The Grim Wanderer

by James Wolf

  All the other wizards sniggered at Amos, but soon went silent when they felt the fury emanating from Hirandar.

  ‘They say I have magic ability,’ Amos said nervously, ‘but I don’t have the “aptitude” – I think that’s what they said – to be a Wizard of The Order.’

  ‘Fiddlesticks!’ Hirandar said angrily.

  ‘I know I would never be one of The Circle,’ Amos said earnestly, ‘but I could still serve The Sceptre, still help a lot of people.’

  Fenglas Malahide and Voldo Asgarath sniggered to each other.

  ‘Of course you could,’ Hirandar said kindly, as she flashed a thunderous glance at Fenglas. ‘What of the Keeper Of The Keys herself? She will surely take you.’

  ‘She already has six apprentices,’ Amos sighed. ‘She said she would take me, but custom forbids her to have a seventh. She said maybe in a few years, when one of her apprentices was elevated to the Tower.’

  ‘And what of the other eight of The Celestial Circle?’ Hirandar asked. ‘The Watcher of The Flames, The Sceptrebearer herself?’

  Amos just looked glum. Every wizard there knew, that save from the kind-hearted Keeper Of The Keys, none of the top wizards would take someone of such little potential into The Fortress Of Magic.

  ‘My Lady, I, a Keyholder,’ Fenglas sneered, ‘wouldn’t have him as my apprentice. None of the Celestial Circle would bother wasting themselves on him.’

  Taem felt anger smoulder up inside of him, as Amos cowered down as if he were a beaten dog. Taem glared at Fenglas. No one deserved to be spoken of like that! Taem clenched his fists, and prepared to launch a flurry of punches.

  ‘Is that really the case?’ Hirandar glowered at Fenglas. ‘Well, if he’s not good enough for you – Fenglas Malahide! – perhaps I will take him as my apprentice.’

  A dozen jaws dropped wide open in disbelief, including Amos’s.

  ‘Never, in my whole life,’ Hirandar said, ‘did I ever think the day would come, when The Fortress Of Magic would turn away someone with the will to learn. No matter–’

  ‘But, Lady Hirandar, please,’ Fenglas butted in, ‘there are wizards who are already risen to Keyholders, who would gladly serve and learn as your apprentice? But you, most exalted of wizards, why would you choose this soft-headed shepherd as your student?’

  It made Taem sick to his stomach to hear Fenglas speak. Baek had to grab Forgrun’s arm, to pull him back from knocking Fenglas out.

  ‘Button your mouth Fenglas Malahide!’ Hirandar roared. ‘Before I do something we’ll both regret!’

  Taem watched in amazement as all the surrounding wizards flinched, and edged away from Hirandar in astonishment and fear. Unbeknown to Taem, and all those who could not hold magic, Hirandar had drawn all the flows, all her power, into herself – as if she were on the brink of unleashing an immense spell.

  The startled wizard onlookers had never felt someone draw so much magic. They shivered as they wondered what someone could do with all that power. For a terrifying moment, they must have thought the mighty wizard was about to destroy them. But the wrath of Hirandar passed, and she released the flows she had gathered, allowing them to dissipate into the sky and the earth. The other wizards breathed in relief.

  ‘Magic is a gift for all,’ Hirandar said softly, ‘not just for those who can wield it, but every person of Hathlore. There are far too many wizards who have grown arrogant and selfish,’ Hirandar gestured her staff at Fenglas, ‘but the ability to draw magic does not make a wizard. Even given The Decline, you here would deny this man his chance? If that is what wizards have become, then I am ashamed to call myself one!’

  Taem felt his heart swell with pride at Hirandar’s words. Baek watched on in awe. This was the biggest dressing down that these wizards, these pillars of respectability, had ever experienced in their lives. Taem could see they all looked embarrassed, with red faces and downcast eyes.

  ‘This wizard here,’ Hirandar pointed her staff at Amos, ‘stands above the rest of you where it really matters: in terms of honesty, humility and hard work. Well, I can tell all you now, he’ll be twice the wizard any of you are!’

  Amos’s chest puffed up so much he was about to burst.

  ‘Now,’ Hirandar glared at the cowed crowd, ‘I am extremely busy, and my apprentice and I must be on our way. Good day.’ Hirandar strode off with Amos following close behind, leaving the huddle of bewildered wizards in their wake.

  ‘Where are you staying, Amos?’ Hirandar asked as they walked, and the rest of the companions fell in around them.

