Of Blood and Honor (7 page)

Dathrohan leaned back in his chair, rubbing his bearded chin and pondering Tirion’s response. “And you conducted your investigation alone?” Dathrohan asked.

Tirion nodded. “Yes, milord.”

“It is unfortunate that you didn’t have others with you to verify your findings, Tirion. Apparently, your retainers don’t share your optimistic appraisal of the situation.” Dathrohan said grimly. Tirion scowled. He didn’t even have to look at the back of the room to sense Barthilas’ smug satisfaction.

“Paladin Barthilas sent me news of the affair. He seems to believe that the threat to these lands is far more dire than you do. I have come to find out for myself if this land is in peril,” the Lord Commander said sternly.

Tirion then turned to stare at Barthilas’ bemused face. He fought down his rage at the youth’s audacity. He turned back to Dathrohan. “Saidan, we’ve been friends for years. Surely you don’t doubt my judgment in this matter? Honestly, young Barthilas’ actions are a clear affront to my authority over this land. His zeal is commendable, but to worry you over such a minor matter is perplexing to say the least!”

Dathrohan put his hand on Tirion’s arm to calm him.

“Tirion, I have always trusted your judgment. I have never questioned your honor or authority, and I do not intend to start doing so now. Under normal circumstances, I would never intervene in a matter like this, but certain events have transpired that force me to look critically at any possible orcish incursions.”

Dathrohan leaned in and searched the eyes of the gathered advisors. “For some time, we have been receiving reports that there is a new, upstart Warchief amongst the orcs. Apparently, this young orc is intent on rallying the clans and re-forming the Horde. Though they are few, his fanatical warriors have somehow overrun many of the guarded reserves and appear to be amassing stronger numbers. The Alliance High Command has deemed that we are in a state of emergency. I tell you all of this so that you understand my motives. If there is any truth behind Barthilas’ claims, then it is imperative that we prepare ourselves for war,” he said grimly.

The shocked advisors began to converse amongst themselves. Dathrohan turned to face Tirion. “Old friend, with all due respect, I cannot rely on your instincts alone. This situation is far too volatile.”

Tirion shook his head in disbelief. He braced himself for what he knew was coming next.

“At first light, we will head out and scour the woodlands for more definitive proof of orcish activity. Tirion, I want you to personally lead us to where you encountered the orc. If the creature be found, we will take it back to Stratholme for interrogation,” Dathrohan finished.

Tirion’s heart dropped. There was no way out now. He had been given a direct order. He would be forced to break his vow to Eitrigg. “As you wish, milord,” Tirion said in a strained voice.

Dathrohan seemed content to let the matter rest. He dismissed the advisors and suggested that everyone prepare their men. Tirion stood to exit and saw Barthilas staring at him from the doorway. The young Paladin’s face was alight with victory. Tirion had to fight back the sudden urge to strangle the smirking youth. Without giving Barthilas a second glance, he left the room and made ready for the morning’s expedition.

*    *    *

Dawn had already bathed the land with its first rays as the force of knights and footmen made their way into the forested foothills. Tirion, Arden and Dathrohan led the shining column down the dusty hunting path that snaked its way through the dense woods. Barthilas hung back behind them, preferring to converse with the veteran soldiers under Dathrohan’s command.

Clearly, the young Paladin was eager to prove himself in battle. Tirion was glad that the youth stayed away. He was disgusted with Barthilas and didn’t even want to see his face.

Tirion was in a grim mood. He had slept little during the night, and woke with his guts tied in knots. He wished that he could somehow warn Eitrigg so that the old orc could evade capture. But Tirion knew that, even if he could warn the orc, his actions would betray his superior’s direct order. He knew that there was no way to uphold his vow and do his duty at the same time. His precious honor was in great peril.

They rode for hours up into the mountains as Tirion led the way. He knew exactly where he was going. Before long the broken tower’s remaining walls could be seen through the trees. Dathrohan leaned in and asked Tirion if it was the tower they sought.

“That is where I first encountered the orc, milord,” Tirion said in a quiet voice.

Dathrohan nodded, sensing Tirion’s apprehension. “Are you certain, Tirion? You seem rather pensive this morning.”

“I am certain, milord,” Tirion replied huskily. “I’m fine. I’m just a tad tired, is all.”

