Greyrawk (Book 2)

by Jim Greenfield

  "And that's all you know? How can we help if we do not know what there is to do?"

  "I know. It something I feel in my stomach, a foreboding. It's worse than the knot I felt in my gut twenty years ago when Aryar Greyrawk died. Celaeri blood connects us all. My hands shake and I'm afraid to sleep lest the Shadowed Ones come in my sleep."

  Kerreth shook his head. "I know you haven't been drinking that much. Let me discuss it with Elberra. We will need all six of us. Your words do not comfort me, Loric."

  "The Celaeri may have withdrawn as Men spread over the land," said Loric. "But the Celaeri are not a peaceful people. War raged throughout their history, both civil war and wars against other races. They are a patient people but they will not be merciful to their enemies. More than one race had been reduced to near extinction by the armies of the Celaeri. They will be a mighty people again. The cost may be the blood of Cresidians. Once they are established it will take a mighty force to defeat them."

  "Can we send messages to the king of that region?" asked Kerreth.

  "King Haldane of Cresida lives in the city of Andara at the southernmost port of Amloth. He seldom troubles with the northern nobility leaving them to settle quarrels themselves. He will not be concerned with the Celaeri until they are on his doorstep or they harm the trade of Andara and its wealth. Then it will be too late. The armies of Men will not stop the Celaeri this time even if all the kingdoms of Anavar and Amloth band together. You must understand the danger, Kerreth. Can you call all the Zidar to join us? Or Anetheans? Daerlans? Turucks? The Celaeri will be content in Cresida for a while, but I fear they will take measures to make sure they are not pushed aside again."

  "Who in Cresida can help us? We will need more than the six of us if the Celaeri return in numbers. We may not prove to be more effective than if you go alone."

  "Anyone of Talos Company would be of tremendous help to me. We can organize the defense of the Cresida cities. The most powerful northern noble is Dacu Belderag, a man of some repute as a warrior and leader, but little renown for a magnanimous spirit."

  "Well, we should start with him," said Kerreth. "Where's Dvorak?"

  "He's over at the Great Elk Inn," said Hobart. "Fresh stew today."

  "You're not keeping him company?"

  "No. The Anethean stew is much too hot. The roots they toss in make my mouth tingle and my stomach grumble. Dvorak is welcome to it; little bothers his stomach."

  "Go and fetch him, Hobart," said Kerreth. "I will find Elberra. We will meet in one hour to discuss Loric's quest."

  "It's not a quest, really. More a preventative measure, than a search. I really don't want to find the Celaeri that would be too much work."

  "We expected no less from you," said Moria sweetly.

  An hour later they occupied Kerreth's room. Dvorak Annis slumped in a chair, his latest feast inducing him to slumber. Elberra Turan was clearly distressed. The Anethean paced the room, her wings snapping in her anxiety. She glared down at Loric who smiled back. Elberra snarled and bared her pointed teeth.

  "I do not wish to cause you distress, Elberra," said Loric. "But I must go and I need everyone who is willing."

  "Yes! Willing!" said Elberra. "If I do not go I am not supportive of the Talos Company. I am singled out for being selfish."

  "Not at all," said Kerreth. "If you do not wish to go, that is your decision. We will be stronger with you than without you, but you are not forced to go."

  "And if someone is killed, it will be my fault for weakening the company. Can no one else join us - Blackthorne? Taina? Darkin Root? Navir?"

  "No. The rest are too far away. I don't expect Taina to join us for months yet. I have no word from Blackthorne. Only the gods know where Navir is. Our only other help is him." Kerreth jerked his thumb over his shoulder at the spectral shape of Prince James of Eslenda.

  "He's of no use. Hasn't even spoken to us yet. Why do we have a ghost following us around? He's the reason why my kin won't come here to meet you."

  "Give him time," said Kerreth. "He seems more interested in what we are doing lately."

  "Will he be interested in watching us die?" asked Hobart. "Maybe he'll talk to us if we're ghosts too."

  "We aren't going to die," said Kerreth.

