“I know Ader told us not to worry, but I’ll strike a deal with you,” said Kael.
“What do you propose?” responded Eidyn.
“We’ll both stay as alert as possible. I’ll share my impressions and feelings about the situation if you promise the same,” offered Kael.
“Absolutely,” came the reply.
CHAPTER 13: THE KING’S SERVICE
The journey dragged on for several more hours. In the distance the snowy peaks of the Zorim Mountains were set ablaze by the golden rays of the setting sun. Kael determined they never looked more beautiful.
“The King’s Service” stood like a sentinel in the shadows of the early evening. A faint light glowed in the kitchen windows. The weary party led their horses into the stable yard and dismounted. As Kael wondered who burned a candle in the supposedly abandoned inn, the kitchen door swung open.
“Who goes there?” growled a shaky, old voice. “State your business or face my steel!”
A figure, backlit from the lighting in the kitchen, stood brandishing a cutlass.
“Hamly! Is that you?” called Kael.
The figure stepped from the threshold into the light of the moon. Kael immediately recognized the old man his father often employed around the inn to perform odd jobs and quick fixes. Hamly squinted in the moonlight, temporarily blinded as he stepped from the light in the kitchen.
“Kael?“ said Hamly. “Cefiz told me you’d arrive soon. And who’s that you travel with?”
“Weary wayfarers, sergeant,” interrupted Manfir. “It’s been a long ride. Did you keep the stove alit and the larder stocked?”
“I .. uh... Master Rin,” mumbled Hamly as his eyes shot from face to face, “and Jasper, what a surprise to see you in Kael’s company.”
“ ‘Manfir’ is sufficient sergeant. The boy learned many things on his recent trip. The least of which is my name and heritage. I take it Brelg ordered you to stay here and watch the inn?” said Manfir.
“I was told to remain at the inn and expect the return of Kael. I’m to report any unusual activity in the area,” replied Hamly.
“And what is your report?” asked Manfir.
“No report. The area has been unusually quiet of late,” stated Hamly.
“Are the stables stocked for our mounts?” inquired Manfir.
“Of course, sire,” replied Hamly. “Flair!”
A boy a season or two younger than Kael sprang from behind the kitchen door. Kael recognized him from the village.
“Yes, granddad,” said the boy eyeing the group nervously.
“Please, open the stables for these gentlemen, and see to their mounts,” requested Hamly. “Leave Master Ader’s giant thundercloud to itself, he’ll find a stall to his liking. Also, take care with Prince Manfir’s battle mount, he’s high spirited.”
The boy moved toward the stables. Upon hearing Manfir’s title his eyes went wide and he bowed deeply, backing toward the structure.
“I’m sure such an able bodied young man can handle him,” said Manfir, smiling at the boy.
As Flair backed into the shadows around the stable door he bumped into the huge figure of Granu. The boy let out a sharp squeak and nearly stumbled to the ground. Granu deftly caught the lad with his free hand and lifted him upright. Flair looked in awe over his shoulder at the giant and nearly stumbled into the stable door. The exhausted group let out a collective laugh that eased the tension.
Flair opened the stable door and returned to retrieve Manfir’s mount. The black stallion was indeed proving difficult to lead and Flair struggled. Kael felt sympathy for Flair’s predicament. He led his chestnut over to the Elves’ stallions, gathered their leads and led them to the stables. Old habits were hard to break.
“Thank you,” whispered Flair as Kael passed him.
“It’s not a problem,” smiled Kael.
When the young men returned from housing the horses, the entire group moved toward the kitchen. Teeg spun toward Kael and bowed with a flourish.
“May these weary travelers enjoy the hospitality of your wonderful home, Master Kael,” smiled the old Elf.
Kael shot a glance at Hamly. He felt like a visitor here.
“It’s the least I ... we can do after all of the things you’ve done for me,” returned Kael.
Teeg threw an arm around Kael’s shoulder and led him into the brightly lit kitchen.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” replied Teeg laughing.
