The Dragons Bane

CHAPTER 22

The Spy

“My Lord, the guards are bringing in a prisoner. He was caught trying to sneak into the castle with some of the farmers. The farmers pretended not to know that he wasn’t one of them and then alerted the guards,” says a messenger guard, approaching Lord Muldoon where he sits in residence in his great hall.

“Dismiss the court, and give the farmers that led to his capture one gold piece each. And bring this prisoner before me, I would know who dares to try to broach my walls! And send for my captains! And the inquisitor!”

No sooner has the messenger begun to leave than the captains come filing in, along with six heavily armed sergeants bearing a struggling man between them. The messenger returns shortly with the message that the inquisitor is on his way.

“Bring the prisoner before me!” The six guards advance and fling the man to the floor, forcing him into a kneeling position while they hold him.

“Who are you and who sent you?”

The prisoner glares defiantly, but refuses to say anything.

Just then the inquisitor enters, bear his tools of the trade hidden in a bag at his hip.

“Now we will get some answers,” smiles Lord Muldoon, giving the prisoner a dangerous look.

After the prisoner has made a complete rendition of his orders, Lord Muldoon sentences him to hang in one fortnight. He then calls a meeting for two hours hence, giving all those invited plenty of time to guarantee their prompt arrival. He also orders that each farmer’s reward be upped to ten gold pieces. And he dispatches a memo to Elrod, compete with the man’s story, asking him to find out what he can about the information garnered from the spy.

Those among the invited include not only the mighty leaders of the castle. The captains of the guard are also in attendance, as is a rather unusual assortment of other notable personages. Maximar, Tolkar, and Freedar are also in attendance, though they do not know why.

“As some of you know, and others have no doubt heard rumors of, a dragon cult spy was caught trying to sneak into the castle earlier today. What most of you do not know, is that he was sent here to gather information about any group of adventurers that have dwarves or elves in it. For some reason, it seems that the dragon cult is particularly interested in the Dragons Bane.”

The news and its implications hit Freedar with stunning force. He realizes that his son-in-law probably won’t be coming back from the dungeon.

Maximar, considering what Freedar must be thinking, looks his way. Taking a couple of steps, he reaches Freedar’s side. “It may not be as bad as you think.”

“On the contrary, it may be worse. Upon my Lord’s command, I did a little research into the matter. What I found... puzzles me,” says Elrod, pausing for effect.

“Don’t keep us in suspense, Elrod. Out with it,” commands Lord Muldoon.

“There is a story about a prophecy made to the dragon many, many years ago. It seems the dragon was told that two dwarves and an elf would destroy him, or something to that effect. And since they went to the dungeons last season, I suspect that word somehow reached the dragon cultists. The spy was probably sent here to find out if there were indeed two dwarves and an elf here.”

“This bodes ill for them, then. The dragonmen will no doubt be waiting for them, if they haven’t caught them already,” comments Lord Muldoon.

“I request permission to go and try to help them,” interrupts Freedar, looking askance at the only other two people left from the party he adventured with in his youth.

“You know I’ll go with you, old friend,” replies Maximar.

“And I can’t let you two lunkheads go alone, somebody’s got to watch out for you,” volunteers Tolkar.

Lord Muldoon, expecting this, replies with heartfelt sympathy. “I thought that would be your reaction, that is why I invited the three of you. I don’t suppose I can talk you three out of this, can I?”

“Not without throwing me in the dungeon, my Lord,” replies Freedar. “My wife and daughter would never forgive me if I didn’t at least try to save my son-in-law.”

“That’s throwing US in the dungeon, my Lord,” corrects Maximar.

“Very well then, may The Knights of the Light ride again. You have my blessing. Get going, before I change my mind.”

The three hastily depart to gather their gear, leaving the others to continue their discussion on the matter.

“Do you think it wise to allow them to go, my husband? They are not exactly in their prime anymore.”

“I think that, between them, they are more formidable than you realize. Besides, a small party of three will have a greater chance of success than sending in an army of soldiers. Also, I don’t want the dragon’s wrath to be turned upon us, at least not yet. He would no doubt kill most of the farmers before we could stop him.”

“But still, to send three over-the-hill adventurers who haven’t been out for twenty years? They may well be going to their deaths.”

“As I said, they are stronger than you realize. I have no doubt that Tolkar will plunder his own shop for anything and everything they need. Besides, I would rather they go with my blessing than without it.”

“And what of the Dragons Bane? I have assured the Elven church that we would look after Clandistra.”

“They will be fine,” comments Elrod.

