The Tiger (Chronicles of An Imperial Legionary Officer Book 2)

by Marc Alan Edelheit

  The lieutenant saluted smartly and moved off, following the men as they dispersed.

  Blake and Ranl remained, standing off to the side. Stiger made no move to countermand Ikely’s orders and dismiss them too. Ogg had told him the dwarves meant his people ill. Stiger felt more comfortable that the two veterans were close at hand.

  “Would you care to sit?” Stiger asked, gesturing at the logs placed around the campfire. Braddock nodded and sat and then gestured to Garrack, who cast a hostile glance at the wizard before doing the same. Ogg moved to the opposite side of the fire, well away from the two sergeants and also took a seat, leaning his staff against the inside of his left leg. Stiger and the Eli sat also. An awkward silence followed.

  “I understand you mean to take the castle from me,” Stiger said, deciding to come right out and say what was on his mind. It was not really a question.

  Braddock threw an angry glance in Ogg’s direction before turning to face the captain. “Yes, we will take back Grata’Kor.”

  “Why?” Stiger asked in exasperation, gesturing around. “What harm have we done to you and your people?”

  “You brought evil to the valley,” Braddock said simply. “The empire is not as it was. Humans are short-lived and shortsighted. You have defiled the Compact and I mean to restore it.”

  “If you are referring to that business with Castor, we were responsible for purging that evil,” Stiger said. “The agent of Castor is no more.”

  “How you banish agent of Castor?” Garrack spat gruffly in even rougher common than the thane’s.

  Stiger did not like the dwarf’s tone.

  “Sergeant Ranl,” Stiger said, turning to one of the two legionaries. “Please be kind enough to ask Father Thomas to join us.”

  “That will not be necessary,” Father Thomas announced, walking up to the campfire. Braddock and Garrack looked up. Eli stood and offered Father Thomas a respectful nod. The paladin stopped before the two dwarves, an expression of fascination crossing his face. He towered over the two dwarves, who had to crane their thick necks to look up at him. Stiger noted Father Thomas wore armor that, under the sunlight, shone impressively. Braddock’s eyes went to the mark of the High Father’s sigil. It was clear to Stiger the thane recognized it.

  “I was called,” Father Thomas said.

  “This is why you were called?” Stiger demanded. “You were called to meet them?”

  “It seems so,” Father Thomas said. “Though I detect no evil here.”

  “What is going on here?” Braddock asked. “Explain yourself.”

  “Your Majesty,” Stiger said, standing up once again. “May I present Father Thomas, a holy warrior in service to the High Father.”

  “A warrior priest?” Garrack said with a scowl. “You people call a paladin, no?”

  “That is correct,” Stiger confirmed.

  Braddock frowned at Father Thomas. Stiger could read the questioning look in his eyes, as though he were wondering if this was some kind of a human trick.

  “He speaks the truth,” Ogg confirmed from across the fire. “This man is a direct representative of the High Father.”

  Braddock looked over at Ogg in surprise. After a moment, he stood respectfully and inclined his head slightly. “I am pleased to meet one honored so by the High Father.”

  Stiger introduced the dwarves to Father Thomas.

  “It is I who has been honored,” Father Thomas said. “The High Father has seen fit to offer me his blessing to do his good work.”

  “Shall we sit?” Stiger asked. Braddock nodded. Once the paladin had found himself a seat, everyone else resumed their places.

  “Was…was it you?” Braddock asked of Father Thomas. “Is it true that Grata’Kor has been cleansed?”

  “If you mean Castle Vrell,” Father Thomas nodded in confirmation. “Then, yes, Castor’s contamination has been removed, thanks to the High Father.”

  “The true enemy of our people marches on Vrell,” Ogg said. “Our enemy is not here, nor is it at Grata’Kor.”

  “I should have listened,” Braddock said in what was clearly an apology directed to Ogg. “I have never had cause to doubt your word.”

  “My word?” Ogg seemed shocked by the suggestion. “Why take mine, when you can take that of the enemy themselves?”

  “What do you mean?” Garrack demanded.

  “Captain Stiger,” Ogg said, turning to the captain. “I believe you will shortly be speaking with your enemy. You call such a meeting a parley? Is that not correct?”

