Greyrawk (Book 2) (17 page)

"Well, I'll be damned. About time too. Who's next?"

"Elberra is across the hall. I think she better be next. The rooms aren't that big and her wings get cramped. And when she's uncomfortable.."

"So are we.." finished Hobart. "Let's do it."

The opened door allowed Elberra to squeeze out and expand her wings.

"Ah, Loric. I never thought I'd be glad to see you."

"Buy me ale, then," said Loric. "Very large and very cold."

"I helped," said Hobart.

"Don't worry, little Tuor. You have my gratitude as well. Now, where are the others?"

"The next corridor I believe," said Hobart. "I caught a glimpse of Kerreth turning the corner before my door closed."

"Let's go then." Elberra led the way to the other rooms. The corridors were empty. Hobart let them continue to the rooms and he remained a little behind to keep watch. Loric used the key from his room and opened Brandalay's room but it was empty. Loric searched every bit of it.

"No sign of violence. Let's try to the other rooms."

They tried Kerreth and Moria's room. Elberra went in herself. Her profanity startled Loric who tried to shush her.

"Empty?" exclaimed Elberra. "Where did they go?"

"I don't know, but they can handle themselves. Let's get to the stables and get out of his place," said Loric.

"If they escaped, why did they come for us?" said Elberra.

"Must have been a good reason. Kerreth wouldn't have left us without a good reason - usually," he added. "And Moria wouldn't have left us if there was another way."

"You are right, Hobart," said Loric. "They did not abandon us. We shall find them anon."

"Wait!" said Elberra. "Do we know what happened to Dvorak? He wasn't put in the same room as Kerreth, that I am sure."

"Here," said Hobart. "I hear something through this door."

Elberra put her ear to the door. She grumbled something too low to hear and shattered the lock with her spear. She pushed it open and they could hear the unmistakable snoring coming from the interior.

"Must have been resting for the next battle," said Loric.

Hobart jumped on the fat man and pulled him to his feet. Dvorak Annis stumbled and rubbed his eyes.

"Ah, I knew you'd get us out Elberra."

"Why didn't you use your magic?"

"Too tired."

Elberra started to scream but Loric stopped her. "Mustn't let them know we've escaped until we are ready for them to know."

She nodded but glared at Dvorak who avoided her gaze.

They turned back the way they came but as they reach the top of the stairs leading to the great hall, Picker and his soldiers waited for them.

"Lord Belderag said you were clever," said Picker, grinning. "He knew you'd escape, but we are ready for you." Fifteen soldiers held their swords ready.

"You are overmatched Picker," said Loric. "We shall give you time to run."

Picker barked his commands and his men began to advance.

Brandalay had given up pounding on his door and shouting. The walls were too thick for sound to escape. In his heart he had known Belderag would try something, but Belderag was a master at fooling people. If the Talos Company was fooled, then Brandalay didn't feel so bad about being fooled himself. However, he should have spoken up, since they had no experience with Belderag. Now, he sat in silence, surrounded by the thick walls of Belderag's castle. His life had been an example of poor decisions and the cost paid for them. Other than his birthright, fortune had not shined on him, and his powerful shoulders stooped. He even brought Alarie Skye to Gornst to meet her fate. That saddened him more than any failure he could remember. She was Celaeri and an enemy, but she trusted him. She would have been better off fighting alone against Belderag's soldiers.

He did not know how much time had passed when he heard a trembling slide of stone. First, hesitantly, then slighter freer, the stone slid. He stared at the wall but didn't notice the movement for a heartbeat as it moved toward him. Then he leapt to feet as Arenna Aruk stepped through the opening.

"Arenna!"

"Tarlac! Are you uninjured! I was so worried." She hugged him briefly then pulled away as if embarrassed by the contact.

"Come, you can escape this way."

"But the others?"

"Others?"

"The Talos Company, I can't leave them."

"Oh, yes. They are escaping too; I have some men helping them. Now, quickly." She headed back into the passage. Brandalay put his ear to the door for a moment and then hearing nothing, followed Arenna and pulled the heavy panel back in place to conceal his escape. The passage was black. Arenna held up a glowing rock and headed forward. They kept to the same direction for an undeterminable time then turned sharply and headed down some rough-cut stairs.