  "Kerreth, you do not appreciate the danger of the Celaeri yet," said Loric. "This may be our last adventure. A full blood Celaeri is faster and stronger than any other race, even Zidar. They are difficult to defeat singly. With an army they would be unstoppable. They may appear slender like a Daerlan and fair featured, but some are black inside. There is no way to anticipate their planning."

  "You make it sound like there is no use in going to Cresida," said Moria. "We will die and that is that."

  "Could be," said Loric. "But I must go. My blood compels me."

  "Kerreth? You are the boss," said Hobart.

  Kerreth nodded, still in thought.

  "We go to Cresida. Buy supplies and be ready in two days. I'm sorry Elberra, but I want you to come with us."

  "Some choice."

  "I'm not giving you a choice. We need you with us. We will return to Anethe once this task is complete."

  "What is the task?" asked Moria. "I was never quite sure. Loric was less coherent than usual."

  "I heard that!"

  "Yes, well, here's what I got from his words," said Kerreth. "The Celaeri are trying to return to our world and reclaim their old lands. They are fierce fighters and the Men of Cresida are in peril. I remember the Celaeri and their king Jerue Adan. I had some dealings with him early in his reign but in the later years I grew out of touch. I kept mostly to Anavar in those days."

  "And we need to stop the Celaeri from coming," said Loric. "Once they arrive in force, it will be bloody."

  "Where are they coming from?" asked Dvorak Annis. "I was never clear on that part."

  "The shadow world."

  "Oh, of course. Obvious."

  "Do not mock me, Dvorak!"

  "Please Loric. You display yourself as a joke most of the time. How else should I treat you?"

  "Enough, both of you," said Kerreth. "The Celaeri are coming from another world to our own and I assume there are only a few places they can cross, is that right, Loric?"

  "Correct. I do not know exactly where those places are, but I should be able to sense crossing sites once I am closer to them."

  "How do you know that?" asked Moria.

  "I've been to Cresida, my dear. I do have Celaeri blood. These crossing portals will be attuned to Celaeri so I should get some sensation when I am close to one. I already have felt tremors which must be the first Celaeri crossing over."

  Elberra walked to the window and gazed upon her people.

  "I once vowed never to return while the Sorcerer Nagthagora ruled here. Now I can finally come home and you want me to leave."

  "But you are leaving by choice this time," said Kerreth. "You are not forced to leave this land."

  Elberra sighed and turned to Kerreth, either smiling or grimacing, it was often difficult to tell with Anetheans.

  "Small distinction, but it will work for me. For now anyway. Let's get packing."

  They set off on a bright morning with their three pack mules loaded with supplies. Kerreth rode in front with Moria. Hobart rode with the mules, Elberra and Dvorak just behind him and Loric brought up the rear. Two of Elberra's sisters watched them depart but no other Anethean was in sight as they followed the road out of the hills to the rolling plains leading northward to the edge of Anavar. There the distance between Anavar and Amloth was the shortest and usually the sea crossing to the city of Andara took but a day.

  Kerreth led them on a leisurely pace, steady but not straining the horses. Loric sighed loudly and rode ahead to scout. Elberra took many opportunities to glance behind her at the land she was leaving yet again.

  "Kerreth is the danger as great as Loric indicates?" asked Moria.

  "He does exaggerate it is true, yet something in his voice this time, tell
s me he is speaking what he believes to be true. That may be a slight difference, but he would not push us to this course without cause. He has Celaeri blood, perhaps he is responding to instinct more than reason. Perhaps he can feel the Celaeri breaking their bonds. It could be that he cannot fully articulate what he senses. In any case, we shall have a nice journey to Cresida. If Loric's fears are false, we merely return to Anethe."

  "You make it sound so normal and calm. I cannot yet read you as well as my mother can, so I will have to believe your words."

  "Did Taina ever give you reason to think my words were false."

  "Kerreth, I love you and would never say anything against you."

  "That is news. You told Blackthorne that I snore."

  "You do. Besides, I think he knew. I think everyone is aware of your snoring, even people you haven't met yet."

  "Hey!"

  "At least it keeps the bandits from our camp."

  "Moria, if I have to take you over my knee…"

  "Don't make promises you can't keep, dear Kerreth."

  Behind them, Dvorak was grumbling.

