Greyrawk (Book 2) (16 page)

"I will have supplies prepared for you. Can you wait another hour or so until they are prepared?"

"Yes," said Kerreth. "It is kind of you."

The doors to the hall slammed opened and four people walked it. A guard drew his sword and Loric's sword flashed and disarmed him.

"Greetings, comrades!" shouted Loric. "We have returned."

"That's a Celaeri!" shouted Belderag, pointing at one of Loric's companions. Loric ignored the soldiers and strode toward the table.

"Ah, you must be Dacu Belderag. I am Loric Greyrawk and I bring with me Alarie Skye, Warlord of the Celaeri, Dvorak Annis, Wizard of the Talos Company, and Tarlac Brandalay, a former noble of Cresida."

"Brandalay! I must say, Kerreth, since you entered my door there is no end to the riff raff that follows you." He sensed the movement, rather than saw it.

"What do you have to say to me?" purred Alarie Skye, her dagger at the throat of Belderag. She moved so fast that not one of the Talos Company registered it until too late. "I have betrayed my people and rejected the lifespan of the Celaeri. In a few decades I shall be just as dead as you will be. Do not turn your nose up to me and the help I can offer."

"Charming," said Moria, to Loric. "At least she shares your manners."

"Of course," said Alarie. "I am his sister."

"Oh, lord," said Belderag. He looked closely at the serrated dagger blade Alarie retracted from his throat. "It keeps getting better. Bring wine for everyone and bread if it's fresh. Tarlac, come here. At least our issues are normal ones. I thought I saw someone of your stature with Arenna at the feast. Was I wrong?"

"No, I was there. Your daughter hired me when no one else would."

"Well, hardly surprising is it? Do you hate me Brandalay? Was it worse to strip you of your title and property or to execute you?"

"I have come to terms with it. And I stay away from places I might be recognized. Dambert did have a price on my head for a time."

"Cuckolded husbands can be so unreasonable," said Belderag. He sipped his wine. "Does Arenna still blame me for her fate? Does she really believe I harmed her? Do you know what really happened?" He looked at Jaele who shook her head.

"Colin Greyrawk, Ian Greyrawk's father, the son of Aryar, last lord of Greyrawk Mountain. Colin was wounded and captured before I killed Aryar. Colin was left to rot in the dungeon. The jailors fed him but I told no one else he still lived. When Arenna was a child she wandered into the darkness of the dungeon. She was always a curious child; always poking where she shouldn't. She was attacked by a Vlakan. A Vlakan in this castle! The jailors drove it off, but the damage had been done. Arenna lost her arm, perhaps her mind and we were lucky she didn't die. Of course, she feels different about it."

"Later, I took soldiers and hunted down the Vlakan, killing it. When it died, it turned back into Colin Greyrawk. It was terrible and fascinating. I couldn't turn away from the gruesome transformation."

"Why didn't you explain it to Arenna?" asked Brandalay. "You risk her trying to disrupt your government or kill you."

"I know. It is a line I've walked for years. Her rage does not allow me close enough. I tried a few times; nearly got spitted for my troubles. Nay, the Celaeri are ever the curse of Cresida."

"Celaeri turn into the Vlakan?" asked Loric. "What causes it and why hasn't it happened to me?"

"You are Loric Greyrawk, the founder of the Dawn Brotherhood I understand," said Belderag. "You would know better than I. But I have another question. Why would you betray your own people?"

"My people? I was never one of them. I was no better than a dog to them but I watched them and grew to know their desires. They are a cruel people who believe every other creature is beneath them. Once they faded from the bright world I decided to keep watch for their return. Men live such short lives and their memories are shorter. Without the lore bequeathed to them, humankind would fall in their ignorance."

"I understand. Long have the Dawn Brotherhood guarded that lore."

"I am of the Talos Company. They are my family; I know no other. Most of my life I have lived and worked with the Talos Company. I set aside any association with Celaeri until I sensed a change in the world. To me they are just another threat."

"Even me?" asked Alarie Skye. Loric looked down.

