The Merchant and the Menace (31 page)

“Do you think they’ll talk?” Flair asked Kael.

“...because it’s my job to know these things. I
might tell you what you ate for breakfast if I desired to...”

“Would you, if someone you never met in your life
knew that much about you?” laughed Kael.

“... refer to me in my unofficial title as the
Master of Spies.....”

The boys laughed again and rode on.

The group resumed their steady march northward.
Shortly, Teeg rejoined them. Ader reined in beside the Elf and the pair talked
quietly. Teeg showed no signs of concern over the revelations made to the
herdsmen. Ader appeared satisfied. As Ader moved to rejoin Manfir at the head
of the group, Teeg turned and winked at Kael.

“I’m a master of human nature as well. Those men
are all of impeccable character. They never miss work or shirk their duties.
They’re true to their wives and serve their Creator in words and deeds. They’re
as trustworthy as men can be. No, we’ll experience no trouble from the men of
Trimble,” said Teeg.

“How do you know so much about everybody and what
they do?” asked Kael.

“It’s my job,” answered Teeg. “If it were my job to
bake bread you would taste the most exquisite bread ever to cross your lips. If
it were to build houses, they would stand for a thousand years. I perform at my
highest level in all I attempt, in order to honor my Creator and his
graciousness.”

“What if you’re uncertain what your job is?” asked
Kael.

“Then my job is to listen for his calling and open
my heart and mind to the possibilities,” said Teeg. “Travel through life
experiencing the variety of paths he sets down before you. You’ll know when the
right one presents itself. To serve your Creator and your fellow man is true
happiness.”

Kael gazed down the road. Lost in thought once
more. Wondering what his calling might be.

Several leagues down the road a large black figure
stood atop a small hill. The group approached. Kael’s sharp eyes immediately
determined who stood there.

“Granu, son of Grannak awaits us,” confirmed Eidyn.

Manfir gazed at the figure ahead then scanned the
horizon in both directions. Kael and Flair sensed the prince’s uneasiness and
scanned the horizon as well. Ader put a hand on the soldier’s shoulder.

“Don’t trouble yourself, my boy,” said Ader. “I
swore to you that he is true, and so he is.”

The group reined in near the giant.

“I believed we left you in the broken lands north
of Kelky,” said Manfir.

The large, hooded figure stood motionless and
silent.

“Hail Granu, son of Grannak,” called Teeg. “Your
decision to avoid contact with the militia was wise. I doubt they would take
kindly to a Keltaran strolling through their lands.”

Granu threw back his hood and exposed his shaved
scalp to the fading sun.

“Hrafnu taught,‘You find trouble or let it try to
find you’,” stated Granu. ”I prefer the latter over the former.”

Manfir grunted and frowned at the name. He moved
his stallion down the road.

“We may continue down this route into the village
of Quay, or make camp in a small grove to the west of the road just ahead,”
said Granu. “The former may provide the comfort of a small inn or tavern, but
undoubtedly draw the attention of more than a handful of militiamen. The latter
will provide all the shelter we need and keep prying eyes from our business.”

Manfir spun his stallion to face the giant.

“You want me to follow the orders of a Keltaran on
matters of security, here in the open lands?” snapped Manfir.

“No,” said Granu mildly. “I want you to hear the
advice of a man wise to the prejudices and fears of the world. It’s to our
advantage to move through the town in the early hours before it’s fully awake.
Fewer of the inhabitants will lay eyes upon us and fewer tongues will wag.
We’re not here to impress the country folk with our credentials.”

“What? No one is here to impress anyone! I spent
seventeen years in the role of a mute, mindless...”

“Prince Granu makes sense, even though he uses little
tact in making his point,” interrupted Ader frowning at Granu. “Prince Manfir
deserves neither your accusations nor your jibes. None save I witnessed his
sacrifice over these many years.”

“Forgive me Ader, favored of Avra,” said Granu
bowing lightly.

