For the Gray

For the Gray

By Tom Liberman

Copyright 2017©

Prolog

Smoke from the campfire wafted steadily into the blue sky apparently merging with the white clouds that drifted overhead.

Not enough silver, said a man with long, greasy, dark hair and a droopy moustache to a gnoll woman who stood in front of a pile of goods. We do not trade our wares to wanderers without coin. Unless there is something else you have to offer?

The gnoll woman nodded her head and wrinkled her nose with a narrow smile that displayed her canid teeth fully, I understand what you are saying and payment will be rendered to your satisfaction, one way or another.

The man smirked and winked at his companions. One had the same greasy hair as the first although faded at the temples, while a third had barely any hair at all. He also wore a wide grin on his face as his eyes went up and down the firm figure of the gnoll woman. The fourth trader glanced over at a boy who watched them with coal black eyes that seemed to miss nothing.

He walked over to where the lad was sitting, How old are you, boy? Twelve?

He was a sturdy young orc boy with strange little white scars all over his face and exposed arms. He was sketching on a piece of torn parchment with a charcoal pencil near worn to the nub. The trader noted the lad’s hands were large and his feet too big for his already sturdy frame.

Nine, said the boy holding the gaze of the trader without waver and speaking slowly, enunciating each word carefully. How long do you wish to live?

The man looked to the ground at his feet. The grass was fading in the cool of late fall and soon winter would arrive. That’s why the boy and his mother, or whatever she was, needed supplies. New knives, grain, rice, and other goods that would be in short supply soon enough. He shrugged, Long enough, he said. Whatcha drawing?

The boy looked down at the parchment and scowled, Memories. Things. People.

Can I see? asked the man craning his neck to look at the parchment.

The boy looked at him with those black, black eyes and flipped it around so that the trader could see. It showed the four men standing around their wagon talking with the gnoll woman. The figures and faces were remarkably well done and the man instantly recognized himself, You’re pretty good.

The boy said nothing to this.

What’s your name?

Adusko, said the boy and went back to sketching.

Don’t you want to know my name? asked the man looking at the boy’s lean arms, muscled and strong.

Adusko shook his head and his hand went to a well-worn knife handle at his side, I know what I need to know.

Come on, said the first trader glancing over at the fourth trader with a jerk of his head. Into the wagon if you want a go.

The man looked at the boy who was once again sketching on the parchment and shook his head, I think I’ll pass.

Your loss, said the trader with a grin and turned back to the gnoll woman. She looks feisty to me.

The fourth trader looked over at Adusko and the parchment. He reached forward with a finger and tapped his own face as drawn.

The boy looked up and sneered but eventually nodded his head and began to smudge out the image of the fourth trader.

Adusko, said the woman over her shoulder as she walked toward the wagon. Go up into the hills and bag a rabbit or two for supper.

The boy put away the pencil and parchment and began walking towards the nearby hills without looking toward the gnoll woman heading into the wagon with the traders, but he did glance at the fourth man and paused.

I’ll not have a turn, said the trader noting the glance and shaking his head. My word on it. And perhaps I’ll find another band to trade with as well. Good enough?

Adusko scowled, nodded his head, and loped off into the scrubby grass that surrounded the little trading wagon. The wagon tracks led back to the south and Adusko headed in the opposite direction toward an area covered with bushes and small trees. He pulled a little slingshot from his belt and began moving low to the ground, his steps hardly making a sound as he went. After a few minutes, he spotted a large hare casually snacking on a clump of tall grass a short distance away. Adusko loaded a round rock into the slingshot, brought it to position, aimed, and fired all in a single swift motion.

The rock hit the hare on the temple with a small thud and the creature fell immediately to the ground. Adusko looked around, stood, and trotted over to the downed hare with long strides. Just as he reached for it, a flash of movement caught his eye and a bobcat, nearly two feet long, took the hare in its mouth and sprinted off towards some low hills not far away.

Adusko reached forward with a lightning quick grab, caught the thing by one of its hind legs, and pulled back. The cat whipped around with a snarl and took a swipe with its front paw at Adusko who lowered his head as the attempt missed by a hair’s breadth. The bobcat scrambled, Adusko tightened his grip, and reached for the knife as his side as the cat, with a frantic spin, brought its other leg up to rake the boy’s wrist and inside of his arm.

Adusko gritted his teeth and squeezed harder but the slippery cat slid from his grasp and dashed away with blinding quickness. Adusko looked at the blood flowing down his wrist and began to run after the beast while pulling a rag from one of his pockets and wrapping it quickly around the wound.

