The Merchant and the Menace (16 page)

“Ladies and gentlemen of the Elven court,” said
Ader in an attempt to politely draw their attention from the dark corner. “My
brash young friend misspoke. Brother Hilro isn’t in this room. My apologies for
the shock that young Kael Brelgson causes you.”

All eyes shifted between Ader and the large, hooded
figure. Manfir took a half step in the man’s direction before his body went
rigid.

“Prince Manfir,” smiled Queen Eirtwin. “In your
haste to attend this meeting, I see you broke one of the laws of Luxlor.”

“Pardon, dear lady?” questioned Manfir, snatching
glances between the dais and the shadowed corner.

“It is known to all that weapons are not allowed in
court sessions. Reason must prevail in places of diplomacy. I’m aware that it’s
quite an old rule and some may think foolish, but it was based on good sense.
Your familiarity with my kingdom gives you quite a bit of latitude here.
However, if you’d be so kind as to remove your weaponry,” said Eirtwin turning
to a page. “This good page will loyally safeguard your belongings.”

Once again a murmur rose in the room.

“Does such a law exist?” a young woman near Kael
whispered to her husband.

The Elf lord shrugged his shoulders then pulled his
cloak tighter to his body, obscuring the view of a dagger’s scabbard. Teeg
smiled and nodded his head.

“Brilliant,” whispered the old Elf to no one in
particular “I should have recruited her when she was a child.”

“My dear lady, I hope you don’t think me capable of
committing offense in your chambers?” said Manfir. “My sword has been sworn to
your defense since my birth. Our houses’ alliance has lasted centuries.”

“It is not my protection I seek,” returned Queeen
Eirtwin. “When Leinor and I grant hospitality to a traveler, we also grant
asylum and protection to our guests. These are strange times. You yourself
state a time of war is upon us. Perhaps we need to return to the old laws. They
were drawn up when conflict ravaged this world.”

King Leinor stepped forward.

“The queen makes a valid argument. Diplomacy among
great nations is the essence of what makes them great. Please remove your
weaponry, Manfir.”

“As you command, your highnesses,” said Manfir
bowing deeply.

The page approached the disheveled man and
stretched out his arms. Manfir removed his broadsword and scabbard from his
back and placed them in the page’s arms. The young Elf immediately swooned
under the weight of the enormous blade. Next, the warrior removed dual daggers
from sheaths beneath his belt and piled them on top of the broadsword. He added
various other daggers and cudgels from hidden folds of his cloak and robe. King
Leinor snapped his fingers and another page stepped forward to assist the
first. Upon completion, Manfir bowed once more toward the Elven rulers as the
pages departed.

“It appears that you were sufficiently prepared for
battle,” smiled the queen.

“You are never prepared for battle with the
servants of Chaos or the Keltaran savages, my lady,” stated Manfir soberly.

“But are you ever prepared for peace, Prince
Manfir? That is the question,” demanded Ader.

Manfir looked questioningly into the old trader’s
eyes then spun to face the corner. Ader motioned the figure forward and it
slowly stepped from the shadows toward the center of the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the Elven court, I
introduce you to Granu, son of Grannak, heir to the granite throne of Keltar
and Chief Abbot of the Monastery of Awoi,” announced Ader.

Once again a gasp ran through the crowd. This time
however, there was no bowing toward the figure as he moved forward. The lords
of the Elven court stepped in front of their ladies. Many of the Elves in the
room backed from the center leaving Manfir standing alone. The Zodrian prince
stood his ground and once again his body went rigid. The huge Keltaran remained
cloaked and hidden from view as he limped forward aided by a long staff.
Manfir’s eyes darted left then right, finally locking on a heavy candle stand
buttressed to a nearby column.

The black robed Keltaran stood a full foot and a
half over the head of Manfir. His shoulders were twice that of the Zodrian prince.
The only parts of his body that were visible were his hands, huge, scarred and
thick. Like the gnarled roots of an ancient oak tree, they radiated power. The
Keltaran prince stopped within five feet of Manfir and slowly leaned forward,
clutching his staff for support. One hand came free from the staff and grasped
the end of his deep, cowled hood. Slowly he pulled the hood away.