  ‘The Gatehouse Inn, my Lady,’ Amos said enthusiastically.

  ‘Go there and pack your things,’ Hirandar told him. ‘I’ll come and visit you tonight, after supper.’

  ‘Yes, my Lady,’ Amos disappeared off into the crowd.

  Once Amos was out of sight, and well beyond earshot, Forgrun said, ‘Amos, he be a nice lad an’ all, but yhee nay be suggestin’ he come with us ter–’

  ‘No I am not!’ Hirandar snapped. ‘I’m sure this is not the first or the last time I’ll have to remind you, Forgrun of Ironstone, but some things should not be voiced where the world and his wife can hear them!’

  The Rhungar’s enormous shoulders sagged.

  ‘Next time I need advice about matters of magic,’ Hirandar snarled at the Rhungar, ‘I’ll be sure to consult your expertise!’

  Everyone else in the company was wise enough to stay quiet until they got back to the Jester Inn. Taem knew that the Wizard’s stormy moods could lash out like lightning. The only person who could speak up against the Wizard when she was like that was Logan, but the Sodan Master was making sure to keep some distance back from his companions.

  On the walk back to The Jester, Taem saw the posters advertising the Festival of Masks, this coming Saturday night. A festival put on and paid for entirely by the King. Taem read the bold statement. The greatest party of the year, everyone wants to be here, so come and join the cheer! Taem had heard rumours about the Festival of Masks. It was a night when everyone in Dolam went party crazy, and nobles and commoners mixed unknown to each other amongst the revelry. It was infamous, throughout Hathlore, as the most decadent, fun and downright mad festival in the world.

  The company got back to The Jester Inn, and sat down in the secret room of The Sceptre, to eat a dinner brought to them by Bessie. Thankfully, by the time they returned to the inn, Hirandar was now back to her cordial self.

  ‘What do be this?’ Forgrun asked eagerly.

  ‘Clay pot chicken rice,’ Bessie planted the huge round clay pots on the dining table. ‘A local speciality. The chicken and rice are cooked in herbs and spices, in these closed clay pots, over a roaring oven flame.’

  ‘Ooooh!’ Forgrun grabbed the serving spoon, reached for his own plate, but hesitated, and picked up Hirandar’s instead.

  Hirandar smiled, ‘Thank you, Forgrun. And you have my apologies for snapping at you earlier. My anger should not have been directed at you.’

  ‘Yhee do be gracious,’ Forgrun knuckled his forehead, ‘an’ wise, an’ mighty, great Wizard. An I be nay worthy.’

  It still amazed Taem to hear Forgrun speak like that. Most people who shouted at the Rhungar were likely to get their heads taken off.

  ‘Now it is I who is not worthy,’ Hirandar took the spoon from Forgrun, and served the Rhungar a massive plate full of chicken rice.

  Taem savoured every mouthful of this tremendous claypot chicken. It tasted like the chicken and the rice had been cooked on a barbecue, and then it had all been mixed together with a black cooking sauce to set off the char-grilled taste.

  ‘Uuumm, this be good!’ Forgrun scooped into one of the clay pots, and piled another heap of chicken rice onto his plate.

  Taem and the Rhungar ate like beasts, and even Baek was delving in. Forgrun could not get enough of this Dolami style of food that he had never tried before, and went back for thirds, digging deep into the big clay pots with the serving spoon.

  Once th
e table was cleared, Logan pulled out a map-chart so he could outline their journey to the Nakramilis.

  ‘We will pass through The Gate,’ Logan showed them on the map, ‘heading east. Once we have cleared the mountains, we will start making in a northerly direction. Any more than that, we cannot plan for.’

  Taem saw how the map was little more than blank canvas east of the Dredgen, in the Lost Realms.

  As the companions were examining the map, Bessie came into the Sceptre Room and said, ‘A letter has arrived for Logan.’

  As Bessie gave Logan the letter, and he prised open the wax seal, everyone could see it was sealed with the Chalice Sigil of Grantle.

  Logan read the letter, and said to his eager audience, ‘My presence is requested by the Lord of Dolam, to meet with him tomorrow afternoon, at The Rock.’

  The younger warriors looked to each other with surprise and intrigue at this new development.

  ‘Requested, nay commanded?’ Forgrun raised his eyebrows.

  ‘Only a few would be requested by a king,’ Baek whispered.

