Chapter 74 – Useless Arguments

Most of the people who'd lived in Toran over the past fifteen years had heard the title "Deathblow Georg" at some point in their lives. Flik now found himself face to face with the fearsome swordsman who'd been a general under Barbarossa Rugner during the Scarlet Moon Empire's Succession War. He'd left the Empire after that war, wandered the world, and, according to rumor, ended up serving the Queen of Falena. By that point he'd become famous, but it was his stay in the south that made him infamous.

Just as when he'd served the Empire, his time in the Queendom was marked by political instability, followed by civil war. Flik had heard dozens of accounts of the action, all of them different, and none of them were verifiable. All of the accounts agreed on one point – Georg Prime had assassinated the Queen of Falena. There were various reasons given. One had him acting on behalf of the Prince, trying to set him up as the new king. Others placed him in the employ of one of the senatorial factions. Flik had even heard one story that suggested the Queen had been insane, and Georg Prime had killed her in an attempt to save the country.

There was no sifting the truth from any of those rumors. However, one thing was certain. Flik was staring at the face of one of the most dangerous men he'd ever heard of, that this man was expecting a reply, and that his mouth was starting to frown.

"Thanks again for saving us," Flik blurted.

Georg nodded slightly, the smile returning to his lips. "Of course." He looked beyond Flik and said, "It seems one of your companions is approaching. I don't think he's happy."

"Why has this column stopped moving?" Shu demanded, riding up on a brown pony. "I heard something about an ambush and I rushed forward, thinking you might need me, only to find that nothing's going on."

"Strategist," Georg remarked, smiling more broadly. "I know the type. A strategist is never happy unless the wheels are turning and the plots are moving closer to completion. One thing I know from first hand experience; if a strategist takes an interest in you personally, you can expect to lose a lot of sleep." He turned his head and shouted back over his shoulder, "Okay, boys, get this cleared up so that our guests can move along!"

Shu glared at Georg. "Who are you? You seem to have some experience with my kind."

In the interim, Flik had moved beyond his initial alarm of Georg to a sense of pride that the famous warrior knew who he was. He was more than happy to answer Shu's question. "This is 'Deathblow Georg.' I don't know what he's doing leading mercenaries in this backwater place, but he's probably best swordsman in the whole world."

Georg tried to wave the praise off. "I was trying to enjoy a little anonymity. As for the name, you can call me Georg, thank you. Even I don't know how that stupid nickname got started."

"Georg Prime, a man bound up in history, for good or ill," Shu mused. "What has brought you to this country, I wonder?"

"I am who I am, no more," Georg replied, framing the statement as a challenge. "And what about you, strategist, are you from Soledt or the Silverbergs?"

Flik stood back and watched the two men continue their battle of words. Apple, having come up with Shu, stood next to Flik and frowned. "I might throw your words back at you," Shu responded, meeting Georg's gaze. "Still, sometimes one most give ground to gain it. I studied for a time under Mathiu Silverberg, a name that you certainly recognize."

"I remember him," Georg answered, once again looking off to the south. "He was a difficult man, hard on his subordinates, but hardest on himself."

"He had the intellect to change the world, but lacked the bravery to make the hard choices," Shu spoke, his face settling into an unconscious frown.

Georg smiled, but his tone was cool. "Tell me, what hard choices have you had to make, strategist? I doubt that they are anything like what Mathiu Silverberg wrestled with." When Shu frowned, Georg laughed. "I see that I'm not going to convince you. Instead, let's try a different subject. Three days ago, I watched one of your armies marching through this pass. Now I find another one, moving in all haste. What has happened that I don't know about?"

"Tinto has fallen to the zombies and our leader, Riou, is missing," Flik answered. He felt time slipping by. Since they'd set out, the sun had moved noticeably higher. The trees' shadows were becoming shorter. He glanced towards Shu. "I think we should move on."

Georg put out a hand to hold their attention. "Wait, I would like to join you. I've heard much about Riou and I want to see his mettle for myself."

Soon, both Flik's men and Georg's mercenaries were underway again, leaving only the burning zombies behind them. The road continued rise through the hills and forests for several more miles, finally cresting with a spectacular view of the surroundings. Flik gaped at how heavily worked the Tinto side of the border was. The lush forests ended abruptly and the mountainsides had been carved into giant terraces. There was nothing green to be seen for miles.

"What is this?" Tengaar asked, horrified. Hix looked equally amazed. Even Flik, who'd seen many countries in his lifetime, had never seen anything like this.

