Greyrawk (Book 2) (15 page)

"Me? I'm a tavern owner."

"Yes, but others have not been so discreet and your name was mentioned in the wrong places."

"I understand, but you are not in the innermost circle of Belderag's. You are not a Red Hawk so how do you hear such things?"

"You are right, I should not have heard it and I wasn't meant to hear it," said Picker. "You remember I told you about Belderag's new advisor, the one that arrived last summer? I have taken to following him and noting what he says and to whom. Machel Moet has me for his shadow and I am certain he has Celaeri blood."

"Celaeri? You are sure? Belderag wouldn't stand for that. Does he know?"

"I am sure Moet has Celaeri blood and if I can tell a Celaeri, Belderag certainly can. I do not understand everything that is happening, but I distrust what I see. Can you make it clear for me?"

"Not likely. I am on slippery ground to understanding right now. You are saying that Belderag knowingly has a Celaeri in his employ? Would this Moet be a traitor to the Celaeri? Perhaps he is providing Belderag with insights to what the Celaeri plan."

"Perhaps, but the man is there and has Belderag's ear. Moet rode to Greyrawk Mountain with a minimal escort several days ago. This was after the Celaeri were reported to have reclaimed it. He carried letters from Belderag to the Celaeri."

"If this Moet is a traitor why would they even allow him to return? They should have killed him if he truly works for Belderag. Is Belderag not preparing war against them? What are we missing in this?"

"Ah, Colly. You ask the same questions I asked myself."

"Did you have any answers?"

"No. But another thought occurred to me and that is why I am here. Those who oppose Belderag may also be the salvation of Cresida. If Belderag has some connection to the Celaeri, then we are doomed to be thralls to the Celaeri once again. I would like to be included in your plans, Colly Bulger."

"I am not involved."

"Yet, you draw all rebels to you and they trust you. Pass the word that I am with you. Now I must return to my post."

"Be careful, Picker."

"I shall be careful. I'd like to walk Danni home again sometime." He smiled and saluted Colly, and then left.

"I like him Father," said Danni. Picker's wife died ten years ago and he was raising a daughter and a son. The daughter, Elly, was only five years younger than Danni and sought out Danni's company whenever she could for advice and guidance. Danni felt part of the family already. Aran Picker was one of the few in Belderag's employ that the people of Gornst respected.

"So do I," said Colly. "Come, it's time to close up."

Kerreth Veralier has been a friend for most of my life. I am nearing 900 years of age but it is only a fraction of the life Kerreth has led. For a creature of such age he is surprisingly rooted in the present. He has stated his father was Men and his mother Zidar. He did not inherit any of the magic of the Zidar and is invulnerable to magic, a trait no race can claim. What creatures walked Landermass with tusks? Only trolls, children of the Jungegud. Is there a god in Kerreth's family tree? Only Cothos could tell us and he speaks seldom these days.

From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.

Kerreth Veralier looked down at Gornst from the last hill bordering the valley. He saw the huge castle lounging on the hillside surrounded by the levels of the walled city and noted the soldiers guarding both. The city was drab, gray and lifeless as if the castle sucked the spirit out of it. A single banner waved over the battlements, the many-armed herald of Belderag.

"Inviting place," said Hobart.

"Dacu Belderag is from a long line of strongmen," said Jaele. "His family has controlled this area for centuries. Only the Greyrawk family opposed him and now they are gone, too."

"Greyrawk Mountain is that one to the east?" asked Kerreth.

"Yes, you can barely make out the remains of the castle. Loric said it was Adan's Hill before Men came. The home of the Celaeri kings for centuries."

"That is where they will return?"

"That is where they will go once they are fully in our world again. I don't know where they will crossover. That has to be determined. Loric said the blood and the stone would be far to the north in the Black Heath. It is a treacherous place with many dark creatures roaming in search of blood."

"Very nice," said Elberra.

"Does Loric always talk so much?" asked Jaele. "Ian is much less verbal."

"Loric always tries to impress the ladies."

"Oh. How many people are in the Talos Company?" asked Jaele.

"Do you mean now, or in total?" asked Kerreth.