  ‘No, no,’ Hirandar muttered. ‘This is not very good; not very good indeed! A quiet, uneventful stay in Dolam was what was required. It seems I underestimated the lingering legend of the Grim Wanderer, and there is the question of how they found the Sceptre Room?’

  Taem could see that troubled the Wizard as much as anything else. It meant someone had been following the companions.

  ‘I could just not go,’ Logan muttered.

  ‘No,’ Hirandar shook her head, ‘that would not be prudent, or wise. Balthus is considered a friend. Knowing him, he would be put out by a refusal of an invitation to a meeting of old comrades in arms. If that’s all it is,’ Hirandar added darkly.

  ‘Balthus and I fought side by side in many battles,’ Logan said defensively – Taem thought it sounded like Hirandar had re-ignited an old argument.

  ‘Granted,’ Logan said, ‘there are some aspects of his character I do not like, but you cannot question his courage.’

  ‘Yes, okay,’ Hirandar spread her hands wide. ‘Visit the Lord of Dolam out of courtesy, but give nothing away of our purpose, or even direction.’

  Logan nodded.

  ‘I have business to be getting on with,’ Hirandar rose out of her chair, ‘so I will bid you all goodnight.’ The Wizard reached for her hat and staff.

  ‘I will come with you,’ Logan stood. ‘Dolam is no place for an old woman to be out in the streets at night.’

  ‘That won’t be necessary.’ Hirandar tossed her hat in the air so it flipped over and landed on top of her head. ‘I can more than look after myself, and your fame will not aid me in my tasks this night. Stay here and rest with the others.’

  ‘My company may not be necessary, old friend,’ Logan pulled his cloak around his shoulders, ‘but you know I can evade being seen – use the shadows and the darkness to conceal myself. So even if someone recognises Hirandar Firefist they will not see her oldest companion.’

  Hirandar smiled at Logan’s determination to go with her. Hirandar knew she was fortunate indeed to have such a loyal friend. And, Hirandar did admit to herself, she could be somewhat careless when her thoughts were elsewhere, so she nodded her agreement.

  As the two old friends made to leave, Hirandar said to the three junior warriors, ‘Go to the common room if you like, but I ask you not to leave the Inn.’

  ‘And,’ Hirandar looked at Forgrun, ‘don’t go trying to impress anyone with tales of your adventures and the quest to come.’

  ‘Goodnight,’ Logan said, ‘and be watchful. Remember Taem,’ Logan followed Hirandar out of the Sceptre room. ‘Always carry yourself well.’

  ‘Yes, Master,’ Taem bowed his head. He caught the gleam in his Master’s eyes, and he knew Logan was telling him to keep his blade secret.

  Chapter 14 – Whispers of Legend

  Baek entered The Jester’s common room, but there were no free tables, so he went and stood at the bar. As it was evening the place was heaving. The constant murmur of adventurers sharing stories was thick in the air. It made Baek realise just how beneficial it was for The Network to have a Watcher running this place – so long as that Watcher knew how to sift through fables, to the snippets of real news. Baek had left Taem practicing his blade-work in the Sceptre Room, and Forgrun had gone to the stables with a carrot for Krun-Smiter.

  ‘What you doing here, boy?’ A hard-faced adventurer swaggered over to Baek. He was bald, with a beard, broad across the shoulders and with a big belly. This adventurer was wearing leather wrist wraps and had a leather waistcoat lined with knives. He was followed over by a trio of similarly dressed men, and they all had swords or axes on their belts.

  ‘Waiting for friends,’ Baek shuffled away from the four men.

  ‘Look at his face, Norgar,’ a long haired adventurer said to the bald man. ‘Ain’t it funny?’

  ‘Yeah,’ said a tall man with a Dolami moustache, ‘Flin’s right! He’s got slit eyes!’ The adventurer pointed a stubby finger at Baek’s eyes. Baek stepped back.

  ‘Looks more like a woman to me, Kanar!’ Norgar snarled.

  ‘Don’t know whether to kiss her or punch her,’ Kanar sneered, as the four adventurers moved to surround Baek.

  ‘Hey!’ Norgar said. ‘He’s one of them Aborle! Maliven scum!’

  ‘Descended from those Maliven traitors?’ Flin snarled. ‘We should give him a good hiding!’

  ‘Looks like that pretty face needs a beating!’ Norgar grimaced.

  A space cleared around Baek and the four adventurers. The Aborle placed a hand on his broadsword, as the adventures encircled him with mean intent.

