Date: Thu, 3 May 2001 12:25:35 EDT
From: Bwstories8@aol.com
Subject: The Sword of Kings - chapter 12

Legal Notice:
The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts.
The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality.

Don't read this story if:
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against violators.

I wish to extend my thank you to Ed for his editorial assistance with this
chapter, to Ian for his suggestions to improve the flow and readability of
this chapter.

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at
http://members.tripod.de/wolfslair, in the 'Other Stories' section.

E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions, or other 'constructive'
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                  *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

The Sword of Kings-by BW (Fantasy/Sci. Fi.).    Copyright 2000 by billwstories
Chapter 12 -  Each must go his separate way.    December 2000

The night was long and difficult for Kieren, as they camped just outside of
the Valley of the Dead, and he labored through another dream-filled
slumber.  His body twitched and rolled intermittently while his mind raced
over a series of visions that left numerous doubts implanted in his brain.
It was a devastating cavalcade of illusions that had flooded his sleep with
images of events that would be best forgotten but, as Kieren suspected,
might be meant to serve as omens of impending danger.

The first dream had shown the companions breaking camp that morning and
heading along the mountains, beginning the final stage of their mission.
From the very outset of this excursion, they had been plagued by one
horrendous obstacle after another until, at last, only Kieren survived.
The prince writhed in agony as he dealt with the loss of each individual,
beginning with Selvaggio and ending with Rhys.  He felt a special bond to
each of them, their souls having forever been linked by this adventure, and
the death of each one affected him as much, or more, than the last.  Of
course the loss of Garreth and Romaric affected him the most, the three of
them having been like brothers since youth, and he sobbed audibly in his
sleep when each one succumbed to his fate, as his body tossed and turned in
utter hopelessness and despair.

It was at this point in his visions that he began to question if they would
be able to complete their mission without Beraut to lead them.  Would Qaim
be qualified to replace the mage and lead them to Treblanc?  Would he be
able to deal with the problems that might arise, or would they be in more
danger with him leading them instead of his aged mentor?  Would they really
face all of the dangers he had envisioned, and would his companions all
perish along the way?  Even if they made it to Treblanc, would they be able
to locate the Sword of Kings and would he prove strong enough to defeat the
Dark Lord?  As he tried to resolve these questions for himself, he was
overcome with a new wave of hallucinations.

This time Kieren saw two giant armies charging each other's ranks in a gory
onslaught, slashing and hacking at their opponents in a frenzied display of
their primitive aggressive instincts.  The battlefield was strewn with
piles of rotting carcasses, left from previous encounters, and the
combatants strode over and around them as the fighting continued.
Scavenging animals, of every species, were busy gorging themselves on the
decaying flesh of the bodies at the perimeter of the battle, enjoying the
bountiful harvest that was being supplied for them by the opposing
warriors.  Kieren was overwhelmed by the extent of the carnage and the
ferociousness of the battle, never envisioning that such a callous
disregard for life could possibly exist.

The scenes that had flashed through his mind now caused more doubts to
surface.  Now he not only wondered if he could defeat Madumda, but could he
do it before the bloodshed began?  Would he be able to prevent innocent
lives from being sacrificed in such a battle and, if not, how many lives
would be lost due to his failure to complete the mission in an expedient
manner?  How much of Tarolia would be destroyed and would its inhabitants
be subjected to Madumda's tyrannical rule, all because he wasn't mature
enough to fulfill his destiny?  His mind was reeling under this new surge
of doubts and his body thrashed about in his bedroll as he envisioned his
battle with his evil nemesis.  Frantically, he groped to locate the lone
weakness that the Dark Lord might have or to find any signs of frailty in
his opponent, chinks in Madumda's armor that might give him the clue that
would unlock the solution to this dilemma.

Kieren continued to wrestle with these weighty questions when a new wave of
images overtook him.  This time Kieren was face to face with the evil
sorcerer and the prince's companions were nowhere to be found.  His hands
were tightly wrapped around the hilt of a magnificent sword as he began to
participate in the duel that was predicted by the stars and by ancient
seers.  In this vision, he was being staggered by a series of powerful
blows delivered by Madumda's sword.  These strokes smashed against his
sword and he continued to recoil from the fury with which they were being
delivered, only barely able to find the strength to deflect, let alone
counter, such an aggressive assault.  He managed to maintain his defensive
stance and he struggled to summon up the strength to mount his own attack.
In his heart he knew that he could not defeat the evil wizard unless he was
on the offensive, so he had to find a way to turn the tide on Madumda.  As
the flurry of blows continued, Kieren's mind created another new series of
doubts for him to deal with.

Now his thoughts turned to other issues, such as what he would do when he
first came face to face with Madumda.  Would the Dark Lord merely laugh at
him and dismiss him as an insignificant little creature, or would Madumda
fear him, the Sword, and the prophecy in much the same way the prince
feared him?  Would Madumda be able to dispose of him before he even got a
chance to lift the Sword against him or would he have the strength and the
courage he would need to stand his ground and eventually destroy his
nemesis?  Kieren wondered what his fate would be and what would be the fate
of Tarolia.  This final effusion of doubts caused Kieren to jolt upright,
awakening him instantly.  He was breathing in quick, shallow pants, his
skin was pale and clammy, and his heart was racing, nearly pounding out of
his chest.  Pushing the confusion and doubts from his mind, Kieren looked
around and found that it was already morning and the others had apparently
been up for some time, as they were busy breaking camp.  The lad was
relieved to think that the evening was over, but concerned that the
frightening dreams and his trepidations would continue, or worse, come
true.  He was thankful for the reprieve, knowing he could not face another
of those unsettling nightmares that had plagued his slumber, but he
wondered how long he had until his doubts overcame him again.
Lethargically, he crawled out of his bedroll, stumbled over to where the
others were sitting, joining them for breakfast.  He selected a spot next
to Beraut and he slowly began to collect his morning's rations.

"I can guess by your actions that you've had another restless night, my
young friend," the wizard began.  "Is there anything that I can do to
assist you?"  Kieren merely shook his head from side to side, hoping that
would be enough to satisfy the wizard and keep him from divulging his
immature fantasies to his protector.  "Perhaps you would like to talk about
things with someone and just bring them out into the open?" Beraut
continued.

"I don't believe so," the young man responded quietly.  "I think this is
something that I must deal with by myself.  I guess that I'm just not as
certain of my ability as you seem to be."

"Just remember, my dear boy, that good will eventually triumph and, in your
own fashion, you will be the one to fulfill the prophecy.  You must come to
grips and resolve these doubts before you face my evil brother or he will
use your fears against you.  Please believe in our cause and in your own
ability to complete this task, no matter how impossible it may seem from
time to time.  Above all else, my noble young prince, believe in yourself.
If you are not able to do at least this much, then our quest is surely
doomed and our dreams forever lost."

"I will do my best," Kieren replied, "for it will be hard for me to doubt
in my own abilities when you have so much confidence that I will succeed.
If you are that certain that I shall be able to complete this task, then I
must also assume that I shall prevail.  I have come to learn to trust in
your judgment, and I shall not make this an exception.  I am ready to
continue and face my destiny."