"Where are we going?" whispered Brandalay.

"This leads through the dungeon to the soldiers' quarters. It should be empty now and we can exit through the stables."

They entered the damp lower levels and opened another hidden door to the main corridors of the dungeon. Brandalay heard nothing but a drip of water somewhere ahead.

"Wait here a moment," said Arenna. "There's a guard station to the left. We are going to the right, but I want to see how many guards are there."

"Whom does Belderag have locked up?"

"Might not be anybody, but I want to check."

"Let me come with you."

"No, no. Only a moment." She smiled at him and squeezed his arm. He nodded.

Arenna walked past the empty guard station and turned down a dark passage. She stopped in front of a cell and peered in at the copper hair and blue skin of Alarie Skye.

"I have him now," Arenna hissed. "He's mine. Your foul hands shall never touch him again."

Alarie turned toward her, eyes swollen and hair matted with blood.

"Ah, my dear father had you beaten? Enjoy the short time left in your life." She laughed and returned to Brandalay. He was watching the passage ahead and spun quickly when he heard her coming.

"No one there," said Arenna. "Belderag must have sent everyone not following him to Greyrawk Mountain to guard your friends."

"Where are they? You said they were escaping too."

"Yes, I did. But they are going a different way and might have to fight their way out. Surely Belderag's soldiers are no match for them?"

"Yes, you're right. Kerreth alone would carve his way through them."

"Well, let's continue."

They walked in silence. Brandalay stopped and looked at Arenna.

"Belderag told us how you were hurt as a child," said Brandalay, not knowing why he brought it up now.

"The beast!" Her face turned white and she moved ahead, her hands to her temples.

"No, it wasn't him. It was Greyrawk's father who had turned into a Vlakan."

"That's a lie!" Arenna stopped and turned to him. "No! It was my father!"

"It was a Vlakan."

Arenna looked at him, her eyes wild and crazy, her breathing ragged.

"Don't betray me! It was Father! It is all that kept me going through the pain, the urge to avenge myself. I will kill him for it!"

"For all his faults he has been defending Cresida from Celaeri."

"Celaeri? Why did you bring that Celaeri here? She can't have you!"

"Arenna, what are you talking about?"

"No! No!" She pushed him away, tears running down her face.

"What is wrong?" He reached for her but he didn't see the knife except for the handle now sticking out from his chest. "Arenn.."

Brandalay toppled to the floor, his breath rasping. Arenna curled up next to him, sobbing.

Alarie Skye knew the pain meant she still lived but it gave her no comfort. Even her bones throbbed. She wondered at the angry woman who had looked in on her twice. It didn't seem to be anger against Celaeri but against Alarie personally. The woman seemed desperate. Alarie did not pick up all that was said, she was barely aware of her surroundings. She just wanted to sleep.

She dreamt of Brandalay, a man who gave her compliments, a man who saw her as more than the Warlord of the Celaeri, more than a tool to be cast aside when no longer needed. She dreamed of life with him, although brief. He would age while she remained unchanged. Her life would be short without the Mother Stone; still she would outlive Brandalay. Her thoughts scattered and wandered their own paths. She nearly forgot where she was until her fingers caressed the cold hard stone she laid upon. She opened her eyes and he was standing before her. No, the image of Brandalay faded and a blurred figure stood there. A transparent man watched her. A Celaeri? No, it appeared Men but insubstantial. The wall was visible through its body. She was awake now.

"Who are you?" she asked hoarsely. The figure just looked back at her. Perhaps it was what Men called a ghost, an image of one who had died. The figure stepped toward her and reached out its hand. She weakly raised her hand and was surprised at the strength that pulled her to her feet. It was certainly Celaeri like, the way he solidified and drifted back into mist, but he was definitely Men, or was, she could see that now.

The ghost opened the door and led her out of her cell. Although she was stiff the movement helped her feel stronger. They walked for several minutes when the ghost halted them. His head cocked as if listening, his brows knitted. Alarie Skye watched the thoughts pass across the face, a memory of the ghost's life. Suddenly, they backtracked to another passage, and then turned down it. The ghost's pace was more urgent and Alarie Skye labored to keep up. There was a shape on the floor and she caught the odor of blood.

