Apparition

by Tom Liberman

  “If fifty-thousand gnoll warriors believe it with all their hearts and act upon it with one will, then it would behoove both you and the Gray Lord to take them quite seriously,” said Borrombo quietly.

  Mike shook her head, “I don’t believe it. There are not that many fools in the world.”

  Rhia looked up at the sky and the sun was beginning to set. Soon it would be night and the tens of thousands of stars would be shining in the night sky.

  “It’s not possible,” repeated Mike and looked to Rhia. “There can’t be that many people willing to believe such nonsense, right?”

  Rhia shook her head, “After what I witnessed today I suspect that there are not only that many people willing to believe it but far more yet. If this Sunbringer wins the tournament it will mean war to Tanelorn. War to Acanthus. War to the Five Nations. War to you and war to me.”

  “It will take time to build the army though,” said Mike the smile no longer on her face. “They will need strategy and planning. I’ve seen little of either from these gnolls.”

  “There are others who oppose the Gray Lord,” said Borrombo in a contemplative way.

  “Others?” asked Rhia.

  “Others who possess a great deal of skill in martial planning, in organizing, in marching, and in fighting battles,” said Borrombo somberly.

  “Who are these others?” asked Marianna.

  “In my home, far to the north, there are family members of mine who believe the Gray Lord is a manifestation of someone called the Usurper. The great enemy of the Emperor. That he stands in the way of the rebirth of the Empire.”

  “That is why you are here?” asked Rhia.

  Borrombo nodded his head, “That is one reason I am here.”

  “What can a few dwarves in some citadel in the north do to Tanelorn?” asked Mike. “We are a free people and not afraid.”

  “A few dwarves in a northern citadel can do very little by themselves but they can call upon forces of great strength. Forces that possess the Broken Throne. They can ask them to march on the behalf of the Old Empire. They can bolster the forces of the gnolls and make strong plans of battle. The world, although large, is not as large as you might imagine. There are forces at work beyond your understanding and although, perhaps, they are not truly Gods, they are as Gods to you and me.”

  Mike looked at Borrombo with wide eyes, “Why should we trust you?”

  “You should not.”

  Mike looked over to Rhia and Marianna. “We have to stop this Sunbringer. I don’t care what Lofo told us about not interfering. If he wins it could mean the end of everything. Tanelorn could be destroyed!”

  “I agree,” said Rhia.

  Marianna shook her head.

  “You do not?” asked Rhia turning to the pale girl whose lips stiffened as she stood her ground.

  “I agree with Lofo. Anything we do to change events here will be taken as an affront by the gnolls and make things worse in the long run. We should just watch.”

  “You will not stand in our way if we take action?” asked Mike.

  Marianna nodded her head, “I will come with you and help you. You are my friends and I’ve never had such before. I do not agree with you but I will stand by you.”

  Chapter 12

  They spent the next few days tracking down any information about the Sunbringer clan and without the generous help and many contacts brought in by Borrombo would likely have gotten nowhere. Luckily the big dwarf knew many people and his apparently endless supply of gold and gems granted them access to those with useful information.

  The Sunbringer clan was from a tiny tribe locked away in the furthest northern reaches of Grelm and were known to be devout worshippers of the great warrior gnoll god Arioch. No one knew much else about them or their champion Arden. They did not even have a camp at the battlegrounds but stayed several miles out to the north.

  “We should go up to where they say he’s camped,” said Mike fingers drumming agitatedly on her thigh. Her hair was slowly growing out again and her features became more feminine every day with the growth.

  “I don’t see what else there is to do,” said Rhia shrugging her shoulders and looking at the ground. The mass of people in the region continued to grow with the success of Sunbringer and the stench of the dense crowds became worse every day. “I wouldn’t mind getting out of this stink either. I’ve never seen so many people gathered in such a small space. It’s inevitable that disease will crop up.”

  Marianna nodded her head, “I wouldn’t mind a trip away from here either.” She examined a piece of parchment that hung on the side of the wagon. “Sunbringer is scheduled for the second round tomorrow.”

