Part 4

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(Freyda)

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Chapter 16

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The pavilion of Duke Vittorio was a very large tent lavishly furnished with mahogany wood tables and chairs placed on top of an expensive looking thick red carpet. There were stacks of fruits and savoury treats laid on silver trays all around, intermixed with maps and diagrams of various types of siege weaponry.

Apparently the duke believed in travelling in style and since he clearly had the money to afford it, Sareth wondered why not.

There were quite a few people inside the pavilion already, a few servants that stood to attention as the Duke entered but also men in less formal clothes were there talking with each other in hushed whispers over the diagrams and designs. They all wore canvas aprons and some had goggles on. Sareth took them to be siege weapon engineers.

As the sun dipped low on the horizon lanterns were being hung around the tent to illuminate it, while the rest of the Imperial encampment had to make do with simple burning torches.

"Excellent blend of leaves in this brew." Vittorio said; pouring a dark liquid that steamed hot in the early night air into several cups.

This was the first time Sareth had ever tasted tea. It was a rarity that could only be afforded by the richest families around the Imperial capital of Talonguard. It tasted strange in his inexperienced mouth and while he drained the whole cup to be polite, it rolled the hot liquid around in his mouth to make up his mind whether or not he liked it.

"I must say I wasn't expecting to run into a military operation on our northern trade route." Lethos was saying to the duke as he gestured for them all to take seats. Being so large that his horns grazed the ceiling of the pavilion, Adrastos sank down onto the floor with a loud thump.

"And if I had any choice in the matter, I wouldn't be here with them either." Vittorio remarked with a smile, holding the cup of tea in front of his nose to let the aroma waft up to his nose. "Ah but such is the price of the benefits of citizenship in the Empire. My time is not my own and I must be go to war when ordered to by the Queen."

Lethos blinked and rubbed his chin, giving the man a thoughtful gaze.

"War? I haven't heard anything that significant while in the south." Knowing Lethos' mannerisms, Sareth saw immediately that the dark elf was probing their host for information.

"Up to more it's been more or less an internal matter." The duke replied. "After the war with the demon incursion ended twenty years ago, there were a lot of demon cultists and necromancer sleepers left strewn across the empire. They were stirring up trouble everywhere, fermenting riots, protests against the church of Elrath." He shook his head dismissively.

"That would never do. I don't agree with the recent church on theological matters but the faith is the core of Imperial society. Can't have peasants attacking it, it would disrupt the entire kingdom. So Queen … or I should rather now say, Saint Isabel ordered out the Imperial army to quell these rebellions and thus here I am." He sighed and then drank from his cup.

"On the Dwarven border?" Havez asked sceptically with a raised eyebrow. "The queen of the Griffin Empire cares this much about what some bumpkins on the frontier say?"

The duke looked up at him.

"Oh hardly." He said. "Our business here is much more important then that. I suppose being in the south you had not heard?"

The group looked at him blankly and so he continued.

"Prince Andrei, cousin of the deceased King Nicolai, Elrath watch his soul, has been kidnapped by a rogue nobleman; a disreputable fellow called Duncan Falcon."

Sareth frowned. He had heard of Duncan Falcon before. There were few in the free city states who had not for his commercial enterprises stretched from Irollan down to the Silver cities, delivering trade goods from north to south and there were few merchants in the west of Ashan who did not praise his name.

He was also a partisan, fiercely loyal to the Empire especially to the memory of the late king Nicolai. It seemed absurd that he, of all people, would kidnap one of the royal family.

"We chased him all the way to the border." Vittorio was saying. "But alas he managed to slip across into Grimheim where he had allies amongst the dwarves of the Winterwind clan."

Lethos frowned in response. This was a deep complication to their own mission to recover the Shantiri crystal and the same gloomy thought was reflected in everyone's faces.

With a diplomatic standout between the Griffin Empire and the Kingdom under the Mountain it would be near impossible to get across the border let alone be allowed to conduct their business without being rigorously observed, and that was the best case scenario. If worse came to worse they might end up in the middle of a border war.

Vittorio looked around at them, apparently sensing their dismay.

"Is something amiss, dear chaps?" He asked.

"Oh this complicates our arrangement with the dwarves." Lethos said, quickly spinning a story for the duke's benefit. "We have a pack train full of Silver city spirits expected at Tor Hrall. If I'd had news of this situation earlier I would have delayed the departure of my goods by a few months to avoid the trouble." Clearly he had picked that destination as it was the largest border garrison of the Winterwind clan, the clan mentioned as Duncan's place of refuge and the clan that according to Raelag had the Shantiri crystal.

The duke frowned and looked at the dark elf thoughtfully, then around at the others each in turn.

