandalay.

"That is something we surmised. Alarie, are you fit to ride?"

"I can ride, Loric. Lead on." She touched Brandalay's arm. He felt a shiver shoot through him. "Thank you for saving my life."

Brandalay smiled and nodded, not knowing what to say.

"Well met, Brandalay," said Loric, grinning. He mounted his horse and led them toward Gornst.

Taverns are a focal point in most towns and some of the larger cities. A good tavern gains renown from the traders and merchants who travel the countryside sampling the beers and ales of the local taverns. After a hard day's work many people gather at the tavern to relax, trade stories and eat a hot meal. Some taverns last for decades as family members grow up and take over from previous generations. I have been accused of stopping at every tavern I see, but a good historian must have an ear for tales and the ability to see beneath the layers of an oft repeated story. Real history and real ale go together like nothing else I've found in my long life.

From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.

It was warmer than usual in the tavern and Colly stepped out the back door to breathe some cool air and wipe down his face with a rag. It was a quiet evening outside but the noise in The Grey Fox tavern was a steady rumble. Business had been better of late because of his patrons' need to discuss rumors and speculate upon the future. Even his old friend Colin Festin had been talking of the return of a Greyrawk to Cresida. It was understood that the Greyrawk line had been wiped out in Belderag's victory over thirty years ago, but a strong young man had met Festin near Greyrawk Mountain and given the blacksmith a shock. The young Greyrawk was the image of his grandfather and had given Belderag himself pause when Greyrawk appeared during a feast in Belderag's own hall. The talk spread fast through Gornst and it was on everyone's lips, even the whispers among Colly's customers. Red Hawks were known to frequent The Grey Fox out of uniform and listen for talk that Belderag would be interested in. So Colly's customers tended to speak quietly of topics known to agitate Belderag. Colly had learned to spot most of the Red Hawks spies and would put an old horn that belonged to his father on the corner of the kitchen doorway where all the customers could see it as a warning to take care with their discussions.

"Good evening, Colly," said Colin Festin, walking out the door behind Colly. They stood in a courtyard surrounded by wings of the tavern. The alley was dark and vacant.

"Hi Colin. A little warm in there." He wiped his neck with a damp rag. Colleson Bulger stood a head taller than most folk and his strong arms were displayed with his sleeves cut short. For near to ten years he ran The Grey Fox Tavern. He worked for his tavern owner grandfather as a lad and knew the business as few men.

"I thought so myself. I think it will get warmer before it gets cooler."

"Are you talking the weather or politics, Colin?"

"You know I'm not much for politics."

"Right. Been lying low all these years," said Colly.

"Gathering information for when the time is right," said Festin.

"When will it be right? Is this Greyrawk fellow deciding when the time is right? I only have your opinion to go by - should I trust it? Is it enough to risk my life and business, not to mention Danni?"

"Colly, listen, we may not get another chance in our lifetime."

"How long do you think our lives will last if we lead an uprising against Belderag?"

"Father!" said Danni, standing in the doorway, the light behind her displaying her shape in silhouette. She is just reaching womanhood and is still gangly and graceless. But she is the joy of Colleson Bulger's life. "You better keep your voices down else you'll end up in Belderag's dungeons before you start."

Colly nodded his head. "Of course she's right. We're out here talking as if we were discussing the quality of my ale."

Festin kept his voice low. "I thought you favored ousting Belderag."

"I do, but we must be careful. We shall get one shot at this and we must be certain it is the correct time. If we fail, we shall never have another chance as you said. Come, I am cool enough, let's go in. Did you get your meal, Colin?"

"No, I didn't. I shall go home and eat. Mary is unwell and I have spent too much time away from her."

"Let me prepare food to take to her," said Danni. "I'll give enough for both of you. A hot meal is very important."

"She's as bad as her mother was in that regard," grinned Colly.

"I'd be thankful for the food," said Festin.

"Tell me again about this Greyrawk," said Colly, stopping at the door.

"Are you sure the time is right?" asked Festin.

"Don't throw my words back at me. We can still discuss him without committing ourselves to rebellion."

"For how long?"

"Let me worry about that. Now, tell me again how you came upon him."

"Well, I had been working for Lord Nunderburg and was on my way back passing by Greyrawk Mountain when I noticed a horse grazing. In hindsight, it wasn't the smartest thing to do, but I went to see who it might be."

"You are a blacksmith, Colin; you aren't expected to do the smartest things." Colly grinned and Festin shook his head.

"I saw him standing on one of the large stone ruins with the sun behind him. It made his hair lighter than it is and I thought he was a Celaeri for a moment. I called up to him and he looked down on me as a lord of men. When he spoke I realized he was a stranger but I honestly thought Aryar Greyrawk walked the earth again. When he neared me I saw that he was paler than his grandfather with a copper tint to his eyes. But his shoulders are just as broad and he knows how to handle a sword."

"What did he say to you?"

"I asked him who he was and why he was on the mountain. He said he was just passing through. I advised him to visit Lord Nunderburg."

"Nunderburg? Why on earth?"

"Well, not specifically Lord Nunderburg."

"Ah, Lady Teresa, I had forgotten the connection. Well, well. No harm from that. He was seen in Gornst later so I guess Nunderburg didn't tell Belderag he was in Cresida."