"Surface mining," Shu explained. "This land is rich in minerals, especially water gems, which are vital to the summoning and transfer of runes. Tinto makes most of its potch by exporting those gems to its neighbors, particularly Harmonia."

"But they're ruining the land," Tengaar protested. "There are no forests, no crops, no streams. How do they live like this?"

"They get paid," Shu replied. "If a man has no land to farm, has no desire to fight, and has no education to be a clerk or artisan, what does that leave? More importantly, think about how our lives would be different if we didn't have water gems to contain our runes. How many more soldiers would be dead if not for water runes? How many times has Flik's lightning rune saved his life?" Flik's neck involuntarily clenched. "Are you prepared to give that up for the sake of some trees?"

Tengaar glowered at Shu. "Trees are important too! Everything looks ugly without them."

"I agree," Nina added. Tengaar momentarily looked at Nina in surprise, then smiled at her unexpected ally. Then she shifted her glare to Hix.

"Um, I guess you're right," Hix said.

"This conversation is going nowhere," Shu concluded. "Is there anyone else who wants to offer his opinion on the foliage?" Flik rubbed at his neck. "Good. We don't have any time to waste if we want to reach Tigermouth by nightfall." He kicked his pony into motion down the trail.

Georg's men were closing up from behind. He topped the rise, frowned, and commented, "Ugliest place I've seen in a while. It's hard to believe people would do this to themselves willingly." He paused, registering the two girls looking at him adoringly. "Is there something I can help you with, ladies?"

"Now there is a real warrior," Tengaar said breathlessly. She shook her head and turned on Hix. "Are you taking notes, Hix? That's how a man is supposed to be!"

"I'm sorry I ever thought of you as 'withered up'!" Nina put a hand to her forehead.

Georg cleared his throat. "I was just expressing my opinion, that's all. I'm glad you thought so highly of it." He turned his horse and walked down the path.

"See, Hix, that is the bearing of a true warrior," Tengaar continued. "Look at how noble his posture is, and try to copy that. For goodness sake, at least don't slouch so much!"

Nina was still staring off after Georg. Flik covered a laugh with his hand and muttered, "Well, if I were interested in her, now I know how to get on her good side."

Flik started riding again, heading down slope into the afternoon sun. He shielded his eyes from the glare, trying to make out the terrain ahead. The valley below wasn't very broad, but it extended for miles off to the northwest, all of it barren like the mountainsides. The trail twisted and turned, following the contours of the land. However, from this altitude, Flik could make out the distant walls of their destination, some five hundred feet below.

The day had been pleasantly mild with the sun up, but as both it and the travelers got lower, the chilly wind returned. Flik found it unpleasant. Here it was, still summer, and he was shivering. The wind shifted, blowing from due west, bringing with it a slight smoky smell. He tried to locate Tigermouth again, but as he was lower now, he could not find a good view. He rode to the head of the column and picked up the pace.

Finally the path straightened out and Flik could see the walls of Tigermouth, a half mile distant. As he feared, this was the source of the smoke. He could see black clouds of it billowing up as the sun sank behind the western mountains. He sent men ahead to scout out the situation, then tried to remain calm as the minutes ticked off. Shu and Apple were riding alongside him, both apparently unruffled.

The scouts grew distant in the evening light, though Flik was able to keep them in sight. They rode directly up to the walls and seemed to speak with someone there. As they returned, Flik noted that there was one extra man. When they approached and he could see them more clearly, his spirits rose.

"Viktor!" Flik shouted. "You're all right."

Viktor laughed and then the two friends were reunited again. Viktor's hair was messed up, and one of his arms sported a bruise, but other than that he was in good shape. "It was a little rough there, when Tinto fell, but it'll take more than a zombie to do me in. We heard from the Wingers that your men were in Drakemouth, but I didn't expect you to come over the mountains. You want in on some zombie action?"

Shu cleared his throat. "Your high spirits suggest that Lord Riou's condition is satisfactory."

"So, you got that message." Viktor blushed a little. "Yeah, that must be why you're here."

"And?" Flik asked, feeling a touch of impatience.

"Things were a little…bad when I gave that message to the Wingers. I'd just managed to get to the town of Crom with the army, plus Ridley and Klaus. Nanami carried Riou in about an hour after I sent that message off." Viktor scratched the back of his neck.

"Carried?" Apple prompted, frowning.

"Seems they ran into Neclord personally," Viktor explained. "Riou beat the bastard off with his Rune, but collapsed as the zombies were entering the city. He'll be all right; he was sleeping soundly when I left him earlier today."