  "I do not enjoy riding. Why can't we use a wagon?"

  "Besides the obvious?" asked Elberra. "Is your backside so soft you cannot endure your saddle? Dvorak, every year that passes you gain more weight and less patience. You must endure this journey in silence."

  "Why must I? It's my right to complain."

  "Complain so I do not hear it or see it. I am not happy at leaving my home, but you will not make it worse for me."

  "Oh, it's all about you now."

  "Best remember that, fat man."

  "Oh, I will. Especially if you are wounded and need my care."

  "Come along!" shouted Kerreth. "You are falling behind. I mean to reach the port in two days."

  "Look to yourself, Dvorak Annis," said Hobart. "Bad luck to have an Anethean angry with you."

  "I'm lucky to have any kind of luck, bad or good," said Dvorak.

  An arrow thudded into Dvorak's shoulder. He moaned and slumped over his saddle. "Ohh, there's my luck again."

  "Kerreth! We are under attack!" yelled Hobart.

  Arrows flew from both sides of the road. Kerreth charged into the brush on the left and Elberra shouted and attacked the right. Kerreth's horse trampled two archers and two more fled toward Moria. Moria drove her sword into the stomach of one and the other tried to push past her but Kerreth was upon him, jumping from his horse to drive the man into the dirt. The man moaned and lay still. The attack was over in seconds.

  "Petty bandits I think. Elberra?"

  "Five of them on this side of the road but they are all dead. Sorry, seems I took my anger out on them."

  "Quite all right," said Kerreth. "I have a live one here. They look to be from Mordyn although their skin isn't as yellow as I would expect."

  "They rubbed dirt and blood on them. Dire Walkers, I expect," said Dvorak Annis. "A rite of passage for them; ambush travelers and execute them, bring back mementos of the attack."

  "Mementos?" asked Moria.

  "Fingers, hands, ears, whatever strikes their fancy."

  "Charming."

  "Dvorak, are you all right?" asked Kerreth.

  "Hobart pulled out the arrow," said Dvorak. "And I used a spell to speed the healing. I will be sore for several days, but otherwise I am well."

  "Elberra, did anyone back in Anethe mention ambushes in this area?"

  "No. The roads were safe as far as I know. I will drag the bodies out to the middle of the road as a warning."

  "That should send a message to the travelers and the ambushers," said Hobart. "None of the weapons were worth keeping. Rusty knifes and the bows were of poor quality. I think Elberra broke the best one."

  "I am sorry," said Elberra. "I will evaluate the weapons as I fight from now on."

  "Could you?" asked Hobart.

  "Argh!!"

  "Hobart, be careful," said Moria. "We don't want you lying in the middle of the road too."

  "Where was Loric during all this?" asked Kerreth.

  "His tracks still head north," said Hobart. "A single rider wasn't what they were after."

  "True, but surely the noise of the fight reached him?"

  "I see someone riding back towards us," said Moria. "It's Loric."

  Loric rode up and dismounted.

  "Is everyone okay?" asked Loric as he looked at the dead bandits.

  "For now," said Elberra. "Where have you been?"

  "Scouting ahead. I thought I heard shouting and steel so I returned."

  "Just in time for nothing," said Elberra, leaning over him. "Are you sure you aren't carrying any wine? Having yourself a little drink while we are fighting for our lives?"

  "Fighting for our lives?" said Hobart.

  "Elberra, I assure you," said Loric. He did not step back as she advanced and he nearly stood under her chin. "I was not having a drink. I was scouting."

  "You didn't deny you have wine."

  "I do have wine, but it is unopened. Kerreth gave it to me." He pulled from his saddlebag and showed Elberra it was still sealed. She scowled and turned away.

  "I did give it to him," said Kerreth. "Now let's drop it and finish up here."

  "What will you do with the survivor?" asked Moria.

  "We will stake him out next to his comrades."

  "He'll die," said Hobart.

  "How is that different than what he intended for us?" said Kerreth.

  "But don't we hold ourselves to a higher standard?" asked Hobart.

  Dvorak laughed and winced. "Do you sleepwalk, Hobart? Have we ever taken assassination jobs?"

