Greyrawk (Book 2) (26 page)

Kerreth saw to his horse; Moet's horse was dead. He ate and drank water with his back against a rock while he waited for Moet to recover. The Celaeri traits could be seen if one looked for them. Why didn't Belderag notice his advisor was part Celaeri? He must have known, so what does that tell me? There are currents running below the surface, strong and deadly. I have seen Machel Moet before; he stood by Tag Makk and the Turuck army when they attacked Eslenda. The Turucks were defeated but Moet vanished only to turn up in Cresida years later. What is the connection between Belderag and Jerue Adan? It's time like this when I miss Gorm Talos and his insight. He always saw to the heart of the matter. His niece Taina was much the same way but she left the Talos when Gorm was killed and has not returned. Even her daughter, Moria, does not know when she might return. Moria Albalen. Kerreth felt a pang for leaving her and Jaele as prisoners of the Celaeri.

Machel Moet groaned and his eyes slipped open. His gaze focused after a bit and he saw Kerreth sitting across from him in the shade of a tree sharpening his swords.

"Ah, you have rejoined the living," said Kerreth. "Good. I have many questions for you to answer. You will not reach the Celaeri if you do not answer them honestly."

"Ha. You won't let me go free." He rubbed his shoulder and stretched his arm.

"I assure you I will. I have no need for you and I don't kill without provocation. Usually. I wish to know what messages you are bringing to Jerue Adan from Belderag. I am curious why Belderag communicates with his sworn enemy. Is it not thought provoking? I am also curious about you. I remember seeing you in Eslenda many years ago. You were with the Turucks; an advisor to Tag Makk as I understand. How did you get from there to Belderag's service? I recognize your Celaeri ancestry and I wonder why Belderag couldn't do the same. Or if he did, why did he allow you to remain? As the leader of the Dawn Brotherhood he is sworn to fight Celaeri. Or has he betrayed that trust as well?"

"You do ask many questions, Kerreth Veralier. I have some of my own. Why is the Talos Company just a band of mercenaries? You are the mightiest beings on Landermass yet you do not seek dominion and allow lesser lights to stumble and blunder their way leading the races of the world. Did you lose your faith? Do you hide from your responsibility to the people of Landermass? True, you are half-breeds, but your insight is singular and the respect of many is laid at your feet. Tell, Kerreth, why do you insist on failure?"

"Failure? You mouth Jerue Adan's words. You have no concept of the Talos Company and you shall get no explanation of my motives from me. You are merely a tool to be used and discarded. Jerue Adan does not tolerate half-breeds such as you. He even tried to kill his grandson because his blood wasn't pure Celaeri and Loric is a far purer Celaeri than you. No my friend, you have entered a world where you do not belong, nor can you wrap your mind around its meaning."

Machel Moet sat silent, his face dark.

"What benefit do I receive for telling you Belderag's message to the Celaeri? You already said you wouldn't kill me. I lose nothing by remaining silent."

"I said I do not kill without cause. Keeping silent may be cause enough. Do you wish to risk it?"

"If I speak, what is my benefit?"

"You will live, Machel Moet. I will release you here."

"My horse is dead."

"Yes, but only your horse."

"There are Vlakan in the forest."

"You have a sword. I will offer nothing more."

"Either I am killed by you, or the Vlakan. Not much of a choice."

"But death by my hand is certain."

Machel Moet rubbed his eyes and looked at Kerreth.

"Very well, I will tell you."

Kerreth rode to the north sweeping a wide berth around Greyrawk Mountain, scanning for signs of the Talos Company. He could sense them in a broad sense and head in the general direction but the area was wide and he moved cautiously lest Vlakan or Celaeri discover him. He saw a likely place north of Greyrawk Mountain. As he approached he felt a finger of magic touch him and he knew Dvorak Annis was waiting for him with the rest of the Talos Company.

He rode into camp and dismounted. Moria ran to him and kissed him, hugging him tight. Jaele stood back, her confusion marking her.

"Welcome back," said Loric. "As you can see, we liberated Moria and Jaele. The mountain is ringed with Hiataneti and the expert skill of Hobart guided us through them."

"Where is Ian?" asked Jaele.

"In Gornst with friends. I had to leave quickly to track one of Belderag's men on his way to the Celaeri."

"Did you catch him?" asked Moria.

"Yes, I did. We were attacked by Vlakan and managed to fight them off, but I did learn some curious things about the Vlakan." He looked at Loric who tried to ignore Kerreth's meaning but Kerreth's steady gaze was unrelenting.