"Nanami carried him all the way from Tinto to Crom?" Flik wondered. He tried to work the distances out in his head, having only seen the area on a map. "She's a tough kid."

"That resolves the situation with Riou," Shu said. "What of Ridley? You must have some reason for being in Tigermouth."

"Ridley's wounded pretty badly. We found someone with a water rune to stabilize him, but-" Viktor shook his head "-who knows? We're hoping that Riou will be able to help when he wakes up." Viktor glanced back at the town. "As for why I'm here, let's get back inside the walls first, then I'll tell you. The sun's going down and I've got an important date that I don't want to miss." He turned his horse and started riding back the way he came.

Flik hurried after him. "You've got a what?" he asked.

"I'm meeting someone here," Viktor replied casually. "Actually, Kahn's the one who knows this person. I'm just along to provide security."

The name "Kahn" was familiar to Flik, and he spent a couple of minutes searching his memories, trying to pin it down. It was Shu who supplied the answer, continuing the conversation with Viktor. "You speak of Kahn Marley, the famous vampire hunter."

"Yeah, we worked together to chase Neclord out of North Window. Like us, he's been following rumors of zombies."

They passed through the walls of Tigermouth, into the gloom of the town. The first thing Flik noted was the remains of several pyres. Behind him, Nina gagged from the stench. "It looks like the zombies hit here, too," Flik commented.

"The damn things are everywhere," Viktor replied. Then his eyebrows quirked. "Sounds like you've had some trouble too."

"There were a couple our first night in Drakemouth," Flik answered. "Neclord tried to ambush us by raising the town's dead against us." He decided against mentioning his personal encounter with a zombie.

Even in the evening light, Flik recognized Kahn Marley when he saw him. The heavy brown coat and brown beret were unmistakable. Last time, the vampire hunter had been sweating profusely in that outfit. Now, Flik shivered and envied him. Kahn was staring intently at a building directly ahead, but turned as Viktor approached.

"You've made it back in time, and it seems you've brought an entourage with you." He pushed the floppy part of his beret out of the way. "Try to keep the noise down, though. I've heard that she can be irritable just after waking up."

"Irritable? Who exactly is she?" Flik asked.

It was the Star Dragon Sword who answered. "Sierra Mikain, the Mistress of all vampires." Flik was surprised at how upset the sword sounded as he continued, "She is a creature who should not be trusted."

"We've been over this already, sword," Kahn declared. "We will need her power when we confront Neclord."

"You have no comprehension of what you are saying, mortal!" The sword rattled in the scabbard on Viktor's back. "With her Rune returned to her, she would make Neclord look like a kitten. She is a veritable lioness and she feeds off of men's souls."

"You say such terrible things about me," a commanding female voice responded. Flik nearly jumped off his horse. He could see Viktor, Tengaar, and Nina all looking around.

"Beware!" the Star Dragon Sword boomed. "Beware! She comes!"

"Shut up," Kahn seethed. "We're trying to make a good first impression."

Something white glided through the air overhead. "The sword and I will never be friends, I suppose. It probably has something to do with our temperaments." Her voice sounded mellow, relaxed.

"A white bat!" Nina exclaimed, pointing out past Kahn.

"Temptress!" the sword continued. "Seductress! You lure men with your promises and twist them into foul monsters."

The bat circled overhead again, lower this time, making a smaller circle. For the first time, she sounded perturbed. "I do no such thing. Don't you know the rules of my kind? I make no pact with man without first being invited. Anyone who comes to me comes of their own free will."

"We need you, o Mistress of the vampires," Kahn said, trying to catch sight of her. "Your son Neclord curses this land, perverting the Rune that you once protected."

The white bat suddenly swooped out of the sky, buzzed past Kahn's head, and landed gracefully a couple of yards in front of him. "Don't call that idiot my son!" the bat demanded. Suddenly, her form started to change, rapidly rising into the form of a young woman with pale skin, long white hair gathered by a blue hairpiece, and red eyes. She was wearing a white dress that didn't reach her knees and a blue mantle that hung around her shoulders, chest, and arms.

Flik's mouth dried out. He heard Georg distinctly mutter, "I've never seen anything like that."

Sierra coolly appraised the people before her. "I never did like crowds, and here I see a whole army. Why don't we go back to the inn to discuss things in more detail." She pointed to Kahn. "You, you summoned me." She pointed to Viktor. "You, bring that sword of yours, as insufferable as he is, and I'll talk some sense into him." She paused for a moment and then pointed to Flik. "And you. If I have to wake up from my beauty nap, I might as well have some good-looking company for a change."

