They rose at dawn and gathered supplies for travel, securing the lodge. Colly took a last look at it and sighed. Once he hoped to retire there and let the crazy world go on without him. He looked at Danni and felt that warm feeling again. But his retirement from the tavern business would have to wait a few more years. Danni needs time to grow up and make her own way.
Colly watched the others ride slowly, noting how young Linna and Danni were. Was he ever that young? How could he protect them? He wanted to travel easily and make deliberate decisions. With armies on the move far too many things could go wrong and end in death. That was not the outcome he wanted.
They heard the army before they saw it and kept out of sight of the scouts. Several hundred soldiers, half of them mounted, forded the river at its narrowest point. Colly had stopped on a rise and they waited for the leaders to cross and assemble under a tent to plan the assault on Gornst. Their camp was midway between Gornst and Greyrawk Mountain. The road on the north side of the river was easily seen from Gornst but it was the fastest and Beric Mallon liked to fight on open ground. Colly watched the soldiers setup their positions and knew Beric was preparing for Belderag and the Celaeri. What was the thought in putting the army between the two? Was Beric that confident that Belderag would join forces? Colly didn't remember Beric Mallon being that bold.
Colly moved from his position and led them to the camp. No one challenged them although Colly and Greyrawk were obviously fighting men.
Linna rode direct to the Warlord, her head held high, and her gaze forward. Colly, Greyrawk and Danni rode just behind her. The soldiers watched them in silence as they approached Beric Mallon. The frown on Mallon's face gave Colly a hint how this would play out.
"Warlord Mallon, I have come to take command as we planned," said Linna.
"I see. And who might you be?"
"I am Princess Linna. You know me well enough."
"I'm afraid I don't see the resemblance. And I know of no plan that concerns the Princess." They were far enough from the common soldiers that only Mallon's select officers could overhear.
"I see. My brother warned me that you might not be trustworthy, but I didn't believe him. I thought you were a man of honor."
"You cannot insult me to anger. I am a man of honor who knows that a woman cannot rule. You pop up out of the earth and tell me to hand over control of my army? How should I react? I am the Warlord of Cresida and King Haldane does not inform me of such a plan by his daughter. I refuse your command.
"You are arrogant and a fool young lady. You are out from under your father's protection so far from Andara. I shall not bow before you. You are not in command here."
"I will tell the soldiers that you have been removed and I am leading the army."
"Ha, how can you enforce such a command? These soldiers are oath-bound to me. Besides, they expect to follow a war leader. There are lives as stake."
"They are bound to Cresida and King Haldane," said Linna.
Mallon stepped forward to strike her but Colly stepped between and backhanded the Warlord and sent him sprawling. His officers drew their swords but Greyrawk was faster and his blade caressed Mallon's neck. Colly looked at each of the officers in turn and the older men recognized him and nodded. They put their swords away.
"Beric, do you know me?" asked Colly. The big man reached for Beric's hand.
"No. I. Wait. Colleson Bulger?"
"Ah, you do remember some things. Do you remember the chain of command? I have not resigned my commission. Your men will know me and believe my words. You were once loyal to me. Be it so again." He turned to the soldiers within hearing. "I am Colleson Bulger and I am the King's Hand. I speak for King Haldane in his absence and I command all his servants."
There was a buzz of conversation among the soldiers as the news spread.
"Do you follow the Princess's plan now?" Colly asked Mallon.
"Ah, it seems clearer now than it did a few minutes ago."
"Beric, you are on the precipice, have a care in your future decisions." Colly pulled him to his feet and Greyrawk sheathed his sword. Mallon looked at Greyrawk closely but said nothing.
"Where have you been lurking, Bulger? I have not heard of you for several years."
"I've been running an inn in Gornst and keeping an eye on Belderag."
"An inn. Good ale I trust?"
"Only the best ale in my inn."
"Ah, I would like to try it sometime."
"As Gornst is your destination I am sure I can open a keg of my best."
"All the years that have passed since we spent all our off duty time in taverns. Where has the time gone, Bulger? Your daughter is grown and my nephews serve in the army."
"Time is merciless, Mallon. It never rests or sits by a creek with a fishing pole. And we have work to do."