"That's the spirit, my boy, that's precisely the attitude you must maintain
in order to be victorious.  You must make one small alteration to your new
affirmation, however, and that is to place this newfound confidence in
yourself and not in me.  Will you be able to do this?"

"I can only promise to try to do this, but I will try my hardest."

"Then do your very best, for that's all that I or anyone else can ask of
you.  If you can maintain that level of commitment, there will be no chance
that Madumda will be victorious in this fray.  Come now, it is time you ate
your meal.  You must keep up your strength for what is to come and, once
you've finished, we shall be on our way."

As Kieren began to nibble the food he had already collected, the others
began to stow their gear and prepared to continue this journey.  After
doing a few other things, Beraut returned to where Kieren was seated and he
spoke privately with him once more.

"Never forget, Prince Kieren, that although I am not with you in body, I
shall be with you in spirit.  You will be constantly in my heart and my
thoughts and you have a means to contact me, should the need arise.  I will
try to watch over you as best I can, and I will use whatever magical powers
I possess, without alerting Madumda, to help keep you safe.  Your
companions have been well chosen and they have already served you well.
Trust in them and their abilities to protect you, and do not doubt Qaim's
ability to lead you.  I know you have not known him long, but he does have
abilities you have not seen yet. It is time for us to again part ways and
you must now be off to complete your mission.  Be diligent and careful as
you proceed to Treblanc and may the Gods be merciful to you and your
companions."

Kieren gathered his gear and went to join his companions as they readied
themselves to set off along the base of the Citadel Mountains.  As they
tramped forward, Kieren could hear his aged guardian utter one final
warning.

"Be watchful of the giant Condor as he scouts the mountain trails and
remember to use all the resources at your disposal.  I look forward to your
success and I shall await your safe return."

Kieren turned around and acknowledged the wizard's warning, waving his
final farewell to the mighty mage who had become almost like a father to
him.  Beraut returned the wave and then he stood there watching the group
move away from him, until he could follow their progress no longer.  He
uttered a small prayer, some ancient incantation to evoke protection for
the traveler, and then he whirled to begin his own lengthy journey.  He
began his return to home of the dwarfs by following the same path that he
and the others had trampled down as they passed through the Valley of the
Dead after departing Thorold.  The twelve of them had crushed out a path
through the tangled vegetation that allowed the wizard to travel more
quickly than he would have been able to if he had chosen another route.

The magician moved along this route nearly unhindered, only occasionally
having a garment snagged by a thorn or his feet snared by a tangle of
weeds.  This allowed him to travel at a fairly fast pace, much faster than
the first trip across this valley, because the path was already beaten down
and he didn't have the others to slow his gait.  He was nearly halfway back
to Thorold when he began to encounter a slight drizzle and this caused his
gazed to turn upward to determine what the weather had in store for him.
The enchanter quickly recognized the storm clouds moving in and hovering
low overhead, a sure sign that he would have much more than a light mist to
endure before this day was over.

The wizard also kept one eye on the horizon, seeking any signs of the
Condor's approach.  He was ever vigilant, lest the giant vulture should
sneak up and catch him unaware.  He did not wish to do battle with
Madumda's pet and give away so needlessly the secret they had guarded for
so long.  Any magic that he would use to battle such a creature would
surely draw the attention of the Dark Lord, and he might discover the
others when doing a cursory scan of the area to determine the source of the
magical powers.  Beraut continued to search for the beast and then he would
scan the mountain range for trespassers who might also wish to do him harm.
Occasionally the mage would catch a glimpse of the airborne scout in the
distance and he would crouch immediately where he was.  He would pull his
cloak securely around him, to make himself blend into his surroundings and
become invisible to the monstrous bird.  He would lay his staff at his side
and wait motionless until the winged sentry glided out of sight and he was
finally out of range of detection.

Outside of those brief disturbances, nothing out of the ordinary happened
on this part of the wizard's journey.  Quickly, Beraut made his way back to
the spot where he had pointed out Death's Door to the others, and he veered
off in that direction, heading for the pass through the mountains.  The
closer he got to that crack in the mountain chain, the more cautious he
became, worried about what he might find there.  As he neared the northern
mouth of the pass, he stopped and scanned the area thoroughly before he
entered it.  He did not wish to encounter any surprises at this point.  As
he began to travel the ancient roadway, he looked up and spied the form of
Madumda's pet circling the area once again.  This forced him to duck out of
view, pulling his cloak securely about him in an attempt to become
invisible to the beast.  Now he began to wonder why he was encountering
this creature so frequently, especially over such a relatively short time
frame.  They had only encountered the ungodly creature just that once, as
they made their first path across the valley floor, yet on his return trip
he had been forced to hide from it four times in a matter of hours.  Was
Madumda becoming suspicious of something, or was he ready to make a move
before Beraut and his allies were ready?  The wizard prayed that was not
the case.

Considering what those two possibilities might mean, he moved out of hiding
as the Condor's form moved off in the distance, and he made utmost haste to
return to Thorold.  The mage could not travel as quickly as he would like
to have, for the pass was littered with debris, much of which had cascaded
down the slopes of the mountains, either loosened by the weather or
dislodged by animals that roamed the slopes.  Beraut had to pick his
footing carefully, so he wouldn't twist an ankle or injure himself even
worse, and he slowed significantly and picked his way along his chosen
route.  He continued to weave his way through the veritable maze of
pebbles, rocks, and piles of dirt, but now he began to see other things
cluttering the path as well.  As he continued on, he encountered a growing
collection of bones from various animals, interspersed with the other
debris.  Beraut concluded that the skeletons that were more or less intact
were probably from animals that had wandered into the valley and been
driven mad, only to wander into the pass to die.  Those bones that were
scattered about were probably because other inhabitants of the mountain had
come down to dine on the hapless critters, either as they were dying or
after they had already passed.  No matter how it had happened, there was
nothing sinister about those bones being in this area.

It was apparent that this path had been seldom, if ever, used in recent
times and Beraut may have been the first human to traverse it in many
decades.  Continuing his journey, the enchanter discovered more and more
skeletons scattered about and he began to get an uneasy feeling about these
new remains.  Some of this collection of carrion was only partially
devoured and there was something that didn't fit into the scenario of being
scavenged by the inhabitants of the mountain.  There were huge gashes in
many of the remains, like they had been slashed by a knife or a sword, and
the bones also showed similar types of gashes, as if a blade had been used
to cut the meat from the bone.  This bothered the wizard immensely, as the
evidence didn't seem to fit in with what he would have expected.  He knew
that the men and dwarfs never used this route and they wouldn't even think
of venturing to this side of the mountain, for fear of the effects of the
maddening wails from the valley below.  There had to be some other
explanation, but Beraut just couldn't come up with one.  On he went, until
he came upon the carcass of a fairly large animal, possibly what was left
of a snow ape or a large bear, but the head, hide, and most of the flesh
was missing.  The mage now knew that the animals didn't wander in here and
die, only to be eaten later by scavengers.  This animal had obviously been
attacked, and not very long ago, that much he could tell from the color and
condition of the meat that was left.  It may have been killed and the skin
removed elsewhere, but this creature had been brought here for a reason.
What that reason was, Beraut wasn't sure.

