Chapter 18
The Green King
“Easy, Red. It is only a Brazurkin. He should be friendly,” said Locmire.
“He does not look too friendly,” stated Lot of the large green Brazurkin who began to slow his run as he approached the trio of travelers.
“Good travels,” said the Wizard courteously as the Brazurkin came into speaking distance.
The Brazurkin stopped just feet from the group. The sheer size of him was amazingly impressive. Lot had seen many Brazurkins in his days, but this one had to be the largest he had ever laid eyes upon. The Brazurkin stood nearly nine feet tall. He was wearing only a brown breech cloth and a pair of short brown leather boots. His skin was a dark green. His body was tattered with numerous dark, keloid scars. There was something rather odd about this Brazurkin. The spots where two prized ivory horns had once grown, were now replaced with two jagged stumps that were level with the base of his skull. His horns had been broken off, and from the looks of them, it had happened recently. Golden earrings littered his ears. His nose was wide and flat; two large canine teeth curled over his upper lip, resembling that of a boar. Black, emotionless eyes sat deep in his head. A large, round, battered shield was slung over his back, and a three balled flail was secured to his baldric. This Brazurkin was unbelievably large. Every muscle in his body rippled with definition. He was a behemoth of his race.
“He still does not look friendly,” Lot said under his breath.
“Greetings travelers,” replied the Brazurkin in a low rumbling voice.
Locmire noticed that the Brazurkin had recently been in battle. His body was bruised and dried maroon blood painted his skin.
“It seems that you are injured. May we be of assistance?” Locmire inquired as he looked the Brazurkin over.
“Injured?” asked the Brazurkin, looking over his beaten body. “I am not injured, only minor scrapes that would make but a child whimper.”
“My name is Locmire of Fogarth. This is Lot Caskill of Galdarath, and Cap'n Red Maher of the High Seas.” Lot nodded and Red introduced himself with a belch.
“Urganox of Morgorath,” the Brazurkin said as he nodded his large head.
“Urganox?” asked Locmire.
“Yes, Urganox,” replied the Brazurkin.
“Then you must be King Urganox of Morgorath?” the Wizard asked.
“Yes, the King of Morgorath,” replied Urganox.
“Arrr, does dis be da udder king we be lookin fur?” asked Red.
“Yes,” replied Locmire.
"Udder?" Urganox asked. "Are you calling me a cow's milk sack?"
"Nah, me only be's-," Red tried to explain himself but was not afforded the opportunity.
“What does this strange tongue ask? Are you in search of me? If so, you have been blessed with luck on this day,” Urganox said as he drew his flail, “or cursed with death, depending on your purpose. Explain yourself!” the Brazurkin demanded.
“Easy friend, we mean you no harm,” said Lot as his hands instinctively met the handles of his short swords.
“We are on our way to Pizenchaffe to seek the aid of the Daintish King. After our dealings in Pizenchaffe we planned on heading west to speak with you, to seek your aid as well. We are on a mission of-”
Urganox interrupted, “There is no aid to be given from Morgorath. Have you not heard?”
“Heard what?” asked Locmire.
“It seems that word does not travel fast around here. Morgorath has fallen. The entire kingdom has been destroyed. I am the only survivor,” Urganox said remorsefully.
Locmire's expression turned to that of sorrow. He paused for a brief moment, and then said, “I am sorry to hear about your kingdom. Please, tell us what has happened.”
Urganox told the travelers what he knew about the destruction of Morgorath. Not a single Brazurkin, other than himself, or Bear Man had survived the unnatural disaster.
“What type of disaster could cause an entire mountain to fall?” asked Lot.
“No natural disaster could cause such a travesty,” said Locmire. “But Hasbarie on the other hand . . . it is very possible.”
Urganox came to attention abruptly. His eyes bore down hard on Locmire. “Who did you just say?” he asked.
“Hasbarie, the Dark Wizard,” Locmire paused for a moment. “He has returned.”
At the confirmation of the Dark Wizard's name, Urganox looked as if he had just relived the destruction of his kingdom. His very life seemed to cease momentarily.
