“Do you?”
Maddox shrugged, mimicking his grandfather’s body language. “I may have a few, but not what they wanted.”
Gorias glanced down the sparsely populated avenue. “Nice spot. Somewhat devoid of thugs, too.”
Kayla studied the old man, even poked him with her bow. “You called him a Nephilum, not an ogre like Mitre Stillwell. They’re nearly the same size.”
Gorias nodded. “Nephilum claim to be fathered by fallen angels and have six fingers and six toes, see? Plus, they are always in better shape and harder to kill. An ogre? Well, I think they come from really ugly people, but that’s my own theory. Mitre is just a freak. He told me his mother slept with a Nephilum, but I think she just fell for a line of crap. Let’s go to the whore-house and talk about it later.”
Tammas glanced at Gorias. “Can you still…”
He roared with laughter. “My back is shot, kid. But ya don’t have to stand up for them to go down. Let’s go. Sing me a song, youngster. I like ballads.”
CHAPTER IV
Ballad of Matty Graum
*
Far off to the south of them, in a forbidding fortress of Kanoch, Nosmada peered into a stone well. The waters stood still and up to the brim of the stone circle. The tall, black haired man noted the guard behind him and the bent figure beside him.
Hands on his hips, he said to the elderly woman, “You saw it, Zillian?”
She brushed back a silky, purple hood as a creaking voice acknowledged Nosmada’s words. “From the Well of Sorrows, yes, I saw the gilded jewel through the shield. You see the boy Maddox indeed stole what is required from the wizard.”
Nosmada scratched his dark beard and brooded for a moment. The torches on the walls illuminated his features and added to his fearsome appearance. His hawkish nose centered over unusually high cheekbones. His heavy brow hooded his features. His jaw jutted out nearly as far, creating a bizarre profile of a crescent.
He extended his hand and pointed into the Well of Sorrows. “You saw him?”
Zillian nodded and closed her eyes. In the pulsing light her butterscotch colored eyes opened to glow like fire. She growled, “Yes and a curse be on him. Well, not that a curse from me would be able to nuisance one such as La Gaul.”
Nosmada turned to the tall man behind them. The muscle bound guard stood, blank faced, and looked back at his master. “Lannon? You know who that was?”
“Of course, Lord Nosmada. The myth himself, Gorias La Gaul.”
Zillian snapped, “Why is he there of all folk? Why does he step into this path at such a time?”
“La Gaul,” Nosmada said with a grim voice, but not with heavy malice. His nostrils flared. “We considered him as alive for certain. It doesn’t matter. Gorias is old and near death. We have the troopers led by Tolin on the way to gather weapons from the Foundry of Syn. What can one old man do to us?”
Zillian glared at him and said. “I need not remind you how important it is we seize Wyss before his followers?”
He shrugged and turned from the well. As he took a few steps, Lannon gave him room to move. “It matters not if he arises in his dead flesh. What’s he going to do, tell his secrets to La Gaul? Unlikely. If Wyss’ worshipers carry out their mad plan, Wyss will fall into line with my order or depart this life again.” He turned back to the stone circle and the lingering representation there. Scarlet splashed across the waters and the image of the old warrior faded. “Gorias La Gaul visiting his grandson at this time. Who would have thought?”
Zillian trembled, her skeletal body never calming as her hands slapped the side of the well. “If he slew the wizard of Hawkabel, then the Nephilum himself must be dead as well. How could the old one have done that in his sickly condition?”
Nosmada almost smiled, tilted his head. “He’s resourceful, you know. Perhaps he was aided. We cannot see it.”
“That is the story, my Lord. That Gorias has a great resource watching over him.”
His blemished forehead full of furrows, Nosmada swung an arm out dismissively. “Bah. Such interventionalist thinking is madness. The old story about Gorias and Ezran Gavreel? Nonsense. If the ones on high were about stopping me, I’d be dead seven fold by now.” He paused. “He slew the wizard with ease.”
