The Greystone Chronicles Book Two: The Dire Lands

by Dave Willmarth

  Alexander took the hint and departed with alacrity.

  Making his way to the palace gate, he informed the sergeant on duty that he wished an audience with the king. He assumed Edward would have said something, but couldn’t be sure.

  Passing through the inner bailey gate, he was met by Captain Redmond. “Edward said you’d be arriving soon. Welcome back.”

  “I just narrowly avoided an encounter with the whole group of ladies at your place. Lydia saved me and allowed a reasonably honorable retreat.” Alexander grinned.

  “HA! You’re lucky she didn’t drag you in and try to examine you. She’s in a nesting mood lately,” the captain said as the two men fell into step and entered the palace.

  “Speaking of nesting, Kai’s mate has decided to make Dire Keep her very own brooding nest,” Alexander shared.

  The captain poked him in the ribs. “Careful, lad. Pregnancy is contagious!” Alexander rolled his eyes.

  Entering one of the smaller meeting halls, Alexander found Edward already speaking to the king and queen. The prince was trying to tell the story of how he cut down demons with the light cannon. But he kept being interrupted by his mother smoothing out his hair or otherwise fussing over him. Both Alexander and the captain chuckled. They each took a seat and waited for the prince to finish his tale. To his credit, he barely embellished his own role in the fighting.

  “Welcome, Alexander!” The king acknowledged his presence. “I believe I can guess what brings you here today.” He laughed.

  “Yes, Majesty. It seems young Edward here has already shared with you most of what I would report.” Alexander winked at the prince as he bowed his head to the king and then the queen.

  “Demons, duergar, Baron Dire still alive, a moat monster, and a new weapon invented by yourself!” the king summarized. “Is there even more than that?”

  “Well, Majesty, I had intended to report that the prince has acquitted himself quite well. Both as a squire, and in battle. His accounting, what I heard of it, was quite accurate. Though there may have been slightly fewer demons than he recalls.” He grinned.

  “HAHAHA!” the king’s laughter echoed through the room. “What lad doesn’t exaggerate the number and strength of his foes?” He thumped his son on the back as the prince smiled sheepishly.

  “Indeed, Majesty. And speaking of foes, there are a few other items of importance that I’d like to discuss. At your leisure, of course.” Alexander bowed his head.

  “Come to my study. We shall leave the queen some time with her long-lost son.” The king rose and headed out a side door, Alexander and Captain Redmond following. Both men bowed to the queen as they passed.

  Once in the study, the king motioned for them to sit. “I’m told there’s a bounty on your head in Antalia,” he began.

  “Yes, sire. So I’ve been told. We also learned that it was the queen’s guards who posted the bounty notices in the square,” Alexander replied.

  Both men’s eyes widened at this. “So you suspect the queen is being influenced by this Dark One?” the king asked.

  “I do not know if it’s the queen, or one of her circle. But I would certainly like to find out,” Alexander said. “I have plans to raid the PWP guild headquarters there. I’d like to know in advance if I’m likely to face the entire city guard when I do so. And I think I have an idea how we can find out.”

  “I’m listening.” The king leaned forward in his chair.

  “There’s a man in prison there. An adventurer named Martin. He was the original leader of PWP when it was a priest’s and healer’s guild. He was framed for murder by Henry, the guild leader you have in custody, in order to clear the path for him to take over PWP.”

  “Yes. Henry actually bragged about how easy it was during his interrogation,” Captain Redmond confirmed.

  “So, I would ask that your Majesty make a personal request to the queen that Martin be transferred here for questioning relative to a murder or some other serious crime. Let the queen know that another man confessed to the crime Marin was sentenced for. If she does not cooperate, then we’ll know there’s an issue.”

  “I see. And your other reason for bringing this man here?” the king asked with a smirk. “I know you, Alexander. There’s a reason you picked this particular man.”

  “I think I can guess, sire.” Captain Redmond spoke up. “I was with Alexander when he spoke to Amelia, one of the PWP officers that we captured. She is the one who convinced several of the other officers to surrender. I believe Alexander intends to have Martin released once he gets here, and to enlist his help in the raid on the guild house.”

  Alexander nodded his head. “Not only that, though. I intend to help him reform PWP as it was, to restore it to a guild of light. And to make them allies of Dire Keep, and by extension, Stormforge. With your help and permission, Sire. Once we’ve spoken to him, if we agree that he is trustworthy and capable, I’ll offer him Greystone’s former guild house as a temporary base of operation.”

  “I can see that you’ve put some thought into this,” the king said. “I am impressed, Alexander. Your plan is devious, ambitious, and well-meaning all at the same time.”

  The king moved to his desk, retrieving parchment, a pen, and his royal seal kit. As he wrote, he said, “Was that all? Or did you have more you wish to discuss?”

  “Majesty, I wanted to ask about the duergar. To make sure you have no objections to them remaining in your kingdom,” Alexander replied. “Also, I’m afraid I have arrested a fair number of adventurers and banished them to your prison for trial.”

