Errand of Mercy Read Online Free PDF Page B

degenerate realm of Konigheim, and the Northmen settled their own rough spot, which they called the Mead-Hall of Clan Chief Harvald. Baron Parsane and his ship were tragically lost on the voyage over, but the crews of his surviving ships established the Free Cities of Parsanic, which are as chaotic a group as you could hope to deal with. Best for you that the gate led you here. Tis a pity it… ceased to function.”
    They are thinking of the wizard-woman they left at the other gate, back in Undermountain, Garkim thought. Aleena Paladinstar was her name. The boy has feelings for her. Garkim rolled his eyes.
    “Aleena must have done it,” interjected Noph with a gloomy look. “She said she wasn’t coming. I’ll, uh, explain later.”
    Miltiades stared at his young companion, then shrugged. “Very well. Lord Garkim, please continue with your story. What happened to the temples’ ships?”
    “The temples’ ships … The representatives of the temples were denied a vote in the fleet’s last council. One high priest had been killed by a sea monster before landing, and many priests were dispirited and had lost their powers. They settled among the Ffolk in the various colonies. Many of these former priests gained power in an evil cult later, but that’s another story.”
    Jacob, the warrior with the two-handed sword, cleared his throat. “Perhaps we might be of assistance in rooting out these wretches, if—”
    “Let Lord Garkim continue,” interrupted Miltiades. “We have other business to which we must attend.”
    There was an embarrassed silence. “Your pardon,” said Jacob, subdued.
    “Your offer of assistance is appreciated,” said Garkim diplomatically. He paused, listening to the steady thump of the elephant’s feet and the creaking of the wagon’s wheels over the hard-packed earth of the street. The visitors were considering ways to find out where this kidnapped woman they sought was held, he knew. All in good time, all in good time. The mage-king obviously had something in mind for these gentlemen first.
    “To continue,” Garkim went on, “the various colonies were settled, and the Mar, the inhabitants of this fertile land, came to an accommodation with the inv—with the Ffolk. The—”
    “Were you going to say, ‘invaders’?” The voice was Noph’s, from where he perched at the rear of the jostling wagon, holding on to his seat with both hands.
    Garkim burst out laughing. “In fact, I was, yes.
    There are many points of view on this, and sometimes it is best not to take sides too obviously. You understand. The past is the past.”
    “It looks like the past is still with you,” responded Noph. He was looking behind the wagon at a cluster of beggars following them at a safe distance, hands outstretched beneath pleading faces.
    Garkim’s smile faded as he read Noph’s thoughts. “Ah, yes. It is with us, you are right. It is everywhere, the past. But this is now, and we must deal with what is now. To understand the now, I will explain a bit more about the past and bring you to the present.
    “The Founding Lords, the Ffolk who landed on these shores, explored this new realm. They investigated the old ruins that dot our land, meddled in sacred tribal lands, hunted for gold and whatever valuables they could pull from overgrown tombs. They were like puppies, digging for their treasures, but they were not wise—or so some of my people say. The Ffolk built their kingdoms, and this much was well and good, you see, but the digging into old ruins—this is dangerous even in your home lands, is it not?”
    There was a general murmur of agreement at this from the others. Garkim nodded. They came here from Undermountain, after all. He mulled over what he would say next. He should tell them about the bloodforges, he knew. The mage-king had not forbidden it, and they would hear about bloodforges soon enough from any citizen of the kingdom. Still—the short version would do.
    “A hundred years ago,” he