"Tarlac!" She rushed forward and dropped to her knees. He still breathed but the blood loss was great. Without considering her fatigue she placed her hands on the wound and her hands began to glow. The skin began to bind together as the blood flow ceased. She rubbed her hands over the wound and it appeared long healed. Brandalay moaned and his breathing strengthened. Seeing Brandalay begin to recover, Alarie turned toward the ghost.

"Thank you," she whispered. Her own strength was depleted and she slumped over against Brandalay. Prince James faded slightly as he noticed movement against the wall.

Out of the shadows Arenna crawled, her bloodied knife still in her hand. Her face, flushed and contorted, stared at the two figures. She trembled and raised her body for better leverage. The hissing intake of breath alerted James and he stepped between Arenna and her prey.

"What are you, a ghost? You cannot stop me!" She lunged forward but her hand was stopped by the steel grip of Prince James.

"What? Impossible!" She reached out with her leg and passed right through James' leg. Still, his hand tightly held Arenna's wrist.

Quickly, he bent it back and twisted the knife from her grip. She cried out and staggered to her feet. Prince James stepped toward her and she ran back toward the dungeon. He looked at the two figures on the floor. Their breathing seemed strong. He would wait while they rested and guard them. He was strong now and there was a purpose for him. He did not remember his past life, but whispers of feelings and images darted past him. He knew he had been a strong protector of others. That was enough for now. He would be patient; he had all the time in the world.

As the Zidar mingled with the races of Men and became one people much of the magic inherent in the Zidar faded to no more than the enhancements of the Daerlan or Celaeri. Only the blood of Weracht de Arayr stayed potent with magic. His son Mauran de Arayr guided the thrones of Anavar for centuries even after Weracht vanished into legend. Mauran defeated the Jungegud Agnaran in his attempts to rule Anavar. Mauran in time faded to legend himself but he did not die. No, he did not. I saw him once many years ago and spoke with him. Should I be surprised that he knew my name?

From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.

Belderag dismounted and stiffly bowed to Jerue Adan. Jerue sat on a fallen tree watching the construction of a gathering hall on the summit of the hill. The posts had been set and colored streamers were tied to the top of each post and fluttered in the building breeze. Belderag's men kept themselves off to one side away from the Celaeri and only Belderag rode boldly into the center of the camp. There were easily a hundred Celaeri in the sunlight and many shadowy figures hovering in the shade of the trees.

"So Dacu Belderag," said Jerue Adan, smiling as if speaking to a wayward child. "To what do we owe this visit? Are you not the head of the Dawn Brotherhood, the virtuous killers of Celaeri? Shouldn't you be in your castle planning war against us? Where are your knights? This handful of Men cannot hope to defeat us."

"Jerue Adan, I have news for you and I want to hear from your mouth, the plans of the Celaeri."

"Well, that is bold of you, Belderag. Have you outlived your usefulness already?"

"The Talos Company is in Gornst."

"The Talos Company? They still survive after all these centuries? A rag tag group of mercenaries if I recall, no matter how long lived they are. They are all outcasts from many races and of no worth. Are they bothering you? Are they drinking your wine and chasing your women? Do you need my assistance in routing them from your home? They have enjoyed a long life of legends and tales, none of which are true. They are not worth the worry."

"Recall also, that Loric Greyrawk is a member of that company. Is he of no worth?"

Jerue Adan paused and looked intently at Belderag.

"Loric? Are you sure it is Loric? I did not know he still lived."

"Yes he does, and Alarie Skye is with him. I thought she was Celaeri. Has she turned traitor?"

"Ah, she didn't perish, that is good. I had hoped she would vanquish the Hiataneti. It also answers the question of how several Taryi died on the road here. There were no other bodies so it was a bit of a mystery. Alarie is a vicious fighter, Belderag. Pray to your god that you never meet her in battle. You are not the swordsman you believe yourself to be. I considered allowing you to fight Aryar Greyrawk without interfering but I did not want to take the chance that my planning would be ruined. Without the poison Aryar Greyrawk would have killed you."