“And what makes you say that,” asks Lady Sheela.

“The prophecy. They can’t very well fulfill it if they are dead, unless, of course, they aren’t the ones the prophecy spoke of.”

“Just the same, I want you to keep an eye on the three of them with your crystal ball. I will have a rescue party standing by in the event of any real trouble. After all, I did ask them to look around up there, so I feel some responsibility, particularly if they get themselves caught while trying to do my bidding,” commands Lord Muldoon, in an effort to appease his wife.

“And what kind of trouble do you want me to keep an eye out for?”

“The dragon. If they manage to lure him out of his den in the dungeon, he will be vulnerable. Maybe then we can put an end to him and his dragon cult. Besides, I would rather any battle of that nature take place at Myth Dranor, as opposed to here.”

“Yes, I can see how that could prove problematic for us.”

“That’s putting it mildly. I have an obligation to my people to do the best job possible to keep them safe. And having a dragon scourging the countryside isn’t something I want to see happen.”

“My Lord, if the dragon is such a powerful threat, why have you not tried to destroy him before now?” asks one of the junior captains.

“Because he is too strong for us to kill him when he is in his lair, even if we knew where that was, so we must get him when he is outside. The only problem is that he hasn’t come out of his lair in over fifty years, and even then it was without warning. My father was too young to defend the realm, and my grandfather was too old. I have been waiting my whole life for a chance at the dragon, maybe now the time has come.”

“What has happened? Why are you getting on your armor?” asks Teela, coming into their bedroom to find out why he was called to the castle.

Looking at her, he finds he doesn’t know how to tell her or his daughter, blissfully unaware as she goes about her work in the kitchen.

“It’s Nordok and the others, isn’t it,” she says, going to her husband and beginning to weep on his shoulder.

“Now, don’t you fret none. We’ll bring him back. We’ll bring them all back”

“You and who else?”

“Why, the rest of The Knight’s of the Light.”

“But you three haven’t gone to the dungeons under Myth Dranor in almost twenty years. And I don’t want to lose you too.”

“I can hold my own, and then some. You know I still keep in shape.”

Hoping in her heart that he is right, but thankful that the others will be there also, she regains her resolve of years ago. “When are you leaving.”

“As soon as the other two arrive.”

“Well, then I guess I better get you some food for the trip. Will a week’s supply be enough?”

“Yes, and don’t tell Timora until after we are gone. I don’t want to upset her, nor do I want my last vision of her to be her crying.”

“I’ll send the other’s back here to you when they arrive, my love.”

“Thankyou, my wife.”

Maximar arrives within the hour, lugging a large pack. Timora is watching from the kitchen door when Teela directs him to the back.

“Mother, what is Maximar doing with father.”

“Oh, they are just reliving some of their glory days. Tolkar will be here soon, as well. Now, back to the kitchen with you and finish gathering those supplies for the Lord’s men.”

A short while later, Tolkar comes in with an assistant helping him to carry several large sacks.

“He is in the back, with Maximar,” says Teela, trying to maintain an air of normalcy so as not to alert Timora that anything is wrong.

The wizard, quick to understand the situation, smiles encouragingly at her and winks. “Thanks.” He then goes to join the others where they are waiting, followed by his assistant.

“You may leave those there, and thanks, Mikor.”

“You are welcome, as always. Have fun,” replies Mikor before leaving.

“What’s with all the stuff?” asks Freedar.

“My friend, what is the point in running a magic store if I can’t try out some of the merchandise?”

“I have magical armored girdles of giant strength for each of you. And I have rings, cloaks, and all sorts of goodies.”

“Now that’s the ticket!” says Maximar. “I just know we’re going to have some fun on this trip!”

“I don’t know what to say, except, thankyou, my old friend.”

“Just quit with the old stuff, I’m barely in my prime, these gray hairs mean nothing.”

“Well, what have you got here for us?” asks Maximar, his spirits uncharacteristically high.

Pulling open the first sack, Tolkar begins to empty its contents onto the floor into three different piles. “Here is a girdle for each of us. Here is a ring of flying and a +3 ring of armoring for each of us, as well as these +2 cloaks. Here are two +3 shields and +3 long swords for you two, and two +2 helms. And I have my +3 staff. Sorry I didn’t have time to have some armor fitted for either of you.”

“Our own is good enough, especially with all these other goodies to help,” replies Maximar.

“Oh, I almost forgot, I have three pairs of boots of enhanced movement and all these potions that we will have to divvy up amongst us. And that is pretty much it for what I brought for you two.”

“What is all the other stuff in there?” asks Maximar.

