Chapter 17
“Here we may rest for a while.” announced Jebez after they had ridden steadily for many hours, “Let your horses drink from the spring yonder, it will be evening before the next chance, and we have far to go.”
“How do you know with such certainty where to go... this place is featureless and barren?” Ulaff asked, his respect growing as Jebez guided them unerringly to the spring.
“I have wandered these plains for all eternity, or so it seems to me. I know every blade of grass, there are many signs that are clear to those who know how to look. We are now only a few miles east of the road, and unless I have lost all track of time, we are now ahead of the Goblins. Rest friends, I will return soon, I wish to check on their progress.”
Before their astonished eyes he melted into a cloud of mist, only to reappear seconds later in the form of a hyena. “I travel more quickly this way,” he laughed, and with a quiet yip, he loped away across the plains, heading almost directly west.
“What say you now?” Ulaff prodded Feron and handed him a slice of cold beef, a parting gift from the Kros. “Do you still doubt his sincerity?”
“On the surface, he would appear to be true enough, but I still reserve judgement.” Feron grunted.
“Would it hurt so much to say you were wrong?” Ulaff teased.
“I reserve judgement,” Feron reiterated, “But I may have been wrong,” he chuckled, “And that will be my last word on the subject... so expect no more.”
From the position of the sun Tillendur could see that Jebez had been gone much less than an hour when he returned.
“They rest also,” he said as he rose back to his full height, “And I see the captive, yet he is not amongst the Goblins, he is with a smaller guard. I do not know what those creatures are called, but I have seen them on the road many times, yet they are not like any breed of Goblin that I have ever seen before”
“They are called The Man,” Fiorina answered, “And it makes me happy to know that he is with them, they are hard, but not cruel.”
“Tonight they will camp again at another crossing point upon the road, it is much larger than the previous. Also it will be the last time that they can top up their water supply. I have seen it many times before, it is not possible for them to carry enough to last until they reach the edge of the desert, tomorrow night they will drink their last drop on the road, maybe they will make camp, maybe they will continue through the cool of the night, it is of little consequence, we will be fresh, we will have an abundance of water, we will always be ahead of them.” Jebez paused deep in thought, suddenly his voice became clear to Fiorina as he concentrated his thoughts toward her. I will enter their camp tonight, is there any message that you wish me to pass to the captive?
How? She asked, alarm in her thoughts, It is too dangerous.
Only a small risk, he replied, they will suspect nothing. He sensed her confusion, and began to explain. You understand that I have the ability to change my form? Fiorina nodded. I can also take on the shape of the last creature that I killed and fed upon. I returned to the camp earlier because a sentry had spotted you, he would have raised the alarm.
He saw worry flash in her eyes but simply smiled. You have no cause to fear, I silenced him before he could cause any problems, but you now understand, I can enter the camp tonight as a Goblin, and I can pass on a message of encouragement to the captive.
I would not wish for you to take any unnecessary risks, Fiorina replied, yet if you are determined, I will speak with Tillendur, I see both benefit and additional risk in alerting the captive of his impending liberation.
How so? Replied Jebez, were I in his position I know that I would take heart in the knowledge that plans were in place for my rescue.
True, as would I, but nervousness and overt anticipation, even well masked can alert an attentive captor to impending action, I must discuss this, maybe Tillendur will consider the risk worth taking to learn more about this Gnome.
And so it came to pass that under cover of the moonless night, Jebez crept into the Goblin settlement, feeling relieved yet strangely dismayed to find the sentries on the main gate to be unconscious, empty flagons in theirs hands, snoring contentedly.
They have no discipline, he shook his head at the sorry sight and began to wonder why their conduct should concern him. There is so much about my mortal life that has been lost, he lamented, so much memory gone, but perhaps I had a military background, why else would these guards disgust me so?
The encampment sprawled across another meeting of roads, and though much larger displayed little structure or planning. The only permanent structure stood as a foreboding shadow of deeper darkness against the faint glimmer of starlight. A solid and ugly stone build block, a barracks and a sure sign that the influence, and confidence of Kangan had reached far into the south.
I am lucky that they do not hold their prisoner inside, thought Jebez as he skirted around the thick stone walls, getting inside would have proved troublesome. But he faced no such dilemma, for he knew exactly where to find Gondell. True to their ways, the camp of Man had been established on the outskirts of the settlement, close to the fence and far from the bars and brothels that still displayed a brisk trade despite the lateness of the hour. These are soldiers indeed, he declared silently. Alert and sober, professional, aware of everything. Why could they not also be lax, it seems that getting into the camp may have been simple, yet talking to this strange Gnome creature may prove to be impossible... but I have to try. His mind drifted back to fair Fiorina, so beautiful, I have to try, if only for her sake.