Zillian nodded, placed her hand between her sunken breasts, twitched, and then looked away.
“Didn’t that wizard father children with you in ages past?”
“He was not alone in that regard. If he died that easily, he was a bad progenitor now, wasn’t he? Still, there is one problem that still exists—that of Wyss.”
Nosmada laughed and Lannon kept his jaw clenched firm. “Gorias is a fading dream and morning is nigh. I, too, wandered the earth for ages until I came unto this place and built it for my son. After much travel, I failed to find what ailed my soul. Only here have I found the answer. I will not have my plans thwarted by this relic from a bygone era.”
*****
Gorias, Maddox ,and Tammas packed their horses. They took the mount that the wizard of Nosmada rode and gave it to Kayla. Gorias heard the young bard whisper to Maddox, “He doesn’t seem to mind me coming along?”
Maddox cinched up his bags and checked to see that his bow was on the saddle correctly. “Grandfather is a different sort. You may not want to come along, Tammas. Old La Gaul is tough, but he’s fair. You may have better opportunities for adventure or just plain living elsewhere.”
Tammas gazed at the hole in the wall and the pile of wood under the giant’s body. He pondered Maddox’ words.
Gorias ripped planks and added to the firewood already gathered. He struck flints under the straw in the pile and lit the monster on fire. He picked up the body of the wizard and threw it on the headless corpse of the giant.
Kayla gravitated near Gorias as if she wanted to help him with the task, but he never asked for aid.
Tammas shivered. “I cannot stay here if more of Nosmada’s party is nearby.”
“You’re just a kid.” Gorias coughed as flames licked the body of the giant. “Hardly worth killing. No threat from a kid who sings, huh? We’ll see if we can change that. Good disguise you have as such a helpless guy, though.”
Tammas looked at the small harp he strapped to his horse. “Um, yes, it is, sir,” he said, trying to stand at attention.
Maddox pointed at Kayla, who brooded with her head down. “What good is she?”
“She carries a bow,” Gorias said flippantly, drawing a few tired breaths as he looked from the fire to the daughter of Lira Rhan. “Girl, can you shoot and ride?”
Kayla Rhan nodded, her hands on her belt as if she were ready to draw steel and demonstrate her abilities.
“There you go,” Gorias replied, trying to get comfortable in the saddle. “Mounted archery is a skill, son.”
We made need such a skill?” Maddox’s voice almost cracked as his face flushed.
“C’mon, men,” Gorias said as he climbed in the saddle. He eyed Kayla and smirked. “Or, near as much to them as ya can get. We shall hit the Madam’s house before we depart. If we play this right, we’ll get some fabulous treasure and all the whores we can eat.”
Maddox eyed his grandfather, confused. “Treasure? What did he say? Where are we going?”
“If you got the forces of Nosmada sniffing for you,” Gorias said, glancing around, “does it matter where in the world I take you?”
Maddox climbed into the saddle, gripped the reins, and then shrugged. “I suppose not.”
Gorias put both hands to his head and massaged his wrinkled temples, admitting, “I was just joking about the treasure.”
*****
Crossing over to the southeastern side of the city, the trio set out for a small gathering of buildings. These buildings sat situated near a large well and a covered cistern. They possessed a stable, a sleeping ho
stel for lodgers, a small tavern, and a whorehouse. It was a business-like atmosphere in each establishment. A few linkmen lit lamps on their iron standards.
“Why, Madam Wilkens,” Gorias called out to the woman on the porch of the brothel. “It has been eons.”
While the party dismounted, the tall woman put her long fingers on the hitching posts. They reminded Gorias of giant spiders. Her voice rang deep, and showed advanced age even if her form did not betray her years. “Gorias La Gaul? I win the bet with Jacquee and Rudi. You didn’t die in the valley of the vipers.” She chuckled deep in her throat and swept back her long, lush hair. “As far as how many eons, keep that to yourself.”
Gorias tied up his horse then placed a boot on the steps leading up to the porch. “A gentlemen never tells years, my dear.”