"Tor Hrall you say?" He asked. "Well well… perhaps we might be able to come to an arrangement."

Lethos looked at him, smiling with a feigned look of polite but uncomprehending attention.

"We're due to send a diplomatic envoy to Tor Hrall tomorrow to negotiate for the Prince' safe return and it would sweeten the dwarves to our presence if we came bearing them a gift, say of a trade caravan bearing liquor."

Lethos laughed.

"The dwarves would swear loyalty to anyone who brought them either gold, jewels or beer."

Vittorio laughed and then rose from his seat.

"I'll have a word with the commanders and see what they have to say to the notion. Do make yourselves at home while I'm gone."

With that he marched from the tent, leaving two armed guards standing outside the flap.

"Are you sure this is wise?" Leanna asked, leaning forward to whisper. "I thought we wanted a low profile and being part of such an important delegation is hardly that."

"Actually girlie, it's perfect." Graug commented with a malicious smile, scratching one of his large ears. "I know how dwarves think. They'll be too distracted by this silly conference to care about what those handing them liquor will be doing."

Havez nodded his agreement, his arms folded over his chest.

"And drunken dwarves are an excellent source of local gossip." The mage added.

"Plus, I can season what they drink with an extract of a certain herb that grows in Irollan. They won't have any choice but to tell us the truth no matter what question we ask them."

"Ooh that's devilishly slick." Xana commented with approval.

"Do not be overconfident." The Minotaur sitting behind them all like a giant windbreak said, the chains of his manacles rattling as he shifted his weight. "The dwarves are jealous guardians of their treasures and they are known for doing extremely unpleasant things to the thieves they catch."

Lethos straightened, looming grim. Being a dark elf, a people who had been at war with the dwarves for control of the underworld, he took the reminder more to heart then the rest of them.

A few minutes later Vittorio returned, pushing his way back into the tent.

"Most of them thought it was a good idea." He said. "But they'd like to talk to a few representatives of your group first."

Lethos stood up.

"Of course." He looked at Sareth. "Coming Leon?" It took Sareth a moment to recognise his assumed name for this mission and stood up.

"Don't think I won't be listening." Xana's voice told him through the silent vaults of his mind, her expression as she looked at him stern. He flashed a grin back at her and follows Lethos and the duke out of the pavilion.

As Vittorio led them through the encampment, Sareth took the opportunity to glance around too see for the first time an Imperial army close up. The signs of discipline were everywhere in the crisp and precise way the men executed their tasks, often without the need for armour officers to be attending to it.

There seemed to be two types of troops training alongside each other, which definitely seemed odd. Half of the army wore white robes over their armour while the other half wore red and there were quite a few glances being exchanged between the two factions; especially by the priests who seemed just as divided.

The tent of the armies generals was larger then Vittorio's but also far less furbished, space given over to charts, supplies and many parchment scrolls piled up in places. There was a large table in the centre of the tent littered with maps and over this the generals of the army, if that was who they were, were arguing.

"Talking talking, always talking!" The nearest snapped, glaring across the table as they entered. "We are at the spear point of Imperial army. Why do we need to talk to anyone?"

He was a large man, glad in steel armour with a red cape trailing down under his shoulder pads to hang by his calves. His hair was so close cropped he was almost bald and the left hand side of his face ran a twisting black scar that ran over one eye.

"Several reasons Laszlo." The woman at the far end of the table told him. "Firstly, because it's the right thing to do. Secondly, you are proposing first a siege of the wall of Arkath and then a direct assault on Tor Hrall, the strongest frontier garrison. We simply don't enough troops for that."

She was tall as wall but still a head and shoulders shorter then this Laszlo fellow, clad in silvery armour that covered her entire body down to the feet. Her shoulder pads were fashioned into the likeness of unicorns, the horns sticking out to either side. She was fair skinned, her eyes a bright green and her long hair was a bright chestnut brown.

"While I share your sentiments Laszlo, Freyda does have a point." The third one at the table put in. "Saint Isabel will not thank us for throwing her army away without a reasonable hope of victory."

"Sareth!" Xana's voice cracked silently in his mind. "Be careful of that one, I sense a dark aura around him."

Sareth tried to study the man while pretending to be doing nothing of the sort.

He was shorter then either of the other generals but more stout. He wore armour too but limited it to a breast plate and shoulder pads. For the most part he wore that same regal red robe those troops and priests outside wore, styled to affect a more ecclesiastic appearance and embroidered with golden designs down two labels that ran down his front.

His face as angular and jagged as if carved out of marble and his hair was blonde and very long, hanging down to his waist.

Sareth could not sense any magic nimbus which usually hummed around mages of great talent but there was something else, a sort of cold sensation that ran down his spine every time he looked at the man.

