Horonz rather liked the new guards. Invisible is best when it comes to armsmen. You want people to forget theyre there.
So, Kharghus, it looks like youre no longer irreplaceable. Aod had returned a week after the priest had, and for once he seemed to be content to remain for longer than a couple days. That worthy had provided another of Lord Brekringes finest bottles, and as Horonz spoke he held out a glass for another refill.
Meh. You dont want to be irreplaceable. You only get the easiest jobs or the hardest, and the while the latter makes up for the formers boringness they also tend to leave you in our Lords palace. Ive already visited once, so I think it can wait for a while. His glass was empty, too or perhaps the white wine was just too hard to see. Besides, I was making Aod jealous. He likes to be the only irreplaceable one.
Irreplaceable? Me? Nothing of the sort. All you need to do is talk with the Big Man a bit, and borrow my dagger here. He gestured at his chest. I could put in a word, if youre interested.
They all started laughing once more. It was almost like the old days, Horonz thought. Almost. He remembered his conversation with Björk from a couple weeks ago, and recognized that same feeling of not quite making a connection. Aod and Kharghus both seemed comfortable on the outside, but he knew them too well. Something was digging at them, the same as everyone else. Even the dullards at court were beginning to suspect something was amiss, and were stepping lightly.
He listened as the other two continued their banter, and took his time with this latest glass. Björk was quietly talking to Adam, way off in the far corner beyond the throne. She was outwardly calm, but whatever Adam was saying she was not enjoying. Even the new guards seemed unsettled. Perhaps it was all his imagination, but even as he thought that he recognized a whistle in the dark.
Some connection was missing. He wondered if hed see it before it fell into place.
But enough of this. Theres a job to do, the more fool he to volunteer for it. Adam was lucky, in a way; hed carried the banner far enough, and well deserved the rest. Would he be strong enough to finish the job his king had started? He rather suspected not.
It is odd, how some things can alter greatly in part but remain the same in whole. Did the world ever truly change, or was there always the same pattern to it? Some rise, some fall, some are good, some are evil. Maybe the Dagdans had the right of it, to advocate Balance.
Which is worse: to think that your actions mean nothing in the greater scheme, or that they mean everything? He could not tell.
He was superior. He acted, when his fellows thought. What use are ideals if you do nothing with them? His may not be perfect, but they were enacted. Some of his fellows failed to realize that you didnt always have all the time in the world, but he did. He was superior.
Hed volunteered. They were calling themselves the Ghosts. A good enough name, and an honorable one. It had taken too much time, too much empty waiting, but finally he would be remade today, able to act as hed always desired.
The Arch stood before him, and some hundred of the Ghosts beside him. The mages and priests stood behind him, and were well into their spells. For many long minutes, the space within the Arch had been turning darker, then lighter but the light that was within it did not come from this sun. The Dead Lands. The Nether Plane. The Final Resting Place. Call it what you will, it was there, and he was ready to enter, to become a knight in service. It looked like an endless green meadow, and surprisingly empty.
The first rank, thirty men across, stepped into the portal. He watched jealously, from his spot in the second
but his time came too, and as one he moved with twenty-nine others into the Neverending Home.
It wasnt painful. That rather surprised him, since crucibles required heat. All one hundred and twenty men simply stood, a bare handbreadth past the Archs gate. Then the ranks turned around, and walked back.
Now there was pain, or at least feeling. He felt a loss, an uncomfortable void, and a separation. Nothing unbearable, but it could be called a kind of pain. Then he turned around once more, and didnt know what to feel.
One hundred and twenty men stood in perfect formation on this side of the gate. One hundred and twenty stood at the far side. All two hundred and forty had various expressions of awe, amazement, fear, and refusal all of which were difficult to detect for those outside of the formations, as all were only partially visible. Then the second formation marched through the Arch.
He looked at the map before him. It centered on Darkvale, and extended out over nearly all the lands of the Council, the Syrii, and the Corbus. He ignored the bit of Edsunland and Kurio that included, focusing mostly on Alsidar.
The Al to the far west. Hallowed on the west border, dwarves on the northwest. The north, empty for now. Could the Syrii hold the eastern seas? Would they? The Corbus, always a mix of victim and threat to the south. An interesting map; and the Sidar lay in the middle of it.
The letter to the Council had been sent, but not yet received. The same went for those to the Corbus, the Syrii, the League, the Three Nations
he could still end this before it began.
Ah, hell. Time waits for no man, and Death doesnt either. There was a dagger in his hand, and he thrust it into the map as he stood. Directly into Darkvale.
It was easier, now. No more doctors. Kharghus didnt even have to skulk, although he didnt mind skulking. Sitting in a bar with drinks was nicer, though.
Kharghus and Aod were sitting at an isolated corner table, the kind that every place like this one keeps for discussions like the one they were having.
So its done, then. All except for the easy part. Kharghus snorted, and slammed back the rest of the glass. There was a full one sitting next to it, and he switched his grip to it.
Exactly. Now all that has to happen is for you to say go.
Me? Why me? Kharghus tilted his head as he looked at the other man. Did the Big Man change his mind now?
Of course not. Aod gave a small smile. But he did
obscure things.
Kharghus put his glass down.
Things like what, Aod?
Well, nothing you shouldnt have connected beforehand. For instance, you certainly didnt think I was going to be able to take the glory? It would restrict my usefulness.
Like what, Aod? Tell me, or Ill shove another dagger in another organ of yours.
Touchy, touchy. The Big Man doesnt want General Applebay to take the throne. He wants you.
What?!? And you tell me this now?
You wouldnt have helped otherwise.
But Applebay is perfect. Hes honorable, intelligent Adam even knows his name. Hell be fine.
He wants the job. You dont. To the Big Man, that makes you better for it. I happen to agree.
Kharghuss face was quite, quite red. With anger, fear, anxiousness
he didnt know what.
Damn you both, then. I decline, and Death can shove it.
For the first time in a long time, Aods mask cracked. For just a second, he was furious.
You cant say that, Kharghus. You know that. We all have to make sacrifices you think I enjoy my part in this? Does anyone? Your part happens to be slightly more unpleasant than most, but youll do it. You have to.
Silence from the other side of the table.
Thats right. Ive got to go; business to attend to. Ladies to visit, and all that. Be glad for the warning I gave you, and prepare.
Aod got up and left, slightly more quickly than if he was as calm as he seemed. Kharghus stayed, one hand on the drink, until the bar closed. He never got to a third glass.
He walked out of the tent. The encampment was rather small, but the new doctrine the Army had come up with meant that a relatively small force like this should still be effective. Especially when they were Ghosts; the elite, the unseen, the duty-bound. Not such a bad motto, he supposed.
Two out of three isnt bad.
Would today be the day? He hoped so. Hed hoped the same yesterday, and the day before
it had been a long, long time since he hadnt hoped for it, yearned for it.
The wait had probably been good for him, though. Hed made his peace with Pain, conquered Memory, been comforted by Death. Learned Patience, or perhaps re-learned it.
He could wait.