The Merchant and the Menace (49 page)

“Now I’m informed that one of the mystics enters my
land unchallenged. What next?” scoffed Corad.

“Mystic?” mumbled Ader and clenched his teeth.

“Oh, and there may be more surprises to come, my
love,” said Lucyn slyly, “but we shall see, we shall see. Our guests must first
inform us of their intentions for visiting our lands.”

“We bring intelligence and an offer of support from
my family to the crown of Zodra,” stated Eidyn curtly.

Kael noted uneasiness in the young Elf’s demeanor.
Certainly, he was upset with being ignored throughout the conversation thus
far.

“Ah, yes,” said Corad glancing at the Elven prince.
“The prince heir travels in his family’s name.“

“We bear news of attacks perpetrated in our lands
and fear an Ulrog offensive is imminent,” said Teeg.

“My information suggests this as well,” stated
Lucyn. “However, I am relying on information gleaned from Zodrian sources. I do
not employ assets near the Scythtar.”

“It’s a subject of much debate between us,” added
Corad. “Is this yet another in the long line of skirmishes between the Ulrog
and the Zodrian or is there a shift in strategy.”

“It is obvious that there is a higher authority
manipulating the Ulrog horde at this point,” said Ader. “They begin to scheme
and plan. Their tactics become more complex and refined. They develop an intricate
communications system and use it to attack in unison. It’s apparent that they
are being controlled by an extremely intelligent command structure.”

Corad’s face remained stony and cold. He glared at
the old trader and Kael felt the doubt within his mind. Lucyn remained passive
and studied Ader. Her musings were unreadable.

“What says the son of Grannak on this matter?”
questioned Lucyn abruptly.

All in the party remained quiet and still. Kael
knew to display any emotion over Lucyn’s knowledge might betray their
companion. Lucyn’s eyes turned icy and Kael finally noted anger in the
beautiful woman’s expression.

“I know where this conversation is heading
gentlemen! I know what you will eventually ask of Rindor’s wives and mothers!”
snapped Lucyn. “Do you honestly believe we will respond to any requests without
all of the possible knowledge at our disposal?

“The lodger at the end of the hall was your
companion. His description, or what little was seen of him, is like that of no
other man in the kingdom. He was undoubtedly a Keltaran, and the minute
information I am able to extract from that wild realm tells me the prince heir
to Keltar has been banished. Lord Ader seems to attract this type like moths to
a flame. Now answer my question!”

“My Lady is well informed...” began Teeg. “However,
we have not....”

“He brings news of doom,” broke in Ader grimly.

Teeg glanced to the old trader and a knowing look
passed between them. It was time. The old Elf lightly bowed and allowed the
Seraph to step forward and take center stage with the rulers of Rindor.

“War, Lucyn. Not just the skirmishes that cost
Zodra hundreds and thousands of good men's lives while the waters of the Ituan
roll peacefully past your island. War! An army of such magnitude amasses on the
roof of this world that when it crashes down upon us none will be spared.

“Your island will be no match for this force. The
Ulrog breed, build and prepare for this battle every moment of every day. The
Ulrog tear all of the resources of Astel from the earth and build toward this
conflagration. They fashion mountains of weapons for mountains of Ulrog.

“The people of Hrafnu continue to feud bitterly
with the Zodrians. However, without them, the Zodrians might have been overrun
years ago. By waging their own battle against the Ulrog, they protect the flank
of their hated cousins. In the west, Ulrog raiders are held in check and forced
into the Northern Mountains by the Keltaran.

“What are the consequences of a Keltaran shift in
this policy? What will happen if the Keltaran decide to retreat to their
mountain home and allow the Ulrog to pass through unimpeded? Worse yet, what
are the consequences if the Keltaran decide to forsake their Maker and join the
forces of Amird and Chaos? These are the questions that Granu son of Grannak
put forth to the lords of Luxlor and will put forth to the house of Zodra. The
Abbott of the order of Awoi calls for the children of Avra to unite and save
this world from the forces of evil.”

