No Good Deed (29 page)

“Nice to know I’ll always have someone in my corner,” he said with a smile.

“Hey, it’s why we’re here. Even when things are at their worst, there is always someone who loves you and can show you the love of gods.”

“And we’re always in your corner too,” Terry said hugging Obidaan. Relina hugged and kissed him while the others patted him on the back.

“One last question,” Obidaan said, “Mordechi mentioned we can not speak directly with the gods yet divine magic still works, are you still in contact with them?”

“Thaaaat’s a tricky situation and I’d rather not answer that.”

“Why not?”

“I’d rather not answer that question either. Some things we just can’t explain to you no matter what.”

“Ok,” Obidaan said.

“Remember,” Cecilia said, “It’s always good to be loved,” she went up to him and kissed him, “It’s getting late, I’m sure you all need your rest.” As she turned, she grabbed Don’s hand, “Didn’t think I forgot our date did you?”

“Date?” he inquired.

She laughed and dragged him to his room. The others left. Opening the book, Alister looked through it, pointed to a name and said, “Meet me in my room.”

“Very good,” she replied.

Soon,
they arrived
at Qualtar. The guards were surprised to see him. “Good afternoon, sir. How may we help you?”

“Open the gates,” Obidaan said curtly.

“Yes, sir,” one of them said. “If I can get your name and n..”

“Do you know how to obey orders of your superiors?” Obidaan asked.

“Yes sir,” he replied.

“Then why haven’t you obeyed mine?” Obidaan looked directly at him, sending a shiver down his spine.

“I—I—I I have. I just have these rules…”

He was stopped abruptly when Obidaan grabbed him by the throat and began to lift him. “Rules? Rules? Let me tell you something about rules, boy. I do not obey your rules, you obey mine. I am a lawgiver! I tell you what the rules are! Got it?”

A squeaky “yes” came through him.

“Now,” Obidaan continued, and he looked at the second guard as well. “I am going to put you down. You are going to open the gate. You are not going to question me, or any member of my party. If I find out you have informed anyone of my presence, I will kill you. Got it, Fauntleroy?”

“Yes,” he again squeaked out and was equally surprised to hear his name.

“Good.” Obidaan dropped him and he landed on his rear with a resounding thud. Without hesitation, he opened the gate. They continued toward the keep when Obidaan noticed a tavern along the way. “Thirsty? He looked back. Anyone thirsty or hungry? I am. Let’s stop for a meal.”

“Obidaan, don’t,” Relina protested. “Let’s just get this over with.”

“Don’t what?” he pretended to not know what she was talking about. “I’m just going to stop for a meal. I’m going to pay for it,” he said.

“Please,” she attempted to plead with him one more time.

Obidaan was angry now, “I said we’re going to eat! Now get off of those horses and get in there.”

They walked in the small tavern. There were a few people hanging about but the place was fairly quite. One could easily guess that the lunch crowd had recently cleared out. They found a nice table and took a seat. A moment later the waitress came over to their table. “What can I get for you all today?” She said.

Obidaan pulled out a gold coin and tossed it to her, “Please, fine lady. I’d like five of your finest meals and the best wine you have. And you can keep the change.”

Her eyes grew wide when she saw the money. Even at their best a meal was less than two silver; the tip was more than five times what all the meals would cost. She slipped the coin into her blouse and was off to the kitchen. In a moment, she brought out a bottle of sparkling wine and poured each of them a glass. While she was pouring, the chef came out with five dishes of prime rib, potatoes, asparagus, salad, soup, bread, and pie. “Please, enjoy,” he said, “if you want seconds, just ask.”

“Thank you,.” they said and dug in.

“See,” Obidaan said to his still skeptical wife, “just lunch, nothing more.” He began to eat. Everything was delicious.

A few minutes later, one of the remaining locals began to wander over. The spread got to his curiosity but the beer gave him his courage. “Quite a spread you have there.” He noted.

“Why, yes, yes it is.” Obidaan said. “Would you like some? We have plenty.”

“Thanks, but I just ate myself. I’m pretty full,” he said.

“But I’m sure you haven’t eaten like this,” he used one of the bread plates to cut a hunk of meat and put some potatoes and asparagus on the plate. Using his salad fork, he placed it on the plate, “C’mon and eat. I insist.” Obidaan was open and almost happy about it. He posed no threat whatsoever. The man joined him.

