The Tiger (Chronicles of An Imperial Legionary Officer Book 2)

by Marc Alan Edelheit

  He had made his headquarters in Old City, buried deep in the bowels of Thane’s Mountain. The house, where he had set up his command post, had once belonged to Old City’s mayor. No longer did anyone live in the city, for it had become too dangerous. The dvergr who had inhabited this once grand city and now crumbling edifice to the past had long ago moved on to new homes located deeper into the mountain range. In their absence, the lesser races had moved in. Upon arrival, Braddock’s war band had evicted them, cleansing the city and reclaiming it in the name of his people. Streets and markets once full were now depressingly empty. Braddock aimed to change that. He aimed to restore the Compact and win his people, the dvergr, their due.

  “Yes, my Thane,” Garrack responded. “We have confirmed the imperials who marched out of the valley are fighting a delaying action against another army of humans. Our estimate is this army’s strength to be around twenty thousand, perhaps more. We believe they are intent on taking Grata’Kor.”

  This was a complication he had not planned for. In two days, his partially formed army would be on the move, dispersing to their jump-off positions. The retaking of Grata’Kor was at hand. If everything went as expected, the move should achieve absolute surprise. Once the great citadel fell, the humans of the valley, who had called for his help, would thank him. However, the implications of such a large army marching on Vrell did not escape him. Whoever held Vrell potentially controlled the fate of this world.

  “How much time do we have until they reach Grata’Kor?” Braddock asked.

  “Two weeks, maybe more. It may take them longer. The human in command of the legionaries is skilled. Captain Stiger is his name. His tactics have proven successful. He has inflicted a surprising number of casualties on his enemy. He has also damaged the road badly. It will take time to clear it.”

  Braddock let out a relieved sigh. Two weeks allowed him time enough to follow through with his plan to storm the citadel, remove Castor’s filth and reclaim Grata’Kor in the name of his people. Once the dvergr army held the walls of the citadel, let this human army try to take it from him!

  “Who is it who challenges the might of the Mal’Zeelan Empire?” Braddock asked, curiously. The dvergr had no real knowledge about what was occurring far beyond the borders of Vrell. Ever since they had turned their backs on the wider world, his people had remained isolated from the other races.

  “I do not know,” Garrack admitted. “It is possible that this army is part of the rebellion the emissary has spoken about. To confirm that, we would need to take prisoners. Such a move may reveal our presence sooner than we wish.”

  Braddock frowned. He did not like this at all. “Taking prisoners, I think, is not a venture I wish to risk. Perhaps after we take the citadel.”

  “I agree, my Thane,” Garrack nodded. “It would be very chancy.”

  “There are, what, no more than two hundred holding Grata’Kor?”

  “We believe their strength to be around two hundred,” Garrack confirmed with a nod. “Nothing we cannot handle. However, if we delay further, this Captain Stiger will eventually fall back on the citadel for protection. Then we are looking at the possibility of around six hundred to nearly a thousand, and that could pose complications.”

  Braddock grunted at the thought. Every dvergr life was precious. He had no intention to delay the assault on the citadel, and this was further reason to push ahead. His people had nearly become extinct and he would not allow that to happen again. The thane began to pace and was silent as he thought through all angles. Garrack said nothing, but waited.

  “Do you think this army could take Grata’Kor from the imperials?” Braddock asked, having stopped his pacing, looking over at his oldest friend.

  “Doubtful…at least until spring,” Garrack responded after a moment’s consideration. “This legionary commander seems to know his business and winter is almost here. Once the first real snows hit the pass and the foothills, well, you know what will happen. Any significant movement until spring will be extremely difficult. My Thane, as you are well aware, the legionaries are skilled and disciplined fighters. Even without snow, it would likely be difficult for this army to dislodge them.”

  “What of our human friends in the valley?” Braddock asked. “Will they help us?”

  “The emissary claims the filth that contaminated Grata’Kor has been removed by the legion,” Garrack said. “Since they feel we are no longer needed, I doubt they will assist.”

  “Bah!” Braddock scoffed. “How could the humans remove the misshapen one’s filth on their own? I tell you, they have been hoodwinked. As it stands, I have had to bring forth some of the holy relics to help deal with the creature and its contamination.”