"My righteousness is pierced. It is hard to build armor to protect yourself. There is always a way to find the weak spot. No, Alarie, you are blood to me and I don't think of you as Celaeri."

"But I am Celaeri," she snapped. She walked to Moria, turning her back on Loric.

"Well, hmm. Let's discuss what we need to do at Greyrawk Mountain," said Belderag.

"The Celaeri are already there in force," said Brandalay. "They will be using something they call the Mother Stone to call forth their people. They need the blood of a Greyrawk to activate it. I'm afraid Ian may not survive any more bleedings. They tried several times at their home in the Black Heath. He is already weak."

"Ian must be saved," said Jaele. "For our children's sake."

Brandalay looked at the tanned strong face of Jaele. "We won't let him die, but we cannot wait too long."

"It will take a day at least to clear the area around the Mother Stone," said Alarie Skye.

"I have a question, Celaeri," said Belderag.

"Her name is Alarie," said Loric.

"Pardon me, Alarie. When I fought with Aryar Greyrawk years ago, where were the Celaeri? I presume some of you could have moved about this world without difficulty. Where were you that day?"

Alarie did not answer.

"As I thought - always their own agenda. Well, Kerreth, watch this one and your Loric too. If she's really his sister she may have some dark influence over him."

"Watch what you say!" said Loric.

"Never trust Celaeri!" cried Belderag, rising.

Kerreth held Loric back. Alarie left the great hall.

"I think we should leave you for now," said Kerreth. "We will rest and return when the supplies are ready."

"Yes, yes. That is fine. Picker! Show them where they can rest. You know the rooms."

Belderag left the table and exited a door behind him. Picker waited patiently until the Talos Company noticed him and followed him to the east wing of the castle where each of them was offered their own room. Kerreth and Moria chose to stay together, but the others all were shut into individual rooms.

Picker shut the last door and turned to his men.

"You know what to do."

Several gods tried to emulate the craft of Cothos and create their own races. Both Altenguds and Jungeguds felt the conceit to follow Cothos' path but the results often mirrored the cracks in the minds of the gods and the gods' flaws were their creations' flaws too. Even the Zidar suffered from their superiority and were distrusted and separate from the races of Men.

From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.

Kerreth heard the thud of the bolt and reached for the door and pulled. It held fast. He slammed his fist against the heavy wood door. Jaele sat on the bed.

"Belderag locked us in," said Moria. "He never intended to help us at all."

"I fear you are correct. He fooled us. I think Loric and Alarie's presence turned him against us at the end. He will deal with us after he settles with the Celaeri, but I am not sure he can do either. I fear the Celaeri have been moving their chess pieces long before Loric sensed their activity. If we don't escape, then it will be Celaeri who next open these doors." He sat down and sniffed the jug of wine. He drank a mouthful and closed his eyes.

No one spoke for a time, centered on their own thoughts.

Jaele screamed when the pale head came through the door. The face of the young man stared at her unblinking, but it did see her.

"What?" Kerreth jumped to his feet, a sword in his hand. "Oh, it's just Prince James. Where have you been?"

"It's a gggghosttt," said Jaele.

"Yes, he is. Prince James is from Eslenda. He died in battle years ago. Now, he just follows us around. Didn't you notice him on our journey? He was with us when we met you."

"But he did vanish often," said Moria. "I only saw him a couple times at night. And in the daytime he's hard to see. I wish we knew what he's thinking."

"Hasn't learned to speak yet," said Kerreth to Jaele. "But he has been more attentive, as if he's figuring things out. I think he's finally come to terms with his condition."

"Speak! I wouldn't want a ghost to speak," said Jaele.

"You haven't spent enough time with Loric," said Moria. "A ghost would be a welcome change. I sure hope Ian is nothing like Loric."

"There are some similarities," admitted Jaele. "But Loric is a much more confident man, or at least more outwardly confident."

"That's a polite way of putting it."

Prince James's shape flowed the rest of the way through the door. Jaele watched the young man's shade move about the room. He reached out with his hand at several spots along the far wall and shook his head.

"Is he looking for something?" asked Jaele.

"I believe so," said Kerreth. "Perhaps he is trying to find a release for a passage."