His eyes were cold and there was in them that same, unmistakable sign of mercilessness that Sareth had seen before in the eyes of those demon cultists so long ago now.

Laszlo glared at the man for disagreeing but said nothing, grumbling under his breath in obvious irritation.

The woman, Freyda, looked up to see them enter and smiled.

"These must be the traders you were telling me about, Vittorio." She said and the two men turned to look at those who had just entered.

"Allow me to introduce Sothel and Leon of the Ashan trading consortium." The duke said, gesturing for the two of them to step forward.

"Never heard of it." Laszlo grumbled, peering at them. Sareth leaned back away from him in reflex. The man's breath was abominable.

"My friends, this is General Lazlo of the Stag Duchy…" Vittorio gestured to the man in front. "…General Freyda of the Unicorn Duchy." The woman inclined her head politely. "And high priest Alaric of the church of Elrath."

The small man at the back said nothing, keeping his eyes on them.

"Charmed." Lethos said back, affecting an elegant bow before the three commanders. "Yes of course…" Alaric said with a half smile. "Bribe the heathen dwarves with alcohol… an inspired plan." His tone was sarcastic.

"A suggested gift, to see that they are in a negotiating mood when we come down to business is all, dear chap." Vittorio replied. "We don't want to fight with the young Prince Andrei at their mercy, do we? Wot wot?"

"I still say we ought to wait for reinforcements and then demand the boy." Laszlo said with a scowl. "If there must be negotiating done it ought to be done from a position of strength."

"The sooner we get Prince Andrei back, the better." Alaric said and then turned to look at Freyda. "Saint Isabel has put the diplomacy in your hands my dear. If you want to bring this rabble with you, it is entirely your decision."

"Thank you for remembering that." Freyda replied flatly. Sareth glanced between them quickly, noting traces of hostility. Alaric's expression was smug and self congratulatory while Freyda's was defiant and bitter. Clearly the two of them were at odds over something.

"Valeria." Alaric said suddenly and stepping forward came another figure that Sareth hadn't even noticed. She was as tall as Freyda but leaner, her blonde hair short and styled so that it covered the right hand side of her face. Like Alaric she wore red robes over her armour. Across her back was strapped a massive broadsword. Sareth was amassed she did not collapse under his weight.

"Please ensure these traders are prepared to go with Freyda to parlay in the morning." The priest told her as she looked at him, standing rigidly to attention. "Render unto her all aid within your power."

Valeria bowed at the waist lowly.

"As you command my lord." She replied and followed Freyda and the others out of the tent, Alaric's leering face staring after them.

Once they were outside, Freyda muttered a curse under her breath and spat.

"Condescending swine." She said from between clenched teeth. Valeria looked at her uncomfortably.

"You should not say such things in front of the traders, my lady." The blonde woman advised. "And within range of the troops. It would be bad for morale."

Freyda scowled and looked over the encampment.

"This entire past inquisition has been bad for morale." She muttered. "Butchering peasants on the flimsiest of suspicions."

Following her gaze and now that his attention had been called to it, Sareth did indeed perceive that many faces on the soldiers were grim and bleak. The discipline the men exhibited was the only thing keeping them together.

"Butchering?" Lethos repeated with a raised eyebrow.

"A mere consequence of putting down rebellion, I'm afraid old boy." Duke Vittorio replied a little sadly. "Those who do not listen to reason and submit to the rightful rule of the Queen have to be dealt with by other means. Inevitably there will be people who are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Freyda look a long deep breath and then sighed, looking up into the sky where the first stars were beginning to make themselves known in the fading light of the sun. Her face was strained and close up Sareth could see the rings under her eyes, showing that she had not been getting that much sleep.

"Now then." She began suddenly all business. "Let us head back to your tent, Duke Vittorio and get our party organised." She looked at Lethos. "I understand you are bound for Tor Hrall?"

"Its one of our stops." The dark elf said smoothly. "We sell our wares in Tor Hrall and then make a side trip to the city Hrottar to pick up gemstones, rubies prized by the Mages in the Silver cities."

Freyda looked at him appraisingly.

"You trade in a wide range of items." She remarked. Lethos shrugged.

"Specialists are poor men. Ones income increases if you can supple a little bit of everything."

Freyda smiled and then turned to Valeria.

"Fetch these traders some arms. I want them able to defend themselves during our journey."

Valeria nodded in both acknowledgement and agreement and ducked into an armourers tent as they walked past it.

From the respectful nods and looks paid to her, Sareth was able to gather that Freyda was a respected general; idolised by both factions of Griffin troops.

