by B. T. Narro
“The honor is mine to meet you,” I answered humbly. “I hope one day you will have honor for meeting me, Grufaeragar.” I had to practice his name so I didn’t butcher it later.
“I understand, Jon.” He seemed pleased. “You not like other humans I see.” He squeezed my shoulder. His hands were remarkably similar to that of a man except for the claws at the end of his fingertips. That and the gray scales, of course.
His claws dug into me like the talons of a hawk. I was concerned he would make holes in one of the few good shirts I had left, but he let go after just a moment.
“You strong, as human. You fight well?”
“Yes, but not as well as a krepp,” I replied, continuing to play humble. I had a feeling my words were true nonetheless.
He smiled wider, his fangs showing.
We crossed over the bridge and made our way back onto King’s Street. I was nervous as I saw a few people in our path. A small group of men stopped to stare from far away, but they only gawked for a moment before they quickly cleared the street.
“Humans afraid to krepps,” Grufaeragar boasted. “Those humans smart.”
“Should I be afraid?” I asked.
“If we fight, yes.”
“I don’t wish to fight you.”
“You human smart too.”
We continued down the street. Anyone who looked as if they might cross by us stopped and stared, then chose a different route.
“Was it a long trip from your home?” I asked.
“One week for ship.”
A ship—no wonder I hadn’t heard of a krepp before. I wished I had seen a map of the surrounding islands around Dorrinthal. My father had taught me about the locations of towns and cities in the kingdom of Lycast, but the krepps didn’t seem to live on this continent.
“Where do you come from?” I asked.
“All krepps live Hammashar. No humans.”
Did that mean no humans were allowed or they just didn’t live there?
Unfortunately, the street became busier the closer we came to the castle. The only road that was usually clear of people was the road that ran parallel to the castle wall, appropriately named Longwall Street. We wouldn’t be turning onto that street for a while.
Everyone made room for us as we took the center path on the wide road. Some of the tougher-looking men appeared as if they wanted to challenge the krepp, their eyes tight with anger as they faced him.
Grufaeragar saw one of the larger men glaring at him and stopped. “Ru hyash?” the krepp asked the man.
“Ignore them,” I said as I motioned for him to follow me.
But Grufaeragar puffed up his chest and repeated the same thing.
“Ru hyash, human?”
With his gaze never leaving the krepp, the large man asked me, “What is he doing here?”
Many had stopped to listen.
“He’s here peacefully,” I replied. “Turn away.”
“Yes,” Grufaeragar agreed. “Turn away, small human.”
There was no way the man could be considered small, even through a krepp’s eyes.
“Krepps killed my father,” the man said.
“Your father stupid,” Grufaeragar replied.
Rage sparked in the man’s eyes.
I cursed as I mentally prepared Expel. “This is not one of the krepps that killed anyone. Grufaeragar is here peacefully!” I announced louder this time, noticing a few more men encircling us. “To attack him is a crime. He is a guest in our city.”
I could feel them wondering who I was. A young man representing the laws, yet he wore common clothing. I knew why the king had chosen me, though. I didn’t appear like someone a man with common sense would pick a fight against. I was worried that common sense was gone here, however, as one man seemed interested in killing an innocent krepp to avenge the death of his father.
“I no kill human,” Grufaeragar said. “No make me.”
Many were shouting questions, a few asking why he was here. There was no point in staying in this spot any longer.
“Let’s go,” I told Grufaeragar as I finally got him to keep up with me again. It was a good thing no one followed us.
He was still breathing hard when we eventually turned onto Longwall Street. It looked as if he was pressing his teeth together within his lipless mouth. I had many more questions for him, but he was nearly aflame with aggression. I wasn’t going to risk igniting his temper. I tried to calm him instead.
“That man was afraid of you, strong krepp. That is why he tried to stand up to you.”
“Afraid and stupid?”
“Yes, afraid and stupid. He did not run like smart humans.”
“I understand.”
The two guards in front of the drawbridge must’ve known the krepp was coming. They showed little surprise as they let us through. Grufaeragar’s mood quickly changed as he finally seemed to notice where we were. He looked up at the tall walls on either side of us as we waited for the portcullis to rise.
“This is castle?”
“It is.”
He pointed at the barred gate of the portcullis lifting in front of us. “Magic?”
“Not magic.” I guided him through and showed him the wheel on the other side, held by a burly man with a sheen of sweat on his face. But Grufaeragar no longer seemed interested. He was too busy taking in the sight of the courtyard, the keep, and all the buildings surrounding us. His yellow eyes were wide, his mouth agape.
“Karudar!” he muttered. “Man build this or demigod?”
It was a shock to hear him mention a demigod and not “a god.” I wondered under what circumstance he had learned this word.
“This was built by men many years ago,” I told him. I watched as my peers noticed me with the krepp. One by one they stopped what they were doing and stared openly across the courtyard. The king came out of the keep behind them, Barrett at his side and two armored guards right behind them. Nykal gestured for us to come to him.
The king met us halfway across the courtyard, with Leon and my peers soon surrounding us. I noticed the princess watching from the entrance of the keep. Even a number of servants peeked from the windows of the apartments.