Colly waved over the officers and they gathered around in awe of the legend of Colleson Bulger and viewing him up close, as robust and strong as a man could be. When he turned his eye upon them they went rigid, in fear he might find some fault with them. None of them dared glance at Warlord Beric Mallon who stood next to Princess Linna who appeared out of the earth to lead them to victory.
A rumble to the east drew their attention; Belderag was riding to war. Beric's soldiers changed formation to face the approaching soldiers. The clang of their swords on their shields was deafening.
"We do not attack," called Colly to the officers. "We defend only. There is an army on Greyrawk Mountain, waiting for our vigilance to fail. We cannot offer an undefended flank to them."
The army from Gornst moved off the road and gave King Haldane's troops a hundred yards buffer between them. Suddenly, they halted. Belderag sat on his horse staring at Beric Mallon's colors. He spoke to the men around him and one rode direct across the field to Beric Mallon. He dismounted and saluted the Warlord.
"Warlord, I am Captain Picker of Gornst. I bring word from Lord Belderag. We are prepared to battle with an army of Celaeri currently camped on Greyrawk Mountain. Lord Belderag wishes to know if you will hinder us or help us. He believes your presence here is in opposition to him and if that is true he asks if you will set aside your task until our battle is over."
"Fairly spoken Captain Picker, but I do not have the final say in the matter." He gestured to a young woman with piercing eyes standing next to another woman Picker recognized. "This is Princess Linna."
Picker dropped to his knee. "Your highness."
Linna looked to Colly who nodded.
"Captain Picker, you may tell Belderag we will meet him after the threat to Cresida has been dealt with. He is to keep his troops to our left and we shall move up the road to Greyrawk Mountain. The Celaeri shall not remember this day with joy."
"Thank you, your Highness; I will bring your words to Lord Belderag."
A scout rode up to Beric Mallon. Picker moved away but kept in earshot and no one noticed his presence. The scout spoke without preamble.
"Warlord, there are riders heading this way. They appear to be pursued by a force coming down Greyrawk Mountain."
"How many riders?"
"Maybe six, but the trailing force is many hundred."
"It is the Celaeri," said Colly. "Beric, best prepare to fight two fronts. I don't know if Belderag will postpone facing King Haldane's judgment until the Celaeri have been defeated."
"Give me a sword," said Linna. "I will stand with my soldiers."
Beric started to laugh but Picker stepped forward.
"Your highness, I am honored to present my sword to you."
"You are Belderag's man," said Linna.
"I am sworn to defend Cresida."
Linna accepted it and glared at Beric. "Prepare for war!"
Danni beamed at Picker, who winked at her as he began to ride back to Belderag.
"Hurry back," said Colly. "And good luck, Captain Picker."
"With you here Colly, anything is possible," said Picker.
"You don't know how true that is," murmured
Danni.
"No time for that now Danni," said Colly. "Are your knives ready?"
"Yes, Papa."
"Beric, allow Belderag to move ahead of us and fill in behind him," said Linna. "Let us put him between the hammer and the anvil."
Beric smiled. "I do like your thinking Princess. We can spread far enough to keep him from getting behind us."
The incoming riders recognized Belderag's colors and veered southerly to bypass the leading soldiers and rode to the Haldane ranks. Kerreth led them to the Warlord's tent and dismounted. Soldiers gave way from the powerful figure.
"Kerreth!" said Greyrawk. "You are safe."
"Yes, for now. The Celaeri ride hard behind us."
"That one is Celaeri," said Beric Mallon, pointing at Alarie Skye.
Elberra rose to her full height and expanded her wings. "And I am Anethean. We are the Talos Company and will not suffer your insults."
"Easy Elberra," said Kerreth. "We fight alongside them against the Celaeri. Colly, I'm glad you're here." They clasped forearms.
"This is Princess Linna Haldane."
Kerreth turned toward the young woman and nodded his head. She started at the sight of his tusks.
"Your majesty, I am delighted to meet you. I am Kerreth Veralier. Now Warlord, have archers at the ready. The Celaeri spears have a long reach."
