No one spoke for a time, centered on their own thoughts.
Jaele screamed when the pale head came through the door. The face of the young man stared at her unblinking, but it did see her.
"What?" Kerreth jumped to his feet, a sword in his hand. "Oh, it's just Prince James. Where have you been?"
"It's a gggghosttt," said Jaele.
"Yes, he is. Prince James is from Eslenda. He died in battle years ago. Now, he just follows us around. Didn't you notice him on our journey? He was with us when we met you."
"But he did vanish often," said Moria. "I only saw him a couple times at night. And in the daytime he's hard to see. I wish we knew what he's thinking."
"Hasn't learned to speak yet," said Kerreth to Jaele. "But he has been more attentive, as if he's figuring things out. I think he's finally come to terms with his condition."
"Speak! I wouldn't want a ghost to speak," said Jaele.
"You haven't spent enough time with Loric," said Moria. "A ghost would be a welcome change. I sure hope Ian is nothing like Loric."
"There are some similarities," admitted Jaele. "But Loric is a much more confident man, or at least more outwardly confident."
"That's a polite way of putting it."
Prince James's shape flowed the rest of the way through the door. Jaele watched the young man's shade move about the room. He reached out with his hand at several spots along the far wall and shook his head.
"Is he looking for something?" asked Jaele.
"I believe so," said Kerreth. "Perhaps he is trying to find a release for a passage."
"Is that right, James?" asked Jaele. "Is there a passage out?"
Prince James turned toward her and nodded.
"Ohh, that's creepy," said Jaele. "He actually thinks."
"That's more than he ever communicated to us," said Moria. "He may become a full member of the company after all. Let's help him look." They all moved to the ways and felt the surface with their hands. There was not a sound for several minutes.
Moria felt a stone give way to her touch. She pushed harder and it slid forward. There was a reluctant scraping noise as a section of the wall opened. Prince James slipped inside.
Moria and Jaele followed. Kerreth drew his swords, bringing up the rear. James' silhouette gave enough light for them to see and they followed him through the twists and turns of the passages until they rose up from a trapdoor into the stables.
"Well, this is good fortune," said Kerreth. "Our horses are still here."
"But many others are gone," said Jaele. "And the warhorse I believe belonged to Belderag is gone too."
"He's gone to Greyrawk Mountain," said Moria.
"Then must follow," said Kerreth. "I fear the mischief he may cause."
"What about the others?" asked Jaele.
"They will have to fare for themselves. They are quite capable and we must not let Belderag do anything rash." Kerreth led his horse out of the stables and Moria followed. They looked back to Jaele, who threw up her arms and grabbed the reins of her horse.
"I keep forgetting you people have lived centuries."
"It's true we are not inexperienced," said Kerreth. He rode to the main post of the stable and drew symbols in the wood with the point of his sword. "There, I have left a message for the others should they come this way. And they will."
"Thank you. I do feel better. Where did Prince James go?"
"I don't see him," said Moria. "Perhaps he's gone back for the others. But no worries, he is already dead." She smiled at Jaele who shook her head at the black humor.
"Let's ride!" cried Kerreth.
Loric heard voices in the hallway and then they faded away. He tried the door but it was locked. He shouted but received no response. He went to the wall between his room and Hobart's. The wall was solid stone and gave no sound when he slapped it. He took his sword and pounded on the stone. The sound seemed deadened and he heard nothing from the other side. He tried again harder but the results were the same. He cursed. They were fools for trusting Belderag. Belderag's hatred of Celaeri was too strong to consider any plan but for their destruction. Loric worried for Alarie. Belderag would certainly try to kill her.
Loric poked the blade of his dagger between the stones and started digging away the mortar. He kept at it for a quarter hour when the first stone wiggled. He wedged his sword in for better leverage. He almost got it to move forward but he felt the tension in the sword; any more force and the blade would break. He cursed and sat down, looking around. His only companion a flagon of cheap wine to pass the time.
