The High King: A Tale of Alus Read Online Free PDF Page B

particular wisdom is needed on certain matters, but just because I use your knowledge for my benefit, don't you ever deign to question my wisdom, Krulir."
    "I apologize, m' lord. I would never willingly question you. I was merely expressing my fears, though I know little of the circumstance of these creatures before me."
    "Do not fear, Krulir," Merrick charged
unwaveringly. "I wouldn't have brought them over without making certain that I had a way of controlling these beasts. If you have been unable to guess at it, I shall tell you. From what I have been told, their world has been getting much hotter of late. My sorcerers have been talking with Kar'esh and his people for months now. Their crops are drying up and wilting. Animals are dying that they need to eat. In other words, their world is dying. We worked out a plan with them. Kar'esh and a score of his warriors have come through to work for me to defeat my enemies. When they are fully crushed and these creatures have earned my trust, then I've promised to bring more of their people to our world."
    The king rose from his high backed comfortable chair. He clapped a heavy hand upon Krulir's shoulder, before moving around the desk towards the stone skinned warriors. "Perhaps it is time to see these gargoyles begin working off their debt, eh, Krulir?" Merrick crossed over to Kar'esh, the gargoyle leader, who now stood examining a large mace on the balcony. "Kar'esh!" the king shouted with exuberance. The winged warrior looked down at the lord (with what the vizier thought was a look of disdain, though the creature’s facial expressions were hard to read for a human). My friend how would you and your warriors like to get out and stretch your wings a bit, while doing a favor for me?" The gargoyle stood silently awaiting Merrick's point. Realizing that the creature would not share in small talk, the lord went on, "I have a pair of soldiers hidden outside of a farm in that direction," Merrick pointed roughly southward from the balcony's vantage. The sun was beginning to set now and they could make out the first of the city's lanterns being lit below the castle. "My enemy has hidden himself within that farmstead. I would like for you to fly there and destroy all who live there. The men I have there will be lighting torches to guide your flight."
    The gargoyle leader nodded, "As you wish. Would you have us go now?"
"Yes, Kar'esh," he answered with a dark smile of contentment. Noticing the mace clutched in one large, clawed hand, he added, "You may use any weapons that you find here, if you like, my friend. I'll see you after your safe return," Merrick finished and walked away from the creature as he retreated back into the warmth of the castle lights.
Krulir stood back and watched as the gargoyles stepped one by one onto the balcony following their leader's call. Kar'esh spread his wings as well and leapt from the landing with mace in hand. The score of warriors were all in flight with various pieces of weaponry that they had gathered earlier. The vizier stepped to the balcony as the final gargoyle disappeared over its edge. Watching their powerful wings carry them over the castle walls and out over the city, Krulir shook his head worriedly. "Merrick has made a pact with demons, I know it. No good can come of this certainly," he said quietly under his breath.
The sky continued to darken and the creatures faded into the evening air.
Chapter 5- Black Smoke
    Simon stood with the others on the White Horse Inn's porch watching as the evening sky steadily darkened. When the men had finally broken up from their sparring, most went back to their nearby farms and homes. Stephen had insisted the brothers remain for dinner, however, offered a nice spread thanks to the inn’s kitchen cook. They had accepted the meal offer, if somewhat reluctantly on Simon's part. After spending most of the day with the man and talking with him, the elder brother actually had to admit that he liked the