  “It is,” Stiger affirmed. “How do you know of this?”

  Ogg shrugged, as if it did not matter, and then turned back to Braddock. “Take a close look at his sword and scabbard.”

  Braddock paused for a moment, glancing over at Ogg, before looking. The sword and scabbard lay next to the captain. Stiger saw the thane sit up. A startled expression crossed Braddock’s face.

  “Delvaris’s sword!” Garrack said excitedly. “The Oracle’s words…”

  “It would seem so,” Braddock said and ran a hand through his neatly braided beard. “This changes everything.”

  The two dwarves slipped into their own language and spoke rapidly back and forth, both at times gesturing toward Stiger. He heard them say “Delvaris” more than once.

  “My ancestor,” Stiger interrupted, eyes narrowing. “What of General Delvaris?”

  “You hold the sword of Delvaris. It is a powerful artifact named Rarokan. That blade was forged long ago,” Braddock explained, pointing at the weapon. “You wear his armor as well. Did you take it yourself?”

  “Yes,” Stiger said. “I did.”

  “The Compact,” Garrack said in common. “As foretold by the Oracle, the Compact is on the verge of fulfillment!”

  “What Compact?” Stiger asked. “What are you talking about?”

  “He doesn’t know? How can that be?” Garrack asked in surprise.

  “You did not come to Vrell to fulfill the Compact?” Braddock turned to face the captain.

  “I don’t even know what the Compact is,” Stiger replied, “let alone know how to fulfill it.”

  “Much of the empire has long forgotten the Compact,” Ogg stated. “Human lives pass quickly and as such, they have short collective memories.”

  Braddock looked intently at him. “If you do not know of the Compact, then why do you wear Delvaris’s armor and cloak and carry his sword?”

  “If I answer that,” Stiger said, “will you explain this Compact you speak of and why it is so important?”

  “I will,” Braddock affirmed. “Upon my legend, I will.”

  “It was an attempt at a larger deception,” Stiger explained. If he could win over Braddock, he could put to bed the threat posed by the dwarves. “We are vastly outnumbered. By wearing the general’s kit, I wanted the enemy to think that they faced a general in command of an entire legion, instead of a few hundred. I made sure both I and the eagle were seen by the enemy. I even allowed a few prisoners to escape, having seen me in this getup along with false information about our size and disposition. The enemy had to believe the ruse so that they would advance more cautiously…slowly. My entire focus has been to harass and counterpunch, delaying their advance as much as possible, at least until the winter snows come to the mountains and then fall back on the castle and hold it until spring.”

  “I see,” Braddock said thoughtfully as he absently tugged on his beard with one hand. “Did it work?”

  “It seems it did for a time,” Stiger answered. “I learned today that my enemy now knows the truth. I guess it is time I returned these relics and got back to my own kit.”

  “I think not,” Braddock said quietly, leaning forward. “As it was you who activated, or really deactivated, the spell, the sword, armor and personal effects were meant for you and you alone. Only one from Delvaris’s line could have done as you did, which was foretold by the Oracle. You have taken the first steps to restoring the Compact between the Dvergr Nations an
d the Mal’Zeelan Empire.”

  “Captain,” Garrack spoke with awe, making his accent thicker. “More dan a thousand years have passed since Dvergr Nations and Empire formed Compact. You see Compact boils down to joint defense of Vrell. We built Grata’Kor and for two hundred years your empire lived up to terms of Compact, then something changed and empire abandoned valley.”

  Stiger absorbed this information silently, then ran his hands over the sword hilt of Delvaris for some moments, feeling the familiar tingle. After a moment he looked up, eyes alight.

  “The 13th was not a lost legion,” Captain Stiger breathed, snapping his fingers. “She marched south to fulfill the empire’s obligation.”

  “During a dark time, my people requested a restoration of the Compact,” Braddock continued, “and your Emperor Atticus dispatched the 13th Legion for that purpose.”