“The Dark Wizard’s return,” he paused. “Is he the reason you are seeking the aid of the Dainties and the Brazurkins?”
“Yes,” replied Locmire.
"The Dainties still exist?" he asked.
"Yes. They still live," Locmire replied.
“If joining your cause gives me a chance to avenge my people, I accept, but as you can see, I have no army to help in the upcoming struggle,” Urganox said as he pulled his shoulders back, correcting his posture.
“An army is not needed. The prophecy concerning these events only involves the last remaining bloodline of the original Saviors. You are the last of your bloodline, I assume?” asked Locmire.
“I am. Until recently, my brother and I were the only remaining true bloods of the Skullsplitter clan. Now, only I remain,” said Urganox.
“What happened to your brother? If you do not mind me asking,” questioned Lot.
“I killed him,” Urganox bluntly stated.
“Ye keel hauled yur own brudda?” asked Red.
“What did you say?” asked Urganox irritably, as he menacingly stepped toward Red.
Locmire and Lot both looked at Red. Tension was like a thick fog in the air. Urganox became agitated at Red both times he had addressed him. Locmire began to speak, but Red put out his hands for Locmire to stay his words.
“Me gots dis un,” said Red.
Red walked up to Urganox. He squared his shoulders at the large Brazurkin and looked him directly in the eyes. Urganox came forward a few feet to meet the Pirate.
“Me . . . uh, I mean,” he paused as he collected his thoughts and began to concentrate. “I said ye, I mean you, kilt yur brother?” the Pirate stated proudly as he had almost put together an understandable sentence.
Urganox stood and stared at Red for what seemed to be an hour. Lot and Locmire stood ready for Urganox to retaliate with violence. The warrior Brazurkins were not known for their patience.
“I like you,” Urganox said with a chuckle as his large hand slammed down on Red's shoulder, almost knocking him to the ground. “You are a brave little man, even though you speak like one who does not have full function of his mind.”
The tension in the air broke, and Lot let out a sigh of relief as he removed his hands from the hilts of his swords. A smile broke on Locmire's face. Red joined in the laughter and slapped Urganox back on his chiseled deltoids. This did not achieve the effect Red had hoped for. Instead of knocking the Brazurkin off balance, he seemed to only hurt his hand.
Red doubled over holding his hand close to his stomach and said, “Arrr, ye mus be made from stone. Are chances be good wit dis un on are side.”
“Let's hope our funny talking friend is better with his swords than he is with words,” laughed Urganox.
“Red is a very capable warrior,” said Locmire.
BANG!
A loud noise erupted and filled the air around them. Urganox fell backwards into the bushes as he stumbled away from the unseen blast. He jumped to his feet and drew his weapon.
“Vulture,” Red calmly stated as he holstered his pistol.
Lot slowly shook his head with a large grin on his face.
"What did you just do?" Urganox asked.
"Me kilt a vulture," Red replied as he holstered his pistol.
"What kind of magic do you possess?" Urganox asked again.
"Taint no magic. It be's me pistol," Red said as he patted the gun on his side.
"A what?" the Brazurkin inquired.
"It is quite the device. It fires a lead ball from its end. It comes in handy," Lot replied.
“Well, let us not waste time. If Pizenchaffe is our destination we still have some traveling left to do. You can explain more to me as we go,” said Urganox as he began to climb on the back of Locmire’s horse.
As Urganox started to swing his leg over Locmire’s horse, his eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed onto the ground.
Locmire climbed down from his mount and said, “Help me with him.”
Lot and Red rushed over and helped Locmire drag Urganox out of the road.
“We must get him somewhere so he can rest. He is exhausted,” Locmire said.
“Less than a league up the road is an inn. Do you think we can get him there?” Lot replied.
“Do ye reckons dey gots a bed big enough for em?” Red asked.
“If you two can get him upon my horse, I can ride him the rest of the way,” Locmire answered.
