by Nova Rose
* * *
Rybnik stood at the table directly across from Galbrok. Blynak stood a few feet away at the same meeting. The irate mood permeated them. Galbrok radiated fear. Even the boastful Blynak remained silent. Rybnik remained impassive with a cold and unreadable expression. He laughed inwardly at the sweat that dotted Blynak’s brow.
“I’ve called you here,” began Galbrok, “Because Tesnayr and his army will be here shortly. He seems to be well informed of our defenses.”
Blynak began to speak, but cut himself off.
“Something to say, Blynak?” asked Galbrok.
“Yes, we appear to have a traitor in our midst,” said Blynak.
Galbrok fiddled with his knife. He used the five inch blade to pick his teeth. “You think I don’t know that?”
“Of course not. Naturally, you would already be aware of such things,” said Blynak, nervously.
A messenger darted into the room. He whispered in Galbrok’s ear and left just as quickly.
A loud bang reverberated through the room as Galbrok jammed his knife into the table. “Belyndril has fallen,” yelled Galbrok, his voice bouncing off the walls. “Their army has taken back their city of La’nar. How did this happen?”
“Surely, my lord, you already know,” said Rybnik smoothly, “There is only one answer: the traitor.”
“And who might that be I wonder,” said Blynak.
“Are you accusing me of something,” demanded Rybnik.
“Yes,” said Blynak, “I am accusing you. Who knows of Drynelle’s defenses better than you? And yet Tesnayr knows of them as well.”
“Who knows of La’nar’s defenses best? I have never been to Belyndril. But you managed to take the city of La’nar once fifteen years ago,” said Rybnik. “And you have been here in Drynelle long enough to learn every inch of it.”
“And what about your disappearances,” said Blynak. He moved closer to Rybnik with a smug grin on his face. “Where do you go in the darkest hours of the night?”
Rybnik glanced about him. All eyes were upon him. Galbrok looked at him expectantly. “You are correct, my Lord Galbrok,” said Rybnik in a calm manner, “We do have a traitor in our midst. And he is here in this room. I have been taking nightly strolls, but that is because I have been following that traitor. I have been following Blynak.”
“Me?” Blynak backed away. “I am no traitor.”
“You are the only person in this room with insight of both La’nar and Drynelle. You have vanished each night to meet with a man from Tesnayr’s army. Feeding him information.”
“That’s preposterous!” roared Blynak.
“I have proof,” said Rybnik.
“Show it to me,” commanded Galbrok.
“Surely you don’t believe this man,” pleaded Blynak. Fear clouded his face.
“Show me,” yelled Galbrok.
“Check his pockets,” said Rybnik.
Two orcs seized Blynak’s arms and pulled a scroll from his pocket. They handed it to Galbrok who snatched it and quickly unrolled it. Anger flushed his features. “These are my plans for winning this war,” said Galbrok. “How did you get these?”
“They’re not mine,” screamed Blynak. “It’s not mine!”
“He snuck into your chambers this morning,” said Rybnik, “I followed him. For weeks now he has acted strangely. I knew eventually I would learn what he was up to.”
“And why did you not come to me earlier with this?” asked Galbrok.
“I needed proof,” replied Rybnik, “Would you have believed me if I accused him without it?”
“And how do I know that you are telling the truth?” Galbrok asked Rybnik.
Calmly, Rybnik picked the knife off of the table and handed it to the leader of the orcs, handle outward. “If you do not believe me, then pierce my heart with this knife.”
Galbrok took the knife from him. He weighed it in his hand attempting in vain to read Rybnik’s face. Suddenly, he slashed it across Blynak’s throat. To make certain he had killed the man, Galbrok rammed the blade into Blynak’s stomach bringing it upward into the ribcage. Galbrok glared at the lifeless body that hit the floor.
“I thank you,” he said to Rybnik. “I must commend you. You truly are a man after my own heart. I shall reward you greatly.”
“I am here to serve,” said Rybnik with a slight bow. He took one last glance at Blynak’s dead form. His problem had been eradicated.