"I was meaning to talk to you about them," said Loric.

"What do you mean?" asked Elberra. "Is Loric keeping secrets again?"

"Not really. I mean, I wanted to tell everyone but the time wasn't right. And honestly, I wasn't sure how the news would be taken."

"Is there food?" asked Kerreth. "I want to eat before this discussion."

"Are you sure Ian is okay?" asked Jaele.

Kerreth turned to Jaele and held her shoulders. He smiled and nodded.

"I left him with smart people who are against Belderag. They will keep him safe. I wish you were as safe in our company. I trust these people."

"I didn't know you knew anyone in Gornst," said Loric. "You didn't say anything when we were in Gornst." Moria gave him a look.

"I was not aware that they were in Gornst, but they are not unfamiliar to me."

"Who are they? You never said."

"Colly Bulger, grandson of a man I respect very much. Colly is of the same mold and is very influential in Gornst among those opposing Belderag. The matter is closed. I want to eat."

Kerreth sat down heavily and Moria brought him wine and bread. She sat down next to him and he ate in silence, thinking. The camp was quiet, only hushed voices, giving their leader the chance to plan. They recognized his moods and while they would harass each other for any little transgression, they left Kerreth alone, not daring to incur his wrath. Moria clasped his hand, bringing his attention to her.

"I am glad you escaped," said Kerreth. "It was hard leaving you, but the choices were limited."

"You did what you had to do. I would have done the same thing."

"I worry now that your escape was too easy."

"Were we allowed to escape?" asked Moria. "The Celaeri did not try to stop us?"

"That's what I now think."

"Great. All our heroics for naught?" asked Loric.

"I did not say that," replied Kerreth. "Jerue Adan may not want to risk his soldiers right now. Perhaps they are not ready to fight us. Perhaps the transformations are not complete. It may be better to attack them than to wait until the Celaeri march on Gornst. I am sure Jerue Adan knows where we are and has included us in his calculations. I don't know if he will move against us or set some obstacle in our way. I think the latter."

"There are not enough of us," said Loric. "Belderag won't do what you want. If you ask him to attack now, he will refuse on principal."

"You are correct there, Loric," said Kerreth. "We must find some more soldiers to force the Celaeri to fight. The Celaeri would just sit tight on the summit if we moved on them. We couldn't force them to engage us and they would wait until they were ready."

"Our choices are limited," said Dvorak. "Belderag's forces are the only available fighters."

"Yes, and as Loric said, Belderag will not help us," said Kerreth. "We must strike at them hard enough to drive them to recklessness."

"But there are only the nine of us," said Moria.

"It will be enough. I don't mean for us to stand and fight. We must target Jerue Adan or his daughter. Yes, his daughter."

"Alarie, what would happen if we killed Ioane Adan?"

"If you were captured Jerue would tear you apart slowly over a span of days. The blood of the child is paramount that Jaele is now with us."

"I don't feel so well," said Jaele.

"With Ioane dead, Jerue could not risk your life. You would be safe." Moria patted her arm. "Do not worry Jaele. It will turn out fine."

"Hobart, you and Loric approach the Celaeri from the east. Dvorak, ward them as much as you can. Alarie, I won't ask you to fight your people except as a last resort. Would you protect Jaele?"

"That I can do," said Alarie Skye.

"The rest of us will feint an attack from the road to attract their attention. Loric will cover Hobart while he finds the target. Poison your arrows, Hobart. If you cannot kill her at least you can send her into agony enough to incite Jerue Adan's anger. Ready yourselves, we shall leave within the half hour."

"What about Loric's tale of the Vlakan?" asked Elberra. "I would be very curious to hear that."

"You're right, it went right out of my head," said Kerreth. He turned to Loric, whose shoulders sagged.

"Before I left the Celaeri the population began to decline. Celaeri began to fade, become transparent like a ghost and some could no longer interact with the living. This was the beginning of the twilight existence. Jerue Adan was worried and consulted with wizards, mages and finally sorcerers to determine how to stop the process. Nothing worked.

"He petitioned Moruga, the creator of the Celaeri but Moruga's strength was on the wane and could not stop the transformation. Moruga asked other gods to help and only Agnaran responded. I saw the huge shape of the Jungegud appear on top of Adan's Hill. Darkness flowed from him sticking to everything it touched. His eyes glowed scarlet and betrayed his moods. Jerue Adan bowed before him and asked for his favor. I believe Agnaran smiled although I could not see it and then he spoke with a most hideous voice that seemed to bore into my skull and expand. Blood came from my nose and I ran.

