Knights: Legends of Ollanhar (16 page)

"You're wrong," said Aldreya, but there was a
hint of uncertainty in her voice. "What need is there for bloodshed? Take
the silver and let us pass."

Henati sat in silence for a few moments. Then he said,
"It is not enough. If you want to cross this bridge, you must either surrender
your goods or surrender the lawbreaker for punishment. The choice is yours. And
don't think you can find another way across. The river is deep and the current
strong. You would be washed away to ruin, and lose everything regardless."

With that, the Elder rode back to his army.

***

While they contemplated the situation, the Knights set up
camp in the road. They discovered that Ethella and her soldiers were camped
less than a mile away from them--boldly visible along the road, the flags of
Bellis flying high in the fall breeze. Ethella seemed thoroughly confident that
the Divine Knights would not attack, and she was right. With so many Hill
Dwarves ready to go to war (and the Blue Vultures still possibly lurking
somewhere along the road), Ollanhar's warriors were surrounded by enemies. They
dared not strike the first blow.

"Our situation is perilous," said Aldreya.
"If both the Malrogs and Bellis attack us at the same time, we could be
defeated."

They sat around a campfire, drinking tea.

"Why would Bellis attack?" said Jace.
"Aren't they hoping we'll obtain the Green Flamestone so they can steal it
from us?" The sorcerer's teacup looked laughably tiny in his huge, bony
hand. His extravagant purple cloak was somewhat tattered and streaked with
dust.

"I don't know," said Aldreya. "Is that their
plan? Or do they simply want to destroy us? It would be quite a gamble for them
to allow us to claim the Green Flamestone."

"Yet King Verlamer is unpredictable," said
Lannon. "He is not afraid to take extreme risks--like challenging me to a
duel just to boost his fame. It's impossible to know what he is thinking."

"That's because he's a raving lunatic," said
Daledus. The Grey Dwarf shunned tea in favor of a strong, black coffee. The
beans he used to brew it were expensive, and coffee was typically only consumed
by Olrogs. He took a sip and frowned. "Too weak. I should have been more
generous with the beans."

"Weak swill or strong swill," said Jace.
"Makes no difference. That coffee you drink will never be popular with the
Noracks or Birlotes of the land. It is too bitter. Perhaps if you added some
milk and sugar. Even then, I can never see it catching on like tea has."
Giving the Dwarf a smug look, Jace sipped his tea.

Daledus shrugged. "I don't expect a Norack to understand.
Your bellies are weak, and your food and drink is bland. Even your pipe leaf is
tasteless."

"Let's stay on topic here," said Bekka.

"I fear this will end in terrible bloodshed,"
said Aldreya. "The Hill Dwarves are extremely stubborn and territorial.
They will fight to the death, believing they are defending their land from
outsiders."

"I share your fears," said Prince Vannas. "I
am expected to do most of the killing. I don't relish the thought of turning so
many people to ash. I will do my duty as a Divine Knight, of course. But I pray
we can avoid bloodshed."

"That's a first," said Lothrin, as he sharpened
his Flayer. "Usually you're eager to put that Flamestone to use."

"I'm never eager to kill," said Vannas, his eyes
flashing with anger. "Are you suggesting that I enjoy causing
destruction?"

Lothrin shrugged. "Sometimes it seems that way."

"Well, it isn't that way," said the prince.
"And I would appreciate you keeping such opinions to yourself."

"No one here wants to kill," said Lannon.
"We all want peace."

"Speak for yourself," Jerret muttered.

"That's enough, Jerret," said Aldreya. "Your
desire for combat is what has put us in this dire situation. You're reckless
and irresponsible, and you don't seem to care who gets hurt in the process. I'm
having doubts about this mercenary business. You seem to be more trouble than
you're worth."

Galandra and Brakthas glanced at each other.

"I'm speaking only of Jerret," said Aldreya,
"and not you two. I'm happy to have you serving Ollanhar."

"Thank you," said Galandra. "And we're happy
to be here."

"I'm happy to be here as well," said Jerret.
"I want to finish this quest and earn some money. I'm sorry for my
mistake."

"Are you?" asked Aldreya. "I have my
doubts."

"Let's not argue about this," said Lannon.
"What's done is done, and Jerret at least is trying to express regret.
Right now we need all the warriors we can get, and Jerret is one of the best.
Let's move on."

