Greyrawk (Book 2) (25 page)

Kerreth bowed and quickly strode away. He noted the other guard moving quickly to one of the buildings and he did not want to meet any more of Arenna's armed men at the moment. The castle was only a few blocks from Arenna's compound and the gates were open with people moving in and out freely. Kerreth walked confidently, smiled and nodded at the guard nearest him. He entered without drawing too much notice and entered the great hall. Many soldiers were gathered there and Kerreth backed out quickly into an alcove. Concealed in the shadows he was able to watch the men assemble. He recognized Picker and his men. On the far side were the Red Hawks. It appeared to be a meeting of all the leaders that would take the field against the Celaeri.

Belderag sat in his high backed chair listening to reports from the captains. Standing next to him was a tall man with pale skin. There was something familiar about him, but Kerreth could not call it to mind.

Several men entered the hall and by their dress Kerreth guessed them to be nobles.

"You took your time," said Belderag.

"The road passes Greyrawk Mountain," said Walter Nunderburg. "We took a wider journey to elude their sentries."

"How many men do you have?"

"Two hundred including fifty horsemen."

"How many guard your castle?" asked Belderag.

"I left fifty men to protect my wife."

"Your wife? If we do not win the day, fifty soldiers will not save her."

"Nevertheless Dacu, I will not leave her unguarded."

"Where are your useless brothers?"

"They are scouting the Celaeri movement. A small party came down from Greyrawk Mountain and moved toward the river in the direction of Triss. They are following them and they have hawks with them to update me on what they find."

Belderag nodded his head and reached for his wine.

"Picker! You shall lead the west flank. Walter, your men shall be the east flank. The Red Hawks will fly down the center and we shall hammer the Celaeri. They use finesse in their fighting; they are not comfortable with close quarters and brutish tactics. We must hit them hard and divide them. Cut them off from the mountain."

Belderag turned to the pale man and spoke with him privately. The man nodded and left the hall. Kerreth, waited, then eased himself out of the hall and followed the man to the stables.

"I need a horse," said the man.

"Yes, Machel," said a groom. "I get you a fast one."

Kerreth racked his mind trying to remember where he had seen the man before. Machel. The name meant nothing. Kerreth hurried back to Colly's tavern where his horse was tied behind the building. He tried to keep an eye on Machel and was only a few blocks behind when he mounted his horse. He did not take the time to say anything to Ian Greyrawk or Colly.

Ian will have to fend for himself, Kerreth thought. There is no time to make plans. I know where this Machel is heading and I will stop him from reaching Jerue Adan.

Kerreth rode as fast as he could short of drawing the attention of the guards. He could see the horsed silhouette of Machel ahead of him. Machel had cleared the gate but was not riding hard. There was still a chance to overtake him.

Greyrawk finished his meal and put his feet up on a chair, closing his eyes. Fatigue was beginning to overtake him and he wondered how long before Kerreth would return. The murmuring noise of the tavern was soothing. He was aware of someone near him. He heard the weight of a full tankard of ale settle on the table and he smiled and answered without opening his eyes.

"Thank you, my dear," said Greyrawk.

"You're welcome," replied Colly. He laughed all the way to the bar.

Greyrawk realized he had dozed off when someone kicked his boots off the chair. He opened his eyes to see two Red Hawks standing over him.

"What's the problem?" asked Greyrawk. "I'm minding my own business."

"Yes, and what is your business?" asked one.

"I recognized you from Lord Belderag's feast," said the other. "You were with Arenna Aruk."

"You are a Greyrawk."

"Ah, I see your point now. If you allow me to stand we shall settle this with the blade."

"I don't think so," said the first. "You are to be brought before Lord Belderag."

"I believe I will have to refuse." He started to rise.

A sword was at his throat. Greyrawk relaxed back into the chair.

"You will come with us and quietly," said the first. "Whether bleeding or no, is your decision."

Greyrawk knew they were seasoned fighters who hoped he would resist. He saw their tensed muscles and realized he couldn't move fast enough to stop both of them. Cold steel would pierce him if he resisted.

A loud thud and one Red Hawk pitched over onto the floor. The other turned and caught Colly's staff in the face. He also went down.

"Come," said Colly. "It is no longer safe for you."

Colly led him into the back.