"Now."

"Those who you see here are most of the leader council. We have former members still living, but we've never had many members. There are not many like us who wish to do what we do and we have been doing it so many years. Some members have left for other pursuits. Some come back; most never do. Elberra, Hobart and Moria's mother Taina are pure blood of their races, but all the rest are mixed blood or altered by their magic. The first criterion is long life. Moria is the youngest, I am the eldest. When Navir walks with us, he is eldest, but his path is never certain. Our company has many squads of various races, Men and long lived. There might be a thousand all told in the Talos Company."

"Dare I ask how old you are?" said Jaele.

Kerreth smiled. "You can dare. I have seen five millennia of Landermass."

"What keeps you going? Does living get old?"

"Answer that yourself. Is living old for you?" asked Kerreth.

"But I won't live a hundred years."

"Nonetheless, is each day not a gem in itself?"

The guards at the gate did not know what to do. Kerreth led the way, his hands resting on his sword hilts. Most eyes were drawn to the blue winged creature riding behind him. While Anetheans were well known in eastern Anavar, seldom had they traveled to Amloth and were only in stories for children. The guards sent a runner to the castle. Kerreth rode beneath the arch of the gate, nodding to the guards. Moria and Jaele followed Elberra while Hobart brought up the rear. Tuors were even more legendary in Amloth. Hobart smiled at the children and waved.

When Elberra drew close, the people of Gornst backed away. Even the thugs outside the taverns moved quickly from her path. The company rode slowly down the streets trying to appear non-threatening, although Elberra did stop at a baker's and bought two loaves. The baker's hand shook so much he dropped the coins.

By the time they reached the town square two dozen soldiers were waiting for them, several with arrows notched. A soldier walked to greet them. He saluted and smiled.

"I am Captain Aran Picker. I am commanded by Lord Belderag to escort you to the castle where lodgings are prepared."

"Well, captain, I guess we can follow your lead," said Kerreth. "It is our intention to speak with your lord. Caution your men to behave. Any one of us is worth many dozen soldiers. I wouldn't envy you explaining that to Belderag." He leaned on the handles of his sword. Picker smiled and nodded. He motioned to his men.

The soldiers surrounded the Talos Company and moved with them. Townsfolk watched from windows as the strange procession wound its way to the castle gates. A man with braided loops on his shoulders stepped forward.

"Picker, why are these people still armed?"

"It didn't appear important at the moment."

"How dare you speak to me that way? Disarm them now."

"Do it yourself, Herkart."

Herkart drew his sword but it clanged to the ground immediately and Kerreth's blade was at Herkart's throat. No one had the chance to move. Moria, Jaele, Hobart and Elberra had not changed positions. Only Kerreth hand weapons in hand. The soldiers took a couple steps back from the huge figure.

"We will keep our weapons. We only wish to speak to Belderag. Please convey our greetings to him." Kerreth kicked the man in the direction of the inner bailey. Herkart rolled over landing hard. He scrambled to his feet and ran to the main hall.

"Captain Picker, which direction do you want us to go?" asked Kerreth.

"To the right. There is a waiting room there. You will be under guard."

"Of course."

When Herkart was out of earshot, Kerreth turned to Picker.

"Who was that man? What do his braided loops signify?"

"He is the Captain of the Red Hawks, Lord Belderag's premier fighting force and nuisance to the rest of Gornst."

Kerreth chuckled.

The great hall was empty except for the man standing under a curved sword, mounted on the wall. His long white hair was braided in two strands by each temple. His shoulders were broad and his brown eyes still clear. He waited until they had crossed the room halfway. His sword was unsheathed and set on the table before him. He looked at each guest in turn, nodding his head in greeting.

"Welcome to Gornst," said Belderag. "I am Dacu Belderag; northern Cresida is in my care. I am charged with the safety of its people and defense of its borders. That is my first and only concern. Please consider that before you speak. Well, well, this is quite the interesting group. It has been long since an Anethean graced this hall." He bowed to Elberra. "Daerlans, Tuors, and Men; seems an unlikely group. I hope my guards gave you no discomfort?"

"No, they haven't," said Kerreth.