"Thank you, my friend," said Jerret, nodding to
Lannon.

"I'm not giving you a pass, Jerret," said Lannon.
"I'm still angry over what you did, and it better not happen again."

"It won't," Jerret promised. "I'm changing
my ways. I want to serve Ollanhar and Dremlock for a long time to come. Since I
can no longer be a Knight, the life of a mercenary is all that's left for me. I
don't want to waste this opportunity and have to go work on a fishing boat or
something."

"What's wrong with fishing?" asked Brakthas.
"It's an honest living, and no one gets killed. Usually."

"That's not for me," said Jerret. "I worked
hard to obtain what skills I have. I want to make my living by the sword. And
having friends who have provided me with employment is a true blessing. I'm
going to follow the rules and bring glory to Ollanhar and Dremlock."

Lannon raised his eyebrows. "That's a good attitude,
Jerret. I'm glad to hear you're having such a change of heart."

Vorden extended his hand to Jerret. "You're gaining
wisdom, old friend. There is hope for you yet."

Jerret shook it. "I'm just seeing reality for
once."

Though Jerret sounded sincere, Aldreya wasn't convinced.
"Talk is cheap, Jerret. You must prove yourself with actions."

"I will," said Jerret. "Without a
doubt."

"I hope so," said Aldreya, "or you won't
have the blessing of employment for very long. Is that understood?"

Jerret bowed. "Absolutely, your Green
Knightedness."

"Enough of this," said Daledus. "The Malrogs
could attack us at any moment. We need to decide how we're going to
proceed."

"I have an idea," said Lannon. "I think I
should surrender to them. Temporarily. They can take me prisoner, while the
rest of you move on. Once you're beyond the Oldermar Hills, I will escape and
catch up with you." He waited for the negative reactions that were certain
to follow.

"Very noble of you, Lannon," said Jerret.
"But I'm the reason for this problem we face, and I can't let you risk
your life over my foolishness."

"I will not agree to that!" Dallsa said, her eyes
wide. "Too dangerous. We need to stay together, no matter what
happens."

"There would be great risk," said Daledus.
"The Hill Dwarves are cunning and powerful. If you surrender, they will
take your irreplaceable sword--and what is a Dark Watchman without his sword?
You could perish."

"Not necessarily," said Lannon. "I've
learned to fight fairly well without a weapon. And we could switch my sword for
a lesser one."

"You can take mine," said Prince Vannas. "It
is expensive, but nothing that cannot be replaced. Not that I'm necessarily
agreeing to this."

"I don't like this idea at all," said Bekka,
shaking her head. "If you surrender to them, Lannon, they will bind your
hands. You will be totally at their mercy. And judging from their great anger,
they will kill you slowly."

"I will have the Eye for protection," said
Lannon.

"But with no sword," asked Bekka, "is the
Eye enough? If you're facing hundreds of Hill Dwarves unarmed, how can you
possibly escape?"

"Lannon could do it," said Jace, looking
thoughtful. "However, it would definitely be risky. You should weigh this
decision carefully, Lannon."

"I'm prepared to take the risk," said Lannon,
"if it avoids a war. I don't want to die, but if I don't surrender, surely
there will be bloodshed."

"We could just give them our goods," said Dallsa.
"We can replace those material things, though it won't be easy."

"That's out of the question," said Aldreya, her
tone firm. "We need our money to finance this quest. Money won't magically
appear to us simply because we're Divine Knights, and we don't have time to
take side jobs. And it wouldn't be fair to our hired help, who then wouldn't
get paid anytime soon."

"Nevertheless," said Dallsa, "it's too
dangerous for Lannon to surrender. There has to be a better way."

"There may be no better way," said Vorden.
"I hate to say this, but I think Lannon is right. If he doesn't surrender,
we'll surely be at war, and there is a good chance some of us will die. Right
now the quest for the Green Flamestone is in great peril. Try as I might, I
can't think of an easy way out."

"Yet the Malrogs are brutal," said Saranna.
"Their savagery is feared throughout the land. The thought of Lannon going
to them alone and unarmed chills my soul. It would be like willingly going into
the darkest pit of Tharnin."

"I have to agree," said Galandra. "If you're
not familiar with the Malrogs, don't do this, Lannon. You could come to a
miserable end."