This latest discovery gave the magician the final clue he needed to solve
the puzzle and confirm his suspicions.  It wasn't a member of one of the
races that killed this beast, but the giant Condor.  It was its talons that
made the gashes in the flesh and left the marks on the bones, and this
realization disturbed Beraut greatly.  If the condor was killing its meals
elsewhere and bringing them back here to dine upon, then the creature could
be returning at any moment.  The wizard immediately looked skyward, to try
to detect any signs of the beast, but he saw nothing.  Not wishing to risk
a confrontation, he set out again, going as quickly as he dared and
constantly scanning the horizon for Madumda's pet.  A confrontation at this
point would not only cost him valuable time and possibly injury, but it
would drain him of much needed strength and possibly alert his evil brother
to his presence there.  There was too much to lose and little to be gained
from such an encounter.

Beraut almost sprinted as he moved forward, doing his best to get away from
there before that bird reappeared.  As he traveled forward, he passed more
and more bones, some of which still have the telltale traces of flesh still
clinging to them, while others had been stripped completely clean and
bleached by the sun.  His most disturbing encounter came when he found the
remains of what must have been a dwarf, probably a hunter who had ventured
too far to the east in search of game, and his inadvertent foray into the
region patrolled by condor had cost him dearly.  Although most condors are
scavengers, this one was large and powerful and it possessed such a
voracious appetite that it went against its instincts and nature, attacking
its victims and eating what it desired.  This discovery reaffirmed Beraut's
resolve to escape the area before the creature returned, avoiding the
possibilities of a confrontation or becoming a midday snack for the
insatiable feathered fiend.  This sent him scurrying down the path again,
his feet barely touching the ground, as he sped along the rubble-strewn
surface.

The wizard had barely begun his retreat when his keen sense of hearing
picked up on the sounds made by those giant wings beating the air to his
left.  Instinctively, Beraut knelt beside a large boulder, placed his staff
beside his feet, pulled his head back into the folds of his hood, and
withdrew his hands into his sleeves.  As he waited and melted into his
surroundings, the beating sound increased and the wind began to stir around
him.  The gentle rain that had been falling was now penetrating the
openings in the wizard's garments and pelting his skin like stinging
needles, causing the magician to pray that a gust of wind generated by the
creature's wings wouldn't blow his hood from his head and expose him to his
enemy.  He clung against the huge boulder, hoping that would help keep his
hood in place, as the prodigious animal landed awkwardly not one hundred
meters away from his hiding place.  In its talons the menacing bird carried
a lifeless creature, and it began to ravenously tear it apart and feed upon
its flesh.  Beraut was able to witness this entire spectacle in anonymity.

"It is not yet time for us to do battle, my feathered friend," Beraut
thought to himself, "but soon we will test each other's strength.  For now,
eat quickly and be on your way so that I may reach my destination and
prepare for our next meeting."

At about that moment, the condor lifted its head and peered around the
hillside, as if it detected a presence.  Not finding any evidence of
intrusion, the mighty bird went about eating again.  It wasn't long before
it had devoured its meal, temporarily sating its appetite, before it lunged
skyward.  Its powerful wings beat the air as it lifted its massive form to
the heavens, slowly moving toward the horizon.  As soon as the condor was
out of sight, the wizard seized the opportunity to distance himself from
this place and this immediate threat, not wishing to tempt fate further.

It was nearing twilight when Beraut emerged from the southern opening of
the pass, glad to be free of the confining slopes that had surrounded him.
Realizing that he still had some distance to go before he could enjoy King
Brolin's hospitality again, he hurried forward, wishing to reach the dwarf
stronghold as soon as was possible.  The enchanter was now drenched from
the rain, he was tired from the long walk and the burden of his rain-soaked
clothing, and his stomach was rumbling from the long fast he had endured
since his last meal.  As he thought about his hunger, the magician's mind
focused on visions of a bountiful dwarf feast and this compelled him into
even greater haste.  Gradually his mind turned to other thoughts, and he
hoped that he wouldn't arrive too late to warn Commander Elgin about the
ever-present aerial threat.  He knew that the Commander was to lead his
forces along the Citadel Mountains to his rendezvous point, where he was to
join with the Tunstanese Army, but he hoped he wasn't already on his way
there.

The wizard found that his path was now unencumbered and he struck out
toward the dwarf capital.  With his way clear and the current threat behind
him, the wizard was able to cover much ground and was he was soon
approaching the junction of the two mountain chains.  It wasn't long after
that before he was climbing the roadway that led up to the front gate of
the dwarf kingdom, looking forward to a relaxing evening.  It was after
dark when Beraut knocked at the main entrance, seeking admittance through
the secured portal.  As he banged the ironshod tip of his staff against the
massive gate, creating a thudding boom that was shocking by its sheer
volume.  The fact that the guard was still recovering from having been
startled, and then embarrassed by his own reaction to the unexpected noise,
was evident in the gruff abruptness of his voice when he opened the small
observation window.

"Who seeks admittance to Thorold after the gates have been closed for the
evening?"

"Master Gatekeeper, it is I, Beraut, on a mission of business with your
king.  Please be so kind as to open the gate, so I can attend to urgent
matters."

"Master Beraut, would you move into the light so I can verify your
identity," came the reply.  Beraut complied and light began to spill across
the ground almost immediately as the small sally portal, set into the main
gate, swung open.  The weary wizard slipped through the entrance as soon as
the crack was wide enough to accommodate his body and he was greeted by the
gatekeeper once he was inside and the gate was secured again.

"My apologies for my gruffness and the delay, Master Beraut.  Your arrival
startled me and you know that we must be careful as to whom we grant
admittance into our realm during these troubled times."

"Your caution is justified and no apologies are necessary.  In fact, I
probably would have reported you had you not challenged me properly.  You
have performed your duties well, and I shall tell your superiors the same.
Now, would you have someone take me to a place where I might clean myself
and change my clothing before I meet with King Brolin?"

"Everything has been prearranged and the King is holding his evening meal,
awaiting your return.  If you will follow this soldier, he will lead you to
your room and I shall send a messenger to advise the King of your arrival."

"Please have your messenger tell the King to begin dining and I shall join
them shortly.  Just ask him to save enough food so that I may ease my
hunger pangs."  Beraut grinned as he delivered this last comment, evoking
an answering smile from the doughty gatekeeper.

"Very well.  I shall do as you command."

The messenger was dispatched as Beraut left with his guide, and he was led
to a suitable room, with servants carrying buckets of water to prepare his
bath.  Before long, Beraut was completely immersed in the soothing warm
water, and he could hear others entering his room, presumably to take his
dirty garments and leave fresh, clean ones in their place.  After drying
and dressing himself, he strode into the corridor, there to be met by a
young dwarf who would lead him to the Royal Dining Hall.  As he entered the
room, he could see the king and several of his key advisors and military
leaders enjoying a modest meal.