“And you,” Ader sighed turning to Manfir. “I can’t
spare energy separating the two of you. I never misled you, so hear me now.
Granu is pledged to us and his intentions are honorable. The man offers a sensible
suggestion but you are so misguided by hatred, you refuse to see its merit.
Leave your enmity here on this road. We can’t afford to let it separate us when
it matters most.”

Manfir remained tense for a moment and gnawed his
lower lip. Finally, his shoulders drooped and he bowed his head toward Ader. He
glanced in the Keltaran’s direction but Granu already forged ahead and the
group followed him off the road into the grasslands. They moved in a
northeasterly direction for some time and finally came to a small grove of pine
trees growing near the edge of a low bluff. Amidst the pines lay a clearing.
The soil was soft, sandy and covered with pine needles. Fifty yards from the
grove, a creak tumbled over the bluff and cascaded into a shallow pool. The
group reined in and dismounted.

Flair set to work. He gathered in the Elves’ mounts
along with his own and Kael's chestnut. He led the horses to the pond and
tethered them near food and water. Granu entered the grove and began splitting
wood with a hatchet he retrieved from Flair’s tool sack. Kael noticed Manfir
stop and appraise the campsite.

“The cliff will protect us from the rear, and the
tree line makes excellent cover for the Elves and their bows if need be,”
muttered Manfir.

“Cover from whom?” asked Kael.

Manfir came out of his deep concentration.

“What is that Kael ... uh, oh yes,” said Manfir.
“I’m simply assessing our choice of campsite.”

“Why?” asked Kael. “We’re still in Zodra.”

“You’ll learn, Kael. Always set up camp as if
you’ll slumber in the heart of the enemy’s territory. It’s a good habit and one
that may save your life one day. Not all of the servants of Chaos stand across
the border with blades poised to strike. Some stand in the halls of this
kingdom and will shove a knife in your back as they cower behind you for
protection.

“This site has merit. The cliff and trees keep us
hidden and the turbulent air and pine boughs will diffuse the smoke from our
fires. The mounts will find food and water, yet be nearby for protection. We’re
far enough from the road so that anyone foolish enough to use it at night will
not stumble upon us. It’s a good place to hide.”

“My people were good at hiding before they were forced
to become good at fighting,” came a voice from inside the grove.

Granu stepped from behind the pine trees and
approached Kael and Manfir.

“Come into the clearing. It’s almost dark. I’ve
sent the Elves in search of fresh meat. Their eyes do not fail them in the
darkness as ours do,” said the giant.

Manfir clenched his teeth and followed Kael into
the grove. Flair was still working on the horses.

“Flair,” called Manfir over his shoulder. “Only a
quick rubdown tonight. You need your rest as well as the horses.”

“Yes, sir!” replied the boy.

They ate in silence, each man lost in his thoughts.
Kael marveled at the diversity of their group. What did he get himself into and
where would it end? He hoped its conclusion would come when he was delivered to
his father, but a voice inside him knew better.

Would he be allowed to join the Guard as well?
Would he be called to fight in the North against roving packs of Ulrog? Would
he be sent to the frozen slopes of the Zorim Mountains to battle ax wielding
Keltaran raiders? He surmised that this is what Teeg called opening yourself up
to the possibilities.

Sulgor entered the dark chamber slowly. His last
meeting with Izgra left him reluctant to face the Half-Dead with less than
positive news. The black hooded and heavily robed warlock stood near an arching
window that looked west toward the Mirozert Mountains. Izgra’s gaze never left
the sun as the glowing ball of flame dipped toward the snow capped peaks.

“What news do you report?” demanded the Half-Dead.

Sulgor kept low.

“Methra the Worm and Quirg returned to the
nothingness of Chaos,” replied Sulgor.

“As I stated,” said Izgra.

Sulgor quickly moved on.

“However, the Worm accomplished his mission,”
growled the beast. “Methra eliminated the two Elven messengers bound for the
horsemen.”

