The Merchant and the Menace (15 page)

“The real threat rises once again in the North. A
massive number of Ulrog are flooding the Northern Scythtar from the old Kingdom
of Astel. They take positions all along the northern range. Ulrog packs step up
their raids on the northern Zodrian villages and foray deep into Erutre land.
Their targets are farms and orchards. They slaughter huge numbers of the Erutre
herds. It is obvious they are trying to thin the supplies of their enemies.
Once they build their numbers and depleted those supplies, they’ll flood out of
the mountains in force.

“The Keltaran giants begin to increase their raids
on Zodra’s western borders. At this time an attack by the Keltaran army would
be devastating. As we all know, the Keltar and the Ulrog are mortal enemies and
in the past the Keltar put aside their blood feud with the Zodrian Guard when
the Ulrog launched major offensives. However, I begin to question many of the
happenings in Keltar lately. The Guard cannot count on such
generosity
at this point.

“I believe the attacks by the Malveel were
engineered to keep the Grey Elves locked in their wood and to engender fear of
the outside world. We isolated ourselves for far too long. Our home is a
beautiful place, but the world changes dramatically around us. Events are
unfolding rapidly and the struggle between Order and Chaos is racing toward a
climax. We have always ventured forth to lend aid to our allies. Now is the
time to do so once more!”

A cheer of appreciation went through the crowd as
Teeg bowed to the court and toward the throne. Ader smiled at the old Elf and
Queen Eirtwin nodded her head toward him. Teeg returned to his spot next to
Kael.

“That went well,” whispered the Elf to Kael as he
returned.

The court broke into small groups again and the
conversation grew animated. The largest group formed around Paerrow and sought
his opinion, but the distinguished Elf remained deep in thought.

“Who is Izgra?” Kael whispered to Teeg.

“A usurper on the ancient Astelan throne,” answered
the Elf.

“Where is Astel?” frowned Kael.

“Over the Mirozert Mountains to the East,” smiled
Teeg. “You
do
have a lot to learn, Kael.”

The doors to the court opened and in stepped
Manfir. The warrior’s eyes were rimmed in red and his arms hung by his sides.
His cloak remained shredded across the shoulder and covered in dried blood. The
court went silent once more. Ader moved to the front of the platform and waved
the man forward. Paerrow’s concentration broke and he turned to Manfir.

“Welcome, Manfir. Perhaps now would be an opportune
time to hear more on these matters from our northern allies. I am also eager to
discover why Ader, yourself and your young charge have returned,” said Paerrow
nodding toward Kael.

All eyes once more turned to Kael. The boy’s face
flushed and his heart raced. Teeg rose and placed a hand on Kael’s shoulder.

“My friend here suffers through quite a trying day.
I’m a personal friend of his father and ...”

“Lord Teeg,” interrupted Paerrow, “You’re a master
of information. However, many may attest to your commanding skill with
disinformation. We’re not children. If we are to assess our danger and assist
in our response to that danger, we must possess all the facts. I beseech our
sovereigns to allow the truth to be told.”

Queen Eirtwin leaned toward her husband and
whispered in his ear. Ader stood impassively at the front of the dais.

“Cousin Paerrow, you’re a wise and sensible Elf,”
said King Leinor. “Your request will be granted. It is time to trust our
people. Manfir, please inform the court all that has befallen you since you
departed the Almar palace this morning.”

Manfir bowed and held his place two strides inside
the court’s doors. All in attendance gave him their attention as he described
the trio’s departure from the palace stables. He quickly referenced their
encounter with Diom and his unit at the Efer crossing.

“A brave soldier,” interjected Paerrow.

Manfir related the journey through the Nagur. As he
spoke his eyes remained fixed on Ader. The old trader stood stone still and
never reacted to Manfir’s comments. The discovery of the battle scene drew
gasps from the crowded room.

“All of them dead?” questioned General Chani.

“All,” replied Manfir.

“What of their attackers?” asked Chani.

Manfir glanced back toward the throne.