Once they entered the kitchen, Hamly immediately set about preparing dinner. It was late and Kael wanted to crawl into his old bed, but his hunger was too great. Flair flitted about the kitchen retrieving plates and cups as if he regularly worked at “The King’s Service”. Kael noted how the boy worked quickly and efficiently. However, Flair never took one eye off the imposing figure of Granu standing quietly in the kitchen’s corner. Kael prayed that he didn’t look as silly and fearful as the boy he now watched.
Within a half an hour Hamly produced a meat stew simmering in an iron pot and the group moved into the inn’s common room. The largest table in the room was set with plates, cutlery and large pewter mugs. Ader dropped into the chair at the head of the table and removed his dusty shoes. Manfir wandered toward the front of the inn and surveyed the street outside. The remainder of the party took places around the old wooden table and discussed their trip. Manfir returned to the group to find the only available seat to Granu’s right. He stopped and stood glaring at the giant. The group fell silent.
The giant’s hood was thrown back and he was slowly spooning the hot stew into his mouth. His head never rose as he looked to his plate and methodically chewed the steaming food. Manfir stared down at the empty chair next to the Keltaran prince. Granu slowly munched his food.
“Sit down, son of Macin.” stated Granu icily. “It’s been a long journey and we’re weary. None here are in the mood for your grandstanding. It’s time to eat.”
The room was filled with tension as Flair backed through the kitchen doorway carrying a tray loaded with brimming ale mugs.
“I’m also hungry and tired, but I’d as soon stand here all night than share a table with a murdering Keltaran,” snapped Manfir.
Flair turned and inched toward the table striving mightily to balance the tray. Granu sprung to his feet sending his chair skittering across the stone floor and into the legs of poor Flair.
“Murderer? Who swept from the hills outside Volar and killed nine of our boys tending to a herd of goats?” boomed Granu as he turned on Manfir, fists clenched. “What kind of people lure another man’s flock of sheep from their pastures, then beat and stone the man when he journeys to retrieve them? It is the Zodrians who journey further and further into our mountains and demand it as their own! Hrafnu moved us from you to save us from your aggression! Amird founded your nation on hatred and greed, and hatred and greed drive it!”
“How dare you accuse us,” shouted Manfir. “I’ve seen your handiwork myself. Villages in the borderlands completely destroyed. The people beheaded and butchered. Men, women and children! Their bodies desecrated. The banners of the Keltar staked through them and flying from the buildings you didn’t burn to the ground.“
“You lie,” growled Granu.
Manfir’s body tensed and the giant moved forward.
“ENOUGH!”
Ader rose from his head position at the table. He moved to a spot beside the warriors. Kael’s skin tingled as a faint green glow shimmered and spread around the old trader.
“I remind you of your pledges, gentlemen. I cannot allow this distraction to upset our plans. You must learn to deal with your prejudices and hatred. We can’t afford a split in our group. Manfir, move to my place at the table’s head and eat,” said Ader.
“I can’t sit ..,” began Manfir.
“YOU CAN AND YOU WILL, ZODRIAN PRINCE!” commanded Ader. “Once again you forget your pledge. I had so little trouble from you over the years that I may have grown soft.
“Now!
Now is the time when Amird’s forces coalesce against us. And you, Keltaran Lord. You believe the Zodrians to be your enemy so completely that you blind yourself to the real danger. Now is when we must unite. Now, or you hold no hope and this world will be lost to darkness and Chaos!”
Flair’s concentration was so utterly focused on the tray he balanced that he missed the entire outburst. Smiling he finally managed to reach the table and set the tray down. Ader quickly snatched two mugs from the tray and forced them into the hands of the northern princes. The Elves took his lead and helped themselves, passing a tankard to Kael. Ader lifted a mug into the air.
“To unity and brotherhood,” shouted Ader.
The Elves raised their mugs high. Kael remembered something his father said when facing a particularly difficult chore.
“To a beginning of the end,” mumbled Kael raising his mug.
Granu’s deep, dark eyes looked into Kael’s.
“To a beginning of the end,” boomed Granu raising his tankard.
Manfir’s eyes focused on Kael, and the hard lines of his face became even harder. He nodded toward the boy then raised the mug to his lips and emptied it. The others at the table followed suit and Manfir walked to the head chair and sat.
The meal lasted a full hour as Flair brought food and drink from the kitchen. Manfir would periodically rise from the table and go to the inn’s windows. Ader stopped telling him not to worry.
