I remember once as a child, my mother had just hired a new girl to cook. She seemed nice enough but she had a bad habit of drifting off and burning things. Needless to say, she did not last very long in our house but the smell drifting out of the hall reminded me of her. I looked at Hetaron and told him to fall back. Lakarus was sending more men our way. I backed away from the door a bit more and waited for the rush. I never turned to look at Michaels but I knew he was there beside me, sword in hand. Five men came in the door, two of them came at me and tasted death right away. Two more were met by Michaels and Pare. The fifth however stood there in the door with his mouth hanging open, sword pointing towards the floor. "Lord Kromwell?" I nodded to him and he just shook his head. He returned his sword to its sheath, stepped into the room and dropped to one knee. "Forgive me, I just took the job for the coin, I did not know who we were after. He told us you were wanted for murder." I told him to stand down and to move aside. Hetaron was moving towards the door, going to deal with Lakarus head on.
I rushed into the hall behind Hetaron just in time to see him fire off another spell. The last three armored men were killed instantly by the fireball. The smell of roasted flesh once again filled the air. I followed Hetaron to the end of the hall where the bodies were still smoking. Lakarus was nowhere to be found. I never saw him again after that day, I do not know if Hetaron would say the same. The man who surrendered to us was one of my men on the field of battle. He still used the armor given to him by Boris. I told him to check the rest of the men who came with him, if any were still living he was to take them back to town. Hans and Michaels said prayers over the dead, gave them Solarths blessing in hopes that they would not join the ranks of undead that infested that place. When all was said and done, ten more men were laid to rest in the tomb with the old warrior.
The five of us followed the ones who still lived out of the tombs and out into the night. I watched as they walked away, sure they would not show their face again anytime soon. We spent the night in rest, out there under the stars. In the morning we returned back to the tunnels in search of a way to find the dragon’s lair. In the end Michaels was right, there was a back way in and we did find it. Rough tunnel walls led to a very large, well lit cave where we found our target. I made one last mental note that day to choke the wizard. Not because of anything he did, just because he was right. We stood there, quiet as could be, watching not one but three dragons sleeping.
25. Paladin
It was an odd sight. An adult red dragon and two young, laying in the sun. A single shaft of light filled the cave with light and warmth. We were the mice who found the cats at home napping in the kitchen. In hushed tones I asked my friends what we should do. We had the advantage, we could strike quick and do as much damage as possible before they wake. Maybe even kill one of the young without having it fight back. Hetaron and Hans had their heads together, wanting to time everything just right. I took a moment to look around and saw Michaels there, on his knees praying.
"Solarth, thank you for sending me this challenge. I will prove myself worth of you today or I will join you in the afterlife." All of our plans, meant nothing to him.
No one saw him stand up and start to walk until Pare was smacking me on the leg. We all watched in horror as Michaels, sword and shield in hand began marching towards the sleeping dragons. None of us could move as I did not believe what I was seeing. "Foul beast, servant of the dark lords, rise up to defend yourself. Your time of judgment is at hand." The young were the first to react to him. Truth be told, I don't think they understood what was going on at first but when they saw Michaels there, sword in hand they knew. When the mother opened her eyes she went from a state of peace to one of pure rage in a blink of an eye. As she rose up into a standing position we could all hear her breathing in. "Oh nooooo!" Pare was, as normal, the first one of us to speak.
I broke out into a run as the dragon unleashed its breath of flame. Hetaron said he must have had some kind of item protecting him. Hans simply told me that he has learned not to question the actions of the gods. Michaels stood his ground, shield raised high. When the flames stopped he was still there, unharmed and moving to attack the beast. The two young ones were moving to attack Michaels from behind until I let out a battle cry. One of the young came straight for me, the other towards Hans and Pare. I took one last look at Michaels, he seemed to be holding his own. Not that I had time to think about it.
The small beast was quick, all jaws and claws it seemed at one point. It seemed intent on backing me into a wall, not wanting to give me room to move. I scored a minor blow or two but nothing to slow it down. I started to press the advantage, making the little beast move away from me. He was so fast, I started to admire the small beast when it dawned on me that if I did not end it, he would only admire the taste of my flesh. The beast stood on his hind legs and grabbed my shield, trying to bite my head over the top of it. It was then that I got the attention of the mother, cutting deep into the flank of her child. I pushed it back away from me and took a mighty swing, nearly cutting the thing in two. With a great roar, the mother spread her wings, crying out in pain for her child. She then jumped at me.
I saw the lightning bolt strike the creature in mid leap. A gout of blood and sparks erupted from the dragons flank as she sailed into me. My world exploded into a blood red haze of pain. The creature did not land on me as she intended but she did manage to strike me. I remember the taste of blood in my mouth, it was my own. My vision had started to fade, the world was turning white. My life was over, I was sure that I would soon see the face of my friend Arturo. Instead I saw the face of another friend. Hans was able to convince his god that I should stick around awhile longer. Hans pulled me to my feet and we both turned to face a wounded beast.