"Good evening, my old friend," King Brolin greeted him, as he entered the
hall.  "Come join us for a bite to eat and then there will be time enough
to discuss business.  Pray tell us, however, that things went well with the
others and our plans are unchanged."

"No harm has befallen Kieren or any of the other members of the group, so
put your mind at ease.  Although I was expected to return, I bring news
that may not be as welcome to your ears.  It is something that definitely
affects our plans, especially those of Commander Elgin and his troops."  At
the mention of his name, Commander Elgin began to take particular note of
what was being said, leaning forward to hear every word the wizard was
about to utter.

"Have there been any unexplained disappearances lately?" Beraut asked.

The dwarfs all looked around at each other, shrugging their shoulders and
shaking their heads.  "Only one,' replied the Commander.  "A very
experienced hunter who left several weeks ago and has not returned.  We had
hoped he was merely staying out in search of game, though I now suspect you
know something about him."

"Unfortunately, I do.  I regret to inform you that your hunter will not be
returning, as I discovered his remains in Death's Door."

"Death's Door?  No, he would never go near that place!" blurted Captain
Baith.  "He was too intelligent to make that kind of blunder.  He knew full
well the danger that the valley concealed and he would not have been that
careless as to wander into the pass that led to that foul place."

"I'm afraid that it wasn't carelessness that killed him," responded the
wizard.  "He had been attacked and carried to the spot where I discovered
him." Baith cut Beraut off before he could finish.

"Who killed him and how did it happen?  Tell me the name of the man or the
group that took his life and I shall avenge him.  Was it one of those
devils from Treblanc?  If so, I shall slay one hundred or more for what
they have done."

"It was indeed one of the Dark Lord's minions that killed your compatriot,
but it was not any of the troops that you are expecting to fight.  In fact,
it is not a foe that you would be able to deal with on your own.  I'm
afraid that, when the time comes, it will fall to me to deal with this
particular foe."

"I fear no man and I will face any of those brainless followers of Madumda,
destroying each and everyone who dares to accept my challenge."

"I do not doubt that you fear no man, but the one who killed your friend
was not man, elf, dwarf, gnome, troll, or any other race you know of."

"Then what killed him?"

"It is something that you have heard about only in legend and, until
recently, something that I had hoped had died out long ago.  It is a
creature that even I am not sure if I can battle it on my own.  Besides its
own formidable size, I can sense that it is protected by a magical spell,
which would shield it from most threats to its safety.  I'm not even sure
how my magic would work against it or if I could penetrate that shield, but
I hope that it doesn't get to point where I have to find out.  Hopefully
things can be settled before we get to that point."

"I certainly do not question your powers or abilities, Master Beraut,"
Baith told him, "but there is no creature that I would run from, especially
if it were the one that killed my cousin."

"Your courage speaks for itself, my friend, and your passion for your
family is indeed great, but I pray that you use the brain that the gods
have endowed you with before you resort to using brawn.  If you hope to one
day become a great military leader, you shall need to learn to control your
emotions, rather than letting them control you.  It is more often wisdom
and intelligence that wins battles, not strength or courage.  It would be
wise if you were to learn that early in your career, for it will save you
many friends and even more sleepless nights.  I know that your intentions
are earnest and your motives are honorable, but this is truly a formidable
opponent, one that normal weapons would be virtually ineffective against
because of the magical protection it carries with it."

"If Beraut doubts his own ability to defeat this adversary," King Brolin
interjected, "then it must be a powerful opponent, for sure.  I have never
witnessed Beraut experiencing such trepidations before, for I know he is a
powerful mage, and I have always believed that only Madumda had powers to
rival his own.  For that reason, I would have had to suspect that it was
the Dark Lord himself that he was referring to, except Beraut has already
told us it was not a man who killed our countryman."

"To be certain," the wizard replied.  "It is not Madumda's powers to which
I allude, your majesty, though those powers are formidable as well.  The
brute to which I am referring is a creation of the Dark Lord's, one of
enormous size and physical strength.  It is a creature that might even be
able to withstand the most powerful blow that I could deliver against it."

"You don't mean?  No, that can't be it," the King thought aloud, an
expression of horrified unease etched on his face.

"Yes, it could be and it is, my old friend.  It's a giant Condor.  No, it's
not the same one that slew Orthilue, but it is one of its descendants," the
wizard told them all.  Now he turned toward Captain Baith before he
continued.  He looked the young officer directly in the eyes and he held
his gaze.

"You see, my impetuous friend, a very long time ago Madumda started
breeding a species of Condor and over the years this species has evolved
into an extremely large and aggressive predator.  The bird I saw today had
a wingspan of approximately twenty meters or more and the strength of an
entire army.  There are few things about them that would be favorable to
us, except that a successful breeding between pairs is very rare.  I pray
that there are no more than a handful of these gargantuan birds currently
in existence, for any more would bode ill for our cause.  Knowing Madumda
as I do, I suspect he keeps a mating pair secure at Treblanc, and possibly
an immature chick or two.  He would only allow those in excess of that
number to be used for purposes that might jeopardize their well being or to
put them in harm's way."

"It sounds as if even one of those creatures is sufficient to cause us
alarm, let alone the possibility of a pair or more," interjected Commander
Elgin.  "I hope that Beraut has a special incantation that would work
against such a foe or that he has devised a plan to deal with them when the
time comes."

"I'm afraid that I have no panacea for dealing with this problem.  All I
can do is pit my strengths against this foe.  There is much wisdom in what
Commander Elgin has said and I also dread the thought of possibly having to
deal with more than one of these freaks of nature in battle.  The one I saw
was scouting the upper reaches of the mountains for intruders, snacking on
whatever poor critter it discovered along the way.  It doesn't seem to
differentiate between natural inhabitants of the mountains and trespassers,
but it merely devours every hapless creature it comes upon.  I wish to
advise you that facing this beast will not require a feat of courage, but a
blend of intelligence, strategy, and ingenuity.  If we are to defeat
Madumda's pet, we will be required to identify its weakness, be able to
postulate a way to exploit that weakness, formulate a plan of attack, and
then find a way to attack it before it is able to understand or react to
our strategy.  In addition to all of that, we will probably also require a
little luck, especially if we are to note any weakness soon enough to have
the time necessary to do what needs to be done.  Although I can admire
Captain Baith's bravado, I urge him to rely more on his mental reasoning
and creativity than on his physical prowess and machismo.  If we are to
stand against this particular adversary, we will need to have clear heads
and sound reasoning."

"Your advice is noted," Baith replied, "and I beg your indulgence with my
instinctive initial outburst.  It is just that my cousin and I were more
like brothers and I wanted no one to doubt that I would do everything in my
power to avenge his death."

"No person here doubts your devotion to your family or the enormous courage
you possess," the mage informed him, "but vengeance is a dish best served
after it has simmered, rather than when taken straight from the fire.  The
cook who tries to taste the sweet rewards too soon shall likely endure pain
and blisters, rather than delight in the sweet taste of his labors."

