The Merchant and the Menace (23 page)

“Prince Granu!” called Kael in panic.

The enormous figure wheeled and spun his staff in
front of him. In two huge steps he stood next to Kael’s mount.

“There on the edge of the wood. Do you see them?”
asked Kael.

The Keltaran prince threw back the cowl of his
cloak and scanned the horizon.

“What is it you look for, Kael Brelgson?” replied
Granu.

The remainder of the party reined in at the bottom
of the slope. They were too distant to hear the conversation between Kael and
Granu. The giant shielded his eyes from the bright sun.

“On the edge of the wood, I saw two figures. They strolled
along, slowly heading west.”

“Were they human?” asked Granu.

“Yes.”

“Did you recognize them?”

“No, they were too distant.”

“Elves guarding the wood?”

“No, they were much too large.”

“Foolhardy woodcutters?”

“The large one dressed as such, but the other wore
a dazzling white robe.”

“Unusual for somebody traveling through the woods.
You can tell me nothing more?” questioned Granu.

“Nothing,” stated Kael.

The giant stroked the stubble on his huge chin and
stared toward the woods.

“I leave it to you, Kael Brelgson. If you wish to
inform the remainder of the party, you may do so. However, know that the Elves
are bound to king and country. They may wish to turn back and investigate. My
gut tells me we should make haste. Events are speeding forward.”

Kael stared at the Keltaran trying to determine a
course of action. Certainly what he saw was important. The Elves would return,
and the party would be severely delayed. Many other Elves patrolled the woods
now. If these two travelers were up to no good, they would be confronted by
General Chani’s roving squads. Granu’s stone face broke into a smile.

“The first of many important decisions you’ll face,
I wager,” rumbled the giant.

Kael let a faint smile pass across his face.

“We better move on,” said the boy.

They moved down the hill to the remainder of their
group and fell into their usual positions.

“What was the delay?” questioned Manfir.

“Nothing,” stated Kael. “I believed I saw something
near the edge of the woods. However, upon further inspection, it may be a trick
of the light on the trees.”

Manfir narrowed his eyes at Granu.

“No matter,” said Ader. “Remain vigilant Kael for
you and Prince Eidyn possess the finest eyes in the group.”

Teeg harrumphed and turned his stallion to move
down the path.

“That is behind our estimable Master of Spies,”
added Ader smiling.

Teeg turned in the saddle, grinned and nodded in
Ader’s direction.

“So kind of you to say about such an old man,”
exclaimed Teeg.

The group moved north once more and the late
afternoon slipped away from them. The land turned from the breaks and gullies
Kael and Aemmon scrambled through, to the low rolling hills of the farmlands
around Kelky. Eidyn fell in beside Kael.

“Did something alarm you in the woods?” asked
Eidyn.

“Yes, I guess something did,” answered Kael. “But I
was overwrought and obviously needed rest.”

Eidyn glanced toward Ader and Manfir riding twenty
paces ahead.

“I ... I feel uneasy as well,” stated Eidyn in a
low voice. “I can’t place it, but sense we’re being watched.”

Kael was uneasy ever since he heard noises in the
woods and saw the two figures at its edge. He believed they weren’t following
his group, but the sensation of being watched was stronger than ever.

“I know Ader told us not to worry, but I’ll strike
a deal with you,” said Kael.

“What do you propose?” responded Eidyn.

“We’ll both stay as alert as possible. I’ll share
my impressions and feelings about the situation if you promise the same,”
offered Kael.

“Absolutely,” came the reply.

The journey dragged on for several more hours. In
the distance the snowy peaks of the Zorim Mountains were set ablaze by the
golden rays of the setting sun. Kael determined they never looked more
beautiful.

“The King’s Service” stood like a sentinel in the
shadows of the early evening. A faint light glowed in the kitchen windows. The
weary party led their horses into the stable yard and dismounted. As Kael
wondered who burned a candle in the supposedly abandoned inn, the kitchen door
swung open.

“Who goes there?” growled a shaky, old voice.
“State your business or face my steel!”

A figure, backlit from the lighting in the kitchen,
stood brandishing a cutlass.

“Hamly! Is that you?” called Kael.

The figure stepped from the threshold into the
light of the moon. Kael immediately recognized the old man his father often
employed around the inn to perform odd jobs and quick fixes. Hamly squinted in
the moonlight, temporarily blinded as he stepped from the light in the kitchen.

“Kael?“ said Hamly. “Cefiz told me you’d arrive
soon. And who’s that you travel with?”

“Weary wayfarers, sergeant,” interrupted Manfir.
“It’s been a long ride. Did you keep the stove alit and the larder stocked?”

“I .. uh... Master Rin,” mumbled Hamly as his eyes
shot from face to face, “and Jasper, what a surprise to see you in Kael’s
company.”

“ ‘Manfir’ is sufficient sergeant. The boy learned
many things on his recent trip. The least of which is my name and heritage. I
take it Brelg ordered you to stay here and watch the inn?” said Manfir.

“I was told to remain at the inn and expect the
return of Kael. I’m to report any unusual activity in the area,” replied Hamly.

“And what is your report?” asked Manfir.

“No report. The area has been unusually quiet of
late,” stated Hamly.

“Are the stables stocked for our mounts?” inquired
Manfir.

“Of course, sire,” replied Hamly. “Flair!”

A boy a season or two younger than Kael sprang from
behind the kitchen door. Kael recognized him from the village.