  “They are stubborn,” Garrack admitted. “As you know, they claim this Captain Stiger has recovered the eagle. Maybe he even wields the sword? It is a powerful artifact, perhaps mighty enough to challenge and remove Castor’s filth.”

  “You seriously believe that?” Braddock was familiar with the legend of Delvaris’s sword, but was it strong enough to challenge the full power of a dark god?

  “It matters not what I believe. The humans in the valley have begun to assemble their forces as though the Oracle’s words have been fulfilled. You know what that means.”

  “Will they ask of you to fulfill your family’s vow?” Braddock looked over at Garrack in question.

  “I believe they will,” Garrack said, after a moment’s thought. “According to the emissary, their council is debating that very question.”

  “If they ask, will you break the seal?” Braddock feared the answer.

  “I will be legend-bound to do as they ask,” Garrack answered plainly, a look of profound sorrow on his face. “If I must, I will break the seal on the vault of the 13th.”

  “What if I ordered you not to?” Though he suspected Garrack’s answer on this, he wanted to hear it spoken aloud so there could be no misunderstandings.

  “You cannot order that,” Garrack said quietly with a pained look. “Please, I beg you. Do not even try.”

  Braddock was silent a moment. If he attempted such a move, it would surely mean an end to their friendship, which had lasted since they were children.

  “They are fools then.”

  “They see it differently,” Garrack countered. Braddock knew that Garrack was fond of the humans, which was why he tolerated Garrack’s defense of them. “They see it as a great responsibility.”

  “Unsealing the vault now…would be a waste,” Braddock huffed.

  “What if they are right?” Garrack tugged on his neatly braided beard. It appeared to Braddock as if his friend had voiced the question almost to himself. Yet it enraged the thane nonetheless.

  “They are not,” Braddock roared, face going red. “The time for the Last War has not come!”

  “What if it has?” Garrack asked, looking on his thane gravely.

  “Then we are all doomed. The Gate will open and death will come forth.”

  “The Oracle predicted a choice will have to be made,” Garrack countered. “Do I need to recite the codex?”

  “We shall move as planned,” Braddock said. If he made his attack as planned, the emissary would not have time to return and make the request of Garrack that Braddock so dreaded. “The quicker the better. Once we retake Grata’Kor and restore the Compact, they will see it is not time. There will be no need to open the vault.”

  “Yes, my Thane,” Garrack said, though Braddock could tell his friend was not convinced.

  “We strike while the defense of Grata’Kor is weak and cleanse the citadel of Castor’s filth. Let us see what our friends of the valley have to say when I show them the truth!”

  “I think that might be not a prudent course of action,” a voice hissed.

  Braddock and Garrack jumped, both turning. Garrack’s hand instinctively went to his sword. They had been alone in Braddock’s study and should not have been interrupted without a servant announcing a visitor. Braddock saw O
gg was standing by the door, shrouded in his midnight-black robes, holding his staff.

  “Ogg!” Braddock snarled in irritation and outrage at being interrupted in such a manner. Ogg, like Thoggle before him, went where he pleased. It was infuriating and lacking in proper decorum. “A knock would have been appreciated.”

  “The imperials are not our enemy. Should you act prematurely, you risk us all,” Ogg said. As he moved toward them, the metal guard on the bottom of his staff made a clicking noise on the stone floor. “The humans from the valley are correct. Castor’s contamination has been removed.”

  “Have you been to Grata’Kor for yourself?” Braddock demanded. “Can you tell me with certainty that Castor’s contamination no longer resides there?”

  “No.” Ogg stopped and eyed the thane. “I have not been to Grata’Kor myself.”

  “Bah! It is only hearsay then,” Braddock spat, shooting a doubtful look to Garrack. “You know nothing!”

  “I know one who is so obsessed with his own legend he would act prematurely and needlessly risk all.”

  “Ogg,” Garrack hissed in anger. “You go too far!”

  “Do I?” Ogg took two steps closer, the metal guard of his staff clicking on the stone floor as he moved.