"No, not that they could anyway," said Moria. The guards stood well back but blocked all exits.

Belderag considered her words before he spoke. "Why have you come?"

"I am Kerreth Veralier and we are the Talos Company. Perhaps you've heard of us."

"Named for the legendary company?"

"No, we are the Talos Company. I have led this company for thousands of years, Dacu Belderag. We have come because of a coming peril to this land. Are you familiar with the ancient Celaeri?"

"How could I not be? They once ruled this land and did not suffer Men other than as slaves. What of them?"

"One of our company warned us that the Celaeri are trying to break into the world again."

"Impossible! They have died out. How could one of you know what they are doing? You are wasting my time."

"Loric Greyrawk is half Celaeri and is connected to the Celaeri in some way and sensed their restlessness."

"A Greyrawk! You are in league with the Celaeri!" He reached for his sword, but Kerreth's sword was already at Belderag's chest.

"Peace! Or you shall see the skill of the Talos Company. Loric is scouting the area around Adan's Hill, the place you call Greyrawk Mountain, to discover how the Celaeri plan to affect their return. Loric is half Celaeri, in fact he was the first mixed race child of Celaeri over three thousand years ago."

"You are all creatures out of legend and it is difficult to comprehend your presence. Still, the name Greyrawk does not inspire me with trust. I am the Marshall of the Dawn Brothers, an ancient society dedicated to keep the Celaeri from coming again. They were terrible creatures that enslaved the people of Cresida. They allowed Men to share the land for a time, and then they came and attacked. The Greyrawk's supported them and married them. I shall never let a Greyrawk occupy Adan's Hill again."

"You would be interested in meeting Loric, I think. His father was the first Greyrawk to live on the Hill and built the castle there. At least, he started it but was killed before it was finished. Loric felt the coldness of the Celaeri as if he were Men and did not receive any benefit of his blood from the Celaeri. Loric left Cresida and never returned until now. You should know this: Loric is the founder of the Dawn Brothers."

"Ha! I don't believe that. Your stories are for children. I will have my guards put you in the dungeon."

"Re-think that, Lord Belderag," growled Kerreth. "My patience is worn. We allowed your guards to escort us. If they threaten us, they will be killed. Then we shall have a closer heart to heart."

"Yes, I see. I wondered why you were not disarmed." He glared at his captain. "Four is not a company. Has the years been hard on the Talos Company?"

"There are two more of us in Cresida. Several are elsewhere. Our membership does fluctuate from eon to eon."

"What is it you want from me?"

"Merely permission to move about the surrounding lands as necessary to stop the Celaeri."

"Is that all? Why bother asking me at all?"

"To save the lives of any who would try to stop us. We have no quarrel with you. We are here to stop the Celaeri."

"Well, if that is true I must help too. It is my sworn duty to defend mankind against the Celaeri. You represent many races. How is it you feel compelled to take up arms against another long-lived race? Seems to me that you may have dual purposes."

"The Zidar, Anetheans, Tuors and Daerlan have not tried to enslave other races, unlike the Celaeri and Men too, if memory serves. Our motives are more pure than your own."

Kerreth looked hard into the eyes of Belderag.

"Very well," said Belderag. "I will send messages to the Dawn Brotherhood. We shall be ready to assist as necessary. And I would like to meet this Loric and hear his reasons for founding the brotherhood, if it is true. You should know there is another Greyrawk in Cresida, but I doubt he is as old as Loric."

"Yes, we know. Ian Greyrawk. We fear he has been found by the Celaeri and may be used to advance their return."

"I knew I should have killed him when I saw him despite the public arena. But I did not want to give my opponents something to hang over my head."

"Very noble," said Jaele.

"My young lady, if you have ruled a city and a land far from your king with no aid against supernatural creatures; if you have made countless difficult decisions that are for the greater good but still harm individuals; if you have done that, then you may voice your criticism. But do not pretend to school me in the lessons I have mastered."

"We waste time," said Kerreth. "We need to prepare for the Celaeri."

"Weary of my hospitality already?" Belderag called one of his men to him and spoke softly. The man hurried off.