Authors: James Wolf
No sooner had Hirandar said this, and Bessie came into the Sceptre room leading a handsome man. Taem saw he had shiny chestnut hair, and quick brown eyes. The man gave a brilliant smile of pearly white teeth. This man did not walk, he strutted, and Taem took an instant dislike to the arrogant way he carried himself. The man wore a stylish purple shirt with shiny gold buttons down the front. Taem saw the leather belt of knives slanted across the man’s chest. And Taem caught the flash of more knives hidden inside his brown leather trenchcoat. This man had got dressed in a palace wardrobe.
‘Plush place,’ the man nodded to himself, as his gaze took a speculative sweep over the finery of the Sceptre Room.
With a flourish of a bow, and a glance that took in all of the warriors, but seemed to twinkle when he looked upon Jvarna, the new arrival announced, ‘My name is Drual Dhagren.’
Drual was pleased at the furore this caused amongst the people sitting at the table. Jvarna and Ragad talked in hushed voices amongst themselves, glancing at Drual with disapproval. Logan’s eyes narrowed as Drual swaggered over to the table, and eased himself down into the free chair.
Taem thought Drual’s fashionable suede trousers would barely last a day in the saddle. Taem saw Drual’s fine boots were cut from black leather and lined with gold stitch. Even the buckles on Drual’s boots, and on his belt strap, were made of real gold. Regardless of Drual’s arrogance, Taem wondered if there was something more to the famous adventurer than met the eye.
Hirandar introduced Drual to each of the others, and Drual said, ‘It will be my pleasure to grace this company with my presence.’
To which the warriors reared back in outrage, and Hirandar shook her head. Taem could see the fury in his Sodan Master’s glare. Taem knew it took a great deal to rile Logan, but it seemed he had had enough today.
‘Hirandar,’ Logan growled through gritted teeth, ‘I
must
speak with you.’
As Hirandar and Logan got up and walked over to the fireplace, Drual winked at Jvarna, at which she returned a hostile stare.
‘As I’m sure you know,’ Drual pulled a knife from each hand, from thin air, ‘no man has seen more of the Lost Realms than I.’ Drual tossed the knives high into the air, spinning them over and over, as he plucked two more from somewhere. His gaze remained forward as he sent those two knives twirling upwards as well.
‘No man has escaped the jaws of death as many times as I,’ Drual spread his hands wide, still looking at the other warriors, ‘and there is no adventurer more famous than
me
.’ At that very moment, without Drual even once glancing at his hands, two knives landed safely in each of his outstretched palms.
Baek stared wide-eyed as Forgrun whistled. Taem held his breath so not to gasp. Taem had to admit, that was the most impressive bit of juggling he had ever seen.
With a whirl of Drual’s fingers, which left the five other warriors bewildered, the knives somehow disappeared.
How in Hathlore did he do that, Taem wondered? Those knives must have gone up his sleeves but…
how
?
‘Yes,’ Drual smiled, ‘I know what you’re all thinking, you are
most
fortunate to have a great adventurer like me lead you through the Lost Realms.’
Taem glared at Drual in disbelief. Jvarna glowered at the rogue, as she fingered the hilt of one of her daggers. Forgrun seemed on the brink of hitting him, but settled for grinding a fist into the palm of his other hand. Taem could see Baek’s face was confounded, whilst Ragad displayed as much emotion as a stone. The most astonishing thing, Taem found, was Drual was oblivious to the reactions he was getting.
‘There is one of our group more famous than you,’ Taem said in a calm voice that did not portray his anger, ‘and he is far more respected. Yet, he does not have to go around shouting about his greatness.’
Drual’s face soured, ‘And who is it you speak of, boy?’
‘The Grim Wanderer,’ Taem gestured over his shoulder at Logan.
Drual’s face dropped. Jvarna’s mouth went wide with amazement, and even Ragad’s eyes flashed.
‘It is not normal for me to question your judgement, Hirandar,’ Logan said, ‘but you would choose this bumbling idiot over my old battle-brother?’
‘I would
not
ask Balthus to join us,’ Hirandar warmed her hands on the fire. ‘I would not think it wise.’