“Grufaeragar,” I said, “this is the king of Lycast.”
“Him?” Grufaeragar asked as he pointed.
“Yes,” I confirmed.
Grufaeragar drew his sword from the sheath on his belt. “I come to challenge human king for duel!” he announced.
“Wait.” I stepped in front of Grufaeragar with my hands up, but he kept speaking around me.
“If king no accept duel of honor, then I fight to death. I fight anyone try stop me!”
The creature was clearly not as bright as most men, to think he would be able to come here and duel against the king. It reflected on his intelligence even more that he thought he could fight all of us and possibly win. But I admired his honor. There were many people I’d dealt with who I’d wished had more honor than intelligence.
“Grufaeragar, put down the sword,” I urged him.
Michael flanked me. “No one here wants to fight you.”
“It’s all right, Jon,” the king said. “Let me speak with him.”
I hesitantly moved out of the way, as did Michael, but we stayed close just in case. I noticed then that I had been more than just normally compelled to protect the king. There had been a need, an instinct, to preserve his life that extended beyond our early relationship. It had to be the contract I’d signed. I might’ve been bothered by this nearly unwinnable urge, but the king seemed like a man worth protecting, at least so far.
“Your name is Grufaeragar?” Nykal asked.
“Yes. What is your name?”
“My name is Nykal Lennox. I believe you have mistaken me for Oquin Calloum.”
The krepp let the tip of his sword rest on the grass. Deep lines formed across his lizard forehead.
“You no Oquin Calloum?”
“No, I despised him. He was a terrib
le king. We killed him. Now I am king.”
“You defeated him in duel?” Grufaeragar asked.
“No. He was hung for his crimes.”
“Hung?” Grufaeragar choked himself. “Like this?”
“Yes.”
The krepp looked even more confused. “He hung after lost duel against you?”
“No one dueled him,” Nykal explained. “That is not how we decide matters in this kingdom.”
“Yes. Humans afraid duel.” The krepp spoke as if remembering a lesson. “Why are you king?”
“I led the rebellion against him. The people of Lycast follow me because I know what is best for them.”
The krepp finally put away his sword. “I understand. Leaders know best. You must be good leader for all humans follow you. If no duel, I tell you important thing. Is one reason krepps no come here, no destroy every human. You know reason?”
I feared this would be the moment when the king would take the krepp inside to remove us from the conversation, but he did not, to my surprise.
“I don’t,” Nykal admitted.
It was a pleasure to see that he trusted us not only to keep him safe but to find out what this krepp wanted.
“Only because Souriff,” the krepp said.
The name was incredibly familiar. Many people reacted with shock, including Nykal.
“Do you mean Souriff the demigod?” he asked.
“Yes. Demigod Souriff.”
The king put up his hand to quiet our murmuring. “How did you hear of Souriff?”
“Hear of Souriff?” Grufaeragar asked. He lowered his long neck, though he kept his yellow eyes on Nykal. “With her voice,” he answered as if the king was stupid.
Nykal leaned forward and appeared even more interested. “You spoke with a woman who called herself Souriff?”
“Yes. She tell us, no…gaa…” He scratched his ass through his leather pants, which seemed to help him think of the right word. “She convince us try peace. Try speak king. You. We say we challenge king duel. She say he no duel. He make peace. You make peace?”
“Yes,” Nykal answered. “I wish for peace with the krepps. We will trade and both benefit.”
“Trade, yes. She say we trade. Humans have many things.”
“Where did you speak with her?” Nykal asked.
“Hammashar. My home. She come as we prepare war. She tell us: Wait!”
The king narrowed his eyes. “This must’ve been after the krepps attacked Newhaven by boat.”
“We no attack!” Grufaeragar said as he took hold of the hilt of his sword. “We need vantikar!” At seeing everyone’s confusion, he added, “I know no word in your language. Word is when we are wrong so we kill krepp, or man, who made wrong.”
“Revenge,” the king specified.
“Almost same but vantikar more need. Krepps take boat to trade for humans, but all krepps killed!”
Grufaeragar had a way of almost shouting just about every word without actually shouting.
The king was nodding. “The last king expected krepps to attack later and was surprised when you didn’t. It was he who ordered the attack on your krepps who came here to trade with us. He was still king when more krepps came later for vantikar. He prepared for war against krepps and Rohaer—the kingdom of humans south of here. We killed this king because we do not want war against krepps or Rohaer. Do you understand?”
“Yes. You smart. Last king…stupid!”
Many chuckled, but it startled the krepp, who took out his sword and looked around for a threat.
“No no,” the king said. “They were just laughing in agreement with you. Laughing: ha ha ha. The last king stupid. Funny. Understand?”
“Laugh. Funny. Yes. I make mistake.” He put away his sword again.
“You were saying that Souriff came to Hammashar and stopped krepps from starting war,” Nykal continued. “This must’ve been longer than a year ago.”
“Yes. She say, ‘No war yet. Give humans one chance more. Humans no wish kill krepps.’ They scare when krepps come. Krepps big. Krepps scary! We are. We understand.”
“She told you all of this in your language. Kreppen, is it called?”
