The Reign Of Istar Read Online Free PDF Page A

knight, with his proud air and stiff, upright stature, stood out in comparison to the
     slouchy, slovenly half-dozen others. Most had the hang-dog expression of long-time felons.
     Arryl took an interest in only two - a boy dressed in motley, who obviously had no idea
     what was going to happen to him, and a half-elf, whose face was that of a man who knows he is doomed. Having
     studied the rest during the short, bleak trip from his cell to this place, Arryl guessed
     that most would not survive long enough to win their freedom.
    Arryl Tremaine glanced about and grimaced at the ex terior of the arena, adorned with the
     benevolent visage of the Kingpriest. Brother Gurim came immediately to mind.
    BROTHER GURIM. The rat-faced cleric was responsible for his being sentenced to this place,
     of that Arryl was certain. A night in a dank prison cell had been long enough for the
     Solamnic warrior to question the law and authority by which he had been judged. Something
     was amiss. It was too coincidental that the same man who had spoken to the young knight
     only a day prior, and who had overheard what Arryl was forced to admit may have been
     injudicious remarks about Istar, should be one of the inquisitors at his sudden, mad trial.
    Marble masks lined the arena walls, each visage gazing down in sculpted tenderness upon
     the monarch's spiritual children when they entered on the days of the Games. Through the
     open gateway Arryl could see the faces that adorned the inside of the arena. Probably the
     countenance of each succeeding monarch replaced that of his predecessor. Not at all to
     Arryl's surprise, he saw very little tribute to Paladine.
    Once again, Tremaine wondered whether Istar, stronghold of Paladine, had forgotten exactly
     who it was its citizens were supposed to worship.
    “You there!” The dwarf walked up to him. For one of the hill folk, Arack was surprisingly
     lean, like a small cat. Knowing the strength of Arack's kind, Arryl wondered if he could
     take the dwarf in combat. One did not gain authority in an arena without some prowess.
     “Which are you?”
    “I am Arryl Tremaine.”
    “The knight.” The dwarf looked him over, pausing at one point to eye Tremaine's flowing,
     well-groomed Solamnic moustache. “Yer in good shape. Last o' yer kind I saw looked more
     like a merchant man than a fighter. Round as a tub.”
    Raag laughed. Arryl kept silent, figuring the dwarf was only trying to provoke him into a
     fight.
    “I understand you took on two of the city guard,”
    Arack pursued. “I did what I thought was right. I did not know they were guardsmen,“ Arryl replied sternly. The dwarf snorted. ”Yeah, that's what they all
     say!”
    Arack pointed the knight out to the other prisoners. “Ya see this man? Fought the city
     guard. Beat 'em. both ... and bare-handed, yet!”
    There was a subtle movement away from the Solamnian, as if anyone who had crossed the
     guard was unclean.
    “What's yer best weapon?” the dwarf asked, all business again. His eyes sparkled with some
     scheme.
    Arryl had the uncomfortable feeling the scheme involved him. “Sword.”
    “Just that? 'Sword,' he says. Any particular TYPE of sword?”
    “Broadsword. Short sword.” Tremaine decided not to tell him more.
    Scratching his chin, Arack considered. “You'll be going to Nelk's bunch, then.”
    “I will not fight. I will not become a part of this barbaric ritual! This place, these
     Games, are an affr - ”
    “You'll go to Nelk's group, whatever you end up doin'!” That was the end of the
     discussion, as far as Arack was concerned. He stepped away from the knight and moved on to
     the half-elf, who was surreptitiously observing the Solamnian.
    Arryl Tremaine knew that arguing would be a waste for now. He kept quiet, turned his mind
     to other matters. He wondered what Master Brek would think when he did not return. It
     occurred to him that maybe the innkeeper knew exactly what had