Before we begin, I have a shout out for my British readers (if any). I am currently reading The Canterbury Tales and enjoying it quite a bit. Kudos to Chaucer for being the King of Sarcasm, we will all remember you and carry on your noble art.
(A/N): Here's part 2 of the "Letting you know I'm alive" chunk. Enjoy!
General Herbison: Gnarl is cooking up a plan (of Doom) and a herbal remedy.
YuyaYunka: Don't be afraid to review. I don't bite. I'm glad that I made your day, and very glad that you are hopelessly addicted to my story (muahaha). :]
xtenchix: How funny (and annoying) would it be if I never finished the armor and left you guys hanging? Maybe if I was a troll. Luckily, I'm not.
Disclaimer: I own my characters, but not Overlord.
Chapter XXII: The Plot of Evil begins to unfold
Hanson sank into the bath eight reds brought up with a sigh as the water relaxed his muscles. Whatever Gnarl had added to the water had turned it a deep sea green with the scent of sea salt, which helped the Overlord relax further.
By the time Hanson got out of his bath, he felt fully refreshed and ready to take on the world. He toweled off and dressed in the red tunic and pants that had been laid out for him.
Grubby was waiting in the main hall of the private quarters with a plate of food that contained a slice of roast beef and potatoes with peas. The food had been freshly delivered from Spree as part of the tax the Overlord had placed on the village for protecting them from roving bands of brigands and robbers.
Hanson read the letter that had arrived from King William as he ate the cogs in his mind turning as the Overlord planned how he was going to fight in the tournament.
"Sire, I am assuming that you are planning on winning this tournament decisively, and so I have come up with a plan," Gnarl began as he approached Hanson's table. "I have several poisons in my possession that can cause anything from mild indigestion to nearly instant death. It would be quite easy for me to sneak into the tents of any opposing champions that pose a threat to your magnificence and 'damage' them."
"That would be quite beneficial," Hanson said. "It would help thin out the crowd a little bit." "I'm glad you approve sire, but this plan does require me to come with you to the tournament. I will, of course, disguise myself, but your young lady will have to stay here and watch over you from the Tower Portal."
"I'm glad I decided to eavesdrop then," Assira said emerging from the shadows as smoothly as the thief that she was. "I'll do it, but only if you ask me nicely."
"Excellent," Gnarl said. "Now that's that has been decided, may I suggest that we plan how and when our master shall arrive to the tournament?"
William walked around the interior of the field of the massive amphitheater, making sure the planks were secured properly. The seats had been created out of logs, but were still comfortable, despite being made out of hardwood. The boxes for the nobility had been outfitted with comfortable seating and massive awnings to keep out the elements. Servants had set up direct passageways to the kitchens below in order to bring food up faster. Merchants hired peasant boys to walk around the amphitheater selling all kinds of food to hungry spectators.
"Sire, most of the champions have arrived," a page said with a bow. "We are just missing Sir Ryrin and a few others. How should we proceed?" "We must wait for them to arrive. I'm confident that Sir Ryrin will be here."
The Overlord stepped of the tower gate in full raiment, his Black Arcanium armor glistening in the sun. Mentally, he ran over the spell that would shield him from the Paladin's notice, making sure his power did not alert any of them, especially the king. Gnarl stood by Hanson, disguised as a dwarf. He had applied a long bushy white beard to his face and kept the hood of his newly-acquired robes up as far as possible.
Back at the Tower, Assira sat down in a comfortable armchair that the brown had brought up for her. She touched the murky waters of the Tower Portal, just as gnarl had instructed, and the ripples brought the world into focus. She could see everything that Hanson could see.
"Can you hear me?" she asked the water. "Yes I can. Gnarl, we're ready," Hanson's voice came drifting out of the Portal. The Overlord mounted a charger that had been provided for him and rode up the main road. Soon, the amphitheater came into view and Hanson turned towards it.
Gnarl smiled his nostalgic smile and began to plod towards the amphitheater. The details of his devious plan circled in Gnarl's mind and the minion master grinned evilly to himself.
Hanson rode in through the main gate of the amphitheater and dismounted. He threw the reigns to a squire and handed his letter of invitation to the captain of the guard.