Loric stared at the wall while digging his sword mindlessly into the stone floor. There was no escape without help. But who could help them?
He felt the hairs on his neck rise and the air in the room grew chilly. He wasn't alone anymore. Something had entered the room and was behind him, but he could hear nothing; no breathing, no movement, still he knew something was there. He eased his hand around the hilt of his sword and slowly tensed his muscles. Loric shifted his weight to allow him to get to his feet quickly. He waited tensed, but still no sound.
He jumped to his feet spinning in the air and sliced his sword through the shape behind him.
Prince James watched the blade go through his spectral body, and then looked at Loric, cocking his head slightly as if puzzled.
"James! Quit sneaking up on me you stupid ghost! Argh, my heart is pounding. There is no living creature that can sneak up on me. Ah, my heart. Poor James, you just float around without a clue to what we're doing and scare the demon out of me."
Prince James glided over to the door. He turned to Loric and waited.
"What is it? You want to show me something?"
Prince James put his hand through the wall. He turned to Loric again.
"What? I can't put my hand through stone."
Prince James shook his head. Loric heard a click and the door swung ajar.
"How did you do that? You can't touch anything."
Prince James shrugged and pointed to the door.
Loric pushed it open and peeked out. The corridor was clear. He moved over to Hobart's room and tried to open it but it wouldn't budge. Prince James pointed to the key forgotten in the door of Loric's room. Loric grabbed the key and opened Hobart's door.
"Loric? How did you get out?" asked the Tuor.
"The Prince decided to become an active member of the Talos Company." Prince James glided into view.
"Well, I'll be damned. About time too. Who's next?"
"Elberra is across the hall. I think she better be next. The rooms aren't that big and her wings get cramped. And when she's uncomfortable.."
"So are we.." finished Hobart. "Let's do it."
The opened door allowed Elberra to squeeze out and expand her wings.
"Ah, Loric. I never thought I'd be glad to see you."
"Buy me ale, then," said Loric. "Very large and very cold."
"I helped," said Hobart.
"Don't worry, little Tuor. You have my gratitude as well. Now, where are the others?"
"The next corridor I believe," said Hobart. "I caught a glimpse of Kerreth turning the corner before my door closed."
"Let's go then." Elberra led the way to the other rooms. The corridors were empty. Hobart let them continue to the rooms and he remained a little behind to keep watch. Loric used the key from his room and opened Brandalay's room but it was empty. Loric searched every bit of it.
"No sign of violence. Let's try to the other rooms."
They tried Kerreth and Moria's room. Elberra went in herself. Her profanity startled Loric who tried to shush her.
"Empty?" exclaimed Elberra. "Where did they go?"
"I don't know, but they can handle themselves. Let's get to the stables and get out of his place," said Loric.
"If they escaped, why did they come for us?" said Elberra.
"Must have been a good reason. Kerreth wouldn't have left us without a good reason - usually," he added. "And Moria wouldn't
have left us if there was another way."
"You are right, Hobart," said Loric. "They did not abandon us. We shall find them anon."
"Wait!" said Elberra. "Do we know what happened to Dvorak? He wasn't put in the same room as Kerreth, that I am sure."
"Here," said Hobart. "I hear something through this door."
Elberra put her ear to the door. She grumbled something too low to hear and shattered the lock with her spear. She pushed it open and they could hear the unmistakable snoring coming from the interior.
"Must have been resting for the next battle," said Loric.
Hobart jumped on the fat man and pulled him to his feet. Dvorak Annis stumbled and rubbed his eyes.
"Ah, I knew you'd get us out Elberra."
"Why didn't you use your magic?"
"Too tired."
Elberra started to scream but Loric stopped her. "Mustn't let them know we've escaped until we are ready for them to know."
She nodded but glared at Dvorak who avoided her gaze.
They turned back the way they came but as they reach the top of the stairs leading to the great hall, Picker and his soldiers waited for them.
"Lord Belderag said you were clever," said Picker, grinning. "He knew you'd escape, but we are ready for you." Fifteen soldiers held their swords ready.