"But he did. One of his brothers rode hard to Belderag and riders were sent out the same hour. Luckily, I saw them and told Arenna. She sent her own men after Greyrawk."

"Brandalay? Why does he still linger here? There is nothing but death while Belderag's alive and Brandalay won't be able to elude him forever."

"Too true."

"Here you are Colin," said Danni. She handed him a pot with steam rising from under the lid. "Enough for you and Mary. Give her my love."

"I will. Thank you both. Be seeing you Colly," said Colin. The blacksmith walked out of the tavern. Two men watched him leave and after a few moments, they rose and followed.

"Damn," said Colly. "Those Red Hawks are following Colin."

"Be careful, Father," said Danni. She gripped his wrist tightly.

"I will be." He reached behind the counter and went out the back with a short sword in his hand.

Colin Festin walked as quickly as he could with his aching joints. Mary would be pleased to enjoy such a wonderful dinner. He was focused on getting home and did not notice footsteps gaining on him. They would pull him into an alley and begin to question him. They sped up. One stumbled and the sound broke through Colin's isolation. Colin realized what was happening and hit one in the face with the pot and tossed the hot stew at the other one. He did not wait to see the results of his efforts and hurried off. Curses followed him and rough hands grabbed him, throwing him into an alley.

"You are going to pay for that old man," said one assailant, his face red where the stew burned him. The man pulled his knife, a dagger with a Red Hawk on its handle. Festin backed against the wall, clenching his fists. He was very strong but he would have to be fast, only giving the assailant one chance with the knife if he were to survive.

The man came toward him and Festin swung his fist. The man sidestepped the slow punch and prepared to drive his knife upward. Suddenly, the man crumpled to the ground. Festin stared at him, his mouth open.

"Evening citizen," said Colly. "Nice night for a walk." He wiped the bloody sword on the dead man's cloak.

"Colly! Thank the gods!"

"I do my best, but unfortunately you have wasted my famous stew. I'll have Danni run some more stew over. Can you get home okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Good. The night patrol will sweep the area soon and it will be best if you are nowhere near here. You did manage to crack the skull of the other one. Ruined my pot though. Might have to add that to your bill. Get home quickly and only open the door for Danni."

"Yes. Thanks again." Festin hurried off.

Colly looked at the Red Hawk and shook his head. Soldiers used to be of better stuff when he was young.

"Father!" Danni called to him as he entered the tavern. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, and Colin is fine. I want to send another pot over to Colin and Mary. I'm afraid the last one didn't survive the Red Hawks. I'll send Bort with you. Now go and hurry. Esme and I can handle business. Is Gez still in the kitchen?"

"Yes. I'll be swift.

Danni left and Colly returned again to the task of running his tavern. The tavern was still crowded and he lost himself in his tasks and took no time to reflect on the activities of earlier. He turned around to serve the next patron at the bar when he saw a familiar face. Esme was busy at a table of young nobles so Colly sighed.

"Good evening, Arenna, how may I serve you?"

"Well Colly, I can think of several," she said, then lowered her voice. "But the reason I'm here is because of Ian Greyrawk."

"Ah, why am I not surprised? We have had this discussion before and my position has not changed. I will not kill people who support Belderag. I have seen my share of death face to face."

Arenna looked at him with her intense gaze. Colly saw the wisps of madness in the reflections in her eyes. She gripped his wrist tightly.

"They will kill you, Colly. You and Danni too if you aren't careful. Most of Belderag's supporters are soldiers and have little hesitation spilling your blood. I know what kind of man Belderag is, better than most. You are trying to take the high road, which is admirable, but foolish. Your ideals will be washed with your own blood. I will be moving soon. Make up your mind soon."

She let go and walked purposefully out the door. Colly watched her until someone called for more ale. He went back to work.

The remainder of the night dragged while he waited for Danni to return. Despite his words and tone with Colin, he was worried. The Red Hawks hadn't taken action before this; Belderag seemed to resist acknowledging the underground movement against his rule. But with Greyrawk in Cresida Belderag would not allow for chance.

The front door opened and Colly turned to look. He tried to tell himself not to worry about Danni and concentrate on his business, but she was all he had. This time it was Danni and he smiled.

"Worried?"

"Me? Naw."

"You are a liar, Father. Bort had left early, but I still had an escort." She pointed back to the door where Captain Picker stood and waved.

"Picker!" said Colly. "Come on in and have a drink on the house."

"Well, don't mind if I do. I'd escort Danni everywhere for a free drink."

Danni frowned and Picker noticed.

"Although Danni's company alone is worth the effort anytime."

"Quit teasing, Captain Picker," said Danni, blushing a bit. Colly smiled, pleased that Picker was that sensitive to Danni's feelings. Colly worked her too hard and she had little time for herself. In a couple years she'd want to get married. Colly decided she needed to have some of her own things, womanly things. He would ask Gez; no maybe Esme would be better. She was closer to Danni's age and had two small children, but Colly couldn't say if she had a husband.

"I offered to walk Danni back here. I heard a couple Red Hawks were killed and we both know how tough those bastards are. I figured someone was walking around Gornst in the dark that Danni shouldn't meet alone."

"You speak the truth in that," said Colly.

"We've known each other a long time, Colly. I am here to warn you as a friend. Belderag is going to war against the Celaeri and he is going to eliminate all his opponents before he does. You are in danger."