Greyrawk (Book 2) (21 page)

"Welcome Arlent," said Chander. "It has been many, many years."

"Hello, Chander. It has been too long."

"Well, let's not go that far. Why has the prince of thieves come to Gornst? Surely you have enough to keep you busy in the big city?"

"I do and it is a job from Andara that brings me here."

"What kind of job?"

"Disposal." Arlent waved to the barman to bring him a drink.

"True? Belderag, I hope."

"Perhaps, but whoever is it, there will be much turmoil. I wanted to give you warning to protect your people and also alert you to the opportunities that may arise."

"Yes, yes, as you say. You always have been courteous, even as you rob my coffers. It is difficult to trust you. I may have you closely watched while you are in Gornst. Did you know my people marked your coming?" She smiled. "How soon do you make your move?"

"This week," said Arlent.

"Barely enough time."

"Better than naught."

"And they sent you to kill him," said Chander. "Alone?"

"Tolle is with me."

"Ah, so that is why you came to me. Tit for tat. You make my life easier and I make yours easier. That puts a very different light on things. I underestimated you, Arlent. You do think ahead of your moves. Very well, I accept your offer."

"He is traveling with a young boy named Lenak. Do what you want with the boy."

"Is Tolle necessary for your task?"

"I believe so."

"My men will move once Belderag is dead."

"Excellent, Chander. I do not know why I do not visit more often."

"Alas and yet, I shall endure. Now, finish your ale and get out of my tavern."

Arlent drained the mug, stood up and walked out the back door. The barman came to fetch the mug.

"Tell the boys to meet me tonight," said Chander. "We have two murders to plan."

"Two? But he spoke of one."

"Yes, he spoke of one, but I speak of two. He knows too much of my business. I only come to this tavern once every two weeks and yet Arlent walks in out of the blue as I sit here. How did he choose this tavern? He is too dangerous. Spread the word."

Tolle glided into the tavern to a table in the back. Lenak shyly walked in and stared at all the people busy with their drinks and laughter as if he had never been in such a noisy gathering. He stood in the middle of the floor and nearly collided with Danni.

"Hey! Watch where you are going!" said Danni.

Lenak stared at her and muttered. "Sorry." He saw Tolle and went to join him. The warmth from the fire was comforting and Lenak relaxed for the first time in many days. Danni served ale and stew. Lenak peered up at her and she smiled. Lenak blushed. He heard Danni chuckle to herself as she went back to the kitchen.

When Lenak pushed the stew bowl away Danni swooped in and took it away. She winked at Lenak and he reddened again.

"What's the matter boy?" said Tolle. "The girl's taken an interest in you. Bet you can bed her."

"What?" Lenak looked at Tolle and then at Danni who waved at him.

"Come on, surely you're experienced."

"I'd rather not talk about it."

Tolle laughed and drained his mug. He had another one in hand before Lenak's blush disappeared. Arlent entered the tavern, nodded to Tolle and went to the bar for a drink. Lenak watched Arlent scan the room noticing each person, taking their measure and filing the details away for the proper moment. A large shadow covers their table. The barman stood next to Lenak.

"I see you making eyes at my daughter," said the huge man. Lenak shook his head but no words came out and he slid down his chair a bit. "You ask me for permission first, right lad?"

Lenak nodded.

"Can't talk?" asked Colly.

"I believe the moment has got the better of him," rasped Tolle.

"Ah well. It happens. More ale gentlemen?"

"Thank you," said Tolle. He immediately drank from his mug. Lenak sat staring straight ahead. "Good thing you didn't try the girl. That barman's one of the largest men I've ever seen. Did you see how big his hands were?"

"Can we go?" asked Lenak.

"Soon. Arlent looks to be up to something. He'll give a sign and we will leave. We need to tell him about the passages Arenna showed us and he will tell us what he's found. Then you can sleep and dream of the fair maiden yonder."

"I feel sick," said Lenak.

"That's the way of love, I'm afraid. Best get used to it, boy, it doesn't get any better."

"It doesn't?"

Tolle smiled and drank his ale. Lenak sat quietly, focused on his thoughts. Arlent finally joined them, ignoring Lenak.