Granu’s head and neck were massive. The Keltaran
were a people familiar with the rock and stone of their mountain homes, and
Granu looked to be hewn from that stone. His strong jaw and high cheekbones
gave him an angular, heavy look. His eyes were a deep, rich brown. Granu’s most
striking feature was the top of his head. It was shorn clean of hair and
crisscrossed in scars and old wounds. An enormous hand stroked those scars
absentmindedly as he stared at Manfir. He smiled and moved the hand to his
waist. Without taking his eyes from those of Manfir, he bowed lightly.

“Well met Manfir, son of Macin,” rumbled the
giant’s deep voice. “Granu, humble follower of Awoi, at your service.”

Manfir remained stiff. Kael was reminded of a
crouching cat. The warrior’s eyes never left Granu. Without turning, he spoke
to the rulers of Luxlor.

“If I knew your highnesses were taking council with
dealers in death and murder, I would have sought a private audience for my
father’s request. It would save my nose from the stench of the beast who fouls
this great hall.”

Granu pursed his lips and slowly rose to his full
height, one hand gripping his staff. His eyes grew dark and he furrowed his
brow.

“In Keltar, when one is met with a bow or other
sign of respect, we possess the good sense and politeness to return such
respect.”

“The last time I dropped my head to a Keltar, it
was to avoid the battle-ax he aimed at it,” snapped Manfir.

“Perhaps, if it met its mark, that ax would have
knocked some manners into your skull,” returned Granu, his voice rising, “or at
least scattered your brains across the battlefield to save us from the poor
manners you do possess.”

“Alas it did not,” growled Manfir “but my daggers
found his belly before he instructed me on Keltaran etiquette.”

“Perhaps I should take up the instruction where my
brethren left off,” snarled Granu raising his staff.

“Hold yourself, son of Grannak!” commanded King
Leinor “I allowed you to enter my chambers with that staff due to your injury.
If you take it up now as a weapon, you forfeit all rights of hospitality and my
men will take you into custody.”

Granu lowered the staff and bowed deeply to King
Leinor and Queen Eirtwin.

“My apologies, children of the Nagur,” returned
Granu quickly. “The Lord of Chaos goads us all against what we know is right.
May peace dwell in your house.”

“And you, son of Macin,” stated Leinor. “You’re
aware that any who enter my chamber are offered the hospitality and protection
of my home. This is a place of open discourse and civility. If you cannot act
accordingly, remove yourself to the anteroom and await your master there.”

Manfir glanced at the old trader on the podium but
Ader remained stony faced. Manfir addressed the king once more.

“In the house of the Elves, Leinor is lord. I will
obey and ask for your pardon.”

“It is given,” frowned the king. “Now we must
return to business. Prince Granu is an outcast from his people.”

Granu raised his head and his stare challenged the
room.

“A mutual friend contacted him and he made his way
to Luxlor with the help of that friend,” said Leinor.

Teeg’s eyes shifted to Ader as Queen Eirtwin
addressed Manfir.

“Granu believes he possesses information that may
upset the plans of Izgra the Half-Dead. He wishes to be heard in the halls of
Zodra and asks for our help in doing so. However, as we all know, the son of
Grannak is a mighty prize for a Zodrian warrior. He asks for assistance from
Luxlor,” stated Eirtwin.

The room remained silent as Manfir glared at the
giant. Queen Eirtwin allowed her statements to sink in to the crowd. Paerrow
cleared his throat and approached the Keltaran prince. He stopped within two
feet of the black robed monk. The stately Elf crossed his hands over his heart
and extended them palms upward.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” stated the
Elf “The Lord of Chaos does indeed set us forth against one another, but the
courageous step forward and expose his treachery. I would like to suggest a
course of action to the people of Luxlor, if I may.”