"Bort! I will be gone for a few days," said Colly. "Danni too. You're in charge and you don't know where I've gone."

"Will you be all right?" asked Gez, the cook.

"Yes, we will be fine. It's the young man who is in danger. If his companion returns, tell Kerreth that Ian is safe."

Danni had a bulging pack over her shoulder and handed another to Colly. They moved quickly out the back door crossing to a small stable. Greyrawk took his horse.

"Kerreth's horse is gone."

"Well, I imagine he had need of it," said Colly. "It looks like he must have moved on without you. He knew you'd be safer here."

"With the Red Hawks here?"

"Even with the Red Hawks. You know how to wield a sword, as do I. Danni can use a dagger and runs very fast."

"How can we get out of the city? With war coming the gate will be closed and the city guard allowing people through."

"There is another way out near the river. We will have to lead the horses under the shadow of the wall along the riverbank until we can ride free. There is a great chance we will be spotted."

"Can we cross the river?" asked Greyrawk.

"The current is strong and it is very wide near the city. We won't be able to cross safely. And we want to stay on this side anyway."

Danni had ridden ahead and when they came to the wall she was waiting at an old blacksmith's building. It was no longer used and they led their horses inside. Danni closed the doors behind them.

Two men stood waiting for them, dirty and tattered. Colly flipped a small moneybag toward them. A surprisingly fast hand shot out and caught the bag. Colly led the way through a narrow doorway that led to the passage through the wall. Once out on the riverbank, they walked east. The two men began to cover up their tracks and closed the door to the passage.

"Where to?" whispered Greyrawk. Colly turned quickly and motioned for silence. They moved steadily along the wall. Greyrawk glanced up at the wall but could not see any guards. Finally, they reached an area where they could mount and ride. After a mile or so, Colly pulled aside Greyrawk.

"There is a hunting lodge near the foothills southeast of Greyrawk Mountain. That is where I am taking you. We might be too close to the Celaeri, but it's the best place, and Kerreth knows of it."

They rode hard for a mile more and then slowed to a leisurely pace.

"You swing a mean staff, Colly," said Greyrawk.

Colly smiled. "A misspent youth."

"Father!"

"Okay, the truth is I was a soldier in my youth. I fought for your grandfather and was lucky enough to survive the defeat. My granddad loaned me some money to buy the tavern."

"You fought for my grandfather? How can you stand to be in Gornst in the shadow of that monster Belderag?"

"A man does what he must. The Greyrawks were dead and no one was defying Belderag. He ruled in these parts-still does matter of fact. I was just a foot soldier, no leader of men."

They rode without breaking until they reached the higher ground. The road was overgrown and the forest silent. They rode silently across the miles to the lodge. They rested after an hour and then continued on. The lodge was a mile or so beyond the edge of the trees and Greyrawk felt tremors in the forest air. He unsheathed his sword.

"I sense it as well," said Colly, not turning around. "There is something in the wood with us. Danni?"

"I am armed."

"I know this feeling," said Greyrawk. "Vlakan are nearby."

"Are you sure?"

"I have encountered them before. They will attack if they have the numbers, otherwise they will wait for a straggler." Danni pulled her horse next to Greyrawk.

They rode on without trouble and reached the lodge. Colly dismounted and went inside and lit a fire. The interior began to glow.

"Won't that attract them?" asked Greyrawk.

"No. The Vlakan fear light. Besides, they already know we are here. We might as well be comfortable."

"Will they bring the Celaeri?" asked Danni.

"I don't think they work that closely," said Greyrawk. "They might bring Celaeri, but not intentionally. They fend for themselves and fight for the Celaeri when the spoils are good." He walked around the interior and wrinkled his nose.

"Well, the smell of this place won't attract them," said Greyrawk. "Who owns it?"

"I do," said Colly. "My father built it and I grew up here. I haven't been here in a while as you noticed. I hope to retire to this place."

"You're welcome to it."

"It is nice when spring comes," said Danni. "There are wild flowers all around the lodge and many birds. I have missed coming here." She found a broom and began knocking down cobwebs.

"We will be able to scout the area from here. I know the paths through the hills that will hide us from Celaeri sentries. I expect the Talos Company is somewhere north of Greyrawk Mountain."

"Why north?"