William ascended to the judges' stand and prepared to address the assembled champions. "Now that almost of us are here, I can explain the rules. The winner of this tournament will be decided through the melee, not single combat. Only a man strong enough to best all who stand before him is worthy of courting my daughter."
Hanson smiled wolfishly to himself, glad for the anonymity of his helmet. Just so you know, I can communicate through thoughts as well," he thought. Assira was slightly unnerved by the ghostly voice that drifted through the Throne Room, but decided to accept as another Overlord trick.
Many of the assembled champions roared their approval at William's words, some shouting that they would definitely be the ones to win, so everyone else might as well clear out now.
Hanson laughed inwardly and thought "this king is not a fool. He is appealing to their egos, hoping to set the champions against one another before the tournament begins…But why?"
Gnarl slipped through the main gate with hardly any difficulty, distracting the guards with a few magical coins that would disappear in a few hours, much to the wroth of their current owners.
"If there is any fighting outside the ring, the entire tournament will be called off," the paladin king continued. I want you all to be on your best behavior for the duration of the tournament."
"The plot thickens," Hanson thought. "So now I have to fight them and keep them under control at the same time. Unfortunately for you, your Majesty, I'm up to the task."
Gnarl listened from a shady spot near the wall of the amphitheater and sniggered to himself. "Just like a paladin to overcomplicate things. Oh well, I should have enough sleeping draughts to knock out half the city for a day."
"Well that's hardly fair," Assira complained as she listened to William. Hanson slightly jumped, still not used to hearing her voice instead of Gnarl's. Hearing her voice so close sent slight tremors through the Overlords flesh.
Hanson forcibly shook himself out of his trance and listened to William once more. "Food and drink will be provided, as much as you could possibly want. I have called many minstrels and traveling actors here to entertain you. Sirs and Lords, I wish you luck, and I will see you tomorrow for the first round of melee."
The crowd began to disperse and the Overlord turned to leave when he noticed that the captain of the guard was in a whispered conversation with William.
"Sir Ryrin!" William's voice rang across the field. The Overlord turned to face the king and bowed. "What can I do for you sire?" "I would like to see you back at the palace as soon as possible." Hanson bowed once more and proceeded towards the entrance of the arena.
"I wonder if the princess is anxious to see you," Assira said sarcastically. "She must have missed you so much, the mysterious man she never actually met." Hanson smiled and kept walking towards the stables well aware of the glances the other champions were giving him. It wasn't every day that you saw Black Arcanium, not that any of those looking had the brainpower to recognize it.
Hanson re-mounted and rode his charger to the steps of the Royal Palace. When he dismounted, he was rushed through the palace straight to the Inner Sanctum.
"Sir Ryrin," William said as soon as Hanson entered. "Please, have a seat." The Overlord obliged, and took off his helmet, placing it on his lap. "I see you have acquired new armor," the king said, looking up from a piece of parchment he was reading. "I must commend you on the stellar service you have performed, clearing the village Spree of those looters. The Light approves. I have spoken to my council, and we all agree that you should be granted a castle and land in my kingdom."
Hanson said nothing, just raised one eyebrow. "What will become of Spree if I am granted lordship over another plot of land?" he said.
"You don't understand. We mean to grant you lordship over Spree."
Gnarl moved about the forest of tents pitched in the fields surrounding the stadium. The minion master mentally marked all competitors that would be a possible threat to his master. To his left, a portly knight was yelling at his followers to raise the tent higher than those of his competitors. "Looks like William's plan is working all too well. It won't be long now before a fight breaks out. Time to go find the potential troublemakers." The minion master thought.
The Overlord kept his features perfectly controlled as he answered the king. "This is a great honor your majesty. Should it not be bestowed upon someone more worthy than I?" "Quit pretending to be humble and accept before he reconsiders," Assira said impatiently.
"We have agreed that there is no one more deserving than you. Accept your lordship as payment for your honorable service." "In that case Your Majesty, I accept," Hanson said. He got out of his chair and bowed low.
"Rise, Lord Ryrin," William said with a smile. "Welcome to the Brotherhood of Light." "This is too perfect," Hanson thought. "I'm getting closer and closer to you. On the day you need me the most, you'll find my blade in your heart."
(A/N): Here's another one. Review if you enjoyed it, and if you didn't, leave constructive criticism to help me improve. ~RussianOverlord~