The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2) (26 page)

“Soldiers possess long memories.” smiled Cefiz.

The old man swung his hand to the cavalry aligned on the hilltop.

“This lot wanted nothing to do with me.” smiled Dravgo. “But they didn’t protest. Our assignment was in supply support. We were to escort food and weapons to the front. Normally a very uneventful task.”

“Yet somehow I imagine it’s become more than that.” said Cefiz.

“Eh.” shrugged Dravgo. “We’ve run into some minor trouble now and again.”

There was a moment of silence, then the young rider spoke up.

“Our unit has had five major engagements with the Ulrog in the past season.” chirped the rider proudly.

“Koe!” admonished the old man.

“My apologies, Sergeant Shandley.” said the rider dropping his head.

Shandley turned back to Cefiz.

“Youth.” smiled the old man. “Always impatient and full of vinegar. I don’t wish to belittle the accomplishments of my men, but like all good units, we should keep our bragging within our own family.”

“So it’s safe to say your skill hasn’t left you.” said Cefiz.

“Not my doing really.” replied Dravgo. “These are good men. They needed a few encounters to get wet behind the ears, but I would be proud to stand with them on any battlefield.”

“And we’re proud to be led by Sergeant Dravgo Shandley.” interjected the young man. “A true leader of men.”

Shandley didn’t admonish the boy this time. He simply smiled at Cefiz and let it pass.

“Enthusiasm.” laughed Shandley. “The well spring of youth.”

“A commodity I ran out of years ago.” stated Ader dryly.

Dravgo’s eyes shifted to the Seraph and quickly appraised Ader.

“If I lived as long as Ader Hartstrong, I would have run out as well.” stated Dravgo.

Teeg arched an eyebrow at the old soldier. The young rider looked puzzled.

“You were a young colonel when last we met, Dravgo.” stated Ader. “Your young attendant calls you ‘sergeant’.”

“The price I paid for my failure.” scoffed Dravgo. “They wanted me back, but needed assurance I couldn’t actually meddle in their war. I was required to accept the rank of sergeant in order to assume this command.”

“And you did it?” questioned Ader.

“It’s the only way to serve my people.” returned Dravgo. “What care have I for high rank? I command my unit and I’ve been able to exact revenge against the beasts in my old age. What more could a man want?”

“To assist in a greater task.” replied Ader.

The old sergeant’s eyes narrowed.

“How?” he asked.

“You know what side I walk on.” said Ader. “I fight the fight even harder today. I’m camped here on my way to continue the fight.”

“Then I support you.” said Dravgo.

“I’ll ask you to join us in camp.” stated Ader. “But I’ll caution you to prepare your men. We are an odd company to be found on the open road.”

“Odd?” questioned Dravgo.

“Yes, odd.” said Ader. “I will spare the details, but I must demand that your men swear an oath to refrain from violence when in our presence.”

Dravgo’s eyes narrowed.

“I can swear for myself.” said the old man. “And I can order my men to do no violence, but no one can say what’s in a man’s heart.”

“If we’re ordered by Sergeant Shandley to refrain from violence against any in your company.” blurted Koe. “Then you enjoy our protection. Our commander’s word is our bond.”

“Swear it!” demanded Ader turning on the young man.

“I swear on the life of Dravgo Shandley, the man who has saved the life of every soldier in this company at least three times.” stated Koe.

Dravgo turned to the young man.

“Pass the word to the unit.” said Dravgo. “Once the order goes out, have the men file into the campsite and post the usual guard pattern.”

Koe saluted and wheeled his horse toward the top of the great hill. In a moment he had come alongside the others in his unit and passed amongst them. Dravgo chuckled and turned to Cefiz.

“Ah to be young and idealistic again.” laughed Dravgo. “Corporal Koe is a good soldier and will make an excellent officer someday.”

Dravgo deftly turned in his saddle and dropped from the back of his mount.

“It’s been a long ride.” said Dravgo. “Let’s retire to the camp and let me look upon the rest of your
unusual company
.”

Cefiz led the way as the men returned to the glade. Granu stood near the fire pit flanked by Kael and Eidyn. Dravgo never broke stride as he approached the trio. He lightly bowed his head.

“Prince Granu of the Keltar,” said Dravgo to the giant. “How fare you?”

Granu blinked, unprepared for the cordiality.

“I’m well.” rumbled the giant.