Ader allowed his words to settle upon the rulers of
Rindor. Lucyn returned to a passive, contemplative expression, while her
husband displayed skepticism. Ader broke the silence.

“Lord Teeg
did
perform his task admirably.
You are quite an insightful woman, your highness. I come to make a request of
you, and you are well aware what it is,” said Ader. “I ask you to form the
Spear of Rindor and send it to the aid of Zodra.”

“What?” exclaimed Corad jumping from his chair.
“You must be joking!”

“No, I’m quite serious,” stated Ader.

“You expect us to assemble the only protective
force this city maintains, and send it off to a foreign war?” gasped Corad. “We
would be defenseless!”

“Would you rather face the enemy with allies at
your side, or alone in the coffin these city walls surely would become?” asked
Ader.

Corad turned to his wife and threw his hands in the
air.

“Am I mad? The Elves sneak into our city under
cover of darkness, dragging with them a renegade Keltaran prince and this
vagabond of a mystic,“ said Corad flipping a finger in Ader’s direction. “And
the lot of them demand that we purge our city of its fighting force and leave
it naked to the whims of any opposing army!“

The Rindoran King spun back toward the Seraph.

“There’s a saying that my family passed down
through generations. ‘When Ader knocks on your front door, death slips through
the back,’” barked Corad. “I’ll not turn my men over to you to be slaughtered
for the Zodrians.”

“Nonsense!” shouted Ader. “I understand your
trepidation. However, the fact remains, the Rindoran Spear is needed and must
march north.”

“They ’must’ and will do nothing of the kind!”
shouted Corad. “We enjoy a long history of peace. Rindor was a peaceful fishing
community. Peaceful yet well protected. Our founders understood the wicked
heart of man. They fashioned this city as a haven from that evil. Envy and
conquest drove Zodra in its quest to overrun us. If not for peace and the
skillful use of diplomacy, we might still be under siege today. We will not
sacrifice Rindorans for a foreign war.”

“You continue to claim this a foreign war, but if
not for the Zodrians, this war would be on your doorstep. You avoided this
fight for many years. Generations of Rindorans have been spared while the sons
and daughters of Zodra are lost. Tis time to throw your lot onto the table,”
demanded Ader.

Corad looked to his wife once more but she remained
seated, offering no counsel. She stared at the old man and assessed the
situation. The king spun back toward Ader and shook his head.

“No. Our treaty with Zodra calls for an immediate
member of the royal house to request the type of aid you seek. Macin and I
don’t communicate. He is a stubborn old fool. We’ll not expose the kingdom
based on the ravings and requests of a magician and his mercenary soldiers,”
said Corad.

“Then I will make the request, uncle,” boomed a
voice from the back of the group.

All eyes turned to focus on Manfir. The Zodrian
prince stood tall and folded his arms.

“What? What is this all about?” blurted Corad.

Kael watched the smile begin to creep back onto
Lucyn’s face.

“Ah, now the plot truly thickens,” whispered the
queen.

Manfir stood rigid in front of the inspection of
his uncle. His dirty, oily hair hung past his shoulders. A grimy, dust stained
traveling cloak draped across his shoulder. The beard he grew on the open road
obscured his features. Corad walked toward Manfir and slowly circled him.

“What befalls you, boy?” said the King with
disdain. “You look atrocious. I didn’t even recognize you.”

“This boy becomes a man, and sometimes the tasks a
man endures make for a difficult life,” stated Manfir.

Lucyn rose and approached her nephew. He bowed low
and accepted her hand, giving it a tender kiss.

“Did you know it was him, my dear?” asked a
perplexed Corad.

The queen nodded her assent.

“Why didn’t you tell me he...” began Corad.

The queen held up a hand silencing her husband.