"Oh my…" Freyda said when she entered the tent and found herself face to face with Adrastos as the Minotaur swung around to look at her. With her square metallic muzzle, horn guards and breast plate he looked exceedingly formidable; which of course was the point.

"My hired bodyguard." Lethos explained quickly, making an unseen gesture for the rest of their group to follow his story. "Bandits on the roads kept taking my goods without asking and so I went home to Ygg-chall to hire Adrastos here to tell them to stop. He's rather good at it."

Freyda took a moment to recover herself and bowed her head to the Minotaur. He inclined his, his horns passing down on either side of her.

"I will come to the point quickly." She said to them all, pausing to look at Graug. The gremlin grinned back at her and his eyes wandered up and down her deliberately as if he was undressing her within his own mind.

"The parlay to secure Prince Andrei is likely to last several days. I will need you to accompany me to Tor Hrall and remain there until the negotiations are over. Then you will be free to go your own way. This is acceptable?"

Leanna bowed to her.

"Perfectly acceptable, my lady." She said and behind Freyda, Lethos managed a grin at a plan coming together.

At that moment Valeria came in, leading several blacksmiths laden with small arms for their use. There were swords, small axes, daggers and maces amongst the offers weaponry. Sareth needed no weapon, he still had the Dragon flame tongue sword with him; wrapped up to preserve the legendary relics identity.

He was still not completely comfortable with the sword and was still reluctant to use it, lest he be once more overcome with that terrifying bloodlust he had experienced once before but he would not fear it anymore. Leanna took a short sword and Havez took a mace, both mostly for appearances sake the two of them being accomplished mages.

Lethos was about to refuse a weapon but then he spotted a particularly nice dagger. It had a golden hilt with a pommel made of a polished sapphire. The blade was about the length of his hand and had a neat grove running down the middle. This he gleefully took and paused to admire it.

When Valeria turned to give Graug a weapon, she started, as if surprised to find a gremlin standing there at all.

Graug looked her over from top to bottom, ignoring her surprised look.

"I always heard the Griffin Empire was a stuffy, puritan kind of place." He said. "I'll admit I was wrong here and now if they let girls like this into their army." He made a kissy gesture at her.

Valeria blanched and stiffened indignantly.

"I am an Imperial knight and the first daughter of Lord Fulbert of the Wolf Duchy!" She said haughtily. "How dare to talk to me like I'm some sort of tavern wench!"

"Tavern wenches don't have such lovely legs." Graug retorted.

"That's quite enough of that, Graug." Havez said, grabbing the gremlin by the back of his fur coat and dragging him back out of reach before he could offend the woman any further.

Valeria, who was blushing bright red, turned and stalked from the tent, indigtant.

"I say, she's a proper temper on her, eh what?" Duke Vittorio asked, giving Graug a fly sideways glance.

Graug grinned back evily.

"We're honoured to assist the Griffin Empire in this matter." Lethos remarked once Freyda had outlined her mission to find and extradite the young Griffin prince. Once past the wall of Arkath they would go straight to Tor Hrall to speak with the head of the Winterwind clan, a dwarf by the name of Wulstan who according to their intelligence had had contact with the rogue lord Duncan who had Prince Andrei.

Freyda's intent was to persuade him, and if necessary bribe him, to reveal where Duncan and the boy were and if possible to acquire his aid in retrieving the prince.

Freyda paused and then sighed.

"We are a far cry from the time of my father's exploits in the last demon war, when the sight of Griffin troops inspired hope. Now people hide from us as we pass each settlement." She looked the dark elf straight in the eye. "My advice to you, trader, is to keep the fact you cooperated with us secret. It would do your business no good in these times."

The night passed sleepless, a thick aura of anticipation hanging over the entire encampment.

Sareth lay on a cot trying to sleep and only succeeding in memorising the ceiling of the tent above him.

When he had set himself on a path out from under the influence of the demon cult, this was the last he really expected to end up; in an Imperial army on the brink of a possible war.

He thought about the cultists and their need for him what role they would have him perform if they ever caught him. They would make use of that dark, savage side to his nature that he had felt growing inside him he was certain of that now.

Raelag had said that he was not entirely human, that one of his parents had been some other force.

Had they bred him like some sort of horse or dog? Was he even the first attempt at creating a hybrid?

Softly he felt her slide across his body, a phantasm of pure sensation that solidified into flesh only when she had her arms wrapped around him.

When she was solid enough to touch, Sareth wordlessly gathered her up as well and held Xana close to him. They said nothing to each other, communicating with impressions alone not even coherent thoughts. He still could not sleep but her presence with him made his insomnia bearable.

He felt from her all the reassurance and comfort he could ever seen to combat the dark doubts that plagued his mind and found that he did indeed have something to thank Phenrig for after all.