In the end, we defeated the creature and both of its young. Not without some pain. I do not know how long the creature had been living in that hole but she managed to build up a large horde. Piles of gold taller than I stood, gems and other things. Using Hetarons flying carpet and a large wagon it took us two trips to haul it all away. I had to argue with him to make one last trip. Using my sword I cut out a large portion of the dragon’s skin. It was made into a cloak for me, I use it every day. We also cut the head off of the great beast. Today it rest over the fireplace of The Red Dragon Inn. Jasmin does not care for it but it gives the guest of the inn something to talk about.
We split up the gold five ways, Hans and Michaels gave most of their share to the temple. I still don't know where Hetaron stashed his share, all he really cared about was the fist sized diamond we found. Pare, well I see him in his room from time to time rolling around in his share. He never really spent anything as I gave him all that he wanted and more. A week after we returned home Michaels came to me in the early morning.
"Lord Kromwell" he said with a bow. "I wish to thank you for all that you have done for me. Both you and Hans hold an equal hand in what I have become. His faith and your courage have inspired me. I am now leaving Arcadia, seeking out my true purpose in life. Following the path Solarth has laid in front of me, seeing where it all leads to." I wished him luck and embraced him as a brother. I did not see him again for quite some time. I will write more of that, later. All things in good time. I am not yet ready to write of Paladins, gods and monsters. It is still too raw for me. Yet it is a story that must be told on another day.
26. Travel
For more than a month, things were quiet. With the dragons gone the men who worked my lands were free to return to work. The Red Dragon Inn was open and business was good. Jasmin and I worked from well before the sun came up and were still going at it until well after it went down. All the while still finding time to share our love for each other. It took quite some time to find the right people to work at the inn. We found that we had to have staff on hand, all day and all night. By the time it was all said and done, we had a staff of fifteen people to work and run the inn while Jasmin was in charge of the entire thing. Today, Jasmin only wor
ks four hours a day. Two in the mornings and two hours during the dinner shift. One night while laying in bed together Jasmin asked me if she would ever meet my family. I did not know what to say. While I did miss my mother I had no desire to ever see my father again. Just thinking about the man made me angry. Yet something made me tell her yes. Was it the look in her eyes, I am not sure. Even looking back today I still do not know why I told her we would go see them. It was a good time of year to travel back to Eystlund and there was a festival coming soon. As a child I always enjoyed the games and then there was the tournament. A brutal contest, gladiators who fought for a title as the Champion of Eystlund. I remember my mother trying to cover my eyes, trying to keep me from seeing the ones who died.
The following morning I began to make the arrangements. I sent a notice to King Roderick, gave Charles orders to follow while I was gone and a hundred other little things. I visited each one of my friends and asked them if they would like to travel with us. Hans was excited about the idea and was looking forward to seeing his old friends again. Hetaron at first refused yet later that day told me he would go with us. To this day I do not know why he changed his mind. I almost wish he had stayed behind, things might be different now. The one person who I thought would jump at the chance to go how ever wanted nothing to do with it. Pare gave me a complete look of dread when I told him where we were going.
‘There was this huge misunderstanding. Items were misplaced then replaced and misplaced again only to be found elsewhere. I somehow got caught up in it all and well, I was arrested. It was all one big misunderstanding Darmot, you have to believe me. Then they stuck me in this dark smelly cell with a guy who was clearly part Orc. He kept talking about how hungry he was and after a few days of that I couldn't take it anymore. That is when I left for Arcadia. It was all just one big mix up so I figured, why waste the poor judge’s time." I tried to ask him just what it was that he took but he wouldn't tell me. He just kept going on and on about him just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I had to promise him that I would take care of it and that he had nothing to worry about.
The following morning I made one last visit with my king. He had asked me to carry some papers to King Darius. So I asked Roderick for one small favor. I told him about the problem with Pare and asked him if he would send a note asking Darius to pardon Pare of any crimes he may be wanted for as a hero of Arcadia. Roderick at first laughed at me but when he saw that I was quite serious, he did it. In all my life, I have never had a better or more loyal friend than Pare. This was a small thing I could do for him after all the huge things he had done for me. His past was past and he had earned the right to be forgiven. I was not going to leave without that letter.
The night before we were to leave my friends and I were to have dinner together at the inn. It was the first time we had all been together since the day we returned home from killing the dragons. Hans gave a toast to honor Michaels and said a prayer of thanks over the meal. I thought Hetaron was going to be sick by the time he was done. Truth be told Hans was more than a little drunk and would feel it the next day. It did go on a bit long. As the evening went on, one by one my friends retired until it was just Jasmin, Pare and I. Pare was dead to the world in his chair. When Jasmin leaned over to whisper in my ear, I thought she was going to tell me something different. When she said, "we are being watched" any warmth I was feeling from the wine was washed away as my blood ran cold.
I did not see them at first. A hooded man was sitting near the fireplace. Once Jasmin said something I could feel the eyes on me. I was not sure what was going on but I wasn't going to let it happen with my wife in the same room. I stood up and lifted Pare up like a sleeping child and told my wife to follow me. On the third floor of the inn, there is a room set aside for us to use when needed. I took Pare and Jasmin there and told her to lock the door once I left the room. She tried to protest but I would not hear of it. I rushed back down to the common room only to see that the hooded figure was gone. I asked one of the serving girls where the person went and was told "she just left, went right out the door but not before leaving a nice tip. Hard woman that one was." I thought about going out to have a look around town. Not that I had my armor or a weapon on me. Just my belt, as Hetaron instructed I never took it off.
