A Hero's Justice by Paul B. Thompson & Tonya C. Cook

Author:Paul B. Thompson & Tonya C. Cook [Thompson, Paul B. & Cook, Tonya C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fantasy Fiction, General, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy - General, Fiction - Fantasy, Games, Role Playing & Fantasy
ISBN: 9780786933976
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Published: 2004-12-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

A Clash of Worlds

Lacking the time to procure wagons, Tol decided to transport the nomads’ plunder by horse. The loot was distributed among the herd of captured animals, with especially bulky items loaded onto travois. Strung out in single file, the caravan was quite long. Tylocost’s foot soldiers trudged close alongside the column, while Riders patrolled at a distance. Two thousand men made a formidable escort for the treasure train, but it was a long way to Caergoth.

“Tempting target,” observed Queen Casberry, swaying along in her sedan chair.

“For whom?” asked Tylocost, walking at her side. He considered the kender more of a danger to the treasure than any nomads.

She ignored him and spoke to Tol, who rode on her other side. “It’s a good thing you have us here, my lord.”

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s help,” Tol replied gravely.

“Grateful. Mmm, yes. About that—your lofty wife made certain promises to us, certain offers. I’d like to take this matter up with you now, my lord.”

Tylocost snorted. Kiya was on the far side of the column, leading the Juramona Militia, and could hardly speak for herself.

“Beware, my lord!” Tylocost warned. “Tiny fingers are reaching for your purse!”

“Tiny fingers soon will be reaching for your eyes, elf!” Gasberry snapped. Tol suppressed a smile. “Speak your mind, Majesty.”

She launched into a long, rambling address about how long she had lived, how many places she’d visited, and what a good friend to the empire Hylo had always been. She made it sound as though Ergoth and Hylo had been allies and equals for decades, although it was her husband, King Lucklyn the First, who had signed treaties that reduced Hylo to Ergoth’s vassal.

“When the monster XimXim infested our country, the empire sent you to defeat him,” she said. “We won’t dwell on the many years it to took for Ergoth to aid us in our battle against the dreadful creature.”

“Yes, don’t dwell.”

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She gritted her teeth at Tylocost’s interruption, but continued, “It’s only fitting that now, when the empire faces its most harrowing moment, Hylo returns the favor. However—”

“Here it comes!”

Casberry lashed out with her fly whisk, made from the severed tail of a donkey. Tylocost ducked the blow.

Annoyed, the queen declared with unkenderlike brevity, “We were promised one gold piece per day, per blade!”

Tylocost exclaimed, “That’s double the going rate for mercenaries! And for what? Them?” He waved a hand at the Royal Loyals, most of whom were dragging their scabbards just to see the patterns of dust that arose.

“A generous offer,” Tol remarked. A good portion of the kender army’s wages, he knew, were kicked back to Casberry. That was simply how business was done in Hylo. “Is Your Majesty not satisfied with it?”

Casberry stared. “You mean, you’ll pay?”

“If Kiya proposed it and you accepted, I must hold to the agreement.”

She sank back against her cushions, beaming. “You’re a prince, Lord Tolandruth. A true prince among humans!” Tylocost sighed, and shook his head.

A dusty rider was galloping toward them.

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