“Since when did you become a gentleman?” she said, letting her head turn in the light night air. When she performed this action, none of them had to strain their eyes to see the sheen of her waving hair. The luster in her black as night locks almost glittered, making them stare.
“Never said I was. Just stating a fact. Sorry to arrive so late, but it couldn’t be helped.”
Madam Wilkens sighed and motioned for them all to enter her establishment. Her gaze rested on each one, reading them in full. When she removed her over-cloak, she revealed a shimmering taffeta gown. The edges were embroidered with golden swirls. The cuffs and neck were lined with delicate fur or lines of colored beads.
“I eavesdropped on one of the ladies and their pillow talk earlier. They said you were in Khabnur. Quite a crew you have.”
“Some have greatness thrust upon them,” he muttered as he put a large canvas bag down on her foyer table, placing his hands on his waist. “Some of us take what we can get. Any girls awake or clean?”
“A few. So how did you escape the valley of the vipers?” She smiled, reached out to him, and tapped the back of her left hand on his chest. There was a clacking sound when she did this.
“Stealth,” he said with a gruff cough, turning from the bag that he never opened. “How’s business?”
“Good, seeing as all of these mercs and outlaws are in Khabnur.” Madam Wilkens sighed as he gave her gold coins. He waved to his grandson to go on up the stairs and pick out a partner. “We had an incident the other night over who would get Rudi.”
“Yeah?” Gorias asked, leaning his hips on a large couch. When he reclined, the old man made a crunching sound that caused everyone to look at him, save for the Madam.
Wilkens nodded and glanced down at the opal ring on her left hand. “Yes. Three of those outlaws went outside and the shouting started. By the time the constables arrived, two of them hung up the third and well…”
A knowing sigh escaped Gorias, but Tammas appeared confused.
“What? What happened?”
The Madam and Gorias looked at each other, then both sighed. “They strung him up and gelded him. You really do need to get your naughty little ass out more, boy child.”
“There’s a lot of people raised in-doors, Madam,” Gorias said. “I met a young puppy--Lemach was that his name? I forget. Anyway, I don’t know if sunlight ever hit his belly. A real palace servant, never drunk on duty, but I guess that is what happens when there are too many people on earth. Even the weak have to have a purpose.”
Wilkens smiled. “I would say so, Lord La Gaul.”
He watched Tammas turn away, sit in the foyer of the whorehouse, and set up his small harp. The old man glanced at Kayla, who raised an eyebrow at him as she clutched her leather belt.
“Is that your racket, kid? Play for your supper, so to speak? I like your thinking, but I paid for you already.”
“No thank you sir. I am a celibate,” Tammas said, never making eye contact with La Gaul.
Gorias took off his cloak. “Well, isn’t that something?”
“Does that disturb you?” Tammas’ hands soothed the harp’s edges.
“No. Never know when I may need a virgin for sacrifice on a trip.”
Tammas looked up and did a double-take at La Gaul. On his forearms rested bluish colored armor guards with tiny ivory spikes sticking out….no…nails! Tammas gasped as he stared at the light body armor Gorias wore under his cloak. Kayla blinked at him, her expression flushed and confused.
The old man motioned to a woman with long red tresses down her woolen dress and said to Tammas, “What, never seen dragon’s skin before?”
“Are all the legends about you true?”
Gorias nodded at the prostitute then at Madam Wilkens. He winked at Tammas. “Damn, I sure hope so.”
Kayla’s pale hand reached out and touched the dragon plating, then she ran her fingers over the nail on Gorias’ forearm—the object that obviously gutted the giant earlier. She swallowed hard, her eyes cloudy as if in a dream.
“Well, little sister,” he said to her gently, trying to cut through the apprehension in her. “I don’t know what there is for you to do here. If you prefer women…”
Kayla shook her head. “No, Lord La Gaul. If I preferred, I would go to the tavern off yonder and get a man. The mood doesn’t strike me this night.”