Izgra remained silent.

“He and Quirg returned to the Nagur path, drawn by
a powerful spirit moving through the ancient wood. Reports from Luxlor confirm
a battle,” added Sulgor.

“The fools,” grumbled Izgra. “All know the
Caretaker dwells in the wood. His spirit alone would draw Methra like a moth to
a flame.”

“Methra was aware of the Caretaker,” snarled
Sulgor, taking small pleasure in the success of his brethren. “However, there
was another.”

Izgra spun and faced the Malveel King. Sulgor
shrunk low as candlelight displayed a glimpse of decaying flesh beneath the
warlock’s cowl. Red eyes bore down on the beast.

“What did you learn?” demanded Izgra.

“Two boys entered the wood, bound for Luxlor,“
replied Sulgor.

“Boys?” questioned Izgra.

“They are of the proper age,” returned Sulgor.

“Go on,” demanded the Half-Dead.

“The pair hovered near the wood’s edge for a time,”
continued the beast. “Methra and Quirg were drawn to their location. When my
brothers arrived, the boys split and only one remained. Our servant in Luxlor
was unable to determine exactly what took place, but the remaining boy was
eliminated.”

Izgra turned back to the window and gazed west.

“I felt it,” said Izgra, his voice rising in
pleasure. “A wave as this boy’s spirit passed. He held great power. Quirg fell
at his hands.”

Sulgor sensed his master’s triumph and took great
satisfaction in deflating the warlock.

“Methra did not kill the new Seraph in the wood,”
stated the Malveel.

Izgra spun and the red eyes flashed. The
Half-Dead’s hands rose, charged with the red flame of Chaos.

“What are you saying?” snapped the warlock. “His
spirit was full of power, he must have been the Seraph.”

Sulgor backed away, immediately regretting his
small pleasure.

“He was not,” growled the beast. “Our contact in
Luxlor assures me the dead Zodrian boy was not the Seraph. The other was our
target.”

“I felt the dead boy’s passing,” snapped Izgra. “How
can this other be the one?”

“I do not know, my lord,” answered Sulgor keeping
low. “The heirs to the three thrones flock to his aid. They accompany him.”

The flames around Izgra’s hands flickered and faded
as he digested the news.

“
The three shall raise the one and place him on
the throne,
” quoted the warlock. “The verse of the Scribes.”

Sulgor nervously eyed his master. Izgra hesitated a
moment longer then turned on the Malveel.

“It means nothing,” snapped Izgra. “The Scribes’
ravings may be interpreted myriad ways.”

“Word has spread throughout the Elvish rank, he has
begun to grow in his abilities. Already he begins to accomplish what others
cannot. He is no longer shaped by the world, but begins to exercise his powers
to shape it around him.”

Izgra’s hands clenched forming bony fists.

“We cannot allow him to learn more,” shouted the
warlock.

“Appropriate measures are being taken, my lord,”
said Sulgor. “Your servant in Luxlor sets a plan in motion.”

“Do the Elves harbor the boy?” demanded Izgra.

Sulgor’s lips curled into a wicked smile. As much
as he bridled at the control of this warlock, the Malveel Lord still took great
pleasure in the successes of their ultimate master, Amird.

“The fools act as always. That which we desire most
is quite often that which they protect the least,” snarled Sulgor. “The boy is
being moved toward Zodra. He is surrounded by a powerful, yet small group of
allies.”

Sulgor sensed the smile beneath his master’s hood.
Izgra reveled in the news for only a moment then took control.

“Our servant in Luxlor does well, but cannot be
solely relied upon,” snarled Izgra. “So we know the boy’s description and those
who travel with him?”

“Yes, my lord but ... “ began Sulgor.

“See to it, Sulgor,” screamed Izgra. “I want the
boy and his escort dead! The Scribes’ prophecies toy with me. I cannot allow
this threat to become a distraction from the triumphant return of our lord.
Chaos will reign once again!”