“Paerrow the wise is ever our closest advisor,”
returned Eirtwin from the dais. “What do you propose, cousin?”

 “Prince Eidyn and Lord Teeg are to be sent as our
representatives to Zodra. Kael Brelgson must be returned to his father. Prince
Manfir must return to his home in its hour of need. Lastly, Ader, the voice of
Avra must always meddle in the affairs of this world,” smiled Paerrow turning
back to Granu. “I charge Granu, son of Grannak with a set of tasks that are in
tandem with his own desires.

“You, Granu, will also represent us in Zodra. As a
representative from this kingdom you are awarded the protection and rights
given the Elven people by our allies to the north. I also charge you with the
protection and well being of this boy upon his return to his father. In this
way, you are bound to the fortunes of the Elves and the group with which you
travel. You may serve your own agenda, but must also serve those of the group.”

“Prince Granu, do you accept this proposal?”
questioned Leinor.

Granu’s eyes swept the room making contact with all
who looked his way. Finally, they settled on Manfir.

“I will represent the Grey Elves in the Zodrian
capital,” affirmed Granu. “I swear this on the spirit of Awoi, the father of my
fathers, and on the love of Avra the Creator and Life-Giver.”

Granu turned and slowly walked toward Kael. The
boy’s eyes went wide as the huge man’s black robe eclipsed the room from sight.
Kael looked briefly to the dais as Granu approached. Ader, Leinor and Eirtwin
remained motionless. Granu raised a gigantic hand over the boy’s head and Kael
flinched. A rumble started in the giant’s chest as his hand hovered above Kael.
He closed his eyes and swayed slightly to the rumble. After a few moments Granu
stopped and quickly knelt before the boy.

“Kael Brelgson, I beseech Awoi the pure to ask our
Creator to grant you safety in the tasks ahead. I, Granu son of Grannak, pledge
what little protection I might provide to you on your journey north. I’m but a
simple monk and carry no weapon or armor, but my staff and my body are pledged
as a shield to you.”

The room remained silent as all eyes locked on
Kael.

“Granu, son of Grannak,” stammered Kael. “I accept
your pledge and I, uh, hope you aren’t required to honor it.”

Granu’s face was hidden from all in the room save
Kael and the boy swore he saw the dour giant briefly smile. Granu rose and
turned to the room.

“It is decided then,” stated King Leinor. “Eidyn,
Teeg, Granu, Manfir, Ader and Kael Brelgson will depart for Zodra in the
morning. The Grey Elves shall make ready to assist our allies in the North, or
protect ourselves should the need arise. Do any here object to this plan of
action?”

Paerrow looked about the room and returned his gaze
to the podium.

“Nay my Liege. The people support this effort,”
said Paerrow.

“Excellent,” said Queen Eirtwin. “Then the court is
adjourned. All here know what is required of them. May Avra smile on your
endeavors.”

The assembly bowed to the dais and Elves filed from
the chamber. Manfir and Granu remained in their positions.

“Prince Eidyn, I request that you tarry a moment,”
said Ader.

The Elven prince complied.

“I wish to illuminate you and the northern princes
on a few rules,” continued Ader as he stared hard at Manfir and Granu. “Lord
Teeg, please escort Kael Brelgson to his chambers and see that he gets in no
further trouble.”

“As you wish,” smiled Teeg.

Teeg and Kael walked toward the exit of the chamber
as the others gathered by the throne. Manfir stood opposite Granu, his fists
clenched and arms taut.

“The master intends to give several of his students
the cane,” whispered Teeg as they departed the council chamber. “They’ll know
their place before we leave for Zodra.”

The duo strolled through the halls of the palace of
Luxlor, with Teeg smiling smugly to himself. Kael wondered why the old Elf was
so amused. Surely their situation was dire.

“I don’t understand what makes you so happy,”
exclaimed Kael. “The world is on the brink of war!”

“All clouds are etched by a silver lining,” stated
Teeg. “You don’t think that went fantastically?”