"Well said, Master Beraut," the King told him, "and our young protege would
be wise to heed your sage advice.  More warriors have been lost due to
unadvised displays of courage and proving their masculinity, than have been
overcome by superior skills.  It is not always the strongest who prevails,
but more often the one who has the quickest wit and is the most adaptable
in new situations."

"Now I understand how you two have lived so long and why you are so
valuable to Tarolia," Captain Baith remarked humbly.  "I thank you both for
your words of wisdom and I shall attempt to emulate your example."

"Getting back to the issue at hand," Commander Elgin said, bringing them
back on topic, "do you have any suggestions as to what I might do to
protect my troops as we move along the base of that mountain range?"

"I do have ideas on how to camouflage your men and possibly keep you from
having an encounter with our friend."

"I hope that was a slip of the tongue and you meant to say that your plan
will definitely, not possibly, keep us from having an encounter with this
new enemy?"

"Unfortunately I can give you no guarantees.  There are far too many things
that can go wrong when trying to conceal the large number of troops we are
talking about.  To pull this off, your men will have to be highly
disciplined, have great strength and patience, and follow every minute
detail of my plan, without exception.  If they waver in any of these areas
for even a second, such a blunder could expose you to the terrifying wrath
of that beast."

The commander nodded his understanding.  "I shall instill this upon my men
and we will drill unceasingly, until we can pull this off without the
slightest wavering."

"That is all that I can ask of you.  To execute my plan, I will need each
of your soldiers to carry with them one of the rectangular wicker basket
lids that you dwarfs are so fond of."

"This is a highly unusual request, so do you mind if I inquire why?"

"Yes, I suspected you might wish to know why.  We will be camouflaging the
one side of these lids to shield from being seen by the Condor.  You will
also need to carry your battle shields with you, wrapped in cloth and slung
to their packs.

"It shall be as you order then."

"Before I instruct them as to what we will do, I will need you to have them
bring the lids and a piece of burlap.  I shall also need each man to bring
a supply of items that would be found on the mountain slopes, such as
twigs, small stones, and small plants which have been collected in such a
fashion that there is dirt still clinging to their roots.  We shall use
this material to camouflage the lids and help you to blend in with the
surroundings."

"Ah, yes.  I do believe that I see where you are going with this now.
Quite clever, my wise friend, and I see now why you need rectangular basket
lids."

"I knew you would.  Send word to the troops under your command that they
shall have everything gathered and ready for use by an hour after breakfast
tomorrow.  We shall meet on the plain that lies at the foot of the road
that leads to Thorold, and I shall instruct everyone as to how we shall
pull off this ruse.  Are there any questions?"

"None, sir.  Everything shall be as you have asked."  With that, Commander
Elgin set about giving instructions to his various aides-de-camp, and they
went forth to deliver their various orders to their subordinates.  As the
lesser officers were leaving, the wizard turned his attention to the food
that had awaited him and he quickly devoured his fill.  As he was polishing
off the last morsel of a tasty sweet roll, King Brolin rose to address
those who still remained.

"I believe it is time to indulge Master Beraut in a bit of dwarf merriment,
so fetch the musicians and tell them to oblige us with a ballad or two
before we retire."

One of the attendants scurried from the chamber and returned several
minutes later with a small gathering of dwarfs.  These dwarfs were carrying
a variety of instruments and they were hurriedly trying to make sure their
appearance was suitable and they were presentable for such a gathering.
Although they had been told that they might be needed that evening, as the
hour grew later they doubted that their services would be required, so they
went ahead and became involved in other activities.  When the messengers
arrived to summon them, they hastily made their way to the hall, not
thinking about their appearance until they arrived.  They offered each
other suggestions as to what needed to be straightened or improved upon,
even as they entered the chamber, eventually moving to their chairs where
they began to tune their instruments.  After a few minutes of this
cacophony, the group waited until the King made the first request.  He
asked them to play a selection about the mighty dwarf king for whom Thorold
and Thorley had been named.  The gathering began to hush as the tune was
begun.

	Many kings are known for their powers
		In the battles that they waged
	But the mightiest of all our rulers
		Had seldom in battle engaged

	He led them with knowledge and wisdom
		As he ruled this wondrous land
	Believing in liberty and justice
		He ruled them with an even hand

	His foresight was really astounding
		He saw what no other could
	He constructed our dwarfen capital
		Out of stone and mortar, not wood

	He excavated mighty tunnels
		Leading deep into the ground
	There to discover the precious treasures
		For which the dwarfs are so renowned

	He had designed a place of safety
		A stronghold, impregnable
	A lasting monument to his genius
		Its value inestimable

	His diplomacy ensured the peace
		We enjoyed his whole life long
	And the friendships that he cultivated
		Would remain eternally strong

	So we salute you now dear Thorin
		Our mightiest dwarfen king
	We will remember your lasting greatness
		And your praises forever sing

As the dying chords of this ballad faded into the night, an appreciative
round of applause took its place.  Some of the dwarfs banged their tankards
on the table, to show their approval for this rendition of their beloved
anthem, while others merely slapped their hands against the tabletops or
whistled their delight.  They carried on like this until Commander Elgin
stood up to make the next request, choosing a whimsical, light-hearted
ditty.  The musicians nodded their acknowledgement, readied their
instruments, before they struck the first notes of this new melody.

Great deeds are the heart of our story
	Though sometimes these tales might seem gory
	But dragons were famous
	For the troubles they gave us
	As they sought out fame, wealth, and glory

	For dwarfs they are a very real threat
	And you'll never find one as a pet
	For they take great pleasure
	In stealing our treasure
	Without even expressing regret


There once was a crafty old dragon Whose tongue did a great deal of waggin'
As he ogled our wealth And he planned with great stealth That this to his
lair he'd be draggin'

In the midst of fulfilling his plan He spied items he thought were too
bland Discarding a platter It made quite a clatter Arousing the entire
dwarfish clan

Embarrassed, he was caught in the act He couldn't even deny one small fact
Though he weighed his options And took some precautions He found wisdom the
thing that he lacked

So for now that clever old dragon Finds his tongue no longer is waggin' No
more tricks will he wage For he's locked in a cage Since the dwarfs have
finally bagged him

This time the room was also filled with laughter as the last chorus died
out, and the dwarfs banged their tankards on the tables with much delight.
As order was slowly restored to the hall, King Brolin suggested that it was
time for them to all to turn in for the evening, resting up for the big day
they had in store tomorrow.  Exchanging the customary parting salutations,
they all headed for their own lodgings.  The wizard made his way back to
the same chamber that he had enjoyed on his earlier visit and he hurriedly
unpacked, so he could finish his final preparations before he too could
rest.  He was only partially through this task when he began to grow drowsy
and his head began to nod downward as weariness overcame him.  He struggled
to remain awake long enough to complete his work and then he dragged
himself over to the bed and fell on top of the covers, instantly passing
out on the spot.