"Well, I think we can move quickly," said Arlent. "There is enough confusion in town with the rumors of Celaeri and Belderag's preparation for war. The appearance of the Talos Company only made it worse. If we keep to our business, moving like we have a destination, we will be able to reach the areas we need."

"Good," said Tolle. "We have found the main passages in the castle and a few hidden ones. I think we can get in and out before anyone realizes what happened."

"Let's go. I want to see those passages."

The trio rose and departed. Danni grabbed Lenak's arm.

"I'll be here when you come back."

Lenak stared at her and hurriedly followed his companions. Danni watched until Colly came over to remind her to do her work.

"Why does that boy interest you so?" asked Colly. "What about Captain Picker?"

"Boy? Father can't you tell a girl when you see one?"

"That was a girl?"

"Yep. And I don't think she wants to be with them. Do you think she's a prisoner?"

"If she was a prisoner she probably would have asked you to take her to a room."

"Father!"

"Just to get away from them, but I don't think they know she's a girl. At least, they didn't talk like it."

"Oh, she could be in danger if they find out."

"Could be, but why are they here? They didn't look like merchants."

"Maybe Chander knows," said Danni.

"You stay away from Chander."

"I've known her since I was a child."

"She's always after you to join her company of thieves."

"Well, I know most of them too. I think that girl could be in danger and Chander could help us."

"Perhaps. But you have work to do."

Danni frowned and went back to the tables. Colly leaned against the bar thinking about the young girl. Why would she be traveling with those two disguised as a boy. They were strangers to Gornst; where did they come from? He did not trust their looks.

"Ah, Colly Bulger, ease your thinking, I'm afraid you will hurt yourself."

"Chander? What brings you to my place?"

"Just friendly visit. And a word to the wise. Can we go in the back?"

Colly and the old woman went to the storeroom. Danni saw them and smiled.

"Colly, King Haldane has sent assassins to kill Belderag," said Chander.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. There's no doubt. I think that trio that just left your common room is involved- the two men and the boy. I don't think Haldane would make such a move without his army close by. I have sent a man out to scout the south road. I believe the king will take control of the city. There will be chaos in Gornst for a time but the king's soldiers will bring order. Keep your Danni close and be wary. I don't trust the assassins. They have done me harm in the past and I aim to repay them. I'd hate you or Danni to get in the way."

"I see. I have no urge to defend Belderag, or to claim the city for my own."

"You say that now, but I remember your youth. Your sword is within reach I would guess. Keep to your tavern, Colly, and the madness will pass you by."

"Thank you, Chander. By the way, Danni is concerned for the boy with those men. Might be a slave or something. If your people find him without the men, would you bring him here?"

"Perhaps. His safety would depend on the situation," said Chander. "But I will pass the word."

"That would suffice. Would you care for some stew?"

"Don't mind if I do. On the house?"

"Of course. Don't choke on it."

"Never have. You're too straightforward Colly. No, I'd fear for my life when you come at me directly with your sword. No treachery for you."

Chander sat down and Colly served her stew. Danni was waiting for him at the bar.

"Well? Does she know about the girl?"

"No, but there is trouble brewing and we need to be ready. Sharpen your knife, Danni. I'm afraid you'll be slitting throats again. Ah, what would your mother say?"

The gods imbued many things with their powers often unbeknownst to the gods themselves. Some of the items were found and the power drawn upon for other purposes. The Mother Stone of the Celaeri was such an item. Jerue Adan discovered how to draw the power of Moruga from the stone to augment his own. Part of the plan to defeat the Celaeri was to separate Jerue Adan from the stone and push the Celaeri away from Adan's Hill. There is no knowledge of how long the power lasts in an object as the Mother Stone. If the Celaeri ever returned it would be through the power of the Mother Stone.

From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.

Was it worse to be recaptured, or to be welcomed back without punishment? He was confused by their concern for him followed by their threats if he did not comply with their wishes. He was still light-headed from the blood loss and had not eaten in hours. Ioane Adan chained him to the weathered stones near the Mother Stone. They did not need more of his blood yet, but the time was coming and he felt weak. Several vessels of water were set near him to replenish his fluids. The commotion on the summit had increased since he left. The noise was constant; the banging of construction, the clanging of hammers and voices everywhere. There were dozens more Celaeri working on their structures and a smithy had been built. The heat from the smithy warmed him even at a distance. He could see what they wrought; spears, swords and shields. The reckoning was near.