It was getting late and the food and dishes disappeared. The ale produced a definite sluggishness in the travelers and exhaustion came down hard on Kael. Ader rose from his seat next to Granu and addressed the party.
“A long road lies ahead of us. I suggest you gentlemen find sleeping quarters and rest. We must maintain our wits as we journey ahead.”
Teeg rose and moved to the stairway, followed by Eidyn. The Elves lightly ascended the flight without making a sound. Manfir mumbled something about checking the mounts and left through the kitchen. Granu rose and turned to Kael.
“I thank you for your hospitality, Kael Brelgson,” smiled the giant. “You make your household proud.”
He spun and climbed the stairway aided by his staff. Ader smiled to Kael.
“You forge an important alliance with the giant, whether you want it or not,” stated the Seraph.
“An alliance against what?” questioned Kael. “I used to think he was what we needed alliances against, and now I’m not so sure.”
“The world is a complicated place. It’ll get much more complicated in the days and months to come. Just remember to trust in your instincts and do what you believe is right,” said Ader. “It’ll be nice to sleep in your old bed, eh?”
Kael smiled and nodded as Flair stepped from the kitchen with a broom. Hamly shuffled forward with a mop and bucket and the pair cleaned the floor. Ader turned and disappeared up the stairs. Kael thought it would be wonderful to crawl into his bed, but memories of Aemmon flashed into his mind. The room held only sorrow and guilt for him now. He walked toward Flair and put a hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“You look exhausted,” smiled Kael. “Let me do that. Everyone keeps praising me for my hospitality and I’ve yet to lift a finger.”
The boy smiled wearily and looked to his grandfather.
“Well, the lad still has quite a few dishes to clean,” said Hamly. “Six hands are better than four.”
Flair handed the broom to Kael and disappeared through the doorway. Kael swept the floor as he heard the squeaky well pump in the kitchen. Hamly set his bucket down and mopped up. Kael wondered if Brelg struck a deal with the old man. Hamly was often around the inn doing odd jobs, but Brelg never employed him full time. The old man lived out west of the village on a small horse ranch. Hamly’s daughter and son-in-law lived there as well with a brood of children. Kael saw Flair from time to time as the boy entered the village to pick up supplies. Kael wondered why the old man accepted the job. Hamly’s ranch was small, but it produced exceptional livestock. Kael was sure Hamly didn’t need the coin.
“Master Hamly, what did my father say when he left?” asked Kael.
Hamly stopped his mopping and looked to Kael. He carefully considered his answer.
“Ah, he needed to depart hastily and wanted a reliable soul to keep things here in order,” started Hamly. “Cefiz followed ‘im, so he called fer me.”
“Don’t you have responsibilities at the ranch?” asked Kael.
“Nothin’ my son-in-law can’t handle,” stated the old man, then he glanced at the kitchen door. “But if he gets the call, it’ll be upta the boy.”
“The call?” questioned Kael.
Hamly looked down at the mop and shuffled his feet a bit. He struggled with his words and finally looked Kael hard in the eyes.
“The prince said you were told, but how much, I dunno,” Hamly said half to himself and half to Kael.
“Well, I know my father was called to the capital for a meeting of the court,” interjected Kael. “Trouble has begun, and we must put an end to it.”
“Yes, rightly so,” returned Hamly, his eyes narrowing.
“I ... I’ve a role to play,” offered Kael. “Ader ... told me.”
The old man’s face relaxed and he smiled at Kael.
“Yeah, I’ve always known ya did. All these years I wondered and I guess it’s come to it. Well, I served and am proud of it,” said Hamly.
“Yes, uh, yes you did, and I suppose they’ll reward you for it,” prompted Kael.
“Never wanted any reward!” said Hamly quickly. “It was my duty.”
“Duty?” asked Kael.
“Those of us who chose to come with Brelg. We were still in the Guard ya know. Fact is, I feel like I’ve always been in the Guard.”
Kael’s mind raced. What was the old man talking about? Hamly in the Guard? Was he referring to the Zodrian Guard. Certainly the old man meant the town’s militia.