  “Atticus?” Stiger said, trying to remember his history lessons on the emperors. From the beginning to the current day, every child from a noble family could recite the complete list of emperors. Unfortunately, other than the man’s name, there was very little Stiger could recall of Atticus. On the other hand, Stiger did know a great deal about his ancestor and the legend that surrounded the 13th. Nothing he could recall about the legend of the Vanished involved Vrell. Stiger had not even heard of the Vrell Valley until General Mammot and Kromen had mentioned it.

  Still, Stiger had always wondered why the 13th was allowed to remain on the rolls of ‘active’ legions. He had assumed, as many others had, that it was a way for the empire to save face. The 13th had disappeared so long ago that that line of reasoning no longer made sense. There had to be another reason…

  He considered what he had just learned. Why had he never heard of the Compact? To dispatch an entire legion just to fulfill the terms a treaty hinted that the agreement held strategic importance to the empire. Had all of the emperors from Atticus down to the current been content to keep the legend alive, that the 13th was simply lost…vanished? Did they perpetuate that falsehood for a reason? Again, he wondered what was so important about Vrell. Stiger shook his head. Until recently, he had thought dwarves were mythical creatures and now here he was, conversing with three of them.

  “You are planning to attack us to restore the Compact!” Stiger said finally. He had the thane, the dwarf ruler, in front of him. Surely, Braddock could call off this impending attack, particularly now that Stiger knew the empire and dwarves had been allies, or really still were in a strange sort of way that he did not yet fully understand.

  “We could not allow Castor dominion over our Valley,” Braddock said. “It would have been a betrayal of trust.”

  “What about now?” Stiger asked. “Will you still make war upon us, knowing the truth?”

  “I believe I speak for my thane when I state that matters are now different,” Garrack said. “As foretold, you have assumed mantle of Delvaris.”

  “There are some of our people,” Ogg said with an unnerving giggle, “who believe the Oracle meant that Delvaris would be reborn. I believe you humans use the word reincarnation.”

  “You think I am Delvaris reborn?” Stiger asked incredulously, shooting an alarmed look to Eli.

  “That armor fits pretty well,” Ogg continued with another strange giggle. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “That armor would fit anyone,” Braddock barked at Ogg in irritation. “It is enchanted, or have you forgotten, you honorless dog?”

  “I forget nothing, my Thane,” Ogg replied, sobering. “Nothing.”

  Stiger looked down at his armor with concern. Like his sword, it was enchanted?

  “Captain,” Braddock said, drawing the captain’s attention. “When I was but a youth, I had the honor of meeting Delvaris. He—”

  “Wait a minute,” Stiger interrupted, his head spinning at the implications. “You knew General Delvaris? That means you are, what…over three hundred years old?”

  “I am a little past middle-aged for one of my kind,” Braddock admitted. “Regardless of my age, you could easily pass for the general’s brother.”

  Stiger stood up, paling. He could not believe what he was hearing. He looked over at Eli, who actually looked awed.

  Awed!

  Nothing awed Eli. His friend had lived a good long time and he had done and seen most everything.

  “You believe this?” Stiger asked him.

  “The gods move in mysterious ways,” Eli said. “Though I have never met anyone who could conclusively prove they had been reincarnated, that does not mean it could not happen, gods willing.”

  “Though I do not believe you are Delvaris reborn, there are some of our people who will,” Garrack said.

  “What was Delvaris’s title?” Braddock asked of Garrack, gesturing at Stiger. “You know, the one his men called him. Having assumed the mantle of command, that title would naturally be his.”

  “I am sorry, my Thane,” Garrack said. “It was a very long time ago and human languages are not my strength.”

  “Legate,” Ogg said quietly. “I believe the title Emperor Atticus gave Delvaris was Legate.”

  “That is it,” Braddock said with a pleased look and then turned back to Stiger. “You are now Legate of the 13th.”

  Stiger almost laughed bitterly. Legate was a title that had not been in use for at least two centuries. It was absurd! How could he command a legion that existed in name only? With the rebel and Cyphan army on his doorstep, though he took all of this seriously, it was the least of his concerns. Or was it?

  “As Legate of the 13th,” he said after a moment, “I could declare the Compact restored and you would remain as our ally in defense of the valley? Am I correct?”