Red and Lot, after much effort, hoisted King Urganox onto Locmire’s horse. They slowly began to make their way to the inn. Red and Lot rode on either side of Locmire, helping the Wizard keep the giant in place on his overburdened horse. It took them over an hour to reach the little inn, and no one was happier than Locmire’s horse. Lot and Red helped get Urganox down on the ground. The tired mare let out a sigh of relief. Locmire helped them prop Urganox up against the fence that surrounded the inn and went inside.
“Can we get some assistance?” Locmire asked as he entered the small inn.
“Certainly. What is it that you need?” The innkeeper asked.
“One of my travel companions has fallen ill. We need lodgings for the night,” Locmire explained.
“Hold on a second,” the innkeeper said with a strange look on his face. “Are you . . . are you a Wizard?”
Locmire reluctantly answered, “Yes.”
“Ha!” the inn keeper shouted as he slammed his hand down on the bar. “I knew it. In all of my days I have never met a Wizard, until just now! My name is David, David Bailey. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Wizard.”
Locmire hesitantly replied, “Locmire of Fogarth. The pleasure is all mine.”
“Oh!” David exclaimed. “I almost forgot about your friend. We have several beds available. Take your pick.”
“There may be a slight problem,” Locmire said.
“Oh yeah? And what might that be?” David asked.
“My travel companion is rather large,” the Wizard told him.
“How large?” David asked.
“He is a Brazurkin,” Locmire said, expecting a look of shock to overcome the innkeeper.
“No problem!” David exclaimed. “We have some large beds here. We often lodge Brazurkins.”
“You do?” Locmire asked.
“Yes. All the time. Let us go and get your friend inside,” David said, as he came out from behind the bar and made his way out the door.
David helped Locmire and the others get King Urganox inside and onto a large oak bed. When they dropped the King onto the bed, feathers flew all over the room as the bed exploded under the great weight of the King.
“He is a large one,” David stated.
“That he is,” Lot replied.
“Well,” David said as he wiped the sweat from his brow, “let’s get you three settled in. Apuhroo stew will be served in less than an hour. You are more than welcome to it. Free of charge, of course.”
“We thank you for your generous hospitality. How much do we owe you for the room?”
“Humm,” David scratched his balding head. “Well, how does three bronze coins sound? One bronze coin each. The Brazurkin's room is on the house.”
“That is mighty generous of you,” Locmire replied.
“Well, it is not every day that a Wizard visits my inn,” David replied.
“I will be sure to share the word of your hospitality to my fellow Wizards,” Locmire said as he patted David on the shoulder.
David showed them to their rooms and gawked at the five gold coins Locmire had placed in his hand.
As they sat around eating the delicious apuhroo stew and drinking freshly made apple juice, much to Red’s disapproval as he was hoping for something with a little more kick, they discussed the tragic destruction of King Urganox’s kingdom and whether or not Thaddeus and the others had made it to Lasticall safely.
“Hard ta believe da Dark Wizard destroyed da entire city,” Red said as he pushed the glass of apple juice aside.
“I fear this is only the beginning,” said Locmire.
“Not if we stop him,” Lot chimed in.
“That is my hope,” Locmire replied.
“Me wonders how yur brudda fares?” Red asked as he gulped down a big drink of the stew.
“I am sure he is fine. Have you not heard? He is invincible,” Lot said, rather blandly.
“They should have made it to Lasticall already,” said the Wizard.
“We must ride hard tomorrow if we are to make it to Mt. Pizenchaffe before the sun sets. I think it is time I turn in for the night. I could use the extra rest,” Locmire said sleepily as he stood from the table.
“Night, old man,” Red said.
Locmire bowed his head and made his way to his room.
“Reckons me needs ta hit da hay too,” Red said as he rang the stew out of his beard. “Ye turnin in?”
“I think I will stay up a little longer. I have had a six month respite in a castle. I am well rested,” Lot said with a grin.
“Well, I’m off ta bed. Me been fightin dead men an men dat don’t got no mouths,” said Red as he stumbled toward his room.
He is a strange man, but I like him, Lot thought as he watched Red close the door to his room.