“Yes, you serve well. Um, the militia is helpful here,” said Kael. “For what little they do in this quiet town.”
“Ha! No militia in the South is built around such well trained military men,” laughed the old man. “Why, when we first started to filter into Kelky, we took orders from that buffoon, Ipson the tanner. He was the captain of the militia then. The man didn’t know which end of a sword to hold. At first, he was annoyed by your dad’s suggestions, but after awhile he came around. You just can’t ignore good sense.”
“My father’s suggestions?” questioned Kael.
Hamly laughed and shook his head.
“Good old Brelg. At first he played it real slow. He’d make a suggestion ‘bout drillin’ or trainin’ and just act as if he stumbled onto a good idea. Ipson thanked him for the idea then acted like it were his own. Ya see, we intended to make the militia of Kelky stronger. It was important to get the village defended proper. We couldn’t wait till the locals figured it out.
“Brelg sorta pushed it along. Pretty soon we were a pretty snappy unit. We weren’t able to train much cause we were supposed to fit in. Act like regular folks. After a couple of years, more ‘n half the militia were old Guardsmen. Some o’ the locals couldn’t keep up with our trainin’ once Brelg got control from Ipson. Sakes, even Ipson himself dropped out, claimin’ the tannery needed more attention.
“Don’t get me wrong. Ipson was a good man, tryin’ ta defend his village. But we held more important things in mind and he was kinda in the way. Some o’ the villagers turned out to be real good men. Men you could rely on. Men you wouldn’t mind havin’ next ta ya in a tough scrape. Brelg hated ta do it but secrecy was important.”
“Hated to do what?” asked Kael.
Once again a broad smile crept across the old man’s face.
“We drummed some of ‘em out, a course,” replied Hamly. “Durin’ trainin’ some ‘accidents’ happened. A course nobody got truly, truly hurt, but a couple of the good uns needed to get a few bones broken. Once they was down, well, Brelg made sure they couldn’t catch up to our trainin�
��. Some of them boys might have left the Hold as tops in their recruiting class if they were chosen for the Guard. Poor souls don’t even know it. They got hurt and just stopped playin’ soldier with the militia.”
“The Hold? What Hold?” asked Kael.
“Why, the HOLD boy. The military barracks in the capital,” said Hamly as he caught Kael’s bewildered expression. “Where every recruit for the Zodrian Guard goes through trainin’.”
Kael looked down at his broom in confusion. The old man’s eyes narrowed and he shook his head.
“The ale must be workin’ on your head, boy. The Hold in Zodra, where me an’ yer dad were master drill sergeants.”
“Drill sergeant!” exclaimed Kael.
Hamly stepped back with a mixture of surprise and shame in his eyes.
“Course I was a drill sergeant!” exclaimed the old man. “I know ya think awful highly of yer dad, but truth be told, I’m the one who taught ‘im everything he knows. I’m the one who trained ‘im and recognized the potential right away. I’m as proud as a father could be over Brelg Kelson!”
“Oh, that’s right, you recruited him,” said Kael, fishing for more.
“No, no. I never recruited him. He just showed up one day at the Hold. Demanded to be put to the test. We’ll put anyone to the test if they ask. Most don’t pass, and those that do normally don’t make it past the first month of trainin’. Good old Brelg. Just a skinny lad, full of heart. He wouldn’t say die. He passed the test and we found ‘im a bunk. The other drill sergeants took one look at the lad and said he’d never make it. I bet a month’s wages he would. I’ve always been pretty good at pickin’ out the ones that’ll make it. Somethin’ in his eyes told me he would.
“Wish I’d never made that bet though. They was hard on the recruits that just showed up and took the test. They wanted you to be called like most of the Guard is. You know, a king’s messenger arrives in the village and reads a couple of names. They hear about you, or a town elder nominates you. When you just show up, some figure you’re a bit full of yourself and need to be knocked down a few pegs. It was worse for your old dad. He wasn’t even from a village. Just a lad from the wilderness. He’d come from near the border. Livin’ with his family by the seat of his pants. Tryin’ to scratch out a livin’ raisin‘ goats and sheep, while tryin’ to avoid Keltaran raiders and Ulrog packs.
The Merchant and the Menace Page 16