"When I returned, Agnaran was gone and many women were crying. Jerue Adan was ashen and muttered to himself. What had happened I learned later; Agnaran gave the Celaeri the power to return from the twilight world by changing into Vlakan, a creature he had created. From the Vlakan they could transform back to Celaeri. But dealing with gods has its price. Once a Celaeri changes into a Vlakan, the Vlakan is always within the Celaeri and when their strength fails, they will become Vlakan permanently. Then they are in thrall to Agnaran."

"That's a steep price," said Hobart.

"Yes, it is."

"There is more," said Kerreth.

"Yes," said Loric. "The bite of a Vlakan can change anyone into a Vlakan. Any race can become Vlakan."

"No wonder Mauran fought so hard against Agnaran ages ago," said Kerreth. "The blackness of Agnaran tainted everything he touched. So my friends, if a Vlakan bites you make sure it dies. That will weaken the magic and help you resist the change."

"Are you sure?" asked Moria.

"Men have the least resistance and almost always change," said Loric. "I don't know how strong the other races are."

"Great," said Elberra. "I am so glad I left home for this, Loric. Do you realize how glad I am? Have I spoken clearly of this?"

Loric mumbled something too low to hear.

"Let's move out," said Kerreth.

Kerreth led them boldly down the road to the base of Greyrawk Mountain. Celaeri sentries watched them as they stopped and faced them. Kerreth moved forward while the others remained behind. Moria, Brandalay, Alarie Skye, Dvorak, Jaele and Elberra held their weapons ready. Kerreth raised his palm and spoke in a loud clear voice.

"Tell your master that surrender is his only option. There is an army coming from Gornst to crush the Celaeri. Treat with us now or die."

To the sentries credit they did not laugh out loud. Their leader motioned to one sentry who ran up the road to the summit. The remainder of the sentries watched in silence. Kerreth sat calmly in his saddle. The time passed slowly but neither side appeared to move. A figure strolled down the hill, stopping twenty yards from Kerreth.

"Kerreth Veralier, I am told I must surrender or suffer the consequences," said Jerue Adan. "Have you lost the ability to count? The nine of you cannot fight us. Even your great skill cannot overcome the overwhelming odds. You are brave; Kerreth, but your choices have always been suspect. Wait; there are only seven of you? Where are Loric and the Tuor?"

Horns cried out from the summit. Jerue turned to the sound and back to Kerreth. The horns sounded again.

"What have you done?" cried Jerue Adan. He raced up the road.

Kerreth slowly turned to his companions. "They will be after us shortly. Let's get some distance between us."

The Talos Company rode hard west in the direction of Gornst. Moria rode ahead as scout and Alarie briefed Kerreth on the training of her soldiers. They had covered three miles when a multitude of horns rang out from the summit of Greyrawk Mountain. Moria came riding back.

"Belderag's on the move - just a couple miles ahead."

"Let's ride to him, I don't want to get caught between them," said Kerreth.

"Look!" said Brandalay. Two figures, one very small, rode together on a horse coming from the east.

"Loric! Any problems?" asked Kerreth.

"No," replied Loric. "Hobart is the best archer I've ever seen."

"Thanks, despite the fact the praise comes from you," said Hobart. "You will use it as collateral sometime, I'm sure."

"And the target?" asked Kerreth.

"I hit her with three arrows. I don't think I've killed her but she will have digestive issues for a time."

"That is cold," said Brandalay.

"But logical," said Alarie Skye. "Without the continuation of the bloodline, the Celaeri grip in this world is tenuous. They will be coming for Jaele now."

"I know," said Kerreth. "It is according to plan. Now, let us ride."

Weracht de Arayr laid out the government of Anavar for the Zidar and Men that lived there. Across the mountains to the north the Daerlan kept their own counsel. Weracht was wise and built cities, defended them and their people. He did not treat Men as a separate race from Zidar and this angered many powerful Zidar. This anger allowed the sonorous tones of Agnaran to weave his influence throughout the great city of Nantitet. Weracht was wise but he was also Zidar and did not conceive of the dark plots afoot; he was secure in his convictions. Alas Zidar although long-lived are mortal and a common assassin's blade can terminate a brilliant star. Weracht died and the Jungeguds knew the rules now: Cothos would not interfere and Agnaran would rule Anavar.