“I am Dravgo Shandley.” stated the old Sergeant. “I had the ... unique experience of trading blows with your Father at the Battle of Horncrest.”

“My father was wounded at Horncrest.” stated Granu.

“An inch to the left and my blade would have found his throat.” said Dravgo calmly. “However, the shoulder wound incapacitated him sufficiently.”

“The shoulder causes him trouble at night.” returned Granu. “He has difficulty sleeping on it.”

“The wages of war.” shrugged Dravgo.

“We all pay a price for violence.” replied Granu narrowing his eyes. “But I’m puzzled?”

“By what?” asked Dravgo.

“You find no surprise by my presence here.” said Granu.

“We heard word along the supply train that a Keltaran lord was being detained at the Hold and forced to train the Southern militia.” said Dravgo.

“Not exactly.” returned Granu.

“Not at all!” laughed Dravgo. “I knew it to be a falsehood as soon as I heard it. You Keltaran are a proud people. No mere threat of physical harm could induce one of you to commit treason.”

“I’ve come to believe that treason is a subjective concept.” said Granu. “Guilt or innocence is in the eye of the beholder.”

“The Abbott offers himself in alliance to Prince Manfir.” said Ader.

Dravgo thought on the statement for a moment, nodded in understanding then turned to the Seraph.

“I guessed the truth concerning the Keltaran instructor at the Hold was closer to your explanation than that of the supply corp.” said Dravgo turning to Granu. “I don’t know your reason for defecting from your people, nor do I care. I’m a soldier and I fight for my country when and where I’m told.”

The brush behind Dravgo rustled and Guardsmen led their mounts into the glade. Each man’s eyes immediately fell upon the huge Keltaran and briefly registered shock. Granu calmly met each stare and did not fluster. The soldiers moved past the group and tethered their horses to the surrounding trees.

Kael recognized the absence of Nostr. When the boy stripped to enter the pool, the Scribe stood just inside the brush in his usual frozen stance. Now, the spot was empty. Kael’s vision caught that of Teeg’s. The Elf stared at the boy for a moment as Kael nodded toward the last known location of Nostr. Teeg shrugged.

Dravgo’s soldiers added fuel to the fire pit and spread blankets throughout the clearing. A few of the heartier souls entered the pool for a quick swim. They exited shivering as the night caught a chill.

Granu and Cefiz sat by the fire exchanging stories. Eidyn and Kael gave their mounts a rub down. Most of the Guardsmen in camp remained silent, glancing sidelong at the huge Keltaran. Finally, Corporal Koe strode toward the fire and stood over the Keltaran prince.

“Is it true you trained recruits in the use of the pike?” asked Koe.

Granu looked up at the young Zodrian standing over him.

“Yes.” replied the giant.

“Why?” asked the corporal flatly.

“A man’s motivations are his own.” stated Granu.

“Not in the military.” Koe retorted. “A man need no motivation other than protecting his country and his comrades.”

“You’re entitled to that opinion.” stated Granu and he returned his gaze to the fire.

Several Guardsmen performing duties around the camp dropped their chores and moved toward the fire to listen. Eidyn tapped Kael on the back. The pair laid their towels over the horses’ backs and also moved toward the fire. Dravgo frowned and rose from a conversation he held with Ader and Teeg near the pool, but the Seraph placed a restraining hand on the sergeant’s shoulder and motioned him to stay.

“Therefore.” said Koe continuing. “I’m puzzled.”

“Puzzled?” returned Granu narrowing his eyes.

“Puzzled as to which army you’re in.” said Koe. “Ours or theirs. If my comment has merit, then you encounter a problem. Training the enemies of your kingdom goes directly against the motivation I described. It’s treason.”

Granu smiled and slowly rose. The encampment tensed. When he reached his full height, the giant dwarfed the young corporal. Koe didn’t flinch, but stared up into the giant’s face.

“Is it?” rumbled the giant.

The question flustered Koe.

“Of course it is!” spluttered the young man.

Granu shrugged and stroked his chin.

“Can a man only protect his country by eliminating its enemies in battle?” questioned Granu.

“That seems to be the generally accepted method.” scoffed Koe.

“Are the enemies outside its borders the only threat to a great nation?” pressed Granu.

Koe frowned and looked hard at the Keltaran.

“They are the greatest threat.” stated the Zodrian.