  “Let’s go tonight,” said Mike fingering the dagger at her side. “I’m sick of sitting around here doing nothing. We’ll scout the place out and watch them leave in the morning. It’ll give a better idea of their strength.”

  “I agree,” said Rhia. “Should we tell Borrombo?”

  “Sure,” said Mike with a smile at the thought of the jolly dwarf. “He’s been decent to us so far. He’d probably figure out where we’d gotten to in any case, but it doesn’t hurt to leave a note if he doesn’t come back again tonight.

  Borrombo had taken to staying out all night concluding various business ventures and who knew what else. The man had enormous appetites for all things.

  “I don’t know about him,” said Marianna looking at the ground and shaking her head.

  “What about him?” asked Mike.

  “I don’t know,” said Marianna.

  “Then don’t mention it,” said Mike with a snort while shaking her head and rolling her eyes. “Why did you even say something if you don’t know?”

  “That’s enough, Mike,” Rhia interjected while standing up and hovering over the girl.

  “Fine,” said Mike and got up as well. “It’s settled then. Pack your gear and we’ll slip out of here after dark tonight and I’ll write a note to Borrombo.” The girl then walked to the back of the wagon and climbed inside.

  Marianna said nothing and just hung her head lower.

  “It’s all right,” said Rhia coming over and patting Marianna on the back.

  “She’s right. I shouldn’t have said anything if I didn’t want to tell you more about what I’m thinking.”

  “What are you thinking?” asked Rhia.

  Marianna stood up and pulled away from Rhia. “I don’t even really know. Like I said, I shouldn’t have said anything at all. I don’t know why I talk so much now. It just gets me in trouble. I’m not brave like you or smart like Mike. I’m just stupid Marianna.”

  “Don’t talk like that,” said Rhia. “You’re plenty brave and smart.”

  “Do you think if you say something it comes true?” said Marianna with a scowl and a fierce look in her eyes. “I’m stupid and I’m weak. I know it and so do you.”

  “Marianna!” said Rhia but the redhead shook her head and stalked off.

  Rhia blew air out her nose, put her hand on the comforting hilt of her sword, and looked back and forth between the wagon and where Marianna went. In the end she just sat back down, pulled a dagger from her belt, and began whittling at a piece of firewood.

  The day went slowly by and Rhia continued to carve away at the wood. She had little skill and could make nothing artistic but the slow and steady motions seemed to soothe her mind. She found that she liked Mike less and less. The girl was headstrong and cocksure but also intolerant of anyone else’s opinion and turned everything into an argument. Marianna certainly had reason to be timid and afraid but it did not make her a better companion or anyone who could be relied upon if things grew difficult. “I could just go back to Tanelorn,” she said out loud to herself. “If I follow Mike I’m just going to end up dead. She doesn’t understand the way of the world and when push comes to shove Marianna will fold up and start crying.”

  “Are there any other options?” said Borrombo. The big man could move with surprising stealth when he s
o desired and this was apparently one of those occasions.

  Rhia looked up startled but found that she was not angry at his spying. He was certainly not to be trusted but did offer excellent advice and had helped them tremendously over the last few days. “I don’t see any,” she said. “I can go with Mike and Marianna and probably die, or go back to Tanelorn and never become a Gray Knight. Once Lofo finds I’ve abandoned the mission no one will invite me to join.”

  “Life is full of choices,” said Borrombo coming over and throwing a few logs onto the fire which was little more than embers. He knew his way around a campfire and soon it was blazing again. “It has been cool the last few nights,” he added.

  “I traveled the length of the world to become a Gray Knight,” said Rhia leaning back and staring at the sky. “It would not be easy to give up on such a dream. I have wanted nothing else since I was five years old.” She smiled at the memory of riding on Jon Gray’s shoulders as he carried her into town. That moment had largely shaped her entire life.