  "Yes, but…"

  "Poor Hobart," said Moria. "You don't want to admit what we really are. We are just like those poor fools lying in the road. Sure, we have lived many centuries, but our aims are no higher."

  "Sometimes they are!" protested Hobart.

  "Yes, you are correct," said Kerreth. "Sometimes they are, Hobart. And hold on to those tightly if it helps you to keep your sanity. It works for me. Come, let's ride. We have many miles left to go."

  Chapter 5

  The Men kingdoms in Amloth - Eslenda, Masina and Cresida were much younger than the three kingdoms in Anavar. Calendia is the oldest Men kingdom as the capital city, Nantitet, was founded by Weracht de Arayr. Weracht led a group of Zidar from the Isle of Cothos and settled among the Men. Over time the two races interbred and were one. The nobility of Nantitet tried to keep their blood Zidar pure but no one else cared. In Amloth the kingdoms were more rustic, less sophisticated but just as savage when threatened as their more refined cousins in Anavar. Some things cannot be bred out.

  From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.

  The torch smoke hung heavy and irritated his eyes as Greyrawk scanned the great hall. Dozens of people sat at the tables on both sides of the room. Their clothing showed them to be of the Gornst nobility. The raised head table allowed for guests on only one side so the favorites of Belderag could gaze upon the rest of the room. Musicians stood on the far side away from Belderag and the voices of the guests tried to overwhelm the singer. Greyrawk recognized the postures of the leading nobles and those who lacked power. There was much laughter and servants hurried to refill tankards and goblets.

  Greyrawk saw Festin sitting at a low table toward the rear of the room, pushing away from his trencher another guest's grasping hand. Festin knocked the man on the head and pushed him to the floor. Then Festin spread out to give himself more room. Greyrawk grinned and his smile caught the attention of the blacksmith. Festin's eyes widened when he saw Greyrawk but he quickly returned his attention to his meal. Greyrawk recognized no one else outside of his group. He had been included in Arenna's retainers, a half dozen sitting around her on one side of the room. Her father did not include her at his table and did not acknowledge her presence. The banners on the walls told the greatness of Belderag and his victories. One even showed Belderag killing Lord Greyrawk in battle. The Lord Greyrawk falling to
Belderag's sword looked young and powerful, not as the aged man Greyrawk recalled. Still, Greyrawk would like to think of his grandfather in the prime of his life. It was the lie of the victorious Belderag that he needed to expunge. He turned his attention to the main table occupied by seven Men dressed more richly than any in the hall.

  Dacu Belderag sat in a raised golden chair at the head table with his trusted vassals alongside him. Past middle age; his long white hair shone, and his eyes dark and piercing. Belderag still held the strength of youth and his presence dominated the setting. He leaned over as he ate and his huge shoulders seemed twice their normal size. He appeared a bull lording over his harem. Several times his glance settled on Greyrawk, but no recognition came to his eyes. Greyrawk sipped his wine, nibbled on the pork, enjoyed the bread, but otherwise sat silent and listened to the cacophony around him.

  There were a dozen armed Men along the perimeter of the room; a testament to the trust of Belderag and the goodwill his guests felt for him. Each guard wore Belderag's raven device; Greyrawk saw no others. It was the same device the riders wore who chased him to Greyrawk Mountain. On the far side, he saw Lord and Lady Nunderburg entering late. He caught Lady Nunderburg's eye and nodded his head to her. She nodded back, and then looked away. Greyrawk realized suddenly, his contact with her should be discreet. Her husband was too deep in Belderag's pocket not to expose her to Belderag. From time to time, he glanced in her direction but he never caught her looking at him. He knew his limitations in political maneuvering. He was well over his head.

  He did not make small talk with either man beside him and they did not offer conversation either. He sensed their tenseness, ready to protect Arenna he assumed. Few of Arenna's people knew his identity and Arenna did not announce his presence when they arrived for the feast. He felt a chill and looked up. Dacu Belderag was considering him more closely and leaned to someone speaking to him. Greyrawk wondered why the man wore a hood during a meal. His heart skipped when he caught a flash of copper eyes from that hood, but he couldn't be sure as the man rose and departed.