"Wait, why do you need me?" Fear spiked in Flik. He didn't want to be some bargaining chip where this unearthly woman was involved.

Kahn turned back, studying Flik intently. "You, yes, I remember you. We met on the road south of North Window. Damn, but that was a hot day. Come on, Flik. Sierra says she wants you present, and what Sierra wants, she gets."

"She is a foul deceiver in a fair form!" the sword bellowed. "Enter into there and none of you will return with your souls intact."

Sierra, standing by the doorway, looked over her shoulder. "You can stop that at any time, Rune of the Night. These men need me. They know it, I know it, and you know it."

The Star Dragon Sword rattled in indignation. "Fine, but I'm going to have some vampire to slay at the end of this, mark my words."

Once inside the inn and sequestered in a private dining room, Sierra's tone became businesslike. "You have both the Night Rune and the expertise of generations of knowledge, so at least you are no group of amateurs." Her gaze shifted from Kahn, who had taken off his beret to reveal blond hair, to Viktor and then Flik. "Still, I don't see why this expedition to kill Neclord will be any more successful than the previous ones. Strike his physical body down and his spirit will escape to one of the doppelgangers he's created over the years. I've spent centuries tracking him and only managed to dispatch a couple dozen of his spares."

"A couple dozen?" Viktor shouted, his eyes wide. Flik had to work at keeping his own mouth from falling open. In this light, her face looked very young. Her skin was smooth, without any wrinkles or blemishes. It was hard to imagine that she'd lived and fought for centuries.

Sierra smirked and took a sip of tea. "He's very thorough."

"I believe that I have an answer," Kahn replied. He reached inside his coat and slowly withdrew an orb large enough to encompass his whole hand, from wrist to fingertips. It was a water gem, filled with a clear liquid. He placed it on the table and said, "A rune of binding, the result of generations of Marley research. With it, we can tie Neclord to a place, body and soul. If we kill his body while he's bound, his soul will be unable to escape." Kahn looked first to Sierra and then to Viktor. "He will die."

Viktor clapped his hands together. "Perfect. I can't wait to send that bastard to hell!"

Sierra pushed out her lower lip as she regarded the water gem. "Your research has come at the expense of many of my children."

Kahn's expression was carefully neutral. "It has been my family's calling for centuries. Despite that, I'm willing to work with you, because Neclord is the far greater threat. If you think about it, I'm sure you'll see the benefits of cooperation."

"Your little toy is mildly amusing." One corner of Sierra's mouth curled up into something like a smile. "Yet you know that Neclord has a True Rune. It would be a simple thing for him to shatter any binding."

Kahn coughed, bringing his hand up to cover his frown. "Yes, that was where we hoped you could help us. Neclord stole the Blue Moon Rune from you. We're hoping that the Rune hasn't accepted him, that it might still listen to your commands. If you could somehow neutralize it, then the binding would hold."

"And we could smash him to hell!" Viktor concluded.

Sierra cocked her head to one side, playing her fingers across her lips. "If I were to join this endeavor, first I would have to…extract a promise from each of you." She straightened out and smiled fully, for the first time revealing her teeth, including a pair of sharp, white fangs.

Flik tried not to flinch away, but ended up gazing at the wall over Kahn's head. The other two men paled noticeably. The Star Dragon Sword rattled on Viktor's back. "Beware! Beware!"

Kahn held up a hand, steeling himself visibly. "What do you wish of us, Mistress Sierra?"

Sierra let her teeth disappear back behind her lips. "When I get my Rune back, my children will no longer be driven by the need to feed upon the blood of humans. There shall no longer be any need for your profession, Kahn Marley. If you will have my consent, you must promise to destroy your family's research and not to pass on your vocation to your children."

"Neclord killed my grandfather, then killed my father right in front of me." Kahn's eyes narrowed as he met Sierra's gaze. "I've made it my life's mission to destroy him and I will not shy away from that now. I agree to your terms."

Sierra ran the tip of her tongue over her upper lip and turned her attention to Viktor. "What about you, Night Rune? When my Rune is returned, will you promise not to hunt my children?"

"Your control over your 'creations' was never perfect," the sword retorted. "It is my job to bring order to the desires of darkness. There are laws that must never be transgressed, and I will see to it that they are enforced!"