The wizard slept soundly all evening, only waking for a few moments later,
when he began to feel chilled.  At that time, he removed his robe and
slipped under the covers, spending the remainder of the evening engulfed in
the soft folds of the mattress and warmed by the heavy quilts that trapped
his escaping body heat and used it to help keep him snug.  The comforting
embrace of the bedding also helped to produce a series of very pleasant
dreams, and Beraut was reliving a very happy memory from his youth when he
was gently shaken awake.

"Good morning, Master Beraut," came the quiet voice of Commander Elgin.  "I
really hate to disturb your slumber, but it is nearly the time you told me
to have my men meet you.  If you hurry and dress, you shall still have an
opportunity to enjoy a modest breakfast with us before it will be time for
you to begin your instruction."

"Thank you, my kind friend, for taking the time to wake me.  I'm afraid
that I might have slumbered much longer than necessary, without your
intervention.  I shall join you shortly, but I shall need a few minutes to
prepare."  With that, Commander Elgin left and the mage hurried about his
room, washing, dressing, and gathering the materials he was taking with
him.  When all of this was completed, the sage walked briskly to the King's
personal dining room, where he shared a hasty morning meal with King
Brolin, Commander Elgin, and Captain Baith.  The food was quite good and
very filling, and the other three commented about many things as they
dined.  Finally the conversation turned to their present task and Beraut
began to inform them about what he had on his mind.

"Although this had not been part of my initial planning, we must take
precautions to avoid being spotted from the air.  As soon as Commander
Elgin's troops are formed, I shall instruct them as to how we shall
carryout this guise.  I hope they have collected the materials I had
requested of them and are ready to begin when I get there."

"Your previous orders were passed along and carried out," Commander Elgin
reported.  "The troops should be nearly formed by now and awaiting your
arrival.  You may join us when you are ready, but I will leave now and make
certain that all is in order before you arrive."  With that, the commander
left the room.  Although Elgin was now more accustomed to giving orders, he
was a professional soldier and he was used to carrying out the orders he
was given.

The wizard now turned to Captain Baith and spoke. "I shall be accompanying
you and your troops to Valeda.  When we reach the town, we shall part ways
and I shall go to organize the troops that will be forming on the lower
plains.  We shall meet again later, when our forces reunited of the Central
Plains of Asimae, just before we move forward to engage in battle.  I hope
you do not mind my intrusion during this leg of our journey?"

"It is definitely not an intrusion and my troops and I will be greatly
honored by your presence.  You shall join me in an honored position at the
front of the ranks, along with King Brolin."  At this pronouncement, the
enchanter furrowed his brow and gave a puzzling glance at the monarch.  As
the wizard's steely eyes scanned Brolin's face, he knew that the King had
not heeded his earlier advice.

"It is true," the dwarf king began, "that I have decided to fight with my
people against this scourge.  After careful consideration I have concluded
that, if this effort should not succeed, I wish not to be around to witness
the consequences of our failure or to witness the things that Madumda does
in triumph.  Even my advanced years, which I might add are still
considerably less than your own, could not keep me out of this fray."

"And have you also considered that you might also not be around to enjoy
your contributions, should we be victorious?"

"That thought had also crossed my mind, but I am willing to take that
chance."

"As you wish then, my stubborn friend, for I learned long ago that I can
not change your mind once it is set.  I must reluctantly admit, however,
that your experience in battle could be a major asset to us along the way."
The wizard now turned toward the other dwarf.  "Captain Baith, you are to
make sure that your forces are ready to leave as soon as I have finished
assisting Commander Elgin's troops, and I shall expect your men to be
standing ready at the front gates an hour before midday.  By the way,
please order your soldiers to carry their repelling shields and a couple of
pieces of burlap large enough to wrap the shield in.  I have another idea
on how your command will go about using them, though this plan has nothing
to do with the Condor."

"But we will be far more likely to be involved in hand-to-hand combat,
rather than repelling an artillery assault, so wouldn't the battle shields
be more appropriate?"

"They would, but they would not be appropriate for the task I have in store
for you.  When they time comes, your men may fight using the repelling
shields or discard them and grab a battle shield from one of their fallen
comrades."

"Yes, I guess that would be sufficient."

With that having been agreed upon, Beraut whirled about and exited the
room, leaving the other two to speculate about his intentions before they
set about performing their own tasks.  The wizard made his way along
numerous corridors, basically ignoring everyone he passed, until he reached
the main gate.  He quickly exited through the portal and walked part way
down the slope, before he perched himself upon a rock landing that jutted
above the ground where Commander Elgin's troops awaited him.  He quickly
surveyed the diminutive troops before he began to speak, and then he
instructed them on the necessity of his plan, advised them of the existence
of the giant bird, and he shared all the minute details of what would need
to be done to pull this off.  When he felt that each trooper understood all
of the ramifications of what even the slightest breech in execution might
evoke, he strode down to where they stood and began to guide them through
the process of camouflaging their wicker lids.

First he had them weave the plants into the burlap before they stretched
the material over the underside of the lid, making sure the burlap was
wrapped tightly enough and securely enough to prevent slippage.  Next he
instructed them how to use this for the base on which to attach the other
materials, such as the small stones and clumps of dirt, shaping the outer
surface to resemble a section of mountain slope.  Carefully they made sure
that all the twigs, plants, and rocks were secured to the fabric, either
having tied them into position with twine or by fastening them with a
magically prepared glue that he had sent down for their use.  Once everyone
had completed their preparations, he had Commander Elgin form the troops in
marching order, the column farthest to the left being right against the
slope of the mountain.  While in this position, they began to practice
their evasive maneuver.

Upon his signal, each man was to crouch, holding his lid above his head,
with the lids touching each other and not wavering, even in the slightest.
The wizard climbed to his perch to inspect the effect, and then he would
offer suggestions for modifications to the camouflage's appearance, or by
weaving more grasses into the coverings of the column farthest away from
him, to give the perception of an uneven blending of the mountain into the
plains.  When he was satisfied with the overall effect, he had the troops
begin to march, listening for his signal, and then they would react to his
call and perpetrate the ruse.  Beraut would critique their efforts,
pointing out each gap, movement, or other sign that might give them away,
before having them return to their starting positions and do the whole
thing over again.  They did this many, many times, until it became second
nature to them and they could pull it off without the slightest hitch, and
then he gave them their final instructions before they left.

"I cannot emphasize enough," he told them, "on the importance of
remembering all you have been taught these past few hours.  Even the
slightest mistake could cost you your lives and endanger the success of
this mission.  Your failure to reach Tunstan and join in the battle would
fatally diminish our strength and jeopardize our chances of success.
Commander Elgin, please take charge of your troops and be on your way.  May
your path be free of obstacles, your feet carry you swiftly, and may the
blessings of the Gods be upon you.  I shall see you next as the battle is
waged and I pray that it turns out as we have planned."