Dathrohan patted his shoulder reassuringly. The Lord Commander motioned for his men to take up positions along the road. He then called for a number of guards to come to the front of the column. Arden was among those who came forward. The captain smiled up at Tirion, but the Paladin didn’t feel like smiling at all. Tirion shuddered as two of the guards pulled a makeshift wagon-cage behind them. The rickety cage was designed to hold and transport a small number of prisoners over long distances. He fervently hoped that it would stay empty.

Dathrohan, feeling that stealth would be wise until they confirmed that there were numerous orcs in the area, ordered his men to remain behind as he and a small group moved in on the lonely tower.

Barthilas, with a fiery enthusiasm, rode eagerly behind the Lord Commander. Tirion, Arden and six footmen continued up the path after them.

*    *    *

The clearing around the tower was quiet, but the footmen moved quietly enough despite their cumbersome armor and weapons. Following the instructions he had been given earlier, Arden commanded his guards to encircle the tower. Barthilas dismounted and retrieved his warhammer from its saddle-loop. Escorted by two footmen, Barthilas cautiously made his way to the tower’s entrance. Stopping a short distance from the ravaged entryway, Barthilas called out in his most authoritative voice:

“We come in the name of the Alliance! Come out from there and surrender yourselves, you foul beasts, or we’ll be forced to kill you!” His voice was edgy and quavered slightly. Tirion knew that the unseasoned Paladin was quaking in his boots. Beads of sweat ran down Barthilas’ scowling face. A shuffling noise came from the tower’s ruined guardroom. The two footmen near Barthilas braced themselves for an attack. Barthilas gripped his warhammer tightly, trying to keep his nerves in check.

Slowly, the silhouette of a large orc emerged from the room’s shadows and stood in the entranceway. Eitrigg held his battle-ax with both hands and looked ready to go down fighting. The orc scanned the human faces with furious eyes. He caught sight of Tirion, sitting atop his horse, and he scowled deeply. Tirion’s eyes locked with the orc’s for a moment, but he was forced to look away. The orc’s disgusted gaze told Tirion everything he needed to know—that Eitrigg thought his notion of honor was laughable. The old orc had saved his life, and he had repaid the debt by leading enemies straight to his home. Never in his life had Tirion felt such dejection and self-loathing.

Eitrigg took a couple of steps into the clearing. Tirion noticed that he was limping more than when he last saw him. The orc’s wound must be badly infected, he thought. Eitrigg’s eyes blazed with hate and fury. Tirion could see that the orc would not allow himself to be taken alive.

As if in response to his thought, Dathrohan spoke up. “I do not want the creature killed. I need him alive!” he said. Barthilas took a quick moment to look back in dismay, but seemed to understand the order clearly enough. Arden and his guards converged on the tower, intending to aid in the orc’s capture. Barthilas was so nervous his hands shook. He could feel the eyes of Dathrohan and Tirion upon him. This was the moment he had waited for. This was his moment of glory.

With a strangled cry, Barthilas lunged at the orc, swinging his hammer—intent on delivering a killing blow to the orc, regardless of what Dathrohan had asked.
Surely, no savage beast could match his Light-born powers,
he thought.

Tirion winced as Eitrigg adeptly blocked the young Paladin’s clumsy blow and slammed his stout fist into Barthilas’ face. Panicking, Barthilas dropped his hammer as Eitrigg kicked him squarely in the midsection. The young Paladin, having had the wind knocked out of him, crashed to the ground and doubled over in a fetal position. Eitrigg grunted derisively at Barthilas’ weakness and ineptitude.

The two footmen rushed at the orc, slashing wildly. Eitrigg parried the first footman’s attack and struck the second footman squarely in the chest, nearly cutting the warrior in half. The remaining footman, seeing the orc’s apparent savagery and skill, backed off a pace in horror. Arden and his guards, enraged by their comrade’s swift death, rushed forward madly. Tirion saw that they would kill the orc if they could.

“Don’t kill him!” Tirion screamed frantically as the warriors descended upon the old orc. Dathrohan, sensing Tirion’s obvious concern for the creature, looked at his friend questioningly. “You seem very concerned for the orc’s safety, Tirion,” the Lord Commander said evenly. “This
is
just a routine capture. Are you all right?”

Tirion gritted his teeth. He couldn’t just sit there and watch the proud orc be cut down. But neither could he beg for the orc’s release. To do so would brand him as a traitor. This was all his doing.

Eitrigg fought bravely against the footmen, but he was easily outmaneuvered, due to his wounded leg. The six footmen succeeded in pulling the mighty orc down to the ground. Arden smashed the orc’s hand, and Eitrigg loosed his hold on his ax. The warriors immediately began to beat the orc to within an inch of his life.