He nodded and headed for the stairs. “Call me Gorias.” The big man never eyed the red headed whore who asked if she could call him that as well. “Yeah, what ever pleases you.”
Kayla watched him walk away. Her chest rose and fell fast. Her hands tried to stay busy, as if her thoughts couldn’t be suppressed save for action.
Tammas plucked a few strings, cleared his throat. “Do you think he was kidding about the virgin sacrifice?”
With a shrug, Kayla settled in. “One never knows. I’m not worried about it.”
*****
Tammas settled in behind his harp as Maddox and Gorias disappeared upstairs in the house. He strummed and began to sing.
“I am a dark, way worn traveler
Wandering in this evil world so slow.
I have no sickness, no anger, nor fears
For this great end to which I go…”
The Madam smiled in approval and took up knitting a pillow casing as he sang. “You have a lovely voice, young man. Do go on.”
“I’m going to die, to see my father
And all my family who have crossed alone.
I am just traveling all alone now.
I’m just striving to reach my home.”
She hummed the tune as he strummed and, after a spell, the Madam offered to end his virginity for free. Tammas declined.
Tammas paused in his song. “You seem quite intelligent.”
Madam Wilkens looked up. “For a whore?”
His harp dropped a little. “Oh dear. Well, yes, for a whore, if you will. How is it that you came to run such a place?”
“I was comely once. I decided I wouldn’t spend my life busting my back or on my back. Time chews at all of us, boy, and I know the destination of whores. I didn’t want to be strangled and put on a pyre for giggling at a less than endowed politician, so I decided years ago to save my money and go into management. This way, I pick and choose who I sleep with.”
“I just wondered…”
She put down her needles and stared at Tammas in a motherly way. “Humor me, boy. How is it that fate finds you in the company of Gorias La Gaul?”
“I’m friends with Maddox La Gaul, his grandson. We have been drinking buddies for a few months.”
“I assumed you were fodder.”
“Pardon me?”
“Fodder. You know, some fool he brought along to take up a blade thrust meant for him. My mistake.”
*****
Some time passed before Gorias shambled down the stairs and collapsed on a reclining couch near Tammas. Drinking from a skin of red wine given to him by Madam Wilkens, he waved at the young man and ordered, “Play me something I k
now, kid.” He looked at Kayla who sharpened a dagger. Her jaw appeared locked. Was it jealousy of the whores? He didn’t know, refused to ponder it, and relaxed.
Tammas cracked his knuckles. “Are the ballads about you true, sir?”
Gorias snorted and stretched out, watching Madam Wilkens bring him a tray of wafers, nuts, and candies. “Hard to say. I never wrote any of them.”
“How did you get those armored sleeves and plates?”
La Gaul touched his dragon’s scaled armor then took a handful of walnuts in his hand and chuckled. “Sing me a good song and I may tell you.”
Tammas nodded, fingering the harp. “There’s one I’ve heard all my life and I wondered if there’s any certainty in it.” The boy cleared his throat.
“On the high and finest and greatest holiday
On the very best day of the year
Young Matty Graum walked to temple
The Holy word to hear.
And some walked in adorned in white
And some in crimson and blue
And then came in Lord La Gaul’s wife
A flower amongst the few.”
As Tammas played an instrumental break, Gorias wore a small smile, but never said a word. Kayla sharpened her knife, eyes on the old man, showing no emotion.
“She looked at him, he looked at her
The like had never been done.
And when she arose and took his hand
and bade him come along…
Well they tossed and they turned in the bed all night
Till they were fast asleep
And in the light of the new morning dawn
Gorias La Gaul stood at their feet.”
While he strummed, Tammas saw the old Madam gaze at Gorias and smile. She shook her head as Gorias closed his eyes.
“Gorias said, get up, young Matty Graum
And put your clothing on.
I’ll never have it said in the whole wide world
That I slayed a naked man.
Matty said I won’t get up, I won’t get dressed
I fear so for my life
For you have got two very sharp swords
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