“Fled, presumably. Tracks led from the battle scene
east into the North Nagur.”

Kael turned to the dais and saw Ader standing there
motionless. However, his hands moved to the top of his staff grasping it
tightly.

“Those troops were sent to protect someone, were
they not?” questioned Paerrow.

“Yes, Manfir. What of the boy Aemmon Brelgson?”
asked Chani.

Kael’s stomach lurched and tightened. He quickly
looked down and tried to shield his face from all in the room. Teeg touched his
arm and whispered in his ear.

“Steady boy. There is no shame in sorrow.”

“The young man fell with the Elves,” stated Manfir.

“My condolences, Manfir. The house of Manreel has
lost a fine warrior,” said Paerrow.

Kael’s eyes shot up and he saw Paerrow bow deeply
in Manfir’s direction. His mind tried to go over what he just heard. Many of
the older Elves were adding their condolences to Paerrow’s. The chatter in the
room built as the Elves assessed the news. Kael looked to Ader. The old man met
Kael’s gaze and remained expressionless. Kael’s mind swirled with the bits and
pieces of information he received. His anger grew. As more time passed he
maintained less and less of a grip on what happened to him. Where was his
Father? His brother was dead. Why were the Elves conveying their condolences to
Manfir the tinker’s son? More importantly, why did Manfir accept them? Kael
flushed red. He hoped to go home, crawl into bed and cry for a week. Ader
stared at Kael and adjusted his cloak. Teeg turned to Kael and whispered once more.

“Things are going a bit quickly for you my boy.
Know that your best interests are kept in mind. Remain calm and quiet and all
will be revealed later.”

Teeg turned back to Ader and the old man resumed
his granite pose at the front of the platform. He raised his hands and the
crowd quieted.

“I too am interested in the information Prince
Manfir brings. We separated after the burial of your brethren and I did not
expect such a hasty return to Luxlor. Why are you here and what further news do
you bring?”

“I proceeded to Kelky as you requested, Lord Ader.
I met no trouble along the road and made good speed to the village. Brelg had
departed for Zodra.”

“What?” shouted Kael. “Why would he journey toward
Zodra?”

“Kael Brelgson. Control yourself,” said Ader sternly.
“Continue Manfir.”

Kael bit his lip and his eyes looked to the ground.

“King Macin called a meeting of all the lords of
the kingdom. The Ulrog amass along the Scythtar Mountains. Keltaran giants raid
the Western villages. They slaughter innocent folk and reports of atrocities
filter back to Zodra.”

“Brutalities by the Ulrog are well known and
expected,” stated General Chani “But the Keltar haven’t committed such acts for
centuries. They may hold a blood feud with the Zodrians and by default with us,
but they do worship Avra as the Zodrians do.”

“To trust in the scruples of the Keltaran, is to
trust in the wind. They change as easily. I spent years along the northern and
western battle lines and found no difference in the morals of the Ulrog, who
serve the Master of Chaos, and the Keltar, who serve themselves. They’re a
people ruled by hatred and ...”

“Enough,” chastened Ader “You’re still young by my
standards Manfir son of Macin and have as much to learn about holding your
tongue as that boy.”

Manfir bowed his head.

“My apologies, Lord Ader.”

“So Macin called forth the lords of his land. He’s
a proud man and doesn’t easily ask for help. The situation is escalating
rapidly. How does this matter concern Brelg?” said Ader.

“Macin is nothing if not stubborn, my lord. The
southern provinces of Zodra never assembled a governing body. The villages are
too removed from the kingdom and run self-sufficiently. Village councils such
as that in Kelky sufficed. Apparently, King Macin named Brelg a Duke of the
Southern Provinces years ago. Brelg was unaware of this title until runners
from the capital arrived requesting his presence.”

Kael balled his fists and glared at Ader. The boy
turned to Teeg and clenched his teeth.

“What in Avra’s name are they talking about?” he hissed.
“My father’s an innkeeper.”