‘Drual is arrogant and self-serving,’ Logan gestured back to the table, ‘at least Balthus would be a useful extra blade in a fight.’
‘Not Balthus,’ Hirandar shook her head. Before Logan could disagree, the Wizard went on, ‘I do not think Drual is a great warrior–’
‘More likely a hindrance than a help,’ Logan scowled.
‘But whatever else he says, there is truth that he knows the lands to the east better than anyone – even you and I. Drual has been to the City of Night a few times, and we may need him as a guide. True, Drual is not a fighter,’ Hirandar raised a finger of one hand, ‘so he must be a top-class treasure hunter, with an uncanny ability to escape danger. How else would he be so successful and have lived so long? I think he will give our company an extra facet, different to the skill at arms we have already gathered.’
Logan nodded reluctantly.
‘I’m not happy,’ Logan murmured, ‘promising these warriors coin we don’t yet have.’
‘That’s why I’m going to do it,’ Hirandar smiled.
‘We should not be part of a
lie
, Hirandar,’ Logan said fiercely. ‘It goes against my Code – no matter if it’s done with good intentions.’
‘Logan,’ Hirandar patted the Sodan on the shoulder, ‘I know you could never be party to this… half-truth. So the promise of payment will be from me alone.’ Hirandar nodded, and her sapphire eyes seemed to sparkle in the firelight. ‘Anyway, from a certain point of view, we may well find a fortune whilst we’re in the Lost Realms – from which we will pay our new friends handsomely.’
‘That’s a fanciful way of justifying a “half-truth”,’ Logan growled, ‘even for you.’
‘Trust me, Logan,’ Hirandar squeezed the Sodan warrior’s shoulder. ‘Once our new friends realise how important this quest is, they will understand. I believe in our three new companions. No matter how they seem on the surface, they all have good hearts. In time, we will win them round.’
‘I hope you’re right, Wizard,’ Logan whispered. ‘I don’t think Drual Dhagren will be feeling charitable, when he finds out we have no coin to pay him.’
‘This quest will bring out the best in all of us,’ Hirandar murmured. ‘Even Drual, I’m certain of it.’
‘I wish I believed that as much as you do,’ Logan muttered.
‘Drual will be all right,’ Hirandar said, ‘
if
he learns to keep his mouth shut.’
At which Logan shook his head, before stalking back to the table with a grimace on his face.
‘
Listen to me
!’ Logan growled at Drual.
Drual slouched down and his shoulders wilted.
‘In this company,’ Logan said harshly, ‘You take orders from me –
and keep your mouth shut!
– or I will have your head,’ Logan put a hand on his sword hilt.
Drual shivered as he looked at the Wanderer’s sheathed sword.
‘Do I have your attention now?’ Logan asked.
‘Yes,’ Drual murmured as his looked at the floor.
‘I hope,’ Logan said, ‘for your sake, that we need not mention this again.’
Logan and Hirandar retook their seats, and Taem saw Jvarna looking at Logan, impressed.
‘If we are all ready,’ Hirandar looked around the table to each of the warriors, ‘then we will begin. You have been invited here to join our company, to head eastward through The Gate. Our road will not be easy, for we make for the Nakramilis. If this is not for you, you should leave now and forget this meeting ever happened. Make your choice.’
Jvarna and Ragad glanced at each other.
‘Of all the known places in the Lost Realms,’ Jvarna murmured, ‘that is the place avoided above all others. Few set out for the city where the dead walk, and fewer still return.’
Taem heard the dread in Jvarna’s voice, and he thought how unusual it must be for her to show any sign of unease.
‘The City of Night,’ Jvarna said quietly, ‘is a place where even the Krun fear to tread.’
‘So,’ Hirandar said gravely, ‘you know this is not a quest to be taken lightly.’
Drual – although he had lost his arrogant manner – had regained his confidence, and said, ‘Two years ago I was there. The stories are true. The restless dead roam that cursed city, but there are ways of keeping them away. For one, they cannot tolerate sunlight. Two, they hate fire. Three, their senses are dull. You worry the Kruns fear to tread the City of Night?’ Drual asked Jvarna. ‘I say that is to our
favour
. That means there is no chance of meeting Krun inside the dead city, and treasure untouched by their greedy hands means there is more to be found…’
Logan nodded to Drual, and a smile returned to the rogue’s face. Taem also saw his Master nod his head to Hirandar.