“Kreppen, yes. She give many books. Krepps learn common tongue for books. It is me, Grufaeragar, learn best. Now I go here. I learn what humans give krepps and krepps give humans. Souriff say: We get rich!”
Nykal smiled warmly. “Do you know what a feast is, Grufaeragar?”
“Yes! I like feast.”
“Tell me what you like to eat.”
“Krablark and kupota, cooked. I want much.”
“I don’t think we have those dishes here,” the king said. “You will be given seared lamb and roasted potatoes, seasoned with salt and herbs. I think you’ll like them.”
The krepp wiped his nose on his arm. “They valuable items?”
“Very valuable,” the king said.
“Then I agree!”
“Follow these men inside. They will see that you are comfortable as you wait for the feast.” He gestured for the guards to take the krepp away.
“I like that,” Grufaeragar said as he walked into the great hall after the guards, a swagger to his step.
As soon as the krepp was gone, the king murmured to Barrett, “Is it possible that a woman learned Kreppen and sailed to Hammashar on behalf of Lycast without any of the nobles knowing?”
“I don’t see how.”
All of us were inching closer as we eavesdropped openly. Kataleya even spoke up.
“It could really be Souriff. It would make sense that she’s watching over Lycast without making herself known, because Gourfist would find her if she used more of her power.”
“Kataleya,” Leon chastised. “The demigods are not real, and the king doesn’t want to hear your Formist chaff. Keep it to yourself.” Leon glanced at the king. “I believe someone must’ve visited the krepps, but a woman wouldn’t go alone. How this woman could’ve learned Kreppen, I’m not sure, but she probably found books on the language.”
“The only known interaction between humans and krepps was here in Newhaven,” Nykal replied. “You know how that ended.”
“There must’ve been prior interactions. It’s the only explanation.”
“No matter what the truth is, it’s important we find this woman who claims to be Souriff.” The king turned to address the rest of us as we stood in a disorganized cluster. “All of you have proven yourselves useful so far. Many of you will be sent on tasks that are designed to improve your abilities or make use of them. For example, I sent Jon to retrieve the krepp who was waiting for an audience with me. Did anything happen on the way back?” he asked me.
“One man confronted the krepp because his father was killed by the creatures. It escalated somewhat, but nothing came of it.”
“Did you have to use Expel?” the king asked.
I noticed Michael, along with a few others, showing me a surprised look. Apparently, they didn’t know I had finally learned it.
“No. A crowd had formed by then. I explained that this krepp was innocent and here as a guest. Attacking him would be a crime. They backed down.”
“I expect all of you to behave the way Jon did,” the king said. “Until you are stronger, you are to de-escalate and report back. I want all of you keeping an eye out for crime and corruption no matter what task you’re on.”
Leon let out a huff as he noticed Charlie raising his hand. The king pointed at the blond young man. “Yes?”
“I don’t understand. Are we the same as city guards?”
The king put his hand over his chin. I heard Barrett murmur to him, “They can find out later.”
“No, it’s time they know what they’re training for.” Nykal kept his gaze on us. “You were brought here because all of you have different strengths. I need sorcerers for several reasons, the most important being that there are none who are absolutely loyal to me. They are loyal to coin. The same can be said about the most capable figh
ters in Lycast.”
He paused and looked a little less sure about speaking as he glanced at us. I was glad he continued, though.
“There is an army gathering in Rohaer. I have sent delegates to meet with Frederick Garlin, who many of you know as the king to the south.”
Everyone was nodding, except me. All I’d known was that there was a king.
“King Frederick claims that he is arming his peasants to protect against the sorcerers spreading dteria across his land,” Nykal continued. “We believe this to be a lie. It is most likely that he is building an army in an attempt to take Lycast for himself. It is just like what Oquin attempted here, except he’d planned to take Rohaer. We hope that the nobles in Rohaer will organize the peasants and stand against Frederick as we stood against Oquin.
“Time will tell. Winter is just beginning. The road between the kingdoms is blocked by Curdith Forest, mountains, or snow. There is no way for an army to reach us if he does send his men north. With nothing to forage or to feed their animals, they would likely starve during the journey here. However, the snow will melt when winter ends.”
“I’m not here to fight,” Charlie blurted out before I could even gather my thoughts.
“No, Charlie,” the king replied. “You are here because of your skill with mtalia. Many of you are here to support the kingdom in other ways than fighting our enemies directly.”
Panic took my breath away. But I was one of the people brought here to fight. I would be one of the fools risking his life for a kingdom that in no part belonged to me.
I hadn’t agreed to that, I reminded myself. I had only agreed to protect the king from direct threats. I could leave at any point. I let out my breath. Doing so would be the most embarrassing act of my life, but at least I seemed to have the option. I could see the same fear and wonder on the faces of the others who were now realizing the same thing.
Remi, the shy woman who’d mentioned her specialty of fire, was staring at the ground with circular eyes. Michael was looking at me and shaking his head. Aliana, the ranger, had her fingertips pressed against her forehead with a downward gaze as her mouth hung open. Eden put her hand on Aliana’s back and whispered something, but it appeared to do nothing to help.