"You are overmatched Picker," said Loric. "We shall give you time to run."
Picker barked his commands and his men began to advance.
Brandalay had given up pounding on his door and shouting. The walls were too thick for sound to escape. In his heart he had known Belderag would try something, but Belderag was a master at fooling people. If the Talos Company was fooled, then Brandalay didn't feel so bad about being fooled himself. However, he should have spoken up, since they had no experience with Belderag. Now, he sat in silence, surrounded by the thick walls of Belderag's castle. His life had been an example of poor decisions and the cost paid for them. Other than his birthright, fortune had not shined on him, and his powerful shoulders stooped. He even brought Alarie Skye to Gornst to meet her fate. That saddened him more than any failure he could remember. She was Celaeri and an enemy, but she trusted him. She would have been better off fighting alone against Belderag's soldiers.
He did not know how much time had passed when he heard a trembling slide of stone. First, hesitantly, then slighter freer, the stone slid. He stared at the wall but didn't notice the movement for a heartbeat as it moved toward him. Then he leapt to feet as Arenna Aruk stepped through the opening.
"Arenna!"
"Tarlac! Are you uninjured! I was so worried." She hugged him briefly then pulled away as if embarrassed by the contact.
"Come, you can escape this way."
"But the others?"
"Others?"
"The Talos Company, I can't leave them."
"Oh, yes. They are escaping too; I have some men helping them. Now, quickly." She headed back into the passage. Brandalay put his ear to the door for a moment and then hearing nothing, followed Arenna and pulled the heavy panel back in place to conceal his escape. The passage was black. Arenna held up a glowing rock and headed forward. They kept to the same direction for an undeterminable time then turned sharply and headed down some rough-cut stairs.
"Where are we going?" whispered Brandalay.
"This leads through the dungeon to the soldiers' quarters. It should be empty now and we can exit through the stables."
They entered the damp lower levels and opened another hidden door to the main corridors of the dungeon. Brandalay heard nothing but a drip of water somewhere ahead.
"Wait here a moment," said Arenna. "There's a guard station to the left. We are going to the right, but I want to see how many guards are there."
"Whom does Belderag have locked up?"
"Might not be anybody, but I want to check."
"Let me come with you."
"No, no. Only a moment." She smiled at him and squeezed his arm. He nodded.
Arenna walked past the empty guard station and turned down a dark passage. She stopped in front of a cell and peered in at the copper hair and blue skin of Alarie Skye.
"I have him now," Arenna hissed. "He's mine. Your foul hands shall never touch him again."
Alarie turned toward her, eyes swollen and hair matted with blood.
"Ah, my dear father had you beaten? Enjoy the short time left in your life." She laughed and returned to Brandalay. He was watching the passage ahead and spun quickly when he heard her coming.
"No one there," said Arenna. "Belderag must have sent everyone not following him to Greyrawk Mountain to guard your friends."
"Where are they? You said they were escaping too."
"Yes, I did. But they are going a different way and might have to fight their way out. Surely Belderag's soldiers are no match for them?"
"Yes, you're right. Kerreth alone would carve his way through them."
"Well, let's continue."
They walked in silence. Brandalay stopped and looked at Arenna.
"Belderag told us how you were hurt as a child," said Brandalay, not knowing why he brought it up now.
"The beast!" Her face turned white and she moved ahead, her hands to her temples.
"No, it wasn't him. It was Greyrawk's father who had turned into a Vlakan."
"That's a lie!" Arenna stopped and turned to him. "No! It was my father!"
"It was a Vlakan."
Arenna looked at him, her eyes wild and crazy, her breathing ragged.
"Don't betray me! It was Father! It is all that kept me going through the pain, the urge to avenge myself. I will kill him for it!"
"For all his faults he has been defending Cresida from Celaeri."
"Celaeri? Why did you bring that Celaeri here? She can't have you!"
"Arenna, what are you talking about?"
"No! No!" She pushed him away, tears running down her face.