  “There are many noble pursuits a man or woman might make. Tanelorn could be a force of good in this world but possibly not. The Gray Lord is accumulating powerful artifacts of the Old Empire. Such power must be tempting.”

  “He has sworn never to use those,” said Rhia looking up at Borrombo. The sun was beginning to sink low on the horizon and the light of day fading into dusk.

  “Let us imagine he is true to his word,” said Borrombo with a shrug. “I do not know this Gray Lord personally but what I do know suggests he is a man of great integrity. Even if he lives his life as he has so sworn he is but a mortal man. He will die. There will be others who have access to those weapons. Jon Gray, Jane Gray, Valary Gray, and others as well. Are they men and women of such great integrity? Would they not be tempted to use those weapons to rule their neighbors when the Gray Lord was not?”

  “I don’t think Jon is much interested in ruling anyone,” said Rhia. “He prefers chasing girls to the responsibilities of life.”

  “As you say,” said Borrombo with a shrug and a grin. “Do you know what the others want? What of this Pillswar fellow? What if he is successful in his attempts to usurp power in Tanelorn. Would he not have access to those artifacts? Would he not have their power at his disposal? Is he someone you trust with such power?”

  Rhia shook her head, “He’s an evil man. I had not thought about such a thing. It would be a disaster if he came into possession of such power. He would use it to inflict his will upon people in the same way he abused Marianna. That cannot be allowed to happen.”

  “I concur,” said Borrombo. “There are few people in this world who can be trusted with such power. Do you know the story of the Emperor?”

  “I know some stories, I suppose,” said Rhia leaning back and watching the sun sink slowly in the sky. “Who does not?”

  “It is said the Emperor himself succumbed to the temptation of his own almost omnipotent power. That he used his power to put down those with whom he disagreed. That is how the Usurper arose and destroyed the Empire. It is also said the Emperor was the most selfless of all men. That he, of all who have ever lived, could be trusted with such power.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m suggesting that the gathering of such much power in one place is a recipe for disaster. No matter the good intentions of the Gray Lord, the accumulation of so many relics of the Old Empire in a single kingdom is bound to attract unwanted aggression. You know of the Staff of Sakatha?”

  Rhia nodded her head.

  “The nation of dragonkin to the south of Tanelorn also plans for an invasion. I suspect Sunbringer is perhaps their pawn or it is possible both are having their strings pulled by a yet unknown higher power.”

  “The Gods?”

  Borrombo shrugged his shoulders, “I am not one to believe in the Gods at all, as I have told you, but there are powerful Elementals from the dawn of time and they have their own agenda. There is also the Unbeliever.”

  “Who?” asked Rhia.

  “A man of Das’von. The apprentice of the last Mage King. He is powerful beyond our ability to fully understand and he is involved in all of this.”

  “He might be the one marshalling the forces against Tanelorn?”

  “I do not know,” said Borrombo with a shrug of his shoulders and he smiled reassuringly, looking Rhia directly in the eyes, and patting her on the back. “There are factions in motion that are beyond your ability to understand. The nation of Stav’rol has marshalled an army under the banner of the Broken Throne and they wish to reestablish the Old Empire.”

  “I have not heard of such a place,” said Rhia. “Nor do I know this Broken Throne although it is the second time you have mentioned such. What is it?”

  “It was the Imperial Throne of the Emperor. It was broken eons ago when the Usurper slew the Emperor. The Guide of Stav’rol recovered it from ancient Das’von not many years past. He has used its power to gain many allies. His armies, while still very distant from Tanelorn, are not as far away as you might imagine. As the Gray Lord and his children might understand.”

  “Whose side are you on?”

  Borrombo smiled, “I am on the side of freedom. You know, freedom isn’t free.”

  Rhia’s head jerked back.

  Borrombo’s gaze suddenly narrowed and his lips grew hard and straight, “Is something wrong?”

  “No,” said Rhia shaking her head. “It’s just that I’ve heard that phrase before and it reminded me of something.”

  “Ah,” said Borrombo and he watched the girl closely for a long while but she said nothing and stared back at him with a level gaze.