As the night lingered on, Lot stayed up to sharpen his weapons. He put a very fine edge on his blades. He was so wrapped up in his task that he did not notice Urganox exit his room and walk over to his table.
“Where is the Wizard and the other Human?” Urganox asked.
Lot’s body jumped. “You startled me. I did not see you come out of your room,” Lot said as he pulled out a chair for the King to sit with him. “They turned in for the night. How do you feel?”
“Better. Where are we?” asked the King.
“Bailey’s Inn.”
“What happened to me? Did I pass out?”
“Yes. As you were mounting Locmire’s horse, you fell to the ground. We brought you here for rest,” Lot answered.
The King chuckled a little. “I am sorry to be such a burden. That was the first time in my life that I have ever lost consciousness. How long have we been here?” questioned Urganox.
“Since a few hours before nightfall,” replied Lot.
“I will be ready to leave in the morning. We should be able to recover lost time.”
“It is best that you are well rested. I am sure we will need you at your best before it is all said and done,” Lot said.
“This is quite the situation that we are in. Is it not?” Urganox asked.
“That it is. One minute I am locked in the dungeons of Galdarath, the next I am on a quest to save all of Calencia.”
“How did you get dragged into this mess?” Urganox asked as David brought him out a piping hot bowl of stew. “Thank you for your hospitality, innkeeper.”
“You are very welcome. Is there anything else that I can get you?” David asked.
“No. This should be plenty,” Urganox said as he eyed the half a pot of stew.
“Well, I am not sure exactly. It seems that I am the brother to King Thaddeus Graystone, and somehow I am tied into all of this through some prophecy that I do not know the full extent of. I suppose my current circumstance is much better than it was before. At least if I die, I will die a free man,” Lot said as he dragged his whetstone across the blade of his short sword.
“So, Thaddeus is your brother. He is a good man. We have not always seen eye to eye, but he is a good man,” Urganox said
as he gulped down a large quantity of stew.
“Ha!” Lot chuckled. “That is what everyone says about him.”
“Have you and Thaddeus not always seen eye to eye?” Urganox asked.
“We have never seen eye to eye. Until yesterday I did not even know him as my brother,” Lot said as he sheathed his sword.
“Have you heard any word from him?”
“No, not yet. I did have a feeling, or something, earlier. It felt like he was in trouble. I have had these vivid images all of my life but never knew where they came from. Now, I suppose it is some kind of connection between the two of us. Who knows?” Lot said.
“What was your vision?” asked the King.
Lot repositioned himself in his chair and said, “I am not sure. I saw some sort of creature, unlike any I have ever seen before. Thaddeus was engaged in battle with it. That was all I saw.”
“I am sure he is fine. Thaddeus is a great warrior,” said Urganox.
“That he is,” Lot replied.
For some reason, Lot could not keep his eyes from straying to the broken horns on Urganox’s head. As much as he tried to look the King in the eyes, his own eyes kept migrating to the stumps where his horns once originated. Finally, Urganox mentioned them.
“You keep looking at my horns,” the King said as he ran his hands over the remaining stumps. “Sad, is it not?”
“I do not mean to stare,” Lot said shamefully.
“It is fine. It is not every day that you see the Brazurkin King hornless.”
“What happened to them?” asked Lot.
“They became broken when the mountain that destroyed my kingdom tried to take my life as well. As you can see, a mountain is no match for me,” Urganox said with a hearty laugh.
“I think they add character,” Lot replied with a smile.
The two heroes spent much of the night sharing stories and tales of happier times. Surprisingly, they had a lot in common and conversation came naturally to them. A few hours before dawn they decided it was time to turn in for the night. Their departure would be upon them soon, and they needed their rest.
The next morning Locmire was up with the sun, and as usual, he had to douse Red with water to wake him. Red’s screams woke Lot and Urganox, along with everyone else who was lodging at the inn. The heroes had a filling breakfast consisting of yarkle eggs, pork, bread, and juice. They gathered their things, thanked David once more for his hospitality and continued on with their journey to Mt. Pizenchaffe.
Locmire's Quest: Book One A Tales from Calencia Novel Page 36