The battle-hardened commander saluted and barked an order, as Beraut went
back into Thorold to retrieve his things and prepare for the next group.
When he returned, Commander Elgin's troops had barely marched off when
Captain Baith's troops were forming upon the same patch of land.  The
wizard glided into position, to the extreme left of the King and Captain
Baith.  Nodding that all was well, the captain barked an order and they
began their march past Crystal Lake and forward, toward Valeda.  The sun
was nearing its zenith, as they marched along and they enjoyed a cool late
autumn breeze, which made the exertion of the march easier to endure.
Beraut spent his time chatting with King Brolin and the Captain of the
Guard, telling them about his journey across the Valley of the Dead and
about his observations of Kieren.  He told them how much the prince had
matured in just the short time he had known him and how impressed he was
with his potential.  He even indicated that, should they all survive this
encounter, he felt Kieren had all the necessary requisites to become a
famous and powerful ruler.

When the magician finished his comments, the dwarfs filled him in on the
little bits of news they had received during his absence.  After that, they
reviewed the battle plan once more, searching for flaws, and discussed in
detail various scenarios which might arise, should any of the forces be
delayed or fail to show at all.  Having worked through numerous backup
plans and contingencies, they felt that they were as mentally ready for
this battle as they could possibly be.  Their attention was now diverted by
a wave of dark clouds that rolled into the area, signaling more bad weather
and more precipitation.

"The weather has been particularly harsh, even for this time of year," King
Brolin commented.  "I hope that this is not somehow a result of Madumda's
doing."

"No, this is just a natural occurrence.  I am not fond of what is happening
and I'm not sure if this will aid or hinder our efforts."

"The weather in the mountains and upper plains has been particularly harsh
these past few weeks," Captain Baith observed.  Although it has been
raining on the plains, snow has been collecting at the upper altitudes."

"I know, though the snow should not concern any of our forces.  The rain,
however, is an altogether different story and it could make traveling much
more difficult and make it harder for the various groups to arrive at their
scheduled times."

The other pair nodded just as the heavens unleashed a torrent of rain,
which stung their faces, blurred their vision, and slowed their pace by
half.  The ground was becoming soggier with each added drop, making the
footing more difficult, and, to make matters worse, the thick clouds
blotted the sun from the sky, making it look more like evening than midday.
With the conditions this bad, they opted not to take a break, trying to
maintain the tight schedule they knew they had to keep.  The going was slow
and tedious, but after several hours they finally arrived at Valeda.
Beraut noted that this might not have been possible with other troops, but
dwarfs were not only hearty and rugged, they could take on challenges that
would overcome the other races.  Now here they were, only slightly behind
schedule, with the river city spread invitingly out before them.

There were no outer walls to protect this city, as there were at Leander
and Cassander, but there were signs that a hasty barrier was being
constructed along its perimeter.  Men were constructing a wooden fence that
would run entirely along the outer city limits and other men were digging a
trench, which would be filled with diverted river water when the time came.
Between the fence and the impromptu moat would stand a collection of
repelling barbs, to further deter an attack.  These defenses wouldn't
protect the inhabitants entirely, but they would slow and lessen the
severity of a ground assault.

As they moved closer, Beraut quietly scanned the multitude of newly
constructed repelling barbs, noting that each one was comprised of seven
wooden posts, sharpened to fine points on each end, and fastened together
in such a way that they formed a three-dimensional star-shaped obstacle,
intended to impale enemy troops that stormed the city's outer defenses.
The deployment of each barb was so that it overlapped with the one that was
to its side and either in front of or behind it, leaving no room to dodge
between them.  It would form a ponderous chain, when completed, and it
would claim many of the lives of those foolhardy enough to attempt to
challenge it.

After his investigation of those obstacles, Beraut noted that there were
also series of small signal fires, located between the ring of barbs and
the wooden fence, each one manned by a squad of soldiers.  The fires were
approximately fifty paces apart and placed so the city's inhabitants would
be able to see any possible intruders during the hours of darkness or they
could use the fires to ignite such other defensive barriers that they might
have prepared in advance.  Boldly, the mage led this small army directly
toward one of these posts, picking his way through the incomplete
preparations.  They were still forty paces away from this location when a
challenge rang out from the guard on duty.

"Halt!  Who goes there?"

"It is Beraut with a regiment of dwarf fighting men, led by King Brolin and
Baith, Captain of the Guard.  We seek admittance to Valeda, to meet with
your leaders and make preparations for the upcoming battle."

One of the officers was dispatched to verify their identity and to give
them final clearance into the city.  Cautiously he approached the armed
party, relaxing only after he recognized the leaders of the troop.  Now he
moved forward more rapidly, greeting them warmly when he was within normal
earshot.

"Master Beraut, if you, King Brolin, and Captain Baith would be so kind as
to follow me, I will take you directly to Magistrate Odilon.  He has been
eagerly awaiting your arrival throughout the day and my orders are to bring
you to him the moment you arrived.  One of my junior officers will show the
dwarf troops where they may set up camp."

Beraut nodded and the three of them were led past the remaining barricades,
through a makeshift gate, and into the city proper.  They were taken down
one street after another, zig-zagging their way to the center of town,
until they stood before a large ornate building.  This was the official
home of the city's leader and it was by far the most impressive structure
they had passed in getting here.  Their escort used the brass doorknocker
to rouse the servant on the other side and the butler was soon peering out
a small opening in the center of the large door, to determine who was there
and why they were there.

"Please state your business," came the very officious request from the
voice on the other side.

"I bring the wizard Beraut, the dwarf King, and his military leader, as
Magistrate Odilon has requested.  Please grant us admittance and then tell
the Magistrate his guests have arrived."

The servant had obviously been given prior instructions concerning their
arrival and he immediately opened the door for them to enter.  The
dignitaries passed through the doorway, standing in the foyer, waiting to
see where they were to proceed next.

"Please take off your wet outer garments and I shall have them hung near
the fire to dry," said the very polite manservant.  "When you are ready, I
will show you to another room where you may wait for his Grace.  Things
have been very busy around here and sleep is at a premium, so he was trying
to steal a quick nap, but I shall go and wake him immediately."

"Please, let him rest," Beraut told the servant.  "There is no need to
interrupt his slumber, as we can see him and conduct our business in the
morning."

"Oh, no," cried the flustered butler.  "Magistrate Odilon specifically
ordered me to rouse him as soon as you arrived.  I must do as I have been
instructed or he will have my hide when he does awake.  Please, make
yourselves comfortable while I go and fetch him."

"Very well," Beraut responded, "if that is what you were told to do, but I
do hate to disturb a man's slumber needlessly."

They were led into a very nice room, just off the front hallway, which
served as both the library and study.  Here they were told that they could
wait and entertain themselves while they awaited the Magistrate's arrival.
They each began a cursory examination of the room, finding that it
contained a priceless collection of literary masterpieces.  Even though the
monetary value of the contents was immense, the room was inexplicably
lacking organization.  It would have been difficult to locate any single
title without an extensive search, and it would have been a nightmare to
keep track of the many volumes contained within.  The wizard just shook his
head, not able to understand how anyone could be so careless with such
valuable tomes, and baffled by the great disarray.