It was then that I saw the man who tried to kill me that night. He looked like hell and smelled worse. He did not have much more than rags covering his body, right down to his swollen bloody feet. Yet, there he was holding a nice long dagger. It gleamed in the firelight. I knew what he intended to do yet just looking at him standing there with that vacant look on his face made me laugh. It started out as a simple little grin and expanded into full blown laughter. As young and as foolish as I was, the thought that this man was going to kill me was more than I could take. Soon tears were rolling down my face, I could not control myself. I was close to being doubled over when the old beggar made his move.
His mouth was open, yet no sound issued forth. His hand held the knife high over his head. His feet flapped on the wooden floors. By his third step this was no longer a laughing matter. The words Hetaron spoke to me about contracts came back in a flash. This man aimed to collect by sticking that knife deep into my chest. With his fourth step, his mouth opened a little bit more, his body stood up straighter and with his fifth step he started his downward swing. His sixth step never fell. In one smooth motion I grabbed his arm with the knife, with my other hand I gripped the rags that were wrapped around his chest. Two voices I could hear, both women screaming as I pushed him back and started to lift.
It was simple enough, he was light as a feather. I took three more steps forward, slamming his homeless body down on one of my new tables. My hand was gripping his wrist, crushing the bones with my strength. As his knife fell from his grip I pushed my face into his and asked him who. He had no tongue and could not speak. It was then that my rage took hold. I lifted him up one last time and threw him across the room. His head struck the fireplace, breaking his neck. All I could see though was that red dragon looking down on me. For a single moment I thought I saw it grin. If she was hoping for revenge, she would have a bit longer to wait.
The night watch was summoned, the body was taken away. No one ever knew his name. I spent the night awake, my rage would not let me sleep. A nameless man, without voice came to kill me for a single gold coin. It was wrapped up in his other fist and only came out with his death. The following day, without a minute of sleep I loaded my wife and friends into two wagons and began the long journey home. Two weeks later, I set my eyes on Eystlund for the first time in more than two long years.
27. Tales
During the trip to Eystlund. Hans was in a wagon with Jasmin and myself. Pare was riding with Hetaron and his apprentice. For the most part, the trip was without incident. There was one minor argument between Hetaron and myself though I don’t remember today what caused it. That being said, it was close to ugly for a moment until I remembered that the man was my friend. Even though, friendship can only take you so far. One sunny day while sitting next to Hans, who was driving the wagon he told me a story about his old friends, that he was so excited to see when we arrived. When he started the story, the names did not mean a thing to me. While I had listened to Hans’s talk of his mentor before, none of it really sunk in about just who he was.
It all started with a simple question that he asked of me. "Have you ever been on a ship?" At the time I had not, today it is quite a different story. "Well, since we have the time I will tell you about this. We were being sent on a quest. Sent to acquire an item of great power that had been lost, The Rod of the Arcane. When we left Eystlund, there were six of us. Zackary, William, Lomark, Zender and a young man named Kristos. We were headed to Orcenhome.” The name Orcenhome gave me a chill. It was once called Dweomorak. It was the ancestral mountain home of the Dwarves. At least until the day the Orcs invaded and took the mountain for themselves.
“I do not know how our rout was plotted but I was
just along for the ride at that point. I was at a crossroads in my life and it did not hold the value I see in it today. At one point we ended up on this ship, crossing Darknight Bay. Like I said, the details of how we got to where we were going are not clear to me. I just went along for the pay and adventure."
"Zender was in charge of our little group, he was our leader. No one questioned him except for Lomark who believed he was in charge. All things being equal, they worked well together. They are very much, two sides of the same coin. Granted, one side is white and the other black. It wasn't a huge ship but it was big enough. Truth be told, if it was any smaller I might not be here today. Our passage had been arranged for before we arrived. Once Zender checked in with the captain we were shown where to store our gear and given a place to rest. It was to be a simple trip. I heard someone say something about bad weather coming but it looked much like today. Slight bit of wind without a cloud in the sky.
I was rolling some dice with Zackary and William when the first rumble of thunder was heard. That was when I went up on deck and saw an image I will not soon forget. Zender, robes of white over an ancient set of plate armor, his hammer and shield in hand. Lomark, holding only his staff with his black flowing robes blowing in the wind. They were watching poor Kristos lose his guts over the side of the ship. I walked up and stood between the two of them. I did not speak, I only listened.
"Most of the storm will miss us but it will be just enough to make things interesting."
"Did your god tell you this?"
"No, he told me that there was danger coming but it isn't the storm."
"Really, what else did he tell you cleric?"
"That I need to work harder on turning you from your path. That no matter how evil you think you are, there is much good inside of you. Even if you did send the boy up to the top of that damn tower. We just have to keep working, soon you will see the light of Solarth is there to guide you, not to blind you."
Death Or Fortune Page 10
