Greyrawk (Book 2) (20 page)

"We will worry about that when it happens," said Elberra. "I will carry you myself if you free us. No one else will put forth the effort to escape."

"I told you, we are waiting for Kerreth," said Loric.

"What if Kerreth went on to Greyrawk Mountain? What if he is fighting Jerue Adan? Will he come back for us then?"

Loric sighed and turned away. Dvorak finished with Hobart and leaned back to rest. Hobart watched the others drift away on their own thoughts. Then he stared at the stone before him. Two wizards had spelled it but he saw no difference in the wall. On the other side were soldiers ready to kill them, but the stone waited patiently, uncaring. Hobart thought he saw his reflection in the stone, but that couldn't be! He stared hard at the face that stared back. There was a familiarity to it, but it eluded him. Then the face came forward and Hobart rolled backward with a squawk.

Loric and Elberra were armed and on their feet. Then Loric laughed.

"Hobart, you gave me a start. Its only Prince James, come for a visit."

The ghost had fully entered the room and nodded to each of them in turn.

"He knows us," said Dvorak.

"Did you come alone?" asked Loric. James shook his head. "Kerreth? Moria?" Again, James shook his head.

"Alarie, Brandalay," was the hissed reply. It sounded like the last exhale of a dying man. They looked at each other. Loric shrugged.

"Okay, that's two more. We need to coordinate with them."

"Just tell them to meet us outside this wall when Dvorak knocks it down," said Elberra. "No need for any of your 'plans'."

Prince James watched the discussions. At length there was no agreement. James glided to Loric and shook his head, then disappeared.

"Where did he go?" asked Hobart.

"I think he is disgusted by our cohesion," said Dvorak.

"That's an awful big word for you," said Hobart.

"He's right," said Loric. "James went back to Brandalay."

"What's he going to tell him?" asked Hobart.

"That we are idiots," said Elberra.

"Well, he certainly can communicate," said Dvorak. "Wait, I know a spell that might help us, if we can take their wizard out of the way. I can duplicate James' image and flood the great hall with ghosts. That should confuse them enough for us to escape. But the wizard will be the key. He could dissipate the images or he could spell James to his service."

"He can do that?" asked Elberra.

"We do not want to risk Prince James," said Loric. "He is finally becoming useful. He may know secrets of the dead that should stay secret."

"Why didn't you think of finding out such things?" asked Hobart.

"Blackthorne warned me not to," said Dvorak. "There are entities on the other side waiting for the curious to open the door. Blackthorne wasn't sure I would have enough strength to close the door on unwanted guests. I don't want to find out that I'm too week to shut that door. I have lived a long life and if I live a thousand more years how can I face unleashing a demon on this world?"

"You worry too much," said Elberra. "Some would call me a demon."

"True," muttered Loric.

There was a sudden shout and the clash of steel outside the room. They couldn't make out the words but someone had attacked Picker's men. The fighting continued for several minutes then silenced. They listened to the silence and could discern only the footfalls of boots on the stone.

Someone rapped on the door.

"It's clear," said Brandalay. "We drove them off for a short time. Let's go."

Dvorak released his spell and the door open. Brandalay stood before them, slightly bloodied. Alarie Skye pulled her sword out of the wizard's chest and grinned at her brother.

"Just the two of you?" asked Elberra.

"Prince James was a great help," said Brandalay. The prince bowed to his companions. "No time for tales, Prince James said Belderag has returned to the city. We must find a better sanctuary and that means we must ride north."

He led them to the stables. They could see Picker's soldiers gathering again. There were several Red Hawks with them. Alarie grinned and waved her sword at them.

"They are ashamed to be beaten by a woman!" said Alarie.

"You do not fight as a human woman," said Loric.

"No, you fight like a demon," said Brandalay. "No man will stand and defeat you, but Belderag will send archers with poison to keep you from the next battle."

"Let's ride now!" said Loric. "Kerreth will find us and I would rather he not find us trapped again."

"For once, I agree," said Elberra. "Lead on Brandalay. The Talos Company rides."