The bobcat disappeared behind a scrubby tree with washed out looking purple flowers and two small birds took flight immediately after. Adusko stopped, carefully watching to see in which direction it would emerge, and seconds went by in silence.

After almost a minute, Adusko finished binding his wrist and arm and approached the little tree carefully from the side, although there was still no sign of the cat. He dropped to a knee and spotted a narrow opening in the side of the hill that led back into darkness. He reached into a pocket, pulled out a small stone, and rapped it once on the ground. It immediately began to glow and he lay down with his head just next to the cave opening. He reached forward with his arm and looked inside. The light didn’t go far but he could see that the cave seemed to open more widely a few feet beyond the entrance.

The boy pulled his hand back and hit the stone on the ground again before shoving it in his pocket. He sheathed his knife and began stalking over the ground, picking up a large rock and breaking off some short, green limbs from a low tree. Then he returned to the little cave and began digging vigorously at the opening. It took him perhaps ten minutes of concentrated effort but eventually he managed to widen the hole enough. He first activated his glow stone again, tossed it ahead, lay down on his belly, and squirmed through the opening.

Once past the narrow entrance the cave widened slightly and he continued forward crawling slowly, not forgetting to pick up the glow stone and carry it with him.

It took about two minutes of squirming and scratching but eventually the narrow passage opened into a small cave where he could stand with ease. He held up the light and looked around. The smell of cat was in the dank air but there was still no sign of the beast. He began to walk slowly around the cave holding the light low to the ground looking for tracks or blood. In a corner, he found the gnawed bones of previous victims of the cat; glancing up he spotted a ledge.

He tossed the stone toward the outcropping but it bounced off a protruding rock and skittered back down. He stabbed at it with his hand but only managed to knock it away. It bounced once on the ground and then somehow passed right through the cave wall as if it wasn’t there at all. He was left in total darkness.

He stood and stared into the darkness, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He paused, put his hand out reaching toward the wall where the stone disappeared, and began to take small steps forward. After half a dozen steps, he paused again, opened his eyes for a moment, but was still engulfed in complete darkness. He began to shuffle forward, keeping one hand out in front, reaching to the side with the other, while his nose flared, and he kept his head cocked to the side listening for any sound.

Another half dozen steps, he took another long, slow breath, and opened his eyes again.

He was in a large, domed cave, the ceiling above him too far to see in the dim light given off by the glow stone that lay on the floor just a step behind him. He turned, bent down, quickly picked it up, and spun back around to face the open cavern.

There were a dozen smooth stones standing in a circle around a squat rock in the middle. Each of them was tall and narrow and looked green in the dim light of the glow stone. He walked over to the nearest, ran his hand down its smooth surface, and then focused his gaze on the central rock. Unlike the others, it wasn’t smooth but simply a thick, irregular rock apparently dropped perfectly between the others. He took his hand away from the stone and started to walk to the center of the circle but a strange wave of energy washed over him, almost as if someone jumped into a pool of water not far from where he bathed.

Adusko instantly crouched down putting one hand on the floor and reaching for the dagger at his belt with the other. He looked at the central stone and then around the circle looking for what caused the ripple. A long glass case supported by four delicate legs stood off the center of the circle and inside was a figure. It had not been there a moment before.

Adusko got up from his knee and walked over to the case while glancing from side to side. Inside was a woman with long auburn hair sprawling out behind her head. She had bronzed skin as if she had recently been in the sun. Her chest was rising and falling gently and she was clearly alive. Suddenly her beautiful brown eyes opened and met his. They held a gaze for what seemed an eternity and then she spoke, Help me!

He stood for a moment in silence, shook his head with a sudden jerk, and brought his dagger down toward the top of the case. Before it hit there was another little ripple in the air and the case, with the girl in it, was gone.

Adusko stared at the empty spot for a moment, pulled a fresh piece of parchment from a pocket in his jerkin, and began to sketch.

Chapter 1

This is stupid, the tall young woman said and spat on the ground. She had a long, straight sword hanging on her left hip and her greenish skin and prominent canines indicated orc blood in her veins. I’m leaving. You can stay and watch if you want but not me, she said with a look to her two companions. She kicked a rock and stormed away from them without looking back.

Where’s she going, what if she gets in trouble, what should we do? said a pale, red-haired girl with a quiver of arrows slung across her shoulder and a fine wooden bow leaning on a rock at her side. She looked up to a stage where dignitaries were beginning to gather as vague hints of dawn made an appearance in the eastern sky.