  Braddock glanced at Garrack, who nodded. Then he slowly turned back to Stiger.

  “As legate of the 13th,” Braddock said slowly, “and direct representative of your emperor, yes, you can declare the Compact restored.”

  “Be warned, captain,” Garrack said with a grave look. “Invoking Compact is not a thing our people take lightly. As direct representative of empire, you will be held to account.”

  Stiger nodded, thinking fast and hard. By restoring the Compact, the dwarves would be honor-bound to assist in defense of the valley. “If it keeps us working together as allies instead of enemies, then so be it. I declare the Compact restored.”

  Braddock blinked, his dark eyes filling with tears. Garrack, too, seemed moved, exhilarated and elated. The thane fell to his knees and began offering what appeared to be a prayer in his own language. Stiger glanced over at Eli, who looked grave. Stiger thought he read disapproval and caution in his friend’s eyes. Perhaps he should have consulted Eli before making such a momentous decision? Well, it was too late now. There was no going back.

  “Thank you, Legate,” Braddock said, getting up. A tear ran down his cheek and into his braided beard. “I thought never in my lifetime to hear such words from a human. You have restored my faith in the futures of both our peoples.”

  Stiger pursed his lips at the display of emotion. Only Ogg seemed unaffected. Actually, the strange wizard appeared amused. The question of why the Compact was so important to the dwarves nagged at Stiger. His doubts about what he had done in haste returned. He glanced over at Eli, who looked grave. Stiger needed to learn more about the Compact, but that would have to wait. He had ended the threat from the dwarves and gained an ally in the process. He saw Ikely approaching. Having dealt with one threat, Stiger rather suspected that dealing with General Kryven would prove much more difficult.

  “Sir,” Ikely interrupted. “It is time.”

  “Yes,” Ogg said in a firm tone. “Braddock, it is time you meet our true enemy.”

  Nineteen

  “ARE YOU SURE you wish to meet our enemy?” Stiger asked Braddock, looking sideways at the dwarf. Stiger had intentionally emphasized the word ‘our’ to reinforce to the thane that General Kryven’s army was not just an enemy to the empire, but also now to the dwarves as well. Stiger felt a
shiver of concern, recalling what Ogg had said about the thane meeting the ‘real’ enemy.

  “I do,” Braddock said. “I wish to put a face to the enemy who would dare to covet Grata’Kor.”

  The legionaries manning the defensive line were looking at the dwarves curiously. Word of their arrival had spread quickly and many found any excuse to come by and gawk. Sergeant Blake and Ranl were doing a good job sending them on their way.

  “You are a man who understands defense,” Ogg said, gazing about at the fortification with appreciation.

  “I mean to give the enemy a hot reception,” Stiger said. “If they want to reach Vrell, they will have to earn it.”

  Braddock nodded appreciatively, examining the elaborate defenses the legionaries had erected. Stepping up to the barricade, he looked down at the trench below and whistled.

  “I would not want to fall down there,” Braddock said to a legionary, who was manning the barricade.

  “No, sir. It would not end well if you did.” The legionary eyed the dwarf warily.

  Braddock barked a laugh and clapped the legionary on his armored shoulder. The legionary almost staggered under the friendly but powerful blow.

  “This is good ground you selected,” Braddock addressed Captain Stiger. “An excellent choice. I approve.”

  “I hope the enemy likes it enough to try and take it from me,” Stiger said.

  “Open the gate!” he yelled as he put his helmet on, tying the chin strap in place. Looking over at the dwarves, he had a funny feeling about the coming parley. He wondered how General Kryven would react to his new allies.

  Several men stepped forward and struggled, grunting with effort as they lifted the gate back and to the side, opening the way. Planking was run out, bridging the trench. Stiger, Eli, Blake, Braddock and Garrack started forward. Father Thomas had once again elected to remain behind, as did Ogg.

  Garrack, realizing Ogg was not coming, stopped and turned toward the wizard with a questioning look. “Aren’t you coming?”

  “I believe I shall remain,” Ogg said. A mad look overcame him and he grinned crazily. “I would like a word with the good paladin here. We have business. Don’t worry, Father, I promise to stay out of trouble.”