  “Ha! A fair number, you say? Seems like every time I turn around your prisoners are appearing in my courtyard. The last group being from a guild called Chaos Nation?”

  “My apologies, Majesty. I do not yet have the capability to detain them at the keep. Though I expect to shortly. As for Chaos Nation, it is yet another guild under the influence of the Dark One.”

  “Then I shall declare Chaos Nation enemies of the realm as well. At least until you wipe them out and rehabilitate them?” The king winked at Alexander. “As for the duergar. I trust your judgement. If you say they are allies, we will treat them as such. Though it may take some time for the citizens of the city to accept them.”

  “Thank you, sire. I am hoping they will decide to swear the oath and become citizens of Dire Keep. If they do not, I will keep a close eye on them.” Alexander paused to think for a moment.

  “I don’t know how much Edward told you before I arrived. We have also made alliance with a tribe of rock trolls that were living in the mine. And we discovered a couple of mithril rockworms, which are now being trained at Broken Mountain. In a year or so I expect our mine production, and thus your tax income, to increase substantially.”

  “Always good news to hear.” The king nodded his head as he sealed his note to the Queen of Antalia.

  “Also, Majesty. As I said, Edward has shown himself to be a true prince among men. Both in combat, and in his daily behavior. He thinks quickly and acts in the best interests of those he serves. You should be proud of him.”

  “But…” The king motioned for him to continue.

  “But we have information that a large-scale attack on the keep is imminent. One I fear we may not yet be ready for. I cannot guarantee Edward’s safety. So, I have a proposal for you. Edward is quite fond of the light cannons. I could create a few for Stormforge to use in its defense. I could then order my young squire Edward to remain here in Stormforge for a week or so to instruct your soldiers on its use. He is, after all, the closest thing to an expert with the weapon. He’s fired it more than any other by far. They’re very handy for clearing trees if you have a need. That is how he initially trained.”

  “Thus removing my son from harm, while making him feel useful, and giving him a chance to brag to our men about his battle prowess.” The king shook his head. “Alexander, do you ever do anything that doesn’t have two or three or five purposes behind it?”

  “I try
for at least three, sire.” Alexander bowed his head in mock humility.

  “HA! I believe you. As for my son, I know his mother would appreciate your suggestion. And I believe he has earned some good experience with you this last week. IF you can convince him to accept this ‘mission’, then I will play along.”

  “Thank you, Sire. If you’ve nothing else for me, I’ll return to the manor and begin crafting light cannons. I’m afraid I can only make two or three today.”

  “Two is plenty. Save your resources for when they’re needed. And thank you, Alexander.” The king reached out a hand, which Alexander shook. “I’ll have a messenger deliver this request to the queen’s hand directly. I’ll reach out to you on your ring when I have news. Good luck, son.”

  Back at Greystone Manor, Alexander sat down at his crafting table near the garden. He pulled out two ten-pound chunks of obsidian, and began to work on the cannons. Brick approached as he completed the first one, having returned from the paladin trainer in the city. Without a word, he picked up the cannon and headed into the smithy.

  Alexander took a break, allowing his mana to recharge. By his best estimate, tomorrow would be the earliest possible day that the Dark One’s forces might attack. More likely the day after. But he needed to be prepared. He had his walls, and his moat. He had the light cannons and consecrated ground for undead minions. The Greystone guild was now a solid group of fourteen players. And there were nearly 200 citizens willing to fight to defend the keep. Closer to 350 if he could call on the duergar and the trolls. Not to mention the elder wizard and a dragon or two.

  Still, he didn’t feel prepared. He suspected that no matter how well prepared he was he’d still feel lacking. He didn’t just want to win. He wanted to win without any casualties among his citizens. He had no interest in a fair fight.

  Surfacing from his contemplation, he went to work on the second cannon. When he was done, he took it to the smithy. Apparently, the master smiths had improved upon Brick’s previous design, modifying the trigger. Alexander handed them the second cannon, and left them to it.

  Returning to his table, he decided to practice with his new spells. As there was nobody around to attack, or to heal, he decided on levitation.

  Pulling a simple dagger from his bag, he set it on the table. He focused his mind on the ‘levitate’ spell, and commanded the dagger to rise. It wobbled briefly, then lifted about an inch above the surface of the table. Concentrating on the dagger, and using his hand to focus his intent, he moved his hand upward. The dagger rose. He moved his hand right, then left, then up again. Each time, the dagger followed the movement. Cancelling the spell, he caught the dagger as it fell.

  This is AWESOME! I can use this for a physical ranged attack. Shoot daggers or swords at mobs without even touching them!

  He took some time to rest. He’d drained his mana nearly completely making the cannons, and hadn’t recovered much before spending 300 mana on the levitation spell.

  Suddenly an idea struck him. He gulped down a mana potion, then rose and walked over to the smithy. He stopped at the doorway, only sticking his head inside. The dwarves were all still discussing the trigger modification for the cannons. The one he’d made first was sitting on an anvil in the middle of the group.