In addition to the books, the room also contained several plush chairs,
quite suitable for relaxing and enjoying one of these fine masterpieces.
The guests took the opportunity to indulge themselves in such a simple
pleasure, flipping through the pages and noting the illustrations, at least
until their host joined them.  It wasn't very long before the Magistrate
came scuttling into the room, heading directly toward Beraut, his arm
outstretched in greeting.

"I am so glad that you have finally arrived.  I was beginning to become
concerned about your safety and well-being.  I was fearful that something
had gone amiss or that your plans might have been altered."

"No, it was nothing as serious as that, just some minor inconveniences
along the way.  I apologize for bothering your slumber, but your servant
insisted that he was to wake you."

"He was correct, as those were my orders.  I sent word to all the guard
stations this morning that you were to be brought here immediately when you
arrived and I told the staff that I was to be informed the minute you got
here, regardless of the hour.  I am holding several communiques for you,
from the various armies.  They have been delivered by numerous messengers
over the past few days and I felt that they might need your immediate
attention."

Magistrate Odilon went over to his desk, unlocked a drawer, and fetched the
documents and handed them to the seer.  Beraut took the parchments, broke
each seal, and perused the contents.  He was totally engrossed in these
messages and it was many minutes before anyone spoke.  Finally the
enchanter broke the silence.

"Thank you for bringing these to my attention, for they do contain some
good news.  The Wood Elves have joined up with the troops from Cassander
and the armies from Tiago and Reza have united with the Udele forces, while
the River Elves have arrived at Leander.  They should have all begun the
deployment to their assigned positions this morning and they will be on the
lower fringe of the central plains by midday tomorrow, awaiting our
arrival.  Has there been any word from the army of the northern
city-states?"

"I have received none.  I hope that is not an ill omen, but merely an
indication of their ability to get a messenger safely through to us."

"I pray it is just an oversight on their part and that no messenger was
intercepted.  I would not want any of our plans getting back to Madumda,
giving him time to revise his strategy.  We will very likely find out the
reason for their long silence, be it for good or for ill, and I hope the
reason shall be mundane.  Is your army ready to march?"

"Most certainly and our soldiers have been anxious since the news of this
campaign first reached them.  I will send word, forthwith, that they shall
prepare to march at the crack of dawn, if that is agreeable with you?"

"That will be fine.  Now, we shall take your leave and return to the dwarf
encampment."

"Certainly not!  I must insist that you three spend the evening here, as my
guests.  I have made arrangements for you to be lodged in our finest
chambers, so you may get an adequate night's rest.  You will be able to
rejoin your troops in the morning, after we've eaten.  Please permit my
butler to show you to your rooms, so you may get cleaned up before we
dine.."

"Our heartiest thanks, noble sir, for your hospitality is greatly
appreciated," King Brolin informed him.  "One more night out of the rain
will be a luxury indeed."

"Your Grace," Captain Baith began, "may I be so bold as to ask you another
favor?"

"Anything, my good man," came Odilon's reply.

"Would you be so kind as to send a messenger to our encampment and notify
them of our plans to spend the evening here.  I'm afraid they would be
greatly concerned if we did not return within an appropriate time.  Let me
jot a quick note off to my second-in-command, letting him know this small
fact.  That will keep him from fearing that we might be in some danger."

"Certainly, this shall be done.  You will find supplies on my desk for
penning your missive and I shall dispatch someone to deliver it when it is
completed.  Do any of you require anything else?"  The three shook their
heads simultaneously, before Beraut spoke up.

"There seems to be nothing more we need from you at this time.  We do wish
to thank you for your gracious hospitality and for the other favors you
have granted us, at our request."

"Go get cleaned up and dinner will be waiting for you upon your returned,"
Odilon advised them.  The trio went off, cleaned up, and returned for the
meal.  It was quite sumptuous and quite different from the dwarven meals he
had enjoyed or the non-exciting fares they had eaten while on the move.
There were dishes unique to this city, the recipes pass on and improved
upon over time, and there were also some of the more popular Tarolian
offerings.  They all ate their fill, chatting enthusiastically as they
dined, and then they talked a while longer after they finished.  As the
hour grew late, Magistrate Odilon finally recognized how late it was.

"Is there anything else I may do for you?" he asked them.

"No, all we require now is some rest and we shall see you again in the
morning," Beraut advised him.

"In that case, I shall bid you all good evening and my servant will take
you to your rooms.  I shall see you again at breakfast and may you enjoy a
slumber filled with nothing but pleasant dreams."

The trio all returned a suitable parting phrase and then followed the
butler up the staircase to the second floor.  They went down a long
corridor, only stopping as the servant opened the doors to their rooms and
allowed to enter.  On the dressers was a pitcher with fresh warm water, a
basin, and some clean cloths and towels for them to wash off before getting
into bed.  Each one did so and then slipped between the soft embrace of
clean sheets, as their bodies were wrapped in the luxurious folds of the
mattresses.

It took the dwarfs hardly any time whatsoever to fall into a deep sleep, as
they were very weary from their exhausting march, but Beraut was not as
fortunate.  Before he was able to journey into oblivion, he made another
mental attempt to check in on Kieren, to evaluate how much progress he and
his protectors had made.  Summoning his magical abilities, the mage tried
to see what he could of the prince's present situation, but he was only
able to conjure up a vague image of the party, one that made very little
sense to him.

'What does this mean,' the wizard thought to himself, 'and why can't I get
a better picture of what they are up to?  Last night when I tried to
contact them, everything was so dark that I couldn't make out who was who
or what they were doing.  This should not have been so, as there was a
wondrous bright moon, even with the poor weather.  No matter what I tried,
I could not do better, so I began to consider that they might have reached
the tunnels of Treblanc sooner than I had expected.  That would explain
this anomaly, but not after my calculations.  Even under ideal conditions,
they would not have been able to reach the hidden passages until tomorrow,
so I don't understand why everything is so dark and obscure.  This is a
simple skill that I am using, one that can be done by novices.  It is a
skill that I have used all my life, but suddenly I am having difficulty
utilizing it.  Could it be that Madumda is somehow interfering with my
ability or that he is also aware of their attempt?  No I'm sure that is not
it, but what can it be?  They appear to be sleeping peacefully, something I
would not expect had the Dark Lord discovered them, but what is wrong with
my ability to observe them?'

Slowly the enchanter let go of his concerns, realizing that his brother
would not be behind this or he wouldn't have left so many incongruities for
him to him to ponder about or so many questions needing to be answered.  If
this were a ruse created by Madumda, then it would most likely be scenes he
would have expected, not visions that would arouse his curiosity.  Even
though he couldn't answer his own questions about this puzzle, he knew that
whatever it was that was happening, it had not been created by his evil
brother and that the party seemed to be in no harm.  Slowly he gave into
his weariness, drifting off to sleep, knowing he must renew his strength
for what was to lie ahead.  Sinking deeper into the softness of his
mattress, his last thoughts were of a sleeping Kieren, though he was not
sure exactly where they were at this moment.

                *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *

If you have enjoyed reading this story, you will find other stories by me at
http://members.tripod.de/wolfslair, in the 'Other Stories' section.
E-mails may be sent to: bwstories8@aol.com.