The Jungeguds became jealous of their Elders and hunted them down, destroying them if they could, maiming them as their strength permitted and took dominion over Landermass. Only Cothos remained hidden from them and they cursed him and hunted him endlessly. Cothos defied the Jungeguds, trapping and destroying them and driving them into hiding. For a time there was peace and Men, Zidar, Daerlan, and Celaeri flourished. It was a golden age for the races of Landermass. But it proved brief.

From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.

The riders rode through the castle gate into the Gornst streets, the blue winged one leading them. People hurried out of the street when the pounding of the hooves drew near to find refuge in doorways and alleys. Shouting came from the castle as Belderag's soldiers ran after the riders but the riders were too far ahead. They would reach the city gates long before the soldiers could mount up. The soldiers watched the dust fade and a dozen soldiers on horseback came from the castle stables following the riders. The foot soldiers went back through the castle gate.

Lenak looked from Tolle to Arlent, the latter grinning. Arlent's dark cloak appeared grey from the road dust. His hat was pulled low over his brow hiding his narrow face in shadow.

"Well now, if that isn't something: an Anethean, a Daerlan, a Tuor and swordsmen escaping from Belderag's men. If that doesn't remind of something, I don't know what does."

"What does it remind you of?" said Lenak. Lenak's wool cap framed his light brown hair and his cheeks were red from the wind of their journey. Arlent stared at him and pushed him away. Lenak stumbled and nearly fell. His eyes narrowed.

"Tolle, I told you not to let your servant speak to me." Arlent's dagger glinted in the light. Lenak got to his feet, fumbling for his own weapon.

Tolle slugged Lenak on the shoulder reluctantly.

"Keep your thoughts to yourself," rasped the thief. "Only follow my commands." Noticing that Lenak now had a knife in his hands, Tolle pulled him close, the master thief's foul breath on Lenak's face. "Obey me or I will slit your throat myself."

Lenak nodded silently and Arlent turned his attention back to the streets of Gornst. They were on the roof of a tavern far above the eyes of the soldiers nearby with a sweeping view of the streets leading to the castle.

"I believe we just saw the Talos Company ride," said Arlent.

"Talos Company?" said Tolle. "They aren't real. Just a children's story."

"You haven't traveled as far as I have, old friend. There are legends sure, but more than a bit of truth started those legends. The Daerlan Altair Talos and his brother Gorm Talos organized a band of immortal mercenaries' ages ago and they are still around today. The Talos Company, I mean. Old Altair was killed years ago and I think Gorm may have passed on also, but the third partner of their company, Kerreth Veralier, half man and Zidar, is said to still be walking this earth after many thousand years and could pass for a man of forty years. Imagine what we could accomplish in three thousand years, Tolle. Just imagine the riches."

"How do you know so much about them?" asked Tolle. "I've only heard a few legends, but nothing that suggested they still exist, if they ever did."

"I had a mentor when I was a lad who had traveled with them for years. He wasn't as immortal as he thought he was." Arlent grinned to himself. He looked at Lenak suddenly, but the boy turned this gaze elsewhere.

"Will they interfere with our task?" asked Tolle.

"If they discover us, I think they would. Kerreth Veralier does not allow assassinations right in front of him. Despite working for hire, Veralier follows some sort of code. Plus, we can't pretend to think as a 3,000 year old being. He takes the very long view of things, I should guess. We should steer clear from them."

"Doesn't look like they will be back soon," said Tolle.

"No, and that's lucky for us. However, we don't know how many of them there are. The riders we saw may not be the entire Talos Company. I've heard they often had an army of their own. Let's explore the town some more and hear the gossip. I will see what attractions there are for my skills and you and your boy scout out your needs. There's a tavern near the center of town called The Grey Fox. Let's meet there an hour after sundown and put the plan together." Arlent walked off without another word. Lenak looked at Tolle who pointed in the other direction and they moved off.

Tolle led Lenak to the outer walls of the castle that separate Gornst proper from the keep. Tolle spent time watching the guards on duty and used a knife to probe the mortar of the wall. He walked around each of the buildings closest to the walls and then inspected where the city wall met the castle wall.