  “I know the risks,” Braddock spat back with irritation. He did not enjoy being lectured by one who was without honor and legend, even if the wizard was kin.

  “I fear the humans are right,” Ogg said. The hint of madness, for a moment, left the wizard’s eyes. “Braddock, I feel it in my bones. The Last War is coming. Can’t you feel it? The day fast approaches when the Gate can be unlocked and the way made open. Though, by your actions, we teeter on the edge of an endless night.”

  “Bah!” Braddock waved a dismissive hand at Ogg. “You are overreacting. Not all of the conditions have been met. The empire’s representative has not declared the Compact restored!”

  “Not yet, but soon. Braddock, you cannot attack these humans. In doing so, you will destroy the Compact. You cannot simply declare the Compact fulfilled yourself. It will doom us all.”

  “Doom us all?” Braddock was concerned with Ogg’s new act. The wizard had lost his mad edge in favor of a serious one. Braddock paused, considering the wizard for a moment. He decided he would not be put off. “The assault on Grata’Kor will go forward as planned.”

  “I forbid it,” Ogg said quietly.

  “You do not tell me what I can and cannot do!” The wizard had gone too far. “I am the Thane!”

  Silence settled upon the room. Braddock’s gaze bored into Ogg’s, daring the wizard to say more. Instead, Ogg dropped his eyes and looked down at the floor for a moment. When he looked back up, his gaze was concentrated.

  “I have met their captain.” Ogg gave an abrupt giggle, the look Braddock took for madness returning to his eyes. “He is honorable and with legend.”

  "You did what?” Garrack asked, aghast at the implications of what the wizard had done. “You revealed yourself to the humans?”

  “Yes,” Ogg said without a trace of concern, the madness seeming to creep deeply across his beardless face as he smiled. “I felt it necessary.”

  “What did you tell him?” Garrack demanded, face reddening with anger at the betrayal.

  “Only that we are planning to attack them,” Ogg said, with an abrupt crazy giggle as he came nearer, the metal guard on his staff clicking on the stone floor. “I made our intentions abundantly clear.”

  Braddock ground his teeth in rage at this base betrayal. He took a step back and bumped into his desk. “You told them we were coming for them? Why?”

  “Have you no honor?” Garrack roared, enraged. “You destroy your own legend!”

  Ogg stopped a moment to consider Garrack. The wizard’s eyes narrowed; the madness twisted Ogg’s face. “Once I chose my trade, my very own family turned their backs upon me. According to my father, I gave up my legend the day I swore an oath to another god. Isn’t that what you said, Father?”

  “I should have killed you the day you made that choice. I will correct that mistake.” Garrack fumbled in his rage for his sword, intent upon drawing more than steel. “Something I should have done years ago when you dishonored the family and the clan.”

  “I think not,” Ogg said softly, voice filled with a menace that made Braddock go cold with dread. Ogg rapped the end of his staff down hard upon the stone floor. The oddly-shaped crystal flashed brightly, momentarily blinding the thane. There was an earsplitting crack, as if the world had been torn asunder. The room rapidly filled with an unearthly fog. Braddock staggered backward. The desk he had been leaning against was no longer there. The world swam before snapping back into brilliant focus. The fog had vanished and, with it, his office. It had been replaced by a crackling campfire set in the forest sometime around midday. The cold of the early winter air hit the thane like a smack across his face.

  Braddock looked up in amazement at the leafless limbs of the trees. The sun was nearly directly above. Braddock glanced around, eyes wide at the magical power that Ogg had just demonstrated. It was the kind of thing Thoggle had been capable of doing, but rarely displayed. Ogg was clearly much more skilled at his craft than the thane had believed. Braddock turned toward Ogg and saw Garrack, who was looking upon his disowned son with an expression of horror. Braddock knew Garrack had never before seen Ogg wield his craft and having witnessed it, it made the betrayal that much more real.

  “What have you done?” Garrack choked.

  It was at that moment that Braddock realized that he, Garrack and Ogg were not alone. A human warrior and an elf who had been sitting before the fire were staring up at them in shock. The smell of many unwashed bodies, old leather and excrement assaulted his sense of smell. Braddock glanced around and in a flash understood where he was. Ogg had transported them to the legionary commander’s camp in the middle of the Sentinel Forest. He turned back to the human and elf, just as shocked as they appeared to be. The moment passed. Both scrambled to their feet and drew their swords.