For many long minutes he crouched hidden beside a pile of crates and observed, the Man sentry appeared to be infuriatingly alert. I am a Goblin, and the chances of him leaving me alone with the captive are nil, he decided, it is vital that I deliver the message, and ask the question... but how?
Several minutes later he was unexpectedly given his how! Standing and stretching, the imposing Man glanced around into the darkness, checking and scanning for any threat or movement before he began to tug at the leather laces that secured his breeches, and with a last lingering look, crept away toward a gap in the fence. As quick as lightning and as silent as a cat Jebez grasped the opportunity, I probably don't even have one minute, he realised as he crouched beside the sleeping Gnome. No time for introductions or polite conversation. And with that thought in mind pressed his cold hand firmly over Gondell's mouth. The Gnome awoke, fear and panic clear in his eyes. “Quiet,” hissed Jebez softly, “Do not struggle or react. I am a friend, and I cannot explain now, but you must believe me that I am not a Goblin,” he sensed Gondell begin to relax, the struggle and tension leaving his small body. “You have friends outside the camp, they are of the Guild, if that means anything to you, and they are planning your rescue. Listen carefully, remain calm, do not show anticipation of nervousness, but when you reach the ponds that mark the beginning of the desert they will be waiting in ambush... be ready. Two nights from now.” Gondell nodded enthusiastically, and Jebez saw hope blossom in his eyes. “Time is short, and I have an urgent question for you.” he paused for less than a second, remembering Tillendur's words. “Are you the keeper?”
A loud coughing from the fence line froze the Ghul, the sentry had finished his business and was returning to his post, “Are you the keeper?” he hissed again, his panic building, to be replaced with relief as Gondell nodded rapidly. “Be patient, and be prepared.” his parting words as the sentry walked back into view missing the faint mist like cloud and skulking shadow of a hyena as Jebez transformed and loped silently and unseen into the thick grass outside the main gate.
“Our worst fears are confirmed,” groaned Tillendur and pressed a thumb against his temple as a headache bloomed.
“Are you telling us that this Gnome is the keeper, the key of legend?” asked Feron, awe in his voice.
“Sadly yes,” Fiorina added, “I had hoped that my guess be wrong, but my heart always knew it to be the truth.?
??
“Then this changes the situation, this is far greater than just us and a free world captive,” Ulaff spoke quietly. “Tillendur, we cannot fail in this mission, should Kangan hold the key, it marks the end of everything... a fact that you know only too well.” His expression became suddenly hard and stern, “If we cannot rescue him, you know what has to be done?”
“That is something that I refuse to consider.” the Elf replied quickly, his expression serious.
“It pains my heart,” Feron interjected, “But brother, if there is no other hope... it has to be done. The risk is too high in this game of chance that we have found ourselves playing... and we do not have the strongest hand, Kangan appears to hold most of the cards.”
“I will not think about that ending until all else has failed, not while there is even the smallest glimmer of hope will I give up on his rescue... for do not forget, if the keeper should die, the sword is not only lost to Kangan, it is lost to us also,” he shook his head sadly. “Kangan's forces are probably far greater that ours. Friends, I remember the last battle as if it were only yesterday, Nilgoth's hoards outnumbered us one hundred to one at the very least, without the sword the free world would have been plunged into darkness and misery. We cannot afford to fail, we cannot afford to lose the keeper.”
“If I might add something,” began Jebez cautiously, “I do not pretend to understand your debate, or the significance of this keeper, but, I do feel that the original plan has a good chance of success. Do not forget, I have wandered the desert and plains for more years than I can count, but over all of those years there is always one constant. Two nights from now, however large the force that marches toward the ponds, they will be no match for the five of us. Consider, they will be half mad with thirst, weak and confused. Despite my failed memory, I still recall that there are few who can match an Elf with a bow, and the might and power of Feron and Ulaff combined with my own particular abilities, be there over one hundred, we will be victorious.”
“I can think of one who surpassed the skill of an Elf with her bow,” chuckled Feron, “And Jebez, you have given me fresh hope in my heart, the darkness that threatened my spirit has lifted. I say lead us on, let us prepare an ambush, and make them pay... including the Man should we have misjudged them and they decide to take up arms against us.”
Fiorina felt the pain inside her lover, sensed his turmoil and hesitancy. “If all else fails, you know it must be done,” she said to him privately.
“I am not sure that I can,” he replied, his torment obvious.
“I will be at your side to the bitter end if things should go ill for us,” she replied, her tone sympathetic and comforting, “But ease your conscience my love, if that time should arrive, with my last breath, and my last arrow... I will deny Kangan his prize. I would spare you that pain.”