“Yes, granddad,” said the boy eyeing the group
nervously.

“Please, open the stables for these gentlemen, and
see to their mounts,” requested Hamly. “Leave Master Ader’s giant thundercloud
to itself, he’ll find a stall to his liking. Also, take care with Prince
Manfir’s battle mount, he’s high spirited.”

The boy moved toward the stables. Upon hearing
Manfir’s title his eyes went wide and he bowed deeply, backing toward the
structure.

“I’m sure such an able bodied young man can handle
him,” said Manfir, smiling at the boy.

As Flair backed into the shadows around the stable
door he bumped into the huge figure of Granu. The boy let out a sharp squeak
and nearly stumbled to the ground. Granu deftly caught the lad with his free
hand and lifted him upright. Flair looked in awe over his shoulder at the giant
and nearly stumbled into the stable door. The exhausted group let out a
collective laugh that eased the tension.

Flair opened the stable door and returned to
retrieve Manfir’s mount. The black stallion was indeed proving difficult to
lead and Flair struggled. Kael felt sympathy for Flair’s predicament. He led
his chestnut over to the Elves’ stallions, gathered their leads and led them to
the stables. Old habits were hard to break.

“Thank you,” whispered Flair as Kael passed him.

“It’s not a problem,” smiled Kael.

 When the young men returned from housing the
horses, the entire group moved toward the kitchen. Teeg spun toward Kael and
bowed with a flourish.

“May these weary travelers enjoy the hospitality of
your wonderful home, Master Kael,” smiled the old Elf.

Kael shot a glance at Hamly. He felt like a visitor
here.

“It’s the least I ... we can do after all of the
things you’ve done for me,” returned Kael.

Teeg threw an arm around Kael’s shoulder and led
him into the brightly lit kitchen.

“I was hoping you’d say that,” replied Teeg
laughing.

Once they entered the kitchen, Hamly immediately
set about preparing dinner. It was late and Kael wanted to crawl into his old
bed, but his hunger was too great. Flair flitted about the kitchen retrieving
plates and cups as if he regularly worked at “The King’s Service”. Kael noted
how the boy worked quickly and efficiently. However, Flair never took one eye
off the imposing figure of Granu standing quietly in the kitchen’s corner. Kael
prayed that he didn’t look as silly and fearful as the boy he now watched.

Within a half an hour Hamly produced a meat stew
simmering in an iron pot and the group moved into the inn’s common room. The
largest table in the room was set with plates, cutlery and large pewter mugs.
Ader dropped into the chair at the head of the table and removed his dusty
shoes. Manfir wandered toward the front of the inn and surveyed the street
outside. The remainder of the party took places around the old wooden table and
discussed their trip. Manfir returned to the group to find the only available
seat to Granu’s right. He stopped and stood glaring at the giant. The group
fell silent.

The giant’s hood was thrown back and he was slowly
spooning the hot stew into his mouth. His head never rose as he looked to his
plate and methodically chewed the steaming food. Manfir stared down at the
empty chair next to the Keltaran prince. Granu slowly munched his food.

“Sit down, son of Macin.” stated Granu icily. “It’s
been a long journey and we’re weary. None here are in the mood for your
grandstanding. It’s time to eat.”

The room was filled with tension as Flair backed
through the kitchen doorway carrying a tray loaded with brimming ale mugs.

“I’m also hungry and tired, but I’d as soon stand
here all night than share a table with a murdering Keltaran,” snapped Manfir.

Flair turned and inched toward the table striving
mightily to balance the tray. Granu sprung to his feet sending his chair
skittering across the stone floor and into the legs of poor Flair.

“Murderer? Who swept from the hills outside Volar
and killed nine of our boys tending to a herd of goats?” boomed Granu as he
turned on Manfir, fists clenched. “What kind of people lure another man’s flock
of sheep from their pastures, then beat and stone the man when he journeys to
retrieve them? It is the Zodrians who journey further and further into our
mountains and demand it as their own! Hrafnu moved us from you to save us from
your aggression! Amird founded your nation on hatred and greed, and hatred and
greed drive it!”

“How dare you accuse us,” shouted Manfir. “I’ve
seen your handiwork myself. Villages in the borderlands completely destroyed.
The people beheaded and butchered. Men, women
and
children! Their bodies
desecrated. The banners of the Keltar staked through them and flying from the
buildings you didn’t burn to the ground.“

“You lie,” growled Granu.

Manfir’s body tensed and the giant moved forward.

“ENOUGH!”

Ader rose from his head position at the table. He
moved to a spot beside the warriors. Kael’s skin tingled as a faint green glow
shimmered and spread around the old trader.

“I remind you of your pledges, gentlemen. I cannot
allow this distraction to upset our plans. You must learn to deal with your
prejudices and hatred. We can’t afford a split in our group. Manfir, move to my
place at the table’s head and eat,” said Ader.

“I can’t sit ..,” began Manfir.

“YOU CAN AND YOU WILL, ZODRIAN PRINCE!” commanded
Ader. “Once again you forget your pledge. I had so little trouble from you over
the years that I may have grown soft.

“Now! Now is the time when Amird’s forces coalesce
against us. And you, Keltaran Lord. You believe the Zodrians to be your enemy
so completely that you blind yourself to the real danger. Now is when we must
unite. Now, or you hold no hope and this world will be lost to darkness and
Chaos!”