The other young girl, this one with short green hair shaved almost to baldness, shrugged her shoulders and also looked up to the stage where it was clear they were readying for some sort of ceremony. She’s mad she wasn’t invited to be a Gray Knight, Marianne. You know that. It’s all she talks about.

Marianne looked around and wrung her hands, If she wants to be a Gray Knight she should be interested in the ceremony, Mike … I mean Sunny.

The short-haired girl laughed and her startling blue eyes sparkled like water on a beautiful mountain lake, Just keep calling me Mike, Marianne. I like it better anyway. I’ll let mother call me Sunny, she likes it for some reason. Sometimes you have to compromise.

Marianne laughed although she kept rubbing her hands together and glancing about, That’s not the Mike I know.

We all change, said Mike with a smile that revealed perfectly even and brilliant white teeth. At least most of us, she continued with a look over her shoulder to where Rhia stalked off through the crowd back toward the low walls of Tanelorn. They were useless as defensive emplacements and banners flew by the hundreds from sconces emplaced in them. Big crowd for this one, she said gazing around at all the people. Many were drinking, eating, laughing, and speaking excitedly to one another. Much bigger than the last time. You remember that last time. That’s when we all met.

Not quite, said Marianne shaking her head and frowning while looking at the ground with her pale hazel eyes, and her hand went to the bow. It wasn’t until later … after you found me … I mean … I didn’t meet you until after the ceremony. I mean, well, there was no ceremony. It got interrupted by the Girl in Glass. It was her, right?

So they say, said Mike putting her arm around the taller girl’s shoulders. Don’t worry so much about everything. Me and Rhia met and we saw you working for Pillswar. Then later we all met, but you weren’t awake for that. We really met after that, when Lofo introduced us.

That was a good day, said Marianne suddenly turning bright red and looking at the ground. For me at least. You saved me, you and Rhia. I can’t ever repay you, I’m useless mostly.

Don’t say that, silly girl. Anyway, I have a feeling you may get to a chance to repay that debt soon enough. Lofo wants to see us after the ceremony. War is coming. The Dragonkin in the south, the gnolls of Grelm most certainly, and I’ve heard the Rock Lord as well. There’s bound to be danger in our future, she concluded her blue eyes sparkling, a wide grin on her face, and her hand pulling out a sharp dagger from a scabbard at her side.

Marianne looked up as the light began to peek over the horizon. In addition to those gathering on stage, a group of heavily armored men with weapons were beginning to congregate in front of it. Each wore fineries and carried a long banner upon a pole. How many Taking the Gray today? Ten? None of them Rhia. She’s right. We, I mean you two, did a lot. They didn’t invite you, even after what you said.

This time it was Mike’s turn to turn her brilliant blue eyes to the ground and purse her lips.

Marianne suddenly opened her own eyes wide and gasped, You were invited, weren’t you?

I never said I wasn’t, said Mike with a little grin looking back toward where Rhia had disappeared into the crowd.

But, but, why aren’t you up there? It’s an honor!

Mike shook her head and frowned, I figured it would make Rhia mad and we don’t want that, do we?

Marianne shook her head and began to twist her hands again as her eyes followed Mike’s gaze into the crowd, You’re right about that. Should I go after her? She might get in trouble.

Mike shook her head with a wry little smile and a wink of a crystalline eye. She’ll be fine. Who’s in town to cause her grief anyway? With the Pillswar gone, and Adusko not to be found, there’s nothing to worry about anymore.

Except the invasion, said Marianne her lower lip trembling slightly.

Invasions, corrected Mike with a shake of her head. Even if it is the Dragonkin from the south, the Rock Lord from the west, and the gnolls from the north it won’t amount to much. The Gray Knights will destroy them before they get far. We know they’re coming and I’m sure we’re more than ready. Jane Gray is capable and so is Scar Blackrose. Jon will be there as well, maybe not in command but with a sword at his side and Sorus Nightwalk. No, it shouldn’t amount to much. No need to worry.

I worry, said Marianne with a last glance toward the departing Rhia but she was already lost in the crowd gathered for the ceremony. I suppose she’ll be fine.

Come on, said Mike with a grin as a she spotted a cart rumbling past. I think that’s a beer cart!

Marianne shook her head, laughed, and followed the slim girl who moved with grace and speed.