“Stuff that only I can use, I’m afraid. After all, the magic shop is primarily for mages. I brought a few wands and other things that may come in handy if we run into trouble.”

Just then, Lady Sheela and her two highest-ranking subordinates from the church come into the inn.

“Mother! Lady Sheela is here!” says an awestruck Timora, as she bows low for the three clerics.

“You may rise, my child. I am here to see your father. Would you mind fetching him for us?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Timora replies, as she rises and starts for the back room.

Teela, just coming in from the kitchen, stops her. “I’ll get them, you have more work in the kitchen that needs doing.”

Teela, upon entering the bedroom where the others are adorning themselves with the magic items that Tolkar brought, is shocked for a moment by the display of wealth before her.

“Yes, my wife? What is it?” asks Freedar.

“Lady Sheela is here. She wishes to see the three of you.”

“Please tell her that we shall be out momentarily,” says Tolkar, not abashed at all over keeping the Lady waiting.

“We’ll be out as soon as we can,” says Freedar.

Returning to the common room, Teela apologizes to the Lady for their brief tardiness. “They will be out momentarily, my Lady, they are dressing for the occasion. Perhaps you would like to be seated?”

“Actually, yes, a table in a quiet corner would be most appropriate for what we must discuss with the three of them.”

“This way, if you please.” Timora escorts the clerics to a corner table, where she hurriedly dusts all the chairs and the table before seating them. “Is there anything that I can get for you? A drink? Something to eat?”

“No, thankyou. We’re fine. We are here on business.”

Respecting their wish for privacy, Teela bows and retreats from the group. Heading towards the kitchen, she knows that she must prevent Timora from eavesdropping. If Timora discovers the plight of the Dragons Bane while the Lady Sheela is here, the consequences would be embarrassing, at the least.

“Let’s get suited up so we can get going. I assume you are going to teleport us up that way.”

“You always were the impatient one Maximar.”

“And you were always the cautious one.”

“And that is why we shall be teleporting to the top of the hill. I figure that big pile of stones that used to be the main keep should still be the same as it was when we were there last, even if it was twenty years ago.”

“I just hope we find them before they go into the dungeon,” says Freedar. “Because if we don’t, we may never find them in that maze.”

“Ah, but Elrod told me that he warned Mizdar not to go beyond the first floor of the dungeon. And Mizdar is no fool. He will heed the old mage’s warning. And I still have my maps of the dungeon, so even if they are already in the dungeon, we should be able to find them without too much trouble. After all, the first floor is the smallest of the labyrinths.”

“Yes, but what if they run into the dragonmen and are taken below the first? We never did discover the dragon’s lair. Nobody has. What then?” worries Freedar.

“We’ll worry about that problem when we come to it. For now, let’s just get up there and try to find them,” says Maximar.

“I suppose we had better see what Lady Sheela wants, we have kept her waiting long enough,” says Tolkar.

“Yes, I suppose we have,” agrees Freedar, as the three seasoned veterans, now battle-ready, make for the common room.

As the three of them approach the corner table where the clerics are waiting, the Lady Sheela notices all the magical adornments that they are wearing. “I see my husband was right, Tolkar. Is there anything left in your shop for the customers?” she asks, teasing the mage while at the same time marking the occasion as informal.

“Of course, my Lady. I have but taken the best of what was available,” replies Tolkar with a smile.

“I know you three are probably wondering what I’m doing here, besides delaying your departure. So I will be as quick as possible. I have some potions of total healing that I would like you to have. And I have a request to make of you as well.” At a motion from her, the two clerics escorting her produce a half-dozen flasks, which they place on the table in front of the adventurers.

“And what is this request, my Lady?” asks Freedar.

“While I am aware that your primary concern is your son-in-law, my primary concern is the safe return of Clandistra. I have made promises to her homeland as regards her safety and the preservation of her voice for her people. I wish to give each of you a word of return to help ensure her safe return.”

“I cannot promise to choose her life over my son-in-laws, my Lady.”

“And I am not asking you to. I just want to ensure that your mission has the best chances for success, while at the same time increasing her chances for survival as well.”

“In that case, my Lady, I accept.”

Please come and kneel before each of us.”

Doing as she commands, the three seasoned veterans each kneel before a cleric, with Freedar kneeling before the Lady Sheela. The clerics each say a prayer, before touching the adventurers on their foreheads and whispering the word that will activate the spell that brings them home to the church.

Regaining their feet, they thank the clerics.

“May the blessings of the Mother Tree be upon you and your quest,” says the Lady Sheela.