  “Is not freedom a good thing to espouse?” said Borrombo after the long and awkward silence.

  “It is a very good thing,” said Rhia. “I am free to do as I please and that is more valuable than any of those gems in your pouch.”

  “I’m glad we are in agreement,” said Borrombo and patted her on the shoulder again.

  Rhia smiled and said, “Yes, we are. We are leaving tonight,” she continued. “Mike is writing a note explaining it to you, but I might as well tell you as long as you’re here. We’re heading north to the Sunbringer’s camp to try and discover what he is doing.”

  Borrombo frowned and shook his head slightly, “I don’t suppose I can stop you from your plans but I see nothing good coming from such an action. You cannot learn anything without getting close enough to be seen yourself. You do not speak the language. Let Mike and Marianna go to their own doom if need be. I can help you, Rhia. But you must trust me.”

  “I trust you,” said Rhia her mind working rapidly as she processed what information she had about Borrombo. “Completely. But I must honor my friends. If they wish to go then I cannot leave them to their fate. My destiny is intertwined with theirs … for now.”

  Borrombo nodded his huge head once again, “I understand and your reasons are noble and good. I wish you the best of luck in your quest. Should you survive this attempt you can always seek me out, and my offer will still stand.”

  “Thank you, Borrombo Blackiron,” said Rhia. The sky had darkened further during their talk and she looked to the horizon once again and only the last glimmers of the vanishing sun remained. “Thank you,” she said again. “Marianna will be back soon and then we will leave. If you’ll excuse me I must pack my things. Thank you for your generous hospitality. We would not have been able to learn what we have without your help.”

  Borrombo looked at her closely again and then nodded his head, “It has been my pleasure. I’m only sorry that I could not do more.”

  Rhia stood up and walked into the wagon. Mike was slumped back on the large bed reading a book. Rhia immediately began to gather her belongings. Many were in the wagon but some others were outside; she carefully checked to make sure she left nothing behind. She would not be returning, she knew that much at least.

  “Is Marianna here?” said Mike looking up from her book.

  �
��Not yet,” said Rhia.

  “What’s the hurry then?”

  “The sooner we are gone from this luxury the better,” said Rhia quietly.

  “But it’s so comfortable,” said Mike putting down the book and raising her arms over her head. “I could get used to the wealth that Borrombo brings to our little team. We should consider making him a permanent member of the group.”

  Rhia looked up at Mike and stared at the girl with an unwavering gaze but said nothing.

  “What?” asked Mike.

  “Luxuries are less valuable than other things,” said Rhia finally and resumed her packing.

  Mike laughed, “You’ll have to tell me what those things are some day.”

  “You can figure it out yourself,” said Rhia. “If you can’t then our time together is coming to an end. You are a selfish and spoiled little girl who cares more for her own imagined indignities than for a friend who is suffering great pain. I do not like you, Mike. I will continue to work with you, but do not imagine I like you.”

  Mike sat up straight and gazed at Rhia with venom in her remarkable eyes, “Oh yeah!” she finally sputtered out.

  “Yes,” said Rhia meeting the gaze and finding it not at all difficult. “I do not say this to make you angry. I say this because it has been on my mind for some time. I say this in the hopes my words will make you think about your behavior.”

  “Whatever,” said Mike with a snort and leaned back on the bed. “I guess you’re just jealous or something. Tell me when Marianna gets back.”

  Rhia finished her packing and went outside. Her mind seemed clear and when she looked everything was in sharp focus for the first time in a long time. Borrombo was nowhere to be seen, apparently having left while she was inside the wagon.

  Marianna arrived a short time later with a distraught look on her face, “I’m sorry, Rhia. I don’t know why I get so mad.”

  Rhia walked up to her and gave the girl a long hug, “There is nothing to apologize about. Speak your mind to me when you want and keep your thoughts to yourself if that’s what you want. Pack your things. We’re getting out of here now. We’re not coming back to this place.”