Every fiber of Tirion’s body was ablaze with rage as he watched the footmen subdue the orc. He dismounted quickly and walked forward, intending to pull the footmen away. As the footmen pulled the bleeding orc to his feet, Tirion’s resolve to save the creature slipped and he stopped.
What was he thinking?
He couldn’t let this happen, but neither could he take up arms against his own men. His every muscle tensed as he stood undecided.

With a loud moan, Barthilas raised himself up from the dirt. Arden helped him to stand and brushed him off. Barthilas, feeling deeply embarrassed and shamed before his superiors, rushed at the orc in a rage. Arden and Tirion both grabbed the young Paladin’s arms and restrained him. They exchanged knowing glances and held Barthilas until he calmed.

“The bastard creature fought dishonorably!” Barthilas screamed. “He should be killed right here! Let me go!” He continued to strain against Tirion and Arden.

“I have ordered that it remain alive, Barthilas,” Dathrohan said. “Your wounded pride is not nearly as important as the information the creature may have. Restrain the beast,” he ordered. Immediately a number of footmen appeared, pulling the wagon-cage behind them. They took hold of Eitrigg and threw him into the cage.

Tirion turned to face Dathrohan. “Milord, surely this old orc is no threat to anyone,” Tirion began. Dathrohan looked at him in amazement.

“What is this, Tirion? Are you actually suggesting that we turn the beast loose?” Barthilas and Arden stared at him as well, both shocked by Tirion’s statement.

Tirion turned back to gaze at the beaten orc. His face swollen and dripping blood, Eitrigg stared straight back.
So much for your honor,
the orc’s gaze seemed to say. The footmen continued to beat and whip Eitrigg through the cage’s bars. They spit and hurled obscenities at the old orc.

Tirion’s nerves finally snapped. He dashed forward and grabbed the guard who was whipping the orc. He grabbed the whip from the young man and began to lash him with it instead.

“How does it feel?” Tirion shouted at the terrified guard, who attempted to shield himself from the Paladin’s raging strikes.

Dathrohan looked on in unabashed disbelief. Arden felt the same. He rushed forward and grabbed his lord’s arm. “Tirion, please! What are you doing?” Arden yelled.

Tirion shrugged him off and stood to face Dathrohan with the light of rage in his eyes. “The orc must be set free!” he yelled. “It is a matter of honor!” Tirion pushed Arden away and smashed at the cage’s lock with the haft of the whip’s long handle.

“Tirion, have you taken leave of your senses?” Dathrohan yelled in a deep voice. Barthilas merely stood by, mouth agape. Tirion continued to smash at the lock. Shaking his head wearily, Dathrohan ordered the footmen to seize and restrain the raging Paladin. Arden’s troops grabbed hold of Tirion’s arms and wrestled him to the ground. Tirion fought with all of his strength, but the younger men easily overpowered him.

Arden pleaded with him to submit. “My lord, please stop! What the hell is wrong with you?” he asked. After a brief struggle, the guards brought Tirion to his feet. The Paladin looked at Eitrigg, and was met only with a blank stare in return.

“Tirion, what in the Light’s name has come over you? Your actions are treasonous! Tell me you have some explanation for all of this! Tell me you didn’t just try to free this creature!” Dathrohan yelled.

Tirion attempted to compose himself. “This orc saved my life, Saidan!” Tirion yelled. “During our battle, part of the tower’s ceiling collapsed. I was left trapped and defenseless. The orc pulled me free before the entire roof came crashing down. I know it sounds impossible, but it happened.”

Dathrohan was stunned. Arden could only stare at his lord in shock.
Certainly Tirion didn’t really believe the orc had saved him, did he?
He looked into his lord’s eyes and knew that, indeed, he did.

“I vowed to let him live in peace, and by my honor, I will fight to see that he does!” Tirion renewed his struggle against the footmen, attempting to free his arms.

Barthilas seemed to come out of his momentary shock. “Traitor!” the young Paladin screamed. “He is a traitor to the Alliance! He’s been consorting with this beast all along!”

Dathrohan couldn’t believe his ears. He had always known Tirion to be an honorable, levelheaded man. But here he was, defying his superior and siding with his mortal enemy all the same. “Tirion, I’m trying hard to be patient. Obviously, you’re very confused about this creature. Regardless of what you believe happened, if you do not desist, I will be forced to have you arrested and placed on trial for treason! You will cease this senselessness at once!”