  ‘Careful, Norgar!’ Flin said mockingly. ‘The little runt’s armed!’

  By now the entire common room had stopped talking to watch, and Baek saw one of the serving girls run off to fetch Bessie. The tavern guards were nowhere to be seen.

  ‘This ain’t no place for a little girl–’ Norgar gasped, as Baek jabbed him in the throat with a fingertip thrust. Norgar dropped to his knees, clutching his throat, as Baek kneed Kanar in the groin. The Aborle punched Flin across the jaw, sending a tooth flying. The fourth adventurer swung a hook punch into Baek’s stomach, causing the Aborle to bend double.

  ‘Grab him, Louse!’ Flin spat out blood.

  ‘I’ve got him!’ Louse seized Baek’s arms, and yanked them behind his back.

  ‘Hold that Maliven bitch!’ Norgar got back up to his feet.

  Baek brought both his legs up, as Louse held him, and kicked both feet out into Kanar’s chest. Kanar went flying. Baek threw his head back, smacking Louse in the face.

  ‘You little whelp!’ Norgar slapped Baek across the face.

  Baek’s head tilted over, in a daze, as Louse held him tight.

  ‘We’re gonna teach you a lesson,’ Kanar breathed out deeply, still clutching his groin, as he struggled to stand up straight.

  ‘Take this you freak!’ Flin recoiled his arm, ready to punch Baek in the gut.

  ‘Anyone touch ye Aborle do die!’ Forgrun growled.

  Everyone in the common room turned to the inn’s entrance, and saw a menacing Rhungar standing there, both his giant hands gripping either side of the doorframe. Forgrun was only five foot tall, but he was massive even for a Rhungar. He filled that doorway with his hulking presence.

  ‘Go back to your cave, Rhungar!’ Norgar sneered.

  ‘Raaah!’ Forgrun launched himself into the inn, charging at Norgar and Kanar. Forgrun smashed into Norgar with his shoulder, folding him in two. Forgrun lifted Norgar off the floor and drove him forward, hurling him over the bar. There was a crash as Norgar smashed into the shelves behind. One of the Rhungar’s massive hands latched onto Kanar, as the other giant fist pummelled the adventurer three times before Forgrun tossed the man through the air to crash through a table. Forgrun swung a mighty punch at Flin, knocking him out cold. Louse let go of Baek and leapt on Forgrun, punching the Rhungar in the back of the head.

/>   Forgrun turned to glare at Louse, with rage in his eyes. Louse recoiled in fear and stepped backwards. Forgrun leapt forward and grabbed Louse round the neck with both hands. The Rhungar lifted the big adventurer straight up, raising Louse’s head up towards the balcony, with his feet hovering helplessly above the floorboards.

  At this display of sheer strength, there were gasps from around the common room.

  Louse looked down in terror, meeting Forgrun’s wild eyes.

  ‘Yaaaah!’ Forgrun bellowed, as he ran and hurled Louse through the air to smash through yet another table. Forgrun turned, snorting wildly, and went back to the bar. All eyes in the common room were on the enormous Rhungar. Even everyone on the first floor balcony was leaning over to watch the spectacle. Forgrun reached over the bar, snatched up Norgar and dragged him back over – as easily as if he were picking up a small child, not a large man. The thug looked down at the Rhungar with dread.

  Norgar smacked Forgrun in the nose, causing it to bleed. The Rhungar did not flinch.

  ‘I dare yhee ter do that again,’ Forgrun smiled.

  Norgar punched Forgrun in the face once more. The Rhungar’s nose cracked, and blood flowed down into his russet beard. Forgrun laughed.

  Forgrun turned Norgar off his feet, spinning the big man over and smashing him through the bar, snapping a section of it in two. The whole common room gasped.

  Kanar ran at Forgrun and threw a haymaker punch. Forgrun grabbed Kanar’s fist in his giant palm, stopping the punch dead. Kanar tried to fight against the Rhungar, tried to pull his fist back, but could not move.

  ‘Light help me!’ Kanar whimpered, as Forgrun grabbed him by the shoulders.

  The Rhungar ran the man to the inn’s front door and hurled him, flying, through the open doorway. Forgrun dusted off his hands, and walked back to where Baek lay on the floor. The whole common room watched in silence.

  ‘Yhee alright, friend,’ Forgrun extended his hand.

  ‘I had it under control,’ Baek gasped, as he grabbed the Rhungar’s wrist. Forgrun lifted Baek onto his feet using just one arm.