"Ian Greyrawk," said Jerue Adan. He rested his foot on a large stone and looked down at Greyrawk. Jerue Adan smiled, but his eyes were cold. Greyrawk saw no spark of life behind them. "It is good you have returned to us. We shall soon ride to war and I shall be comforted to know that you are safe here. See, the Celaeri return, thanks to you, and we rebuild our home of old. This shall be a sanctuary for us to take our ease after battle. You shall live out your life here as an honored hero. You shall see your child grow up."

"My child? I don't understand."

"Are you not expecting another child? It shall grow up with us here. Your child shall join you very soon. Your woman is near; I can sense her. She is less than a day's ride from you."

"Jaele? Here in Cresida? I don't understand. She was on Anavar."

"Ah, that is the lot of the male, is it not? Never shall we understand the motives of the female. For whatever reason, your woman has come north across the water to Amloth and rides the roads between Gornst and Greyrawk Mountain. You and your Jaele can live your long lives among the Celaeri, never wanting for anything. Shall we welcome her home? Will she not be glad to see you?"

Greyrawk did not answer. Jerue Adan grinned; his sharp teeth extremely white.

"You cannot find the words, I know. Just rest. When she draws near, we shall bring her to you." He paused. "She cannot escape us, Ian. There is a hint of Celaeri blood in her. The child calls to us. Jaele is searching for you and she will find you. We will send for your other two children and they will grow up Celaeri too." He laughed the hollow Celaeri laugh and walked away.

Greyrawk tugged on the chains but they held fast. The crumbling stone belied the integrity of the iron; he would not pull himself free. He looked for a stone to throw at Jerue Adan but the Celaeri had expected even that; the area was clear of small rocks. He watched the activity around him with the thought that if he did escape he would be able to relate the preparations of the Celaeri. He was not sure of what every task they worked on meant, but he knew the look of military drills being carried out on the far side of the summit. There looked to be a hundred Celaeri in the drills.

A surge of warmth washed over him as the smith pounded out several halberds. Dozens of poles leaned against the smithy waiting for their blades. He saw many swords already finished, waiting to be claimed. The blades were slender compared to Greyrawk's sword. Even his grandfather's sword had more heft to it. The edges appeared very sharp and the halberd edges looked cruel and hawk-like. The Celaeri were arming their soldiers. They would strike at Men living in the area and take back the land they once ruled. Greyrawk realized Jerue Adan did not intend to leave survivors who weren't slaves. All his words came back clearly to Greyrawk. This would be the annihilation of Men and he had a hand in the Celaeri effort. If the Celaeri won, he would forever walk tainted by his betrayal of his people. He knew Men lived in western Amloth and of course across the sea in Anavar. They could put together an army large enough to keep the Celaeri in check. But how could he get a warning to them? At least, he must warn the people of Cresida although they are much more in tune with their land than he and may sense trouble coming. There would be some that the Celaeri would not catch napping. But he was chained to this stone and could not pull it free. He would need help and where would that come from?

The Celaeri were clearing away much of the overgrowth of bushes, exposing the foundation of Castle Greyrawk. The castle had been torn down to the foundation with few sections of wall remaining over a couple feet tall. Some of the stones had been cleared away entirely. Towards where the back wall had been there was a great pit in the hill as if part of the castle had fallen into the earth. Greyrawk saw that some Celaeri climbed down into the pit and others handed tools down to them. He guessed there were foundations of Celaeri structures under Castle Greyrawk. They would be thousands of years old. Jerue Adan kept wandering over and shouting down to the Celaeri below. He would nod his head and walk away. Greyrawk tried to doze, but then he heard Jerue Adan shouting again but the Celaeri language was difficult to decipher. Perhaps they were after more than just their previous home. The Mother Stone was buried on the summit; what else might be hidden there for centuries? Jerue Adan appeared expectant and impatient as he hovered near the pit.