Stupid ceremony, said Rhia as she cleared most of the crowd and took one last glance back at the gathering throng. The low walls of Tanelorn adorned with thousands of banners stood ahead and she approached one of the many gaps in the wall. There were no guards or soldiers to prevent entry and everyone and anyone was allowed to enter the city, even at this time of conflict. Even gnolls and Dragonkin were among those watching the ceremony, some of them certainly spies.

She kicked another rock and continued to walk toward the wall. A stone bench was situated near the entrance and a thick, heavy man with a hooded brown cloak pulled over his head sat there, although he didn’t react as Rhia approached.

Stupid ceremony, she repeated and sat down on the opposite side of the bench from the man.

He said nothing.

It’s stupid, she said again but the man remained silent. She knew she was trying to get a reaction out of him and his silence annoyed her further. Everyone thought so much of the Gray Lord, the Gray Knights, the ideals of Tanelorn. She wanted a fight. She wanted to tell someone that she deserved better, that she was being treated unfairly.

I should be up there, before those others. I did more, she muttered again and loud enough that the man next to her must have heard. I did more.

After a moment, the man finally reacted with a deep and loud burp.

Rhia laughed, Fair enough.

I would tell you life is unfair but you’ve probably heard that often enough. Why do you wish to be a Gray Knight so badly?

It’s all I’ve ever wanted, said Rhia to the stranger while leaning back against the bench and sighing deeply. It’s what I’ve wanted since I was a little girl.

If you do not want to answer my question, that is your choice, but I can offer you no opinion unless you do so.

Rhia sat up straight with a start and frowned before nodding her head, True enough. I did not answer your question properly. I will make up for that rudeness. When I was a girl, in my village, a man visited us. He was a Gray Knight and he took me upon his shoulder and he laughed in a happy way. And after that I wanted to be a Gray Knight just like him. But where I’m from girls aren’t allowed to be knights.

He sounds an impressive fellow, said the bulky man and a cloud of steam emerged from below the hood as he blew out in the cool morning air. It was getting to be late in the season and the nights were growing colder. They would grow far colder yet, as Rhia knew. What was his name?

Jon Gray, said Rhia.

The man gave out a great, and familiar sounding, laugh.

Rhia jumped to her feet and turned to face him, Jon? she asked but then turned around to the ceremony where she had just seen the towering knight talking with a group of his ever-present friends and the women that always accompanied them. She shook her head, No, it can’t be.

No, not Jon, said the man and opened his hood enough that Rhia could see the heavy jowls below.

Lord Gray! her eyes opened wide as she shouted and stood up straight.

Shh, now girl, be quiet. I don’t like people to know I’m watching. I’m supposed to be indifferent these days. Sit down, sit down before someone takes notice.

Rhia stood for a moment, turned first in one direction, and then another before finally taking a seat next to the Gray Lord. Why … why are you here? They say you never come to these anymore.

You answered my question fair and true, said the Gray Lord pulling his hood closed again and leaning forward so as to further conceal himself. And so, I’ll answer a question of yours soon enough, is that not the way in Tanelorn?

Rhia nodded and tried to calm her breath although her feet tapped rapidly on the ground and her right leg jiggled.

First I would like to know more about why my son picking you up had such a profound impact on your life. It seems a trivial thing. To pick up a young girl.

Rhia leaned back and smiled, the memory of that day coming to her once again, as it had many times before. She and Shia waiting for Sorus in the bushes to pop out and surprise him. Then Jon appearing with Sorus, so tall, so handsome, so happy, so sure of himself. She’d never seen anyone like that and when he picked her up she felt so free, so joyous. He’d taken her on his shoulders all the way back to town and even now it was perhaps the happiest memory of her life. I’m sorry, she said turning back to the Gray Lord with a quick shake of her head, I was just remembering.

There’s no hurry, he replied his head once again back under the hood and his anonymity in place.

Jon is such a hero. I suppose when he first picked me up, I wanted to be like him, but then he told of us life here in Tanelorn. That girls could be knights. And he was so … so … perfect. The First Rider even gave him his own name. I mean, I know he’s not perfect. I’m not stupid. But he changed my life. And Sorus. And others as well. I wanted to be a knight, just like Jon. I have to be a knight, just like Jon. I came all this way. Across the entire continent. It took me years to get here, years. I won’t not become a Gray Knight. It’s my purpose, you see. I guess that’s why you sent him away in the first place. To inspire others, people like me. That’s what everyone says. There are people all across the world who look up to Jon, who will be friends to Tanelorn. That you were wise to send him away so as to have allies in the coming wars. That’s what everyone says, is it true?