“It’s great,.” he said after tasting the food.

“Here, try the wine.” Obidaan handed him his goblet. The man almost finished it before handing it back.

“Sorry,” he said sheepishly, “I got carried away.”

“No big deal,” Obidaan said, and patted him on the back. He poured himself some more wine and drank it down in a single gulp.

After finishing the food, he looked at the group. He noticed how well dressed they were, and quiet. “If I may ask,” he was still feeling timid. “I notice you’re a paladin. What brings you here?”

“I’m going to take over this kingdom,” he said a matter—of—factly.

“Um, really? Why?” The peasant wasn’t sure how to react.

“Because your king pissed me off and this is my payback,” Obidaan shoved a piece of bread in his mouth after saying it.

“You’re joking, right?” he looked around the table and saw the serious looks on everyone else’s faces and realized Obidaan wasn’t joking. “Look, I know he’s an asshole but that shouldn’t condemn him to death.” The peasant was nervously trying to defend his ruler. Not that he liked him, but he was all he knew.

“I didn’t say I was going to kill him,” Obidaan said calmly. He then produced Mystic out of thin air, took his napkin and began to polish the sword, though it was totally unnecessary. “Though I am not adverse to that notion. I will make him an offer I know he’ll refuse.” Obidaan then dismissed Mystic and turned to the peasant. He held him by the shoulders and began to dust him off. “But such things are not really your concern. I told you because someone should know what is about to happen. I do believe in courteously,” Obidaan was smiling at him.

“A—a—a—and w—w—w—what if the king found out before you got there?” he said, “You can’t fight an army by yourself,” he felt really nervous now, and sober.

“Then,” Obidaan was quite calm, “I would have to kill
you
. True I can’t fight a large army but I won’t have to unless someone tips him off. If that happens, I’d be forced to blame you and would have to take appropriate action.”

“I won’t tell!” he said. It was obvious he was about to lose it. “I swear, I’ll just sit here and be good. (no ping)” He was beginning to sweat.

Obidaan leaned over to his ear and whispered to him. “I know you will.” He then reached down by his waist. Everyone in the tavern was holding their breaths. He then pulled out… his coin purse. Standing up, he signaled for the other to stand up. They did so quickly; they were all ready to get out of there. “As a matter of fact, why don’t y’all just sit here, relax and have a few drinks on me.” He tossed his purse on the table. Gold, silver, and copper spilled out all over the top of the table.

“Th—th—that’s a lot of money just for us,” he stammered.

“Use it for the evening crowd,” he said, “You’re going to have quite a story to tell, and I’m sure the survivors will too. Besides, I’m about to take over this place, what are a few coins to me? Be safe.” Everyone breathed a sigh of relieve as they left. The bartender already had the beers poured and was handing them out.

“So that’s our plan brother?” Don asked while they were making their way to the keep, “Come into the land, have lunch, scare a few town folk, then take over the place?”

“No, I intend to play each one by ear. It may be breakfast, or dinner, or we may even spend the night.” He then stopped for a moment. “Obviously I’ve not made my intentions clear. We will not be harming any of the townsfolk, unless they remain loyal to the old regime. I’m only interested in the people at the top, the decision makers. That man back in the bar has no power whatsoever.”

Soon they were at the castle gates. “Open the gate.” He commanded. The sentry did as he commanded and a second one asked him his name and purposed.

“Give me that.” Obidaan said politely. “I’ll write it for you.” The sentry handed over the clipboard. Without a second thought, Obidaan took it and it started to glow. Then he backhanded him with it sending him flying into the wall and tossed the clipboard on his unconscious body. He then proceeded, unmolested, inside.

The stable boy took the horses and Obidaan proceeded to the king’s chambers but no one was there. Turning to a nearby servant he asked, “Where is the king?”

“In the dining hall, they are having tea and music at the moment.” He said.

“Take me there,” he said.

“Yes sir.”

Obidaan entered the room abruptly. Sitting at the table were the king and queen, his captain, not in armor, a few advisors, and their children. They were listening to a small band of roving musicians entertain them for the afternoon. The music stopped when he entered the room and the king stood to see who was intruding on his afternoon delight.