"Belderag will meet them first. We will pick up the stragglers," said Beric.
"Belderag cannot hold back the Celaeri and the Vlakan will join the fight as night falls."
"Vlakan? What nonsense do you speak stranger? Bulger, do not listen to this…"
Greyrawk stepped in Beric's way.
"Keep your thoughts to yourself. Kerreth Veralier has walked Landermass centuries before Cresida was a kingdom. His wisdom and skill is far superior to yours. If he but asks I shall cut you and your officers to shreds."
"Sounds good," said Loric joining them. "Can I get the same accolades?"
"Or at least some coin for every time it has been said," said Moria.
"He spoke in good faith," said Colly.
"I know he did," said Kerreth. "Beric Mallon, I do not have time to bandy words with you. Do as I ask."
"That is my command," said Linna. "Defer to Kerreth Veralier in all things until we have removed the Celaeri threat."
Greyrawk noticed the hooded figure with Dvorak Annis. He felt a jolt go through him. He glanced at Moria, who smiled and nodded. Greyrawk hurried to the figure, pulled back Jaele's hood and swept her in his arms. It was several moments before Dvorak coughed the first time, and several more moments before he tapped Greyrawk on the shoulder.
"Ian, there is a war on."
"Oh, sorry." He grinned at Jaele who just stared at his face.
Belderag rode at the head of his army, his sword high in the air. The thunder of hoof beats shook the earth as the Celaeri roared from the hills to meet them.
Chapter 21
When Kerthon was young he was a Prince of Nantitet, son of Emileare, King. His elder brother Deneth would become king thus freeing Kerthon to move to Rhath to study and refine his magic. Mauran de Arayr vanished from Landermass for a time and no word of him can be found until after Kerthon's fall into darkness. The entry was a single comment in a broader tale, as Mauran was not involved in the struggle against Kerthon's oppression of Anavar and the three kingdoms of Men. I found a tale in the legends of Ryammar that Mauran crossed the sea in search of Agnaran's last surviving servant, Daark Marteens. But the tale does not say if Mauran found him; I think not for Mauran still walks the land defending the weak, waiting for the final end of Agnaran's evil.
From Gerrand's Histories of Landermass.
The speed of the Celaeri mesmerized Greyrawk and nearly cost him his head. The Celaeri lines drove into Belderag's troops with five distinct wedges, their long spears impaling the hapless troops waiting for them. They nearly broke Belderag's line but he rallied his men, waving his sword and cutting down the Celaeri before him, single-handedly stalling the Celaeri progress. Greyrawk watched them as if the battle was a performance put on for only his benefit and the Celaeri sang as they fought. He struggled to keep his mind from wandering. The soaring music spoke to him deep down in his Celaeri blood. He felt the excitement as his body responded to the music and he ran forward, dodging a thrust of a spear and swept upward with his sword, then cut back and killed the Celaeri warrior. Greyrawk felt the presence behind him and leapt to the side as another spear whistled past. He parried the next blow and slipped inside the spear, running his sword through the Celaeri. Their eyes met but for a moment, giving Greyrawk a glimpse of the life of his kin. Then he pulled his sword out.
The field was alive with noise. Belderag's troops hit the Celaeri hard but the Vlakan came with the shadows and pushed back Belderag. The Haldane forces surged forward to help. Greyrawk watched the swirling blades of Kerreth as he cut a path through the Vlakan. Elberra's own spear was half again as long as the Celaeri spears and she killed as fast as she could move. Belderag's troops were being divided by the Vlakans and inadvertently shielding the Haldane soldiers from engaging the Vlakan. Half the Haldane army did not have an opponent and many of Belderag's men had too many opponents. He caught a glimpse of Loric fighting a dozen yards further toward the river. Greyrawk charged in that direction knocking riders from their horses. The Celaeri and Vlakan attack had routed the front lines for Belderag finally. That was the direction Kerreth and Moria went. Elberra screamed and flapped her wings, driving her spear through her enemies. Greyrawk spared a glanced behind him where Jaele waited, protected by Dvorak Annis and Hobart Hufflen. He knew she wanted to fight but Kerreth would not permit it.