  Grinning to himself, Alexander cast levitation on the cannon. It rose slightly off the surface of the anvil. Nobody seemed to notice. So with a flick of his hand, he commanded it to rise a full foot. This immediately quieted the dwarves. He raised it to eye level, and turned it so that the barrel pointed at Brick. His friend, more familiar with guns than his companions, ducked out of the field of fire. Alexander spun the cannon slowly, causing several of the dwarves to follow Brick’s lead and duck down. As the commotion increased, one brave master made a grab for the weapon. Alexander flicked his hand upward, and cannon rose out of reach.

  Then, deciding the dwarves had had enough, he lowered the cannon back to the table. He couldn’t suppress a chuckle as the dwarves stared at the motionless cannon in suspicious silence.

  Hearing Alexander’s laugh, Brick spun around. “Ye did this? What’d ye do?” his friend demanded.

  The other dwarves turned to see Alexander’s laughing face peeking around the door frame, and a roar of protests erupted!

  “Ye no’ be funny!”

  “Damned prankster!”

  “I’ll get ye fer this!”

  Slowly, the sound of a single dwarf laughing emerged from the ruckus. As it grew louder, the others grew quieter. Alexander saw Ironhammer shaking his head and laughing wholeheartedly. He paused and said, “The boy nearly made ye all crap yer shorts!” then burst into a loud, “BWAHAHAHA!”

  After a moment, the others began to join in. Soon enough, the whole smithy was roaring with laughter. Waving at the smiths, Alexander headed back to his table to wait for Edward to show up.

  It wasn’t long before Brick came over carrying the two completed cannons. He sat down next to Alexander. “New spell?” he asked.

  “Levitation. Seems useful,” Alexander replied.

  “BWHAHA! That it do.” Brick grinned at him.

  Finding themselves with some free time, the two of them went to work making more dragon pins. If things went to plan, they’d need nearly 150 more of them for the duergar soon. While they worked, Alexander filled Brick in on his plan to leave the prince in Stormforge. Brick agreed it was probably best.

  Alexander was outlining his plans to revive the old PWP when Edward walked through the gates. Seeing two new light cannons, the boy made a bee-line for the table.

  Lifting one of the cannons, it took him only a moment to notice the modification. “It’s got a different trigger system. I like it,” he said.

  “I’m glad. Because I need your help with something,” Alexander said. The prince looked at him, waiting.

  “These cannons are for your father. For the defense of Stormforge in case the demons or undead attack the city. You’re the most experienced of us at firing these things. You did a great job down in the caverns. I was hoping you’d be willing to train a unit of your father’s guards how to use them without killing any allies. Explain to them the tactics you worked out.”

  Edward was nodding his head, and seemed about to agree. Suddenly his look became suspicious. “I know what this is about.”

  Alexander did his best to keep a poker face.

  “This is about last night. You want some alone time with Jules. Without me interrupting!”

  “BWAHAHA!” Brick’s laugh made Alexander blush.

  “No, it is not. I mean, yes. I want quality time with Jules. But that is not why I’m asking you to do this. Brick and I need to focus on the keep. I could send one of the guards, but they’ve only fired at trees. And I need all of them to cover watch shifts. You truly are the best man for this job.”

  Edward nodded. “I’ll take these to Captain Redmond, and we’ll pick a squad or two to train.”

  He lifted a cannon onto each shoulder, and was off.

  Chapter Seventeen New Friends, Old Enemies

  As lunch time approached, the guild members began to drift into the compound in ones and two. Max was enthused about a new ranger ability he’d learned. Pulling the friends to the back courtyard, he produced five clay bottles from his bag. Moving to the wall that Alexander had raised to block the back door, he set the bottles in a row along the top.

  Moving back to stand with his guild mates, he said, “Watch this.” Raising his bow, he fired an arrow at the middle bottle. Almost faster than the eye could see, the arrow reached the halfway point to the bottle, then split apart. Suddenly there were five arrows, each racing to shatter a different bottle.

  “What’d them bottles ever do to you?” Helga laughed.

  “That was awesome!” Lainey enthused, smiling at Max.

  The others all began to brag about new skills they had learned. Though there were no more flashy demonstrations. Before long, the merchants arrived with the caravan of wagons, followed by Plowrig
ht and his livestock.

  Brick opened the portal, and they all returned to the keep.

  Alexander met with Silverbeard, who was dividing up supplies from the wagons and making a pile that was set aside for the duergar.

  “Have we heard from Gelag or his people?” Alexander asked.

  “Gelag and a small group walked in shortly after ye left. He be awaiting ye in the Great Hall.”

  “Thank you, Master Silverbeard. Is there anything you need from me? We haven’t had much time to talk in the last few days.”

  “No, I be doin’ just fine. Jeeves telled me about yer large dining room idea. We drew up a plan and he be already workin’ on clearin’ the space.” Silverbeard looked thoughtful for a moment.

  “But if ye be planning fer the duergar to live in the keep, we’ll be needin’ much more livin’ space. They be used to not havin’ windows, so maybe cut deeper into the mountain?” he added.