“My dear, look at the man. Look at the life he
chooses. He gives up all that he possesses and all that he is in order to
follow some cause of the Seraph. The value of this cause I cannot divine, but
his passion is true, his belief resolute. He has been gone from us a long time
now. It was his choice to divulge himself, not mine.”

Lucyn addressed her nephew.

“You changed. Is your life that hard?” asked the
queen.

“At times,” replied the warrior.

“Do you make this request of your uncle with a
clear conscience?” asked Lucyn.

“I do not make a request,” stated Manfir. “I put
forth a demand.”

Lucyn’s eyes narrowed and she glared at Manfir. Her
husband turned bright red and the queen rolled her eyes at her nephew.

“What are you saying, boy?” coughed Corad.
“Remember to whom you speak! In this city I am your king and you are my
subject. You skulk into this land in the dead of night as a mercenary. Announce
your presence to no one. And now that you do, you take on the trappings of a
foreign ruler. A Lord and Master, not a loyal, loving nephew. While you stand
here before me, you are a subject of this land!”

“Anywhere I stand, I am a servant of Avra,” said
Manfir. “The needs of his people are foremost in my mind. If I must use my
position in a foreign land as a means to protect them, so be it.”

“Avra! Ridiculous!” scoffed Corad. “Why do you make
this demand of me? You abandoned Zodra sixteen seasons ago. Word is you fell
out of favor with Macin and the people question your courage. Where were you
these many years? Some say you run from your duties. You galavant about the
world on the heels of this charlatan, performing faithful duty to a Creator who
cares naught about you.”

“ENOUGH!” boomed Ader. “Corad Kingfisher, you are a
blasphemer and a nonbeliever! Your ancestors treated me with disdain and
contempt, but it will be tolerated no longer. I left your kingdom to its own
devices over the centuries because you were protected and on the path of
righteousness. You do not believe in our Maker but thankfully do not stray into
the net of Amird and the masters of Chaos.

“You WILL honor the request put before you! The
Spear
will
march north, and
I
will finally trust you. Send our
escort about their business and clear the room of your attendants. I will
confide in you as a sign of good faith.”

Corad reddened and blustered once more, but Lucyn
put a gentle hand on his forearm. He looked into her eyes and calmed once more.

“Information wields more power than any spear, my
love,” said Lucyn. “If the Seraph wishes to part with some, it is of little
cost to clear the room.”

Corad nodded.

“Captain Lintos, return to your duties. Thank you
for the expedient exercise of your task this morning,” stated Corad.

“At your command,” returned the captain and he spun
toward his men. “Guard, form rank in the hallway!”

The escort streamed into the hall, formed rank, and
marched toward the exit. Lucyn whispered to several attendants behind her seat.
They too exited to the corridor and closed the doors behind them. When all was
quiet, Ader addressed the monarchs.

“Many years ago, Manfir son of Macin left his
kingdom. He put aside his worldly possessions, his title, and some might say
his duty. He put aside aspirations of glory, dreams of honor, and plans for revenge.
He took his life and turned it over to a greater cause. Why?” began Ader. “He
answered a calling. I was but the voice of that calling, not the message. Avra
called upon him to protect something, something crucial to the fight against
evil. Something Chaos fears and hungers to destroy.

“Events in the world are coalescing. Amird plots
his restoration to this realm. He returns backed by the full Chaotic power of
the darkness. Millennia passed and the struggle between good and evil crept
forward. However, it creeps no longer. It flies. It sprints.

“We face the destruction of human life on this
world. Do not fool yourselves. This war is not meant to last forever. There
must be a victor, but
you
must make the choice to save yourselves. I
cannot do it for you. If you do not accept this challenge, surely all mankind
will be wiped from the face of this earth.”

Corad turned and faced his wife. His steely jaw was
set and he searched her eyes for the guidance he always found there. Lucyn
bowed her head. Her breath stayed regular and steady as a look of serenity
shown on her face. Her eyes rose and met those of the Seraph.