The Gray Lord shook his head from under the hood, No, that is not why I sent him away. But I’ll tell you why I did, if you’d care to hear.

Rhia nodded her head while leaning forward and turning toward the Gray Lord so as to hear his muffled words from beneath the hood.

The man paused, gave off a sigh that sent steam cascading into the air once again, and then he spoke, You could see from the time they were three or four years old. Jon didn’t want responsibility and Jane did. You could see it in everything they did. Jane was always the leader even though Jon was always better. Things came easily for him. Still do. Too easy, I suppose. Jane wanted to be a Gray Knight, a Gray Captain, to lead the army, to lead Gray Knights in battle. From the time she was but a girl. Jon, he never wanted that. He did it only because it was expected. He is my son; everything came with ease but he didn’t like it, it’s not what he wanted. He hated it. The responsibility, the duty. That’s why I sent him away. In Tanelorn people are free. Free to be who they please. We don’t judge. That’s the nation I founded and I did so with a purpose. Tanelornians are the sort of people who don’t need to do what is expected of them, they often came here fleeing such expectations. They joined me, of their own free will. What sort of a father would I be if I forced my own son to behave in a way he didn’t desire? I didn’t want him to become a leader because it was expected of him. He would have resented it. He never would have been a good leader if it was forced upon him. I sent him away. So he could grow up without all those expectations. They are heavy, these expectations we feel. I believe people should be who they want to be, not what others expect them to be. I sent him away. I thought he would never return. Perhaps I never wanted him to return. I wanted him to lead a life on his own terms. Not what I wanted or anyone else. It was not an easy decision. It was not. No, it was not. He was just a boy in a man’s body. He wasn’t ready, but I had to do it before it was too late.

You did the right thing, said Rhia looking back toward the crowd and the ceremony. Jane was up on the stage gesticulating although they were too far away to hear the words. He came back and he’s his own man now, no one would say differently.

That’s kind of you to say, said the Gray Lord, putting his hand behind his hooded head, and scratching. I’m not sure his mother would agree. I don’t think she’s ever forgiven me, to be perfectly frank. And she’s right to be angry. Her baby. Sent away for nearly half his life.

But he’s back now and just when you need him most, said Rhia. You’ll need as many Gray Knights as you can with war coming. The gnolls, there’s thousands and thousands of them. And the Dragonkin and maybe the Rock Lord as well.

Ah, the Gray Knights, said the Gray Lord and turned to face the girl. She could see the shadow of his face and the immensely wide shoulders behind it. That brings us back to your troubles. Do you believe it’s so important to Take the Gray, to say the words?

Of course, said Rhia nodding her head, a grin on her face and her jaw firm and set. I told you, that’s all I’ve wanted since I was a little girl. I’ll be a Gray Knight yet. That’s what is important. It’s the only thing. The best thing. Nothing will stop me. Nothing except death and then I won’t know any different. I don’t mind dying. I’m not afraid. But I’ll be a Gray Knight. I will.

Can I tell you a secret? asked the Gray Lord with a little chuckle as his great shoulders shook and he ducked back deeper into his hood.

Rhia nodded, the grin from her face gone as she stared into the darkness inside the hood. She was holding her breath waiting for the words and leaning toward the Gray Lord.

I wrote the Gray Oath; well, the wife mostly did the words, but with my help. She’s got an education. But it was my sentiment.

Yes, said Rhia sensing there was more to the story.

But … well … not many people know what I’m about to tell you, said the Gray Lord and paused.

Yes …? asked Rhia in a hushed voice leaning even further forward.

I never swore the oath myself. I’m not officially a Gray Knight.

Rhia shook her head violently and her hands meandered around not knowing exactly where to put themselves, Of course you’re a Gray Knight! You’re the Gray Lord! All this, with a wave to the city and then to the gathered crowd where powerful soon-to-be knights stood before the podium, is because of you. You founded Tanelorn. You said it yourself, you were joined by like-minded people. Everyone knows the story. The Gray Oath is just words. You didn’t have to say them to be a Gray Knight!

The Gray Lord leaned back on the bench and the smile that emanated from beneath his hood was evident even if invisible, Indeed.

Chapter 2

What do you think this is about? asked Marianne, her hands twisting around each other and her leg bouncing at a rapid rate as she sat on the hard, wooden chair across from the squat desk. The three arrived at the large building a few minutes before and found their way to Lofo’s office with barely a glance from the few others that were up and about so recently after the swearing in ceremony, which had, this time, gone without incident.

"We’ve talked ourselves hoarse