Greyrawk (Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

her face and her throaty laugh and the nasty way she fought with a dagger. His eyelids felt heavy, but as he relaxed, he felt a drumming through the ground. Drumming, drumming. He tried to recall what it meant. Then he knew. He bounced to his feet looking back the direction he had come. Faint figures of horsemen crested the far hill. They had figured out his change of direction. Greyrawk jumped upon Spirer and headed north.
    The riders kept to his trail and Greyrawk kept to his northern route and then he veered west toward the forest and followed a path leading into the trees. One of the riders followed him into the forest; the others circled back to the south, apparently knowledgeable about the exit of the path. Greyrawk rode hard to gain an advantage. Although the path was well used and surprisingly level; many branches reached out snagging his cloak as he passed. As soon as he was out of sight of his pursuer, he pulled off the trail under the trees. He pulled his rope off his saddle and tied it across the path. The pursuer came thundering down the path and the rope caught him, knocking him off his horse. Greyrawk sprang to the man and pulled him over, Greyrawk's knife at the man's throat.
    "Are you Belderag's men? Did he send you after me?" He shook the man and asked again.
    The man was stunned and did not recognize the situation. Greyrawk disarmed him and dragged him under the trees. He reclaimed his rope and waited for the man to regain his senses. By his device, he belonged to Belderag. No doubt, Nunderburg had betrayed him. Possibly his brothers rode to Gornst before dawn to bring news to Belderag.
    He waited for several minutes, but the man did not regain consciousness. He tied him to a tree and left him.
    He slowly followed the trail south knowing the other horsemen would be waiting. The path narrowed and he drew his sword. He ears heard only the clop of Spirer's hooves, the birds were silent. The horsemen concealed themselves near the end of the path. Greyrawk tensed himself, made sure of his grip on his sword and spurred Spirer forward. The horse quickly gained top speed and burst from the forest past his startled foes. They recovered quickly and his lead did not expand more than a few yards. Six pursuers closed around him.
    He turned southeast and headed for Castle Greyrawk. Adan's Hill was overgrown and tangled with brambles. He hoped to shake them off or at least find a defensible position. The pursuers did not fall back but kept tight to him.
    The ride across the fields did not cease and flecks of foam were on Spirer's flanks as they finally reached Greyrawk Mountain.
    He ducked under branches, as Spirer did not slow when he reached the base of the hill. Branches clawed at Greyrawk, tearing his clothes and trying to dislodge him. He held tight and sensed his pursuers had slowed. He stopped halfway up the hill, blood trickling from his forehead. The riders had dismounted and were spreading out and moving up the hill. Greyrawk dismounted and stood ready with his sword.
    There was faint music in the air, similar to what he had heard in the early dawn. It seemed to be coming down the hill. He glanced behind him but saw nothing. Still, the music continued. One man came ahead of the others and Greyrawk charged him, their swords clashing in the misty air. Greyrawk parried the man's blow and slapped at his knees. The man dodged back and Greyrawk's blade ripped his shoulder open. The man winced and heard the music for the first time. He looked around wildly and then backed away from Greyrawk. Then he ran back to his comrades.
    As the music grew louder and the shadows lengthened, Greyrawk's pursuers slowed and spoke urgently amongst themselves. Then one by one, they looked toward the hill where he waited and turned away. They remounted and set off for Gornst. Greyrawk rose from his crouch and began to descend. Suddenly, the hair on the back of his neck rose and he gripped his sword tight. He felt a sudden urge to run down