"Such harsh words." Sierra frowned and took another sip from her cup. "It was a True Rune that made me what I am. It is that Rune which is both the source and fulfiller of my desire."

"The Blue Moon Rune does not make you violate the law and drink upon the life of others to extend your own. It is your own choice to do such things."

"I have watched my children, my friends die because the Blue Moon Rune was stolen from us." She shook her head fiercely. "I don't condone taking blood from others by force, but I do understand it. A man dying of thirst will violate any law to get a drink."

Viktor suddenly stood up, pulling the Star Dragon Sword out of its scabbard. "This arguing is going nowhere! Look, since I'm the one that wields this hunk of junk, I'll make a compromise. I promise not to hunt any vampire that leaves humanity alone." He stared at Sierra. "Is that okay?"

"That is acceptable." Sierra closed her eyes, a small smile back on her face. "I suppose I shall have to watch my children more closely now."

"How dare you make promises for me!" the Star Dragon Sword shouted. "I'm not bound by anything you say! What are you doing?"

Viktor calmly placed the black sword on the table. "If that's the case, then I can have nothing more to do with you. Is that what you want? I know how badly you want to kill Neclord. You can't hide it from me; I can feel your desire radiating through your cold metal. You want him dead nearly as much as I do."

"Viktor, we need the Star Dragon Sword for our plan," Kahn admonished.

The sword made a noise like the huffing out of air, though nothing stirred over the blade. "Fine. As Neclord is the cause of all of our troubles, I'll put up with this promise to see him eliminated."

"You always were a hard one to convince," Sierra replied. Then she giggled. "But you've become even more inflexible since taking up your metal form."

Flik stared at the blade. Both Kahn and Viktor were doing the same. "What does she mean by that?" Viktor asked. "Haven't you always been a sword?"

"No comment."

Viktor picked the sword up and sheathed it. "Well, since we're all in agreement, I think it's time for me to hit the hay."

"Wait, there is one more thing that I desire," Sierra said.

Kahn stopped in the middle of putting his beret back on and frowned. "What is it, Mistress Sierra?"

She turned to face Flik, who suddenly wished that he were somewhere else, anywhere else. "I'm feeling a bit tired," she declared. "If I'm going to help you with Neclord, I need a little something…to perk me up."

The innkeeper appeared at Flik's side, placing a small bowl and thin knife in front of him. "You want me to do what?" Flik asked, eyes flying around the room, looking for support.

Viktor shrugged. "We've all got to make sacrifices. I've got to put up with that stupid sword."

Kahn met Flik's eyes. "Give her what she wants, Flik."

The innkeeper, a man with much gray in his hair, smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, we have a trained water mage on staff."

Half an hour later, Flik tromped back through the cool darkness, searching for Shu's tent, trying to ignore his dizziness. His right wrist still throbbed, despite the bandages and ministrations of the water mage. He located his destination and walked in to find Shu in the midst of a friendly argument with Georg Prime.

"Your analysis is incorrect," the swordsman was saying. "Empress Corselia's decision to dissolve the Kooluk Empire was the correct one."

"She was weak willed," Shu countered. "The Empire brought wealth and stability, not to mention learning, to an area much greater than its physical boundaries. Trade revenues declined in the Island Nations, Scarlet Moon, Falena, and even Harmonia after the Empire disappeared. Furthermore, much of our modern rune-work is based on theoretical research conducted in Kooluk. An emperor with a stronger personality could've held it together."

Georg shook his head. "You see, this is where you and I differ. Corselia was strong-willed because she was wise enough to let the Empire die. Men think they are strong when they are stubborn, when they shed blood to try and mold the world. True wisdom, and true strength, are found when you acknowledge your own weakness and accept that the world will not turn out as you desire it." He looked up at Flik standing at the entrance to the tent. "Ah, your captain has returned."

"What news, Flik?" Shu asked.

"Sierra has agreed to help us." Flik felt his right arm twinge. "We're heading for Crom tomorrow morning." He stared at Shu, gathering his courage. "I'm going with them."

Shu smiled. "Of course you are, Flik. There are times when I know better than to stop you. Our forces will stay here and coordinate with Klaus. I wish you good fortune."

Flik wiped his brow. "Thank you, Shu. I've had about as many useless arguments as I can stand for one day."

He backed out of the tent, but lingered just long enough to hear Georg say, "Now I see why you were hanging back when the lady vampire appeared."

Shu's answer was calm. "I've read enough to know not to get caught up in certain things. That's all."