The battle began to slow down visually for Greyrawk and he knew it to be a good sign. Brandalay and Alarie Skye fought with Loric. Belderag's long white hair shone in the fading sunlight but he appeared unhurt. The old tavern owner was a revelation. Colleson Bulger wielded the largest sword Greyrawk had ever seen. Well over six feet in length, Colly whipped it through the killing zone like a child's stick. The battle closed in again and Greyrawk only thought of the pattern of his sword's dance.
He became aware after a time that the flow of battle pushed him far from his comrades and his sword felt heavy. He paused for a breath but the enemy closed in. His arm burned from the exertion and numerous nicks from his enemies. Celaeri were not engaged with him, it was purely the Vlakan. They rushed him.
A shout from behind him preceded the rush of a squad of soldiers who now stood shoulder to shoulder with him. Their leader beheaded a Vlakan and turned to Greyrawk and nodded.
"Lord Greyrawk," said Captain Picker. "I hope we are not intruding?"
"No, Captain. Feel free to join in. I am elite in the company I keep."
"Very good."
Their swords pared the numbers of the Vlakan and the creatures pulled back out of range, watching and waiting for the next surge.
"Kind of you to join me," said Greyrawk. "I wasn't sure of the local custom for inviting you to share in the fighting. Glad you took the initiative."
"Well, just doing my duty for Cresida."
"Not for Belderag?"
"For King Haldane."
Greyrawk grinned. "Let's do our duty."
Picker shouted commands and his squad and Greyrawk charged the Vlakans. Greyrawk's sword cut a path for Picker's squad and they broke the Vlakan line. The Vlakan gave way before Greyrawk and retreated to the edge of the woods.
Loric fought with the Celaeri music in his heart, but it brought him no joy. His mind drifted back millennia when as a child he was whipped and abused by the full blood Celaeri. His sword danced and bit-by-bit the blade cut away the submerged pain of the child. His half-sister Alarie Skye fought at his side, full blood but cast out from the Celaeri for her compassion. The Celaeri blood runs cold and their hearts are carved from ice. Loric kept alert for the opportunity to engage Jerue Adan, but the Celaeri king did not fight close by. There were too many spears to pass through to reach hi
m. Loric worked his way in Jerue Adan's direction but the Celaeri fought hard and Loric heard the growls of the Vlakan coming closer. Faces he recognized, shouted at him in rage and then pain once they felt the bite of his sword. Loric forced himself not to recall the faces of those who had been kind to him in his youth, instead he saw the Celaeri as one entity, each with the face of his grandfather, Jerue Adan. Loric killed in a frenzy, driving back the Celaeri until the Vlakan rushed him and then he sang as a Celaeri and killed Vlakan with every breath.
Loric sensed Alarie Skye drawing near to him and he felt Brandalay fighting alongside him. Alarie touched his arm for a moment then wielded her sword.
"Beautiful day, eh Loric?" asked Brandalay. His breath was heavy and he paused next to Loric. "I love fighting with your sister. Not each other, I mean - alongside."
"I know what you mean," grinned Loric. He glanced over to Alarie Skye, fighting with her curved blade two-handed sword. "I forgot how much I missed her."
Hobart kept an arrow notched at all times and he feathered a few Celaeri who had broken through and approached too close to Jaele. Dvorak Annis held his magic ready but did not want to use it to avoid attracting the attention of the Celaeri. Hobart didn't care what Dvorak did, he was happy to hone his archery skills with such fleet targets.
"Excellent shot, Hobart," said Dvorak Annis. "You see Lady Jaele, little Hobart has skill with the bow that even few Daerlan could match. You are safe here. I realize you are frustrated not to partake of the battle, for I have seen you in action. Kerreth deemed you safer away from direct violence and Kerreth is the boss. Please don't put me in jeopardy by running into battle. Oh, nice shot, Hobart! I assure you that Kerreth will not be gentle with me. In fact, he is seldom gentle with anyone."
"Even Moria?" asked Jaele.
"Well, he is gentler that he used to be, especially now that he is certain she is not his daughter."
"What? This sounds like more than I need to know."
Greyrawk (Book 2) Page 22