“What, a paladin. Wait, I know you.” He said. Snapping his fingers he recalled the name, “Od, Oc, Ob, Obi, Oba, Obat. Obid, Obidaan. Yes, Obidaan. It’s been years if I recall. I have no business with you. Please leave.”

“Is that any way to treat a guest?” he came down the steps, the rest of Vanguard behind him. He looked over the table, it was filled with various teas as well as cakes, pies, and puddings. He grabbed a plate and helped himself to a piece of pie. “Good stuff,” he said, “my complements to your chef.” He said and motioned the others to join him at the table. Reluctantly, they followed him.

Obidaan got right next to the king, between him and the queen and sat on the edge of the table. He took another bite of pie and looked around. “Nice place you’ve got here,” he said, “very nice.”

No one in the room liked the way that came out. The king got very serious now. “Why are you here? Some vendetta? You got what you wanted last time. We have a new treaty for water rights. Things are fine, why are you bothering me?”

Obidaan finished his pie then using the king’s robes, wiped his mouth and hands. “Because, at one point things weren’t fine. You could say it’s a vendetta, only because I’m starting with you. Other than that, it goes much deeper.”

“What do you want?” he was growing scared.

“Your kingdom. Abdicate and I’ll let you live.”

“Never,” he said, and his guards proceeded to move toward Obidaan. “Besides I own this kingdom by divine right!”

Obidaan then proceeded to produced Mystic. “Back off or he’s dead!” Obidaan began to thrust the sword into his chest slightly, drawing blood; they stopped. “Look, I’m not in the mood for a fight. I have plans for the army once I own this place. I’d prefer not to kill them. Oh, and as for that divine right shit, you can shove that up your ass! The belief that you have been anointed by some god to rule over the dumb masses. That’s a load I’m not buying! Besides, I’m the only one in this room whose powers truly by divine right. You are a liar and a thief. You stole your kingdom from some bully who stole it from someone else previously. Divine right, give me a break!”

“Everyone back off!” said the king.

“Good, it’s nice to see you’re not totally stupid. I do get tired of stupidity in this world. Now, drop your weapons and get out. I don’t wish to kill him, just continue our dialog. But I will if I have to.”

“I will not allow this!” the captain of the guard stood up and drew his weapon.

“Don’t be stupid, man. There is no way you can defeat me.”

“Unhand my king!”

“You, my dear idiot, are in no position to make any demands on me. I, however and perfectly within my rights to not only make demands on you but pass judgment on you if you don’t stop acting stupid.”

“I don’t care who you are, I will not allow this.” He went after Obidaan. There was no fight. Obidaan was fully armed and armored against a man dressed in clothes and a sword. Obidaan easily parried his weapon and thrust Mystic deep into his belly. The captain fell over dead.

“There was no need for that!” The king whined. “You said it yourself, he couldn’t harm you.”

“Correct, but I judged his stupidity and he was guilty. Only a truly stupid man would have done such a thing, as a result I had to kill him. No telling what other stupid acts he would have done. He doesn’t have any children does he?”

“No.”

“Good, then I have also preserved future generations from passing on his stupidity. Already I’ve done more for this world than you will ever do.”

“I don’t understand why now?”

“Let’s just say I’m tired of this world and all of the crap in it. Let me tell you a story,” he sat where the captain was. It was now cleaned up by the servants using their arcane magic. “Paladins have a special place in this world. Do you realize that in order to get the job you have to not want it?”

“So the legend goes.”

“No legend, 100% true. Our job then becomes to check your power and mead out justice. The problem with this is, those that have all the power, us, don’t exercise any of the influence. We live by this silly code that somehow the world will end if we start taking over. Well, I’m not buying it anymore, and I’m taking over. I will admit, in the beginning I was stupid. When I first came here, I let you play me for a fool. What I should have done was come in, lop your fucking head off, and taken the queen. I had the power; I just didn’t use it. Somehow, you knew I wouldn’t, and used that to your advantage. I am tired of people using my power to their advantage.
No more
! Now, I shall start showing you little piss ants what real power is and how to wield it. You talked of divine right,
I am divine right
! Abdicate,
now
! Or join your captain.”

He sighed a sigh of resignation, “I abdicate,” he said.

“Great, let’s make it official now,” Obidaan pulled out a piece of paper from his pouch, “sign this.”