 “Patience lad,” replied Teeg.

 “War is upon us with the Ulrog, the Keltar, or
both,” stated Manfir. “Macin’s forces are depleted and his supplies run low.
The Zodrian Guard protects the South from these terrors and Macin finally
intends to call on the Southlanders for help. As I said, he is a proud man and
doesn’t do this lightly. Brelg’s right hand, Lieutenant Cefiz, remained at the
inn to gather in Brelg’s sons and bring them north. He informed me of these
developments then departed for the capital. He carries with him the news of
Aemmon’s death.”

Manfir glanced toward Kael. The boy’s eyes were
tearing again. Anger, frustration and sorrow washed over the boy. He longed to
run from the room and north to Kelky. If he fell asleep in his old room, maybe
he would awake to the world he knew before he stepped past the front gate of
“The King’s Service”.

Kael was emotionally exhausted. His eyes darted
between Ader and Manfir. His thoughts drifted to Cefiz and his Father. Has everyone
deceived him for years? Kael was now beginning to question the identity of his
own father.

Once more he flushed red. He glanced around at the
faces staring and whispering. Finally, he looked toward the dais and met the
calm, reassuring gaze of Queen Eirtwin. She stepped from the platform and
approached him as the room buzzed and digested Manfir’s news. Eirtwin slowly
took Kael’s hands and pulled him close.

 “You are a beloved child of Avra,” she whispered.
“I know we have just met, but trust your instincts. In your heart, do you
believe we care for you?”

 The boy listened to her kind words and searched
his feelings as he stared into her eyes. Kael nodded his head.

 “Good,” she said.

 Kael found comfort in those eyes. He trusted this
woman. She wouldn’t betray him. His heart slowed and he regained a grip on his
emotions. The queen leaned forward and kissed Kael on the forehead. The boy
smiled at her.

“I also intercepted a runner from the Zodrian
capital bound for Luxlor. I assumed his role and return to ask the Grey Elves
for their council in this dire time. King Macin asks for a representative to be
sent to Zodra,” continued Manfir.

“I will go!” exclaimed Eidyn as he rose from
General Chani’s table.

“It appears this disease of loose talk is infectious,
Lord Ader,” stated the king as he frowned at Eidyn.

“I beg your pardon, father. I would be honored to
be our representative to the Zodrian capital,” said Eidyn lowering his head.

“You will be our representative,” smiled King
Leinor as he turned to Teeg. “And Lord Teeg shall accompany you to assess the
situation.”

Eidyn and Teeg bowed toward the king. Queen Eirtwin
walked over to her son.

“Take care, my son. Amird’s servants are in many
places. The Lord of Chaos corrupts the mind and twists hearts. Be ever vigilant.”

She leaned forward and kissed his forehead.

“News from the North grows as disturbing as the
events that have taken place within the beloved Nagur, and it seems many things
will be decided at this council session,” declared Ader. “Since I’m a meddling
old man, I can’t allow meetings of such import to occur without my attendance.
It’s time for Manfir son of Macin to return home as well.”

Manfir nodded his agreement.

“Finally, this boy must be returned to his father,”
said Ader motioning to Kael. “Therefore, he’ll journey with us.”

Kael’s heart leapt. He felt a weight lift from his
shoulders. Until now, events conspired to prevent his return to a normal life.
Again his mind raced. He would travel all the way to Zodra to see his father,
who was said to be some kind of baron or duke. Anxiety flooded his mind. Zodra
was a long way off. What if they met another creature on the Nagur path? What
if they were attacked in the open? What if there were others?

“Will Master Hilro accompany us as well?” blurted
out Kael as he motioned to the hooded figure he saw slip into the room.

A rush of excitement swept the hall. The figure
stood partially obscured by shadows and columns in a far corner of the court.
The assembly spun in the direction Kael gestured. Those Elves nearest the
figure bowed deeply and backed away. Only Paerrow stood upright and moved
forward.

“Master Hilro?” said Paerrow as he lightly bowed.