"Is that right, James?" asked Jaele. "Is there a passage out?"

Prince James turned toward her and nodded.

"Ohh, that's creepy," said Jaele. "He actually thinks."

"That's more than he ever communicated to us," said Moria. "He may become a full member of the company after all. Let's help him look." They all moved to the ways and felt the surface with their hands. There was not a sound for several minutes.

Moria felt a stone give way to her touch. She pushed harder and it slid forward. There was a reluctant scraping noise as a section of the wall opened. Prince James slipped inside.

Moria and Jaele followed. Kerreth drew his swords, bringing up the rear. James' silhouette gave enough light for them to see and they followed him through the twists and turns of the passages until they rose up from a trapdoor into the stables.

"Well, this is good fortune," said Kerreth. "Our horses are still here."

"But many others are gone," said Jaele. "And the warhorse I believe belonged to Belderag is gone too."

"He's gone to Greyrawk Mountain," said Moria.

"Then must follow," said Kerreth. "I fear the mischief he may cause."

"What about the others?" asked Jaele.

"They will have to fare for themselves. They are quite capable and we must not let Belderag do anything rash." Kerreth led his horse out of the stables and Moria followed. They looked back to Jaele, who threw up her arms and grabbed the reins of her horse.

"I keep forgetting you people have lived centuries."

"It's true we are not inexperienced," said Kerreth. He rode to the main post of the stable and drew symbols in the wood with the point of his sword. "There, I have left a message for the others should they come this way. And they will."

"Thank you. I do feel better. Where did Prince James go?"

"I don't see him," said Moria. "Perhaps he's gone back for the others. But no worries, he is already dead." She smiled at Jaele who shook her head at the black humor.

"Let's ride!" cried Kerreth.

Loric heard voices in the hallway and then they faded away. He tried the door but it was locked. He shouted but received no response. He went to the wall between his room and Hobart's. The wall was solid stone and gave no sound when he slapped it. He took his sword and pounded on the stone. The sound seemed deadened and he heard nothing from the other side. He tried again harder but the results were the same. He cursed. They were fools for trusting Belderag. Belderag's hatred of Celaeri was too strong to consider any plan but for their destruction. Loric worried for Alarie. Belderag would certainly try to kill her.

Loric poked the blade of his dagger between the stones and started digging away the mortar. He kept at it for a quarter hour when the first stone wiggled. He wedged his sword in for better leverage. He almost got it to move forward but he felt the tension in the sword; any more force and the blade would break. He cursed and sat down, looking around. His only companion a flagon of cheap wine to pass the time.

Loric stared at the wall while digging his sword mindlessly into the stone floor. There was no escape without help. But who could help them?

He felt the hairs on his neck rise and the air in the room grew chilly. He wasn't alone anymore. Something had entered the room and was behind him, but he could hear nothing; no breathing, no movement, still he knew something was there. He eased his hand around the hilt of his sword and slowly tensed his muscles. Loric shifted his weight to allow him to get to his feet quickly. He waited tensed, but still no sound.

He jumped to his feet spinning in the air and sliced his sword through the shape behind him.

Prince James watched the blade go through his spectral body, and then looked at Loric, cocking his head slightly as if puzzled.

"James! Quit sneaking up on me you stupid ghost! Argh, my heart is pounding. There is no living creature that can sneak up on me. Ah, my heart. Poor James, you just float around without a clue to what we're doing and scare the demon out of me."

Prince James glided over to the door. He turned to Loric and waited.

"What is it? You want to show me something?"

Prince James put his hand through the wall. He turned to Loric again.

"What? I can't put my hand through stone."

Prince James shook his head. Loric heard a click and the door swung ajar.

"How did you do that? You can't touch anything."

Prince James shrugged and pointed to the door.

Loric pushed it open and peeked out. The corridor was clear. He moved over to Hobart's room and tried to open it but it wouldn't budge. Prince James pointed to the key forgotten in the door of Loric's room. Loric grabbed the key and opened Hobart's door.

"Loric? How did you get out?" asked the Tuor.

"The Prince decided to become an active member of the Talos Company." Prince James glided into view.