"What is wrong?" He reached for her but he didn't see the knife except for the handle now sticking out from his chest. "Arenn.."
Brandalay toppled to the floor, his breath rasping. Arenna curled up next to him, sobbing.
Alarie Skye knew the pain meant she still lived but it gave her no comfort. Even her bones throbbed. She wondered at the angry woman who had looked in on her twice. It didn't seem to be anger against Celaeri but against Alarie personally. The woman seemed desperate. Alarie did not pick up all that was said, she was barely aware of her surroundings. She just wanted to sleep.
She dreamt of Brandalay, a man who gave her compliments, a man who saw her as more than the Warlord of the Celaeri, more than a tool to be cast aside when no longer needed. She dreamed of life with him, although brief. He would age while she remained unchanged. Her life would be short without the Mother Stone; still she would outlive Brandalay. Her thoughts scattered and wandered their own paths. She nearly forgot where she was until her fingers caressed the cold hard stone she laid upon. She opened her eyes and he was standing before her. No, the image of Brandalay faded and a blurred figure stood there. A transparent man watched her. A Celaeri? No, it appeared Men but insubstantial. The wall was visible through its body. She was awake now.
"Who are you?" she asked hoarsely. The figure just looked back at her. Perhaps it was what Men called a ghost, an image of one who had died. The figure stepped toward her and reached out its hand. She weakly raised her hand and was surprised at the strength that pulled her to her feet. It was certainly Celaeri like, the way he solidified and drifted back into mist, but he was definitely Men, or was, she could see that now.
The ghost opened the door and led her out of her cell. Although she was stiff the movement helped her feel stronger. They walked for several minutes when the ghost halted them. His head cocked as if listening, his brows knitted. Alarie Skye watched the thoughts pass across the face, a memory of the ghost's life. Suddenly, they backtracked to another passage, and then turned down it. The ghost's pace was more urgent and Alarie Skye labored to keep up. Ther
e was a shape on the floor and she caught the odor of blood.
"Tarlac!" She rushed forward and dropped to her knees. He still breathed but the blood loss was great. Without considering her fatigue she placed her hands on the wound and her hands began to glow. The skin began to bind together as the blood flow ceased. She rubbed her hands over the wound and it appeared long healed. Brandalay moaned and his breathing strengthened. Seeing Brandalay begin to recover, Alarie turned toward the ghost.
"Thank you," she whispered. Her own strength was depleted and she slumped over against Brandalay. Prince James faded slightly as he noticed movement against the wall.
Out of the shadows Arenna crawled, her bloodied knife still in her hand. Her face, flushed and contorted, stared at the two figures. She trembled and raised her body for better leverage. The hissing intake of breath alerted James and he stepped between Arenna and her prey.
"What are you, a ghost? You cannot stop me!" She lunged forward but her hand was stopped by the steel grip of Prince James.
"What? Impossible!" She reached out with her leg and passed right through James' leg. Still, his hand tightly held Arenna's wrist.
Quickly, he bent it back and twisted the knife from her grip. She cried out and staggered to her feet. Prince James stepped toward her and she ran back toward the dungeon. He looked at the two figures on the floor. Their breathing seemed strong. He would wait while they rested and guard them. He was strong now and there was a purpose for him. He did not remember his past life, but whispers of feelings and images darted past him. He knew he had been a strong protector of others. That was enough for now. He would be patient; he had all the time in the world.
Chapter 13
As the Zidar mingled with the races of Men and became one people much of the magic inherent in the Zidar faded to no more than the enhancements of the Daerlan or Celaeri. Only the blood of Weracht de Arayr stayed potent with magic. His son Mauran de Arayr guided the thrones of Anavar for centuries even after Weracht vanished into legend. Mauran defeated the Jungegud Agnaran in his attempts to rule Anavar. Mauran in time faded to legend himself but he did not die. No, he did not. I saw him once many years ago and spoke with him. Should I be surprised that he knew my name?
Greyrawk (Book 2) Page 13