Turning to Jvarna and Ragad, Drual said, ‘We’ll be in the safest company, if only half I’ve heard about the Grim Wanderer is true.’
Taem thought that Jvarna seemed reassured by the rogue’s confidence, whilst Ragad gave nothing away. Taem wondered about the silent Northman, wondered what his story was. Most people must have seen a mindless barbarian when they looked at Ragad, but Taem could tell there was a greatness hidden within the giant man.
‘However,’ Hirandar said, ‘there is more you should know. For I would not let you enter into this blindly. My four companions and I are warriors of the Light.’ The Wizard glanced around to her friends with pride. ‘We fight the Dark power rising over Hathlore. We fight so there may be a future; we fight because there are no others who can. And it is for the safety of Hathlore we go to the City of Night. We search for a Key-Piece, to take it into safekeeping, and prevent the terrible consequences of it falling into the hands of the Maliven. If we should fail in this great undertaking, Hathlore will become a darker place.’
Taem could see that even Drual was moved by the Wizard’s words, and the rogue was someone who never looked beyond himself.
‘If we are fortunate,’ Logan said, ‘we will only pass Krun tribes and the walking dead of the Nakramilis, but it is likely our path will be shadowed by the servants of the Dark One.’
‘You will each be paid twenty-five thousand gold coins on our return,’ Hirandar said to Jvarna, Ragad and Drual.
Taem saw the befuddled looks on Jvarna and Ragad’s faces, and these were seasoned adventurers. Even Drual – who had found, stolen and spent many fortunes in his time – let out a low whistle. Taem also saw Logan’s grimace of disapproval at mention of so much coin. Taem assumed the Master was uncomfortable paying people to do something they should feel it was their responsibility to do anyway, as part of being an honourable person in the world.
‘What are your decisions?’ Hirandar asked. ‘Will you join us?’
‘I will,’ Drual said quickly, his eyes glinting with the fame this quest would bring.
Jvarna stared into Ragad’s stony eyes and said, ‘As will we.’
‘It is settled then,’ Hirandar nodded. ‘But you must now swear your allegiance under the Light. Let every person here bear witness to the commitment of the others.’
Taem thought these were strong words, binding unto death, and beyond.
‘You have my allegiance,’ Jvarna said. ‘I walk in the Light.’
‘And mine,’ a deep voice said. That was the first time Ragad had spoken all night, and his low voice boomed like thunder echoed in the valleys. ‘I swear homage to Hirandar Firefist, and the Light.’
‘And mine,’ Drual added after a pause, although he did not speak with the conviction of the other two. ‘I give you my allegiance,’ the rogue dipped his head.
‘Good, ‘Hirandar murmured. ‘I will hold you to your words.’ The Wizard stared into the eyes of each of them in turn, watching if anyone could not meet her gaze. Drual’s eyes faltered, and the rogue had to look away. Taem saw the troubled gleam in Hirandar’s eyes, and the cautious way Logan watched Drual.
‘We’ll be needin’ a name,’ Forgrun said eagerly. ‘Our company – aye! Somethin’ tha’ be inspirin’ hope in good people, an’
fear
in our enemies.’
‘Yes,’ Hirandar said thoughtfully. ‘Maybe that would be a good idea.’
‘I be havin’ it!’ Forgrun beamed. ‘Our name be
Ye Fist o’ Gromm
!’ He shot one of his giant fists into the air. ‘Ye Rhungar god o’ combat an’ war. By thunder! Tha’ would inspire terror in any Krun ter hear it! They’ll be trumpetin’
Ye Fist o’ Gromm
in ye rooftops, an’ cheerin’ it in ye streets!’
The others stared at the Rhungar with a mixture of mirth and disbelief.
‘That’s a really great name for all the non-Rhungar members,’ Baek said sarcastically.
Forgrun’s puffed out chest deflated with disappointment.
‘No, let us think,’ Hirandar tapped Forgrun’s massive forearm. ‘Something that combats the dark has to be bright, strong, light, forceful.’