“I might make an argument against that line of thinking.” said Granu. “What would you do, corporal, if your superiors pressed you to enslave the villages to the South?”

“Well that’s ridiculous...” started Koe.

“What if?!” demanded Granu.

The camp went silent. All eyes focused on the Zodrian corporal. Koe clenched his teeth.

“I wouldn’t be a party to it.” stated Koe.

“You would disobey orders?” questioned Granu.

“Yes!” stated Koe.

“What if you were threatened with punishment?”

“I would leave.”

“Abandon your post?”

“If I must.”

“All for an ideal, a belief?”

“A man is the sum of his beliefs.” stated Koe proudly.

“What if the plan went on without you? What then?”

“I.. uh ... I would ..”. hesitated Koe.

“COME ON MAN!” shouted Granu moving in on the corporal. “THESE ARE YOUR PEOPLE!”

“I would rally to their cause!” shouted Koe. “Try to organize them. Try to get them to defend themselves!”

Granu smiled.

“So what you’re saying is, and please correct me if I’m wrong. You’re saying that when faced with a choice between supporting your comrades in an amoral cause and following your own beliefs, you would choose...?”

A small murmur ran through the Guardsmen listening in.

“My own beliefs.” stated Koe.

“Even though that course goes against country and comrades.” stated Granu.

Koe narrowed his eyes and thought hard on Granu’s last statement.

“I .... I don’t believe that course goes against country.” said Koe hesitantly.

“Oh.” said Granu raising an eyebrow.

“The villages to the South are my country as well.” said Koe confidently. “I’ve sworn an oath to protect all of Zodra. They’re just as much my people as those to the North.”

“So you say that all Zodrians are your people. They are all deserving of your protection and care, your love for lack of a better word?”

“Yes.”

“Then what of these comrades who intend to enslave them?” asked Granu. “Are they your comrades, your brothers?”

“Not if what they intend is true!” exclaimed Koe. “No man who intends to enslave another is a comrade of mine!”

Granu smiled deeply.

“We are not so unlike as you think, Corporal Koe.” stated Granu putting a hand on  the young man’s shoulder. “We simply differ in our definition of brotherhood.”

Koe looked puzzled.

“You wouldn’t allow evil to come upon any of your Zodrian brothers and sisters. You would protect them ferociously because of your bond.” continued Granu. “I consider all those created in the image of Avra my brothers and sisters. Kingdoms and colors mean nothing to me. Evil visited upon a child of Avra is evil visited upon me. I cannot stand idly by and watch others fall into the hands of that evil, no matter who they are.”

“And your comrades?” asked Koe.

“My blood.” corrected Granu. “My blood is no longer my blood if they commune with the Deceiver. I pray for their repentance, but cannot allow our kinship to keep me from servitude to my fellow man. You are a good man, Corporal Koe, but you must expand your vision to incorporate the greater world into your sphere of protection.”

“So you would die fighting for Zodra, even if it were against Keltar?”

“I would die fighting side by side with Zodrians for the glory of Avra against any and all who try to spread the influence of Amird the Deceiver. A mercenary fights for a king and gold,” said Granu. “A soldier fights for his country and its borders. But a man fights in the name of Avra and for the souls of all people. So far you have been a soldier, Koe of Zodra, but perhaps you have a higher calling. Perhaps it is time to look past the walls of the world you’ve created and find room to protect all who need your help, not just those you deem worthy.”

Koe’s head dropped and he stared into the fire. The Guardsmen standing nearby turned to one another and small discussions broke out throughout the camp. Granu removed his hand from the young man’s shoulder and sat next to the fire. The giant stoked the coals and tiny specks of glowing embers floated and spun up into the night sky. Koe turned to the giant.

“I apologize, Granu of Keltar, if any of my comments were taken as an offense.” said Koe calmly.

Granu simply smiled and nodded to the young man.

“I will take my leave and retire for the evening.” said Koe. “I’ve much to think about.”

“Sleep well.” said Granu returning his attention to the fire.

CHAPTER 16: BIRD OF PREY

Vieri sat in the darkness above, watching the campsite. The old man and his group successfully duped the Zodrians. The gray Guardsman who thwarted Vieri’s previous assassination attempt was obviously privy to  the proper passwords and intelligence. He convinced the Zodrians that his group was friendly, even with the giant in their midst. Truly, this boy and his handlers had aligned their forces and plied a mist across the eyes of many.