"May I speak, master?" asked Lenak.

"Go ahead."

"Arlent seems to know a great deal about the Talos Company."

"Yes, he told us how."

"I know a little about them too. Only immortals are ever asked to be a member. What type of immortal would have been a mentor to a thief or assassin such as Arlent? And how could Arlent kill him as he implied? Did you have such a mentor?"

Tolle looked at Lenak and spit out the side of his mouth.

"I would like to know more about you, Lenak, except my instructions were clear to see you as only what you appear to be. The points you raise are very good. Do you suspect he has other reasons to know about the Talos Company?"

"I am not sure. I just voiced my thoughts."

"I wonder. Well, watch your thoughts around Arlent. Keep silent if you are able. If what you suspect is close to the truth he won't hesitate to slit your throat. Arlent does not pretend to be a saint and he has left a long trail of corpses in his wake."

Tolle looked down the wall toward the east to where Arenna Aruk's compound nestled against the city wall. A one-armed woman walked toward them. She wore a sword and left several men standing a few yards behind her.

"Who are you?" she asked. One eye was blind and she leaned close to Tolle.

"None of your business," rasped Tolle. He already had a dagger in his hand; Lenak saw the tip peek out of Tolle's long sleeves.

"My men have watched you for some time. Your study of the walls is suspicious and I would know your interest."

"Indeed? And who might you be?"

"As you can see, I have armed men with me, so I will trust to your common sense. I am Arenna Aruk, and that is my compound next to the wall. I am concerned for the safety of the city I live in. Are you a thief?"

"Is it that obvious?" rasped Tolle.

"You are no merchant and the peasants have no interest in the stability of the walls of Gornst or of Castle Belderag. You are very close to my compound and the merchant area is off limits to the Thief Guild. We have an understanding. I guess you are from another town. Is there any reason for me not to turn you over to the city guard?"

"Ah, you are a loyal follower of Lord Belderag."

Arenna stared at Tolle. "Your assumptions, right or wrong will not win friendship from me. I must have your clear answer or drop that dagger you conceal in your sleeve."

Tolle shifted his feet and looked at the men standing behind Arenna and then at Arenna. Her white eye seemed to look through him. He made a decision.

"I am here to spy on Belderag and him alone. I cannot say who sent me, but my mission does not harm the people of Gornst. I am not here to thieve."

"A spy? How can you mission against Belderag and not against Gornst?"

"Despite the connection, my master believes Gornst would be better without Belderag," said Tolle. "And with luck, a better leader in his place."

"Ah, a fine distinction. You are to find out what Belderag is doing and find a way for him to be removed. It will take war to displace Belderag. If that is your path, let your master contact me, I may be of service. Gornst must not feel the brunt of this war. I have influence here and can help in your task."

"Your name is Arenna Aruk?"

"Yes, Dacu Belderag is my father."

"Father?"

"Yes, does that shock you?"

"Not so much. Many castles have fallen from within. I will pass your words along. If you will excuse us, I have more work to do."

"Allow me to accompany you," said Arenna. "I can show you many of the less known passages in the castle and even a few that may be considered 'secret passages'."

Arenna waved one of her men forward and she whispered to him. He signaled the others who returned to the compound.

"This is Ranst, who will accompany us. Please, follow me." Arenna led the way and Ranst brought up the rear. Tolle walked ahead of Lenak.

Arlent walked casually until he was out of Tolle's sight, then he moved quickly down a side street, through an alley and into the back door of a tavern on the north side of Gornst. It was a dark place and few patrons stood at the bar. They all looked at Arlent when he entered.

"What do you want?" asked the barman.

"I want to speak to Chander," said Arlent.

"Never heard of him."

"Probably because Chander is a woman. Tell her Arlent is here. And I have urgent business to discuss."

The barman did not say anything but he glanced to the far corner of the room. Arlent kept his eyes on the barman and his hand on his dagger, taking a few steps toward the center of the room. Then he turned to look. An old woman, wrapped in a patched blue cloak grinned at him. She lacked several teeth and her gaunt frame belied her strength and vitality.