"Too far into the hills is Vlakan country and to the west it is wide open plains. We did not see them when we crossed south of Greyrawk Mountain. It is north that they camp and you will find Kerreth there when his task is complete, whatever it is."

Colly shut the huge door and dragged furniture in front of it.

"The shutters are bolted but let's take no chances."

Danni removed blankets from the packs and spread them in front of the fire. Greyrawk lay on his stomach staring into the flames while the strange cries of the Vlakan rang in the darkness.

It is said Cothos often walks among us as an old man, wise yet full of vitality. I am an old man and no longer know anything about vitality. But I have walked Landermass over eight hundred years and have gained perspective to decipher the actions of the past. What perspective could I have compared to a god? Whatever plans or actions describe our lives we are but pawns in the thoughts of the gods. I believe Cothos set the actions of all Zidars in motion eons ago. Even our wildest impulses were foreseen and accounted for in the intricate songs of the gods. Why does this not comfort me?

From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.

Kerreth closed the distance between them but Machel Moet heard the hooves behind him and spurred his horse to greater effort. If Moet kept to the road, then Kerreth could head across country to cut him off before he reached Greyrawk Mountain. Kerreth could see his quarry was not a skilled horseman. Moet kept to the middle of the road and did not allow his horse to run freely. His gripped the reins tightly.

The road veered south before it curved back toward Greyrawk Mountain. If Moet kept to the road Kerreth could cut across the fields shortening his distance. He looked for a likely path and saw an area beat down over time from the passage of riders who needed to shorten their travel times. He charged off the road to the softer surface that muffled the sound of his passing. After two miles he would meet the road again and hope he was ahead of Moet by then, otherwise the chase might be futile. The Celaeri scouts would see Moet coming with Kerreth in pursuit. Celaeri soldiers would ride to intercept them and Kerreth did not believe the odds would be in his favor. He had to overtake Moet before he reached the last bridge before Greyrawk Mountain. That would still leave two miles to the Celaeri camp and Kerreth did not believe the Celaeri were ready to ride just yet.

The fields were overgrown, abandoned and his speed was slower than what he hoped. Still, he gained on Machel Moet. The pounding of the hooves were all he heard, yet his senses alerted him; he was not alone. Movement to his right caught his eyes. Something dark moved quickly through the tall grass; a shadow keeping pace with him. Then there were more; Vlakan rising up from the fields to give chase. Kerreth swerved back toward the road but the Vlakan left the cover of the tall grasses. Moet turned back to see Kerreth bearing down on him with the darkness trailing fast behind.

"Vlakan!" cried Moet.

"Draw your sword!" called Kerreth as he pulled alongside Moet. "We cannot outrun them." Moet drew his sword, looking wildly at the Vlakan.

"There are too many," shouted Moet. "We cannot escape!"

"Then let us give them a battle worth a story."

The Vlakan kept pace with the horses, running on both sides. Kerreth held the reins with his teeth and wielded both swords viciously. Two Vlakan came up from behind and Kerreth caught the first one in the throat and the second under its front limb. The Vlakan shared some humanoid traits but their appearances were not consistent. Kerreth wondered if the Vlakan were changing into Celaeri from another form. Certainly he could see Celaeri features in the last one he killed.

The Vlakan brought down Moet's horse and Belderag's advisor grunted as he landed in the dirt. Kerreth reared his horse, its hooves cracking heads. Kerreth leapt to the ground and dispatched another Vlakan. Three others fled across the road to the forest.

Kerreth walked to the body of a Vlakan still breathing. It opened its eyes and looked at him. The madness of the Vlakan had left it and the silent stare showed understanding of what had happened. The features relaxed and the Vlakan sighed heavily.

The Vlakan died and transformed into a humanoid form, but its coloring was Celaeri. Kerreth suspected such a change might happen and he looked at the other Vlakan close by. The coloring wasn't right. No blue skin or even a hint. A light tan arm lay across the body. Kerreth bent over to look closely at the remains of the face. The Vlakan was not Celaeri; it was Men. How did Men become Vlakan? It put Kerreth's theories to the flame. He had to reconsider everything. Were not the Vlakan once Celaeri? Was it not the existence they fled? What were the Vlakan really? Jerue Adan's allies could be wider flung than previously guessed. He walked over to where Machel Moet lay in the tall grass. Moet was still breathing. Kerreth had many questions for him.