"Truthfully," said Lannon, "I'm not very
familiar with them. I don't know much about them at all. But they don't know
much about me, either, and that works in my favor. They won't anticipate the
power of the Eye."

"Very true," said Jace, smiling. "Now you're
thinking like a sorcerer."

"I think it's foolishness," said Lothrin.
"We're letting these hill dwellers push us around. If they want a war, we
can give them one--and it will be their choice. I say we stand firm as Divine Knights."

"Stand firm to what end?" asked Aldreya.
"Our meager supplies will dwindle to nothing, and still the Malrogs will
guard the bridge--if they don't attack first. Eventually we will be forced to
confront them."

Lothrin nodded. "Then maybe we should confront them
now. We should go to them and demand to be let across. If they refuse, we will
insist. We're Divine Knights, remember? And we have a right to use this
road."

"We're not all Divine Knights," said Saranna.
"But I'm being paid to serve Dremlock, and if battle occurs, so be it. I
didn't expect to complete this mission without having to draw my sword."

Brakthas and Galandra voiced their agreement.

Aldreya nodded to them. "It is good to know our
mercenaries are loyal. That attitude will benefit you when it comes time to
divide treasure."

"If we stay alive," mumbled Brakthas.

"I should probably keep quiet," said Jerret,
"but I have to say that Lothrin makes a great point. Why should we back
down?"

"We have a right to cross," said Aldreya,
"and they have no right to stop us. If it leads to their deaths, so be it.
They choose their fate. But my concern is not their welfare, it is ours. What
losses will we endure? Since the massacre in the Soddurn Mountains, we are few
in number."

"That's what I'm thinking," said Lannon. "We
can't afford a war. And why should anyone have to die if it can be
avoided?"

"But can you really escape?" asked Bekka.
"You will likely be bound in thick ropes or chains, surrounded by dozens
if not hundreds of armed enemies. What if they club you? What if they decide to
kill you immediately?"

"Not likely," said Lannon. "They'll want me
to suffer first."

"Lannon is correct," said Jace. "They'll
likely hold a feast and a ceremony before the killing takes place. They'll want
Lannon fully intact so he will suffer greater torment. They certainly won't
strike a blow to his skull, which could render him unconscious or unable to
experience the horror of the situation."

"Indeed," said Lannon, gripped by disgust.
"I have apparently offended them so deeply a club to the head is too good
for me."

Dallsa shuddered. "This whole conversation is
wretched! Lannon, you don't need to do this. Lothrin is right. Let's stand firm
as Knights."

"And let the bloodshed proceed?" asked Lannon.
"How can you agree to that, Dallsa? You're supposed to be in favor of
peace."

"I am," said Dallsa. "I hate war. I want to
avoid it whenever possible--but this isn't the way. Surrendering to cruel
savages is a foolish strategy."

"But it could save lives," said Lannon. "I
don't want to see any of you get killed over this absurd situation. Do you
honestly think we can battle all those enraged Dwarves and come out unscathed?
One or more of us will die. That's almost a certainty. I can't accept
that."

"It is a difficult decision," said Aldreya,
"and one that I will not force upon you, Lannon. I will let you
decide."

"I have decided," said Lannon. "I'll
go."

Aldreya nodded, but she looked troubled.

"That's it?" said Dallsa, her face pale. "No
vote or anything?"

"No vote is needed," said Aldreya. "Lannon
has volunteered for a mission. He is the High Watchman. Who are we to order him
to stay?"

"You're the Green Knight!" said Dallsa. "You
could call for a vote. You know that's true, Aldreya."

"It is true," said Aldreya. "But I see no
need for a vote."

Dallsa nodded. "Because you would lose, and Lannon
would have to abandon this foolish idea."

Aldreya didn't reply. Her beautiful face seemed as hard as
stone.

"It will be okay, Dallsa," said Lannon. "I
will return."

"This isn't fair," said Dallsa. "As a member
of the Ollanhar Council, I demand a vote. Yet I'm not getting one."

"Someone has to second you," said Aldreya.
"And I have yet to hear anyone speak up."

Dallsa gazed at everyone with disgust. "Not one of you
will second my call for a vote? Bekka? Lothrin? Vorden? Not one of you?"