  “Ogg, you fool,” Braddock snarled, dragging out his sword, only to have Ogg clamp his hand firmly down on the thane’s forearm, preventing him from fully drawing the weapon. Braddock was surprised at the wizard’s strength. Their eyes locked.

  “Do nothing rash,” Ogg warned. The mad look had once again vanished from the wizard’s eyes, leaving Braddock questioning whether it was an act designed to further Ogg’s own machinations. “You are in the middle of an armed camp, have a care.”

  There was a clatter and rush from behind. Braddock turned and saw several human legionaries rushing forward, swords drawn. They quickly surrounded the three dvergr. Shouts of alarm could be heard across the camp, with more men rushing forward.

  “I brought you here to listen, not fight,” Ogg said, hand firmly clamped upon the thane’s forearm. “I will return you, unharmed. You have my word…unless, of course, you or my father do something rash. In such an event I will, in all probability, be unable to protect you.”

  Braddock looked over at Garrack, who nodded. Frustrated, Braddock released his sword hilt. The blade, only partially drawn, slid back into the scabbard with a hiss and click as the guard came home. Ogg removed his clamp-like grip from the thane’s forearm.

  “Captain Stiger,” Ogg said, switching from dvergrish to common, turning to the human who had been sitting at the fire with the elf and now stood with his sword out. “I have the distinct honor to present Braddock Uth’Kal’Thol, Thane of the Mountains and Ruler of Dvergr.”

  There was a moment of profound silence as the legionaries surrounding the three dwarves were unable to seemingly take their eyes off the apparitions before them. Stiger exchanged a startled glance with Eli, who shrugged and grinned. Evidently, he thought this was highly amusing.

  “We have not come to fight,” Ogg explained with a careful look to the thane. “We have come to talk and listen.”

  Stiger hesitated a moment before sheathing his sword. Eli, still gri
nning at Stiger, sheathed his as well.

  “Isn’t this a surprise,” Eli said.

  “Your Majesty,” Stiger said gruffly, ignoring Eli and gesturing toward a log. “You are most welcome to share the warmth of my campfire.”

  Braddock took a deep breath. “Captain Stiger, is it?” Braddock asked in heavily accented common.

  Stiger nodded in reply.

  “Captain Stiger,” Braddock continued. “We will be much honored to sit at your fire and share the warmth of its blaze. Before we sit, may I introduce my lieutenant, and kin, Garrack alk’Thol, my oldest friend and my personal advisor. Unfortunately, I believe you already know Ogg.”

  “It is an honor to meet you both, and yes, I have met Ogg,” Stiger replied evenly. “May I introduce Eli’Far, elven ranger, my lieutenant and someone I also name a friend.”

  Braddock nodded in greeting.

  “Sir?” Ikely asked. The lieutenant had approached and pushed his way through the ring of men, sword drawn and staring at the dwarves with extreme shock, as if disbelieving his very eyes. “Is everything all right, sir?”

  “Yes,” Stiger replied. “Lieutenant, everything is under control. Dismiss the men and kindly see that we are not disturbed.”

  “Ah, yes, sir,” the lieutenant said, hesitating as he eyed the three dwarves with apparent awe. It was almost as if he could not believe they were real. He shot a look at Eli, who nodded in good-natured reply, almost as if saying told you so. Ikely tore his gaze from the dwarves and turned to go, then stopped himself. “About the parley?”

  “Remind me when it is time,” Stiger ordered.

  “Yes, sir.” The lieutenant turned to the men who had gathered by the fire, swords out. “Sheath swords. Dismissed! Sergeant Ranl and Blake, both of you are to remain.”

  Swords were reluctantly sheathed and the men began to move off with curious looks directed at the dwarves.

  “Is there anything else you require, sir?” Ikely asked. It was clear to the captain that the lieutenant was intensely interested in the captain’s guests.

  “No, lieutenant.” Stiger nodded toward the defensive line. “Keep an eye on the enemy until I am finished here.”